MC Nation Podcast

Stupid kills. Yeah, I said it. Let me give you an example from this weekend. As most of you know, I am a motorcycle safety instructor in the ABATE of Indiana program and I also am a certified state motorcycle license examiner. Saturday morning I was testing the 60 people that showed up and this older gentleman was there to take the test. When it came time for his group to take the test I read the disclaimer and explained the first test sequence. When I asked if there were any questions he looked at me like he was unsure if he could do what I just asked him to do. He said, “I am 63 years old!” I replied, “Yeah.” The group erupted in laughter, which was not my intention as I do not go out of my way to embarrass anyone.

I ran the group through the sharp left turn and normal stop and this guy loses points on both. If you can not perform these skills then there is no way you can do the weave and the u-turn. I failed him right after the weave. In Indiana you can test up to 3 times on a learner’s permit. If you fail 3 times you have to retake the written test and wait 30 days before you can test again. But, they allow you to test twice in the same day if you choose. Well this guy decided to go for the second test. I got him through the turn and stop again and, of course, he failed in the weave and u-turn again. He tried pleading his case before we started the weave by telling me that he was disabled and he never rides his bike over 45 mph anyway. I told him that he probably should not be riding a motorcycle then. His reply was that he had medication for his disability. I told him that if he took meds that he definitely did not need to be riding and he probably is not supposed to be driving a car. He made sure that I knew that he was allowed to drive a car.

Bottom line. Stupid kills. I failed him on the spot. My name is not going on a permit saying that he even has the basic skills to operate a motorcycle.

Ride Safe
Steve & the MC Nation

Literally. Seeing red. How many times has this played out in your experiences? You pull up to a red light and bring your motorcycle to a smooth, safe stop. Cross traffic begins to thin and you prepare to proceed through the light to your destination. As the cross traffic begins to come to a stop, you begin to anticipate the changing of the light by easing your clutch into the friction zone and letting the motorcycle slowly start to edge forward. Just then it happens. The traffic traveling the opposite direction begins to proceed but your light does not change. You wait as the same scenario of thinning out takes place and then they come to a stop and cross traffic begins to move again. You begin to see red. Literally. In more ways than one.

This is a problem everywhere. The sensors buried in the pavement are supposed to detect the metal mass above them to trigger a light change. Most cities have the sensitivity set to detect automobiles which have far more mass to them than a motorcycle. So, you do not get detected sitting there and you see more and more red as the lights cycle. So, what options do we have when faced with this predicament? Wait for a car to pull up or run the light are about our only options outside of purchasing a “Green Light Trigger”, a device that proclaims the ability to trigger the sensors. I am somewhat skeptical of this, but if any of you readers have first hand knowledge, let us know.

California has taken measures to mandate that any new installations have sensitivity settings that will detect motorcycles and even bicycles. Other states have passed red-light laws. These laws allow you to safely proceed through the red light if the light is not being triggered. My experience has been that most occurrences happen in left turn lanes, but my research has shown that it often happens at throughways as well. Either way, it is a frustrating experience when your choice is to wait or illegally run the light.

The states that are allowing motorcycles to safely proceed through the light, legally, if it will not trigger have provided a simple approach to solving the problem without spending taxpayer money. Hats off to Minnesota for leading the charge to allowing this law back in 2003. Since then, Tennessee, Arkansas, Idaho, Wisconsin, North Carolina, and South Carolina have seen the light as well (no pun intended). There are currently proposed bills in Oklahoma, Georgia, and Missouri. I like this law. My only problem is that there are irresponsible motorcyclists out there that will not safely check for traffic and will lose their lives. When this happens, the cries will not cease to echo in the halls of the state legislatures. If you live in one of the states that allow this action, please be responsible and be safe. Let’s show the safetycrats that this can work and see if we can’t get it adopted in other states as well.

As always, I encourage your comments whether you agree with me or not!
Ride Safe
Steve & the MC Nation

In the past few weeks two rides have taken place that have so much meaning. Although one is a national level ride and the other is a local ride I feel that they hold great importance. The first ride is the Run for the Wall, which I assume most of us have at least heard of, and the second is the Miracle Ride.

The Run for the Wall web site provides us with the following:

“Mission Statement: To promote healing among ALL veterans and their families and friends, to call for an accounting of all Prisoners of War and those Missing in Action (POW/MIA), to honor the memory of those Killed in Action (KIA) from all wars, and to support our military personnel all over the world.”

This ride actually starts on the West Coast in Ranch Cucamonga, CA. Over an approximately 11 day period, the ride runs two routes that cross the United States and end up in Washington, DC for the Memorial Day weekend. The ride has preplanned stops and actually picks up additional riders at these stops as well as people joining in anywhere along the way. There are many festivities to hold your interest at the end of the ride but the most important event, of course, is the opportunity to attend the Memorial ceremony at the Wall. If you have never had the opportunity to experience the Wall I urge you to make your way to Washington and do so. Don’t forget to check out all the war memorials while you are there. There is something different about the Wall though. To see all the names of those that gave the ultimate sacrifice that allows us to remain free is a special feeling.

If I recall correctly, I believe that I have seen estimated numbers of 250,000+ participants. What an awesome sight that must be. I have had the desire to attend this ride for many years but have not found the time to do so. It is one of my wish rides that I hope to do before my time is up. I encourage any patriotic motorcyclist to add this to your list of rides.

The Miracle Ride for Riley Hospital is a ride that began fourteen years ago. The proceeds of the ride are donated to the James Whitcomb Riley Hospital for Children. Riley uses the funds to pay for care for children whose parents can not. Motorcyclists have raised over 2 million dollars for the hospital over the past fourteen years. This is by far the biggest ride in the state of Indiana both in donated dollars and in number of participants.

On Saturday of Miracle Ride weekends, the motorcycles leave from various sites around the state and converge on Indianapolis. This year the poker runs raised over $250,000 alone. On Sunday, the day of the big ride, additional riders show up and pay their donation to ride as well. 7500+ motorcycles participate. In 2007, over $325,000 was raised in total. The Sunday ride is a fun day. The ride is normally led by Bob & Tom, of the nationally syndicated Bob & Tom Show hosted at WFBQ in Indy, Forrest Lucas of Lucas Oil, and members of the Indianapolis Colts.

The ride leaves the staging area and takes a route through the streets of Indianapolis ending across the street from the famous Indianapolis Motor Speedway. An awesome bonus to this ride is that you get to take a lap on the track where so much history has been made. It is quite an experience to cruise around the track and see what the drivers actually see. That track is not as flat as it looks on TV. As cool as that sounds, there is something even better about this ride. At the beginning of the ride, shortly after leaving the staging lot, all the motorcycles pass in front of the hospital. Hospital staff and parents are sitting on the sidewalk with signs waving at the riders as we go by. It is truly hard to hold back tears knowing that those children, and hundreds of others, are in that hospital fighting diseases that could potentially kill them. The feeling you get knowing that you are helping these children and parents, even in such a small way, is indescribable.

This ride gets riders from many states. Fourteen states were represented this year. If you live in a state that is close to Indiana I encourage you to come ride with us for an awesome cause. Motorcyclists have huge hearts when it comes to children. What are the motorcyclists of your state or country doing to help? Leave your comments.

Ride Safe
Steve & the MC Nation