THE ENDLESS RIDE

December is already upon us. Over the course of this year, our safety articles were aimed at helping many of us to become smarter, safer and more skilled riders.

I would like to close the year with one very simple but final thought:

The safest and most skilled riders have a lot in common to sports teams in general. Both continue to practice skills and techniques while always trying to get better.

So for each of us when it is that time to ride, we just pick any feature of our riding skills and consciously practice it. For example, a great way to practice those Group riding skills is by attending one of our group riding skills sessions offered every third Saturday of the month. If slow speed skills, maneuvers and turns need some polish, then attend one of our slow speed skills classes offered 8 months of the year on the first Sunday after the chapter meeting.

Most of us can polish and practice making more precise smoother turns, smoother starts, good braking techniques or anything else we can think of that can use some improvement.

It’s during these rides we should practice the skills until we are comfortable with them. Soon, the skills will become good solid safe riding habits.

The endless ride continues even after the bike has been put away. This is now a good time to assess what skills may need more polishing for our next ride.

In closing, it has been both a privilege and a pleasure to serve as your Safety Officer for 2006. I wish to sincerely thank the hard work, dedication and efforts by our dependable Road Captains and our Head Road Captain, Tom Ireland. Their efforts helped insure the safety, success and enjoyment of our ever-growing group ride activities. I also wish the best for our new Safety Officer, Sam Campano

With our Road Captains help, we logged over 75000 safe rider miles in 2006.

Thanks to all and have a very safe and happy Holiday Season.

Ride Smart, Ride Safe and most of all Have Fun,

David