So You Want A Sore Butt?        
by Chuck Tolley

My travels in 2005 took me through 19 states and part of Canada; this included three road trips but mostly many one-day outings. I felt like I really didn’t do as much day-to-day riding as I usually do because of work. Donna and I have gone to Americade for the past few years, it is our official summer riding kick off. The roads in upstate NY and VT are beautiful and there are a ton of fun places to visit. One of our group’s annual rituals is a breakfast run to VT for breakfast (well everyone else has breakfast, I have Strawberry Rhubarb Pie) and then a ferry ride across Lake Champlain to NY with a stop at Fort Ticonderoga. We ride up the valley on the west side of the Green Mountains past farms and old-fashioned New England villages on lightly traveled roads that seem to have been designed for motorcycles. The scenery is spectacular and you can smell the freshly cut hay or recently plowed fields. Occasionally the smells aren’t quite as fresh, like when you pass by the dairy or pig farms.

Our next trip was a 2 1/2 week trip starting from Minneapolis, MN. We went west to Sturgis and then headed east slowly making our way home. While we were in the Sturgis area we checked out the Badlands, Mount Rushmore, the Crazy Horse Monument and Custer State Park. We also went to Wyoming to see Devils Tower before really heading east. From WY we went through Montana (ask Donna about our “little” detour), North Dakota back into Minnesota and stopped for a couple of days in Duluth.

After a couple of days of sightseeing we crossed the tops of Wisconsin and Michigan to Sault Ste. Marie and into Canada. While in Sault Ste. Marie we watched a 1000’ freighter pass through one of the largest single lift locks in the country. It raises or lowers ships 24’ and it takes only about twenty minutes. They build the freighters to just barely fit the locks, it was quite a sight to see the ship slide into the lock and then you could watch it rise like it was a time-lapse movie. From there it was a two day trip to Niagara Falls and an overnight stay on the Canadian side of the Falls. The day we arrived at the Falls it rained all day and had been a miserable trip. Fortunately that was the only day we had to ride in the rain. After leaving the Falls it was two days home and back to reality. This trip was an incredible experience; we met many friendly and fun people.

My last big trip was in September when I went to North and South Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee. I spent two days riding the Blue Ridge Parkway and also rode Deal’s Gap and the Cherohala Skyway possibly two of the best motorcycle roads in the country. The rest of my miles were day trips on some of my favorite local roads to places like Mount Greylock and Western MA, Newport and Little Compton, RI and the Northeast corner of CT. For 2006, I hope to be able to ride with the club more often and go back to the Blue Ridge Parkway with Donna. If I could just figure some way for work to pay me while I was out riding around. See you on the road!
 

Paulatics                               
by Paula McCallum

At first I thought it w a s j u s t a name someone coined for a party. But now, with a few years under my belt of riding, I finally get the meaning of "Cabin Fever". It happens when you’re stuck inside listening to the wind whip by your window at hurricane forces. It’s at that moment when you develop an itch to get back on your bike and ride. Gradually it becomes a burning obsession when all you can do is think motorcycles. You try to squelch this desire by attending every Bike Expo this side of the Atlantic. You think if you purchase new gear, stickers or anything bike related, that this feeling will eventually subside. But it doesn't. You practically maul the post man as he tries to deliver your subscriptions to Easy Rider, American Iron and one wrapped in a brown paper bag (Hey, motorcycles aren't ALL that's on your mind). If you're really desperate, you thumb through the J&P Cycles catalog circling dream parts.

You drive to Harley Dealerships and ask to sit on a shiny new bike. You lift it up and have to hold yourself back from starting that puppy up and smashing through the showroom window to absolute freedom. Sometimes, when you're alone, you catch yourself driving down the street pretending that you're "in the wind". But you're not. Don't be silly, you biking fool! And, if we catch you wearing a helmet while driving a car, we’re gonna have you committed.

This winter has been relatively mild in New England. You've contemplated taking a spin if the thermometer will just go up one more damn degree from 47 to 48. You think, sure I can handle a little cold. I gotta ride, after all. There have even been a few days where it's in the low 50's and just warm enough to ride. You do it, just to say you did, mostly. You gear up on these occasions. Break out your gauntlet gloves, long johns and t he dreaded full face helmet to hit the road.

I find that bikers on these days somehow remember "The Wave". They shy away from it during normal riding weather but for some reason, everyone is extra friendly in Mid-February while cruising on their bikes. It's a fellowship they feel - like "Hey, can you believe where out here man?" They'd smile at you, if they could, but their cheek muscles are actually frozen stiff. (Because they're not wearing the same Speed Racer helm et that you have on.)

Don’t fret, biker buddy, it won't be long now. You've only got March Madness to get through before you saddle up again. Although, some bikers have been known to cheat by planning trips this time of year to warmer spots like Daytona. The rest of us just stay here planning parties before riding season commences. We commiserate with one another for an evening and take some solace with folks of like mind. It's also a great opportunity to kick up your heels while also supporting our largest fund raiser of the year at the MMRs Cabin F ever Party (March 25th).

So, if you find yourself suffering unable to get on your bike or can’t get away, settle for second best. Hang out with a bunch of bikers. It's guaranteed to reduce all your aches, pains and fever that are sometimes associated with motorcycle winter withdrawals. Until then, think warm thoughts.

Bill Passed By The Mass Senate
By Paul W. Cote

On February 15th, the Massachusetts PASSED the following bill! This is a HUGE hurdle for Massachusetts motorcyclists and those that ride in Massachusetts. It still needs to go before the House but this first step is a very big one. The law calls for: _

Increasing civil and criminal penalties to motorists who cause accidents when they violate the ‘right of way’ of all other road users (including motorcyclists), and shifting the financial burden (excess medical costs & lost wages) from injured victims to the at-fault operators; _

Allows owners of motorcycles to ‘opt-out’ of the existing motorcycle insurance system and go to a competitive market, opening the doors for more insurers to write coverage's in Massachusetts; _

Allows experienced motorcyclists (6 years or more) or those to take the Rider Education Course, and have private health insurance or $50,000 in optional medical payments coverage, ‘choice’ of helmet wear;

A $125 assessment to those who violate the law, with the assessment going to the State’s Head Injury Trust Fund Program;

Changes in the existing motorcycle exhaust laws to limit the noise of motorcycle pipes.

If enacted in the Senate and House, and signed by the Governor, the law would take affect July 1, 2006.

(State House, MA) This afternoon, the Massachusetts Senate engrossed Senate Bill No. 1344, as amended, in a succession of "voice votes." Riders from at least 30 of the 40 Senatorial Districts were in the Senate Gallery witnessing this new history! The bill now goes onto the House of Representatives."

A lot of effort from a lot of motorcyclists the past several years lead to today's success," said Kevin Griffin of Plymouth, Chairman of the Massachusetts Motorcycle Association (MMA).

"We encourage riders to congratulate themselves who worked on this effort by contacting their State Senators and educated them of the merits of the comprehensive compromised amended Senate, No. 1344."

"We also challenge riders who want to lower their motorcycle insurance premiums, not be victimized twice in motorcycle crashes with excessive medical bills and lost wages, and the opportunity to choose wearing a helmet or not with some restrictions, to enlist their riding friends to join the MMA or buy raffle tickets, and plan to STORM the STATE HOUSE with us Thursday, May 18th. Membership, tickets and STORM products can be purchased on-line or downloadable forms are available at www.MassMotorcycle.com."

"There is POWER and strength in numbers," said Dave Elias of Lowell, the MMA's District 1 manager and member of its legislative subcommittee. "Spend the $20 for membership or a raffle ticket now - we've got a lot of work in front of us in a very short time. And we'd like over 500 motorcycles 'parading with choice' when we STORM the STATE HOUSE on May 18th!"

"The engrossed Senate Bill will now be recorded in the Senate Clerk's office, then delivered to the House Clerk," said Paul W. Cote of Amesbury, the MMA's Director of Government Relations."

From there, under House Rules, it will be read in the House then assigned to the House Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling, to be scheduled for its second reading in the House, where members may attach more amendments or vote on it as is. It will then go to a House Committee on Bills in Third Reading, reported out, and voted upon by the 160 State Representative. This would be as short as within the next 36 days."

"We thank all our members and riders who turned their dreams, wishes and goals into reality by taking ACTION," said Cote. "I'm proud of our community and the success we've achieved together working the system to make it work for us!"

"We now have the enormous task of educating 160 State Representatives, but for the next few nights, ... we are just going to enjoy this victory!"

Michael Laitinen and Jack Cribbs, who represented the Manomet Mystery Riders at the State House, were in attendance when this bill passed. In a recent e-mail that Deane sent me, Paul Cote wrote “You have been a huge part of this victory, Deane. Thank you for being there and being a leader of riders.”