Passes & Canyons Blog

At least on the Elephant Ride nobody guesses wrong about how warmly they need to dress.

How many times have you gone out on your motorcycle and discovered you had not dressed appropriately for the weather? More to the point, how many times have you found yourself thoroughly chilled because you had not anticipated how cold it would be?

If you’re like me you can’t begin to count how many times it has happened because it has happened so very often.

Of course, if you pack away extra layers you can easily stop and put on more if need be, but stopping is an annoyance and also not a great thing if you’re riding with other people. So I try to take a worst-case approach and over-dress just a bit. But sometimes even then I underestimate the cold.

The times I kick myself the most is when I have underestimated the cold and did not pack extra layers. Now I’m really sunk. And I have done that more than just a couple times.

With that kind of background, I inevitably end up over-dressing at times. Boy did I do that the other day.

I looked at the weather app on my phone and it said it was only 40 degrees outside. Yeah, OK, that calls for some very warm layers. Besides my usual t-shirt and flannel shirt I put on my electric vest and a sweatshirt under my leather jacket. That should do it.

I fired up the bike, my Concours, and only then realized that when I had replaced the battery a few days earlier I had left the dongle for the vest tucked under the seat. Now to plug the vest in I would have to stop the bike and pull the key to get the seat off. I didn’t want to do that so I figured OK, if I really get cold I will stop and do it then. But first I’ll just see. Besides, it really didn’t seem like only 40 degrees.

I took off and it was a terrific day to ride. Very comfortable; no need for electrics. I rode a bunch of roads I’ve been on numerous times but this time I put together the route a bit differently than I ever have before, which made it more interesting. And I noticed I was pretty darn warm. But I didn’t do anything about it.

When I go riding by myself it is common for me to just ride–no stopping. And as long as I was riding I was not overly hot, although I was definitely aware that the warmth was a bit much.

Then I got home and stopped and suddenly I was roasting. Did it really warm up that much in an hour? I pulled out my phone and checked the weather app and it was still saying 40 degrees. Really? I tapped it and then it updated. Now it said 68. OK.

One weakness in this app that I have noticed before is that it only updates whenever it darn well feels like it. I’m guessing if I had updated it before I took off it would have shown something closer to 50 or even higher. Just another lesson learned.

Biker Quote for Today

Nothing is harder to start than a used motorcycle being shown to a prospective buyer.

Obviously these guys don’t care what happens to their organs if they die. Right?

I had a boss once whose favorite term for motorcycles was “murder cycles.” She hated them and believed that anyone who rode one would surely end up dead beside the road. Thirty-five years later, she is dead, of natural causes, and I’m still very much alive and very much still riding motorcycles.

Other people like to refer to motorcyclists who ride without helmets as “organ donors.” Both of these pejoratives are based primarily on ignorance but hey, we who ride are used to provoking ignorant people to dispel any doubt about who they are.

But sometimes we encounter someone who wants to take things a little too far. This is the case at the moment in Connecticut where a state senator, with the convenient name of Martin Looney, has proposed a bill mandating that anyone who dies in a motorcycle crash without a helmet is deemed to be offering their organs for transplant. Here’s the text of the bill:

AN ACT ESTABLISHING A REBUTTABLE PRESUMPTION THAT PERSONS KILLED IN A MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT WHILE RIDING WITHOUT A HELMET WISH TO DONATE THEIR ORGANS.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General
Assembly convened:
That the general statutes be amended to establish a rebuttable presumption that a person who is killed in a motorcycle accident while
riding the motorcycle without a helmet wishes to donate their organs.
Statement of Purpose:
To improve public health.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m all in favor of people donating their organs once they have no further use for them, but seriously? Why single out motorcyclists not wearing helmets? Why not a bill saying that all people who die prematurely, unless previously stated, shall be deemed organ donors. Or at least accompanying the unhelmeted motorcyclists with car drivers and passengers who aren’t wearing seat belts?

The American Motorcyclist Association issued a protest, saying:

“The bill shows callous disregard for the motorcycling public,” said AMA Government Relations Director Mike Sayre. “Organ donation is a noble cause that regularly saves lives around the country, but the decision to become a donor is a deeply personal one — one that this legislation would take away from motorcyclists.”

“Not only is this bill insulting to motorcyclists,” Sayre added, “but it also violates the religious liberty of those whose faith prohibits posthumous organ donation, and is clearly an unconstitutional violation of bodily autonomy for any American.”

How likely is this bill to pass? Who knows. Probably it won’t. But when the AMA contacted the senator’s office to inquire about the bill and spoke to one of his staffers, this was the upshot:

The staffer stated that their position was that if motorcyclists put their lives at risk by riding helmetless, they assume those riders don’t care where their organs end up.

Ignorance.

Biker Quote for Today

If you party like you ride, make sure to wear a helmet.

Clustered around after picking up Roy’s bike, which he dumped in the gravel.

With snow forecast for Monday but the warmest, sunniest weather yet on the year before that it was a no-brainer that the RMMRC was going to have a ride on Saturday. And this time we went some place different.

At this time of year riding options are somewhat limited. You can’t go into the mountains because of the snow and ice, not to mention a lot of sand and gravel, so east of the mountains is the only choice. Very, very often we ride out to Kiowa, to Patty Ann’s. And Patty Ann’s is great. They have really good food and it’s a nice place. But aren’t there other places?

Well, yes.

We met up at Performance Cycle and headed south on a route that itself was a bit different from what we’ve often taken, down to Hess Road and over to Hilltop Road. Destination Elbert, the South 40 Bar and Grill.

And what a great day for a ride! You’d be tempted to think Spring had arrived!

We got to Elbert and Bob proceeded to take us on a tour of the unpaved back streets of Elbert. It wasn’t really obvious where this place was. Heck, I’ve been through Elbert many times and never had any idea there was a restaurant. But we found it. You just have to make that right turn right after you come into town (from the north).

Lunch was OK; I’d have to say Patty Ann’s is better, but it was not bad at all. And two other groups on motorcycles showed up while we were there so this place is definitely known to at least some people. The guy we spoke with was out of Colorado Springs, and that makes sense because it’s closer to there than to Denver.

Leaving, we continued south and then turned west over to Monument and came up CO 105. I have to tell you, I declare Sturgis rules to be in effect along CO 105. If you’ve ever been to Sturgis for the rally you know there are way, way too many people on bikes top even think about waving to every one you see. You don’t wave at other bikers at the rally. Well, CO 105 on a weekend of gorgeous weather is not as biker-heavy as Sturgis but it’s close enough. Time to invoke Sturgis rules.

We started to splinter at Sedalia as people headed home in different directions. From eight, to five, to three, to one, and my ride was done. A good day.

Biker Quote for Today

Why motorcycles are better than women: If your motorcycle makes too much noise, you can buy a muffler.

OK, it’s Turkey Day and yesterday Judy and I both tested positive for Covid. She feels like crap and I seem to be asymptomatic. Anyway, I guess I’m going to cut myself a break here.

Hope you have a great Thanksgiving.

(But I will include a quote. What’s a Passes & Canyons Blog post without the quote?)

Biker Quote for Today

Studies have shown that riding a motorcycle every day makes you more awesome than the general population.

Screen shot of the ASM site.

People do crash; it happens. Then what do you do?

When someone is hurt or in danger, seconds can count. Do you suppose that if you’ve had some training in what to do that you could help minimize the harm? That’s what Accident Scene Management Training is all about.

A group called Road Guardians has put together a training course and locally Rider Justice is paying to reduce the cost to anyone wishing to get trained. The course is normally $99 but you pay only $40. The next session is February 26. I’ve signed up and will be attending.

It says on the website that “Accident Scene Management (ASM), was established in 1996, to reduce injuries and fatalities to motorcyclists through first response education. Since its humble beginnings, ASM has become the largest motorcycle trauma training organization in the world! We teach both bystanders and professional rescuers what to do when a motorcycle crash occurs to improve outcomes.”

Also:

This intense course will teach you:
• Safety Factors
• How to Secure a Crash Scene
• How & When to Move Someone
• Effectively Accessing the situation and Mechanisms of Injury
• Contacting and Assisting EMS Responders
• Common Injuries Associated with Motorcycle Trauma
• Helmet Removal & Jaw Thrust Rescue Breathing
• Assessment & Treatment Techniques
• Preservation of Evidence at a Crash Scene

The Rider Justice subsidy is only available for 14 people for this session. I have no idea how many spots are still open, but if you’re interested you ought to sign up right away. See you there, perhaps.

Biker Quote for Today

You know you’re a biker when you try to throw your leg over your car seat.

Bikes coming down Pikes Peak.

I’ve gotten a couple legislative updates recently from Stump, ABATE of Colorado’s legislative liaison. He says it is possible that there may be movement this year on lane-splitting and also on the long-delayed distracted driving bill.

Forbidding the use of cell phones, except in hands-off mode, is an idea that has gained in support over the years, and it looked like the time was at hand just before Covid hit and the work of the Colorado Legislature got pared back to the bare essentials. Two years ago the Senate Transportation and Energy committee moved the bill ahead unanimously but then things went haywire.

According to Stump, General Motors has now decided to put its weight behind such measures:

Lastly, I received the following from Susan Dane, the person spearheading the distracted driving bill the past few years:

It appears General Motors is interested in supporting distracted driving legislation in Colorado. I’ve learned that they have provided support in other states related to this type of legislation. I’m working to set up an initial conversation with their people to see what this may look like. Don’t know where this may go, but it’s hopeful to hear that a major player like GM could get involved. I’ll let you know how things go.

She couldn’t get a sponsor for a bill last year but it looks like something might happen this year.

So we’ll see what comes of this.

As for lane-splitting, here is Stump’s bullet-point list of the status:

Hooked up with professional lobbyist – Sundari Kraft with Ascent Strategies LLC. Signed contract (required by law) for help PRO BONO!
Advantages: good connections with Legislators; more knowledgeable about bill process; great advocate but still considers ABATE to be subject matter expert.
Might “piggyback” on highway safety bills being submitted by Reps. Garnett or Larson.
Met with her to give basic “parameters” about a possible bill and ABATE’s concerns. Gave my personal guidelines (Similar to Oregon’s proposal, which I think has a chance of passing):
Permitted on multi-laned highways with speed limit of 55 or higher
Traffic stopped or moving in the same direction at 10 mph or less
Travel up to 10 mph faster than traffic
NOTE: I don’t think lane filtering would have a chance of passing and these parameters might work, which would allow motorcyclists to lane-split on the interstates when it’s 100 degrees out and traffic is backed up. But remember, it’s not mandatory.

As for creating a separate definition and category for autocycles, Stump noted that the bill is scheduled for committee hearing on February 1.

The big news is that bills are being scheduled in committees and HB22-1043 (Motorcycle and Autocycle Definitions) is scheduled for Tuesday, 2/1 at 1:30 pm, in LSB-A. That’s the building across 14th street from the Capitol (SE corner of 14th & Sherman). If you haven’t emailed the 12 members of the H-T&LG Committee yet, please do so in the next week. Here’s the list of members for your convenience:

Tony Exum Sr. (Chair) — tony.exum.house@state.co.us
Matt Gray (Vice-chair) — matt@matthewgray.us
Andrew Boesenecker — andrew.boesenecker.house@state.co.us
Marc Catlin — marc.catlin.house@state.co.us
Meg Froelich — meg.froelich.house@state.co.us
Edie Hooton — edie.hooton.house@state.co.us
Andres Pico — andres.pico.house@state.co.us
Janice Rich — janice.rich.house@state.co.us
Tom Sullivan — tom.sullivan.house@state.co.us
Donald Valdez — donald.valdez.house@state.co.us
Tonya Van Berber — Tonya.Van.Beber.house@state.co.us
Kevin Van Winkle — kevin.vanwinkle.house@state.co.us

It’s really important that you contact them, so they know this is important to Colorado motorcyclists and we’re really concerned that autocycles have their own category for the purpose of maintaining accurate accident and fatality data. Thanking you in advance.

That’s it for now. Updates to come.

Biker Quote for Today

You might be a Yuppie biker if you drink cappuccino instead of beer.

A V-Strom on a gravel road.

My 1999 Kawasaki Concours is a far better bike than my 1980 Honda CB750 Custom. So why is it that it has always been very clear in my mind that it is just more fun to ride the Honda? I think I figured it out awhile ago: Weight.

It just make sense. I’ve ridden scooters a number of times and the one thing I keep saying about them is that scooters are fun! And of course, scooters are light. When you’re riding a scooter – at least a small one; there are some big scooters – you’re not concerned about tipping over. There is zero chance when you come to a stop that you’re going to drop the thing. It’s too light. That leaves you free to just go zipping around and enjoy the ride.

It’s a very different matter when you’re on a heavy motorcycle. My CB weighs around 580 pounds wet. At 580 pounds, the CB is nowadays a mid-sized bike, though when it was new it was considered a big bike. It also sits reasonably low, so all that weight is easy to manage – usually.

My Connie, on the other hand, weighs 675 pounds wet and the 7.5-gallon gas tank sits way up high, making it pretty top-heavy. Especially when it was new, you’d better believe I put a lot of my focus on just keeping it up whenever I was stopping or standing. I’ve had the bike for 22 years now, so I’ve gotten used to it but I still don’t take it for granted. I’ve dropped it a couple times and I know that if it leans a little too far there is nothing in the world I can do to stop it from going all the way over.

Then one summer I had the chance to ride a Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Classic for two days. This bike weighs about 860 pounds. Talk about struggling to keep that thing up at times! On the highway it was a great motorcycle but I hated it in city traffic, and the weight was the biggest part of what made that so unpleasant.

More recently, although we’re talking about eight years ago, I bought a Suzuki V-Strom 650. This bike weighs 490 pounds wet. Compared to my Connie it feels so light and easy to handle that it’s just a kick. Which is to say: Fun!

So it hit me, way back whenever. The more weight, the more focus you have to put on the bike. The less weight, the more you can focus on the ride. And I’ve said many, many times, I’m not into motorcycles, I’m into riding motorcycles. I love it when all of sudden things make such sense.

Biker Quote for Today

What’s sexier than a curvy girl with tattoos and a cute face? A curvy girl with tattoos and a cute face who riders her own motorcycle.

The RMMRC is planning a very active year.

The RMMRC had an actual get-together in the flesh recently to map out some rides for the upcoming warm months. Anyone with an interest ought to consider coming along.

The RMMRC is now using the Meet-Up site as its home, and actually, as I write this, additional rides are being added.

First, and by the time you read this it will be in progress, is a Death Valley Rondevous. OK, so Mike, who set up this event, doesn’t know how to spell rendezvous; you get that in these days of media open to everyone. We’ll ignore it. This is actually a bit odd as a group ride in that the plan is for anyone interested to get out to Death Valley on their own and meet up there. Here’s how it is described:

Plan to meet at the Ranch at Death Valley – Inside the Park, whichever way you choose to get there. I am planning with several club members to ride 3 days there, leaving Saturday April 17. Will not make firm plans until the week prior, and will adjust the dates if it looks impossible to travel. Most likely will ride to Blanding and Kanab for overnight stays on back roads with as many twisties as possible. You are welcome to come along, and/or choose a different daily route, as you wish.

Undecided for return trip at this time. Probably south via Palm Springs, Joshua Tree National Park, South Rim Grand Canyon, and Pagosa Springs. Something like that. Again, weather determinant.

Flexibility, personal capability, and responsibility to take care of self and others is required. Ride at your own pace and discretion – always.

The next event on the agenda is a ride out to the St. Francis Vintage Motorcycle Museum in St. Francis, Kansas. This is a one-day, out and back ride. Looking at around 375 miles altogether.

Then comes a short day ride in the foothills, followed by a run out to High Plains Raceway for some motorcycle races. Then there will be an overnight ride out to Alliance, Nebraska, to Carhenge. If you’ve never been to Carhenge you need to go. This is a scale replica of Stonehenge, built out of old cars. The OFMC just chanced upon it many years ago when we stopped in the shade of some trees. Someone stepped back in the trees to take a leak and saw something bizarre over on the other side. We were totally blown away.

The whole scene has totally changed since then. The grove of trees is gone and it has been substantially commercialized, but it’s still a mind-blower.

So that’s just a few of the many rides coming up. The RMMRC made the decision a couple years ago to say let’s forget about all this club stuff with meetings and officers and all that. Let’s just ride. If that’s the kind of club you would find interesting you should come along on some of these.

Biker Quote for Today

You know you’re a biker when the only destinations are sunrise and sunset.