First things first…

by Bill Kingsley

2022 Raffles Licensing – If you are planning an ABATE fundraising event (raffles, Fun Runs, etc.) this year, plan on having the required state of Wisconsin licensing. After you secure the license be sure to send to Laurie Thompson and myself. Our contact info is listed in this newsletter. If you have any questions, contact me. Thanks in advance.

IF YOU HAVE ANY RAFFLES IN YOUR REGION YOU WILL NEED TO HAVE THE PROPER RAFFLE LICENSE. Be sure to send me the Raffle license. Contact me with any questions about Raffle Licensing

All our General Liability and overall coverage insurance coverage is current. Unless there are any new insurance requirements presented, there are no actions on insurance until next year.

Here is an article provide by ABATE member Jim Moeckler that I feel is appropriate for this time of the riding season. As Steve Williams likes to say, “Enjoy the fall colors—but keep safety on your mind with these five tips!”

Most motorcycle riders are three-season riders—out riding a motorcycle on the first pretty day in the spring and parking the bike in storage when the first winter snow falls. In between, there’s the fall riding season. We’ve gathered five tips to help make it safer and more enjoyable.

1. Check Tire Pressure

Checking tire inflation before each ride is recommended to help maintain optimum traction and increase the life of your tires. Colder temperatures lead to lower tire pressure. So, check tire pressure when the tires are cold—at least three hours after a ride—and adjust them to the manufacturer’s cold pressure inflation recommendation which can be found in your owner’s manual or on a label on the bike itself.

2. Choose the Right Riding Gear

Fall daytime temperatures can vary widely, making it easy to be caught off-guard. A warm, sunny morning ride to work could easily be a bone-chilling ride home—if you’re not prepared. Riding a motorcycle with a selection of riding gear layers allows you to adjust with the changing temperatures. After all, being cold while riding isn’t only uncomfortable, it can lead to health risks like hypothermia.

3. Be Ready for Temperature Changes in The Mountains

As elevations increase, temperatures decrease. While that makes for comfortable summer riding, it’s not necessarily the case in the fall. Shorter daylight hours reduce the amount of sunshine heating the ground, and what heat is gathered escapes quickly at higher elevations—especially in clear or windy conditions. When temperatures really start to drop, wet roads at high elevations can ice over quickly, creating another safety hazard.

4. Look Out for Leaves

The most spectacular part of riding a motorcycle in the fall is enjoying the fall foliage with an unobstructed view. All those leaves are beautiful to behold—as long as they stay on the trees. Once they fall to the ground, leaves can easily change from being beautiful to being a danger. A heavy—or even modest—rainfall can bring leaves down fast and make for a wet, slippery roadway.

That’s why it’s important to remember when riding a motorcycle that wet or dry leaves can hide road surface hazards like potholes, loose gravel, or edge traps. Adjust your cornering speed, use caution, and be vigilant scanning for surface hazards. Also, consider some of these other fall foliage riding tips.

5. Watch for Wildlife and More On The Road

As the fall season progresses, deer enter their mating season. The increased activity makes it more likely they’ll dart across the road. Of course, deer are just one kind of animal you may encounter. Other ruminant animals actively forage for food and sometimes cross into the road as they prepare for winter. Also, remember that lots of people head into the woods to hunt or enjoy the last hikes of the season. Remain on the lookout for parked vehicles and cars pulling out along country roads.

While out on your fall travels, you’ll want to protect yourself—and your bike—from the dangers of accidents and crashes. A number of insurance coverages like roadside assistance can cover you while you’re on your ride. Discounts can help make insurance coverage more affordable.

Fall is a wonderful time of the year to ride a motorcycle and store up riding memories for the coming winter. And you’re more likely to enjoy them safely if you prepare your motorcycle, riding gear, and mindset for the change of seasons.

ZOOM Video & Chat Webcasting – ZOOM has great potential for ABATE. ZOOM can be used for smaller meetings (regional, committee, remote locations) to larger statewide meetings and events. Some of the benefits are; more member inclusion, no limits on any meeting you choose to attend, regional meetings can either be in-person, virtual or both, full interaction, the list is endless… Think about the possibility of attending the monthly BOD meeting from the comfort of your home or get with other ABATE Brothers and Sisters to tune in together.

Regional Reps and District Directors are asked to start incorporating these ZOOM meeting into their regular meeting formats. We are going to start by crawling with Zoom before we try walk and run. Please check it out and stay open minded to how we can all benefit by using ZOOM. Please contact your ABATE rep or me for assistance.

This is a great low cost, easy to use software program that will allow virtually any of us to attend any ABATE of WI meeting using our mobile or computing devices.

Future Articles

I will be posting pertinent information in my newsletters for the members (at all levels of participation) to use and become more knowledgeable of the behind-the-scenes details. You are welcome to submit a topic or article for use – remember this newsletter article is for us.

Sometimes there may not be much news to report, however, I will try to find something timely and of interest. Contact me if you have a topic you would like to see covered.

We are always looking to reduce our costs and spend our Members money wiser while maintaining necessary insurance and licensing coverage while serving our Membership. Suggestions are always welcome!

Should you have any questions regarding Insurance or Licensing (Raffles, fundraiser, etc.) please contact me. My info is listing towards the end of this newsletter. I may not have the answer, but I will get you the answer.

See you at the next Big One!

Bill Œ