Posts Tagged ‘Motorcycle’

Rain, Rain Go Away

Posted: May 21, 2013 in Motorcycle Rides
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The weather in Northern Virginia has not been conducive to riding motorcycles of late.  Today was the first day, in about the last ten, which I have had a chance to ride, and it was just commuting to work.  But hey, any day riding is a good day! 

One of things about becoming a good blogger, I have read, is that you need to post frequently. Due to the fact that we have not been “out and about” over the last few weeks I thought I would write about something related to riding.  

We collect bike related stick pins.  Mostly Harley Davidson Dealer Pins, but rally and event pins as well.  We have nearly 100 different pins so have I nearly 100 days’ worth of material to post/discuss, LOL. 

The pin displayed today is from Roanoke Valley HD near Roanoke, VA.  I stopped at this dealership (off Interstate 81) during a business trip to Oak Ridge, TN.  I don’t remember much about the shop itself but the pin is cool!

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Their coming….OH CRAP, THEIR HERE!

Posted: May 14, 2013 in Motorcycle news
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If you are riding in and around the Mid-Atlantic States make sure your wind screen is on!  The 17 year cicadas swarm is here!  New reports indicate they are popping up near ManassasImage, VA and will soon be everywhere.  At the peak some areas will have 1,500,000 bugs per acre.   At up to two inches in size I do not want to take one to the face or chest at 50 miles per hour or faster.

Here are few interesting facts about these guys from CicadaMania.com:

They’ll attack land on you if you’re using a power tool or lawn mower. Cicadas think the sounds made by power tools and lawn maintenance equipment are made by cicadas. They get confused and will land on the people using the equipment! Tip: cut your lawn in the early morning or near dusk when the cicadas are less active.

People eat them: People eat them. You can barbecue it, boil it, broil it, bake it, sauté it. There, uh, cicada kabobs, cicada creole, cicada gumbo, pan-fried, deep fried, stir fried. There’s pineapple cicada, lemon cicada, coconut cicada, pepper cicada, cicada soup, cicada stew, cicada salad, cicada and potatoes, cicada burger, cicada sandwich… that’s, that’s about it.

Cicadas pee: Yes cicadas pee, so wear a hat when walking under trees if that sort of thing bothers you. Cicadas drink tree fluids, and then expel the excess fluid they do now need. People call it “honey dew” or “cicada rain”.

And to help you plan your rides… here is map showing the areas affected by the 17 year swarm.  Also, a special thanks to Chas with the Northern Virginia Motorcycle Club for inspiring this post.  If you are going on a motorcycle ride…make sure you have the Windex on hand.Image

May is Motorcycle Safety Month

Posted: May 8, 2013 in Motorcycle news
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Using the template from the Traffic Safety Marketing (.gov) website I just submitted the following letter to the editor for our local newspaper the Loudoun Times.

Dear editor,

In recognition of May as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, I’d like to encourage Loudoun County motorists and motorcyclists alike to commit to “sharing the road” during the month, and all year long, in a collective effort to reduce motorcycle deaths and injuries across our region.

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Motorcycles are among the smallest and most vulnerable vehicles on the road and riders are at greater risk of death and serious injury than other vehicle operators if they are involved in a crash.  In fact, according to the Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) latest statistics bear out this unfortunate fact.  In 2011, 4,612 motorcyclists died on America’s roads, accounting for 14 percent of total highway deaths despite motorcycle registrations representing only about 3 percent of all vehicles in the country. 

Despite declines in automobile fatalities, motorcycle deaths have increased every year for 13 of the past 14 years, except 2009 which saw a decline.

Motorists and motorcyclists have a common responsibility to share the road together in a safe, courteous and conscientious manner.  Drivers need to be on the lookout for motorcyclists at all times, signal all lane changes and turns,  and constantly be checking mirrors and blind spots before proceeding. Drivers must be fully focused and alert to the road, and in control of their vehicles at all times by never driving impaired by alcohol, drugs or distraction.

Riders should obey all traffic laws, be properly licensed, use reflective material and ensure lights are working properly to increase conspicuity, and always wear a Department of Transportation-compliant helmet and other proper protective equipment. Like their motorist counterparts, motorcyclists should never ride while impaired or distracted.

Together, motorists and motorcyclists can work together to keep each other and our roads safe for everyone, not only in May, but all year long.  

Sincerely, 

Warren Massey

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