New York Chapter "W"

Gold Wing Road Riders Association

Rochester, NY

Spring Into Spring On Your GoldWing

It is getting to get close to riding weather, and I am sure some have already taken your scoots out from their long winter’s nap. However, as we approach spring, this time of year presents special riding skills and thrills.

Rusty Rider Syndrome

Since we have not been on the bikes for a while, our skills will be rusty and we need to reacquaint ourselves with our bikes again. Sit on it, and get used to the feel of the bike and the controls again. Take an ERC Rider course offered in the spring. Find a parking lot, set up some cones and practice, practice, practice. Turn that rust rider into a trusty rider.

Precious Pot Holes

The warming and cooling have caused many precious potholes to pop up. Watch for them and avoid them at all costs. Hitting a pothole can cause you to drop the bike causing damage to the wheel, tire and to you too. Not a good way to start the season. Some potholes may have water in them and may be deeper than you think. If you see fins, this could mean it is a deep one!!!

 Slippery Sand Man

Sand or salt on the road makes for less than ideal riding. This can be very slippery and tends to gather at corners. Watch for that and keep you speed under the limit until there has been sufficient rain to wash the roads clear of this slippery stuff. You really don’t want to meet the sand&ldots;&ldots;.man!

Wager against the Cager

For the past several months, motorcycles have not been on the roads and our road partners; the automobiles/cagers have forgotten our presence. If you see a cager, wager that they don’t see you! Make sure you do eye contact and assume they probably will turn in your path anyway. It will take a few months to get used to use sharing the road with the four-wheel cagers again. Remember not to share the same space with them, they usually win! Consider all four wheelers as ragin’ cagin’s.

Stay Bright & in Sight

Wear loud colors or at least highly visible ones so you can be readily seen day or night. Make sure you are not in the blind spot of a car or truck. Look into the drivers’ eyes or in their mirrors to see if they can see you. Flick your lights if you think they are about to cut you off. Keep the flicking to a minimum.

We have been away from out bikes for a while, so take the time to relearn your skills and your bike. Let’s be careful out until you are completely ready to spring into action. Make this an Ides of March, not a Slides of March.

Practice Safe Riding

Gary Mandak

Chapter W Educator