Happy New Year!

Objects & Calendars by R. Bruce Thomas Saying Happy New Year at the end of January always feels a little weird but this is the first AMSS dispatch of the year so it fits. And so far, 2024 is off to a very Happy start. Of course, we had that Read more…

The Bucket List

Prepare for Safe Success by R. Bruce Thomas Here we are at the beginning of the last month of 2023 and we’ve only had a small amount of snow. And it didn’t stick around. This nice weather makes me sad as my bike has been parked since October 7, meaning Read more…

What’s Next?

Reflection and looking forward by R. Bruce Thomas How is it that we are at the end of October already and there has already been snow on the ground? This year seems to have just sped by and riding season is over for most people. However, looking back at it, Read more…

Some Random Thoughts…

After a summer of riding! by R. Bruce Thomas 1 – For many years I’ve worn Motoport Kevlar riding overpants and jacket. I bought it for the protection the gear offers me and know it works after “road testing” it when I got t-boned. I never counted on the entertainment Read more…

Heading South

Big and small considerations for a successful trip by: R. Bruce Thomas With all the border restrictions finally removed it is likely that people are finally looking at heading south of the 49th to ride some of the many great roads in the United States. Perhaps you have a hankering Read more…

See and Be Seen

Spring Tips to Consider by: R. Bruce Thomas Wow. It’s that time of year again. Have you been out riding yet? We didn’t get tons of snow over the winter so many roads are bare and dry as long as you don’t go out too early when there could still Read more…

To dream an impossible dream?

Maybe Someday by R. Bruce Thomas Motorcycles are dangerous. Ask anyone. Ask your Mom. The thing is, motorcycles are not dangerous. Granted, you can suffer greater injury if you are involved in a crash while riding a motorcycle than if you were in a car, but that doesn’t make the Read more…

Safety at the Speed of Light

Visibility Tips by R. Bruce Thomas A recent conversation with AMSS Board Member Jon Watchuk turned, not surprisingly, to the topic of safety features in automobiles that have an impact on the safety of motorcyclists. The presence on many vehicles now of Blind Spot Warning (BSW) lights on side mirrors Read more…

That ‘Little Voice’

Listen up when something just doesn’t feel right by R. Bruce Thomas It was late at night and the Trans Canada Highway was dark and empty as Norm and I got closer to our destination – Kirkland Lake, ON. I was leading the way and had my high beams and Read more…

Ride Like a Girl!

Tips from women to women! by: R. Bruce Thomas Last year I sent out a request to my riding friends asking for input into what became a three-part series here called Advice For (new) Riders. This year, at the suggestion of my little sister who had her own Kawasaki KZ400 Read more…

Why we do what we do!

Insight into AMSS by: R. Bruce Thomas The tagline on the Alberta Motorcycle Safety Society web site says “Safety, Education, and Awareness for Alberta Motorcycle Riders”.  As an organizational slogan this seems to be pretty succinct and a fitting goal for the group. But a group is made up of Read more…

Why We Crash

Winter reading, plus an Art Gallery surprise! by R. Bruce Thomas In the off season, one thing I like to do is plan rides and trips for the upcoming summer riding. This keeps me thinking about riding and gets me excited and ready to ride once the roads clear up. Read more…

Your Right Wrist

Give it a rest by R. Bruce Thomas As I followed my new friend Mark along I-15 I noticed he was tapping his hand to the music. What struck me as odd was it was his right hand on his right leg. We were cruising and his efforts at being Read more…