Franks Biker News June 6th archive

Measure would put California's Chappie-Shasta OHV Area under Bureau of Land Management control
PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) applauds the U.S. House of Representatives for approving House Resolution 689 on June 2, which would put the Chappie-Shasta Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Area in California solely under the control of the federal Bureau of Land Management (BLM).

The measure, introduced by U.S. Rep. Wally Herger (R-Calif.), now goes to the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee for further consideration.

The Chappie-Shasta OHV Area near Redding in northern California currently is under the control of both the BLM and the U.S. Forest Service, which creates a dual bureaucracy for users of the land.

"For years, many of my constituents have raised their concerns over difficulties in dealing with two federal agencies to use one OHV area," Herger said in a speech on the House floor. "Issues such as duplicative permits-at substantial and unnecessary cost to the users-and even different opening dates for the same area have resulted in frustration from the thousands of users, from across California and elsewhere, who try to cope with this redundant management."

To read Herger's floor statement, click here: www.americanmotorcyclist.com/legisltn/herger_bill_passes_house_06-02-09.pdf 

The resolution represents collaborative efforts between the federal lawmaker and the local OHV community, including the Redding Dirt Riders.

"This is a great example of how a local OHV community can work with a federal lawmaker to get needed changes made," said Ed Moreland, AMA vice president for government relations. "But while the measure has cleared the House, it still needs to earn full Senate approval. Concerned riders are encouraged to contact their U.S. Senators to encourage them to support H.R. 689 and approve it as quickly as possible."

OHV enthusiasts can get more information about the AMA's position on access to public land at "Position in Support of Access to Public Lands" under "AMA Position Statements" in the "Resources" section under "Rights" at the AMA website at AmericanMotorcyclist.com  .
About the American Motorcyclist Association
Since 1924, the AMA has protected the future of motorcycling and promoted the motorcycle lifestyle. AMA members come from all walks of life, and they navigate many different routes on their journey to the same destination: freedom on two wheels. As the world's largest motorcycling organization, the AMA advocates for motorcyclists' interests in the halls of local, state and federal government, the committees of international governing organizations, and the court of public opinion. Through member clubs, promoters and partners, the AMA sanctions more motorsports competition and motorcycle recreational events than any other organization in the world. AMA members receive money-saving discounts from dozens of well-known suppliers of motorcycle services, gear and apparel, bike rental, transport, hotel stays and more. Through its Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum, the AMA preserves the heritage of motorcycling for future generations.

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Pictures From D&D Open Pipe Team - Chris Carr Racing

Posted: 03 Jun 2009 10:44 AM PDT
D&D Performance Enterprises sponsors Chris Carr Racing. D&D has developed a series of exhaust pipe solutions that Crew Chief Kenny Tolbert uses to tune the power deliver of the engine for the changing conditions of the racetrack.
Pictures provided by Aaron Whitney of D&D Performance Enterprises.

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Biker dies after crash with cars - BBC News - A 23-year-old man has died following a collision between two cars and a motorbike on Skye.
Oliver Mulford, from Portree, died after his motorcycle was involved in the crash at 1853 BST on Thursday.
Police said the collision occurred on the A87 about two miles south of Portree.
Northern Constabulary appealed for anyone who was in the area at the time of the crash to contact them with any information.

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Hotel occupancy down in SC during bike rallies - The Times and Democrat - MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. - Those new rules on biker rallies in Myrtle Beach seem to be having an effect, as hotel occupancy was down sharply during last month’s rallies.
The Brittain Center for Resort Tourism at Coastal Carolina University reports occupancy at Myrtle Beach hotels was down 40 percent during the Harley Davidson Rally. Occupancy during the later Bikefest over Memorial Day was down almost 30 percent.
The center says declines at hotels outside the city were not as steep.
Myrtle Beach recently passed nearly a dozen laws to discourage biker rallies, including a tougher noise ordinance as well as helmet and anti-loitering ordinances.
The center predicts hotel occupancy in the area for the next month is expected to be about the same as last year.

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Rolling with the family at Americade - Albany Times Union - LAKE GEORGE -- Likening their annual trip to a family reunion, Tim and Irene Libby are two of more than 50,000 motorcyclists cruising the streets of Lake George this week. 
For the past 25 years the Falmouth, Maine, couple has taken a week's vacation to volunteer at Americade, the world's largest multi-brand touring motorcycle rally. They judge motorcycles and help administer events, meeting enthusiasts from across the country.
"It's like a family and you're tightknit," Irene said. "The last time you saw them was a year ago, but you just pick up where you leave off, talking about how things have been and how the kids are doing."
The biker couple said they have one of the hardest jobs: Picking out the best cycles from among the many participants that have put months of time and thousands of dollars into their machines.
"We're always up here morning to night," Tim said. "But it's what we love. We connect with the people here and a lot of the people we meet we end up corresponding with throughout the year."
Americade floods the lakeside town with two-wheelers for motorcycle demos, seminars, a vendor area and other motorcycle events. It ends this weekend with a grand parade Saturday morning.
The event is known for being more family-friendly, the Libbys said, with local police enforcing laws such as noise regulations to keep things from getting too rowdy. This makes for a more easygoing atmosphere than other biker events and allows for better camaraderie, they said.
"When you come up to an intersection it doesn't matter whether you drive a Honda, a Harley or whatever, you'll get the wave just like anybody else," said Irene as she mimicked the movement with a smile. "You're all equal."
But the enforcement might be a little too tight for some.
Some bikers at the event this year, such as Tony Santabarbara of Glenville, said cops have taken advantage of bikers and ticketed excessively in the past. He cited an example last year when he had to pay a $200 fine for failing to have a proper registration sticker on his bike, despite having it in hand.
"People feel like it's hostile here. They feel more welcome at rallies in Florida," said Santabarbara. "Let people come out and help keep things safe, but let them keep the revenue they're bringing in."
Dressed in leather vests adorned in chrome chains and American flag patches, bikers Blaze and Scotty said they haven't noticed police as a problem this year.
The duo from Revere, Mass., wouldn't give their last names. They insisted the first names embroidered on their vest was enough.
Walking around the trade show floor, they said Americade is great for being one central place in the Northeast to buy whatever they need and have professional work done on their bikes. But it's also a social event, and for many, it's their only vacation all year, Blaze said.
"Whatever these people are in their everyday regular lives, they aren't that right now, they're just motorcycle enthusiasts," Blaze said. "It's a common thing that keeps people coming back every year. Whether they're a lawyer or mechanic, it doesn't matter."
Humberto Martínez can be reached at 454-5057 or by e-mail at hmartinez@timesunion.com

Americade schedule highlights

Today
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Seminars, clinics, and motorcycle demos, Roaring Brook Ranch
9 a.m. to 6 p.m.: TourExpo Tradeshow, Million Dollar Beach
6:15 to 9:30 p.m.: Dinner, awards ceremony and fireworks display, Great Escape

Saturday
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.: TourExpo Tradeshow, Million Dollar Beach
10 to 10:30 a.m.: Parade procession through Lake George
11:40 a.m.: Mountaintop BBQ, followed by party on Prospect Mountain
Complete schedule at http://www.tourexpo.com 

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Newport prepares for biker rally - The Newport Plain Talk - A biker rally at English Mountain Dragway that could draw hundreds, perhaps even thousands, of motorcyclists, begins this afternoon and continues through Sunday. Law enforcement agencies are beefing up their manpower to handle excess traffic and any possible vehicle violations, Newport Police Chief Maurice Shults said Wednesday. "Safe, fun, and economical" is the motto of the three-day event, organizer Glen Almany said Wednesday. "We won't allow anyone (to attend the rally) who has an attitude, weapons, or glass containers," Almany said. He said anyone who breaks any of those rules will immediately be escorted to the front gate, handed over to police and charged with criminal trespassing, Almany said. Almany said he has no way of knowing how many bikers will attend the rally-perhaps as little as 500, and as much as 5,000. Almany said there will be motorcycle racing for three hours on Friday, three hours on Saturday, and two hours on Sunday. There will also be a blessing of the motorcycles on Saturday.

The cost to participants is $35 a day per person, which includes camping accommodations, Almany said. He also said those bikers who attend church on Sunday morning will get a pass to let them in free to the rally for that day. Newport Police Chief Shults said, "We are working with the county sheriff's office and the Tennessee Highway Patrol to have extra manpower" at the event. He added, "Our goal is to keep the city streets safe." Shults said all RV camping spots have been booked in advance, and that he expects "a minimum" of 2,500 bikers will attend. "We have an action plan in place to handle (excess) traffic," Shults said. "We'll have zero tolerance on vehicle violations," he added. The slogan on signs promoting the "Motorcycle Rally at the Strip" is, "It Gets No Better Than This."

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Heaven�s Saints to be in Americus - Americus Times-Recorder - Biker Sunday is what it is being deemed, and it is being hosted by Heaven’s Saints Motorcycle Ministry at Journey’s Road Ministries in Americus Sunday at 10:30.
The title of the event brings forth a number of story ideas.
William Seagraves, Christian Blues artist, will be on hand to perform sp•ecial songs, while Curtis Jamieson, Heaven’s Saints International President, will be the guest speaker.
Bikers are encouraged to meet at Wal-Mart in Americus at 9:45, and kickstands will be up at 10:15.
So, what is Biker Sunday all about? And who are these Saints who plan on rolling into town?
The Heaven’s Saints Motorcycle Ministry provides a Christian brotherhood of bikers to fellowship with and minister alongside each other. Though a majority of the members are bikers, owning a motorcycle is not a requirement to be part of this ministry.
Chapters of the organization can be found all over the U.S. and in some parts of Canada. Local chapters are formed when there are at least seven members in an area. The nearest chapters in Georgia are Monroe, Albany, and Tifton.
Jamieson said, “We chose to come to Americus because we have members in Americus, who are a part of our TIfton chapter.”
The group’s purpose has been as Jamieson said, “To get the gospel out. We want to assist in guiding others into a personal relationship with God and His Son, Jesus.”
“Our group is the other side of the coin with ‘motorcycle groups.’ Most people see all the cain raising and partying and they have the perception that motorcyclists are evil and scary and that is not us.”
He added, “We promote Jesus.”
The group meets at Wal Mart on Sunday at 9:45.
The Times-Recorder will have an in-depth interview with Curtis Jamieson in Sunday print and online editions detailing his personal testimony of coming from a “Hell’s Angels” type of life to a Heaven’s Saint life, as well as describing the motorcycle ministry.

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Motorcycle run for ARC Headwaters will come through Crookston Saturday - Crookston Daily Times - Do you like motorcycles? Do you like 80s hair metal? Do you like food? If you answered yes to these questions, you will not believe what Jeff Durbin has in store for you! 
Jeff Durbin, an operator at the Polk County Transfer Station in Crookston, is on the committee for a motorcycle run this weekend. This will be a fundraiser for ARC Headwaters, a non-profit organization that provides advocacy for children and adults with disabilities. The ARC works to increase public awareness and improve public policies, along with support for those affected and their families. Approximately 5,300 people belong to ARC Headwaters, the organization's Minnesota chapter.
The motorcycle run starts Saturday morning in East Grand Forks and runs through Crookston, on to Red Lake Falls and up to Thief River Falls before ending in Grand Forks. Registration will be in the parking lot of the Blue Moose from 8:30 to 10:00 a.m.. Single riders pay $40, but for those of you with a special biker babe in your life, two riders can register on the same bike for $50. The ride will be approximately 90 minutes to Thief River Falls, where you can treat yourself to a burger bar for a very reasonable $10. From there you will take a straight shot back to Grand Forks at a leisurely pace of 55 mph, arriving at River City Speedway around 4:30. There, you will indulge in a steak dinner with a baked potato, which is covered in the registration cost. Following will be a $5 raffle, with prizes including a grand prize pen and ink original artwork from 1954 entitled "Harley Davidson Soldier" valued at $350.
At 6:30, the gates open for a concert by the band "Hairball," a tribute band from Minneapolis that covers a wide range of rockers including Twisted Sister and Loverboy. The concert starts at 8:00, and all you rabble rouser have to settle down by 11 p.m. by order of city noise ordinance. The cost of the concert is included with the initial registration fee.
Those of you who don't yet know the thrill of the open road are more than welcome to tag along in your own vehicle. For all of you kids at heart out there, this is a great way to spend your weekend, so dust off those leather chaps and fuel up that old hog: Adventure awaits you this Saturday.