Laughlin, Nevada – Over 75,000 riders attended the annual five day Laughlin River Run rally that began on Wednesday and ends today. As of the fourth day police had made five felony arrests, three gross misdemeanors, 41 misdemeanors, eight arrests for driving under the influence of alcohol and 413 traffic citations. A police spokesman called the event a “relatively mild” run so far.”
Five felony arrests is mild? After reading futher, I guess so. Prior runs have included brawls that resulted in deaths.
To learn more about the event I went to Google and discovered that motorcylecs and rivers are soul mates. I started to tally all the river related events but quickly gave up. The starting point—a search for motorcycle +river +event—yielded 3,250,000 hits. I thought (for 3 milliseconds) about refining the search and decided not to. I’ll leave the exploration of the motorcycle and river relationship to some post graduate reseacher who is need of a meaningless topic that is guaranteed to get grant money rolling in.
Here are just a few of the events I skimmed from Google:
I found this on Sud’ and Butterfly’s website. It has been making the rounds in Texas. Simple but so very eloquent.
Update 4/3/06 video added
But you didn’t see me….
(author unknown, but appreciated)
I saw you, hug your purse closer to you in the grocery store line.
But, you didn’t see me, put an extra $10.00 in the collection plate last Sunday.
I saw you, pull your child closer when we passed each other on the sidewalk.
But, you didn’t see me, playing Santa at the local mall.
I saw you, change your mind about going into the restaurant.
But, you didn’t see me, attending a meeting to raise more money for the hurricane relief.
I saw you, roll up your window and shake your head when I drove by.
But, you didn’t see me, driving behind you when you flicked your cigarette butt out the car window.
I saw you, frown at me when I smiled at your children.
But, you didn’t see me, when I took time off from work to run toys to the homeless.
I saw you, stare at my long hair.
But, you didn’t see me, and my friends cut ten inches off for Locks of Love.
I saw you, roll your eyes at our leather coats and gloves.
But, you didn’t see me, and my brothers donate our old coats and gloves to those that had none.
I saw you, look in fright at my tattoos.
But, you didn’t see me, cry as my children were born and have their names written over and in my heart.
I saw you, change lanes while rushing off to go somewhere.
But, you didn’t see me, going home to be with my family.
I saw you, complain about how loud and noisy our bikes can be.
But, you didn’t see me, when you were changing the CD and drifted into my lane.
I saw you, yelling at your kids in the car.
But, you didn’t see me, pat my child’s hands, knowing he was safe behind me.
I saw you, reading the newspaper or map as you drove down the road.
But, you didn’t see me, squeeze my wife’s leg when she told me to take the next turn.
I saw you, race down the road in the rain.
But, you didn’t see me, get soaked to the skin so my son could have the car to go on his date.
I saw you, run the yellow light just to save a few minutes of time.
But, you didn’t see me, trying to turn right.
I saw you, cut me off because you needed to be in the lane I was in.
But, you didn’t see me, leave the road.
I saw you, waiting impatiently for my friends to pass.
But, you didn’t see me. I wasn’t there.
I saw you, go home to your family.
But, you didn’t see me. Because, I died that day you cut me off.
I was just a biker,…..
A person with friends and a family.
But, you didn’t see me.
On Tuesday a 47 year old Forest Grove rider was killed after hitting a left turning van south of McMinnville. The rider was traveling under the 55mph speed limit, wearing a full face helmet and protective gear. A car in front of the van turned left and the van driver followed apparently without looking for oncoming traffic. Police said the rider had only brief moments to brake before hitting the van. They also said it was likely the van driver would be charged after the case is reviewed by the district attorney. Story and video KATU.com
On Monday a 53 year old Sandy rider was killed on Wash. SR14 near Washougal when he crossed the center line and hit a pickup truck head on. His two companions, one of whom was his wife, had to lay down their bikes to avoid the accident. Neither of them or the pickup driver was seriously injured.
Now for a dumbshit moment to get my mind off tragedy. On March 21 a 35 year old Redmond rider was cited for speeding after being clocked at over 100mph the day after he broke his ankle in a crash on the same motorcycle. He was also cited for driving with a suspended license and three other violations. He faces a minimum $1,100 fine on the speeding violation alone.
A man and his stolen 1970 Yamaha were reunited after 35 years. The bike, stolen in 1971, was identified during processing for shipment overseas when the VIN turned up in a national insurance crime database.
Long Beach police tracked down the original owner who now lives in New England. The bike has less than 10,000 miles on the odometer and the owner said “It’s as if a friend you hadn’t seen for 30 years walked back into your life but hadn’t aged a day.” The bike had been sold on eBay to a Finnish man for $1,700. Neither the seller or buyer is suspected of a crime.
Thirty five years, is that what it takes? Hope my bike isn’t stolen. I won’t be around to benefit from its return.
Shanghai, China – The new economy in China has spawned more than just the “flaunt it if you got it” way of life. The youth of Shanghai have adopted street drag racing (both auto and motorcyle) as well, and in a rather big way. Some participants have taken to the Internet to brag about their exploits. The use of fake license plates foiled traffic cameras so police have started suprise crackdowns late at night when most of the racing occurs. My words of advice to the police: you might as well give up. Like prostitution it’s here to stay—crack down in one area and it moves to another.
Patna, India – They don’t fool around in Patna. You’d best mind your manners if you ever visit. A young man who attempted to steal a motorcyle at the local marketplace was beaten to death by an angry crowd.
In early August, during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in Sturgis, SD, the role of motorcycles in American culture will be recognized on four “American Motorcycles” stamps featuring digital illustrations of a 1918 Cleveland, a 1940 Indian Four, a 1965 Harley-Davidson Electra-Glide, and a circa 1970 chopper. The Cleveland, Indian and Harley-Davidson stamps are based on motorcycles in existence today. The circa 1970 chopper featured on the stamp was created by stamp artist Steve Buchanan in consultation with professional chopper builders.More information USPS commemorative stamp program
I don’t expect many motorcyclists to become enthused about the recently unveiled Axle electric “motorcycle,” so this one is for the scooter aficionado. Axle, a Japanese manufacturer, created the EV-7 which uses its Sumo (magnetic) motor. The motor is a hybrid of a permanent magnet and electromagnet. They claim it produces more power and torque than traditional electric motors.
It is said to have a range of 112 miles per charge with recharging taking six hours. The electricity cost (in Japan) for a full charge is 68 cents. This compares to $4.70 for 4.5 liters (1.9 gallons) of fuel required by a 250cc motorcycle to travel the same distance.
It looks comfortable and I like the styling. It’s tailor made for urban markets in which small bikes and scooters are common so I expect it will be a good seller in Japan, Asian and perhaps some European markets if the price is right. I don’t expect to be seeing it in the US, though maybe they’ll surprise me. No word on the expected MSRP.
Wash a windshield and save a life? It might just happen. The 2006 annual MN “Washout” gets underway in May in conjunction with Motorcycle Awareness Month. In MN car drivers go six months without seeing motorcycles on the road, and then suddenly—riders are out there again. So this unique program was created to help raise driver awareness.
Motorcycle riders offer free windshield washes to help road users “Start Seeing Motorcyclists.” Motorcycle clubs, chapters, and organizations team up at roadside rest areas across the state, vigorously scrubbing windshields clean and giving out motorcycle safety information and bumper stickers. Known as the “Washout,” this event happens every year at the onset of motorcycle season—weekends during the month of May. From the MN motorcycle safety center.
Our northwest winters are not as severe but there there is still an appreciable period of time when there is nary a rider on the roads. Then comes sunny skies and we are back in droves. So this is a program that could serve us well in the northwest.
If you are a member of a club or MRO why not bring this idea up to the membership. Contact other organizations and try to get a cooperative effort going. And don’t forget us unaffiliated riders. I for one would be happy to participate.
May is Motorcycle Awareness Month and it is fast approaching. Have you thought about what you can do to help raise driver awareness of motorcyclists? Sure, you are only one person and it may seem there is nothing you can do on your own to make a difference. But each of us can in fact do some things that will have a positive affect. We do have power as individuals if we choose to exercise it and put out a little bit of work.
The Power of One (coined by Wendy Moon) is a personal program you can tailor to fit your time and skills. No big group effort, nothing to join—just each of us spending some of our time on our own to raise driver awareness.
Take a little time now and read what Wendy has to say about it (link above) and the information I have assembled in The Power of One section. If you think about it you’ll realize there is quite a bit you can do with just a little effort. Remember, the life you save may just be your own.
A man and his stolen 1970 Yamaha were reunited after 35 years. The bike, stolen in 1971, was identified during processing for shipment overseas when the VIN turned up in a national insurance crime database. 
