It's Almost Spring

Believe it or not; a new riding season is nearly here, ready to be traveled and taken
advantage of. Many of us, especially here in the northern parallels, have been eagerly
anticipating the ever-elusive season for months - Spring. We've spent the past winter
dreaming of new adventures, destinations, and roads not traveled. Some of us have spent
the downtime shining our steeds, while others have added new supplements of chrome and
gadgetry that are just waiting to be shown off and praised. Now the time has arrived for us
to swing our legs over our majestic machines. crank those mills of power, and crack the
throttle to let our rides once again breathe. But wait, what kind of safety skills column would
this be if we didn't go over some items to consider before we settle in and soar down the
paved path to new journeys? Before I give you a chance to answer, let's dive right into
some discussion.

We need to realize that it may have been up to six months for some of us since our last
ride, and the time lapsed should be at the top of our consideration list. After not using our
riding skills for a long while, we have a tendency to lose our sharpness and edge. We're not
on top of our game as we were when we put our rides away for their winter naps, plus our
mental and physical skills have weakened. What can we do about this, you ask. To start
with, keep your initial rides short. Let your muscles redevelop the movements and muscle
memory they need, not only for riding, but perhaps for survival. Your wrists and hands
probably didn't do much riding-related movement over the dark season. Don't forget those
legs and the rest of your body either. Not many of us work or relax in the same position as
we ride, so muscles tend to become tired and sore during the "retraining" process. Fatigue
is a form of impairment, and you could put yourself in a dangerous situation without even
realizing it. Anything that takes away from riding at 100 percent of your ability should be
considered impairment. The problem with fatigue is that it sneaks up slowly, and you may
find out at the wrong time that your body and brain cannot react properly because of
fatigue-induced impairment. Not good. So consider building up your riding "strength" slowly
and steadily. Riding experience and saddle time should relate to each new season as well
as your overall riding history.

Okay, we understand the need to practice, retrain ourselves, and just take things slowly at
first, but what about those other risks and dangers like cars, trucks. and SUVs? Research
has gathered plenty of information evidencing an excessive amount of accidents each
spring. And, in some cases. statistics show that there are more accidents (percentagewise)
with motorcycles and cars during the first few weeks of Spring than throughout the whole
riding season. Some reasons for these stats include what we've discussed - fatigue and
riding skills insufficient to prevent a conflict - while others relate to other vehicles. They are
not use to seeing us after our absence, and a lot of time do not see us no matter what time
of year it is.

We've all heard the number one statement from cagers: "I didn't see him." Even after
hearing this over and over, most of us still find it a poor excuse - and
though it is, there are some valid reasons for it. Many of us take for granted that we can be
seen. "I see every motorcycle I pass" is a statement I've heard a lot. That's because we are
bikers; we're in tune to bikes and love not only riding them but seeing them. Being in tune
enhances our sense of awareness, like buying a new car and then noticing the same model
everywhere, or quitting smoking and then feeling surrounded by smokers, and so on. We're
in tune to motorcycling and motorcyclists. but most drivers aren't, and it shows in the
statistics. So what can we do to prevent the infamous left-turner or that driver from ruining
our day by pulling out from a side street? Again remember that you and the rest of the
riding population have been absent from the roads for many months. Just like we have to
take time to retrain ourselves, it takes time for the driving population to "see" us again ... at
least, we hope they will. Some folks state to ride like your invisible; that may be a good
approach, but never stop trying to be visible at the same time.

There are other simple things we can do to help the process. Lane positioning is a great
way to avoid a potential mishap. Ride within the lane that gives the best view for you to
those around plus consider where your best viewing/scanning vision works. Constantly
adjust position and speed for changing conditions. Another way to be seen is to wear bright
gear. Trust me: Black may be cool, sleek, sexy; mysterious, and rebellious, but black does
not fall into the spectrum of bright colors. Consider a light-colored helmet or riding gear for
increased visibility. Finally, why not think about taking a rider safety skills course. You can
find one in your area or checking our Sponsoring Partners list. The cost of the program is
definitely cheaper that most of those parts you put on your bike over the winter and without
a doubt cheaper than an unforeseen ambulance ride.

So head out there and take the road with vengeance from the winter and remember to keep
those eyes up and the rubber down. Consider the risks and keep learning. The more you know, the better it gets. Have a safe riding season!