This blog is written for other women like me, just learning to ride motorcycles. I hope you'll relate to what I go through, maybe learn something, and share your stories/tips with me. Let's ride ... together!
Huliq reported that some veterans involved in the Rolling Thunder Veteran's Group Memorial Day run didn't appreciate her use of this solemn event to draw attention to her publicity campaign.
I see she had a woman driving her. But it doesn't take much to put on a pair of boots, a leather jacket and a helmet. If she's trying to cultivate a tough, capable image, why wasn't SHE driving?
ABC speculated about the former vice presidential candidate's motivations in starting a tour of the United States that she said "indicates a desire of ours to get across America and remind ourselves about our foundation; how important it is to respect and protect our Constitution." Does she hope to become our first female president?
If so, I would hate to have her be the representative for my entire gender in such a momentous event. Surely we have a smarter candidate. One who actually reads a newspaper she can name.
*******
P.S. I tried to post on Sunday about Memorial Day biker events, but before I could publish my post, a major storm blew in and knocked out our power. First thing I did the next morning was jump on my bike and drive to town to buy a car charger for my cell phone. My, how we have become dependent on our modern devices. But that's a different story for another day. Peace out.
The view out my office window shows the drab weather we're having.
This spring weather has been a bear. More rain than normal; and cold temperatures for this time of year.
WXYZ-Channel 7 meteorologist Dave Rexroth @rexroth7wxyz told me not to ride today because of "AM shower chance Friday" — but I thought if I wait for the weather to get nice, I might NEVER ride!
I complained to my Ironman, who has the day off for the Memorial holiday weekend. I told him what the weather man said. He said Dave Rexroth doesn't control the weather — that Mother Nature does. I said, "She's not MY mother – I didn't send her a card on Mother's Day!" He said, "Maybe that's why she's so drab today!"
Good point!
So I thought: Screw it. I put on my layers of warm, waterproof riding gear and headed out. And I'm glad I did.
It was somewhere in the mid 40s, but it didn't rain. Even when it's chilly and my nose runs and my eyes water, riding makes me feel more alive.
We went to Bike Night at 59 West in Highland last night and unfortunately although the night was fantastic for the first time in a while (it's raining cats and dogs today), the crowd was pretty small.
It's a nice, relaxed bike night. And it's always been fun with contests every week.
We did meet a couple of bikers on Yamaha Star bikes, like my Ironman used to ride — oddly, they were both named Steve. Then I went looking for Barb of the American Road Shop and learned that she and husband Tim no longer sponsor the bike nights there. They said the bar wanted to take it over and they offered to help out whenever needed, but it was getting to be too much for them, and their own shop has been getting busy. Good for them.
I hope the bar keeps up the contests — slow race, most chrome, best custom, that kind of thing.
What else is new, though, is if you "Like" the Road Shop on Facebook, you're automatically entered to win a rainsuit in June. So do it NOW!
Sunday we went to the Blessing of the Bikes in Hell. Last year when we went it was my first/longest ride. This time, after feeling so much more competent on the bike, I dropped it for the first time this year turning to line up next to a gas pump. Didn't fall, just lost balance turning. Bummer.
But oh well. No harm done. I could have lifted it myself — Yes! I know how! — but a nice Harley dude helped me lift it. Thanks, man.
We saw a few friends at Hell Creek Ranch, perused the bikes and vendors and I took some pictures with my new Droid X. It's extremely handy, but not an extremely good camera. Have to remember to be facing away from the light and have plenty of it to get decent shots. Also, it will NOT focus up close.
Obviously I didn't write this, but wanted to share it with you...
Walter Malesko sits on the Matchless G80 CS, which his son got restored a couple of months ago.
Ortonville man’s motorcycle restored on History Channel show this Friday night
By MAS RAHMAN
Special to The Oakland Press
An Oakland County man and his motorcycle will be featured on an episode of the show “American Restoration” on the History Channel this Friday at 10 p.m.
Jeff Skowronski lives in Ortonville and owns the Oxford interior trip carpentry company Delta Trim & Design. He said he dropped off his 1955 Matchless G80 CS to be restored on the show by Rick’s Restorations in Las Vegas Jan. 10, and the revealing of the restored motorcycle was filmed March 29.
Skowronski said he was happy with the restoration of the motorcycle, but getting his bike fixed wasn’t the end goal in itself.
“I did this to honor my dad,” he said.
He said his stepfather Walter Malesko won over 50 trophies from motorcycle races with the Matchless and other motorcycles from the late 1940’s to early 1960’s. When he passed away five years ago, he gave Skowronski the Matchless, the only motorcycle that still remained in his collection.
Skowronski said he is also trying to get his dad and some of this trophies in the American Motorcyclists Association’s Hall of Fame.
picture courtesy of Jeff Skowronski
This 1955 Matchless G80 CS was restored for a show on History Channel that will air Friday, May 20, at 10 p.m.
Michigan Secretary of State Ruth Johnson
prepares to take a ride on a new HD 48.
Yesterday was a GREAT day. The weather sucked — cold, windy and gray — but I got to do something I've never done before, and something I haven't done in a long time. I got to be a field reporter AND ride in formation with 10 other bikes, led by Michigan Secretary of State Ruth Johnson.
I started my career as a reporter, but for many years now I've been an editor, improving other people's prose and building newspaper pages. Now we're moving into the digital-first culture in a big way, so video is important to my bosses. And because of this blog, and my involvement in motorcycle safety, I got to cover the local press conference for Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month at Oakland Community College, in Farmington Hills.
Incidentally, that's where I passed my basic rider course and went on to get my motorcycle endorsement. Cool, huh?
I don't have pictures of myself from the event, though a friend promised to send me some. Still waiting, Tracy! ... {whistling}
I did a couple of short videos (and theres's one more I haven't processed that I'd like to post here soon of two women RiderCoaches I met), and wrote a story for the paper.
BUT ... in the immortal words of Pulitzer Prize Winner (that's PULL-it-sir, not PYOOO-litzer) Edna Buchanan: "Never trust an editor. Never trust an editor. Never trust an editor."
Someone replaced my story both online and in print with a BI-cycle to Work Week story. Don't ask me. But I got the online editor to fix the mistake, so here is my original story with photos and video:
SOS Johnson, Sheriff Bouchard honor motorcyclists, raise safety awareness
By NICOLE M. ROBERTSON
Of The Oakland Press
On a cold, gray Tuesday morning, with bitter winds that made eyes water, Michigan Secretary of State Ruth Johnson — the first woman in Oakland County to get her motorcycle endorsement — rode a borrowed Harley-Davidson 48 from MotorCity Harley in Farmington Hills to a press conference at Oakland Community College-Orchard Ridge.
She was accompanied by an entourage of 10 other motorcyclists, including two brand-new women RiderCoaches, members of ABATE (American Bikers Aiming Toward Education) and two Oakland County sheriff’s deputies from the motorcycle unit. All were there to celebrate May as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, and to introduce a motorcycle license plate honoring military veterans for service. The plates, not yet approved by the state legislature, are expected to cost an extra $5.
Michigan has more than 100 motorcycle fatalities a year, according to state figures. Vince Consiglio of Milford, coordinator for the Motorcycle Safety Foundation in Michigan and president of Michigan ABATE, said 40 percent of motorcycle fatalities in the state involve riders who do not have cycle license endorsements.
Oakland Press photos/NICOLE M. ROBERTSON
Scott Wilson, general manager of MotorCity Harley-Davidson in Farmington Hills helps Johnson get accustomed to a new Harley-Davidson 48, a 1200cc motorcycle that she borrowed to ride from MotorCity Harley in Farmington Hills to the Orchard Ridge campus of Oakland Community College on May 17, 2011.
Kurt Sutter, fellow blogger and creator of "Sons of Anarchy," has his new YouTube channel all set up and dedicated to sharing news and views of the show, which recently started in reruns on FX.
If you haven't seen the show before, now's your chance to catch up. It's a about a bike club in the fictional town of Charming, Calif., and the family at its heart. It stars young Brit Charlie Hunnam as Jax Teller, vice president of the club, Ron Perlman as Clay Morrow, his stepfather and president of the Sons, and Katey Sagal (Sutters's wife) as Jax's mom, the tough-as-nails Gemma Teller Morrow.
Oh, and Kurt makes occasional appearances as Otto, a member of the club who's in prison.
Guys like the show for its grit and violent action, I'm sure, but I like it for the complicated relationships it explores and how family and friendship bonds can be twisted but still hold together.
This shows he's really a good guy, because everybody knows the good guys on TV use Macintosh computers and the bad guys use PCs.
Sutter's new YouTube channel is geared to the old fans as well as drawing in new fans. The idea is to give behind-the-scenes info about the show, and will include "a segment we call 'What the ****,' " in which Sutter will answer questions he gets from Twitter and Facebook, and "at the very least they get to see my bunny."
Sutter is currently working on the fourth season, which is expected to premiere sometime this fall. The DVDs for season three aren't out yet, though you can preorder them on Amazon.com.
I got a postcard in the mail urging me to contact my Michigan House representative to "ask Him or Her to support HB 4608 to modify the Michigan Helmet Law to include Adult Choice."
I'm not going to do that, because it's not my issue. I don't ride without a helmet, and think those who do are making a foolish choice. I do agree it's their choice to make, so I'm not against the repeal of the helmet law, but I'm going to support it either. I'm only sharing the information for those who care.
The card came to me from the Michigan ABATE organization, which fights for riders rights. That I do support.
The card also notified me that Michigan Secretary of State Ruth Johnson will be at Oakland Community College at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 17, in Parking Lot 2A near the Orchard Lake Road entrance (that's where I passed my motorcycle safety test, oddly enough). It said MotorCity Harley-Davidson in Farmington will lend her a demo bike to ride. Apparently this is a photo op supporting Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. She's been making appearances around the state this month.
Michigan Secretary of State Ruth Johnson rides in Lansing.
ABATE has a Facebook page supporting the repeal. The Brain Injury Association of Michigan is fighting it.
My sister works with head injury patients. She was furious at me when I bought my motorcycle because she knows what bizarre things happen to people with closed-head injuries. Many of them have no impulse control, they have rages, they lose short-term memory, they behave inappropriately, some of them are unable to care for themselves. They often are like children in full-sized bodies, with adult strength. And they don't get better. She has a tough job.
I don't want to end up like that.
A friend of mine says motorcycle helmets cause injuries. I haven't seen any data to support that assertion, but I do know what happens when people hit their heads even at slow speeds. Natasha Richardson merely fell over while skiing and later died from a bleeding brain. There was no collision, she just fell down. She wasn't wearing a helmet.
So advocate as you will; I'm keeping my helmet on.
It's officially spring in Southeast Michigan when bike nights start up. Tuesday was the first one for 59 West in Highland, which is one I've been to many times, sponsored by American Road Shop. That's on Tuesday nights.
But a more populous one is at Boomer's in Waterford, which just moved across the street to the Shark Club.
I don't have as much info about that as I wish I did because I've had a little trouble getting in touch with Boomer. But since tonight's his bike night I figured I better get something up now.
I stopped by when the club was closed, but you can see there's tons of room for a party here.
Last week's bike night was huge. There must have been a hundred bikes there, but unfortunately I was riding by on my own bike and didn't think to stop for a picture (I know, I'm lame ... hindsight and all that ...). Shark Club has a much larger parking lot than the old Boomers on the north side of M-59 — which incidentally USED to be the Shark Club before Shark Club moved across the street. Following this? OK. Apparently the two have merged, but I'm not sure about the details.
Anyway, Boomer calls it "HOME OF THE BIGGEST BIKE NIGHT IN OAKLAND COUNTY"
You can check it out online at www.boomersroadhouse.com. Pics they took at bike nights are here. Maybe you'll see some of your friends there.
Oakland Press file photo City workers fill potholes in Clarkston, MI
Michigan's potholes are among the worst in the nation. That's not a scientific fact, just the general observation of folks who live here.
The Associated Press today reports that the Michigan Supreme Court has agreed to hear arguments in a case about a northern Michigan pothole that threw a motorcycling couple for a loop.
Arthur and Elaine Whitmore say they were injured in May 2006 when their motorcycle hit a pothole in Charlevoix County's Eveline Township. Michigan law says government can be liable if it knew or should have known about a road defect.
The Charlevoix County Road Commission says the Whitmores failed to show that the agency had notice of a single, specific pothole that caused the accident. That will be a key issue for the Supreme Court.
Well, I could see that — with hundreds of them on any given road, how could anyone specifically report a single pothole unless he could see the future?
The court last week agreed to hear arguments at a later date. Justices will decide whether to take a full appeal or order some other action.If you want to read the Whitmores' filing to the Appeals Court, it's available in pdf format.
Funny timing, this news, because I just mentioned potholes in a comment to a UK blogger, A Bedford Blogger, who was upset about a 31-mph swerve test being added to the national licensing requirements there.
I had said that I swerve on a regular basis to avoid potholes, and usually at around 50 mph. As soon as I posted that, I wondered whether I was being truthful or exaggerating. While riding over the weekend, though, I paid attention to potholes and realized it is true. I dodge them every day on my motorcycle. It's one of the reasons I prefer to ride in daytime, when I can see them in advance.
I must drive on one dirt road next to my house every day, and it has literally thousands of holes, so I look for a path between groups of them — usually at the edge of the road. One night I did not notice a man walking his dog in the dark until I was upon them. I had to swerve to avoid them, and right into the potholes.
In addition to being Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month (among other things!), May is also Women Riders Month at Harley-Davidson.
"To recognize the increasing number of women who are hitting the open road on two wheels, as well as inspire even more women to get into the saddle of their own motorcycle, Harley-Davidson celebrates its 3rd Annual Women Riders Month this May," says a press release from the company.
The number of women riders is more than I thought, if these numbers are correct. I thought it was about 10 percent of all motorcycle ownership in the United States, but according to Harley, "the Motorcycle Industry Council reports women now account for 23 percent of all U.S. motorcyclists and Harley-Davidson is the number one motorcycle choice among women riders."
I do know a couple of women who own Harleys, but I also know several who ride Hondas, like me.
All through May, Harley-Davidson dealers will host events to celebrate women riders — and, of course, encourage them to buy some American iron — "including a special day for women to commemorate the freedom and independence of riding, by hitting the open road on Saturday, May 14." That's a week from now, so clear your schedule.
Local dealerships also host women-only "Garage Parties" through the riding season. I've never been to one, but it sounds fun.
"Joining the Motor Company to celebrate women riders during Women Riders Month is supermodel and Harley-Davidson enthusiast Marisa Miller," Harley touts. Sorry, never heard of her. But I see she did the Sports Illustrated swimsuit cover, and is "the first spokesperson in the history of the company" for Harley-Davidson, according to Wikipedia.
"Every time I start my motorcycle, my heart starts pumping faster," Miller said in the press release. "Learning to ride has changed my life. The challenge of riding has made me stronger and given me a new outlet for my adventurous side. I've met dozens of women riders who share my passion for the open road and I'm honored to help inspire even more women to get started on their riding journeys."
Harley-Davidson offers resources at www.h-d.com/women to help women get into the riding motorcycles. The site includes inspirational stories from women riders, a "Roadmap to Riding" that shows you how you can start riding your own Harley-Davidson, and calendars of upcoming women rider events.
By the way, on the HD site, you're encouraged to sign up for a Riders Edge class. The Motor City Harley in Farmington Hills, for instance, has openings for classes Wednesday through Sunday, May 11-15
But bear in mind, these classes costs $325. You can get training as good or even better in a three-day basic rider course from the Motorcycle Safety Foundation for only $25.
I once met the rider of a British bike who had only one rear-view mirror on his motorcycle. I asked about it, and he said, "I don't need to see what's behind me."
That's confidence. But what about the speeding driver who doesn't see my brake light? One of my rider coaches told how he once noticed a car failing to slow behind him at a stoplight, so he moved to the side of the road, and that runaway driver slammed into the car that was in front of him a moment before.
That's why we need to watch not just in front, but behind as well.
Did your driver's ed teacher show you how to adjust your mirrors? Mine never did.
Most people adjust them so they can see the side of their car, which is kind of silly, because you already know where your car is!
I learned how to adjust car mirrors from Click and Clack, the Tappet Brothers — a.k.a. Tom and Ray Magliozzi — on NPR's hilarious weekly car-advice show, Car Talk.
Ray (left) is the one with advice and weekly puzzlers, his big brother Tommy is the joker with the big laugh.
Ray explained how to spread them out so you get the widest possible view behind you, with least overlap. In a car, you put your head against the window, and turn the mirror out till you can just see the back corner of the car. Then lean to the right and adjust the right one outward. Test it as you pass a car or a tree. The object should disappear from one mirror, then reappear in the other. If it's visible in both mirrors at once, you're not getting the widest possible view.
Most people do it wrong. Check it for yourself. Look for the face of the driver ahead of you. If you can see the driver in his mirror, he can see you.
The other day I was riding directly behind the driver's side mirror of the car in front of me, so I looked for him/her in the mirror. All I saw was the branches of trees passing 30 feet overhead and to the right of the car. Maybe the driver was bird watching. He/she certainly couldn't see me.
OK, now how do we adjust motorcycle mirrors? I thought mine were well adjusted (unlike me!), but just this week a car passed on the right and I heard it before I saw it.
Most advice is to adjust so you can see your elbow and shoulder, as in this video:
Even the Motorcycle Safety Foundation advises: "Adjust each mirror so you can see the lane behind and as much as possible of the lane next to you. When properly adjusted, a mirror may show the edge of your arm or shoulder—but it’s the road behind and to the side that’s most important." (from the downloadable MSF rider manual)
Based on what Ray Magliozzi says, that's not good enough. You already know where your arm is!
I like my left mirror to show the lane dividing line on its inner edge, and two lanes to my left. The right should show directly behind me and to the right.
In this case, I'm in a parking lot and the left rear view shows the gate post, which is in the center of the drive.
Here you can see just the edge of my high-vis jacket on the inner edge, but a full view of the lane behind me and to my right.
I've never ridden a sport bike, but I see people on forums talk about seeing ONLY their arms, and having to move their arms to use the mirrors. If that were my problem, I'd install a longer mounting stem on my mirrors to change that.
The Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG) sent out a press release late last week to note that May is Motorcycle Awareness Month. I also noticed a few lawn signs, sponsored by ABATE, urging drivers to "look twice and save a life."
While I am concerned about safety, it's the designated "awareness" months that make me roll my eyes. I'm glad to bring it to mind, but motorcycle safety should be our concern every month.
And of course, those who pay attention aren't usually the ones who need to learn about it. But here are some of the salient points from SEMCOG, with my comments added:
“As the weather improves, more and more motorcyclists are on the roads. With gas prices so high, more drivers may become motorcyclists as a way to save money. With those factors in mind, all drivers need to be extra attentive and make sure to share the road,” said Paul Tait, SEMCOG executive director.
Good point. Perhaps more bikes on the road will make people more aware.
Motorcyclists are much more vulnerable to crashes than other passenger vehicles. They are smaller and can be hidden in a driver’s blind spot. It is important that motorists always make a visual check for motorcycles by checking mirrors and blind spots before entering or leaving a lane of traffic and at intersections.
We all need to check mirrors and turn to look over our shoulders. Too often, we forget — and most people do not know how to adjust their mirrors correctly. I'll talk more about that later.
Research shows that per vehicle mile traveled, the death rate for motorcyclists is nearly 40 times greater that for passenger car occupants. Three percent of all motorcycle crashes in 2010 in the SEMCOG region resulted in fatalities and nearly 90 percent of the crashes resulted in injuries. A high percent of those crashes occurred on local roads.
Sure. Because we spend most of our time on local roads. Freeways are statistically safer, because everybody's going in the same direction and at approximately the same speed.
“Motorcyclists have responsibilities, too,” said Carmine Palombo of SEMCOG’s Plan Implementation Group. “They should follow the rules of the roadway, be alert to other drivers, and always wear a U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)-compliant helmet and other protective gear.”
I'd say it's 90 percent the motorcyclists' responsibility, because we have the most to lose. Do NOT assume auto drivers see you. Never let your guard down, keep alert. If you're tired, get off the road and rest as if your life depends on it.
SEMCOG offers these safety tips:
For Motorists
* Always allow a motorcyclist the full lane width – never try to share a lane;
Some communities allow lane-splitting; it's common in Southern California, where the traffic volume necessitates it. But it gives me the willies.
* Always make a visual check for motorcycles by checking mirrors and blind spots before entering or leaving a lane of traffic and at intersections;
* Allow more following distance, don’t tailgate.
Motorcyclists
* Always wear brightly colored protective gear and a DOT-compliant helmet;
* Position your motorcycle in the lane where you will be out of a motorist’s blind spot;
* Use turn signals for every turn or lane change;
This goes for cars as well — one of my great annoyances is drivers who don't indicate where they plan to go.
* Obey all the traffic laws and follow the speed limit;
OK, this sounds like common sense, but the fact is accidents are caused more by differences in speed than by excessive speed, so it's a good idea to keep within 5 mph of vehicles around you as long as you can safely control your own vehicle.
* Avoid riding in poor weather conditions, at night and at dawn/dusk;
This is a good way to avoid deer, too.
* Avoid riding between lanes of slow moving or stopped traffic.
That's it. We'll talk more about mirrors and blind spots next time.
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