Good for trains, tough on motorcycles by R. Bruce Thomas Wedged wheels, mangled mirrors, pummelled panniers, and broken body parts. The more I read, the more I got freaked out. And I had many months through the winter of 2009 to remain in that state since Google Street View didn't exist yet to allow me to have a closer look. I'm not sure what it is about train tracks, but they definitely freak out a...
Read moreA Cautionary Tale By: R. Bruce Thomas It was 4:30 AM and the smell of burning rubber had been hanging heavy in the cool, early morning air for about 15 minutes as Norm and I rode through the Kaibab National Forest in Northern Arizona. I mentioned to Norm that something was very weird about this situation. The smell seemed totally out of place since there weren’t any skid marks on the pavement and there was...
Read moreKhan you hear me now? By: R. Bruce Thomas The day had begun like most; we'd risen, had breakfast, packed the bikes (our friend Mac was along with us), and hit the road. Our usual pattern had us riding for about an hour and a half before stopping for a mid-morning snack and coffee. An oddity this morning occurred about an hour into our ride when Mary flicked a small ant off of my shoulder....
Read moreThe Sequel By: R. Bruce Thomas Quick show of hands. How many have been out riding already this year? Spring came early and March had some very nice days, as did April, and here we are at the end of May. Well, let’s call it the start of June since beginnings are usually better than endings. Another quick show of hands. How many are tired of this global pandemic and are feeling cooped up and Read more…
And other slow speed maneuvers By: R. Bruce Thomas One of the young fellows at the office had purchased a Kawasaki Ninja 300 near the end of the previous riding season and had done a small amount of riding before winter. He was confident that his years of driving a car would make it easy to ride a motorcycle and entertained thoughts of buying a BMW S 1000 RR over the winter. I suggested he Read more…
Riding By: R. Bruce Thomas & Friends** Just as in real life, where there are always things beyond our control or influence, it is important to understand when riding a motorcycle that you can’t control other vehicles, so be in control of your own. Hopefully, all that recommended reading in the previous installment has you in that “being in control” frame of mind, so let’s delve into riding tips. To start with, it’s important to Read more…
Training & Learning By: R. Bruce Thomas & Friends** In his 2016 book Far and Wide: Bring That Horizon to Me!, the late Neil Peart used only eight words to acknowledge the ever-present risks which every rider should be aware of, while articulating a safety-conscious approach to riding that I’ve always tried to adhere to: “Whatever happens, it must never be my fault”. So how do we do that? With all that happens in the Read more…
Your Motorcycle By: R. Bruce Thomas & Friends Happy New Year everyone! Yes, it’s February, but the AMSS doesn’t put out a News Update in January so here we are wishing you a Happy New Year and yearning for new beginnings in February. Which, although a month late by the calendar, is perfect timing for the topic at hand. With motorcycle sales having increased in 2020 there may be a lot of new riders out Read more…
Things that can kill you! By: R. Bruce Thomas A dozen years ago my wife and I enjoyed a few days of riding in BC’s Kootenay region before heading to Vernon for a visit with her brother and his family. To get from one region to another we had to take the Needles-Fauquier Ferry and then cross the Monashee Mountain Range on Hwy 6. The entire south-central region of BC is a glorious motorcycle playground Read more…
It’s not just for when you’re riding! By: R. Bruce Thomas It was a Wednesday and I was sitting in the Emergency Room wearing shorts when a fellow in a wheelchair got rolled up beside me. His left leg was extended straight out in a full cast and was supported by a brace on the chair. After a few minutes I said “That doesn’t look like fun.” “No, it’s not”, he replied. “Last Saturday I Read more…
Quality Time By: R. Bruce Thomas The screaming started almost immediately. One of the ladies who worked with my wife confided one day that riding on a motorcycle was an item on her bucket list, and she wondered if I would consider taking her for a ride. Mary came home and informed me of the request. Let’s call this lady “Bonnie”, and I knew her from corporate social events. Sure. I have no problem taking Read more…
Lock it or lose it by: R. Bruce Thomas My wife was on the verge of crying when I answered the phone. She couldn’t find our van. With errands to run after work she’d driven to the transit station in the morning rather than walking. Once she got off the train at the end of the day there was another vehicle in the space where she’d parked. I drove over to get her, and our Read more…
What’s in your pannier? by: R. Bruce Thomas Twenty-sixteen was the 100th Anniversary of the formation of the National Park Service in the United States and my buddy Norm and I thought it would be an appropriate year to tackle the Iron Butt Association’s (IBA) National Parks Tour (NPT) Master Traveler Award, which requires visiting at least 50 National Parks/Historic Sites in at least 25 States/Provinces within a 12 month period. We also decided we Read more…
Increased safety through variable lane positioning By: R. Bruce Thomas One of the main points mentioned when it comes to motorcycle safety is the importance of being visible. Oftentimes the conversation is around wearing bright colors, attaching reflective striping to your bike and your gear, and modifying your lighting so you stand out. Lane position is a critical piece of the visibility puzzle. A buddy of mine, I’ll call him Greg, recently got his first Read more…
Carry a good supply of liquid & use it wisely! By: R. Bruce Thomas The human body is made up of anywhere between 45-65% water, depending on your gender. For women it is between 45-60% and men range from 50-65%. The makeup of your individual organs also varies with, for example, your heart and brain being 73% water, lungs are 83%, skin is 64% and bones are 31%. Water, in the form of perspiration, acts Read more…
How to avoid a sore back in the morning! By: R. Bruce Thomas Yes, I’m calling many of you big, tough riders a Princess. And I can understand how that might upset you. And I’m OK with that as I think I now have your attention. Think back to when you were young, or when you had young children, and recall the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale called The Princess and the Pea. A Prince Read more…
Not just a winter thing By: R. Bruce Thomas Ok, show of hands. How many are sensing a theme here? Full points if you guessed H2O. We started with rain, then water crossings, and now we have snow. But at least winter’s almost over and you’ll be riding soon. So “Why snow?” you may ask. Well, riding in the mountains is one of the most amazing experiences a person can have. Having shed the cage, Read more…
Ferries are meant to be enjoyed! By: R. Bruce Thomas At some point in your touring adventures you will have to make a water crossing. I’m not talking about slogging your bike through knee deep water like the off-road guys do. I’m talking about ferries. My wife and friends and I have ridden ferries around the world and they are all pretty much the same. Ride on, grab a coffee and enjoy the crossing, then Read more…
It’s not all that bad. By: R. Bruce Thomas For many people, the only thing worse than experiencing PMS (Parked Motorcycle Syndrome) during the winter months is riding in the rain in the summer, so let’s fix that this time out. Close your eyes. Imagine it’s not February. Imagine it’s a sunny summer day and you’re riding your motorcycle. Imagine someone is whispering in your ear telling you to open your eyes so you can Read more…
Toss the gauge for something better. By: R. Bruce Thomas There’s no easy way to say this so, just like ripping a bandage off, here goes. If you’re still using a tire pressure gauge before every ride you’re wasting your time and putting your safety at risk. I’ve ridden all over North America riding as much as 32,700 km in 31 days and never once put a tire pressure gauge onto my tires. I know. Read more…
Support those who support motorcycle safety! Christmas is less than 2 months away and people are likely planning what to buy their loved ones. We have some suggestions for those 2-wheel loving family members and friends in your life! First and foremost, a huge thank you to all of our Corporate Members for their support of motorcycle safety and awareness on Alberta roads. Without you guys, we are missing a key component to everyone coming Read more…
Quick temperature changes happen By: Debbi Serafinchon Deciding to head out for a ride when the sun is shining is really a no-brainer. I mean seriously, the sun is shining what else could possibly be more important than sitting in the saddle and enjoying? What we don’t always remember at this time of year is once that sun starts setting, it tends to get a little chilly. As the season starts to change, so should Read more…
What you should consider By: Debbi Serafinchon There is nothing that beats the feeling of the road rushing by just inches from your feet and the wind in your face. As riders, we love the freedom the road affords us and every chance we get, you will find us behind the bars. You wouldn’t be the first motorcyclist to spark awe in a child or non-rider enough that they may ask you to take them Read more…
Proper Fit and Quality are Key! By: Jon Watchuk Pictures courtesy of Motovan via Cycle Works The AMSS has always had a focus on good fitting, quality gear. As a last line of defense, when all else has gone sideways, gear may be the difference between walking away in disgust and being carted away on a stretcher. The key elements often mentioned are quality and fit, yet surprisingly for us the most important is not Read more…
Alberta Rider’s Tips and Tricks By: Debbi Serafinchon You’ve probably all heard the saying “you can be right, but on a motorcycle, you’ll be dead right.” Even if you follow all the rules of the road, you are vulnerable on 2 wheels. The Alberta Motorcycle Safety Society works hard at educating both drivers and riders on our roadways. We put out public service announcements through our media sponsors. We continue to attend tradeshows to create Read more…