August, 2008

MMR awards annual scholarship to deserving Plymouth student
On July 2nd, at its monthly meeting, the Manomet Mystery Riders presented a $500 scholarship check to deserving student, Senead Kenny. Senead and her mother expressed their sincerest gratitude and posed with for the attached photos with her mother. We wish Senead the best of luck with her college career.  MMR annual Skeets Cookout is huge success On Sunday July 27th, MMR held its annual Skeets Memorial Cookout and fund-raiser amidst warnings of afternoon thunderstorms. More than 130 people turned out on an iffy weather day and had a great time. The food was delicious, the games went well, the bike show contest, organized by former MMR President Paula McCallum was a success and the band played well into the late afternoon.

Suddenly around 4 p.m. the weather turned ominous and moderate rain began falling. Many people had scurried home and those remaining to clean-up and relax took shelter under the roof on the esplanade. Special thanks to the following for all their help in planning and working (no particular order)- Gail Quinn-Organizing vendors (with help from Paula) and working T-Shirt table.
Debbie Johansson-Providing updated gold card membership lists for ticket takes and working T-Shirt table.
Dave Larsen-Picking up grills and putting them together, working serving line, organizing games, taking grills down, returning them and Piantedosi’s food and trailer.
Scotty Smith-Working parking lot and ticket taking/selling, helping with grills, taking bread containers back.
Bill Ferguson-Ordering meat and other items from Pantadosi’s, picking up ice, obtaining the band, handing out reams of flyers, helping with games, bring a truckload of general items, many other things of which I can’t remember.
Paula McCallum-Reminding E-Board of a million things we forgot. Making signs for T-Shirt table, setting up best bike contest, running Brian’s ride booth and other things I can’t remember.
Terry Quinn-Putting Cookout in Hot-line, web-site and various other media, helping with T-Shirt table, helping wigh grill setup etc.
John Eichinger-Writing checks, handling money, serving food, taking pictures, preparing tablecloths and other duties. John Walsh– Invaluable cooking the wieners (brother of Billy Walsh, for whom the ride was held the weekend before).
Linda Stephens-Being her usual dynamic, intense self, helping with cooking, cleaning, onion preparation, watermelon slicing and a million other food related items.
Rick Stephens-Primary and sole chicken griller.
All chicken was grilled by Rick, who did a fabulous job.
Karen DiPietro-Assistant Burger chef, table cloth preparation, pot washing.
Diane (Deedee) Bennett-Tablecloths.
Sonja ?-Tablecloths Tom Cole-Games assistant
 Rob Staines/Lee Johansson-50/50 tickets
Dixie Mello/Sandy Lessard-Roadway signs
Dave Waterman-Food serving (worked the entire day with barely a rest break)
Clem Walsh-Food serving practically the entire day.
Pam Larsen-Assisting her vendor sister, Holly, and helping pick up and drop off Pantadosi’s pots and pans.
Lisa Lunedi-Lending moral support to cooks and taking leftover food inventory. Taking some leftovers to her Champs Group charity home.
Yours truly-Cooking, cleaning up etc. 

Sunday, August 3rd-Brian’s Ride-Hawk
On Sunday August 3rd, the MMR made their Sunday ride destination the second annual Brian’s Ride. At least 15 to 20 MMR members turned out for the tide and total rider attendance was 575, almost double last year’s number. The ride began at the Jockey Club in Raynham and wound its way through areas of Raynham, Taunton, Berkley and Lakeville.

Other than one dead skunk, there was not one incident, accident or otherwise during the 50 mile scenic ride, which left the Jockey Club at noon sharp and returned back at the Jockey Club for lunch, entertainment by our very own Cindy Daley Band, prizes, games, vendors, auctions and great family fun. Several MMR members were recipients of prizes. Both Mary Ann Ahonen and Theresa Lally won Training Wheels gift certificates. Paula McCallum was the area organizer and ride promoter and responsible for much of the increase in attendance. Jen Staines, Linda Stephens, Lee Johansson and other MMR members volunteered to help as Road Captains, 50-50 ticket sellers and general helpers. All “partied down” with eating, dancing and motorcycle games until early afternoon More information and pictures will be available on our Web Site and in the September newsletter. 

2007 Motorcycle Fatalities in Massachusetts submitted by Paula McCallum
By providing you all with the following information, I'd like to stress the importance of the rider training program and for every biker to get behind the "Check Twice Save a Life" safety and awareness campaign for motorcyclists. These statistics are reported by the 2007 Massachusetts Rider Education Program Motorcycle Fatality Report from Gene Carabine the MREP Program Coordinator as of May 14, 2008. It is still in the draft stages since data is not available for all motorcycle deaths as of this date. There were 55 motorcycle related deaths in Massachusetts in 2007. The following statistics are based on 48 motorcycle fatalities.

TIME OF YEAR FACTORS - Out of the 48 motorcycle related deaths in 2007, 5 of which were bikers who lived out-of-State. According to the report, 9 of the 48 fatalities happened in the month of May, with August and September each having 8 deaths. This makes sense, since these accidents happened when most riders in Massachusetts were on the road during the summer months. In the Spring, many riders may be rusty over the long winter break and another factor may be due to other motorists not being used to seeing them on the road yet.

TYPE OF MOTORCYCLE FACTORS - 50% of the 48 deaths were on sports bikes, with 23% of the deaths happening on cruiser type bikes and 19% on touring bikes. Harley-Davidson's accounted for 25% of all motorcycle fatalities in Massachusetts with Suzuki's accounting for 23% and Honda coming in a close third. This is not to say that these bikes are the most dangerous because you have to take into consideration the number of makes and models that are owned. It's not surprising, when you consider the age and make of motorcycles. Most fatalities of teens to adults to the age of 34, were on sports bikes. Most fatalities with adults between the ages of 55-60 happened on touring bikes. Fatalities between the ages of 25- 40 happened on cruisers.

TIME/DAY FACTORS - 46% of all motorcycle fatalities occurred on a Saturday or Sunday, which is understandable, since most people ride on the weekends for pleasure and typically not as commuters. 56% of motorcycle accidents occurred between the hours of 3 pm and 9 pm, when there is less visibility of riders and a more likelihood that the riders may have been drinking alcohol while operation their motorcycles. 63% of all motorcycle accidents happened on local roads.

GENDER AND AGE FACTORS - 46 of the motorcycle deaths were male. There was only one female rider who perished while the other female was a passenger. This also makes sense since statistically there are more male riders and not necessarily because female riders are safer riders. 19% of those killed were between the ages of 20-24 with 15% between the ages of 25-29 and 35-39. In a 10 year breakdown, 55% of all motorcycle fatalities in Massachusetts were between the ages of 20-29 years old. At least 68% of all the people killed had no training while 66% had only owned their bikes for less than 2 years. So inexperience is a major factor for many of these deaths.

VEHICLES AT FAULT FACTORS - 52% of the accidents were single vehicle accidents. In a multiple vehicle accident, motorcycles and other motor vehicles were both found at fault 50% of the time. When the driver was found at fault, 70% of the time, it was because they were taking a LEFT TURN. When the rider was found at fault, 70% of the time the motorcycle was SPEEDING. In a single vehicle accident, 57% of the time, speeding was a major factor, 35% of the time the motorcycle FAILED TO NEGOCIATE A CURVE. 70% of the time the accident occurred in a curve. Nature was found at fault in only one accident due to a tree falling in the motorcyclist's path.

LOCATION FACTOR - 50% of all the motorcycle accident occurred less than 5 miles from their home. So please ride carefully, respectably and please support the organizations that are out there looking out for our safety everyday, including the Massachusetts Motorcycle Association, ABATE Pac of Massachusetts, and the Massachusetts Motorcyclists Survivor's Fund. And let's collectively work to reducing and/or eliminate the number of motorcycle fatalities in Massachusetts in our future. If anyone would like to learn more about this report, they can email me and I will send them the 2007 Massachusetts Rider Education Program Motorcycle Fatality Report and data that they provided. 

You can always count on a biker By : Dennis Pierce
 “You can always count on a biker” I’ve seen it time and time again , and the words echo in my mind. My friend Higgins, whom I spent some time in Laconia with this year is a prime example. Higgins has spear-headed a toy run called Toys For Smiles for the past 21 yrs. It’s a local run held at the East Bridgewater Commercial Club. All the bikers participating bring two toys to the event, one for a girl and one for a boy.

After the ride, great music and great food (Higgins’ own famous chili, fish chowder and beef stew), the toys are loaded on a truck and taken to the Boston Children’s Hospital. Even after getting slammed by an inexperienced driver a few years ago, totaling his bike and confining him to bed for awhile, Higgins still organized the toy run that year from his home, while taking care of his ailing mother. By the way, keeping with the theme of this article, Higgins is so well respected by those who are lucky enough to know him, a biker event was held in his name to raise enough money to buy him a used Harley full dresser. He was able to participate in the Toys For Smiles ride the very next year. Higgins is often seen at many charitable events cooking up a storm, including those held by Dave Perewitz. He’s usually wearing a shirt that reads (you guessed it) “You can always count on a biker“.

The words go straight to the heart of most bikers. We don’t just talk the talk, we walk the walk. We live the words, day in and day out. Bikers are true humanitarians, just look around, you don’t have to look too far, The Billy Walsh Memorial Ride, held this June, raises scholarship money for local students. Paula Macallum stepped up to the plate to become the volunteer coordinator for Brian’s Ride, which raises money for fallen riders and their families on the South Shore. Come to any given MMR meeting, typically the needs of several good causes are being met through MMR donations each month. The MMR toy run for the children at Jordan Hospital, the food baskets donated for Thanksgiving, the list goes on and on. We love to play hard, but we’re not going to sit on our hands when there’s work to be done.

Over and over again you see just how devoted bikers are to getting behind a good cause and lending a hand to those less fortunate. In a world where it seems apathy reigns and complacency is commonplace, thank God for the biker, who’ll take the time to help someone in a time of need. I don’t know what this world has come to sometimes. We all saw it on TV, the seventy some odd year old guy that was struck by a hit and run driver in Hartford, Connecticut. Not only didn’t the perpetrator stop, not one car or pedestrian that passed him after the accident stopped to see if he were dead or alive. It turned out he was in critical condition. Has the world become so desensitized that we can’t be bothered to help a fellow human being in trouble?

God forbid, if I’m ever lying in the road bleeding out, let it be a true blue biker that crosses my trail, not the well polished fat cat in his Cadillac, on his way to a shareholders meeting, that stepped on every hand on every rung as he climbed the ladder of success, because he’s not stopping. God, let it be a true blue biker, a true humanitarian, that crosses my trail, a little rough around the edges, that’ll get down and fight in the trenches, that’ll take the bull by the horns and get the job done. God, I know he’ll stop in a heartbeat to lend a hand, because you can always count on a biker. Ride on !!!  Submitted by Sherri Palmer Suggestion learned the hard way. Rain gear goes in the right saddle bag. When you are in the breakdown lane (hopefully under a bridge) you don't want your behind in the travel lane searching through your bags for your raingear.

Submitted by Sherri Palmer-Thought for the Day
The complexity of our individuality grows when we explore unconventional ideas and practices because the openness that allows us to step outside of our comfort zones also broadens our perspectives. Many people are limited in their thinking by their own preconceptions, too immersed in what they have known to fully explore what is yet to be known.

When we give ourselves permission to investigate what seems outlandish to us without prejudice, we form new pathways in our minds that enable us to move through life more tolerantly. As we invite the atypical into our lives, we discover a new richness of experience that positively influences our every thought and deed. The unconventionality you use to lead your life today will help you realize the joys of unencumbered living. The Daily OM 

From Ric Tomlinson-recovering from a serious illness
I came home today from the hospital and found that beautiful fruit basket waiting for me. They operated on my yesterday and put all the tubes in I will need for Chemotherapy and to add fluids if I need them. I'm home and can't wait to get the 35 day treatment over.. Sue and I thank you very much for the fruit basket it will be all gone as soon as I get some sleep...I'm a fruit nut !! Love the stuff...Thanks again...Ric

 Ride for Billy Walsh-Hawk On July 26th, 80 riders, consisting of a group of friends and family of Billy Walsh, including many MMR members, formed up at JASC to ride in memory and tribute to former rider and Plymouth resident, Bill Walsh. John Walsh, Billy’s brother, had attended our July meeting and announced the ride to MMR. Scotty Smith led this ride, which began and ended at JASC. See attached pictures of some of the highlights of this ride. Pictures are courtesy of Mary Ann Ahonen. I would also like to mention that John Walsh attended our annual Skeets Cookout the week after the ride, and assisted with cooking the entire day. 

Dear Lee
Wouldn't it be great if I - a woman motorcycle rider - had a place where I could ask questions, and get answers? And not be embarrassed about needing to know something? Can This be done by you is this the place?
Patiently, Itchy with Questions

Dear Itchy
You can send any kind of question to me and I will answer it to the best of my knowledge. Better yet, you can come here and you won't have to be embarrassed about anything. signed asked Lee

Dear Lee,
I was asked this question of a potential buyer while stumbling around a Harley Dealership. Is it weird to wear crotch rocket gear on a motorcycle? Rarely am I at a loss for words but safety and Idiot came to mind.
Sincerely, Crotch Fleas

Dear Fleas
 If he had to ask, he shouldn't be on a bike. Bikers have a mind of their own, they wear anything they like. Hopefully the guy has a crotch rocket!!!! Signed Lee

Dear Lee,
My husband went to Laconia this year and was watching all you really cool guys smoke your pipes and he now he has picked up a pipe. He really, really wants to be cool too, my question is this - if he continues to smoke a pipe will he be as cool as you are one day?? He is smoking a pipe to help him through giving up cigarettes, which I think already makes him the coolest!! Any suggestions on what is the best pipe to smoke to look the coolest or actually to keep his hand the coolest? What is your favorite tobacco and pipe?
Thanks, Wife of a pipe smoker

Dear Wife