Ride CT & Ride New England Serving New England, NYC and The Hudson Valley!
KENT, CT – A picture of a note that proclaims “Bathrooms Closed” and attacks “‘Harley’ noise makers and their riff-raff,” which has been popping up in social media posts shared over the past couple of days,
wasn’t issued by “town officials” as it claims, although the town is still looking at cracking down on motorcycle noise.
Noting that the scribbled missive isn’t on town letterhead, First Selectman Bruce Adams said Wednesday that the town didn’t didn’t put it out. The note claims that public restrooms have been closed “due to bikers using them” and urges Harley riders to “‘Go’ somewhere else.”
In actuality, the two “public restrooms” behind Kent Coffee & Chocolate in downtown Kent were closed several months ago when a new owner took over the complex, and not because of a recent threat by the town to begin ticketing riders with loud exhaust pipes.
Predictably, the posting of the picture of the note drew rapid replies from riders who noted the economic impact of motorcyclists in town businesses and who griped about being singled out for noise; comments that were dismissed by Adams. “The Facebook thread that resulted from (the picture being posted) is irrational,” he said.
(Updated Thursday morning…)
Frankie Lights, whose business Street Lights installs LED lighting on bikes, cars and truck, shared the original post from the Eagle Riders 558 Facebook page about the note; a post which has now been taken down. In commenting, he suggested that “500 motorcycles at an impromptu RALLY … should get some wet diapers in Kent” this coming Sunday.
In a subsequent post, Lights explained, “I was calling for a RESPONSIBLE and CONTROLLED ride to Kent. I wanted the shop keepers to know that we would not be back, due to the small minded opinions of one or two owners. The bikers that frequent Kent do so to spend their money on food, gasoline, antiques and gift items. We pay CASH and do so respectfully. We wanted to let the shop owners know that the lack of business on Sundays would be due to the book store and liquor store owners greed. So we don’t read books and don’t drink when we ride. I am insulted that you slanted this column to seem that I was trying to organize a threat to the town of Kent. I STRESSED control and courtesy! Also due to the controversy of this situation I will NOW promote the boycotting of the town of KENT.
In a conversation this morning, Lights reiterated that the idea was for a “controlled, courteous” gathering, followed by an avoidance of Kent altogether. And he agreed that riders need to be courteous when operating their bikes.
Also voicing concern over this story, as originally posted, was David Rudolf, vice president of the non-profit Eagle Riders 588. He noted that the club engages in many charitable endeavors and expressed concern that the post and story would reflect poorly on the club. He said that he asked Lights to take it down, which Lights has done.
Regardless, riders who do visit Kent this weekend can expect a heightened state police presence. Resident state trooper Andrew Fisher (show below) will be joined by at least one additional trooper to help with the Kent Chamber of Commerce’s annual Sidewalk Festival.
Adams said that the possibility of a rider protest could result in even more troopers being brought in and that Fisher is “looking into” even greater staffing; a move that now appears unnecessary.
– Bud Wilkinson
For years, I enforced local and state laws prohibiting the operation of illegally equipped, illegally LOUD motorcycles, automobiles and trucks on our public roadways. The scourge of the Loud Motorcycle Cult[ure] is out of control and for one very simple reason: A complete lack of enforcement – NONFEASANCE on the part of our law enforcement community to provide negative reinforcement for the illegal, selfish, intrusive, arrogant, disrespectful, hedonistic, operation of illegally LOUD, illegally equipped motor vehicles on public roadways.
Rick Holtsclaw
Loud Motorcycles Suck – Facebook and YouTube
Have no prob with the bikers but DO have a problem when I’m sitting in an outdoor restaurant in Kent on a gorgeous day with my family and one of them swears every five seconds loudly while my children look in disbelief. They are not used to such disgusting language. I told my kids that some people don’t know enough good words, so they have to use the bad ones. We had to walk out and didn’t enjoy our meal on my husband’s only day off due to this low class, poorly mannered guy.
Do you have straight pipes that were excessively noisy? Were you riding in a large group? If the noise was deafening, I don’t blame her.
I took a bike ride today to raise money for the local food bank. As we drove through Kent some woman stood in her front yard and gave us the finger as we rode by. Shame on you Kent Woman
Dave, as a former owner of a Harley (even if it was a V-Rod), I certainly hope that I’m not anti-Harley. While I admittedly don’t buy into the mystique, I do think the company makes good looking motorcycles. I try to write about Harley (new models, interesting events, etc.) as I would any company. Harley has had a spate of recalls lately, which I’ve written about, but that doesn’t make me anti-Harley. I am anti-noise, but that include all cruisers whose operators are rude, all sports bikes owners are rude, and all cars with exhausts that deafen. Feel free to call me out as you just did. I do appreciate feedback and, yes, I plead guilty to fanning the flames.
I ride through Kent almost every weekend during the riding season stopping for coffee on the way out or back, and a fail to see a problem to the proportions stated in articles on this site.. This weekend I was around both days and saw a allot of money being spent by respectful bikers, without any incidents that I saw. Bud I also want to take exception to what you claim as acceptable noise standards, a Goldwing? Which is almost as quite as an electric car., this site as per your articles posting is anti Harley , so once you found a local official who felt the same way you couldn’t wait to write a series of articles giving credence to it. Sometimes a problem isn’t a problem till someone like yourself fans the flame.
I moved to kent in 1982 and have loved it ever since. As far as the bikers are concerned, I love seeing them especially when they are all lined up in a row, its really cool to see. Not only that but you can get 3 or 4 bikes into a parking spot that only 1 car takes up so there is more money being spent in the town. What really pisses me off is the out of towners that come here park where ever they like when they parallel park on the road they just throw that car door open without looking to see if anything is coming or after they get out now they have to open the back door to un load their kids,the dog or what ever and now they have stopped traffic and everyone else has to wait for them like they own the town . Those are the people the cops need to start passing out tickets to and leave the bikers alone. just saying
Wow, the CT State Troopers will take some time off from their typical “bingo hunting” (sitting on the side of the road running license plates as you drive by) to harass law abiding bikers to satisfy the wealthy folks of Kent? Why does this not surprise me?
Someone writes a note telling the bikers they can’t use the bathrooms in Kent and now you’re talking about a boycott of the entire town? I’m sorry, but some of you guys need to quit acting like a bunch of cry babies and get on with your lives. I grew up in Cornwall and used to love seeing all the bikes pass thru. I thought it was bad ass. But when I started working in one of the cafes in town I distinctly remember what a pain in the ass it was catering to some of these guys, often being just as rude and/or whiney as the New Yorkers they’re complaining about. Not bad ass at all.
I’ve got nothing against bikers in general or loud pipes; it’s better for everyone to make your presence known while on the road. But for the love of god, grow a pair. I understand not wanting to deal with the lunk heads in Troop B, but don’t let a couple of pansy shop owners in Kent hurt your feelings.
Sorry I mixed up my Bruce’s. I meant Mr. Adams. My apologies Mr, Morse.
Let’s not pretend Bruce Adams doesn’t openly hate bikers maybe as much as he hates kids that skateboard.
Sorry to the biker community, I don’t disagree Kent it not a great place to visit ask the Appalachian trail hikers they can share horror stories too.
Kent’s loss -ride safe and proud.
If we did get funds for economic development, we don’t deserve it, with our prejudice, small minded attitudes.
Karren
As President of Eagle Riders RC, I encourage people to visit our website Eagleriders588.com to see the type of people we are. As always it takes a few bad apples to ruin things for the masses, and then in return there is a knee jerk reaction with no REAL thought about how many this will effect. Business owners, professionals, doctors, lawyers, and people from ALL walks of life are also BIKERS. It’s your friends neighbors and relatives. and YES we are some of the most charitable people on the planet. Good luck Kent !!
My life has been in more danger from the speeding BMW’s, Porches, Volvo’s and Audi’s around Kent than from any person on a motorcycle.
I’ve lived in Sharon for nearly 25 years. My husband and I have been riding our Harley all of that through Kent when we leave our town going south as Route 7 is the main route going that way. Mr. Morse will you now ticket those from your neighboring towns as well just because we need to go through your town to leave ours?! And as for loud motorcycles I would prefer to be on one as most car drivers do not see us, but maybe they’ll hear us and therefore see us! And I agree with other locals, what about those snooty New Yorkers in their fancy cars not paying attention and acting as if they own the road? And the folks racing their cars up 7 to Lime Rock? As for my fellow bikers come a little further northwest to Sharon and Salisbury we have a great restaurant in Sharon and great restaurants and shops in Salisbury. Our roads are beautiful as is the scenery. Ride Safe.
I have lived in Kent All my life and feel it’s very unfortunate that a few people complaining about bikes I’m up there every day in 90% of them are very respectable people and spend a lot of money in town which it can use of course there is a couple that might speed or have very loud exhaust but I have seen many cars do the exact same thing while going up to lime rock racetrack but I haven’t seen any crackdown on cars I’m sure if you check the people that are complaining they are the ones that don’t make any money off them I have noticed most of these people are older folks just out for or relax ride I have sent down many many times and had great conversations with these people I guess some people don’t have nothing better to do in your life but the bitch about somebody else as far as I know this this is still a free country and no I don’t own a bike I would like to see the names of the businesses put up on a website so the rest of Kent citizens can boycott them and see how they like it ride save folks and have a good time
Bruce Morsey
Looking for a place in the Northwest corner to go on Sunday? Come on up to Barkhamsted/Winsted. Sunday is the Matthew Marc Melanson Memorial Ride which starts at the Winsted Industrail Park on Colebrook River Rd. KSU 9:00. Show and after party starts 10:30 AM at the Tractor Supply on Rt 44 in Barkhamsted. A DJ, The Joey Sexton Band playing, some vendors and some great folks. And it benefits the American Legion Post 43’s PTSD Fund.
Crap, I made a million mistakes because I’m in a hurry to go out- but I was referring to my dad.
This is insane. I find it comical our town has just been awarded a few million dollars to up our tourism- this doesn’t help. My family has lived here for years and I don’t want to shock anyone, he owns a Harley. I have a found appreciation of them. What if he rides into town for something- is he now a problem too being a tax paying citizen of this town? , I do understand that they are a bit noisy, but most of the riders who come into our town aren’t racing street bikes or destroying property. Being an adult is understanding NOT EVERYTHING will always go in your way.
On the behalf of our town I would like to apologize to those bikers who have always been respectful and stimulated our economy.
I don’t think a single business owner in the Kent/Cornwall area is in the position to complain about noise if it brings business. I’ve lived in the area my whole life and when I worked in the center of Cornwall for six years, we DEPENDED on the motorcyclists for our busy season. How dare any business owner risk that income at the expense of neighboring shops. If you don’t care to deal with people or customers then move somewhere else and leave the town to flourish.
Bruce is back pedaling huh? No shock there. He has made no secret of his disdain for motorcyclists. A number of years ago he even made that clear via a news article in the online Kent newspaper.
I absolutely support bikers boycotting this town. Whole heartedly. I even sent the article to multiple bike clubs. Harley’s are louder than cars. Well, most cars. But I’ll take any of these bikers over the snooty idiots in their Mercedes that drive dangerously and carelessly through town and are ruder than rude. These bikes in town cost more than most cars. And the doctors, lawyers, judges and common hardworking man shouldn’t be shunned over their choice of transportation. Pull your panties out of their bunch, Kent.
I don’t see this town doing even a FRACTION of the charitable donating these bikers do. And I guarantee they spend more money in this overpriced town than any of the people who reside here full time. Having worked in different retail positions in kent, I can say with absolute certainty that the bikers are the most courteous of the town’s visitors.
Too bad this article didn’t make mention of the huge traffic sign on the entrance to town that says, “Ride Safe….Ride Quiet.”
If you need a route around town, I’ll be happy to let you know it. There’s plenty of gorgeous antiques and wonderful stores north of here. And it’s a gorgeous ride as well.
I’ve been raised around Harley Davidsons my entire life, and never did they bother me. I’ve also met some of the greatest men and women ever who made the iron horse their life.
Good luck. Glad this finally went public. Looks like Bruce isn’t though…sucks being called out, eh?
Ride safe and proud!
Police Officer Ret. 30yrs. major Ct city. Trpr. Fisher; Prosecutors would say” Cops talk too much” You did that when you were interviewed and are on record along with Mr. Adams, I know what a ticket blitz is and believe me the press will hammer youand the prosecutors will not back you .You and the brothers will be hit with Selective Inforcement and Violation of Civil Rights Suits. Avoid being over zealous. .You may dig a hole you can’t climb out of. Do you really think the politicians will back you when the heats turned on? I know that I and the many other Cops that ride to Kent would have your back in a heartbeat. Go after the true violators that are ruining it for us. When you throw a net out for Tuna you kill a lot of Dolphin. Get the Law Biders on your side.
Bud, Thank you for correcting the original post. As you stated it was never meant to be a call for a “rally” or a threat to the town of Kent. After the original post I saw some responses that were negative and I realized some were a bit over the top. I didn’t mean it to go in that direction. So I thank you again for clearing that up. Also as for the Eagle Riders, I have to say, this group was NEVER behind any movement to ride in protest. Eagle Riders were also told not to wear our club vests if any member were to ride to Kent. As far as I can tell, at this moment, there will be no motorcycles entering or passing through Kent any time soon. The people and store owners can rest in peace..
I was very happy to receive your phone call and now see that you meant no harm. Frankie Lights
Note to the wheelie, burnout and road racer sport bike crowd. Those “quiet bikes” are not so quiet when revved up to 22000 rpms. Only time will tell of sport bikers are going to also ruin it for themselves. The noise is just a way to get a foot in the door to forbid all bikers. The QUIET BIKES will be no exception when their turn on the rack comes. You can take that to the bank
I know now where my Sunday ride will take me
I have been going to Kent since 2006 when I bought my Harley. Nothing better than a cool back road ride ending with a cigar and coffee while my girlfriend shops. The conversations I have had with the diversity of people I have meet there is great. Like any other group of people bikers have some that push the limits. I have nearly gotten in fights with those who insist with riding their bikes on the sidewalks and ride like jerks in town. To say that bikes are the only cause of noise is wrong, there are just more of us. I have never seen anyone complain about the hot rods that come through town or the exotic cars heading for Limerock, or trucks with jak brakes, or that marvelous Mayberry RFD car with his speakers roaring (which I find so wonderful), all of which cause noise. I for one will continue to frequent the Kent Coffee and Chocolate House because Sharon welcomes us with open arms, but I will not frequent places like the restaurant that would not lets us use their bathroom the day after 12 of us came up for dinner and spent good money there. Nor will my girlfriend be buying anymore clothing, gifts, or books. We will find places that want our money.