SAFETY TIPS
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By MIKE Phillips
LACE ,
Grace , and Gears was a women ' s motorcycle rally held this past June at Pig Trail Harley Davidson in Rogers , Arkansas . Several hundred women from around the country attended the rally for a chance to ride the Ozark Mountains and raise money for charity . I attended the rally at the CMA hospitality tent . While at the rally , I spoke with women from around the country about the challenges they encountered on the road , riding in groups or by themselves . The ladies offered advice gained from practical experience . The advice came in two general areas , before and during the ride . This advice is from lady riders aimed at lady riders , but the ideas work for all riders , men included .
Riders should be competent before taking a ride , whether alone or with a group . Good riding skills are essential for safe riding . Take a class , ride with good safe riders , and practice your skills as much as possible . For example , riders should be able to make a U- turn on a standard size road without putting their feet down .
Inspect your bike before each ride . A TCLOCS inspection is a complete inspection that only takes a few minutes . TCLOCS can be found on several internet sites . Pay particular attention to tires and oil levels while on long trips .
Riders need a basic mechanical knowledge of their bike and should carry a minimum set of
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tools for minor repairs or adjustments like loose nuts and bolts . A tire plug kit and the ability to use it is essential . Many ladies carry a MOTO BIKE JACK . This jack is 15 inches by 5 inches and weighs 8 pounds when packed away . The jack will lift up a bike that has been tipped over with minimal effort . I have seen ladies stand up a 900-pound bike by themselves using this type of jack . The jack needs to be packed in an easy to reach area , even when the bike is laid over on its side .
Riding gear for all types of weather and road conditions should be taken on any ride . Cooling vests and neck wraps were a favorite item among the ladies . Pack your gear and ride around home to see how it travels before you go on a long trip . Only take what is essential . You can always buy items on the way if needed . Carry water and snacks in case you get stopped for a long time waiting for help .
Plan your ride using paper maps and GPS . Always carry paper maps on a ride . A GPS may break or not get service . Let someone know your plans . Most of the ladies had an APP on their phones that let others know where they were at all times . Some ladies had an APP like Life360 that would call a designated number in case of a hard knock to the phone , like a
bike tip over . Riders can put an ICE contact ( In CASE of Emergency , call this person ), in their phone . Riders also need a paper with their driver ' s license that lists contact people and medical info in case their phone is damaged , or they are injured in a crash .
Ladies had several suggestions for riding on the road . Ride in groups . Tell people you are meeting your friends just up the road if strangers confront you . Learn basic self-defense . Dress conservatively and wear your colors . Display self-confidence . Have a whistle you can easily reach to summon help . Do not stop in secluded spots or rest areas after dark . Do not continue to ride when you are tired . Do not stop anywhere that looks rough or unsafe . Trust your instinct ; if it does not feel right , move on . Stop for gas , food , hotels , or campsites before dark . This allows you to inspect the area in daylight . When stopping at hotels and restaurants , park near the front door in a lighted area . Hotels with inside doors and hallways provide more security . Many ladies ride main roads to get to an event and back roads as part of the rally .
The ladies I talked with said they encountered very few problems on the road . Most issues were mechanical or getting lost . Planning rides makes them safer , but don ' t be afraid to change your plans if something else arises . Pray each day before you start . Enjoy the sights , smell the roses , have fun , and ride safe . CMA
Mike Phillips is a certified Motorcycle Safety Foundation ( MSF ) instructor in Arkansas .
27⎪OCTOBER 2022⎪www . cmausa . org