I've mentioned that May is the official month of motorcycle awareness but did you know that May is also Women Riders month. I don't know why May is so lucky. In honor of all this I am investigating the American Motorcyclist Association's Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum in Pickerington, OH. It just so happens our youngest lives in Columbus and we're are planning to visit him in a couple weeks during this phenomenal month of motorcycle heralding and I think this may make a good addition to the trip.
You'll see on their site that they are changing up the place by prioritizing the Hall of Fame and rotating some exhibits. I also see down through the list of those honored a number of women. Not that they're a sizable percentage but they are in there. I'd like to know more about the women who have gone before me in the adventure.
In the meantime - watch the next few posts for some video footage of me learning to pick up my bike all by myself. I'm told it's easy. I hope so. I'll also be posting some of the area's rides set for the merry month of May.
Now I'm off to a meeting and it's cold - so I'm taking my little white Tib instead of my Aero. Ah well. Warmer days are coming.
Bikers as Community
It's all about community. Last Thursday the Maple Festival took over my hometown, coming back like a good ol' friend to spend the weekend. Today's the last day. This morning the runners run, the bathtubs race and the pancakes flip. In the afternoon the parade will weave through town as fire engines blast, bagpipes serenade and politicians wave, me included. I don't know if the camel will be in the parade again today but that was a sight yesterday - seeing a dromedary hoofing it down Main Street (pic below by Cindi Hido). Of course there's much more than what I listed filling Chardon Square but you get the idea. BTW - motorcycles park on Court Street at the top of the hill just off the Square. Access via Washington Street.
There's another community that's going into high gear. The motorcycle community is revving up for the 2010 riding season and in our area it starts off with the annual Louie Run, Sunday, May 2 at the Lake County Fairgrounds. This event and its organizing foundation have many worthwhile goals including honoring fallen riders and building awareness of motorcycles on the roadway to help prevent more fallen riders. See their website for the day's schedule and for a list of starting locations throughout Northeast Ohio.
Don't forget Geauga Powersports has its grand opening on May 1st. See Adventure Rider or their Facebook page for more info.
After the first weekend of May - the motorcycling world goes crazy with rides, events, etc. A lot of the events will benefit a good cause or a special need in the community. I've found some very capable calendars online - BikerPlaza, Let's Ride, and Motorcycle Monster that do a good job of listing local events. Also - when you visit your local bike shop, tattoo parlor or place where bikers might hang out - see if they have the latest print issue of Ridin' On. I talked with Darlene Bish, managing editor, a while back and was fascinated with her history of riding. The Ridin' On magazine includes classifieds, events and articles. And it's FREE.
If you have a favorite event or event resource - please let me know via email or post a comment. Otherwise -as riding season begins, may we ride safe, represent motorcycling well and help others whenever we can. See you on the road.
There's another community that's going into high gear. The motorcycle community is revving up for the 2010 riding season and in our area it starts off with the annual Louie Run, Sunday, May 2 at the Lake County Fairgrounds. This event and its organizing foundation have many worthwhile goals including honoring fallen riders and building awareness of motorcycles on the roadway to help prevent more fallen riders. See their website for the day's schedule and for a list of starting locations throughout Northeast Ohio.
Don't forget Geauga Powersports has its grand opening on May 1st. See Adventure Rider or their Facebook page for more info.
After the first weekend of May - the motorcycling world goes crazy with rides, events, etc. A lot of the events will benefit a good cause or a special need in the community. I've found some very capable calendars online - BikerPlaza, Let's Ride, and Motorcycle Monster that do a good job of listing local events. Also - when you visit your local bike shop, tattoo parlor or place where bikers might hang out - see if they have the latest print issue of Ridin' On. I talked with Darlene Bish, managing editor, a while back and was fascinated with her history of riding. The Ridin' On magazine includes classifieds, events and articles. And it's FREE.
If you have a favorite event or event resource - please let me know via email or post a comment. Otherwise -as riding season begins, may we ride safe, represent motorcycling well and help others whenever we can. See you on the road.
New Bikes
Has anyone seen the new Honda Stateline or it's traveling buddy the Interstate? The 2010 models are providing a fresh look for the modern cruiser. Bob and I were out at Just for Fun Honda in Middlefield and had the chance to look one over. They're having a hard time keeping any on the showroom floor because the bikes keep rolling out the door to new owners.
If dreams came true - we'd get one.
You Know a Biker
Chances are you know a biker and you just don't realize it. The recent promo of this blog in the News Herald certainly stirred up some conversation. (I hope it stirred up some readers, too.) I expected a lot of comments about the size of picture they ran. But what I'm hearing most often is "I didn't know you were biker." This is good. As you may know from reading this blog - I'm all about letting people know that I ride. Why? Because when motorists realize motorcyclists are real people - people they may know personally - it results in greater awareness of bikers on the road. Awareness makes the road safer for everyone.
May is Motorcycle Awareness Month. The Motorcycle Safety Foundation works year round to protect the rights of bikers and to raise the public conscience towards bikers. The following is from their website:
"The MSF urges all car, bus, truck, and other motor vehicle drivers to follow the key safety messages listed below:
MSF’s 5 Key Messages for Drivers
1. Look for Motorcyclists – Use your eyes and mirrors to see what's around, and check the blind spots when you're changing lanes or turning at intersections. Look, and look again.
2. Focus on Driving – Hang up the phone, put down the MP3 player, settle the passengers, and drive. And NO texting.
3. Use Your Turn Signals – Signal your intentions for everyone's safety.
4. Give Two-Wheelers Some Room – Don't tailgate or pass too closely.
5. Take Your Time – Nothing is as important as the safety of your loved ones, yourself, and the others with whom you share the road.
For additional safety tips, video instruction, and other resources to help car, truck, and bus drivers learn how to safely interact with motorcyclists on the nation’s streets and highways, visit forcardrivers.com, a website launched by the MSF in 2008.
Since 1973, the Motorcycle Safety Foundation has set internationally recognized standards that promote the safety of motorcyclists with rider education courses, operator licensing tests, and public information programs. The MSF works with the federal government, state agencies, the military, and others to offer training for all skill levels so riders can enjoy a lifetime of safe, responsible motorcycling.
The MSF is a not-for-profit organization sponsored by BMW, BRP, Ducati, Harley-Davidson, Honda, Kawasaki, KTM, Piaggio, Suzuki, Triumph, Victory and Yamaha. For RiderCourseSM locations, call 800.446.9227 or visit www.msf-usa.org."
May is Motorcycle Awareness Month. The Motorcycle Safety Foundation works year round to protect the rights of bikers and to raise the public conscience towards bikers. The following is from their website:
"The MSF urges all car, bus, truck, and other motor vehicle drivers to follow the key safety messages listed below:
MSF’s 5 Key Messages for Drivers
1. Look for Motorcyclists – Use your eyes and mirrors to see what's around, and check the blind spots when you're changing lanes or turning at intersections. Look, and look again.
2. Focus on Driving – Hang up the phone, put down the MP3 player, settle the passengers, and drive. And NO texting.
3. Use Your Turn Signals – Signal your intentions for everyone's safety.
4. Give Two-Wheelers Some Room – Don't tailgate or pass too closely.
5. Take Your Time – Nothing is as important as the safety of your loved ones, yourself, and the others with whom you share the road.
For additional safety tips, video instruction, and other resources to help car, truck, and bus drivers learn how to safely interact with motorcyclists on the nation’s streets and highways, visit forcardrivers.com, a website launched by the MSF in 2008.
Since 1973, the Motorcycle Safety Foundation has set internationally recognized standards that promote the safety of motorcyclists with rider education courses, operator licensing tests, and public information programs. The MSF works with the federal government, state agencies, the military, and others to offer training for all skill levels so riders can enjoy a lifetime of safe, responsible motorcycling.
The MSF is a not-for-profit organization sponsored by BMW, BRP, Ducati, Harley-Davidson, Honda, Kawasaki, KTM, Piaggio, Suzuki, Triumph, Victory and Yamaha. For RiderCourseSM locations, call 800.446.9227 or visit www.msf-usa.org."
Maiden Ride
Gotta tell ya - this spring has been phenom for biking. Even my son, Drew, who pushes pedals to make his gig go will tell you that the sunny days and decent temps have not only pushed all the plants and trees to bud but it's pushing us to the road. Love it!
I'll now bore you with my first two rides. Nothing too exciting. I'm making loops out in Geauga County. But circles don't bother me - I get to practice my turns.
My first solo ride was on the day I got the bike, Saturday, April 10th. My dear husband-man cleared off the bags, sissy bar and windshield and detailed it down to the spokes. It may be a 2000 but he made it shine! We left our drive going uphill. I guess the downhill way to a stop sign can throw you off balance so uphill I went. Three stalls later I took off from the light and headed south on Rt. 44. Shifting is so not a problem. Neither is acceleration.
As the the road opened up so did the throttles. Now my bike can make some noise - excellent pipes matched with that single crankpin raised a rousing chorus regarding the virtues of biking. Mind you - it was all wind in my face but then - I'm used to a back seat behind Bob and a windshield. It certainly didn't deter. It thrilled.
We looped down Rt. 44 then east on Rt. 87 and after rounding Burton Square we headed northeast via the back roads. To finish the trip I went through Chardon Square. Now that's a lot of clutch at the end of a first ride but it was wonderful to ride through my hometown on my maiden voyage going solo.
Speaking of maiden voyage - Matt out at Geauga Power Sports in Burton, OH is now open. This new shop supports a wide variety of machinery and riders. Their grand opening is May 1st - 11AM to 8PM. Matt's planning some great events so be sure to check it out.
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