Mudbug Adventures

Every Mile Is An Adventure

Motorcycle Awareness Month

by Filed Under: Learning to Ride, New Rider Fears, Safety

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May is motorcycle awareness month. Hopefully you have noticed the signs urging you to “share the road” and “look twice for motorcycles”.  As the weather warms up and people begin taking vacations the number of motorcycle riders on the road increase.

Many serious and fatal crashes occur when motorists turn in front of motorcyclists. Make sure to stay alert, especially at intersections and while making turns and lane changes. Studies indicate that in multiple-vehicle accidents, the driver of the other vehicle violated the motorcyclists’ right-of-way and caused the collision in two-thirds of those crashes.

Troopers said it is difficult to time the speed and distance of an approaching motorcycle. Before you drive through an intersection or make a left turn, check the position of oncoming motorcycles at least two or three times. Statistics show that multiple-vehicle crashes account for approximately 75 percent of all motorcycle accidents.

Tips to drivers on how to prevent a fatal crash with a motorcycle:

  • Though a motorcycle is a small vehicle, its operator still has all the rights of the road as any other motorist. Allow the motorcycle the full width of a lane at all times.
  • Always signal when changing lanes or merging with traffic.
  • If you see a motorcycle with a signal on, be careful: motorcycle signals are often non-canceling and could have been forgotten. Always ensure that the motorcycle is turning before proceeding.
  • Check all mirrors and blind spots for motorcycles before changing lanes or merging with traffic, especially at intersections.
  • Always allow more follow distance – three to four seconds – when behind a motorcycle. This gives them more time to maneuver or stop in an emergency.
  • Never drive distracted or impaired.

While I think it is important to remind drivers that riders are on the road as riders we have a responsibility to take too. One of the first things my husband told me about safety was to assume that the vehicles around me didn’t see me. In the drivers safety course we were taught that we had to anticipate the cars around us next move and to always have an exit strategy and be prepared to take evasive maneuvers.

Motorcyclists can increase their safety by following these steps:

  • Wear a DOT-compliant helmet and other protective gear.
  • Obey all traffic laws and be properly licensed.
  • Use hand and turn signals at every lane change or turn
  • Be visible. Ensure your headlight, taillight and brake light work properly.
  • Wear high visibility clothing.
  • Use lane positioning to increase visibility and watch for turning vehicles.
  • Avoid riding in blind spots.

By following basic safety rules, we can all help prevent crashes. “Our message is for all drivers and riders: Share the responsibility of keeping our roads safe—always share the road.” NHTSA

I have heard many riders say “it’s not a matter of if but when” in regards to an accident. That is why it is important to stay alert, carry a Motorcycle Operator First Aid Kit on your bike and take the accident scene management course.

Accident Scene Management Class

by Filed Under: New Rider Fears, Safety

One of my biggest apprehension, when it came motorcycle riding, was the danger. I am CPR and First Aid certified and have a medical background that includes nursing work in a hospital including the ER for over a year and the things you see are haunting. Despite all of my training, I have had no training or experience when it comes to accident management or dealing with a motorcycle injury out on the road.

Taking The  Accident Scene Management Class.

With Scott and I both beginning to ride together, we felt it would be a good idea to learn what to do in case of an accident.  No rider wants to go through that possibility but the reality is that it can happen.  When it happens the more someone might know what to do at an accident scene could save the victims life.  Fort Worth HOG scheduled the Accident Scene Management Class with Road Guardians on July 20 and July 21 for its members.  As soon as we found out about it we reserved a spot for each of us.  The road captains in our chapter are required to take the course and keep their certifications active but we won’t always be with the group.
 

Two Courses

There were 2 courses offered,  the basic and advanced.  We took both.  If you had taken the basic within the last 2 years you could just take the advanced to re-certify.  Quite a few of our road captains were able to do this.  Scott and I along with quite a few others from our chapter had to start with the basic class.  There were 22 riders that completed the 2-day course from our chapter.
   First Aid Kit for Car, Travel, Home, Office, Sports, Survival | Complete Emergency Bag fully stocked with high quality medical supplies

Learn The Basics

The basic class taught things like stabilizing the victim, controlling traffic, securing the scene, information needed for a 911 call, basic first aid, techniques for rolling a victim, leadership, and how to find and determine the extent of injuries.  It was fascinating and I had never really considered all of the necessary steps that need to be taken at an accident scene.

Accident Scene Management Class

The Advanced Class

The advanced Accident Scene Management class the next day focused on details taught in the basic class.  There was a lot more hands-on where we practiced stabilizing a riders head while rolling him, getting them on a stretcher, when to remove a helmet and how to remove it if you have to, applying a tourniquet, applying pressure to arteries to stop bleeding, and more.

 At the end of the second day, the instructor surprised us with a mock accident outside. Our team had to take control of the situation properly until EMS arrived.  They had a vehicle that had hit a motorcycle.  The driver was trying to get back into his car to drive away. The motorcycle was on top of the rider. The bike passenger had been thrown and injured quite a ways away from the scene.  We had to begin making immediate decisions on what to do. The 2 days were quite intense but we had a lot of fun learning with the others from our chapter.

Motorcycle Accidents Are Not Like Other Vehicle Accidents

There was a lot of learning involved and I am glad to have taken both classes.  There are some real differences when treating someone injured in a motorcycle accident and someone in an automobile accident. The possibilities of a serious head or spinal injury are much higher with a motorcycle accident and every decision and move could cause a life altering effect.

  Accident Scene Management Class

What To Have On Your Motorcycle

We also learned about the importance of a good Motorcycle Operator First Aid Kit by Rescue Essentials and other safety devices that we should have in our saddlebags such as Light Sticks,  Emergency Road Flares and a proper safety gear.

My First Real Ride on the Road

by Filed Under: Learning to Ride, New Rider Fears, Road Trips

Last weekend I completed the state mandated riding class and obtained my motorcycle riding license. The fourth of July meant we had an extended weekend so we were able to get out in the parking lot a bit more than usual. This helped me feel more comfortable on my Harley but I was still a bit hesitant when Scott asked about taking a short “real ride” as in out on the road.  I wanted to say no but seeing how I now had a license and a brand new bike I had hard time coming up with a valid excuse. I finally swallowed my fear and said sure. I knew Scott would be right there with me and that helped.

 

We left very early in the morning knowing there wouldn’t be too many cars on the road.  We stopped at the McDonald’s in Crowley and had some coffee and talked about how I felt about the ride before heading back.  I was a bit nervous and it showed but Scott assured me that is to be expected.  The ride home was much better, I  was more relaxed and my riding reflected it. Total round trip was 16.8 miles although I swear it felt like 50.  It was short enough to give me the opportunity to apply my riding abilities to the road and experience a taste of what is to be expected on the road without becoming to overwhelmed. I was very happy when Scott told me he was proud of my riding and comfortable with me as a riding partner.  He said he was never nervous or worried about my riding or feared that I was a danger to myself, him, or others on the road.  

Of course after I relaxed a bit I had to evaluate myself. I definitely need to work on going faster and learn to relax when I see a red light. We must have hit everyone, something that doesn’t happen when riding in a parking lot. The thought of shifting down and stopping in time worried me and caused me to go slower than I needed to. By the third light I was praying for green lights every time I saw a signal coming up! I began to slow down just in case it turned red. Over all though I am proud of myself and happy to have taken my first real ride.

I Bought A Harley!

by Filed Under: Learning to Ride, New Rider Fears

For months I have been stalking Fort Worth Harley looking for “my Harley”. Scott has had to endure my whining saying “Wheres my Harley?!”  He has become a master at tuning the question out or pretending not to hear it. However as I have gotten more comfortable riding the kawasaki and more determined to have a bike of my own I am sure he knew the question would have to be addressed eventually.

Friday I sent him a text asking if we could get my bike early. His reply? He didn’t really see the need to seeing as I still doesn’t have my license yet but agreed we could by and look.  So off we went to Harley when we both got home. As you can imagine I was excited all the way there. It reminded me of the time the kids talked me into going to the Humane Society just to talk to the puppies, of course we left with one!

Race (that’s our salesman’s name) offered quite a few different scenarios based on bike color, term, warranty, down payment, etc.  We both had agreed on a ballpark amount that we would settle with.  While he was working up options we were looking at the bike and discussing things we would need to put on it. We would need a super reach seat replacement, engine guards, and windshield immediately.  So we went to the parts counter to get some prices on those items.

Race came over to us with some figures and asked us what we thought.  Without even looking at Scott I said, “I just want to know when your gonna finish this paperwork and sell me my bike?”  Race laughed and said, “Ok, I’m on it!” When I glanced over at Scott he had sort of a WTF? Did she just buy that thing!? look on his face! He joked and said “So much for my input, you just took control and bought your first Harley.”  He the proceeded to  just settle into the back seat on this one and let me go.  A few minutes later Race was pushing my bike out the front door to take it to service to be prepped.

While we were at the parts counter trying to decide when we were going to buy the parts we needed, Race came to us and said “I forgot to tell you, Harley is doing a promotion where they give you a gift card for $500 if you buy your bike in June.”  Wooooot!  That was a bonus we had not counted on!  So the parts manager worked with us and in the end we got the seat, engine guards, windshield, and a fender bib which they had to order.  We got all that stuff and only had to pay $19 extra.  As far as the bike goes, we got it for right about what we wanted to spend and with a 4 year extended warranty.  We were completely happy with the entire purchase even though it was a bit sudden.  I want to give a special Thank You to Race and Nick in parts and also to all of Fort Worth Harley for helping make this happen.

Scott picked it up the next day while I was at work and put all the parts on to have it ready for me to ride.  We went out Sunday morning so I could get my first ride in on the new bike.  There was some adjusting  to do as the bike rides completely different than the kawasaki.  Lower center of gravity, longer wheel base, longer turn radius, heavier, much heavier, forward controls, tighter clutch, wider handle bars, etc. The feel was completely different and I was so scared I was going to drop my new bike, I didn’t but I know that it will eventually happen.

Here is a short video taken by Scott of my first ride on my bike!

My Third Ride

by Filed Under: Learning to Ride, New Rider Fears

Last Week-end was my third time EVER to ride a motorcycle. My head is still swimming, partly from excitement but also from all the new stuff I am trying to remember.

Scott keeps telling me to relax but it is so hard! He has been riding since he was 5 years old so for him it is all second nature. Me, I have never ridden anything close to a motorcycle, I can’t drive a standard and well, I am very intimidated by it all!

He and I discussed how it can be difficult for seasoned riders to grasp the concerns, fears, and issues that beginning riders have. They simply let the clutch out, roll on the throttle, let off the brake simultaneously and zoom away clicking up and down their gears without thought. Me , as a new rider however, I have a completely different perspective on this process. We are not familiar or acquainted with how all that works together. We also mentally dwell on each task that needs to be performed just to get the bike moving, all the while being concerned about keeping their balance, tipping, or falling.

To the new rider taking off is like a task list where each action needs to be checked off and accounted for. 1) Slowly release clutch until engagement
2) Slightly roll on throttle
3) Keep my balance
4) What if I let the clutch out too fast?!
5) Let up on brake
6) What if I give too much throttle?!
7) Release more clutch
8) Keep my balance
9) What do I do if I start to fall?!

All these things and more are going through the new riders head and it can easily create a fog of thought that makes it even harder to get started. Scott assures me that I will overcome these issues at various levels, it just takes practice and time.

The very first time he took me out to learn to ride I was able to grasp the basics of clutch and brake. I wasn’t zooming around the parking lot, but I did ride and stop. Scott would jog beside me, coaching me, and was available in case of emergency. He got my exercises in for sure that day and lost a few pounds! Only one time did I fall, and fortunately when I started going over, I pulled in the clutch and held it in place to keep the bike from propelling forward. Not sure if that was something Scott had told me to or not, it probably was just luck.

The second time we went out my skill level went up tremendously. I just caught on to all of it. By the end of the day I was taking off and stopping without help. I rode around the parking lot for a couple hours practicing clutching and braking. I did topple a couple times, once due to popping the clutch and having the bike jolt forward, the other time I came to a stop and turned the handlebars which caused me to topple to that side. No harm done though, I hopped right off and just let the bike go over. It was a good experience for me to topple though. When Scott asked if I was okay I replied “Now I know I can fall over and not necessarily get hurt”. I had a great fear that falling over automatically meant broken body parts. Toppling safely helped over come some of my preconceptions about that.

The third time we went out to practice was totally exciting. Again I feel like I took a huge leap forward in my learning. Of course Scott took this to mean he needed to begin pushing my riding skills. By the end of the day I was shifting up to third and back down, weaving between buckets (we bought cones for future practices), and coming to quicker stops at a parking lot line. I was scared when he told me what we were going to do but in the end I am glad he pushed me.

We have gone out a fourth time and again Scott felt the need to push me a little bit more. He closed the cone weave to be a bit tighter and had me perform more shifting patterns to accustom me to having to shift more due to traffic situations. He also shook me up a bit by having me take off facing upwards on a slight incline. That gave me some problems because I couldn’t just let off the brake without rolling backwards. It did help me learn to feather the clutch with more accuracy though and taking off on an incline is a real world situation that I need to be able to do. I have to admit I didn’t do very well with it and that will be an area that will require A LOT OF PRACTICE!

Going back to my third ride, Scott took the GoPro that day and shot a bit of video of me. He did it so I could see how well I was doing. Sometimes its not evident to yourself when your the one riding. He had fun with the clips and put them into a short video with some music. It was fun to get to see myself riding and to be able to appreciate how far I have come. I am so thankful for a husband that is willing to help me reach my dream of learning to ride!