June 2021

by Gary Klinker

Here we are just past the first of May and our first BRC is in the books. Everything worked well. The new classroom was very nice, and all the bikes performed. It was hard to believe that it was almost 90 degrees for the first class. Taking people with little or no riding experience through a class and watching them learn and become riders still gives me a good feeling. I really enjoy meeting students and getting to know them.
Next weekend we run another BRC and our first two BRC2 classes for License Waiver. At the same time our prospective Rider Coach starts his training in Merrill. Larry Geist and I will be attending a continuing education update for Rider Coaches at Southwest Tech in Fennimore. We will be working on BRC range exercises and riding demos. These updates are required periodically to maintain our certifications.
I want to thank USA Pride Inc. for their very generous donation to Safe Rider from the Wausau Swap Meet. We really appreciate it. With moving classrooms and having to buy a trailer this year our expenses are quite a bit higher, even before the season started. As most of you have probably noticed, there is not much for inventory in the bike shops. Hopefully, by next fall things will improve. We will probably be looking for another bike by then.
I was glad to see all the regional Awareness Rallies for May that were on the calendar of events. I hope along with making drivers aware, that all the riders stay aware of hazards and ride safely also. As of today, it looks like there have been ten motorcyclist fatalities this year already. As usual, alcohol was involved in several of them. Another common factor is failure to control the bike-especially in curves. With the riding season getting into full swing, please ride your own ride, and ride within your limits. If you want to expand your limits, it takes training and practice. Training is available in many forms and practice is up to you to work on.
Ride Safe,

Gary