Franks Biker News June 3rd archive

American Motorcyclist Association announces expansion of free AMA Roadside Assistance program
Three-year membership requires no automatic renewal
PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- Members of the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) have a new way to qualify for free roadside assistance for their motorcycles, cars, trucks, motorhomes and trailers. Effective immediately, all members who purchase a new three-year AMA membership will be enrolled in AMA Roadside Assistance at no additional cost.

Unchanged is the $39 annual fee that AMA members currently pay to belong to the world's largest member-based motorcyclists' rights organization. New three-year members are not required to annually auto-renew to receive free AMA Roadside Assistance.

"Whether members participate in our auto-renewal program, or if they sign up for a three-year membership, the result is the same: cost savings for the AMA," said AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman. "As a member-supported organization, we are happy to pass those savings back to our members in the form of one of the most significant member benefits we've offered in our 85-year history: free AMA Roadside Assistance."

This expanded benefit follows the AMA's introduction in February of free AMA Roadside Assistance for all members who enroll in the AMA's auto-renewal program. Whether riding on two wheels, driving on four, or hauling a trailer, AMA members can take the road less traveled with peace of mind, thanks to AMA Roadside Assistance,

Benefits include coverage for bikes, cars, pickups, motorhomes and trailers registered to the member, the member's spouse and dependent children under the age of 24, living at home or away at college; towing up to 35 miles; flat-tire assistance; coverage in all 50 states, plus Puerto Rico and Canada; emergency fuel delivery; up to five dispatched service calls per year; and toll-free assistance 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, from two national call centers.

In addition, all dispatch and hook-up fees are included, and AMA Roadside Assistance does not require members to seek reimbursement. The program pays first.

AMA Roadside Assistance is just one of more than two dozen benefits that members receive when they join the AMA. Discounts are provided from companies such as Garmin, BikeBandit.com, EagleRider Motorcycle Rentals, XENA Security, Ezy-Lift, RoadLok, Char-Broil, MAD Maps and many more. In addition, members support the world's leading motorcyclists' rights advocacy organization, receive the monthly journal of the AMA, American Motorcyclist, and are eligible to sign up for participation in AMA Racing amateur competition.

For more information about the benefits of AMA membership, call the AMA Member Services Center at (800) AMA-JOIN or visit www.AmericanMotorcyclist.com .

 

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Long-time motorcycle safety author to join AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame this December at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas
PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) is pleased to announce another member of the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Class of 2009: David Hough, acclaimed author of several well-known books on riding techniques. Hough will be among the motorcycling heroes honored at the 2009 induction ceremony at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas this Dec. 5.

"For many new motorcyclists, before they take a training course or even buy a motorcycle, they are introduced to proper riding through the books and columns of David Hough," said AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman. "His comprehensive approach to proper riding technique has pointed many motorcyclists -- novice and veteran alike -- down the right path, and has helped riders learn the skills they need to be safer on the road."

Don Rosene, chairman of the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Committee, added: "Since the first motorcycle was produced for commercial sale, there's been a need for someone to teach the owner how to ride. David Hough's articles on how to ride motorcycles safely have been honored by special awards from the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. His books should be a mandatory read for every motorcyclist, from novice to expert."

Hough is a long-time motorcycle journalist who turned 25 years of experience commuting through city traffic into articles about riding skills and crash avoidance. He is best known for his series, "Proficient Motorcycling," in Motorcycle Consumer News, which has been honored with awards by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. His books include Street Strategies: A Survival Guide for Motorcyclists, Proficient Motorcycling: The Ultimate Guide to Riding Well, and More Proficient Motorcycling: Mastering the Ride.

"By the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame giving me this honor, it's good for me and I appreciate this recognition, but it's bigger than that," Hough said. "It's honoring all the people who write and teach about motorcycle skills and safety, as well as the dealers in the sport who make safety awareness an integral part of selling a motorcycle."

Hough said that one of his main messages is that managing risks is critical regardless of how or where your ride.

"Teaching this idea of safety has been my mission for years. Very few journalists write about riding skills. They write about machines," Hough said. "The secret to riding quickly is don't crash, because crashing ruins your time. It doesn't matter if you want to go out for a putt-putt joy ride or go fast on the racetrack. I think it would be great if all motorcycle organizations, associations and publications would have riding skill seminars and columns on how to manage the risks of riding and how to become a more skillful rider."

Hough is the sixth member announced for the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Class of 2009. He joins off-road racer Randy Hawkins, suspension pioneer Gilles Vaillancourt, off-highway rights activist Mona Ehnes, and industry entrepreneurs and technological trailblazers Geoff and Bob Fox.

Hough, and the other members of the class of 2009, will officially be inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame this Dec. 5 at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Impressive even by Las Vegas standards, with an 84-foot guitar marking the entrance and all the glitz and memorabilia that fans have come to expect at Hard Rock Café locations around the world, the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino has been recently renovated with new rooms, a new convention space and a new concert venue. Ticket information will be announced shortly on the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum website at MotorcycleMuseum.org.

Located on the park-like campus of the AMA in Pickerington, Ohio, the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum honors individuals who have made lasting contributions to protecting and promoting the motorcycle lifestyle. Its members include those who have excelled in racing, road- and off-road riding, pushed the envelope in motorcycle design, engineering and safety, and championed the rights of riders in both the halls of government and the court of public opinion.

The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Committee includes 11 members in addition to the chairman. There are 10 committees, each representing a different aspect of motorcycling. Five represent various racing disciplines, and five represent non-racing interests.

More information about the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame can be found at www.MotorcycleMuseum.org .

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Police seize Hells Angels clubhouse in Welland - Welland Tribune - WELLAND — It has been a rough year for the Niagara Hells Angels.
It’s most influential member, founding president Gerald Ward, is severing a long term in prison.
It’s membership has been so decimated the chapter was forced to bring in out-of-towners to keep their numbers up.
And now, the club is on the verge of being homeless.
During an early Monday morning police raid the gang’s Darby Rd. clubhouse in Welland was seized by the attorney general’s office. The courts will determine how the building will be disposed of or if it will be returned to the property owners, police sources said. Until then, the rural fortress remains in government hands.
About 15 officers from the Niagara Regional Police and Ontario Provincial Police, descended on the clubhouse before 8 a.m., cutting through a lock on a gate at the side of the property.
Armoured in riot gear, they stormed the clubhouse, which turned out to be empty.
“You’re always going to assume the worse case scenario,” said NRP spokeswoman Const. Jacquie Forgeron. “We don’t know if they had a tipoff. … Our members were dressed in full emergency gear. You take all precautions.”
One of the property's owners, Hells Angel Tim Panetta — the last original member of the local chapter — arrived dressed in a black Hells Angels Nomads shirt shortly after the raid.
Police served Panetta with a box of papers. He responded by yelling profanities at police when he was forbidden from entering the clubhouse. There was no physical altercation with police, however. He looked through some of the documents, put the box in his vehicle and sped off.
A number of unmarked police vehicles, including two cube vans and an SUV entered the property. One officer was seen on the outside of the clubhouse on a ladder, moving video surveillance cameras facing down on the property up into the air.
Police in full tactical gear entered the back of the facility, canvassed the property, and opened up a shed at the backyard. Police also took photographs of the facility, prior to having the front gate unlocked by the owner.
Police, Forgeron said, have sent a clear message that they want to get “motorcycle gangs out of Niagara.”
The property, was seized on an exclusive possession warrant that was issued Friday in a Toronto court by Justice Campbell because it “was considered a place where illegal activities took place,” said Forgeron. There are six members of the Hells Angels Niagara Chapter and four known associates.
“The NRP is continuing to effectively dismantle criminal enterprises.”
By using all legal tools available, she said, it enables police to remove “assets derived from criminal activity on property that facilitated criminal activity.”
The clubhouse has been home to the Niagara Hells Angels since 2001, shortly after the chapter was formed.
Forgeron said the government seizure of the clubhouse was driven by evidence gathered during a 2006 joint forces, provincewide police operation called Project Tandem.
The project’s raids resulted in 15 Hells Angels being arrested, including Ward and his lieutenant, Kenneth Wagner.
Last year Wagner was sentenced to 11 years in prison for trafficking cocaine. In March, Ward was sentenced to 14 years, minus five years for pre-trail custody, for trafficking cocaine and instructing people to commit crimes for a criminal organization.
Police sources say the seizure was made by the attorney general's Criminal Remedies for Illicit Activities office. It’s a civil action, rather than a criminal one. Police detectives at the clubhouse, including members of the joint forces Biker Enforcement Unit, were there to execute the order rather than conduct an investigation.
Forgeron said officers were remaining at the scene Monday to prevent anyone from accessing the property.
This is the fourth clubhouse seized in Ontario using a civil action, the others being in Oshawa, Thunder Bay and London, Forgeron said.
It’s the second Niagara clubhouse seized by authorities. Several years ago, the Outlaws clubhouse on Oakdale Ave. in St. Catharines was seized under proceeds of crime legislation. It’s final fate has yet to be decided by the courts.

Hells Angels Fortress:
Constructed in 2001 after the formation of the Niagara Hells Angels chapter, the red and white building is located on Darby Rd. in Welland.
Because of it’s location on a rural road surrounded by farms, it is more difficult for police to monitor than a clubhouse in a suburban location.
Like all outlaw biker clubhouses, it is protected by surveillance systems, fortified doors, fences and obstacles to make access difficult for police.
Originally the headquarters for nine local Hells Angels, the clubhouse’s membership has been reduced to six by police raids and members quitting. Only one original member remains and several others were brought in from out of town to keep the chapter alive.

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Police identify biker killed in Hamilton Township - Pocono Record - The motorcyclist killed in a Sunday night accident in Hamilton Township has been identified. George Wesoloski, 38, of Mount Pocono, was pronounced dead at the scene after his motorcycle crashed on Route 209, just south of the Sciota exit at 8:15 p.m.
According to a police report, Wesoloski lost control while traveling south and went off the road. No other vehicles were involved in the incident. He had been driving a 2008 Honda CBR600RR. An investigation by the state police in Swiftwater is ongoing.
An avid runner, Wesoloski participated in the Pocono Run for the Red Marathon in 2008 and 2009, and also the Steamtown Marathon in 2008.

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2009 'Ride Across Maryland' raises $200000 - Examiner.com - Although the 2009 “Ride Across Maryland” is now in the history books, the memories of the good times, the good-will and the amazing riders and supporters will long be remembered.
The ride began at the Columbia Mall and ended at the Francis Scott Key Resort in Ocean City. The first bikes rolled in to the FSK resort at 12:04 Saturday afternoon. Looking west along Route 50, in a procession that seemed to last forever, group after group of bikes kept coming. Spectators lined up to watch, camera shutters clicked, and bikes just kept coming. Harley’s arrived by the hundreds. Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Victory, BMW and Buell were all well represented. Custom bikes, trikes, antiques, bikes with sidecars and even a Boss Hoss & a Spyder showed up. When they had all pulled in and parked, two huge parking areas were filled to capacity with row upon row of two-wheeled chrome, paint and metal muscle!
Riders shed their gear, stretched their legs and set-out to enjoy all that the “Ride Across Maryland” and a booked-to-capacity Francis Scott Key Resort had to offer. Music, food, socializing, laughter and fun ruled the afternoon. Vendors sold everything biker: boots, vests, patches, belts, pins, t-shirts, jewelry, chaps, and even an assortment of all pink tools! Give-away items including key-chains and side-stand pucks from Maryland Cycle Direct Insurance, and posters, t-shirts and bags from the Maryland Motorcycle Safety Program were available to all. A beautiful day turned into a perfect evening. Carrabba’s restaurant provided dinner to all registered participants. Live music, good spirits and great attitudes made for a fantastic evening for all.
Sunday started with a grey sky that promised rain. What seemed like two drops fell at around 11:00 am, then the clouds parted, the sun came out, and the day warmed into a cloudless and perfect summer day. Group rides seemed to be the theme of the day. Bikes cleared out in the morning as various groups headed off in their own directions. Activities around the FSK Resort were low-key throughout the afternoon, until the groups began to trickle back in from their rides. A dinner served by the Outback restaurant hit the spot just before the evening wrap-up festivities began.
At around 8:00 pm, Dick Gelfman took the stage in the entertainment tent and thanked everyone who participated in making this years ride a huge success. Dick thanked the staff of the “Ride Across America" foundation, which is made up of all volunteers, except for one paid part-time employee. He recognized all of the Corporate Sponsors. The highlights of the evening were the awards presentations, the raffles and the donation to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation.
First, second and third place awards were provided for: largest “ride-team” and the most funds raised by a ride-team, a couple and an individual. “Team Outback” from the Glen Burnie Outback restaurant took the award for most ride members and most funds raised, with over $59,000 in total donations. 
Raffles came next. In the true spirit of the weekend, charity and generosity stole the day. A hand-made quilt was raffled. The winner then sold the quilt to another participant for $1,000. Then, both the winner and the buyer donated the quilt and the $1,000 back to the “Ride Across Maryland” foundation! The 50/50 raffle netted another lucky winner over $400, which she also donated back to the “Ride Across Maryland.”
Prior to turning the stage over to the band “Flipside” for the evening entertainment, Dick presented the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation a check for $200,000, the amount raised by the 2009 “Ride Across Maryland!” To date, the Ride Across Maryland foundation has donated approximately 2.7 million dollars to breast cancer research through the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation.

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Motorcycle event raises money for cancer research - Burlington Hawk Eye - For the past three years, local bikers have gathered and hit the open highway to battle cancer -- a disease that has killed many of their family members and friends.
Never the kind to back down from a fight, area bikers will again unite Saturday to battle the deadly disease during the third annual Full Throttle for Life! Run for Fun.
Proceeds raised by ABATE, a statewide motorcycle organization that stands for A Brotherhood Aimed Toward Education, will go directly to the American Cancer Society.
"So many of my friends have died from cancer, and I believe we should do all we can to get a cure for this stuff," said local biker and district 18 ABATE member Ron Steele.
The event began in honor of Ron's wife, Jeanie Steele, who died of small cell cancer in 2005. ABATE has raised more than $12,000 for the American Cancer Society since the event started three years ago, and members are hoping to raise even more money this year.
Jeff Edwards, owner of the Green Bay Tap in Wever, is one of the main organizers of the ride. He helped organize the past two rides as a tribute to his parents, both of whom died of cancer.
"It (cancer) has affected us all," Edwards said. "We invite everyone to attend."
The 280-mile ride will start at noon at the Crazy Coyote, 2505 Mount Pleasant St., with sign-up from 10:30 a.m. to noon. From there, the bikers will weave their way to various bars in West Point, Donnellson, Montrose, Keokuk and Niota, and will end up at Edwards' bar in Wever.
Those who participate will receive a playing card from each bar they visit, and the top three hands comprised of the playing cards will be awarded cash prizes.
The party will be far from over once everyone reaches the Green Bay Tap. Food and beer will be served starting at 2 p.m., and four bands -- Kross Kountry, Jefferson County Green Band, Rock Steady and the Smokin' MoJo Kings -- will play through the night.
A silent auction will be part of the activities, though Edwards said the group is still in need of either items or money donations. Some of the items that will be up for auction include a wheelchair ramp, tattoos from Starr Asylum, gift certificates for area businesses, such as Catfish Bend Casino, and two hours worth of free drinks, food and pool for 10 people at the Green Bay Tap.
Those who donate money also will have their name engraved on a plaque that will hang inside the Green Bay Tap.
This year's event will honor McKinsey Winslow, a 10-year-old Burlington girl diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Winslow hopes to become a doctor when she grows up so she can help other children with leukemia.
Last year's event was in honor of Dennis "Tunk" Fritz, who died last year with thymic carcinoma. His mother, Carol Fritz, continues to participate in the event to help other families stricken with cancer.
"We're doing this for the American Cancer Society so no other parent will have to suffer and watch their child pass away. We need to get a cure for this cancer, and the only way to do it is with money," Carol Fritz said.
Local band Poppa Squat will play during registration.
Participation is $5 for ABATE members and $7 for non-members. All types of vehicles are welcome.
For more questions or to make a cash or item donation to the auction, call Red at (319) 931-5039 or JeAnna Cox at (319) 750-5018.

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Crash biker is named - Wigan Today - The Wigan motorcyclist who died in an accident on the most dangerous road in the country has been named.
Antony Burrows, 30 of Windsor Street, Wigan, came off his blue Yamaha shortly after midday on Monday on the A54
Buxton Road near to the village of Bosley.
Mr Burrows was taken to Macclesfield Hospital but died later that day.
No other vehicle was involved in the crash, the cause of which has yet to be determined.
The A54 – commonly referred to as the Cat and Fiddle Road – is known to attract hundreds of bikers at Bank Holidays.
Anyone with information about the fatal accident should ring Cheshire
PC Dave Alexander on 01244 613694.