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March 2004
Redesigned Website Rocks!
Fantastic! Superb! Awesome!
These are only a few of the reactions to the redesigned Capitol Cruisers website that made its debut in early February.
Webtender Monique King created a website that exceeded all expectations. In addition to beautiful graphics, the website contains up-to-date information on events, chapter rides, meeting information, newsletter highlights, members’ pictures and short bios, and links.
Thanks Monique!
Safe Riding Tips
By Liza Albright
When I was 20 years old, I had a dream I was riding a motorcycle. I really had not thought much about riding before that. But the dream was so real and I could not shake the incredible feeling of fun and freedom, even days after I awoke. About two weeks later, I purchased a 1972 Honda 125cc for $200 (from a woman I might add). Riding was everything I dreamed, but I was not prepared for the dangers involved.
I have never been much of a daredevil, would rather rub my face on sandpaper than bungee jump, am scared to death of roller coasters, and I break into a sweat every time I fly. So, I honestly can’t tell you why I simply MUST ride my motorcycle. I’m still a bit nervous every time I ride, but (thanks to the Motorcycle Safety Foundation course and advice I have received over the years from more experienced individuals) riding has become an exhilarating experience that leaves me feeling alive and kicking every single time!!
Whereas I know there are many experienced riders in Capitol Cruisers who already practice safe riding skills, I also know that we have a fair amount of beginners who are hungry for safe riding knowledge. I hope you will find what I have learned helpful to you. Please note that this information should in no way preclude you from attending a Motorcycle Safety Course or from obtaining advice/training from a professional. In the event that a trained professional’s advice is in conflict with some of the suggestions below, you should treat the professional’s advice as the “golden rule” and ignore mine.
Having said that, I would like to share some safety tips I have found very helpful over the years:
- ALWAYS wear protective clothing,
even when it’s hot as the dickens. This includes having your arms and
legs covered by at least denim (leather is best), full fingered gloves
(even in the summer), and boots that cover the ankles and are not laced
(laces can get stuck in chains and other places if they come untied).
- Have a "sky’s the limit"
attitude when purchasing a helmet. Look, you spent all that money on
your bike, why cut costs when it comes to protecting your head? Be sure
to get a helmet that is from a reputable manufacturer and is Snell approved.
My favorite helmet is Arai because they make several sizes tailored
to different shaped heads and they are known for making extremely safety
conscious helmets. Shoei also makes a great helmet, as do several other
manufacturers. I am not a big fan of the $100 - $150 helmets. While
I have no proof of this, I fear that some aspect of safety might be
compromised in order to cut costs. Simply put, how much is your head
worth to you?
- Wear bright colors both
at night AND during the day. Some folks think that being seen at night
is the only challenge, but I think that daytime visibility is just as
challenging. Consider brightly-colored clothing and a brightly-colored
helmet (red, orange, yellow, white, etc.) with reflective material on
it. This will help drivers see you both at night and during the day.
- Also consider purchasing
a reflective band (non stick) that you can place around the bottom of
your helmet. These are extremely visible at night.
- Practice in parking lots.
Practice figure eights and other maneuvers in a parking lot, especially
if you have been off the bike for a few weeks or more. This will help
rebuild your confidence and skills before you get back on the road.
- Make sure you buy a bike
where, when seated, you are as close to flat- footed as possible. This
will make a world of difference with your level of confidence. If you
are vertically challenged, try looking at bikes with lower seat height
and consider purchasing (and having professionally installed) a lowering
kit. These can reduce the seat height by as much as an inch or more.
Some bike manufacturers don’t make them, but you can get them after-market.
A pair of platform boots doesn’t hurt either!!
- Make sure your bike is ready
to ride before you hit the road. Adjust your mirrors, check to be sure
all your lights are working; your brakes are working, and check your
tire pressure.
- At cruising speeds, push
down on the left handle bar to go left (vice versa to go right). One
common mistake that new riders make is to try to turn the handlebars
in the direction they want to go. This only works at fairly slow speeds.
Turning the handlebars (rather than pushing down) can be dangerous and
cause the bike to go out of control at cruising speeds. Pushing left
to go left and pushing right to go right will allow you and the bike
to gently lean into turns.
- ALWAYS scan the road at
least five seconds ahead of you to look for potential dangers. Traffic
changes, potholes (which can be a huge problem this time of year), cars
coming into your lane from onramps, and other potential dangers must
be monitored at all times. The MSF course is a great source for how
to maneuver around these potential dangers, once identified.
- Keep your head up (don’t
look down) when stopping, especially when in an emergency braking situation.
This is one of the most important skills taught in the MSF course. If
you need to stop suddenly and your head is up and looking forward, chances
are you will keep the bike upright (even if the back tire is locked
and skidding).
- If you must stop in a turn,
straighten up the bike first and then break. If you break while you
are leaning into the turn, chances are you will drop the bike. This
can be a difficult skill to learn but is very valuable. You never know
when a car might be stalled, or you might encounter a traffic jam, on
a sharp turning exit ramp (with very little visual warning). This skill
is taught in the MSF course.
- If you have to hit an animal
because you have absolutely no other choice, aim for the middle as it
will be softer and will offer better traction. Obviously, this won’t
work for a deer, but if you encounter a small animal that has already
moved on to the afterlife, and you can’t go around it, aim for the middle.
- Assume you are invisible
to everyone on the road. This is one of the best pieces of advice I
ever got.
- If you don’t feel 100%,
TAKE THE CAR!!
- Don’t drink even one beer and ride, EVER!!
Disclaimer: This article was meant only as a source of information to its readers, and not as professional advice. Capitol Cruisers is held harmless for any potential “miss information” or “miss understanding” that a reader may have with regard to this article. Capitol Cruisers strongly suggests that riders obtain advice from a professional motorcycle instructor or through a safety course, such as the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) course, prior to engaging in motorcycle riding. For more information on the MSF course, go to www.msf-usa.org or call 1-800-446-9227.
 |
Donna Leigh Bliss Chapter Director |
Cruising with Donna
...to Promote a Positive Image of Motorcycling
If you have ever read the WOW Mission Statement, you will have undoubtedly read this part without giving it a second thought. Yet, have you ever considered what this really means and why it is important?
I am willing to bet if you survey your average person on the street on what they think of motorcycling the most common responses will be negative. They will probably mention that it is dangerous. Others will mention how motorcycling is associated with outlaws. Still others will associate motorcycling with riders on sports bikes who weave in and out of traffic at high speeds.
While there is truth in all these characterizations, they are hardly representative of motorcycling. Yet, these negative images do not just disappear unless they are replaced with more positive and realistic images of motorcycling.
As women who love motorcycling, I believe we have the opportunity to help promote a positive image of motorcycling in a big way. One way of doing this is to use our strengths in an empowering, proactive manner. That involves reaching out to the community.
Just think of how cool it would be for children in an orphanage to have a group of women on motorcycles come visit them. Or how about kids who have serious medical problems. Imagine their excitement at hearing the roar of a bunch of motorcycles and getting a chance to look at them and maybe even sit on them. I don’t know about you, but I think being able to do things like this is fantastic, not just for the kids, but for us as well. And what is even better, we can do it!
We have something very positive to bring to the community, and I propose we start to do that now. At the February meeting there were several great ideas that you brought up. How about if we try one? I am asking for someone to help me coordinate a community outreach event in April or May. You only have to make the commitment to this one event. I will help you so don’t worry if you are not sure what to do.
Together, the Capitol Cruisers can help promote a positive image of motorcycling. Please help make this happen by volunteering to help. Thanks.
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