Dan Walsh

OK so I should have wrote earlier when I first saw Dans mug on your cover. I'm a big fan. Been one since he first did Africa North to South on the XT600.
I actually wrote on CW's forum 10months ago that they should find him and get him to write for them. Not necesarily because I tought CW deserved him but because that was a forum I was posting in for a while.
Anyway, never really belived an US mag to be ballsy enough to hire Dan.
I was just expressing my frustration with Bike mag loosing touch with him.
Motorcyclist proved me wrong, tnx very much for that. The only thing better than Dan's writing in a 9$ British mag is Dan in a 5$ US mag.
But unforunatelly there is a reason I feared Dan would never be in a US mag.
The US readers... and looking at the mail for the last edition I was right.
To bad but unfortunatelly not surprising at all.
I hope you guys won't let him go, but if you do I know that his genious will be reconized no doubt somewere else.  

The writing of Dan Walsh is a great addition to the magazine.  I've been reading him since he was a contributor to Bike, and he never fails to entertain.  When your February issue came out, there was a great deal of hyperventilating on a web forum I participate in due to Dan's use of the "F" word.  This included folks agitating for a letter writing campaign.  

In the March issue I see that this famous word is used again in quoting Gary Nixon.  That should give these same sensitive folks yet another reason to be outraged.

Both Gary Nixon, a childhood hero of mine, and Dan Walsh are motorcycling treasures.  They both contribute to the culture being interesting, exciting and colorful.  Please do nothing to censor their expressions as real, live adults.

As for the hyper-ventilators, if their lives are so sheltered, circumscribed, or lived in denial that they can convince themselves that the most outrageous thing they can imagine is the use of this word, there is little that can be done for them.  Maybe we can all chip in and send them a collection of Bukowski poetry.    

I have been reading countless motorcycle magazines over the years, but I have just been buying them from the used bookstore that I frequent when I find one of interest. Thankfully, I picked up the Feb issue with Dan Walsh and I became instantly hooked to his writing. It was absolutely awesome, so I went home after I bought the magazine and ordered my subscription to Motorcyclist.

I love his writing style and his riding style shows he is someone who is truly dedicated to motorcycles. I am planning on taking a trip to Santiago, Chile when I graduate from college and I cannot wait to go, especially after reading Dan's columns. If he is to vulgar for some, they need to come join us in the 21st century and leave the shelter that they are living in. I really liked your Bukowski comment Kurt, that would definitely help!  

To "Motorcyclist" and B. Catterson,
I love Boehm, and appreciate his continued contributions, but Catterson is the future.
Including dirt bikes in the format is totally appropriate.  I started riding them in 1953 at age 13 in the desert surrounding Reno, NV.  Without that experience, I would not have motorcycles still engraved on my soul. Of course I still ride! And qualified for my 1000 mile Iron Butt (Sore Butt) certification in 2005.
Dan Walsh is a treasure! No individual words can detract from his magical images.  Keep him at all costs!!  Roger Allison  

I find the writing of Dan Walsh obscure and profane.  I do not understand most of what he writes.  His adventures might be better suited to Stuff magazine or Easy Rider (neither of which I read.)  

Dan Walsh.  I can’t believe how much attention this one writer has been given.  No one should be blaming the writer for his style of writing -- or for his vernacular.  If you don’t care for the adult language in his stories, blame the editors!  The editors have made a corporate decision to allow Dan’s stories to be published somewhat unvarnished.  I can respect that.  Riders and journalists travel to live the story and then they write about their experiences.  We are the ones who benefit from their experiences by being able to read their stories.  I love his fresh perspective and unconventional style.  Let Dan continue doing exactly what he’s doing.  If the majority of readers are disgruntled about Dan’s stories, maybe the editors should reconsider polishing some of the rough edges to placate the masses.  Personally, I’ve come to greatly miss the writings and opinions of Jamie Elvidge who wrote and edited Motorcyclist’s sister publications “Motorcycle Cruiser” and “Motorcycle Escape.”  Unfortunately, “Motorcycle Escape” has died a very sudden death just as it was about to jump from a semi-annual special edition to a regular subscription publication.  When it came to useful stories about motorcycle trip planning, formation riding tips, and wonderful stories from their extended travels in domestic and foreign lands, no magazine out there even came close to “Motorcycle Escape.”  You guys need to apologize to Jamie, then give her a long term contract with a sizeable bonus! Rebuild "Escape" magazine and give her a sizeable staff to make it a success.  You're in a profit-making business, not a boys-only biker clique - have you forgotten that basic fact?