March 2022

by Gary Klinker

Spring must be getting closer. We just booked a house in Sturgis for a week of riding in June. It can’t come soon enough. As I write this, we have not had our February meetings yet, so I’ll have to fill you in on that next month. I will thank everyone who attended Lobby Day. It is very important to keep in touch with our elected representatives. Last weekend at the Tomah gun show Shawn and I had the chance to meet with Derrick Van Orden, candidate for the Third District Congressional seat being vacated by Ron Kind. It is important to make connections with these candidates early in the process so they remember us later should they be elected. At the same time, we got to spend quite a bit of time with our Monroe County Sheriff, Wes Revels. He’s a very good man who believes strongly in our individual rights. It is an election year so I can’t stress strongly enough how important it is to make these connections early.

Since I’m sure you all read John Reblin’s column last month you know about the 2021 fatalities in Wisconsin. Last month I closed with the dictionary definition of suicide. This month I hope to tie it in without causing any undue distress to anyone. With so many single bike fatalities it seems to match the definition of suicide. When people die riding impaired or beyond their skill level or when not focusing on the dangers involved, what else can you call it? People are killing themselves. Riding impaired-even one or two drinks-is no different than playing Russian Roulette. Sure, you may survive, but the odds are against you. Riding over your head can have the same consequences. I have always said that the old saying “speed kills” is wrong. The inability to handle speed is what can kill. Even in 200 mph Moto GP fatalities are rare, but crashes are minimized because of skill and protective gear.

With some self-examination before and during riding, along with training, practice and bike maintenance, motorcycle suicides can be prevented. You can live to ride another day-or year. Think about it!

Ride Safe,

Gary