The month of July, the peak of the motorcycle season, and the riding is easy…if you ride safe. We got some neat things happening in this ROADHOUSE, so let's ride…

First off, HOG news. I recently talked with Debbie Miller, Senior Regional Manager for Harley Owner's Group, and she passed on some interesting numbers to me. The Harley Owner's Group now has 460,000 members worldwide. The membership consists of 1100 chapters in 115 countries. The USA boasts 125 chapters and 75,000 members. The WorldWide Manager for HOG, Peggy Lamb, announced the group's new web page goes on line this month. Click on harley-davidson.com for the address. Also HOG license plates have started showing up on the East Coast. Click to www.nydmv.state.ny.us for pictures and information. The plates look great and I plan to pursue an Indiana version this fall. I'll keep you updated.

Group riding is fun? You bet! Is it dangerous? You bet! The rules for group riding in our Club are awaiting final approval by the Sponsor and our Road Captains, however you should get a look at the proposed rules by seeing Chris Hiatt at the next meeting or by calling him. Group riding is a lot of fun, it let's you experience yet another aspect of motorcycling, however it does require concentration and skillful operation of your motorcycle. When riding in a group you assume responsibility for your actions and for the safety of others. Know the Club rules, the skill level of your fellow riders, and follow the directions of your Road Captain.

If you are new or inexperienced at riding with a group, inform the Road Captain before the ride and let him place you in the group in a safe position, usually near the front, so that other riders can watch out for you. Remember that smoothness counts for everything. Late turn signals, erratic weaving, inconsistent and/or abrupt changes in speed, not keeping properly spaced, not using SIPDE (Scan, Identify, Predict, Decide, Execute) can create an unsafe and stressful environment for your group ride.

At our last meeting, Road captain Mike Kelly informed the Chapter that the dinner rides on Friday nights had up to fifty riders involved. With a group that large it is essential that safety be foremost. Remember that Club rides are for members only, we all sign waivers each year to protect the Club from liability, and that non-members who do not have signed waivers could pose a legal problem for our Club. If you are in doubt about your status contact Debbie Sheets. If you are not a member notify the Road Captain immediately. He may assist you with a separate group ride that will not put the Club in jeopardy.

Also remember that if you participate in a group ride and alcohol is involved then the stage is set for an accident. One drink impairs you judgement and your reflex skills. The only way to get alcohol out of your system is time, usually one hour per drink (beer, wine or mixed drink).

Finally, if you're new to the Club or to group riding and want to participate safely, call me and I'll arrange a new member ride. I'll gather up a small number of new riders and one of our Road Captains and we'll do some group cruisin' one weekend or evening.

Call me, and we'll have fun and you will meet some new people.

Ever watch the weatherman on TV and think, "I could do a better job of forecasting the weather than they can"? Studies show you probably could. With that thought in mind, I bring you "Biker Weather Forecasting" (compliments of Camping Secrets, ICS books).

1. Check out the bubbles in your coffee cup. They will ring the edged of the cup when a low-pressure rain system sets in.
2. Wind from the south brings rain in its mouth.
3. Birds sing loudly just before a storm.
4. Wind from the east brings weather that's a beast. Wind from the west brings weather that's best.
5. Watch the weather out west, for tomorrow it will bring you to test. In all likelihood the weather out west will be your weather tomorrow.
6. Evening fog will not burn soon, but morning fog will burn before noon.
7. Rain before seven, dry by eleven.
8. Check out the rainbow. A heavy red color may mean more rain; vibrant rich blue suggest clear skies ahead.
9. Check grass, your bike or your sleeping buddy for the presence of dew in late or early evening. A heavy dew indicates 8 to 12 of good weather.
10. Forgot all of the above a buy a pocket sized weather radio from Radio Shack!

Finally, some notes from my clipboard. The Motorcycle Safety Foundation announced that Harley Davidson appointed Clyde Fessler, Vice President of Business Developments, to the Board of Trustees for the MSF. Harley Davidson has joined with BMW, Ducati, Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha in supporting and assisting the goals for

the Motorcycle Safety Foundation.

Dave Barr will be in central Indiana this September assisting with "Wheels in Motion Rally 99" on September 12. If any of your groups or organizations would like him to appear or speak, contact me as soon as possible and I'll make arrangements. Dave's fee for speaking is at a reduced rate for all Muncie Chapters' Members.

Last but not least, the Experienced Rider at Muncie on September 25th is open for more members. I moved non-members to other classes so that #1277 members can join in with other Club Members for this fun and informative school. Call 1-800-23-ABATE to sign up for this one-day school. Cost is $15.00 (reimbursed by HOG) and graduates receive a patch, certificates and possibly insurance discounts.

I would like to keep ridding, but I can see I'm about out of gas. To "Captain" Kent, Phil and Mike thanks for the memories and sorry about the tunnel. Twice.

Ride Safe………..

Editor's Note:

Our Safety Officer and devoted columnist is now a new struggling member of the computer age. Jim Yaney is now on-line with an email address of: jyaney@mindspring.com. Be sure to include him in your contact list and support his many efforts towards our beloved sport. Be patient however, the 'ol dog is busy trying to learn some new tricks and I've occasionally got to get some sleep! - CH