April, 2005

Aye Aye Captain!                       
by Paula McCallum

Let’s put a name with a face on the people who will be leading our rides this year. Bill Pike pictured here with his sidekick, Leo (who’s also a new Road Captain), was taken on our road trip to Vermont this September. It was one of Billy’s favorite MMR events. Riding Rt. 100 was amazing, he says, even though his not so “iron” butt hurt after travelling all day.

Bill joined the Manomet Mystery Riders 3 years ago after hearing about it through Leo who he works with at Titlist. Bill has worked there for 18 years and is now a warehouse specialist while Leo drives a truck for the company. The MMR appealed to Billy because of its relaxed format. “There’s no pressure. You can be as involved or as uninvolved as your schedule allows. “

Billy has been riding for 4 years putting over 25,000 miles on his 2001 Fatboy. He’s also owned several dirt bikes in his lifetime. He enjoys riding because it gives him a sense of freedom. It relaxes him while clearing his mind from a long day of work.

Billy’s not just about the ride. He also enjoys shooting pool and guns at his gun club, where he’s a charter member, as well as playing golf. In the future, he’d like to take a ride through Arizona maybe even attend the new rally starting up in Las Vegas, NV.

His advice to new riders is to take a rider safety course as he did a few years ago. As a Road Captain, Billy wants to take us to areas where he’s more familiar with near his home town of Abington or to Fairhaven where he’s employed. Places where we normally wouldn’t ride. He has some really good ideas up his sleeve (along with a tattoo I didn’t know he had) but remained tight lipped in telling me his intended destinations. He said he’d prefer to just let them remain a “mystery”...   

Being Prepared for the Ride             
by Elise Donohue

Hello Riders! When Paula asked me to elaborate on some of the topics we discussed at your last meeting, I was more then happy to oblige. I hope you find this information a valuable tool for your riding careers. Here goes…

With the longest winter in the history of the planet, I am sure all of you are anxious to get out there and ride your steel horses. Before you do, here are a few things you should consider before you climb aboard:

BIKE PREPARATION: There is an acronym we use in the safety world that helps make a pre ride inspection easy to remember:
T-CLOCS, it stands for:

T = TIRES AND WHEELS o Air Pressure (Primary reason for tire failure is low tire pressure) o Tread o Bearings o Cracks, dents, o Brakes loose spokes

C = CONTROLS o Levers o Hoses o Switches o Throttle o Cables

L = LIGHTS AND ELECTRICS o Working Condition

O = OIL AND OTHER FLUIDS o Level o Leaks

C = CHASSIS o Suspension o Drive components (chain, belt, or driveshaft)

S = SIDESTAND A quick check of your ride can make the difference between spending some unwanted time on the side of the road or enjoying the day as it was meant to be.

Things to Keep on Your Bike Preparation should not be limited to just your bike. As you all know, the weather can change in a moments notice, and nothing is worse then being unprepared for the elements. Here are a few things you might want to consider for permanent residence in your saddle bags: o 

Clear Glasses: Carry an extra cheap pair of clear wraparound safety glasses for night riding or rainy days. If you ride with a tinted full face shield, make sure you have the clear cohort on board with you. When you leave the house on a great day, it is easy to be out unexpectedly after dark and with New England in mind, we can leave in the sun and ride home in the rain.

Rain Gear: Any! Check out Frogg Toggs, they are breathable, lightweight and pack real well, they even come in a cool carry bag. Look to spend around 70 bucks for a set (pants/jacket) as in all riding gear, consider lighter colors for visibility.

Extra Sweatshirt o Florescent Reflective Vest: Wouldn't be caught dead in one?...You're probably right. Consider the challenges we face, of being seen during the day, then picture yourself riding at night relying on nothing but an illuminated red light from behind you, telling other motorists you’re there.

Bandanna: If you ride with anything other then a full face helmet, a bandanna can work as a makeshift rain shield by placing it over your nose and mouth. You may look like you are going to rob a bank, but at least it will help alleviate the stinging sensation of the rain. It can also double as a sunburn shield for the back of your neck. Try soaking it in cool water before draping it on your neck on those real hot days for some relief.

First Aid Kit: Include sunscreen

Road Flare

Good Road Map

Small Tool Kit: Keep in mind that bikes vibrate and parts can become loose, pack it up accordingly. A small flashlight, tire gauge, and a quart of oil should also take up some space.

Pick Up Prepaid Phone Cards: Cell reception can be lousy and a pay phone may be the only option in case of emergency. Rather than playing "who's got a quarter..." pick up a few prepaid cards. Be sure to read the back of the card, there is usually a surcharge of at least 8 minutes per card for using it at a pay phone. Live to Ride, Ride to Live

Paulatics – Wall Hangin’              
by Paula McCallum

You can't call yourself a Manomet Mystery Rider unless you have spent at least one night hangin' at The Wall. You would think by its impressive moniker, "The Wall" (in capital letters), that this would be on par with The Great Wall of China or perhaps the Weeping Wall in Israel. But our Wall is more of a cement bench really rather than like those other famous walls. It’s a little anticlimactic the first time you pull up on your bike, exclaiming, "that's it? hmmm, I thought it'd be a lot bigger." Kind of like seeing that little pebble down the road, "That's the Rock?"

Parking in front of The Wall requires a little planning as bikers vie for the primo spaces (away from the cages and next to someone they know who won’t scratch their paint job). It's a concerted effort to rearrange bikes once a nearby car moves out and we scramble to push a few of our sleds into the vacant spot.

We do not discriminate, welcoming everyone with a scooter to join us but The GoldWing boys, who are lit up like Christmas trees, opt to park a block away. The younger dudes, with their crotch rockets, are further down on the waterside in their own cliche. The chopper contingent park at the Cabby Shack but as a rule don't stay there for too long. We enjoy watching them cruise the waterfront all evening long. They are really never going anywhere but hey, neither are we.

We spend most of our time here just taking in the sites. Gazing at the tourists who walk by quickly trying not to make eye contact with us while the hot "babes" strut their stuff in hopes of catcalls or fond ogling. People Watching is a definite Wall hobby but viewing the sunset on the harbor is by far, more impressive.

Traffic is also a fun sport for idle Wall Hangers. teenage studs, with a heavy bass, "illegal" exhaust systems and neon lights glowing under the carriages, show off their rides up and down the strip. "Hey, there he goes again...," we point out. But it can also be a dangerous place; as we lay witness to near collisions, drivers who are oblivious to the right-of-way pedestrians in cross walks or the occasional domestic disturbance of an irate parent hauling away their past curfew teen.

Bikers come mainly to pass the time, to check out each other's rides, boast of their latest attachment or to relate the day's travels. Some stop on their way to grab a bite to eat or to have an ice cream propped up against The Wall. One MMR member personally keeps Ziggy's in business buying vanilla cones all summer.