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Chapter Director
11/2008 CD CORNER
CHAPTER DIRECTOR
As the weather gets cooler there will be much better riding times. We had good
rides in October.
Don’t forget to sign up for the Chapters Christmas Party on October 13th. We
have a delicious menu this year and music by The Music Machine.
I want to thank Lew Rubino, Paul McCauley for all the work and great job they
did with the preparation of our Chapter picnic also thank you to Terry McDaniel
for his donation to the picnic fund.
I also want send out congratulations to our newest Road Captains Wayne Stevens
and Terry McDaniel, also congratulations to Theresa Stevens and Judy Friess for
completing Co rider course. Thanks goes out to Lew & Judy Rubino for conducting
the Road Captains and Co Rider Course.
We still have tickets for the New 2009 Goldwing to be given away at the March
Rally.
A little something extra: Before I let a passenger onto my bike I host a
briefing with them. I explain that so long as they are on my bike THEY are the
boss - that if they want to slow down, or to stop, for any reason, we will do
so. In other words, the rider controls the bike while the passenger controls the
rider! Explain that it is not your intention to scare them, ever, while they are
on the bike, but to help them enjoy the experience. In exchange for this there
is a price: They have four jobs while riding as passenger, and they must agree
to get on and off the bike only with the permission of the driver.
You should explain the 'passenger twist' where they connect their helmet cord
while facing the bike, then do a full turn clockwise so that the cord wraps
behind them before they get on the bike. That they get on and off only while you
are on the bike, which is in neutral, and have both feet down and the side stand
up (this, because if the side stand is down and they plump themselves on the
saddle they will compress the shocks and that will lever the bike to the right -
possibly all the way over onto its side!) I nod and tell them it is OK to get on
the bike when I'm ready for them. I do the same when I'm ready for them to leave
the bike. Finally, I ask that when they mount and dismount the bike they try to
keep their weight centered on the bike - that they not pull the bike towards
them but, rather, push themselves towards the bike.
You should explain the 'passenger twist' where they connect their helmet cord
while facing the bike, then do a full turn clockwise so that the cord wraps
behind them before they get on the bike. That they get on and off only while you
are on the bike, which is in neutral, and have both feet down and the side stand
up (this, because if the side stand is down and they plump themselves on the
saddle they will compress the shocks and that will lever the bike to the right -
possibly all the way over onto its side!) I nod and tell them it is OK to get on
the bike when I'm ready for them. I do the same when I'm ready for them to leave
the bike. Finally, I ask that when they mount and dismount the bike they try to
keep their weight centered on the bike - that they not pull the bike towards
them but, rather, push themselves towards the bike.
Oh, as to those 'jobs' they have:
· They are to wave at all motorcyclists approaching us in the opposite direction
· They are to wave at all policemen who are on their feet
· They are to wave at all children that show any interest whatever
· They are to demonstrate to the world that they are enjoying themselves,
particularly at all rest stops.!
Failing any of those jobs, will result in them having a new job when the ride is
over - the spokes. (There are no spokes on my Wing, of course.)
As to my own personal rules while riding with a passenger:
· The only thing I want to 'show off' is that riding a motorcycle can be safe
and enjoyable
· I wish to challenge myself with the task of trying to shift gears without the
passenger being aware of the activity (no head snaps in either direction.)
· I want to start and stop with the passenger never quite sure that we have
started to move or that we have come to a full stop - i.e., smoothness all
around. (take from Motorcycle Safety/Dynamics )
Ride Safe & Ride Often
Dale & Helen CDs FL1-H2
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