By Stix Douglas
We never know in the beginning where we might end up in life. I have taken a roundabout way of getting to the place I want to call the here now.
Before I can tell you much about how it all came into being, I got to share a little bit of what brought me to this point. Music and motorcycles have always been rather high on my list of passions from way back. I spent a lot of time chasing a dream of playing music in between riding while working for an automobile manufacture.
I hated the factory work. I would often spend any and all of my spare time while there working listening to music that I would work up for the next rehearsal and or band practice.
Riding had always been fun and a stress reliever, but so was my music, especially when i was done working. I had played in a lot of bands over the years. Many times, I would go to work and play music while being laid off or while on a model change or down time. I often would say I was a musician before I was a biker. Those two passions ran deep.
What made factory work so much more tolerable was getting to pick a different route home on the days it was nice enough to have rode in. Especially if it was after one of those very difficult stress filled Ten-hour days.
Lucky for me there were more than several routes home, because there were plenty.
But a more accurate way of explaining why would be that I rode for any number of reasons. Because I could, and I made sure of it, early on. Riding was the escape and, in my case, the release to remove all of life's stresses. To be able to clear my mind, to be free of what otherwise would have entrapped me. I often would return to playing music especially during the winter months and between layoffs.
I've been riding motorcycles nearly my entire life. Although I had about a ten-year hiatus of being without a motorcycle. Many of those years were also spent playing music.
It's because of those passions or drive, that I am the way I am. To have that ability and perhaps talent. Yet refusing to give up and therefore, pursuing my way of thinking.
It is a blessing to have that open minded way of life and to be able to do things that others could only dream of. I just happened to have found it to be important early enough, to when it came to riding.
Thinking about it now, I know I was blessed to have had a mini trail bike that I had to share with my two brothers back in my younger days. This is what started getting my face into the wind and was my first motorized set of two wheels.
Back when I was doing factory work, I would use all my spare time planning and routing my vacations. Scheduling some touring across country with other events throughout the US.
I was fortunate to be able to have rode to Sturgis, South Dakota not once or twice but have ridden there Twenty years straight before skipping one or two. My next road trip there would make it my Twenty Fifth year of going.
I can help but believe they love Me up there on Main Street.
I had pretty much also ridden in and had been through all of the lower Forty-Eight States, plus had also traveled in Five Canadian Provinces. Long before it came time to end up retiring.
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| Check out the "Sturgis to Saskatoon Pin Story" |
Besides all those states I recently added my 350,000 Mile Merit Award from HOG. (Harley Owners Group) So I had seen my own share of pavement and had plenty of my own wind therapy.
Even when I finally did retire, I hadn't gotten enough of the music out of my system and worked playing for two different bands at the same time.
ALIBI was one of the last bands. We generally performed down in southern Missouri doing danceable 70's & 80's Classic Rock
Tessa Folk & COMPANY done a variety of Acoustic soft rock, with some emphasis on three-part harmonies.
When the interest and the bookings fell by the wayside. I couldn't find others with the same interest so...
Instead, I decide to go solo and done some volunteering while performing live music for a charitable motorcycle organization in Franklin County called The Action Riders.
It allowed me to combine my two passions of riding and playing music.
It had been at this time that I had been seeing several Police Escorts with Funeral processions. It had got me into wondering what it might be like to do that.
I had seen a couple of Metro motorcycles parked out front of an old gas station near Jefferson Barracks a couple times. I decided I would stop and ask once I seen them again. Days turned into weeks and then turned into months.
I had about given up and i assumed that they hired only Motorcycle Police who'd retired or only hired Veteran's. I never gave it much more thought, since I didn't think I would ever have a chance of doing it.
When you have ridden for as long or as much as I have, there comes a time and a real need to ride year-round. To do that I knew it required some additional riding gear. But up until this point I was picking a 45*+ day or two and riding a few miles once or twice a month. I was only kidding myself thinking I was riding year-round. Basically, i was just doing it so I wouldn't have to winterize my Harley.
The escort guys with Metro were serious about it and were riding nearly every day. And in any sort of weather just short of snow sleet and or ice. I knew I would have to step up my game if I was seriously going to do it
Everyone has their own way of dealing with riding in the cold. To be prepared to ride in all sorts of temperatures and weather conditions meant getting some other items. I would require several levels of riding gear, not just multiplies of layers.
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| Out riding in the Winter of 2019 |
Besides the typical riding leathers including a leather coat with a thermos liner (preferable a zip out one) and a set of chaps was what I had originally started out with. If you are just getting started that's the minimum, you are going to need.
For really cold winter riding I disregarded my leather Chaps. even though they help to knock off about a 10*F cooler than without. The main thing is that leather chaps are to help protect you from road rash if you should happen to go down. They also help cut the wind chill down but so does canvas engine guards
But when it came to winter riding, I thought I had ridden in cold winter weather before. But I really was only kidding myself compared to these guys. It didn't take long after getting a taste of a One-hundred-mile Run in freezing and or near freezing conditions.
Once I find out what riding gear they used, I didn't waste any time. After getting what I needed it allowed me to ride beside them, in even colder and below freezing temperatures.
As many of you know from my other short stories, I have had several Harley-Davidson's. I still do but only two that are licensed insured and are ready to ride up until October of 2020 when the Metro Unit 10 was also added.
I have wondered off and now I need to be getting you back to how I ended up making the connection...
It was a rather cool or I should say a "cold" 40*F afternoon. I was bundled up with all of what was my winter riding gear at the time. It included a set of Under Armor top and bottoms shirt and pants. Jeans and chaps with a long sleeve shirt. Top that off with a heated gear jacket, my snow mobile mask and modular helmet along with my heated gauntlet gloves.
This was the extent of all my winter riding gear. I was at my limit for being safe or at a comfort temperature limit when I had to stop for fuel. I had been out on my 2001 Electra-Glide Classic. (I refer to it as my Oh one) or O1 Eagle.
It was just after I had refueled at a local QT gas station and was in the process of leaving. As I was pulling out, I saw out the corner of my eye another motorcycle. When I passed by, I could see it had Metro in large letters over the front fairing and the guy was wearing a helmet with the same on the side of it as he was refueling.
I quickly doubled back around and parked facing to the side of his bike in the opposite direction.
" You're just the guy I been looking for" was the first words out of my mouth.
"Oh? Why is that? Was his comment as he finished refueling and returned the hose to the pump.
I knew I needed to be direct. "What does it take to work for Metro? " I said as turned my head then looked directly at him with my mirrored sunglasses on.
" A business card from Me!" was his response stating it rather sternly. I was a little taken back by what he had said, (I had no real understanding of what he actually meant at that time.) more on that later.
"Can you work in the Day time" he asked?" I am retired " was my response, " We have a few of those " he said.
I went on to mention, " I had been a Motorcycle Safety Instructor and taught for Harley Davidson Riders Edge Program and for the MSF at a few of the colleges"
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| I was the Black Sheep of the Group Graduation (2nd from the left top row) |
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| Teaching an MSF class at Queeny Park |
" We've have had a few of those. was his response." He went on to close his gas flap. I asked: Was there was some other training that they would require?
He said: If you have taught MSF classes you really shouldn't have any trouble with the Motorcycle Evaluation.
He went on to say that you would be responsible for keeping the motorcycle clean, but they would be responsible for keeping it maintained. I was surprised and took it to also mean they would be entrusting me with one of their Police issued Harley Davidson's.
I asked " This isn't like a Nine to Five job, or was it? " I just could not imagine what that would be like. He assured me that they do what is called "Runs". I would be paid a flat rate for each Run every two weeks.
He went on to say the longest Run he had been on was one from Fort Leonard wood to Jefferson Barracks. Roughly a hundred mile plus, but he said that was the exception. Most all of the Runs would be in the general St. Louis area.
As he talked, I couldn't help but notice that his motorcycle had the new Harley-Davidson Milwaukee Eight motor. Because it did, I knew it had to be a 2017 or newer model. It also had some rather impressive lights mounted in front of the windshield a.
I don't remember much else before he twisted a dial on the top of his right saddle bag. Then flipped open the lid and pulled out a clip board. At first, I thought I was going to be getting a ticket.
He reached into an envelope and pulled out a business card and stretched his arm out to hand it to me.
As I grasp the card, he held on to it.
He asked: What is your name?
I told him: James Douglas: then he released his grip on the card.
He said: I will be talking with my boss,
(And I quote): She will be expecting a call from you.
I was elated. Finally, after having waited for so long for this opportunity, I was making progress and felt like I was on cloud nine.
As he left the pumps and headed down to a nearby stop light, I got in behind him and followed him out. After getting on the highway, I was so rattled I had forgotten which way i was headed and that I was now going in the wrong direction and had to turn around.
This all happened on a Friday afternoon about 1:00 pm. I figured I would would be best to wait and call on Monday. It would give him plenty of time then to get ahold of the boss and was unsure if they worked through the rest of the week.
I had a hard time that weekend waiting. My patience is not the best. Come Monday morning I got out the business card and called a few minutes after 8:00 am.
The first call went to their business line which referred to leaving a detailed message for the hiring of the motorcycle escorting with vital information required.
Naturally there was another number for a fax and then a cell number. with the name Evelyn.
That Monday morning a little after 8:15 I got up the nerve to call the cell number and was afraid that she might not be awake. The phone call was friendly and once I had spoken my name she remembered, evidently speaking with the motorcycle escort I had gotten the card from. Doug was his name. He was one of her instructors. It dawned on me then, thinking back to the gas station when he said: A card from me.
Evelyn was the boss's name, she had wanted to send me a application threw my e-mail, but I had told her that I did not have a printer. I would have to settle for it to be sent by snail mail.
Again, I would have to wait. The days seemed longer, and it was Thursday evening before the mail came with the much-anticipated application. The big yellow envelope was nearly twice the width of a business envelope and was sealed with the clear post office tape completely around all four corners and its edges.
Inside was several pages. I had expected there to be at least two or three but to my surprise the application was only one page. There was Metro's Motorcycle Vision Statement, two pages on Safety dealing with Priorities, and two pages in other things you would need to know as an Escort before getting started. I would also have to pass evaluations on Five training Runs.
Going over the application raised a few questions. It asked the general questions name address work background driver's license #
It had asked if I had taken an MSF class and what my certification number was.
I wanted to make sure she knew I had been an MSF (Motorcycle Safety Foundation) "Certified Instructor" as well as a Riders Edge instructor. But that it had been back in 2007 & 2008 and no longer had my registration card.
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| The Harley Davidson Graduation Riders Edge Instructor Class 2008 Richmond, Virginia |
When I mentioned this to Evelyn she chuckled and said that she knew and that generally I had already been talked about and had more or less had already passed my interview.
I asked her what she wanted me to do. Was I to mail the application or bring it to her? Evelyn assured me to just mail it in.
There were several questions I had and was curious of how detailed I would have to be.
The last of the conversation was when I asked: What is next?
She stated that she was going to get together with Doug and another of her instructors. Doug was also the one I had spoken with and the guy I got the card from. Gary was another Instructor, and they would have me go through a Motorcycle Evaluation.
I believe it was a day or two on a Saturday when I got a phone call from Gary. His first question for me was " Are you still interested in going to work for Metro?" I said: Yes. He said that He and Doug will be doing the Evaluation and wanted to set it up for Tuesday at 12 noon. Way up north off Mc Donnell Ave. Roughly an hour ride from me one way.
I mentioned to him that I had a doctor's appointment for 11:00 that morning, and it would be closer to 1:00pm before I could be there. He said that would be fine they would be there early and would be expecting me.
The weather reports were not encouraging. Thundershowers would be expected about the time I would get there for the evaluation.
At first, I thought with the cold I would have to wear all my heated gear and include several layers since it was going to be in the low 40's temperature wise.
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| The Boss Evelyn, Gary and Doug at the Rain-Soaked Motorcycle Evaluation |
The night before I had gone online and had watched several videos of Police doing Motorcycle Evaluation Test. The videos shown had several where they had dumped their motorcycles during the evaluation.
They looked more difficult doing tighter figure 8's while on full size Harley Davidsons. This made my anxiety even worse.
Early that morning I got another call from the Instructor Gary to make sure I was still coming since it was raining and to prevent any confusion that I would need to be bringing my own bike to do the evaluation on. They had several who mistakenly thought they would be using the Metro Harleys and had thought otherwise.
But now I was in even more of a dilemma knowing that I wouldn't be able to use my O1 Harley since it had an issue with always popping out of first gear. My Dream Machine a 2017 Road Glide Special would have to be used instead. It had a longer wheelbase which makes it more difficult, especially during those tight turns I would have to do in the evaluation.
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Shortly before I arrived for the Motorcycle Evaluation there had been a strong downpour from a Thunderstorm that had blown through, making it difficult to be able to see from all the mist and run off from the traffic getting there. I had rode through it and had found my way to the location even with the poor visibility a few minutes early.
Both Instructors Doug and Gary were there parked under a pavilion when I arrived.
They both came out and introduced themselves and explained a little of what I would be doing on their "course" which was laid out with smaller green rubber cones similar to the orange ones what I had used when I had been an instructor.
Gary had shown me demonstrating what he wanted Me to do down and back and then had me do last minute lane changes signaling which at the last second.
Next Doug went over the road course wanting me to weave through the cones at a slow rate of speed. And while doing his demonstration the bike slipped out from under him and he caught himself and stopped.
Needless to say, this didn't help matters with my anxieties, my first time through I had gone so slow I got off balance and also had to put my foot down.
By now I was in panic mode.
Doug must have known and had me get off my bike and walked me through the first cone showing me the error I had overlooked. Reminding me of what I had taught in my MSF classes. Watching the cone instead.
I done it again and one more time zipping through the technic.
Evelyn the boss, pulled up in a car a little after I had finished with the motorcycle evaluation.
We all sat and talked under the pavilion. Doug had mention that he had been so impressed that I had even shown up with the intense thunderstorm that had just pass through before I got there. He said he was willing to pass me on that fact alone.
Evelyn had me try on a new Metro helmet, and a leather police issue coat for sizing. She said she would be getting back with me on the delivery of my Metro motorcycle and the rest of the gear I would be receiving in a day or two.
Sure, enough a Black Dodge Ram pickup pulling an enclosed trailer pulled into my drive a few days later. I received a 2012 Harley Davidson Police motorcycle. with 94,700 miles on it. A new XL Metro helmet with headgear mic and headphone included.
There were other things as well two complete sets of uniforms shirts and pants a handheld radio with charger a new heavy duty Battery Tender and for now an oversized eather coat with a Metro patch on one and US Flag on the other sleeve.
She showed me how the radio communications worked but forgot the cable to hook up the helmet to the bikes radio. She assured me I would have it when I would do my first of the five Trail Runs.
She said take the bike out and ride it. Get used to it. Which I did shortly after she left.
I would be having to watch my e-mails. Everything would come through it, usually two full days in advance.
Things the e-mail would include would be the location, The time to be there. The destination it be for going to a church or cemetery or funeral home. The time to arrive there. The deceased name and the Funeral home in charge.
It would be my responsibility to have the safest route to its destination ahead of time to go over with the Funeral Director.
I received a Doc file through one of the other escort guys giving me a listing of all of the Cemetery's, Churches, and Funeral homes and their addresses in alphabetical order to use as a reference.
Other escorts would use their smart phones and GPS where I am more old school and use my lap top computer. I wasn't very knowledgeable about the highways or any streets downtown in St Louis. In a lot of ways, I got drop kicked into finding out how to get around.
My first two trial Runs were both on the same day. It was during what many of the other escorts stated was maybe the worst weather conditions anyone had remembered riding in up until then.
All I had to do was observe the instructor and his partner during the Run and to stay up front of the processions lead car.
The first of my trial or training Runs would take us up onto 170 and then east onto I-70 passed the Airport. Both areas I had no previous experience, nor had I been on at all. I also had avoided driving much less riding a motorcycle on most of my adult life.
What made it worse was the wind gusting that was over 50 mph and a constant rain and road mist with the temp being 40*F or less. It made following along with them even more difficult. I was soaked to the bone before we had even finished with the first Run.
They described or coined the phrase a term called being in the pocket or in the Rocking chair. It is where a third escort remains up in front of the lead car behind the other two. Typically, followed by the hearse and sometimes limousine(s), which are then followed by the rest of the procession.
As an Escort you are to keep a three second lead in front of the lead car, while not causing the lead car to have to brake. This is to help keep the procession from getting into an accordion effect while following especially when on an Interstate. Steady as she goes kind of lead is best. There have been times I have been the Tail gunner in the rear of the procession and traveling on the Interstate about 60mph and had to slam on my brakes and come to a complete stop behind a procession having that Accordion effect. It becomes nerve racking.
There is so many things that has to be learned while on the job. Technics to do it safely and correctly.
At first, whenever I had a Run location sent to me, of a Funeral home or Church that I was not familiar with, I would do a preflight Run. This meant after marking down the directions of both getting there and the route to the cemetery on a 3x5 index card. I would snap it on a clip onto the dash of the Metro. I would go to the area. It was the best way to get familiar with what I would be faced with. Understanding what I would be up against with stoplights, turns even road obstructions and to be more aware and more relaxed when I would be working with the procession
Safety first is what is expected and then doing what is by the book. I had a hell of a time learning a technic called Bump & Run. Basically, it is taking over an intersection for another escort. With the exception of when it is a Red Light. When that happens, you are to pass and take the lead or the next stop or intersection. It was more confusing with each one of the escorts I would work with to get what their understanding was that they wanted.
Leap Frogging is another one of the other terms some of the other escorts refer to it but is slightly different that you pass on one another to be faster depending on the traffic and the number of vehicles in the Procession. Most processions are seventeen or more vehicles.
When you have that many or more it becomes more difficult to keep the front of the procession moving and safely through stoplight intersections.
When I first started there were so many times that I could not hear the instructions given to me. I took plenty of heat from the others before they realized the full extent of the problem. Thinking I wasn't cut out for the job and saying so to my face.
It was pretty easy for them to find fault. They had no idea the problems with a defective radio and an older motorcycle unit.
It wasn't until the communications radio had gone completely out and was completely worked over before the other escorts realized the severity of my problem. The headphone communication in my helmet had not been working. They could hear Me in their helmet, but I could not hear them. I was only receiving what sound I could through the motorcycle's speakers.
Once the radio had been repaired everything including the headpiece in my helmet worked. Then everything clicked.
I had only been getting a little bit of sound. When in the wind and with speeds above 45mph made it impossible to hear.
Having it fixed made a HUGE difference.
Many of the other escorts complimented me on how well I had progressed. Once the radio and my communication with them had been restored.
There are always different circumstances while on a Run. I believe the other escorts enjoy pointing out how I could improve for the next time. Each of the other nine escorts also seem to have different preferences.
There was and still is a lot of what I call "White Knuckling it" when passing the procession sometimes while. on a two lane or street with oncoming traffic. This has to be done to get back up front for the next stop light or turn.
It was explained to me that there are roughly five or six different Cemetery's that many of the Run's end at. So once you learn the routes to them it all becomes much easier and kind of second nature. The Trick is doing them well enough without making mistakes. Of course, there are always exceptions. Those get added onto that Doc. file list, for what may be the next time
Being the "new guy" also came with a little bit of ribbing from the others. FNG and NFG mentioned more than a few times. (Fucking New Guy and the New Fucking Guy)
Besides that, also meant you are at the bottom of the totem pole, and I also got the oldest of fleet motorcycles. A 2012 Police issued Harley Davidson
Which wasn't so bad considered if it's maintance is kept up on. As with any ageing motorcycle especially one that's been somewhat abused, things have a way of breaking down.
One of the things to happen while out on one of my first Runs, was a pursuit light switch. It broke off. It left me without any control over the flashing lights while out on the Run. My partner had to shut it off once we had finished.
Needless to say, that the broken piece was located and had to be used as a makeshift until a new one could be ordered and installed properly. Generally, the Pursuit Lights are not to be turned on until the official word from the Funeral Director which would send me scrambling to trying to putting the broken piece in manually in time before starting the Run and then stopping to use it once again once at the cemetery before leaving.
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| I used to think that I was Policing the streets, (May '93) and years later.... I am |
In many ways I feel like all the paths, and the choices I have made, eventually have led me too here. I believe it's been a life filled with just as many miles and twist and turns as one could muster.
But that it all comes down to being in the right place at the right time in more of a natural setting.
I believe the Almighty has put me here, and this is where I belong for now.
Having reached either my peak and or the summit. I've always thought of and wanted to live to be the "Wise Ol' Biker". It's nice to have the credentials to sort of back it up.
I guess it is only fitting to be escorting those on to their final resting place and I feel rather honored in having that privilege.
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