A Message from the 2004
High Country Chapter Colorado #422's Chief Road Captain - Phil Dog
ROAD
TIPS & TRICKS FROM - PHIL DOG -2004 ROAD CAPTAIN
HIGH COUNTRY H-D/BUELL FREDERICK
I really like riding this time of the year, maybe more
so then the rest. I say that now until it's some other time of the year
and I like then a little more then now too. This time of the year presents
a few more challenges to us riders that we don't usually have to deal
with such as extreme cold temps, gravel, black ice, magnesium chloride
and top it off with other drivers that seam to forget motorcycles exist
in winter months. With these extra challenges heaped on top of risk
of riding a motorcycle to begin with the reward and satisfaction of
getting there in one piece safe and sound is nearly overwhelming. How
can we get past these challenges so we can ride year round?
For one the when the temperature starts to fall in the fall I grab
my bubble wrap. Yep you heard me right bubble wrap used to protect product
from damage during shipping. I use it as an air barrier between my leather
and my jacket and jeans. The best thing about it is no one knows you
have it on when your wearing it, they just think your some hard-core
rider. Top it off that it's super inexpensive I encourage anyone to
stop by High Country Harley-Davison, Buell and I will personally outfit
you with enough bubble wrap you can give some to your friends. Of course
you can always invest in Harley-Davidsons heated clothing line. I have
recently purchased the gloves and I am still wondering why I waited
so long.
When it comes to gravel the key is speed or should I say the lack of
it. Not only do we need to keep our speed down for turning or maneuvering
on gravel we need to remember to keep a greater distance behind the
driver in front of us unless you don't care about you paint and like
riding in a sand blaster. Remember gravel always seams to show up when
you would least want to see it i.e. corners and intersections.
Black Ice & Mag-Cloride those words make every motorcyclist cringe
either with personal experience or the conjuring of thoughts as to what
can happen. With out one you're going to have the other and vise versa.
All I can say is pay close attention to the weather and get your self
home before black ice conditions develop. Magnesium chloride on the
other hand is not all that great either, for one it is super caustic
to aluminum. If you get any on your cast wheels, forks or triple trees
good luck getting it off. I can tell you it will take a power tool and
a tube of shimichrome before you give up and tell yourself it looks
good enough. I have gained a deep respect for chrome after riding too
many Mag-Chloride roads and have learned it's not just for bright showiness
any more. Lastly the most dangerous winter riding condition I can think
of, the same most dangerous condition regardless of the season, other
drivers that forget about two wheels. A lot for effort and money is
spent to increase motorcycle awareness by the motorcycle community.
This is a good cause but I think the people we need to worry about the
most are as likely to change the way they think as we are to give up
on riding Harley-Davidson motorcycles. With that said the one thing
that we can change is our selves and how we ride. I will be dropping
some tips and tricks I have learned and developed here in this piece
month to month. My tip and not so much a trick for this month is for
Motorcyclists to slow down. Don't get me wrong, I love to twist the
throttle, feel that V-Twin power as much as you do, and yes occasionally,
briefly exceed the posted limit. I just try to make sure before I do
that no one else can mess me up. It's our lives in our hand and we will
have to pay the price even if it is someone else's mistake. Ride Safe.
101 Years, Ride On Harley-Davidson
Phil Dog
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