STEAM and Bikers Inside the Beltway

By Bob Christopherson

The travel to North Dakota for STEAM was not motorcycle worthy. The snow was drifting over the road and semis were in the ditch on both sides. Dick “Slider” Gilmore’s presentation was excellent. His safety report covered everything from staying hydrated, overheating on hot days, dangers of blue haired old ladies who will not notice bikers and pull out in front of motorcycles, to loose objects and debris that will fly up at you on the road, slippery paint, tar strips, how tires channel the water away on the road and how critical the depth of tire treads are, and checking the year the tires were manufactured. I had tires that looked brand new but had no traction because they had 13-year-old rubber that got hard. His pictures of accidents and broken legs, internal bleeding and how hazardous road rash is, shows how important it is that everyone needs to take Accident Seen Management, first aid and CPR classes. You never know when tragedy is going to strike you or a friend. We met a lot of new friends, joined a couple more SMROs, had a lot of camaraderie, and had a safe travel home.

On the other hand, on our travel to Alexandria, VA I got trained how to drive interstates through big cities like, Chicago then the turnpike in Ohio. A little different than just riding out to Sturgis, you have to keep tight groups and your eyes peeled as always.

Lobbying in Washington DC was my first time and we have great mentors. Some Wisconsin people went back the next day to make sure all the folders were handed out to offices that other states did not make to meetings. I encourage everyone to go.

Bob