 
 Global Warming
By Gary Klinker 
As I write this our first Basic Rider Course of
the year is taking place. I was up at 5:00 AM to meet
Doug and Ken, this week's rider coaches. I wanted
to help in case there were any weather related
problems. There are patches of snow on the ground
and the digital sign at Ft. McCoy told us it was
29 degrees. The range, which we painted last
Saturday, was clear of snow. All the bikes started
OK, except one that needed a bump start. The
students were bundled up nice and warm and were
smiling. I guess that is a good sign.
Unfortunately, the Sunday of the class needed to
be canceled when a blizzard moved in on April 14.
This makes me believe that global warming is a
hoax perpetrated by Big Government types who want
to control people and the economy. The forecast
for next weekend does not sound much different
than today. Our first six BRC classes are full so
we will stay busy in spite of the weather. The ERC
classes are also filling at a faster pace than
past years.
Since there probably wasn't a lot of riding
in April, I'll remind you to check the bike
over carefully before the first ride. Watch out
for the sand left over from winter. Just this week
I saw sand and salt being poured on the roads.
Speaking of checking your bike over, I guess
I'll need to add the center stand to the
list of things to inspect. Really it is on the
list, but it has always worked so it gets
overlooked. Last weekend while out riding, I was
parking and putting the bike on the center stand.
Did you know that when you are pulling up on the
rear of the bike and the stand breaks you tend to
throw the bike down hard onto its right side?
Trust me, that is what you do. Aside from a few
scratches, new glass for the mirror, and a welding
job, everything survived. I even got to use the
proper procedure for picking a bike up off of the
ground. Good practice, but I recommend you lay the
bike down carefully on a blanket before you work
on the technique.
I'm off to our regional meeting this
afternoon. See you on the road. If global warming
really exists, I'd be happy if someone would
send some to west central Wisconsin. But summer
and sunshine is coming, and for that I'd
like to share with you a contribution from one of
our members, Patrick Ellicson SN.
It's Not All Fun In The Sun
Spring is here, and it's time to roll out the
bikes. We go to great lengths to protect our
machines with fresh lubricants, filters, wax,
chrome polish, and leather treatment. But how much
thought are any of us giving to protecting our own
finish? No, this is not another helmet lecture. I
am talking about the growing prevalence of skin
cancer and how to avoid this potentially fatal
disease.
The greatest proven risk for skin cancer is
exposure to ultra violet light radiation (UV). The
primary source of these UV rays is our friend the
sun for whom we have waited all winter. Not
only are we bombarded by UV radiation from above,
the sunlight is often reflected back up at us as
well by all that beautiful chrome, shiny paint,
and even the road surface. That UV radiation
causes mutation of our outer skin cells that can
lead to skin cancer.
According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, the
incidence of non-melanoma skin cancer has jumped
300% since 1994 and is truly becoming an epidemic.
If not caught in time, this type of cancer can be
disfiguring and sometimes fatal. The Foundation
goes on to state that melanoma skin cancer, which
is far more dangerous, is also a prevalent threat
with 8,790 fatalities in the U.S. each year and
another 120,000 cases diagnosed.
Melanoma skin cancer is treatable if caught in its
early stages but can invade other body systems
with fatal results. Skin cancer is more prevalent
than all other cancers combined and represents 79%
of all deaths resulting from cancers. In Wisconsin
alone, diagnosed cases of skin cancer have risen
62%. White males are five times more likely to
develop skin cancer than any other race, and, if you
have a history of five or more sunburns in your
life, then your chances of developing skin cancer
have doubled.
Now I shall give you some good news. Aside from
avoiding sun exposure altogether, you can take a
few simple steps to reduce your chance of
developing skin cancer. The first step would be to
wear clothing that covers your skin and blocks UV
light. A hat or bandana will protect the top of
your head. (We all know hair doesn't stop the
burn.)
Lightweight pants and long-sleeve shirts can
protect you as well. There is even clothing now
that is designed to provide varying degrees of UV
protection. Your eyes need protection too, so find
a pair of sunglasses that provide UV protection.
If your skin is going to be exposed, wear a
quality sunscreen lotion. This means
reading the label. Sunscreens are rated by
"sunburn protection factor" (SPF). The
higher the SPF number, the more protection the
product provides. The Skin Cancer Foundation
recommends that a sunscreen of at least 30 SPF be
worn, and SPF 50 is probably the most anyone needs.
Not all individuals respond the same to the
different levels of SPF so a little trial and
error may be involved in finding the SPF level
that works best for you. Also look for sunscreen
lotions that protect against UVA and UVB
rays. Another suggestion is to look at the
ingredients. Look for these components or -- even
better -- a combination of these components:
titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, avobenzone (also
known as Parsol 1789), and ecamsule (also known as
Mexoryl). Added moisturizers can hydrate the skin
and help avoid over-drying of the skin that can
cause additional damage. And don't be
stingy. Studies show that people only usually use
about a quarter to one half of the amount of sun
screen product that they should. About one ounce of
product (a shot glass) is sufficient to cover the
average body.
Finally, sunscreen can protect you, but it is not a
magic shield. Be aware of amount of time that you
are exposed to the sun. If you notice that your
skin is tingling or turning a little pink, then
you've already been over exposed. Plan some
stops on your ride to give yourself a break from
the sun for a little while and
"rehydrate" yourself.
So let's all roll our bikes out this spring
and get ready for another great riding season here
in Wisconsin. Change those fluids and wash the
winter dust off your trusty machines. And
don't forget to invest a little time and
effort into giving yourselves a little added
protection against the sun with proper attire and
sunscreen. Keep healthy so you can enjoy the many
summers to come.
Klinker, Gary. "Global Warming." ABATE of Wisconsin Newsletter May. 2013.
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