Mid-Life Riders Online

1. Separating Fact From Fiction
   
2. A Motorcycle Ride With A Life Lesson
   
3. Toys For Tots Ride 2009
   
4. My Thoughts of RFS 2009
   
5. Be Aware, Be Safe
6. The Motorcycle Wave
   
7. Group Ride, Solo Ride, Just Ride !
8. Loud Pipes Save Lives
9. Ride For Dad, 2009

The View From My Handlebars

I can't say enough about the tremendous support that we received from the small but generous group of motorcycle enthusiast today at the 2nd Annual Ride for Seniors. We have no national support or large corporate donors but what we do have, is a grass roots movement that cares about the seniors in this province and their ongoing challenges.

The overall expenses for the Ride for Seniors were extremely low and I expect that we raised somewhere in the range of $3500.00 for the Seniors Resource Centre and ultimately our seniors. The expenses incurred include posters, printing, food and other minor expenses but after expenses, we managed to maintain 93% of funds raised which will go directly to our seniors through the Seniors Resource Centre. Can any of the other charity motorcycle rides boast those statistics? probably not!

I'm not knocking any other charity motorcycle rides, of which I am a participant in many but research money accounts for hundred of millions of dollars each year in Canada and yet we still see our loved one die from various terminal illnesses and diseases. It is very important that we continue to contribute to all these worthy charities and charity motorcycle rides but should we not also focus on the living and the quality of life that many of our seniors endure each day? Where are the hundred's of riders that supported those other charity rides this year, do they not see the value in a quality of life for our elders?

The view from my handlebars is that we have to start thinking and focusing on our living and on their quality of life rather than only on preventing death. No amount of money in the world will prevent our ultimate death but money can help the dying live their final days with grace and dignity, or help a senior through their daily challenges. I have lost many dear people to death, some of which still leave me saddened some 12 years later, but when I look back, I never think of their illness or disease, just the precious moments that I spent with them. Let's give some value to life by focusing on the needs of our seniors and specifically those individuals who need our support.

I assure you, there will be a 3rd Annual Ride for Seniors and I can only hope that we have greater support from the thousands of riders in this province going forward. Ask yourself, can I do more? The answer is you must. In closing, I am very pleased with the results of the Ride for Seniors but would have liked to have seen more riders out in support. On that point alone, I apologize to our seniors for not effectively communicating your urgent needs. Further, I apologize for our failure to effectively promote the Ride for Seniors to the motorcycle enthusiast within Newfoundland and Labrador. Next year we will do a better job.

Mervyn House

MLR Online

Be Aware, Be Safe

On a recent ride, I came up on the tail end of a group of riders who were at times riding below the posted speed limit and for the better part of 15 minutes; I remained behind, waiting for a safe opportunity to pass the group of six riders. The riders were keeping a safe distance from each other but were not in the staggered formation as you would commonly see. The six riders spanned a 50 meter section of road and thus requiring a longer stretch of rural highway for me to safely pass the entire group.

I first passed the trailing rider on a short strait section of road and tucked in behind another group rider when I could no longer pass safely. I once again continued to follow the group for a few more minutes and when the next opportunity presented me with a longer stretch of strait road, I then proceeded to pass the remaining five riders. The problem that I had with this disorganized, out of formation group of riders was that they all hugged the left of center lane leaving me no area to safely tuck in, if oncoming traffic narrowed the distance with me.

Murphy Law suggests that if anything can go wrong, it will and as you may have already suspected, oncoming traffic narrowed the distance with me and I was once again forced to tuck in behind the lead rider. Unfortunately the lead rider remained in the left of center lane rather than pulling over into the right lane, which left me with very little riding space and in somewhat unsafe conditions. Having made the decision to pass, I was responsible for the position I found myself in and take full responsibility for it. Now, I am not suggesting that I felt in danger but it was a little unsettling when I was forced to abort passing and pull in behind a less than alert rider. Time was not the enemy in this case; it was the lack of space to pull in.

The View From My Handlebars is that we all have a role to play when it comes to staying safe on the open roads of Newfoundland and Labrador. All riders should be attentive to their surroundings and aware of all traffic including fellow riders; it is an important part of staying safe.  The lead rider of the group should not only be aware of what lies ahead but as well what is happening behind if they are to contribute to the safety of riders in the group. The courteous and proper place to ride had the lead rider been aware of what was going on behind would have been to move to the far right lane, allowing the space to safely pull into a free lane or pass with ease. I was attentive and anticipated the situation, albeit taking the aggressive decision to pass but the lead rider was oblivious to what was going on around them and placed the whole group in greater danger. Riders, please don’t be oblivious, stay focused on your surroundings, both at what lies ahead and what trails behind you as the lead rider. Remaining completely alert to your surrounding will decrease the chances of accidents and contribute to the overall safety of everyone riding on our roadways.

Oh, and to the lead rider of this group, I apologize if I scared the living s**t out of you as I was force to pull in behind your rear tire but it was the safest option left open to me thanks in part to your day dreaming about that scenic part of Newfoundland’s splendid coastline. Well, we both get to ride another day, that’s special.

Mervyn

Mid-Life Riders Online

The View From My Handlebars - The Motorcycle Wave

You are taking the motorcycle wave too far when your riding in your car and you flip the V out the car window to passing motorcyclist. Ok, I have done it but I chalk it up to many miles in the saddle and it has now become second nature to me. In any event, I acknowledge other motorcycle riders when it is safe to do so almost all the time and I don't pay any attention to what they are riding. A rider is a rider to me.

Is there anything to a wave? Does a wave reveal anything about riders? Is it only a sign to other riders that we understand the joy and freedom of riding and to have a safe and joyous ride? I'm no psychologist but I think you can tell a lot about a rider by the type of wave you get from other riders. Here is my lighthearted view of the motorcycle wave.

A Gentle Lift Of The Fingers

A quite hello and acknowledgment of other riders but this rider remains focused on his or her own ride and very little attention on other riders. These riders are the quiet, confident type.

Arm Stretched Outward and Low or V sign

The free spirits, these riders enjoy the opportunity to wave. It's more than being courteous to other riders; these riders have a passion for riding and are most likely the initiators of the wave.

Raised Hand Off The Handlebars

This is an acknowledgment wave and these riders usually wait for their signal to wave, that is, the wave of other riders first. These riders don't like to put themselves out there on a limb and are usually not the initiators of the wave.

The Head Nod

These riders think the wave is getting ridiculous, waving all day long to every rider they see is stupid not to mention dangerous. They think you should only wave to riders you know.

Ride and Ignore

These riders are self involved and could care less about being courteous. If the did wave, it would probably be the middle finger so it is best they don't wave at all.

The View Form My Handlebars

The truth is that we have probably gestured all the above at some point during our rides and the chosen gesture may not have been a reflection of our ideals or mood at that time, but an indication that we may be focused on other things around us. "The View From My Handlebars" is to be yourself and don't apologize for the way you choose to ride. If you offend others by a particular wave or lack there of, that is the other riders issue to deal with. As for me, I wave when the spirit moves me to do so, which is most of the time. For the times I don't wave, I am self involved, lost in my thoughts or just not "feeling the wave" today.

Mervyn

MLR

Your Thoughts on the Motorcycle Wave Here

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The View From My Handlebars

Group Ride, Solo Ride, Just Ride

With the best of the 2009 riding season still to come, I am starting to think ahead as to where I am going to ride and the places I intend to visit this season. Other than the MLR charity events planed, much of my riding will include one bike, one rider with passenger and cruising westward from the hustle and bustle of St. John's and city life.

I am not knocking those large weekly group riders but for me, there are characteristics of group riding that does not blend well with my ADHD and fly's in the face of what riding motorcycle is all about for me, FREEDOM.  There are times when we all need to do things our way, on our time and answer to no one for the choices that we make along the road. I guess that I need this more than most riders and its why I try limit my group riding to charity rides.

Many new riders were drawn in by the "bad ass" image that riding has created over the years or the so called youthful, free spirit feeling that comes from riding but once you slide in the saddle, its all about riding and all that other "image stuff" is lost, at least for most motorcycle enthusiast. If riding motorcycle continues its rise in popularity, it may be eventually re-defined as the choice activity of middle aged, executive or environmentalist and become completely un-cool. What will the image seekers find to do then?

For me, belonging to a motorcycle club or association is not in the cards, in spite of request from many of my club riding friends. The View From My Handlebars is that  what ever your preference, continue to ride safely throughout our province and keep the rubber side down and the chrome side up.

Mervyn

Mid-Life Riders Online

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Topic: Loud Pipes Save Lives

By: Mervyn House - Mid-Life Riders online

I confess that I love the rumble sound of loud pipes like many of my fellow testosterone riders and yes, many estrogen riders as well but it is time to come clean about why we love loud pipes. True, it is to be seen, but not necessarily to be saved. No one can dispute that loud pipes allow riders to be heard before they are seen but there is no distinction that can be drawn from it when relating that to motorcycle safety. There are too many other options available that make far more sense; here is some of the obvious one that comes to mind.

Brain before Loud Pipes.

• Take a motorcycle safety course that will show you how to use your brain to assess the on-road dangers of riding motorcycle which will negate the argument and need for loud pipes.
• Rather than the constant rumble of loud pipes, invest into a horn that sounds like loud pipes and only press it when you feel the need to be seen for the purpose of safety. (Ridiculous, right?)
• Follow the rules of the road. Reduce your speed, keep your distance, don't drink and ride and keep your ride well maintained. (Makes good sense eh?)

I'm not here to take a position on loud pipes, I frankly don't care what riders use or prefer but it insults the intelligence of so many people to say loud pipes is for the purpose of saving lives when we all know it is all about the coolness of that rumble that we are trying to accomplish. Use your brain to save your life and your pipes to emit its exhaust as it is intended, plain and simple. Let us champion our freedom of expression card rather than continue the mantra of "loud pipes save lives". It is ridiculous and insulting to intelligent riders and non-riders alike.

The view from my handlebars is that if the pipes meet or exceed the required environmental standards, the rest should be up to the rider to choose including the decibel level of the pipes. We live in a free and democratic country and I for one would never support the opinions of some to be forced on the masses. What would be next, a custom paint job that may be offensive to others? Where will it end?

Mervyn

Mid-Life Riders Online

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The Ride For Dad - 2009

The View From My Handlebars - Mervyn House

The 2009 Avalon Ride for Dad had 661 people registered and raised $73,900 for prostate cancer and from my handlebars that is truly a success. The goal of all these charity rides is to raise money for their chosen charities and we as riders should never loose sight of that. Congratulations to the organizers and all the volunteers that helped make this ride the success it was.

From my perspective as a rider, I thought everything went very well and although some will find things to moan and complain about, that is not my style even when the shortfalls are obvious. I know first hand how much hard work goes into these ride events and the countless hours of planning to help ensure a successful event. I understand that you can never achieve 100 percent satisfaction when there are those who are out there looking for the things that go wrong rather than the things that go right.

The 2^nd Annual Ride for Senior�s will take place on August 29, 2009 and although not as glitzy, funded and heavily sponsored as the Ride for Dad, the cause is no less important. Seniors need to live their final years with dignity and grace and far too many are lonely, abused and marginalized. If only one quarter of those who had shown up for the Ride For Dad show of for the Ride for Seniors, it will have been a tremendous success.

So, I hope to see many of you motorcycle enthusiast again on August 29, 2009, another day, another charity and another ride on those two wheeled love of our lives. Lets ride together to help the Seniors Resource Centre help the seniors of Newfoundland and Labrador through the great programs and services they provide.

Mervyn House

Mid-Life Riders Online

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