June 2007 news articles |
June, 2007 Bike by Paula McCallum On Sunday, May 20, the Manomet Mystery Riders had our 6th annual Blessing of the Bikes. Only 30 or so hardy souls congregated at Gellar's all prepared in our finest rain gear for the event. Tom Cole led a quick spin around the block by White Horse beach before going to St. Bonny’s for the blessing. The road was wet but the rain stayed away. Fr. Ken thanked the Mystery Riders for all of the charity work that we do for the community and let us know that our generosity is very much appreciated especially at Christmas time. We then made a procession around the parking lot, each having a turn getting blessed. Afterwards, about half of us ventured on to Whitman to join the South Shore HOGs at their cookout. We missed their poker run but made it just in time to eat burgers & dogs and to take home the “Best Attendance” trophy. Not a bad day after all, considering such soggy conditions. Paulatics - I’ve Flipped my Lid! by Paula McCallum “Have they passed the helmet law yet?” This question is often asked by bikers seeking a helmet choice law in Massachusetts but very few take action themselves to see that this bill gets passed. Paul W. Cote, Director of Government Relations, from the MMA said, “If you don’t get involved with politics, politics will get involved with you.” Four Mystery Riders did just that. The annual motorcycle lobbying day took place on Thursday, May 17 at the State House. It was a chance for us to inform our Representatives and Senators about issues that concern motorcycle riders. Some of these issues are: insurance choice, to fully fund the motorcycle safety programs, reducing tolls for motorcyclists, to increase civil and criminal penalties of those drivers who drive criminally reckless or OUI, an off-road trails maintenance bill, no banning motorcycles from public roadways, and the helmet choice for riders over 21 years old. Here’s where my protest comes in ... When I started riding on the back of Billy Pike’s bike, my girlfriend lent me her ex-boyfriend’s lid. When he never came back to claim it, she said “keep it”. I was glad, because I’d grown accustom to it. To make it my own, I painted on wings, a “slightly crooked” halo and a Harley bar and shield that read “Harley’s Angels.” This year, I decided that it was time to retire the often dropped helmet but I really didn’t mean to get rid of her quite like this. Steve Celli, being more familiar with the roads, led Scotty Smith and me out of Boston after we “Stormed the State House.” Many of you may recall the article I wrote a few months ago about conquering my fears, well riding on the highway was a big one. I did pretty good considering it was only my second time on the expressway until we got to the Dorchester gas tank(s). We were cruising down the fast lane when Steve accelerated. I followed suit squeezing the throttle a bit to catch up. Just then, the wings I’d painted on my lid started to flap and suddenly my lid took flight. For a millisecond, I considered catching it but as I looked in the rear view mirror, I saw it soar past Scotty and three lanes of traffic, I knew then that my beloved lid was lost forever. Luckily, my beanie did not cross Scotty’s path or come careening into him or any other motorist traveling behind me. But rather, it flipped uneventfully off to the Jersey barrier where it lay beaten and destroyed. Good thing it was rather chilly that day because my pink stocking hat stayed on my noggin held in place by my goggle’s elastic band. I looked like a World War I Flying Ace. A few thoughts ran through my head. If I pulled over would Scotty or Steve have a spare? Should I abandon my bike in town, ride home with Scotty, grab another lid and go all the way back to retrieve my bike? It was then that I decided to take a strong stand and protest the helmet law. Basically, I shrugged and thought, “screw it” and kept going. I didn’t see the first state trooper in the HOV lane, and apparently he didn’t see me either. The next cop came blazing up behind me in an unmarked car with his lights flashing. This is it, I thought, I’m getting bagged. Yet he had better things to deal with as he went past me and got off at the next exit. For the rest of the ride home, I got in the middle lane obeying the speed limit trying to remain as inconspicuous as possible - such the rebel! In my rear view mirror I saw another state trooper coming up the fast lane. This is it, I sighed, but again, he just sailed past me. What am I invisible - pink hat and all? The fourth cop was already busy giving a ticket to someone else so I reached Manomet without a moving violation. There are a few lessons to learn here: One, if you have to wear a helmet make sure it is secured to your head before leaving. And secondly, if something flies off your bike and it doesn’t come flying back to you, it was never yours to begin with. Let it go. As we all have witnessed at one time or another, it is too dangerous to try to retrieve lost gloves, foot pegs, lids, or say passengers when you are zooming down the highway. Welcome Our Newest Members Hello fellow Manomet Mystery Riders. My wife Donna and I just joined the club last month. We are good friends with Hawk Hickman and Pam & Dave Larsen. They always invited us to go to your parties before we were members and we have been to a bunch of them. We figured if we can party with you, we should join the club and ride with you. I have been riding for 35 years and even used to race at Bryar Motorsports Park (now NHIS) in the late 1970’s. I am an ex MSF Instructor and Rider Coach. I currently ride an ’01 BMW K1200RS and a ’98 Ducati 900FE. Donna and I have been on a few trips together, some with Pam & Dave. Our most recent trip was last week. We went to Virginia and rode the Blue Ridge Parkway with some friends we met through a BMW web site. I hear the club is going down there in July. If you have never been there before, you are in for a real treat. It is my favorite place to ride! See you on the road and thanks for letting us join your distinguished club! Donna & Rick Dockendorff I'm John Eichinger from North Plymouth. I'm a "newbie" when it comes to riding a motorbike. My wife & I are starting small with a 1998 Moto Guzzi from Italy that we bought off Eric at Piantedosi's. Big Bill told me about the MMR after bumping into him on construction sites and the gym. Susan & I enjoy our small speed boat, everything about our Shih-tzu "Mr. Starbuck's" and improving the landscaping around the addition of our home. Lately, we're excited about a small investment in a half acre in Southern New Mexico. Thursday night’s ride to the Cape was one of the longest so far. God speed to all our brothers and sisters.
Dear Lee, DEAR HARVEY HARD -ON, Dear Lee, DEAR EXHAUST FUMES, |