My Friend, Sandy

Yesterday you met my friend, Sandy.  My dead friend.  She still makes me cry a lot.

About 10 days before my friend died I had returned from vacation and announced I was getting a puppy.  A puppy that came complete with a HUSBAND.  Upon hearing this news, Sandy said, "I don't care what you think you got over on your mother, but WE will approve of this man when we meet him."  This kind of pissed me off at the time, but she was right.  I had brought every man I'd dated since the ex to CBA to pass the sniff test.

My husband never got to meet Sandy.  He didn't get to NC until a week after we'd put her in the ground.

The Saturday Sandy was killed was a busy day.  Her son had just returned from deployment overseas.  Sandy was riding her motorcycle and Mr. Lee was following behind her in the truck.  They were going to meet their son and his family for breakfast and then everyone was headed to a poker run.  We were trying to raise funds for a friend's back surgery.

As soon as I had arrived at the poker run's home base, we'd received a call about Sandy's crash.  A few went to the hospital to be with Mr. Lee and the family, the rest of us stayed and worked the event.  We were notified a few hours later that she'd passed away.

It was a crushing day, to say the least.

And I was devastated because I felt like Sandy and I had unfinished business.  I needed her approval on my pending nuptials.

Sandy's crash was less than a mile from her home.  The car caught her with the front wheel and basically, her guts all mashed up and she died as a result of those crushing injuries.  Sandy was wearing her helmet, and that fuchsia lipstick she always wore.  Her hair was pretty much "in place" and her lipstick was not even smudged.  And please remember, Mr. Lee witnessed every moment of this from the pickup he was driving right behind her.

Sandy is buried in the cemetery right across the street from the home she shared with Mr. Lee for a whole lot of years.  He still lives there.  He sees their double gravestone Every.  Single.  Day.

We visit her on the anniversary of her death every year.  We take a small memorial ride and treat Mr. Lee to lunch.  I finally took Junior to meet her this year.

That first year was HARD.  Sandy was a very active chapter member.  It was very obvious that her infectious joy was not around.  We named a chapter service award after her and it is given annually in the spirit to the honoree in which it was named.

I thought about Sandy and our unfinished business A LOT.  I would dream about her often.  My first spring at the new office we'd moved our company into, there was an empty flower pot on the front porch.  These were the days before I was CONSUMED by gardening so I wasn't really interested in that pot other than to prop the door open.

Something magical happened.

Out of no where and absolutely NO CARE, petunias started growing in that pot.  The first bloom revealed their color.  And it perfectly matched Sandy's signature fuchsia lipstick.  Those flowers made me cry, cry, CRY just as much as they made me happy.

And I sat on the porch a lot more often.  Just to stare at Sandy's petunias.  And be comforted.

My boyfriend has a 9:00 haircuts deal where they play 80's metal/hair band songs.  Our chapter meetings usually dismiss around 9:00 and I often catch this song playing and it makes me cry my eyes out:

Sandy IS an angel and flowers truly DO bloom in her name.  

Because a left turn killed her.

An Open Letter From a Dead Motorcyclist

My name is Sandra Lee and I was killed on August 23, 2003 by a right of way violator. It is hard for me to be patient with people who say “it was just an accident.” There was my death to consider and it matters. Whatever happened has consequences and they are irrevocable and irreversible. Since I am the one that died, I think the truth is owed. I know you didn’t mean to kill me but you did. The truth is that you didn’t take the five seconds to look twice before you turned. You could have saved my life!

The truth is that you weren’t paying attention. You just didn’t see me. One very real truth is that over two-thirds of motorcyclist’s deaths are caused by drivers, not motorcyclists. When one person dies it is a tragedy but when over 2,000 people die nationwide, it becomes a statistic. The unfortunate truth is that a lane change, casual red light run, untimely cell phone call or a driver’s inattentive left turn can, and in my case did, result in death.

The truth is that the motorcycling community makes efforts to educate the driving public about the presence of motorcycles on the road. We are putting up billboards and trying to gain attention in the media. We are lobbying state governments for increases in right of way violation penalties. The saddest truth of all is that our message continues to go unheeded by the general public. There is an attitude of indifference against motorcyclists. My life was reduced to a ticket for a right of way violation. Just maybe, the person who killed me will get charged with misdemeanor death by vehicle. Probably though, the insurance company and the lawyers will get the charge reduced to a right of way violation ticket. To them, the value of my life will be reduced to a $25.00 fine.

The truth is that “misdemeanor” and “death” should never be used in the same sentence. The truth about that violation is that my life was forfeited. I can no longer be a wife, a mother or a grandmother. Because you see… sometimes when you kill a motorcyclist… you also kill a family. My husband understands that you didn’t mean to kill me, but you did.

The truth is that cars are smoother and more comfortable to drive. It is easy to forget that you are moving two tons of steel and plastic down the road. Inside that car of yours, you had air bags, seat belts and anti-lock brakes to keep you safe. I guess a collision with a six hundred pound motorcycle just wasn’t very threatening to you. Now you understand or at least I hope you understand that one more look… just five more seconds… could have saved my life.

The truth is there is an attitude of indifference by our legislators and our judicial system regarding matters of right of way violation. Perhaps they don’t understand just how vulnerable I was. Perhaps no one believes that motorcycles have as much right to be on the road as other modes of transportation. It is time for legislators, prosecutors and judges to understand when dealing with motorists who cause motorcycle crashes that most of these “accidents” are preventable. I am dead or I would tell you these things myself.

The truth is that it is ironic that I would be killed by a right of way violator. I spent the last year of my life lobbying for increased penalties for right of way violators in Raleigh. The truth is that the legislators were more concerned with the legal and insurance ramifications of increased penalties.

The truth is that throughout the ages, every minority on earth has had to fight for equality and it seems that now is the time for the 100,000 plus motorcyclists in North Carolina to stand up and demand that they have the same rights as everyone else on the road.

I hope the final truth is that, from this day forward, you will tell everyone you know that if only you would have looked twice, if only you would have taken five more seconds, you could have saved my life. Spread the word… motorcycles are everywhere.


NOTE: To continue Sandy’s work in Raleigh and ensure that, in the future, penalties exist and will be enforced for right of way violators, get involved and be part of the solution. Brunswick County CBA/ABATE of North Carolina meets on the first and third Tuesdays each month at 8:00 PM at their lodge which is located on 600 Ocean Isle Beach Rd (DAV Building), Ocean isle Beach, NC. Visit our website at www.brunswickcba.org for more information about how you can help. Our thanks are extended to Mrs. Lee’s family for allowing us to use their very painful loss to make a difference.

Of Mice and Elephants

If you remember anything of my MC Awareness posts, please remember this quote:

“Look for the mouse, not the elephant,” she tells the students.

“Motorcycles are often hidden behind larger vehicles.”

My friend, Becky Mooney, teaches the Motorcycle Safety Awareness Program in our county high school's driver education programs.  She was recently included in this interview for our local paper.

http://www.brunswic kbeacon.com/ cgi-bin/c2. cgi?048+article+ News+20090505113 532048049020

The Brunswick Beacon

By Kathryn Jacewicz

SHALLOTTE—It takes more than knowing the signs and rules of the road before being eligible to apply for a state permit or driver’s license.

North Carolina students younger than 18 must complete drivers’ education before applying for a permit and license. Students must partake in a 30-hour classroom training, where they learn all the pertinent information for the actual test—traffic signs, driving skills and knowledge—as well information about car maintenance and control. Six of the 30 hours must be focused on driving under the influence information.

Debra Hollis, of Brunswick Driving School, teaches a 10-day drivers’ education course at all three county high schools, and said while the course is intensive for the students, it takes a lot of volunteers and many volunteered hours to make it possible.

Hollis teaches the courses continually throughout the year, so many of her guest speakers come and present every two weeks, for an hour or two each time. Two of the regular speakers are Sgt. 1st Class Brian Hakey and Staff Sgt. Jason Russell, from the Army base at Sunny Point.

Hakey has been a train engineer in the Army for more than 20 years, and said he volunteers his time to teach students about driving safety and trains due to what he’s seen while on the railroads.

The two are part of Operation Lifesaver, a train safety program that teaches the importance of being alert and aware in the presence of trains.

Hakey shared a story with the students about a truck that tried to cross the track when his train was coming. His train hit the truck, and killed three little girls inside it. During another trip, two girls were walking along the tracks with their backs turned to the train, both listening to iPods. One heard the train and one did not. Both were struck and killed.

After applying the brake, “There’s nothing more I can do as an engineer,” he said.

Hakey told the students every 90 minutes across the country, there’s a train accident. And most often, those accidents occur within 25 minutes of the victim’s home.

If a train sees a vehicle in its path or sees someone in it’s way, it often takes too long to stop and an accident is unavoidable. A typical train, Hakey said, weighs about 12 million pounds, and when traveling at a speed of 55 mph, takes about a mile—18 football fields—to come to a complete stop.

“When I want to stop my train in downtown Southport, I begin to apply the brakes in Boiling Spring Lakes,” he said.

The impact of a train on a car is equivalent to a can running over a 12-ounce soda can.

“Most of the time, I don’t even feel it,” Hakey said of hitting a vehicle. “I don’t even feel a bump.”

Russell told the students most of the train accidents happen at railroad crossings that have flashing warning lights and safety gates. While many vehicles choose to go around the gates, Russell said this is not only dangerous but also illegal.

A driver caught going around gates can receive up to four tickets—one for disobeying warning lights, one for crossing on a legally closed road, one for being in the oncoming traffic lane while going around the gate and one for trespassing, as the rail is considered to be a private road.

People walking along railroad tracks at any time can expect to be ticketed if seen by a public official. The railroad is private property, owned by the railroad companies.

Tyler Benton, ninth-grader, said he knew most of the information presented by Hakey and Russell, but he didn’t realize trains moved so fast.

Kayla Taylor, ninth-grader, said she used to play on the railroad tracks when she lived in New York.

“Now I’m not,” she said, not realizing how powerful a train’s impact on a vehicle or human really is.

Hakey said train operators should expect to be involved in at least one accident or fatality in their careers, but after it happens, it can leave a lasting impression that’s hard to shake.

“I was out of work for a month after my first [fatality],” he said. “As a train engineer, you have to list with that emotionally. We don’t want to hurt another person.”

So Hakey and Russell volunteer their time to teach train safety to new drivers and also to local civic groups and organizations throughout the county.

“We will drive two hours in any direction and cater our presentation to any group,” he said. “We’re trying to take a proactive approach to see this doesn’t happen.”

Becky Mooney of the Brunswick County Concerned Bikers Association also visits the drivers’ education classes every two weeks to teach students the importance of safety while sharing the road with motorcyclists.

“We as bikers can feel a little safer out on the road knowing we’re promoting safety,” she said.

Mooney said she and her husband have both been in accidents and have had many friends die while riding. She said bikers are often not seen until it’s too late, and students are taught to look left, look right and look left again before making a turn. More often than not, motorcyclists are killed when a car makes a left-hand turn in front of one and doesn’t see it.

“Look for the mouse, not the elephant,” she tells the students. “Motorcycles are often hidden behind larger vehicles.” 

SEE ME!!

How close?

Turn speakers up please.  You need to pay attention to this one.

And remember it the next time you're making a left hand turn.

MC Awareness Tips

For the motorist:

1. Share the road with motorcycles.  While a motorcycle will only ride in 1/3 of the lane, he's entitled to the entire lane.  NEVER try to share a lane with a motorcycle!
2. Anticipate motorcycles in traffic and include them in your search pattern.  They're out there.  They're smaller than a car so you must LOOK for them.
3. Understand the motorcyclists' intentions BEFORE proceeding into its path.  We're not racing, take a moment to realize what's going on in traffic.
4. ALWAYS signal your intentions when driving.  Note that magic stick on your steering column's left side.  These lights indicate to surrounding vehicles what you're doing.  These lights are to be turned on before your maneuver to SIGNAL your INTENT.  When you slam on your brakes, then light the signal...you're doing it wrong.
5. Respect a motorcycle's additional stopping distance requirements, DON'T TAILGATE!  A motorcycle only has two brakes compared to a car's four.  Apply the 3 second rule when following.
6. Do not drink and drive.

For the motorcyclist:

1. Get trained and be properly licensed.  School is not for sissies!  There are beginner's riding courses and experienced riders courses.  You'd be amazed at the bad habits you pick up over time.  Get your learn on and keep your riding skills polished and ready at all times.  Also, if you're riding around without an endorsement, when you are ticketed you're giving the entire motorcycling community a bad rap and contributing to bad stats.  Be a part of the solution folks.
2. Use TCLOCS for your pre-ride inspection.  (Tires and wheels, Controls, Lights and electrics, Oil and fluids, Chassis, Side stand)  Remember, when your bike is not properly maintained, you're putting yourself AND those you're riding with in danger.  Help a Brother out!
3. Use SEE to help reduce your risk in traffic.  Search, Evaluate, Execute.  Ride like you are invisible!
4. Remember that SPEED is for the RACE TRACK.  (WARNING:  This link is GRAPHIC.)  I know those crotch rockets can go really fast, but I would rather you test those limits in a controlled area and LIVE than busy streets and highways and end up like that guy.
5. Know your limits, don't drink and ride.  I know you're on a poker run on a hot day.  Please enjoy an adult beverage (an as in one, then hang out for a bit to let metabolism work its magic) but don't get shit-faced.  Your impaired riding can hurt you, your brothers and your family.  Don't be an ass.  I have a personal story on this one and will share it some time this month.  Again, DON'T BE AN ASS!

Look Twice Much?

Have you ever seen a bumper sticker or billboard that reads:

LOOK TWICE SAVE A LIFE

These are usually distributed and paid for by motorcyclists.  We lose A LOT of good friends, mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, sons and daughters to left turns gone wrong.

• We recently discussed this man getting killed by a drunk driver turning left.
• This lady died because she didn't have time to stop at the STOP sign and a dump truck ran her over.
• This young lady has a long road of recovery in front of her because the semi she turned left in front of couldn't stop his 18 wheels in time.

Note these two women did not see a dump truck nor a semi.  These vehicles are MUCH LARGER than motorcycles.  

So yes, please DO remember to LOOK TWICE SAVE A LIFE.  In all actuality, the life you save could be YOUR OWN!!

I know we lead very busy lives.  Sometimes we get a little behind schedule and think we can make up for lost time on the road by speeding.  Please don't let those 15 minutes you were late result in the death of my friends and family, or even yourself!  You are driving a 2 ton weapon, be responsible.

May is Motorcycle Awareness Month

(Dang it, I had a feeling that last post was not going to work out the way I wanted it to!  I wanted to show you the signed copy since it has been enacted into law.  Here's a copy of the bill's language so you can read it.  We usually have to do this every single year but this time we got some "revolving" language so every May until the end of time will be MC Awareness Month in North Carolina.  WOO HOO!!)

GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 2009

H                                                                                                                                                    1

HOUSE BILL 696

 

 

Short Title:        Motorcycle Awareness Month.		(Public)
Sponsors:	Representatives Burris‑Floyd, Folwell, Allred, Stevens (Primary Sponsors);  Avila, Barnhart, Blackwell, Blackwood, Blue, Blust, Boles, Brubaker, Burr, Current, Daughtry, Dollar, Earle, Faison, Farmer‑Butterfield, Fisher, E. Floyd, Glazier, Goforth, Goodwin, Grady, Guice, Gulley, Hall, Harrison, Hilton, Howard, Hurley, Jackson, Johnson, Jones, Justus, Killian, Lucas, Mackey, McComas, McElraft, McLawhorn, Mills, Mobley, Moore, Neumann, Parmon, Randleman, Rhyne, Sager, Samuelson, Stam, Steen, Sutton, Tillis, Underhill, E. Warren, Weiss, Whilden, Wilkins, Williams, and Womble.
Referred to:	State Government/State Personnel.

March 23, 2009

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT ESTABLISHING MOTORCYCLE AWARENESS MONTH.

Whereas, motorcycle riding is a popular form of recreation and transportation for thousands of citizens across North Carolina and the United States; and

Whereas, North Carolina has over 132,000 registered motorcycles and over 260,000 licensed drivers who have either a motorcycle endorsement or a motorcycle learners permit; and

Whereas, it is important that the citizens of North Carolina be aware of motorcycles on the roadways and recognize the importance of motorcycle safety and of sharing the roadways; and

Whereas, the safe operation of a motorcycle is enhanced through a combination of rider training and experience, good judgment, and a knowledge of traffic laws and licensing requirements; and

Whereas, several organizations, such as the Concerned Bikers Association/ABATE of North Carolina, along with the North Carolina Motorcycle Safety Education Program, and other State and local motorcycle clubs and riding or social clubs, are committed to increasing the safe operation of motorcycles by promoting rider safety education programs; their goal is to alert the motorists of the Great State of North Carolina to a Safety Promotion known as "Look Twice, Save a Life, Motorcycles are Everywhere"; and

Whereas, Motorcycle Awareness Month is designed to increase public awareness about motorcycles and to encourage their safe and proper use among motorcycle riders; Now, therefore,

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  Chapter 103 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:

"§ 103‑12.  Motorcycle Awareness Month.

The month of May of each year is designated as Motorcycle Awareness Month in the State of North Carolina."

SECTION 2.  This act is effective when it becomes law.

PROCLAIM IT!!

pro·claim 

Pronunciation:

\prō-ˈklām, prə-\

Function:

transitive verb

Etymology:

Middle English proclamen, from Anglo-French or Latin; Anglo-Frenchproclamer, from Latin proclamare, from pro- before + clamare to cry out — more atpro-, claim

Date:

14th century

1 a: to declare publicly, typically insistently, proudly, or defiantly and in either speech or writing : announce b: to give outward indication of : show proclaimed his genteel upbringing>2: to declare or declare to be solemnly, officially, or formally <proclaim an amnesty><proclaim the country a republic>3: to praise or glorify openly or publicly : extol <proclaimed the rescue workers' efforts>

synonyms see declare

— pro·claim·er noun

The Magic Helmet

http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20090426/ARTICLES/904269964/1017/NEWS0102

One man was taken to the hospital and another to the police station Sunday night after a wreck, which police suspect was alcohol-related.

A man driving a motorcycle suffered life-threatening injuries when he collided with a Jeep SUV that turned in front of him on Market Street just before 8 p.m., said Lt. D.G. Lanier of the Wilmington Police Department.

The motorcyclist was headed east on Market Street near the intersection of Wilmington Ave., Lanier said, citing a preliminary investigation.

The SUV driver, a man, had been heading west on Market Street and was turning left onto Wilmington Avenue.

The SUV driver left the scene and drove about two blocks before parking his vehicle and walking back.

The motorcyclist was taken to New Hanover Regional Medical Center.

Lanier said police were in the early stages of the investigation, and had yet to determine all the factors that could have contributed to the crash.

The SUV driver had been arrested, Lanier said. Police suspect he was driving drunk.

Officers planned to investigate the wreck further, police said.

The motorcycle driver was wearing a helmet.

– David Reynolds

Nothing pisses me off more than the last line of this article.  It wouldn't matter if he was wearing clown shoes and a mohawk, the SUV driver WAS DRUNK, violated the biker's right of way by turning left INTO him, then proceeded to drive away.

Sadly, this motorcyclist died.  The SUV driver is being charged with a DWI and two felonies:  hit and run and death by motor vehicle.  And even sadder, there is NO GUARANTEE this asshat will serve any jail time for killing a biker.  While driving drunk.

May is Motorcycle Awareness Month.  I have many posts planned on this, but in the mean time - can you please remember to 

LOOK TWICE AND SAVE A LIFE!!

Anonymous Asshole

http://www.tmz.com/2009/01/09/brad-pitt-rides-solo/

There he is being an asshole.  (I'd thought about copy/paste on the photo and decided I didn't want to try to get sued.)

Dude, I can totally see your face!  You ain't foolin' NO ONE.

Should this piss me off?

I love my Google Reader.  I make a list of stuff I like to read, it shoots me updates and I'm happy.  It even makes suggestions for me of things I could possibly like to read.  One suggestion is Motorcycle News.  

Today's two cents from Motorcycle News is referencing the Brad Pitt article in W magazine.

EXIT 99:

Last year when Mr. Pitt was actively riding his chopper around LA - before the family bolted to France so Angie could pop out the twins - I tried contacting Perez Hilton and asking him to include a "May is Motorcycle Awareness Month" message when he posted photos like that.  The email was not answered and that project never got off the ground BUT at that time I had considered Mr. Pitt to be a good diving board for the message since he did occasionally ride around town.  Back to the story...

So TODAY, when the Reader gave me this article, I think I got pissed.  I'm almost certain I am pissed.  The MCN link is here.  They also provide a link to the article in W.  Here's what offends me:

The interview says: “As he gets up to leave, Pitt says that the family is awaiting him at home, where they’ll all have dinner together with Pitt’s parents, who are visiting from Missouri. All he must do is evade the paparazzi to get there—and he’s confident he knows how.

"“This is my anonymity,” he says, brandishing the motorcycle helmet in an upraised hand before he breezes out the door. “With it, I’m just another a--hole on the streets.”

Am I reading this too "PC"?  It drives me bat-shit insane to read/watch/listen to certain things about motorcycling.  I've written many an angry letter to the local TV news outlets and newspapers when they concentrate their focus of an m/c crash story on the magic helmet status.  NC law states you must wear a helmet and generally crash victims are wearing helmets but its magic DOES NOT save you from a drunk driver/distracted driver who crashes into you.  

Mr. Pitt is a celebrity who rides, and that's a good thing.  I like seeing motorcycling promoted.  Molly Culver did a great job here.  (FYI - I don't believe the MSF is the actual devil but they can be rather snobbish and unruly at times.)  I appreciate any good message regarding motorcycling. 

Is Mr. Pitt's statement of "With it, I'm just another asshole on the streets." relegating the wearing of a helmet to mean that folks who wear helmets are assholes?  I personally believe helmets are a choice.  If I wear a helmet that doesn't make me an asshole.  The dark parts of my heart and ego make me an asshole.  Fortunately for me, I do know how to use my powers for good or evil.

Is Mr. Pitt implying that folks who ride motorcycles are assholes?  Motorcycles reduce parking congestion (2 or 3 in one space!), ease wear and tear on roads (2 or 3 wheels pounding instead of 4 to 18), consume less fuel (dude, mc sales thru the roof when gas got so expensive!), emit much less bad stuff into the air and have a greater passenger ratio or something like that (I ALWAYS got that one wrong but its supposed to be something about moving two people more efficiently on a bike than in a car).  When you look at all of those points, basically bikers are a bunch of tree huggers doing good for Mother Earth.  Is Mr. Pitt calling these tree-hugging bikers a bunch of assholes?

It is possible that Mr. Pitt is referring to traffic in general as a bunch of assholes.  Right?

I know Mr. Pitt is a do-gooder.  I appreciate how he has donated his time and money to various causes and charities.  Somehow, I don't think he's ever cut a check to any ABATE chapter (or any MRO - local, state or federal).  Could you imagine what kind of good an MRO could do for bikers with that kind of money?  Hell, we manage to scrape by just visiting the local area high schools in the driver's ed classes.  It only costs a couple hundred of bucks a year for OUR county, one in 100 state-wide.  And that's just driver awareness/sharing the road with motorcycles.  We could host motorcycle training/refresher skills once a month with a fat budget. 

There's currently no comments on the article so I'm just not sure how I should feel about this one.  What do you think?

Hey yall!

Thank you Mr. Motorcycle for linking to my SOA post. (LOOK MA! I GOTS A LINK!!) And thank you Google Reader for finding Mr. Motorcycle for me! His blog is the first one I've found that discusses the show and I've enjoyed digging thru his archives and remembering things I've forgotten. Too bad FX didn't run a marathon this weekend so we'd be good and SOA'd up for this Wednesday's finale.

While I have new scoot friends visiting my ramblings, can I please invite you to, if you're not doing so already, support the MRF. Here are 10 reasons why you should join that I stole (!!) from my friend Vinny's website because 1) I'm too lazy to write my own diatribe and 2) if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

10 Reasons why you should join the MRF:

10) They are fighting to make sure your medical claims are paid by your insurance companies.

9) They are fighting to secure funding for rider training.

8) They are fighting to secure funding to fix pot holes and other road hazards.

7) They are fighting for your right to modify your bike.

6) We need to help them fund a office and lobbyist in Washington, DC so they can continue the fight.

5) They support us on state level legislation.

4) They have been OUR federal MRO since 1984!

3) They are well organized, efficiently managed, and will work to provide a safer riding future for all of us.

2) You will get another patch and pin for your vest, along with a newsletter.

1) For $30 you can support motorcycle awareness, safety, education, and contribute to the growth of motorcycling in America!

www.MRF.org

Thirty dollars folks. What's that...a rally tshirt and two beers?

In 2000 I was blessed to be included on a SMRO sponsored lobby trip to DC. The MRF works hard, those were some of the busiest 4 days I ever spent in MY LIFE. It's very special to see the machine in action with your own eyes. And it kicks ass to walk into your state's offices and introduce the MRF to YOUR Senator or Congressman. "Yo, I'm from back home and this guy KNOWS what I want. When he asks, you listen. You act...FOR ME."

When I re-upped my membership this year, I tossed in an additional $10 donation and today I received a letter of thanks from Kirk Willard, MRF President and it included a kick ass MRF Freedom Fighter sticker. If you can, don't forget to include a little extra donation. They're worth it and SO ARE YOU!

So go out there and get MRF'd up!

Be a part of the solution!!