As I took the baton from Billy Bartels, I hit the ground running. That's because I have a pretty big job ahead of me. Not only am I going to be expected to carry on the amazing tradition of great editorial content started by Billy, I also am going to be under the very close scrutiny of my good friend and mentor, Steve Stillwell. Steve was one of the original editors on Tom McMullen's Street Chopper and worked for Iron Horse. He then came back to work for Tom McMullen, taking the helm of Truckin' magazine in the 1980s through the 1990s, and gave me my first job in publishing back in 1992.
Steve and I were talking on the phone not long ago, and I told him about the opportunity I was being given on Baggers. He had these eight words of advice for me: "Don't go ruining my new favorite magazine." I was kind of shocked. I knew that Steve has one of the baddest custom baggers on earth (don't worry, we're working on getting it shot!), but I had no idea that he had even picked up an issue of Hot Bike Baggers. Steve then went on to tell me that he wasn't the only one who really held the magazine in high regard-there was a whole legion of guys and gals who own custom baggers who really enjoy the book.
So now I am not only worried about all the regular stuff that a new editor worries about, but I know that if I slip up-even a little bit-I am gonna hear about it from Steve. It is like having your dad sitting in the passenger seat the first time you take the wheel with your learner's permit. No pressure, right?
But to help take off some of the pressure, I have been joined on staff by a couple of guys who care as much about the editorial content of this magazine as I do. First, there is Toph Bocchiaro. Toph brings his years of experience writing and shooting photos for our sister publication, Hot Bike, into the fold. Bocchiaro is no stranger to touring and has logged miles from coast to coast. Secondly, "The New Sheriff of Beard Town," Jeff Holt, has joined us. Jeff has been involved in the bicycle industry for years and has built a bunch of custom HarleyDavidson -powered bikes over the years. Jeff has a lot of writing experience and a bunch of motorcycle experience, but he never had an excuse to put the two together until now.
With all of the fresh ideas pouring out of Toph's and Jeff's offices and all of the good ideas coming from the readers through our email address, baggermag@sourceinterlink.com, there is barely room for anything else. But if you have any story ideas you would like to share or want to submit your bike for our Readers' Rides section, feel free to use the email address above. But for now, enjoy the rest of our first issue as the editorial staff of Hot Bike Baggers, and we look forward to serving all your custom bagger and touring bike needs.
Up FrontOn The RoadIt would be a shame to write all these nice things about Jeff and Toph and not include at least one embarrassing photo of them. These were the best ones we could come up with for now, but don't worry, we'll have plenty of time to get some better photos of the whole staff caught in the act in the near future.