Depending on the Covid-19 pandemic, I am hopeful that Spring Opener will be held this year. I got so bored sitting here in quarantine after watching the sunrise this morning that I pieced together a little video in the hopes that the Opener will still be held. I can only hope and pray that the virus has subsided enough to allow some gatherings of the people. I was half-zoned out from lack of sleep but still haven't been able to fall asleep yet. So if the video doesn't stack up like I hope it would, that is why. I don't usually do voice-overs, and the editing software is one I don't use very often. But the good intentions are there. So I either did good or I just laid another paving stone down for the highway to Hell. Here's the video.
Sitting here in the bunker, maintaining social distance with the rest of humanity, I have spent a lot of time thinking of places to ride. One of the things that I have found that would make a destination extra enjoyable would be if I could enjoy another hobby while I am there. Places to go camping, or fishing, or for some of you hiking. You get the idea. Well, since I was a little kid, I have been into rocks and fossils. Washington State is full of places to go and collect your own samples. While a lot of places are on public land, many aren't. It's up to you to make sure where you go to is public or private land, and make arrangements accordingly.
What types of rock and fossils am I talking about? Petrified wood (our state gemstone), opal, jade, thundereggs (geodes), mammoth teeth, palm leaf, and other plant fossils, and numerous prehistoric animal fossils are among what you can find in Washington State. Many aren't far from the more populated areas, and some are a bit further afield. It all depends on how far you want to ride or drive depending on how many rocks you think you might bring home.
I was surfing the "worldwide interwebs" and found a few interesting downloads. I will provide a link to an interactive map for Minerals and Fossils in Washington.
There are also a couple of good books that can be found online to be ordered. One is "Roadside Geology of Mount Rainier National Park and Vicinity". It contains 15 separate road trips to take in the greater Mt Rainier area that can be enjoyed while looking for rocks and minerals. With just a little patience, and looking on the WSR Photography website, the entire book can be downloaded as a .pdf about 300Mb is size. There is also a book in .pdf format that can be downloaded on Roadside Geology of Mt St Helens National Volcanic Monument and Vicinity. But for some strange reason, I could only find the entire book by using two separate downloads. I am providing links to get the first half of the book and the second half of the book in .pdf format.
With a little time online you can find some amazing places to look for gems and fossils and other minerals in Washington State. If getting there includes some good twisting mountain roads to ride, all the better, right? We are all hunkered down in quarantine, or some form of social lockdown at the moment. So if you are interested in perhaps planning somewhere to go once we can get out of the house and go somewhere again, consider checking out. Any good excuse to get out and ride, and maybe make a weekend of it. Think about it. It can be quite pleasant to think about spending some time out in some amazing locations. Full of fresh air and scenery, and to maybe come home with some sweet gems or fossils could be a cool way to spend out and about.
As winter fades from the calendar, and there is a hopeful outlook for the nation to return to some semblance of normalcy again, many in the riding community of the Pacific Northwest begin seriously thinking about ABATE of Washington's Spring Opener. What is the Spring Opener? It is the annual event thrown by ABATE of Washington to help fund ABATE's fight to protect motorcycle rights in Washington State. Take a look at this video to get just a hint of the excitement and fun you could have at Spring Opener.
I like to say that when you come to Spring Opener you get the chance to meet and party with a couple thousand of the closest friends you never knew. During the days there are; Poker Runs, bike games,
bike show, burn-out contest, moonshine/apple pie contest, vendors, and more. After the way this year has started, we will definitely be needing to have fun at the Spring Opener. At night, there is live music from some great bands.
A wide range of bikes, and riders, attend Spring Opener every year. With entry prices of $35 for ABATE members and $50 for everyone else, it is hard to beat. I mean where else can you go camping for three nights for $50? Let alone have entertainment and vendors of this caliber thrown in. Check out the photos below, and see for yourself why you should consider making it to this year's Spring Opener (June 25-28 at the Silver Ridge Ranch in Easton, WA).
The Novel Coronavirus, also know as Covid-19, has put a great deal of uncertainty on the running of the 14th Annual Mt St Helens Memorial Ride on May 17th. With a month and a half before the event date, many unanswered questions exist as to whether the run will be allowed to take place. However, in the changing pandemic crisis, it is too soon to determine whether the ride will be canceled. The decision will be made, and publicly posted on social media by May 4th. That will still provide two weeks to prepare to go if the situation has changed by then.
Until we know more, I will post some photos from a few of the more recent rides for you to peruse and enjoy. Keep your spirits up in lockdown, and keep your fingers crossed we can continue the event this year. Take care and I hope you enjoy the photos.
With all of the news about the spread of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19), it has brought the question of preparedness to the forefront. Are you prepared to be isolated for two weeks, and up to a month? If you become infected, you and members of your immediate family may not even be able to make a trip to the store. That is something you should think about. While few of you that are reading this will be able to afford to purchase a month or more worth of foodstuffs, this is the time to at least begin to prepare for the possibility of being isolated and self-sufficient for at least two weeks. Here are four steps to consider, and possibly to begin preparing your home for quarantine. Or, at least to be prepared for the next disaster your family may face. Step One: Make space for 14 to 30 days of isolation. This doesn't mean emptying out your garage, but simply getting creative with some normally empty spaces around your domicile. Imagine the empty space at the bottom of your closets, or under your beds. That will help to fit some of the food you will need without making yourself feel like a hoarder. Now, this doesn't mean buying out the warehouse store of all it's hand sanitizer, toilet paper. But it does mean that you should prepare a menu for a couple weeks' worth of meals. Listing all the necessary ingredients to be used, and then doubling the list. Just to be sure. Since this quarantine shouldn't cause power outages, in this emergency you shouldn't have to worry about electricity for your oven, refrigerator, and freezer. If you are like me, and your cooking skills aren't what they used to be, or you have trouble cooking for one, deal with it. This should be seen as an opportunity to learn (or re-hone) skills to make you better prepared for the next time. Here is a checklist of some of the "must-have" foods to endure a quarantine: Canned Foods: Canned fruits and vegetables, these won't spoil quickly. Soups, broths, and stews can have a shelf-life measured in years. Proteins: Meat, tuna, beans & rice are great sources of protein that can last. Dairy: Canned or powdered milk has a much longer shelf-life than a bottle of milk. Water/other liquids: At least a gallon of water per day, per person (and don't forget your pets). While your water supply is also not likely to be affected by this quarantine, it is still best to be prepared. Any basics with a long shelf-life: PB & J, crackers, sugar & salt, granola bars, dried fruits, etc. Frozen/freeze-dried, or dehydrated Foods: It is probably best to store pre-cooked meals that can be thrown in the microwave to cook. Step Two: Medications & hygiene supplies You should have on hand at least 30 days of medications. This means over the counter meds as well as any prescriptions you may have. Personal hygiene supplies will also be very important. Especially after several days of isolation from others, or isolation in close contact with others in quarantine with you. Step Three: Be prepared to keep yourself entertained Unless you become infected or are ill, you can still enjoy life outside. Just refrain from being around other people. You can still enjoy your yard, your garage, etc. Maybe play video games, have a deck of cards, or perhaps some movies on hand to watch. Keep your spirits up. As being isolated from people is hard and depressing on many people. You will have to fight against that happening. Step Four: Keep your cool Being isolated from friends and family, and for many being unable to go to work can be difficult. Having the kids home from school can also bring added stress to the situation. It is very important to try and remain as calm and clear-headed as possible. We all realize that making good decisions requires a certain calmness and mental clarity. Don't let the stress lead you to give in to hysteria and panic. Especially in what could be one of the most important times of your life. If things get too much, take a step back, walk away for a bit, have a cup of coffee, or whatever, and relax, meditate, say a prayer, etc. This will be a very stressful time. But if you are prepared, you will make it through this, and come out on the other side. I hope this helps, and we all can get through this without too much of an ordeal. Here's to surviving this disaster, and being ready for what comes next. See you on the other side. Catch you on the road sometime...
The following 22-minute video clip is from a trip along Washington's infamous Skate Creek Road. While portions of the road can be rough due to winter weather conditions, and the Forest Service's limited roadway repair budget. Usually, riders agree that the scenery and the road itself make up for most of the negative portions of Skate Creek Road experience. There are also a good amount of free camping sites along the roadside to enjoy. I highly recommend taking this road on your motorcycle. Just, as always, keep alert to conditions.
This road is not for everybody, but it can be a great fun road to ride.
For years ABATE of Washington and other motorcycle groups and riders have met with legislators and other state agency officials trying to inform and educate them on the basic knowledge on motorcycle helmets. Even their own documents have been used to demonstrate their lack of proper information on even the most basic concepts regarding motorcycle helmets. At one point during a legislative hearing, a Washington State Patrol Captain actually was reduced to stating that helmets protected riders from debris like "flying lugnuts". Motorcyclists have sat down and met with agency officials to discuss even the most basic information in the hopes that finding a common and correct basis for discussion could be found. From there, progress could be made with both sides having good information that decisions can be based upon. However, it is becoming quite clear that WTSC is much more concerned with their political agenda than it is in facts when it comes to motorcycle safety.
Take a moment to watch this short video from the Washington Traffic Safety Commission. See if you can catch the blatant error this video makes within the first four seconds. The WTSC and its constituent member organizations have been supposedly "listening" to us for decades. Yet still can't get even this most basic fact right about helmets.
At the three-second point of this video, the caption reads; 'WEARING D.O.T. APPROVED HELMETS". There is no such thing as a "D.O.T. Approved" helmet. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration does not "approve" helmets. Or any other piece of equipment that they have created the D.O.T.standard for. The federal helmet standard (FMVSS-218) sets the minimum specifications for motorcycle helmets. However, it does not even require manufacturers to test the helmets before they self-certify that the helmets meet the standard. Manufacturers merely need to believe their helmet can meet the specification in order to self-certify the helmet meets the D.O.T. standard. This certification will stand until the model helmet is randomly chosen for independent laboratory testing. If the helmet fails testing its certification is revoked. But little chance the thousands of owners of that model helmet will receive that knowledge.
After so many years of listening to this very basic fact, the WTSC still can't even seem to get it right. If they were ever actually listening in the first place. Would it not seem logical for a governmental agency to at least accept facts when presented with the proof of the fact by the government agency that determines the fact? This is the opposite of what has happened. Numerous times, members of the WTSC have been shown documents from NHTSA stating that they do not test or approve helmets. Yet WTSC has continued for decades to use the term D.O.T. APPROVED HELMETS.
The fact that the D.O.T. standard is by far the lowest, minimal standard is rarely if ever mentioned by WTSC. The other helmet standards require testing and have a much higher impact force than do D.O.T. helmets. The impact velocity of a D.O.T. helmet is 13.4 mph. This is the same as if you were sitting stopped on your motorcycle and fell over sideways, striking your head. No forward velocity is even factored in by the standard.
The second video would also seem to cast doubt as to whether the WTSC has ever listened to motorcyclists, or even seriously considered and realized that motorcycles are inherently different than automobiles. This video starts with the classic trope of motorcycles accounting for only 4% of registered vehicles, yet 15% of fatalities. Think about that for a moment. Picture the average automobile with an occupant in your mind. Now, imagine a motorcycle and a rider. See any difference? Rather obvious, isn't it? While the statistic that 75% is due to rider error is correct, it is only partially correct. The initial loss of control and primary impact with the road surface may be due to rider error, but it is often the secondary impact with a fixed object that tends to be of a higher risk statistically.
The following statistic that on average, 39 motorcyclists die during July, August, and September, is a red herring. It is statistically true, but only because there are a much greater number of motorcyclists riding during those months. Would it not seem strange if fatalities should spike during a period with low ridership?
The following stat regarding 50% of fatalities involved speed & lane departure can also be misleading. Partially due to the fact that if you are involved in a crash, and you land beyond the centerline, it is noted as a "lane departure". This stat also ties in with a very strong correlation to the 75% rider error stat. For example; if you are riding through a flat corner, let's say 5 mph over the limit and you realize the corner is reducing in diameter, and you lay the bike down. You as the rider were in error for going too fast. However, you survived the impact with the ground and slid across to the outside of the turn (lane departure) before striking the post of the guardrail at an angle and velocity that resulted in death. Studies have shown that roadside fixed objects, like guardrails, are 7 times more likely to be fatal to a motorcyclist than the initial impact with the road surface. According to an NHTSA report, 50% of guardrail related fatalities are motorcyclists. Automobiles have protective shells and other features to protect their occupants. Motorcyclists have only what we wear. That is a key point that WTSC officials seem to be unable to grasp totally.
Another point I would like to comment on about this video is regarding all the motorcycles in it are riding on a track and not a roadway. Watch the bikes, and disregard the words as you do. These riders are not maintaining lane position as they would on a roadway. They are doing what on a roadway would be "cutting the corner" to maintain a close line on left curves. They are practicing riding skills, but what the video shows them doing would likely result in crashes with other vehicles, and definitely could be called "lane departures". That is great to do on a track because there is no traffic coming the other way. But there is an old adage that "you do as you train". If you train to take a left-hand curve close to the inside of the curve as possible on the track, you may do just that on some remote series of "S" curves in the mountains. Which if traffic is coming the other way, it may lead to some tragic results. Yet the WTSC video sees nothing contrary between their safety statistics message, and the motorcycles riding in the same video.
Then finally, of course, there is the requisite referral to "Target Zero". The desired reduction to zero serious injury or fatal crashes in Washington by 2030. The WTSC always makes references to the goal, but rarely provides substantive concepts on how to reach their goal.
There are more videos that I will be critiquing. But for now, these two are a good start. Besides, some of the others I will be describing more the manipulative way the videos are put together to push an agenda more than simply discuss a subject.
