BMMC July  Rider Training Update

Click here for July Training Newsletter on Defensive Riding

July 2008
 

1. We have had some spectacular riding weather the last several weeks, which always brings a smile to the motorcycle rider in all of us. It really doesn’t get any better than this.

The Santa Fe Chile Run was a rousing success with terrific weather (unless you got caught in the rain and hail, of course) to explore the beautiful scenery of New Mexico’s northern half. Something for everyone, from the twistiest of twisties to straight and level, you had a chance to try your skills at all of it.

2. As with tradition (a Vickie’ism) there was no July BMMC meeting and, thus, no safety topic covered. However, there is a topic that keeps cropping into conversations dealing with “close-call” non-incidents where you can sense that maybe some riders aren’t paying as close attention to what’s going on around them as they should. Fortunately, we’ve been pretty lucky and maintain a very good safety record. But are there things we could do to improve? Sure.

If you had to guess at a single area that gets most riders in trouble, what would be your guess? Weather? No. Twisties? No. Traffic? No, again. Give up? Not paying enough attention to the task at hand of riding your motorcycle tops the list. Why is that? You’d think that because you were in control of hundreds of pounds of moving metal, totally exposed, that you’d pay attention. For one thing, distractions play a part (from adjusting your iPod to fiddling with your GPS). But by far the biggest culprit is not staying aware of what’s happening around you as you ride down the road. For some reason situation awareness tends to take a back seat where close-calls, incidents and accidents are involved. If you’re not planning your next defensive move, you’re behind the proverbial power curve already.

3. This month’s topic, entitled “The Best Offense Is a Good Defense”, offers some thoughts and techniques on the subject.

 Again, ride safely and thanks for your time.

Gene Adee
BMMC Rider Training Coordinator

Back Home