As we are approaching 2012 we are also approaching the two year anniversary of the Nashvilleriders.com website's existence. We officially launched on January 16 of 2010 but work began back in November of 2009. since that time there have been some minor updates here and there with layout and design as well as a changeover from one forum system to another. Now as we get ready to go into our third year of operation there are some changes we intend to implement by the end of the year.

First up will (or may) be some design changes to the overall look and feel of the site. I feel that some things could be tweaked or changed altogether that could improve navigation and ease of use of the Nashvilleriders.com website. Of course we will be looking for opinions  as we do this and will create a demo area for users to test. I want to make sure any changes that I feel are useful aren't simply painful for everyone else :)

One change that we've already implemented is some social feed links where you can easily go to our Facebook, Twitter, and RSS feeds from the icons just under the search box at the top right of the window. You can also share us on Digg if you have an account there. I think many of you know I'm not a huge fan of social media but it does help spread the word and let those of you who do use these services to keep up with what's happening here.

Our Amazon store will be getting several updates and we will be pushing the fact it's there a little harder (did you know we even had an Amazon store?). The prices you pay on our Amazon store are the same as you would pay on the Amazon site, but a small percentage comes back to us for use in funding our hosting, software updates, etc.In fact we will be creating a dedicated section to Support the Nashvilleriders.com website that the Amazon store will be part of.

The new Support our Site section will include a Cafe Press shop where you can get official (ha.. official!!) Nashvilleriders.com swag, the aforementioned Amazon store where you can purchase gear and accessories for your ride, and of course a place where readers can make a direct donation to help us "keep the lights on" here. That's not all that readers can do thought to help the site.

Content people!! I want content and I'm sure other readers want content too. If you're so inclined I want you to write for us. Even if you're not so good with writing you may still have good ideas and stories to tell (you know you do). If so I want your ideas, your anecdotes, even your motorcycle cartoons so we can share them with the rest of the community. To help spark some interest I'm going to start some writing contests where you can win Cycle Gear gift cards. Yes, bribes are back and I intend to get some of you closet writers out into the spotlight kicking and screaming (or even grinning holding your $50.00 gift card) if I have to!

Interested in anything you just read? Looking forward to reading some new content? Maybe looking forward even more to seeing your own content sprawling across our pages? I hope so. This site was created for the motorcycling community in Nashville and the Middle Tennessee area so we can all share information and have a place we can organize group rides and events.

The framework is here and it's got a good base now but it's time we start pulling together and build something substantial and that can only happen when we get more thoughts, ideas, and participation from the community. Send me an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you have ideas for content. I want to hear them and they might, just might get you some gift card goodness. Hope to hear from you soon.

-Brandon