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February 2008
I hope you aren’t letting a little cold weather keep you from riding. I have seen some of you out in the frigid temperatures trying to warm. Did you know on most wind chill charts they stop calculating the “feels like” temperature for wind speeds higher than about 40mph? Greater speeds do reduce the feels like temperature, but to only a small degree. However, I don’t think the cop that pulls you over for doing 75 in a 60 is going to buy your excuse that you are minimizing your exposure times to avoid frost bite.
While the cold temperatures and sloppy streets might keep us off the bikes more, this is the perfect time to start planning for the season ahead. January and February are when local rider training courses start taking applications for the Spring sessions and several of them fill up fast.
There are two main course types – the Beginner Rider Course (BRC) and the Experienced Rider Course (ERC). While the BRC is aimed at getting new riders some experience and their motorcycle license, it is a fun course to take even for more experienced riders and can teach you some new things and better ways to do what you are already doing. BRC courses provide a motorcycle for the riders, but you still have to bring a helmet, gloves, eye protection and some safe riding attire. It starts off with in the classroom with the basics, but quickly progresses to the range so you can develop the riding skills you need to survive on our mean streets. Forest Park even has a class only open to women, but don’t waste any time signing up, it is a popular class.
There are only a few ERC courses offered every year and they fill up fast. If you are thinking about taking the course for yourself (as a refresher or to build skills) or to join the Road Captains (it is one of the requirements), sign up soon. The ERC focuses on riding and building on what was learned in the BRC course. You will need to provide your own motorcycle and have at least a year of riding experience to take the course.
There are four places to choose from around here. They include:
Doc’s HarleyDavidson’s Riders Edge
BRC courses taught almost all year Located at Doc’s Earns Rider’s Edge certification
St. Louis Community College at Forest Park
BRC and ERC courses taught April through October They have a Women’s only BRC course Earns Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF certification)
St. Charles Parks and Recreation
BRC and ERC courses taught April through October Features both weekday and weekend courses Earns MSF certification
Jefferson College
BRC and ERC course staught April through October Earns MSF certification
I took the BRC at Jefferson College and the ERC at Forest Park and had a blast at both places. Our own Chapter member Jeff Pittenger was my BRC Rider Coach. I have also heard good things about the St. Charles and Doc’s courses. I think no matter where you go you will have a good experience.
More information on each of the training locations including dates, prices, and contact information can be found in the Safety Corner section of our Kirkwood HOG site:
http://www.kirkwoodhog.com/safetycorner/safetyfirst.asp
Other than the obvious benefits of learning more and becoming a better rider, some insurance companies will give you a discount on your motorcycle insurance. And, for those looking to get their motorcycle license, successful completion of the BRC course waives the on bike portion of the Missouri state test for the motorcycle endorsement. But wait, there’s more….Hopefully you know all the benefits of your national HOG membership. But, fort hose of you that could use a reminder, HOG has their Safe Rider Skills Program.
Through this program you are eligible for reimbursement of up to $50 for successfully completing a MSF or Rider’s Edgetraining course. So, once you complete the course, send in the copy of your course receipt and training certificate with the required form within three weeks and HOG will send back a Safe Rider Skills pin, patch, and $50 in HOG Bucks to spend at Doc’s,
Renewing your national membership, or for signing up for a national HOG event. And, if that wasn’t incentive enough, if 12 members from one chapter complete the Safe Rider Skills program in a year, Kirkwood HOG would receive a Safe Rider Skills Chapter plaque. So if you aren’t doing it for yourself, do it for the glory of the Chapter.
I hope you take advantage of one of these opportunities.
Ride Safe! Rich
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SITE LAST UPDATED 5/16/2008 8:55:02 AM
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Pat Bush), 930 S. Kirkwood, Kirkwood, MO 63122
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