I had a great if not warm ride to the Florida Keys and back within the past week. The gas prices in the keys are very high. I've posted some photos and videos from the trip to share with my friends (see item 2).
On a more serious note it appears AAA has found a lackey to introduce an all rider helmet bill in SC. Apparently he is playing to the crybabies set upon killing bike week in Myrtle Beach. Granted I'm sure bribes from the insurance companies are another factor. By the way campaign donations are nothing more than legal bribes in my opinion.
If you are concerned about this situation please join us in Columbia at the Flying Saucer tomorrow Thursday, July 24, 2008. Concerned bikers plan to meet from 3:00 PM until 7:00 PM. Drop by for all or some of the meeting.
FF
1) SC Rep. Tracy Edge of North Myrtle Beach to Introduce Helmet Bill in SC
2) Riding to the Florida Keys for my Brother's Wedding
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1) SC Rep. Tracy Edge of North Myrtle Beach to Introduce Helmet Bill in SC
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FF Note: It appears ABATE of SC and especially her chapter in Horry County will have a very busy year. The time is now for constituents to contact their State Representatives expressing disdain for a new helmet law. You may locate your reps contact info at
http://www.scstatehouse.net/cgi-bin/zipcodesearch.exe
http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/news/local/story/528419.html
Motorcycle deaths on the rise in S.C.
By Lisa Fleisher and Janelle Frost
lfleisher@thesunnews.com jfrost@thesunnews.com
Motorcycle-related deaths jumped 40 percent from 2003 to 2007 and are expected to keep climbing as gas prices rise and more people buy motorcycles, according to an analysis released Monday from AAA Carolinas.
Only 4 percent of registered vehicles in the state are motorcycles, but bikes are involved in 11 percent of all fatal crashes, AAA reported. Sixty-two percent of motorcycle fatalities in 2007 happened in Horry, Greenville and Charleston counties, AAA said.
"With an increase in motorcycle sales this year, the number of motorcycle fatalities will undoubtedly rise," David Parsons, chief executive and president of AAA Carolinas, said in a statement.
Parsons also blamed S.C.'s partial helmet law for the deaths, citing Department of Public Safety statistics that showed that 75 percent of people who died on motorcycles in the past five years were not wearing a helmet. S.C. law only requires riders younger than 21 to wear a helmet.
S.C. Rep. Tracy Edge, R-North Myrtle Beach, said he thinks a helmet law makes sense and will push for one next year.
Parsons also called for mandatory training courses for people who want motorcycle licenses.
"It just makes sense for the safety of both the motorcyclist and other motorists," Parsons said.
Richard "Roach" Mercer, area coordinator of ABATE of S.C., or A Brotherhood Against Totalitarian Enactments, said people do need to be trained to ride motorcycles. He said the lack of training is more of an issue than making it mandated for people older than 21 to wear helmets.
"We don't want a mandated helmet law," Mercer said. "It's a freedom of choice issue. People got to be trained to ride motorcycles." They get on bikes and kill themselves."
A campaign was recently started to promote riders to get extra training, said Lance Cpl. Sonny Collins with the state Highway Patrol.
"We found that most motorcyclists in crashes were not experienced riders," Collins said. We tell motorcyclists to protect your body like your bike. Their bikes always look good and shiny, but they don't give the same attention to themselves."
Motorists, too, need more education about driving safely around motorcyclists, Parsons said.
It is essential that both motorcyclists and other motorists know how to share the road, he said.
Contact LISA FLEISHER at 626-0317. Contact JANELLE FROST at 443-2404. # HTMLInfoBox~~ONLINE For statistics on motorcycle crashes in S.C., go to MyrtleBeachOnline.com.
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2) Riding to the Florida Keys for my Brother's Wedding
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http://fastfreds.com/trips/keywestwedding/
Riding to the Florida Keys for my Brother's Wedding
The excuse for this long ride was my brother’s wedding in Key West. Most sane individuals might naturally wonder why anyone would visit the keys on mid-summer. The distance from my house to Key West is just over 771 miles. I broke the trip down into two days and spent some time with my friends Rick and Jeani Jessen in Daytona. The curse of technology required me to work remotely Thursday morning in Daytona and Thursday afternoon in Miami; the scenery sure beat the home office but this was an unexpected delay. I arrived in Key West and had my tent pitched by 10:08 PM before join Kyle and Shannon for a few drinks in Old Town Key West.
Friday morning I found a WiFi hotspot and check for more work orders prior to sight seeing. One of the “cooler” spots was the garden at West Martello Fort. I spent the remainder of the day visiting with my Mom and Dad before the evening wedding aboard a sailboat. I drank wine on the boat and got a pretty good buzz.
Saturday began with a refreshing dip in the pool at Boyd’s Campground. The WiFi and the campground sucked but the pool was much cooler than expected and filled with salt water. I washed laundry while enjoying the pool. Most of the folks at the campground were visiting from Europe enjoying our depressed dollar. The remainder of Saturday was spent playing biker tourist. Just prior to the Sunset Celebration found the best happy hour at Kelly’s brewpub within walking distance of Mallory Square. The Wheat and IPA were the best but the Red Ale was smokier than expected.
I saw the Key West Catman and his trained house cats jumping through flaming hoops and such; you may wish to see for yourself in this week’s videos. I also saw a dog climb a ladder and walk a tight rope. After his feats the dog collect dollar bills from the audience and placed them in a bucket. There were plenty of freak shows but the animal shows were the best. If you visit Key West be sure to arrive at least an hour before sunset at Mallory Square.
Sunday morning I rose with the sun and rode straight back to Charleston only stopping to take a few photos of the Old US 1 Bridges and couple of meals. By chance I met Bruce Arnold of “Long Distance Rider.” The ride to Daytona was brutal in the sun and heat but the final leg was better after sunset. Riding just over 771 miles in one day was not too bad really.
See the videos and photos posted at
http://fastfreds.com/trips/keywestwedding/
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