Road Captain USA

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I grew up on dirtbikes and BMX bikes. Us dirtbike kids always covered the brake levers with two fingers while riding. Most of us had special little “dog leg” levers that only allowed room for two fingers. As a motorcross, trail and enduro rider I constantly worked the front brake lever with just two fingers. The remaining fingers allow you to hang on for dear life over bumpy terrain and control the throttle at the same time. Later in life I returned to motorcycling and bought a Harley-Davidson. I took the beginner and experienced MSF courses where I was instructed over and over to use all four fingers! I was even shouted at by instructors! Anything less than four fingers is frowned upon!

During the first cold weather ride of the 2010 season with my HOG Chapter I wore bulky winter gloves. Not being used to winter gloves the slight weight of my two fingers on the brake lever was just enough to engage the brake light (but not the brakes). The brake light stayed on and caught the attention of the other riders. They thought I might have a blown fuse or something and became concerned. When I explained to some of the other Road Captains that I often cover the front brake with two fingers I was told that what I was doing was contrary to all the instruction they heard. I argued briefly that covering the brake and being ready to stop at anytime allows me to stop quicker than someone who is waiting for the full four finger method taught in the MSF classes. I dropped the topic because I felt dumb. But the debate continued in my head. Did I have a bad habit that I needed to break? Or was I right and covering the front brake at all times while still controlling the throttle with my other fingers was an advantage? I often thought I should write a blog post about this skill set… but then I decided that it is probably just something that works for me and I should keep it to myself.

Then I read the chapters called Braking Techniques and Still Bringing Up the Rear in Ridin’ Safe by Larrry Grodsky and was relieved to find out I was right all along. Hopefully you already know a motorcycles stopping power is in the front brake. According to Larry the rear brake is not neccasary for stopping the motorcycle however it is a valuable aid in controlling the bike. Regarding my two finger braking here is what Larry says: “Two fingers are enough-if yours are long and strong enough, and if the lever hasn’t so much travel that it’s trapping your unused fingers against the grip.” I have been vindicated!

Click the below picture for more information on this book.

Tags: Books, Movies & Music, Rider Skills by Jay Green
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I have always felt that those who grew up on dirtbikes as kids have a far greater ability to ride motorcycles than those who started as adults on the street. I thought this was because we got to play in the dirt without the worry of damaging a $30,000 Harley-Davidson with fancy paint and chrome. I also thought it was the lessons of traction learned by pushing a dirtbike until one knew the breaking point of traction. Not to mention one tends to bounce back up pretty quickly while in their teens. Not now though! I don’t even think I can bounce back after some light yardwork, never mind a spill on a dirtbike.

However I didn’t think of this: Larry Grodsky says in his book Stayin’ Safe that “even limited experience during the formative years rapidly establishes neuro-motor connections which the brain stores almost indefinitely. So an older novice might have more total miles, yet have to think about actions that the re-entry rider does instinctively.” In other words those who learn to ride motorcycles at a young age have a strong advantage because the brain is younger and still forming. The ability to learn comes more naturally at a young age. Instincts are wired into the brain and never forgotten. That explains why some people have that natural duck to water ability to ride and others have to work a little harder at it. Some riders whip their bikes around on a dime and some need a good fifteen minutes to get into a parking position. Some instinctively know how to roll on and off the throttle, feather the clutch and apply the brakes without thinking. Those are the ones who are always explaining the methods to the other ones who have to think about it. The same ones who have to learn it and practice to get on par with those who learned it in the formative years.

I wish I had spent time learning about something valuable back then when my brain was formative. Instead I was riding (and crashing) my dirtbike every chance I got. If the MSF could develop a time machine we could all go back in time and all learn to Ride Like A Pro.

Tags: Deep Biker Thoughts, Rider Skills by Jay Green
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After reading the collection of short articles in Street Strategies by David Hough I started to think that the scope of motorcycle safety was simple and that perhaps I already knew it all. I have taken the basic and  experienced rider courses, read many books, watched a handful of training DVD’s and attended numerous Road Captain meetings so maybe I have heard it all. Maybe it doesn’t get more technical than “search, evaluate and execute”. But then I started reading Stayin’ Safe - The Art and Science of Riding Really Well by the late Lawrence Grodsky. I was wrong! There is more information out there!

This book is also a compilation of magazine articles by a motorcycle safety guru. The book is structured like a memorial to Larry and his work. Each article/chapter has an introduction written by someone from the professional motorcycle writing or teaching community who knew him. There really is an art and a science to riding safely! I am constantly searching for more information on both. I’m glad I keep looking because I found this great book which confirms what you already know… I don’t know squat about motorcycle safety! There IS more technical information out there and it can get as complicated and scientific as you care to make it. For example this is how Larry’s father instructed him to ride a two wheeler when he was 6 years old: “Son, when assessing the response lag between steering torque and roll-angle amplitudes, a higher phase angle indicates a greater delay between input and output values and thus, an unmaneuverable bike”. So I guess it can get scientific and complicated.

From reading this book my eyes have been opened to some of the behind the scenes looks at why the MSF preaches certain things. They definitely have to take into consideration what message they can teach to the masses. What will the average person take away from the brief MSF classes? What is easy to teach? What is easy to understand? I definitely think many techniques are dummied down and more advanced techniques are held in secret because they will confuse the average rider.

I have not finished this book yet but it is a must read for those of you who want to know everything about how to ride safely. Click here for more information on this book. Read it NOW to get ready for riding season.

Tags: Books, Movies & Music by Jay Green
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Overview
The Patriot Riders, also known as the Patriot Guard Riders, are more than members of a motorcycle club. They have a deep respect for American veterans who have passed away. Their missions are to go to the funerals of these fallen heroes and protect the families and other mourners from protesters. Comprised of a reported 220,000 members, the Patriot Riders also attend deployment ceremonies and welcome home ceremonies for troops coming back from overseas. The Patriot Guard Riders website clearly states that they’re “standing for those who stood for US.”

History
In August of 2005, the American Legion Riders of Mulvane, Kansas were shocked to find out that a group of religious zealots from the Westboro Baptist Church were regularly protesting military funerals. When five of the riders realized that the protesters were preparing to rally at the funeral of Sargent John Doles in Chelsea, OK, they formed a group to strategize against the upcoming protest in Chelsea. Succeeding at the Chelsea mission, the riders convinced other motorcycle riders and veterans across the nation to organize against these protests. The group quickly launched a website, which got nearly 556,000 hits in the first two weeks alone.

Expansion
In addition to shielding grievers at the infamous 2005 funeral protest in Chelsea, the Patriot Riders have protected veterans’ families and friends across the country. With their motorcades, the riders have physically shielded the mourners against fervent protesters. These traveling defenders have since expanded to Minnesota, Texas, Florida, Kentucky, Wisconsin and a host of other states. They are not simply bodyguards, though; they drown out the chants of protesters by revving their engines and singing patriotic songs.

Today
Since 2005, the Patriot Riders’ duty has been to serve and protect, just like the fallen heroes for whom they have a wealth of respect. Communicating with each other in large part through the Internet, they’ve gone on to attend funerals for police officers, firefighters and first responders. They volunteer for veterans’ organizations, visit military hospitals and assist families with financial troubles. The Patriot Riders don’t care about political affiliation; nor do they make judgements about race, religion or sexuality. They simply wish to honor the departed in a legal and nonviolent way. Their website is decorated in letters of appreciation. These letters say that the riders conduct themselves in a variety of ways: “with kindness and support,” “professionalism and honor” and with “selfless acts.” This is not a typical riding club; it’s a group of white knights on bikes.

The above post was written by guest writer Miles Walker who is a freelance writer who normally writes feature articles for www.carinsurancecomparison.org. He recently wrote about car insurance California.

Tags: Guest Posts, News & Announcements by Jay Green
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The April East Coast Biker Online is available and both me and Diana contributed articles this month. I put together a little piece about motorcycle CB radio systems (page 54) and Diana did an article about her first ride of the season to the MAV St Pattys Day Fun Run (see page 22). Click here to check it out.

Tags: East Coast Biker Online by Jay Green
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