Riding Season
The Thursday evening rides are scheduled to begin officially on April 5th. Meet at the regular place, behind McDonald's on 208 in Montgomery at 1730, ride begins at 1800 hrs. If you're running late, give a call to one of the contacts at the end of this newsletter and they can adjust what needs to be done.
There was talk of a Thursday ride this week, 3/22, same time, same place. This ride was due to the unexpected warm weather predicted for the week.
Donations Donations Donations
Carl Raymo has made two significant donations in the name of NY XIV. The first donation was $100.00 to the VFW in Walden. The second donation on behalf of the chapter was $1500.00 to the Blue Knights COPSRUN. This donation was in the form of patches for the COPSRUN being held in Washington, DC from 5/13 – 5/16.
Speaking of That...
If you plan on attending this year's Nation Police Week and COPSRUN events in Washington and are still looking for accommodations:
Best Western Mt Vernon
8751 Richmond Hwy
Alexandria, VA
9703) 360-1300
Rates are $82 - $85 plus tax, breakfast included. Cut off date for reservations is April 9th.
Nation Police Week dates for 2012 are 5/13 – 5/16. NY XVIII will be going as a group, leaving from the Dunkin Donuts on Rt 59 in Rockland at 1000 hours on Saturday, 5/12.
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Some events for the week: 5/13 Sunday, 24th Annual Candlelight Vigil 5/14 Monday, COPSRUN luncheon 5/15 Tuesday, Annual Police Officer Memorial Service 5/16 Wednesday, COPSRUN motorcycle rides for the kids
Go to www.policeweek.org for more information.
More on Rides
There has been some discussion concerning bringing back Sunday rides. What is your opinion? There were 11 members at the last meeting, not a bad showing but there are over forty members in the chapter. So reach out to someone with a phone call or email and voice your opinion.
Chapter Sponsored Charity Event
Greg has suggested that we do an event where the proceeds of the event would remain in our neck of the woods, Orange County. Greg has told me that he was looking at Catholic Charities as a group that we could donate to from the proceeds of the run. While the name says 'Catholic' Charities, they help people across the board and Greg tells us that most of the money donated actually goes to those in need rather than for administrative services.
About Catholic Charities Community Services of Orange
County, NY
Catholic Charities Community Services of Orange County, as one of the human service agencies of Catholic Charities of The Archdiocese of New York, is committed to building a compassionate and just society. Catholic Charities Community Services of Orange County serves the homeless, the hungry, the emotionally and physically handicapped, immigrants, the marginalized and vulnerable of Orange County. We collaborate with parishes and non-Catholic and Catholic partners. We help people of all religions who are in need.
In addition, Greg feels that we could get help to run the event from Catholic Charity workers themselves, such as serving food or selling 50/50's at the event. This would be an 'all hands on deck' event to be a success. If you were to come to one event for the riding season, this would have to be it. If you have never participated, this would have to be your first! The process is in the thought stages, it could be a motorcycle ride, a poker run, who knows?!?
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One of the first things we have to know, how many members are AMA members? I know I'm asking a lot, but let a Board Member know if you have a current AMA membership. We need ten or more individual members to be granted a charter as a AMA Organizing Club. From what I heard on the tape from the last meeting, Greg will be chair for this event and will be looking for members to assist him.
10-13 Event
This coming Sunday, 3/25 from 1500-1800 hours. A fundraiser for the daughter of Deputy Felix A. Duran at the Ramblers Rest on Route 208 in Monroe. The Ramblers is providing some food and drink, a $35 donation is requested at the door. If members want to ride as a group, we can meet at the Sunoco gas station in Washingtonville at 1430 hours. There was some issue about the Ramblers Rest not allowing colors or any kind in their establishment, John Ryan is checking on this and I'll let you know in an email what the story is. Deputy Duran returned from duty in Iraq and Afghanistan and suffering from PTSD, took his life by his own hand. He leaves behind his daughter.
Prospective Member
There was a prospective member at the last meeting, retired from the NYPD, Richard Brennan. His application has been received and is being reviewed. Remember, prospective members are required to participate in three chapter functions for consideration for membership. These could be meetings, chapter rides or fundraisers.
Last Rodeo
Don't get excited McBride, that's just a figure of speech! What I'm saying is that for just a few members who have decided for one reason or another not to renew, this will be your last newsletter. As Roy would say, "Happy trails to you, until we meet again." Ride safe and know that we will still be here if you want to return.
Before I Go......
The start of the riding season is upon us. Remember to check your bike, fluids tune up, inspection, registration, tire pressure. The MSF people know it as TCLOCS. In addition, take a look at the following piece that may allow a young rider be able to one day be an old rider, an elder rider.....
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50 Tips to stay alive long enough to become an old biker
Assume you're invisible
Because to a lot of drivers, you are. Never make a move based on the assumption that another driver sees you, even if you've just made eye contact. Bikes don't always register in the four-wheel mind.
Be considerate
The consequences of strafing the jerk du jour or cutting him off start out bad and get worse. Pretend it was your grandma and think again.
Dress for the crash
Not the pool or the pub Sure, McDonalds is a 5-minute trip, but nobody plans to eat pavement. Modern mesh gear means 100-degree heat is no excuse for a T-shirt and board shorts.
Hope for the best, prepare for the worst
Assume that car across the intersection will turn across your bow when the light goes green, with or without a turn signal.
Leave your ego at home
The only people who really care if you were faster on the freeway will be the officer and the judge.
Pay attention
Yes, there is a half-naked girl on the billboard. That shock does feels squishy. Meanwhile, you could be drifting toward Big Trouble. Focus.
Mirrors only show you part of the picture
Never change direction without turning your head to make sure the coast really is clear.
Be patient
Always take another second or three before you pull out to pass, ride away from a curb or into freeway traffic from an on-ramp. It's what you don't see that gets you. That extra look could save your butt.
Watch your closing speed
Passing cars at twice their speed or changing lanes to shoot past a row of stopped cars is just asking for trouble.
Beware the verge and the merge
A lot of nasty surprises end up on the sides of the road: empty McDonald's bags, nails, TV antennas, ladders, you name it. Watch for potentially troublesome debris on both sides of the road.
Right-turning cars remain a leading killer of motorcyclists
Don't assume someone will wait for you to dart through the intersection. They're trying to beat the light, too.
Beware of cars running traffic lights
The first few seconds after a signal light changes are the most perilous. Look both ways before barging into an intersection.
Check your mirrors
Do it every time you change lanes, slow down or stop. Be ready to move if another vehicle is about to occupy the space you'd planned to use.
Mind the gap
Remember Driver's Ed? One second's worth of distance per 10 mph is the old rule of thumb. Better still, scan the next 12 seconds ahead for potential trouble.
Beware of boy racers
They're quick and their drivers tend to be aggressive. Don't assume you've beaten one away from a light or outpaced it in traffic and change lanes without looking. You could end up as a Nissan hood ornament.
Excessive entrance speed hurts
It's the leading cause of single-bike accidents on twisty roads and racetracks. In Slow, Out Fast is the old adage, and it still works. Dialing up corner speed is safer than scrubbing it off.
Don't trust that deer whistle
Ungulates and other feral beasts prowl at dawn and dusk, so heed those big yellow signs. If you're riding in a target-rich environment, slow down and watch the shoulders.
Learn to use both brakes
The front does most of your stopping, but a little rear brake on corner entry can calm a nervous chassis.
Keep the front brake covered-always
Save a single second of reaction time at 60 mph and you can stop 88 feet shorter. Think about that.
Look where you want to go
Use the miracle of target fixation to your advantage. The motorcycle goes where you look, so focus on the solution instead of the problem.
Keep your eyes moving
Traffic is always shifting, so keep scanning for potential trouble. Don't lock your eyes on any one thing for too long unless you're actually dealing with trouble.
Think before you act
Careful whipping around that micra going 7 kph in a 30-kph zone or you could end up with your head in the driver's side door when he turns into the driveway right in front of you.
Raise your gaze
It's too late to do anything about the 20 feet immediately in front of your fender, so scan the road far enough ahead to see trouble and change trajectory.
Get your mind right in the driveway
Most accidents happen during the first 15 minutes of a ride, below 40 mph, near an intersection or driveway. Yes, that could be your driveway.
Come to a full stop at that next stop sign
Put a foot down. Look again. Anything less forces a snap decision with no time to spot potential trouble.
Never dive into a gap in stalled traffic
Cars may have stopped for a reason, and you may not be able to see why until it's too late to do anything about it.
Don't saddle up more than you can handle
If you weigh 95 pounds, avoid that 795-pound cruiser. If you're 5-foot-5, forget those towering adventure-tourers.
Watch for car doors opening in traffic
And smacking a car that's swerving around some goofball's open door is just as painful.
Don't get in an intersection rut
Watch for a two-way stop after a string of four-way intersections. If you expect cross- traffic to stop, there could be a painful surprise when it doesn't.
Stay in your comfort zone when you're with a group
Riding over your head is a good way to end up in the ditch. Any bunch worth riding with will have a rendezvous point where you'll be able to link up again.
Give your eyes some time to adjust
A minute or two of low light heading from a well-lighted garage onto dark streets is a good thing. Otherwise, you're essentially flying blind for the first mile or so.
Master the slow U-turn Practice.
Park your butt on the outside edge of the seat and lean the bike into the turn, using your body as a counterweight as you pivot around the rear wheel.
Who put a stop sign at the top of this hill? Don't panic.
Use the rear brake to keep from rolling back down. Use Mr. Throttle and Mr. Clutch normally-and smoothly-to pull away.
If it looks slippery, assume it is
A patch of suspicious pavement could be just about anything. Butter Flavor Crisco? Gravel? Mobil 1? Or maybe it's nothing. Better to slow down for nothing than go on your head.
Bang! A blowout! Now what?
No sudden moves. The motorcycle isn't happy, so be prepared to apply a little calming muscle to maintain course. Ease back the throttle, brake gingerly with the good wheel and pull over very smoothly to the shoulder. Big sigh.
Drops on the faceshield?
It's raining. Lightly misted pavement can be slipperier than when it's been rinsed by a downpour, and you never know how much grip there is. Apply maximum-level concentration, caution and smoothness.
Emotions in check?
To paraphrase Mr. Ice Cube, chickity-check yoself before you wreck yoself. Emotions are as powerful as any drug, so take inventory every time you saddle up. If you're mad, sad, exhausted or anxious, stay put.
Wear good gear
Wear stuff that fits you and the weather. If you're too hot or too cold or fighting with a
jacket that binds across the shoulders, you're dangerous. It's that simple.
Leave the iPod at home
You won't hear that cement truck in time with Spinal Tap cranked to 11, but they might like your headphones in intensive care.
Learn to swerve
Be able to do two tight turns in quick succession. Flick left around the bag of briquettes, then right back to your original trajectory. The bike will follow your eyes, so look at the way around, not the briquettes. Now practice till it's a reflex.
Be smooth at low speeds
Take some angst out, especially of slow-speed maneuvers, with a bit of rear brake. It adds a welcome bit of stability by minimizing unwelcome weight transfer and potentially bothersome driveline lash.
Flashing is good for you
Turn signals get your attention by flashing, right? So a few easy taps on the pedal or lever before stopping makes your brake light more eye-catching to trailing traffic.
Intersections are scary, so hedge your bets
Put another vehicle between your bike and the possibility of someone running the stop sign/red light on your right and you cut your chances of getting nailed in half.
Tune your peripheral vision
Pick a point near the center of that wall over there. Now scan as far as you can by moving your attention, not your gaze. The more you can see without turning your head, the sooner you can react to trouble.
All alone at a light that won't turn green?
Put as much motorcycle as possible directly above the sensor wire-usually buried in the pavement beneath you and located by a round or square pattern behind the limit line. If the light still won't change, try putting your kickstand down, right on the wire. You should be on your way in seconds.
Every-thing is harder to see after dark
Adjust your headlights, Carry a clear faceshield and have your game all the way on after dark, especially during commuter hours.
Don't troll next to-or right behind-Mr. Peterbilt
If one of those 18 retreads blows up-which they do with some regularity-it de-treads, and that can be ugly. Unless you like dodging huge chunks of flying rubber, keep your distance.
Take the panic out of panic stops
Develop an intimate relationship with your front brake. Seek out some safe, open pavement. Starting slowly, find that fine line between maximum braking and a locked wheel, and then do it again, and again.
Make your tires right
None of this stuff matters unless your skins are right. Don't take 'em for granted. Make sure pressure is spot-on every time you ride. Check for cuts, nails and other junk they might have picked up, as well as general wear.
Take a deep breath
Count to 10. Visualize whirled peas. Forgetting some clown's 120 kph indiscretion beats running the risk of ruining your life, or ending it.
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Board Members Contact Info
President
Donald Curfman
845-778-2394
dcurfman@hvc.rr.com
Vice President
Gregory Pricoli
845-492-6562
GGJKM@optonline.net
Treasurer
Salvatore J. Marazita
914-805-1988
sbanker2@hvc.rr.com
Secretary
Paul L. Lang
845-590-9877
paull564@yahoo.com
Immediate Past President
Carl Raymo
845-742-7809
c.raymo@yahoo.com
