2006 Memorial Day Ride

Live to Ride ------Ride to live







I’d love to say I haven’t had time to update my blog because I’ve been riding non stop. However, much to my disappointment that is not the case. The truth is I’ve just been too lazy to keep it updated. I’m not saying there has been a shortage of riding. Paula and I had been touring the local area almost every weekend until Mother’s day. That’s when everything came to a screeching halt. Paula had some minor eye surgery that went awry. Due to the complications she has not been able to ride. Yesterday Paula dawned her stylish sunglasses, compliments of the eye doctor, and we joined the annual ride to Andersonville National Memorial Cemetery to honor our vets.

This was an escorted ride from Byron, GA, to Andersonville National Cemetery. I didn’t count them but there had to be over 600 bikes. WOW, what a ride. Non stop we flew down the black top and spectators lined the road in many of the towns. I’d say we were in the front third of the pack on this ride. After we left Jughead’s Cycle Shop, the sponsor & staging area, I never saw the lead rider again. The photos don’t really give an accurate depiction of the attendance. But this ride was not about us, it was to honor those who gave all. Paula & I visited Andersonville in November last year (see post) and thoroughly enjoyed it. This trip was wonderful and we saw some old friends that we didn’t even know rode. I ran into an ex-cop that use to work for me and an engineering friend (riding a 1984 Honda 450). Needless to say there was every kind a bike, trike, and chopper imaginable there. It was no comparison to “Rolling Thunder” in size, however the spirit was there.

I understand this ride use to originate out of Atlanta and the Byron folks joined in for the last ½ of the ride until this year when the sponsor/organizer bowed out. I’m glad Jughead’s stepped up to the plate to continue this local tribute to our country’s vets. I didn’t see any advertising for this event and if not for one of my fellow HOG members I would not have known about this event. If you are in the area next year and want to have a fun ride the day before Memorial day, I recommend you call Jughead’s to see what the form up time will be. His number is 478-956-4777 and he is located just east of the Byron exit of I75 on HWY 49. Until next time :~)

For additional pictures visit my Fotki site: http://public.fotki.com/harleyownersofga/2006_memorial_day_ride/

A Crash Course for Motorcyclist

If you haven’t attended an Accident Scene Management course you should. I attended one of their courses on May 20^th and found it to be a worthwhile investment of my time and money. Why do I need this class? I’m glad you asked. When we hear of a motorcycle accident, we tend to wince and ask, “How bad was it”? What we’re really asking is did they survive. Survival is what the Accident Scene Management course is all about.

This is a well organized, well prepared class of interactive instruction. We learned how to take charge at an accident scene and help a downed rider. Yes, we reviewed CPR and first aid but the class is so much more than treating a patient. It is learning when and how to remove a helmet, where to position traffic control to prevent further accidents, and how to position an injured rider if you have to leave them to get help. The list goes on and on and on.

When you drive up on an accident what do you normally see? You see one or two people assisting the victims and maybe ten people standing around. The course is about those bystanders. Put them to work doing something that is productive, something that could prevent additional injury, and maybe even save a life. A great example is calling for help. Well that’s a little obvious you say. One point brought out in the course is to insure they come back and confirm help is on the way. Sounds like a no brainer, doesn’t it? If you’re the one on the pavement, hearing “help is on the way” will be sweet sounding words of comfort and encouragement.

I hope we never need to use what we learned at the Accident Scene Management course, but I’m glad to know I can depend on the riders who attended. To locate a class in your area check out their web site www.accidentscene.org .