Director's Article

Warm or Cold - We are Wingers!

Lately our National news headlined all the frigid temperatures we were having all over the Country. Many records on the cold side were shattered. We were constantly concerned about the welfare of our Members all around the U.S. and Canada with the plunging temperatures and the addition of lots of heavy snow.

As these extremes finally returned to just the normal winter conditions, we found ourselves still thinking about our Members in the "Cold Country." Having always lived in either Southern California or Phoenix, we have trouble relating to these Members and how they cope with winter conditions.

As we browse through the many newsletters we receive from many of the Chapters, Districts and Regions, we noticed the many wonderful activities already planned for our Membership during the winter. One more time we are reminded what clever and innovative leaders we are blessed with throughout our Association.

Our Members are invited to "Winter Rendezvous", Winter Warm-Up", Beach Party Wingo, Cabin Fever, Crazy Supper, Sweetheart Week end, Spring Fling and lots more.

These fun-filled events all feature some very innovative ideas like a bike show (no bike in person, just a picture) game nights, themes with costumes, skits, raffles for Couple of the year baskets, Funny Hat Contest, Swap meet, Mascot contest, Pet show, and many more. These are all recipes for FUN. The ingredients are already in your Chapter membership.

The best part of these great ideas for winter events can also be used in areas where the very hot weather can limit our riding. I am looking forward to seeing some of these clever ideas being featured inside the air-conditioned spaces while the temperature outside is 105 degrees or more.

No matter whether your machine has 2, 3 or 4 wheels and is hot or cold, we have a FUN activity planned for you. All we need is your participation and support. Ask your Chapter Director today if you can help make it happen.

Have a lot of FUN

Road Rage

How many of us, at one time or another, have experienced anger toward a motorist for some dumb maneuver that put us motorcyclists in danger? Wikipedia defines road rage as aggressive or angry behavior by a driver of an automobile or other road vehicle. Such behavior might include rude gestures, verbal insults, deliberately driving in an unsafe or threatening manner, or making threats. Road rage can lead to altercations, assaults and collisions that result in injuries or even deaths. It can be thought of as an extreme case of aggressive driving.

The term originated in the U.S. in 1987-1988 from newscasters at KTLA in Los Angeles, when a rash of freeway shootings occurred on 405,110, and 10 freeways in Los Angeles, California. These shooting sprees even spawned a response from the AAA Motor Club to its members on how to respond to drivers with road rage or aggressive maneuvers and gestures.

The following are common manifestations of road rage:

  . Generally aggressive driving, including sudden acceleration, braking, and close

    tailgating.

  . Cutting others off in a lane, or deliberately preventing someone from merging.

  . Chasing other motorists.

   . Flashing lights and/or sounding the horn excessively.

  . Yelling or exhibiting disruptive behavior at roadside establishments.

  . Driving at high speeds in the median of a highway to terrify drivers in both lanes.

  . Rude gestures.

  . Shouting verbal abuses or threats.

  . Assaulting other motorists, their passengers, CYCLISTS(author's capitalization) or

    pedestrians.

  . Exiting a car or dismounting a motorcycle to start confrontations, including striking

    other vehicles with an object.

  . Threatening to use or using a firearm or other deadly weapon.

Estimates of serious injuries or fatalities vary between 300 and 1200 by various agencies during six years of study of police records nationally. A number of studies have found that individuals with road rage were predominantly young (33.0 years of age on average) and male (96.6%).

Fourteen U.S. states have passed laws against aggressive driving. Only one state, California, has turned "road rage" into a legal term of art by giving it a particular meaning. In Virginia, aggressive driving is punished as a lesser crime (Class 2 misdemeanor) than reckless driving (Class 1 misdemeanor). One can only hope that other states will follow suit in efforts to control aggressive driving.

A 2007 study of the largest U.S. metropolitan areas concluded that the cities with the least courteous drivers (most road rage) are Miami, Phoenix, New York, Los Angeles, and Boston. The cities with the most courteous drivers (least road rage) are Minneapolis, Nashville, St. Louis, Seattle and Atlanta.

One serious incident involving road rage was reported by NBC News on 10/02/13. On Sept 29,2013, On New York City's Henry Hudson Parkway, a sport utility vehicle driven by Alexian Lien was involved in a minor incident in which he barely tapped the motorcycle driven by Christopher Cruz. Cruz neither lost control, nor incurred any damage to his motorcycle. Cruz was traveling with a large group ( over 50 ) of bikers. Lien's front rubber bumper had a haze from Cruz's tire and Cruz's tire was unscathed.

After the contact, and while Cruz was continuing his efforts to stop the Lien family vehicle, Lien brought his vehicle to a stop. The motorcyclists began to surround and attack Lien's vehicle and threaten Lien and his family; when Lien accelerated to escape the confrontation, he ran over and critically injured one of the motorcyclists. A fifty block chase by Cruz's companions ensued. The motorcyclists pursued Lien to Manhattan's 178^th street, at the foot of the George Washington Bridge, and assaulted him. The bikers included off duty NYC police officers. Since the incident, eleven people have been arrested. Sources have reported a total of five off duty police officers were originally present on the West Side Highway, and at least two saw the attack.

Being able to control ones temper and therefore not falling victim to our own road rage is advisable at all times. Difficult, yes, but advisable just the same. All we can do as motorcyclists is to ride as safely as we can, be alert to the possibility of danger created by motorists and hope to react quick enough to survive and ride another day. Losing control of our temper only places all involved in what can escalate into something none of us want to look back on and regret.

Member Ride

Submitted by

Walter Clement 

Member #

033945
MI-S-2 

Riding Alone

It was late November when I set out on my journey.  Temperature, twenty-six degrees.  My trip began in Michigan, my final stop Las Cruces, New Mexico.   

Despite the challenges of the cold, rain and warm weather, my trip was successful, all because of planning, training, friends and my Gold Wing.  This was my first solo trip across America. Traveling long distances requires detailed planning.  On the average, it will take about two riding seasons before you are ready to go out alone.  During your practice/trial rides, you should discover what equipment/clothing you would need for the open road.

During the planning stage, you should ride your bike in all types of weather conditions; driving through the heat of summer, rain, cold weather and into the shadows of the night.  On the road is no place to discover that you lack the skill to negotiate temped situations; road and traffic conditions changes rapidly.  Unless you are a trained motorcycle cop, an ERC class offered by GWRRA is a must.  You will learn how handle your bike; long after class you must continue practicing what you learned.  It was my luck; it rained during my ERC class.  This experience gave me the confidence to manage my bike on wet road conditions.  Another class I recommend to attended is the class on tires; you will learn about tire performance on various road conditions.   No matter how great of a rider you are, I suggest attending a riding class at lease every two years.  To better manage your bike in difficult and or spontaneous road situations, you should attend an advance-riding course.  

On long trips, I have had to perform evasive maneuvers; rapid stops; turning around in small or narrow streets, had it not been for the GWRRA training, I may not have successfully reached my destinations.  You may encounter objects on the road, or an object that has just fallen from a car/truck.  My evasive maneuvering came into play when a mattress blew off a car.  It is when conditions rapidly change that your training kicks in.  Another important skill to learn and practice is turning around in small spaces.  On the open road, you may encounter situations that may require you to turn your bike on narrow roadways.  I found myself navigating tight turn at gas stations; a truck parked parallel in front of the gas pump and a car was parked behind me.  It was a small station.  Leaving the station required tight maneuvers.  Having the skills to make tight turns not only looks good it may prevent damage to your bike when negotiating in tight spaces and through road debris.   Only you will know how terrified you feel, onlookers will see how well you ride.   

Conduct several shake down rides with all of your gear.  Riding on the road is no place to discover that your gear does not fit.  The most common conditions you will encounter are rain and the cold weather or both at the same time.  Make sure that you wear the clothing in the configuration that you plan to use during your ride; you must anticipate changing conditions before riding into bad weather.  On many roads, you may encounter rain, whereby the next stop is fifty miles away.  A raincoat may not be enough; I wear under my raincoat a heated jacket liner.  I have found that your raincoat should be the brightest object on your body.  With all of the pretty lights, people take notice of your high visibility clothing before they see your bike or your pretty lights.  I wear a 'safety green' rain jacket.  Before riding on the open road, know your limitations and be mindful that safety is first.  If you are uncomfortable riding in the rain, stop at a safe location. However, always be prepared yourself for rain.    

On rain jackets, made for bikers, the rain hood fits underneath you helmet.  Before hitting the road, wear your rain jacket and hood, you should know how your helmet feels with the hood underneath.  Long distance riding will require you to wear your helmet for long periods; the helmet that fits for short trips may become painful over a long distances.  During preparation, wear your helmet for at least three hours.  You will discover if that helmet is your long distance head bucket.  Remember; wear your helmet for two main reasons; for safety and for bugs.  My helmet has been struck by rocks from trucks and impacted by a large bugs; the rock chipped my helmet; the impact was enough to cause me to twitch my head.  Had I not worn a helmet, I would have received severe injuries.  No matter how big your windshield, objects seem to find its way to make contact with your helmet.  

I ride a 2010 Gold Wing, I found it is best to pack your rain gear on the left side, because on the right, a hot exhaust pipe runs behind the saddlebag.  Over the years, I believe the heat degraded my frog togs lining causing it to leak during the rain.  I switch sides and I have had no problems.   

Also, know your bike.  You may encounter a flat tire.  I found that many Honda shops did not know what size tire a Gold Wing takes.  You should have the knowledge of your bike tire.  If you ever have to have a tire changed, inspect your bike and tires to be sure the tire fits properly and the valve cap is on.  I have had severe nail bite episodes after repairs, one dealership place forgot to put the valve cap on, another put on the wrong size tire, yet another did not tighten the oil filter.  Inspect your bike before you take it off the lot.          

Before leaving on your long distance ride, establish a go or no go point.  My go or no go point was two hours out; for any reason if I feel uncomfortable or if somethings wrong and the conditions cannot be corrected, turn around and head back.  There is no shame in having a safe ride.  I was on a 1900-mile ride, and five hours out, I felt sick; I had symptoms of a mild food poisoning.  I stopped at a hotel for the night.  In the morning, I felt better and without hesitation, I turned around.  I was sick for the next three days.  Failing to exercise caution could result in catastrophic results.    

If you ride long distance, and stay at hotels, sign up for their award programs.  You will be shocked how fast you will receive free nights. My ride began late November; when I began my journey, temperature was twenty-six degrees.  I was riding from cold to warm weather. 

Cold weather riding can be challenging.  However, with proper clothing, riding in cold conditions is no different from riding in warm weather.  Over my heated clothing, I wore a Tour master Transition Jacket and over my heated pants liner, I wore Sliders Quest 3 Kevlar Riding Pants; heated foot footpads and heated gloves.  Even though your bike may have heated grips, you should wear heated gloves.  I wear tall boots to block out wind from coming under my pant legs.  I must warn you, before you leave, clean your heated clothing connections with denatured alcohol.  You will find that your connections may build up a film and during cold weather, your riding clothing may not heat as well. 

On the road is no place to discover how to put on your gear or discover it does not fit.  You should have developed the knowledge of what and/or when to wear a particular set of clothing.  Carry two pairs of glasses, sunglasses and clear lens glasses.  Traditional transitions lenses do not get dark enough for long distance daylight riding.  I discovered the active transition lenses get dark behind your helmet shield and dark enough for the road.  For road comfort, I suggest an MP3 player and an XM Radio.  There are many moments music is wonderful.  My MP3 has over thirty hours of music.  Between my XM Radio and MP3, I have music to fill the air during my rides.    

There are many times you may not find adequate placed to clean your hands.  These are the personal care items I carry on every ride.

1.           Baby wipes; they are bigger than handy wipes.

2.           Liquid hand sanitizer

3.          Two pairs of riding gloves

4.           Eye glasses cleaner.  (Clean your glasses, face shield and wind shield often)

5.           If you ride in the rain put RainDex on your face shield.    

If you live in Michigan, parking a bike is no problem, there are no hills.  In other parts of the country, parking your bike may become a challenge.  If you park your bike facing downhill your bike may roll forward and tip over, if you are pulling a trailer, your bike may roll backwards.  Finding a suitable place to park may become a challenge. 

Just as important as training and practicing, is communicating with your GWRRA Chapter Members.  During planning, you should interview Chapter Members who enjoyed riding long distances; you will receive a wealth of information.  In my Chapter, Motor City Wings S2, are two of the most incredible long distance riders in the world, Willie Wooten and Ernest Cornelius. These men are an encyclopedia of information for long distance travel; the information I gained just listening and asking questions benefited me on the road.

You should have cash, a credit card, debit card and gas card.  For gas, I use my gas card, and at the end of the month, I use my phone to pay the bills.  Traveling alone, I found it best to reduce the amount of cash I carry.

I usually carry two hundred dollars and if I need cash, I can always find a WalMart. I have a virtual road coordinator/navigator.  While on the road, I would call my coordinator to give me locations of the next hotel.  This way I found the best price and best rated hotels.  One app I suggest to put on your phone is Booking.com, it is all you need to find rated hotels at nice prices - you can book it and pay for it right from your phone.     

Make sure you have your insurance card and a telephone number of your insurance agent and Rescue Plus, a service offered through GWRRA.  In Fenton, Missouri, a truck struck my bike.  Make sure that you call the police anytime your bike is involved on an accident.  I called the police and Rescue Plus and a tow truck was dispatched.  I received a text with the estimate time of arrival and a follow up text to verify of the truck arrived.  The driver towed my bike to a local Honda shop.  There, was damage to the front fender, my bike was tested for structural damage.  The mechanic made temporary repairs  and I scurry back to the open road.  If your bike is ever involved in an accident, and it is ride-able, take your bike through all the gear, check the reverse gear and breaking functions.  I discovered that my reverse gear was damaged because of the accident.

A successful trip requires planning and training. There are always debates or how far do you ride each day?  If you ask any seasoned traveler, your answer will very.  The distance will depend on your comfort and your bike.  Remember, it is difficult to know when you are getting fatigued.  When fatigue sets in, often it is too late and tragedy becomes the outcome.  I suggest instead of miles to travel, use time of travel.  I found it best for me to do six - nine hours of travel time per day.  However, on many days I left the hotel at eight in the morning and stopped at one in the afternoon.  I just decided to stop for no other reason, just to stop.  The time methods allow more comfort in planning.  You can do more hours, be mindful of your physical health and fatigue factors.  If you are riding four hours and you find that your next three hours will be winding roads and or heavy wind, stop and rest for the night.  Safety always comes first.  In hot weather, drink plenty of water and monitor yourself for dehydration.        

It is important to have the knowledge of your equipment and your bike.  You should have a small cache of tools to perform small repairs, like changing light bulbs, fuses and tightening screws or bolts.  "Failing to plan is a plan to fail."  Ride safely and sensibly.