Sunday, May 18, 2008
American Motorcyclist Association New Web Site
The AMA launched a redesign of their web site, and it looks great. Talk about a change. Gone are the cluttered pages in column format that reminded us all what the web looked like in 1998. Now you'll find a sleek, black interface with great photography and lifestyle images that begin to shift the brand away from "motorcycle news" to "hey - we're all motorcycle enthusiasts here." What a terrific change. Kudos to the web developer, and the person who looked at the old site and said, "Who thinks this says fun?" Check it out at http://www.amadirectlink.com/index.asp. Looks like a magazine redesign and logo change too! Now this looks like an association that's in the game for the 21st century.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
VRA Motorcycle Events: Summer 2008
The Victory Riders Association is a membership organization for Victory owners. With the growth of the brand unofficial local clubs are popping up across the country. Victory Motorcycle Club, a group not officially associated with Polaris Inc., but a huge supporter of the brand, has a list of local clubs near you. Polaris Inc. does sponsor a national rally in the birthplace of the bike.
August
August
- American Victory Rally August 15 - 16 in Spirit Lake Iowa. An event highlight will likely be AVR plant tours, which will suspend during the summer until the 2009 models have been officially introduced. The event will also include demo rides and concerts by the Bon Jovi, Motley Crue, and Guns 'n' Roses tribute band Monsters of Mock. Rally organizers ask that you pre-register, but it's primarily for head count. No money exchanges hands until you get to the event.
Motorcycle Skills & Riding Schools
Learn to Ride
- Take a Basic Rider or Experienced Rider course from the MSF first!
- For a list of schools in your state, visit the MSF web site.
- Road Riding & Touring
- Track Racing & Super Bike
- Aztrackday Superbike School
- CLASS Motorcycle Schools
- Ed Bargy Racing School
- Fastrack Riders
- Keith Code's California Superbike School
- Keith Code's Race and Competition Experience School
- Freddie Spencer's High-Performance Riding School
- Jason Pridmore's Star Motorcycle School
- Kevin Schwantz Suzuki School
- Learning Curves Roadrace School
- Penguin Racing School
- Dirt Track
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Riding With Allergies
Spring's coming on, and in Florida, March means pollen counts in the 9 to 10 range (considered high to very-high). Riding when you have pollen allergies can be miserable, and dangerous. I try to stay off any kind of medication when I'm riding, because there's nothing worse than feeling drowsy or blurry-eyed on the road (we're talking allergies right now).
Of course, sneezing constantly is no fun either.
What causes pollen allergy reactions?
I usually go with a bandanna over my mouth and nose when riding in a half helmet. It helps cut down on what you're breathing in, and actually works on days with moderate pollen counts. A full face gives you additional protection if you keep the vents closed.
Before I start out in the morning, I try and get an idea of the pollen count. You've got several options available.
Of course, sneezing constantly is no fun either.
What causes pollen allergy reactions?
- A grain of pollen looks like a very spiky sea urchin. When it enters your nasal and bronchial passages, it latches onto the mucous membranes and gets stuck.
- These membranes have cells (called mast cells) full of histamines.
- When an allergen trigger (like pollen) lands on one of these cells, a receptor sitting on top of the cell tells the cell to let loose on the histamines.
- The histamine starts a series of annoying reactions like sneezing, watery eyes, and itching to help you get rid of the allergan.
- Neti Pots are a way to flush your sinuses, but are really for after you ride. Someone mentions this in the LiveJournal discussion mentioned below.
- Quercetin is a natural plant-derived compound (flavonoid) that helps keep the mast cells from releasing histamine. Flavonoids can be found in citrus and green tea.
- Food can help. Add some horseradish, chili peppers or hot mustard to your food. They're all temporary decongestants.
- Stinging nettle is a natural antihistamine without the side effects (drowsiness, dry mouth) associated with the drugs most commonly used.
I usually go with a bandanna over my mouth and nose when riding in a half helmet. It helps cut down on what you're breathing in, and actually works on days with moderate pollen counts. A full face gives you additional protection if you keep the vents closed.
Before I start out in the morning, I try and get an idea of the pollen count. You've got several options available.
- Pollen.com has an Allergy Forecast by state
- Google and Yahoo desktop pollen widgets can be downloaded from Pollen.com's site
- Weather.com's PollenCast is pretty quick and easy if you're already online
- Sunflower seeds
- Melons and bananas
- Zucchini and cucumber
- LiveJournal's gerardwing got a good "Riding with Alleriges" thread going with several riders giving their solutions.
- Masks are available from several manufacturers. You can find reviews and comments on several different types at AchooAllergy.com's blog. Respro does make a bandanna-style scarf called the Bandit Scarf.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Rolling Thunder: Rides from West Coast & VA
As promised, some information about organized rides.
Virginia
Ride of the Patriots
West Coast
Run For The Wall
Two organized rides leaving from Southern California. It has a very engaged community forum for answers about the ride.
Central route goes through AZ, NM, CO, KS, MO, IN, WV
Southern route goes through AZ, NM, TX, LA, MS, TN, VA
Video documentary available:
Ride With Thunder
Virginia
Ride of the Patriots
- Starts Friday, May 23th with a Chapter ride to the Candlelight Vigil at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
- Saturday, May 24th, Patriot Harley-Davidson Open House. Bring your national H.O.G. membership to receive a commemorative pin for Rolling Thunder XXI. Ride of the Patriots 2008 commemorative T-Shirt available from the dealership.
- For a detailed schedule, visit the Fairfax VA H.O.G. Chapter site for Ride of the Patriots.
West Coast
Run For The Wall
Two organized rides leaving from Southern California. It has a very engaged community forum for answers about the ride.
Central route goes through AZ, NM, CO, KS, MO, IN, WV
Southern route goes through AZ, NM, TX, LA, MS, TN, VA
Video documentary available:
Ride With Thunder
Rolling Thunder XXI
Since I'm a military brat (Air Force), Spring is on its way, and many are browsing the web for road trip ideas, I think there's probably no better time to get the word out about the Memorial Day Rolling Thunder XXI Ride Freedom than the present. Mark your calendar - the ride takes place on May 25, 2008.
Some think Rolling Thunder or Run To The Wall is a parade that heads to the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial in Washington D.C. each year. Actually, it's not a parade. It's a demonstration. Rolling Thunder chapters throughout the country are committed to advocating for military vets and drawing attention to the fact that thousands of American soldiers were left behind in Vietnam, Laos and other countries. That's 93,237 designated as missing.
The first ride took place on Memorial Day in 1988 and totaled 2,500 people, all advocating for those missing in action in any war. The noise of the motorcycles reminded those in attendance of the 1965 bombing raid in North Vietnam dubbed "Operation Rolling Thunder." A name and a passion for POW/MIA advocacy was born. Last year was the 20th run, and many know of the event, but not its history or purpose.
My father fought in Vietnam, and I did go to the wall before I started riding. This year, I've been thinking about how great it would be to go with my father on the ride. Granted, I'd have to find a way to get him on the bike, which is odd, since he disarmed bombs, so you would think getting on a motorcycle would be easy. But - it's probably my role as the rider and his as a passenger that would be more the problem.
There are a number of details for the ride, and some states have escorted rides to Washington. I'll add some additional posts for those items, but the main information you need is:
Assembly Area - North Pentagon parking lot at 8AM
Leaving for the Vietnam Memorial - at 12:00 noon for the ride through Washington D.C. to to Vietnam Memorial to pay respect to the men and women who gave their lives for the country.
Speakers & Music - located at the west end of the reflecting pool across from the Lincoln Memorial. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Aisle Assignments - Please visit the Rolling Thunder web site and click on the promotion on the home page for Rolling Thunder XXI, or download the Rolling Thunder event information now.
Video documentary available:
Ride With Thunder
Some think Rolling Thunder or Run To The Wall is a parade that heads to the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial in Washington D.C. each year. Actually, it's not a parade. It's a demonstration. Rolling Thunder chapters throughout the country are committed to advocating for military vets and drawing attention to the fact that thousands of American soldiers were left behind in Vietnam, Laos and other countries. That's 93,237 designated as missing.
The first ride took place on Memorial Day in 1988 and totaled 2,500 people, all advocating for those missing in action in any war. The noise of the motorcycles reminded those in attendance of the 1965 bombing raid in North Vietnam dubbed "Operation Rolling Thunder." A name and a passion for POW/MIA advocacy was born. Last year was the 20th run, and many know of the event, but not its history or purpose.
My father fought in Vietnam, and I did go to the wall before I started riding. This year, I've been thinking about how great it would be to go with my father on the ride. Granted, I'd have to find a way to get him on the bike, which is odd, since he disarmed bombs, so you would think getting on a motorcycle would be easy. But - it's probably my role as the rider and his as a passenger that would be more the problem.
There are a number of details for the ride, and some states have escorted rides to Washington. I'll add some additional posts for those items, but the main information you need is:
Assembly Area - North Pentagon parking lot at 8AM
Leaving for the Vietnam Memorial - at 12:00 noon for the ride through Washington D.C. to to Vietnam Memorial to pay respect to the men and women who gave their lives for the country.
Speakers & Music - located at the west end of the reflecting pool across from the Lincoln Memorial. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Aisle Assignments - Please visit the Rolling Thunder web site and click on the promotion on the home page for Rolling Thunder XXI, or download the Rolling Thunder event information now.
Video documentary available:
Ride With Thunder
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