Fitness, Training, Endurance, and the Ride

Executive Report by John Reblin

Here we go, the start of another trip around the sun. Hopefully, you all had a Merry Christmas and enjoyed the New Year making resolutions that usually are broken by the second week of January. If you are still one that writes checks rather than doing your business online, I am sure this time of the year we are going to see some smudges and excess ink on your checks from putting down the incorrect year. It usually takes a few tries to get it right, but by the end of January I get the year right. We just need to worry about the month for the rest of the year then. Hopefully, you all had memories made and meetings with friends and relatives to enjoy.

With the New Year we start with a clean slate and efforts for us to fill it with tasks. First up Officer Training. Hopefully, you are all making plans to attend and take in what it takes from everyone to keep this organization moving forward to protect our motorcyclist’s rights here and at the national level. The hope is we are not giving you information like drinking from a fire hose, but rather a steady stream of knowledge to help you, your region, and ABATE of Wisconsin moving forward. There is a good solid mix of information to be given out and hopefully in a clear way.

Of course, to make Officer Training successful we need input from you, offering suggestions of what works for you and your region and good solid conversations throughout the weekend. Highway Safety is what I really enjoy dealing with and it is exciting to see what Dave has coming and ordered and sharing ideas of different and new things.

Speaking of Highway Safety, we ended up so fat at 102 motorcycle fatalities this year, one above last year. A focus this year will be driving down those fatality numbers. It will be a looking at the unlicensed rider, the single bike crashes, and riding under the influence and seeing if we can wrap our arms around some sort of messaging to grab the attention of the rider. We also need to make sure drivers are paying attention to motorcycles all year long.

I am also working on getting greater interest in motorcycle training, especially in the beginning of the riding season. Most people park the bike in the fall sometime and when that first warm day comes the bike rolls out of the corner and the rider swings their leg over, itching to go for a ride. We need to remind users to make sure they look into a full training course or grab a short course like Region 1F’s Knock the Rust Off training. I am working with some people along with the DOT to set something up, I should have more info in the next newsletter and at Officer Training.

I have been enjoying Gary Klinker’s articles about the back brace along with other items that can make the longer rides more enjoyable. I know the aches and pains Gary has been writing about. The ache in the back, hand hurting from holding the throttle for extended periods of time, thank you cruise control for reducing that, along with other lesser aches and pains. I did some serious thinking after I read a book by Cameron Hanes called Endure. Cameron Hanes is a very successful bow hunter. He enjoys traveling this country and going to others to hunt large game with his bow and arrow. He is also a successful runner and fitness fanatic. He felt to be successful at hunting, to hike into the mountain area a good distance, spending the time tracking the animal you are hunting, then harvest it and take all of the meat, rack, and hide all out by foot, he needed to work at improving his physical conditioning. He was a good runner in school, now he is in his late 50’s, but through the years he has been improving his physical capabilities. Running long marathons and ultras which is anything over a marathon, and combining that with strength workouts, he is able to achieve his goals.

So, using that thought why can’t we use some strength training to get the leg strength to hold that bike up at a stop. To move it around the parking lot or garage. To make it easier to push through those corners for hours on end. To be able to handle the cooler weather along with the warmer weather better. I am not saying we need to run a 50-mile race or rucksack with pounds of weight in a backpack for 10 miles, but why not start with a walk around the block and work from there to a mile or two. Dig out the old sand weights or be creative around the house to lift some items. Or if your insurance covers it join a fitness club and sneak in a workout. Maybe starting now will let you ride longer, easier, and farther into your later years.

Lobby day is coming up on February 13th. Mark the date in your calendar. If you use your phone calendar, set the alert button. Make sure you, your region, and your district is making plans to attend. We are still getting the push on higher ethanol fuel levels. We need to be certain we can get safe and legal fuel for our motorcycles and other engines that require E-10 or less fuel. We also need to make sure that the technology, tools, and parts are available to have your vehicle repaired at the facility of your choice and are not required to go to the dealer. It takes many people getting together to make a loud voice that is heard in our State Capitol as well in DC. If we are not loud the members in office will not know there is an issue. We need to make sure we are heard loud and clear. Bring your friends, people from other groups that share the same concern and anyone else you can think of. We need to be heard!

See you at Officer Training!

 Ride Your Own Ride,

John