Epic Adventures, One Day at a Time: Heartland STEAM and Bikers Inside The Beltway

By Becky Zarling

Our first time attending.

Since my appointment as ABATE of Wisconsin Regional Rep and MRF Asst State Rep, I’ve been insanely, but enjoyably, busy doing everything I can for bikers across this nation. Recently, I’ve been getting to know SMRO and MRF reps from many states via Facebook. To meet these wonderful, passionate and like-minded activists, giving hugs, getting advice, really getting to know each other, has been the highlight of my life! All by accident, I’ve stumbled into the most epic and fulfilling adventure, which I couldn’t even have created in my mind. And here we are!

Thank you, ABATE of ND, for hosting Heartland STEAM! The camaraderie was overwhelming. But the information was more so. There were presentations on common laws and knowing what your rights are and knowing the difference. Get yourself familiar with the actual verbiage of laws and when to keep your mouth shut (that’s the nice way of how he put it). In the presentation on fossil fuels, we learned how, once the world eliminates internal combustion engines (ICE) and goes electric, China will control roughly 80% of the world’s energy source. We heard about social media and how and why to use it. Take into consideration the young generations. Mentor them and listen to them. They are our future. Adjust our old-school ways into the modern day. In the introduction of the states, I’m excited for Nebraska as they have LB91 active to modify their helmet law, Minnesota as they combat the current CARB legislation, and NH, SD and FL as they work with NHTSA to promote New Hampshire’s Smart Ride program.

Both at STEAM and Bikers in DC: 1) I’ve talked in depth with Traci Beaurivage, the president of New Hampshire Motorcyclists’ Rights Organization, about her Smart Ride program. We’ll talk more next month when Bob and I go to Laconia bike week. In Wisconsin, we have a Ride Your Own Ride campaign. It’s very similar and I can’t wait to learn more. 2) The friends across the country I mentioned earlier just overwhelm my heart. Everywhere I go and meet these people feels like I’m seeing family I haven’t seen in years. I don’t want to part ways at the end.

Bikers Inside the Beltway: This is ultimately the best trip I’ve ever been on and the most epic thing I’ve been a part of! The stories will stay with me forever and the bonds I’ve built will never die. Both Bob and I will definitely go again. It all started with a rainy ride to Dad’s house (Dave Dwyer) Friday night and continued that way for most of the first day’s ride on Saturday. Thankfully, both Dad and Cathy Dial told us to buy rain gear and we did. Riding with a new person is tough sometimes, it takes getting used to their riding habits and trying to predict what they’re going to do. By the middle of Pennsylvania on the ride home, Dad and I were completely fluid in our movements in and out of traffic. I almost died when a semi in the right lane veered into the middle lane with another semi already there while we were passing. But that middle driver knew what to do and actually saved my life. I didn’t die! If you ever have the opportunity to lobby in DC, GO!!! Don’t be an “I can’t” kind of person; just be a doer, because your fear and lack of knowledge are your greatest weaknesses. My appointment schedule was only in the House buildings, Bob and I were assigned to shadow Hardtail the entire day. The politician’s offices we met with were good friends to the MRF and ABATE and looked forward to meeting with us. We ran into Representative Gallagher in a tunnel between buildings, and he was very much looking forward to our meeting later in the day. At that meeting, Hardtail and Rocky presented Gallagher with a vest/award for being MRF’s 2022 Legislator of the Year. And Representative Tiffany was so disappointed he had a committee meeting at the same time as our meeting in his office, he had 2 of his staff members bring us to that committee meeting room just to chat with us and have a photo. That’s pretty cool!

Becky