American Motorcyclist 04 2012

APRIL 2012

GET OUT AND RIDE! Your Complete Guide To AMA Rallies And Tours

THE JOURNAL OF THE

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CONCRETE JUNGLE CENTURION

Tame the challenges of urban riding—or anywhere the ride takes you—with the Tour Master® Centurion one-piece riding suit.

• Serious all-weather one-piece riding suit • 600-denier Carbolex® shell with tough 1680-denier ballistic polyester panels in the shoulders, forearms and knees • Phoslite® dark reflective piping, wide strips across the back and rear triangle increase nighttime visibility • Waterproof and breathable Rainguard® barrier • Aqua-Barrier under-the-helmet hood eliminates rain seepage in collar area. Hood stows easily in a hidden collar pocket • Collar anchor tab eliminates flapping while collar is open • Carbolex® accordion stretch material in back, knees and waist for increased flexibility • Removable neck gaiter seals the neck area from wind and cold • Waterproof zippered shoulder, chest, sleeve, thigh and rear-exit vents • Pipeline Ventilation System provides cooling airflow • Convenient collar-to-knee-length main zipper closure with dual wind flap • Fleece-lined collar and cuffs • Adjustable sleeve take-up straps at forearm and bicep • Removable, CE-approved armor at elbows, shoulders and knees • Ar ticulated triple-density back protector • Ver tical zippered chest map pockets • Zippered hand-warmer pockets • Zippered sleeve key pocket and flap-closure bellows thigh pockets • Adjustable waist belts

Get the free mobile app for your smartphone at http://gettag.mobi to play the Centurion One-Piece Suit Video. Check out all our videos at youtube.com/helmethouse. For more information see your local dealer or visit tourmaster.com. Cortech and Tour Master are registered trademarks of Helmet House. ©Helmet House, Inc. 2012. Always maintain, inspect and wear protective motorcycle riding gear. No gear can offer complete protection from all situations. Obey all speed and safety laws. Riding and alcohol or other drugs don’t mix.

NAVIGATION

Cover

April is AMA Get Out and Ride! month, and Kevin Parsons is among the AMA members who will be criss-crossing the country on the road to adventure. He offers up some great riding destinations around the United States, beginning on page 36.

Photos: Sjodin Photography.

Navigation Photo

“In September of 2011 I rode with Alex and Manuel De La Cruz from New York City to Wyoming, South Dakota, Montana, Utah, Arizona and Colorado.”

Photo: Ken Cromer

American Motorcyclist magazine (ISSN 0277-9358) is published monthly by the American Motorcyclist Association, 13515 Yarmouth Dr., Pickerington, OH 43147.

Copyright by the American Motorcyclist Association/American Motorcyclist 2012.

Printed in USA. Subscription rate: Magazine subscription fee of $10 covered in membership dues; $15 a year for non-members.

Postmaster: Mail form 3579 to 13515 Yarmouth Dr., Pickerington, OH 43147.

Periodical postage paid at Pickerington, Ohio, and at additional mailing offices.

April 2012 Volume 66, Number 4 Published by the American Motorcyclist Association 13515 Yarmouth Dr. Pickerington, OH 43147 (800) AMA-JOIN (262-5646) AmericanMotorcyclist.com

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10. LETTERS

You write, we read.

14. WAYNE ALLARD

Protecting your freedom to ride.

16. RIGHTS

AMA earns grassroots innovation award, and bike bans in California.

22. RIDING

Columbus, Ohio, dealer Bob Althoff, and new AMA Board member Ken Ford.

28. RACING

Four questions with Arenacross racer Vicki Golden, and Kurt Caselli wins.

32. HALL OF FAME

Jim Rice’s 1957 BSA Goldstar dirt-tracker, and Hall of Famer Bill Tuman.

36. GET OUT AND RIDE THE U.S. OF A.

AMA member and uber-tourer Kevin Parsons offers up 10 highlight rides to make this the best year yet.

42. GROUND ZERO IN SOUND BATTLE

A New Hampshire lawmaker wants motorcycle exhaust systems to display a federal Environmental Protection Agency sound-compliance label, touching off a firestorm.

47. GO RIDE

What to do, where to go.

54. JEFFREY RUMMINGER Together in motion.

SAVING PEOPLE MONEY

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Some discounts, coverages, payment plans and features are not available in all states or all GEICO companies. Motorcycle and ATV coverages are underwritten by GEICO Indemnity Company. Boat and PWC coverages are written through non-affiliated insurance companies and are secured through the GEICO Insurance Agency, Inc. GEICO is a registered service mark of Government Employees Insurance Company, Washington, D.C. 20076; a Berkshire Hathaway Inc. subsidiary. Š 2012 GEICO

EDITORIAL OFFICES

AMA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

American Motorcyclist 13515 Yarmouth Drive Pickerington, OH 43147 (614) 856-1900 submissions@ama-cycle.org

Husqvarna is proud to sponsor the 2012 AMA Dual-Sport Trail Riding Series

Contact any member of the AMA Board of Directors at AmericanMotorcyclist.com/ about/board Stan Simpson, Chairman Cibolo, Texas

Grant Parsons, Director of Communications James Holter, Managing Editor Bill Kresnak, Government Affairs Editor Mark Lapid, Creative Director Jen Muecke, Designer Jeff Guciardo, Production Manager/Designer

Maggie McNally, Vice Chairwoman Albany, N.Y. Jon-Erik Burleson, Assistant Treasurer Murrietta, Calif.

Perry King, Assistant Secretary Northern California

ADVERTISING Zach Stevens, National Sales Manager (626) 298-3854, zstevens@ama-cycle.org

John Ulrich, Executive Committee Member Lake Elsinore, Calif.

Steve Gotoski, Advertising Director (Western States) (951) 566-5068, sgotoski@ama-cycle.org

Dwight Conant, Kearsarge, N.H. Ken Ford, Bartow, Fla.

Aaron Cumbow, Marketing Specialist (614) 856-1900, ext. 1266, acumbow@ama-cycle.org

Scott Miller, Milwaukee, Wis.

All trademarks used herein (unless otherwise noted) are owned by the AMA and may only be used with the express, written permission of the AMA. American Motorcyclist is the monthly publication of the American Motorcyclist Association, which represents motorcyclists nationwide. For information on AMA membership benefits, call (800) AMA-JOIN or visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com. Manuscripts, photos, drawings and other editorial contributions must be accompanied by return postage. No responsibility is assumed for loss or damage to unsolicited material. Copyright© American Motorcyclist Association, 2012.

Art More, Surprise, Ariz.

Jim Viverito, Chicago, Ill. AMA PRESIDENT AND CEO Rob Dingman, Pickerington, Ohio

(800) AMA-JOIN (262-5646) AmericanMotorcyclist.com

AMA STAFF ACCOUNTING Dawn Becker, Accounting Manager Margaret Burgess, Accounts Payable/Cash Receipts Clerk Tyra Hines, Lead Accounting Clerk Melanie Hise, HR Assistant/Payroll Coordinator Bruce Moffat, Chief Financial Officer ADMINISTRATION Bob Chaddock, Vice President ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES Sandi Dunphy, Coordinator/Switchboard Operator Sean Maher, Director AMHF/MOTORCYCLE HALL OF FAME Renee Bock, Management Assistant Beth Myers, Donor Relations Specialist Katy Wood, Operations Manager AMA RACING/ORGANIZER SERVICES Kip Bigelow, Amateur MX Manager Joe Bromley, Director of Racing Jacki Burris, Organizer Services Coordinator Jane Caston, Racing Coordinator Lana Cox, Administrative Assistant/Switchboard Operator Kevin Crowther, Director SX & Pro Racing Relations Dave Hembroff, Road Riding Manager Tamra Jones, Racing Coordinator Ken Saillant, Track Racing Manager Cherie Schlatter, Organizer Services Manager D’Andra Schwabel, Organizer Services Coordinator Serena Van Dyke, Organizer Services Coordinator Chuck Weir, Off Road Racing Manager Conrad Young, Timing & Scoring Manager DEVELOPMENT/OPERATIONS

www.husqvarna-motorcyclesna.com

Jack Penton, Director Paula Schremser, Program Specialist DISTRIBUTION/FACILITIES MANAGEMENT John Bricker, Mailroom Manager Heida Drake, Copy Center Operator/Switchboard Operator

Bill Frasch, Mailroom Clerk Ron Williams, Facilities Manager GOVERNMENT RELATIONS Sen. Wayne Allard, Vice President Sheila Andrews, Senior Legislative Assistant Marie Esselstein, Government Affairs Assistant Nick Haris, Western States Representative Jessica Irving, Grassroots Coordinator Rick Podliska, Deputy Director Sharon Smolinka, Legislative Coordinator Imre Szauter, Government Affairs Manager - On-Road Royce Wood, Government Affairs Manager - Off-Road INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Rob Baughman, Network Administrator Dave Coleman, Network Architect Amy Hyman, Senior Programmer/Analyst Ed Madden, Managed Services Manager Bill Miller, Web Architect Peg Tuvell, Operations Manager MARKETING Connie Fleming, Events Manager Drew Parrott, Marketing Manager Tigra Tsujikawa, Marketing Manager MEMBER SERVICES/DATA ENTRY Lori Cavucci, Member Services Representative Deb D’Andrea, Member Services Representative Linda Hembroff, Member Services Representative Darcel Higgins, Member Services Manager Angie Miller, Member Services Representative Tiffany Pound, Member Services Representative Jessica Robinson, Member Services Representative Misty Walker, Member Services Representative OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT Bill Cumbow, Director of Special Projects Rob Dingman, President/CEO Rhonda Hixon, Administrative Asst./Litigation Manager Rob Rasor, Director of International Affairs Jim Williams, VP Industry Relations & Corporate Member Programs

MEMBER LETTERS

Send your letters (and a high-resolution photo) to submissions@ama-cycle.org; or mail to 13515 Yarmouth Drive, Pickerington, OH 43147.

LETTER OF THE MONTH CHARTER MEMBER

Thank you for the Charter Life Membership Certificate. It is framed, and I have it hanging on my wall with pride.

I first became an AMA member in 1950, and I have been proud to ride and race with an AMA membership card and AMA rulebook over the years.

I want to thank the AMA for the wonderful work you have done over the years.

Keep up the good work in protecting the motorcyclist and our wonderful sport.

Each month, a lucky AMA member wins a Bike Bandit gift card worth $100. Didn’t win? No worries. You can still take advantage of your 10% AMA member discount at BikeBandit.com.

David Thom AMA Life Member Plus Torrance, Calif.

C.H. Wheat Moreno Valley, Calif.

POLICE TRAINING I just finished the February article about Midwest Police Motorcycle Training, instructed by Doug Wolf. I read the piece with great interest, as I was fortunate enough to take the course in its infancy through Michigan State University at the Michigan State Fairgrounds in Detroit.

I had to laugh to myself while reading the author’s description of target fixation, as I can still see all the cones I ran over and remember all the times I had to pick my bike up after I had fallen over, until I got it right.

As a 27-year rider (self-taught) when I showed up for the class, I considered myself a pretty good rider. I had ridden a couple hundred thousand-plus miles all over the country, and had never had a mishap. I soon learned how limited my knowledge was.

What I learned in that course was that the capability of the bike was far beyond what my comfort zone had been to that point in time. It’s a comfort to know now that I’m capable of far more response in an emergency.

I must fess up and tell you that after mastering all the lessons in practice, on test day Doug pulled me off the course.

I was too wired to do anything right.

(I never did like tests.) But like I told Doug that day, I know I’m a better rider because of his course. Those lessons saved my bacon of couple of years later when a four-wheeler decided to use the space I was in.

If you get the chance to take this

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opposite direction, and perpendicular intersection collisions. It examines the effect of 1) initial motorcycle lane position and 2) braking effectiveness on collision avoidance. The reconstruction suggests that the motorcycle rider can do more to avoid a collision by moving laterally away from a threatening vehicle, putting at least one lane-width between them, before a vehicle begins to violate his right-of-way, than he can by effective braking after the other vehicle has begun to violate his right-of-way.”

course, I highly recommend it.

Dale Vollmers Mayville, Mich.

MORE ON LANE POSITIONING March’s “Ask the MSF” column topic was on lane position in a left-turn lane.

Jim Ouellet is one of the Hurt report authors, and he wrote a paper on the topic of lane position choices for the 1990 MSF International Motorcycle Safety Conference. The last line of the abstract below sums up how important lane positioning can be: Lane Positioning for Collision Avoidance: An Hypothesis by James V. Ouellet, Proceedings of the 1990 MSF International Motorcycle Safety Conference, pp 9-58-79, 1990: “Collision avoidance for motorcycles is usually synonymous with braking and swerving. Except for conspicuity, research and training in collision prevention have focused almost exclusively on the two evasive actions.

However, in motorcycle/car collisions, the emphasis on braking and swerving—and on antilock braking systems—may be overrated. Braking often can do little to delay the rider’s arrival at point of impact; swerving requires more time than is usually available, and panicky riders often bungle what little chance they have to avoid a collision. This paper presents a mathematical reconstruction of the two most common motorcycle/car collision scenarios: a car turning left across the path of a motorcycle coming from the

PARTNERS IN THE FIGHT Your article about the lead law and its potential to kill the sport by attrition was very good. I think it would be good to follow up with why it is important for folks to support their state organizations, too.

Consider the Ohio Motorized Trails Association (OMTA) as an example (and use anyone you wish). The farm bureau and a legislator put in a bill for consideration that would have required anyone who rides a motorized vehicle on public or private property in Ohio to have a driver’s license. It would have effectively blocked anyone under 16 from riding legally. Our legislative affairs liaison, Matthew Mesarchik, changed the course of a damaging bill into a positive outcome.

Your partners in the struggle, the state organizations, are at the forefront to save our riding in the states.

William Kaeppner President OMTA CELEBRATING 95 YEARS The family-oriented Manchester Motorcycle Club in New Hampshire has been in existence since 1915.

Originally a bicycle club, born in the days of the bicycle craze during the late 1890s, it was then known as the “Queen City Riders.”

The club was founded in 1896 by Pete Forest, who was a bicycle dealer at the time. He envisioned a new form of twowheel conveyance when the motorcycle made its appearance.

In the1910s, the automobile was considered a toy but the motorcycle was a more affordable alternative to the general population. Realizing this, Forest branched his bicycle dealership to form Manchester’s first Harley-Davidson

dealership in 1914.

In 1915 he formed the “Forest Riders,” which was also chartered with the AMA at that time.

As the club evolved over the years, the name was changed to the “Manchester Motorcycle Club,” which was incorporated in 1943.

Today, the Manchester Motorcycle Club is thriving and actively riding, predominantly on New Hampshire back roads.

Our current president is Peter Pitman, who has been in this office for about three years. He has provided members with exceptional leadership as well as a genuine joy of motorcycling, which easily transfers to all members, being either a novice or experienced rider.

Rides that club members presently enjoy include excursions to the White Mountains, the scenic New Hampshire Lake Regions and the Maine seacoast.

Various charity rides are enjoyed as well—a few that come to mind benefit the Salvation Army Christmas Toy Drive, the Lions Clubs and the Litchfield Fire Department.

There also is the Annual Colebrook Blessing of the Bikes at the Oblate Mission Retreat House in Colebrook, N.H. We welcome new members who enjoy motorcycling. Feel free to visit our website at MMC1915.org for current and more detailed information.

Hubert Letendre Lowell, Mass.

Steve McDonald

FEBRUARY RIDE West Michigan, February—images of vast white landscapes, barren trees, frozen lakes and gray skies come to mind. My spirit has been like winter as well, cold and gray.

Saturday, Feb. 4, was different though.

This winter is different. We have no snow.

When I opened my eyes the room was bright. The sky is a brilliant color of blue.

There is a big orange and yellow light in the sky; it’s the sun. There’s fresh coffee in my Harley mug, and the fireplace is glowing and warm. The kids are playing Guitar Hero on the Wii downstairs. My lovely lady is under a blanket on the couch sipping tea and watching Saturday morning TV. I sit at the computer to check emails and sip my Folgers.

Off in the distance I hear something. Its sound is muffled through the walls of our home. It’s calling to me. It says, “let’s go for a ride, let’s go for a ride.” I finish my Folgers and take a hot shower—all the while I hear it calling to me “let’s go for a ride.” I get

dressed and step outside. The voice is much stronger now.

I open my garage, and the source is revealed. It’s “The Black Pearl,” my 2009 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide, black denim in color, garnished with trinkets and bobbles of chrome. I push a button and a large door opens. Then I prepare—first the chaps and the leather jacket, and then the leather vest with the pirate patch on the back. Next go on my helmet and leather gloves. I throw a leg over and climb aboard, settling into the captain’s chair. I flip a switch, hit a button and the Pearl roars to life. I pull in the clutch, drop her into first gear, let out the clutch and off we go.

I get on a main road and give the throttle a good twist, blowing the dust off. I get into heavy traffic and as I look around the people in their cages are pointing and talking. Envy is all around me. I head for the countryside and less traffic. The air is crisp as I breathe it in. The sound of my Harley and the rush of the wind is the only music I hear. As time and the miles go by, I can feel my soul being rejuvenated.

As the sun closes in on the horizon, I head back to safe harbor. I pull in the drive and come to a stop. I kick out the stand and remove my helmet. I let out a yell that the neighborhood can hear, “Woo-hoo!

Yeah, Baby! That’s what I’m talking about!”

I feel alive! I look to the heavens and I say, “Thank you, God, for my February ride.”

Steve McDonald Comstock Park, Mich.

On Facebook? Us, too! This month, AMA members offer up their suggestions for cool ways to use your motorcycle. www.facebook.com/AmericanMotorcyclist

Fred Crown: I sing inside my helmet with the face shield down so I don’t scare the wildlife. Better than the shower!

Dan Morton: Best off-road riding on the east coast. Coal Country, central Pennsylvania.

Curt Lewis: A ride to Yosemite is always a winner, or to some of the other fantastic California roads. Highway 229 just east of Atascadero is only 6 miles long, but it’s such a delicious treat. Highway 1 north of Fort Bragg, from the coast to the town of Leggett, is about 25 miles of the most awesome S-turns and the trip up the coast to get there is not only very scenic, but the twisties will put a big grin on your face.

James Sanders: Sleep, eat, ride! Meet my riding buddies at a great breakfast restaurant, ride some fantastic roads to an iconic motorcycle destination in So-Cal, Newcomb’s Ranch, the Rock Store, the Lookout, Hell’s Kitchen, Mother’s. It never gets old.

Brian Dickerson: Take a class to sharpen your riding skills, there is nothing as cool as someone who can really handle a motorcycle!

Larry Langley: We did a couples ride up to Northern California and back. Each couple drew a day to organize. They had to choose where to eat, where to sleep and the day’s route (destination somewhat determined in advance). It worked out great! Each couple tried to outdo each other. One of our best trips ever. And we had an after-ride party where we showed our pics of the ride.

You can connect with fellow AMA members on Facebook. You can also always find more information at AmericanMotorcyclist.com.

April 2012

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VIEWPOINT

PROTECTING YOUR FREEDOM TO RIDE Always On Guard

Access to ride on public roads and trails has become one of the top priorities in the Government Relations Department of the American Motorcyclist Association. That’s because elected and appointed officials from Congress to the courthouse seem intent on restricting our access to roads and trails. While this is sometimes due to budget shortfalls and the need to cut maintenance costs, many times it is simply because these

By Wayne Allard officials do not understand how important it is to give riders who want an outdoor experience the opportunity to use our public lands.

Every day unelected officials are attempting to circumvent the U.S. Congress, and local elected officials are closing down riding opportunities. The AMA government relations staff spends considerable time with bureaucrats who have taken it upon themselves to restrict access to roads and trails across America.

Road closure advocates and their agency friends even try to make the argument that restricting access to motorized vehicle use promotes jobs. Nothing could be further from the truth, and we’ve exposed these claims as covert attempts to take away our freedom to ride. It is because of these enhanced efforts to shut motorcyclists out of public lands that the AMA is making access to off-highway roads and trails a top priority for this year.

We have spent countless hours reminding these agency officials that our national forests and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands were designed for “multiple use.”

That means responsible individuals who need or want to use our public lands for various beneficial purposes should not be excluded. These same bureaucrats take liberties with the term “wild” or “wilderness” to include areas where roads, trails, buildings, and even waste dumps already exist.

Federal agencies now are trying to close roads and trails under the guise of “resource management plans,” claiming they have authority to close them without congressional action. This despite the fact that the Wilderness law states that an agency can’t create federal Wilderness—only Congress may do so.

Management of our national public lands is guided by the Multiple Use-Sustained Yield Act of 1960. The act encourages a wide variety of activities, provided that they take place in harmony with natural resource values. Congress has given authority to various agencies to properly manage public lands for people to enjoy such as the U.S. Forest Service, BLM, the National Park Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. However, these agencies, through their actions, are usurping congressional authority regarding the disposition of public lands.

For the record, the AMA fully supports appropriate Wilderness designations as defined by the Wilderness Act of 1964 and where there is broad local support. More importantly, we advocate for responsible recreational access to public lands for

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the use of off-highway vehicles (OHVs), including off-highway motorcycles, dual-sport motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs). While the AMA recognizes that no single recreation type is appropriate for every setting, there are certainly many places where OHV use can exist in harmony with other uses while preserving important natural and cultural resources.

Last year we sent out more than 1 million communications to motorcyclists encouraging our grassroots activists to contact their elected representatives and agency officials. Now, we are asking grassroots supporters to take part in land-use advisory committees that work with decision makers, The AMA and its members have become the envy of many membership organizations with regard to grassroots mobilization. We recently won a prestigious Grassroots Innovation Award from the Public Affairs Council—the leading national association for public affairs professionals. The award was presented in recognition of the “AMA Kids Just Want to Ride!” grassroots campaign that encouraged people nationwide to get involved in an effort to overturn a federal ban on the sale of kids’ dirtbikes and ATVs. Simply put, we joined together to send a resounding message to lawmakers that we will not tolerate unfair laws that threaten the very foundation of motorcycling. And it worked.

The AMA has developed the necessary tools to give motorcyclists an unprecedented opportunity to help educate and influence elected officials. Become familiar with the AMA’s position in support of access to public lands by going to AmericanMotorcyclist.com > Rights > Position Statements > Support Of Access To Public Lands. Then, be sure to visit the AMA website, AmericanMotorcyclist.com > Rights, each week to stay informed about the latest issues facing the riding community and how you can make your voice heard.

So much is happening with your rights as a motorcyclist that I urge you to sign up to receive our email action alerts by going to AmericanMotorcyclist.com > Rights > Issues & Legislation.

We’ve demonstrated that when we stand together we can make a difference. Now is the time for each of us to do our part.

Wayne Allard is a former U.S. senator and U.S. representative who is now the AMA vice president for government relations.

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RIGHTS AMA ‘Kids Just Want To Ride!’ Campaign Honored

The AMA and AMA Grassroots Coordinator Jessica Irving have earned a Grassroots Innovation Award for the AMA’s inventive campaign to involve the public in overturning a federal ban on the sale of kids’ dirtbikes and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs).

It’s the second prestigious honor bestowed on the AMA for its efforts to overturn the ban. Earlier, in its annual “Best of” awards for 2011, Motorcycle-USA.com, a leading online motorcycle magazine, named the AMA as its “Industry Leader.”

The Grassroots Innovation Award was presented by the Public Affairs Council—a nonpartisan, nonpolitical association for public affairs professionals.

The organization presented the award to Irving in the “social media” category at its National Grassroots Conference in Miami Beach, Fla., in early February.

The award was presented for the AMA Kids Just Want to Ride! grassroots campaign—a national educational and recruitment movement that encouraged people nationwide to get involved in efforts to overturn the ban.

The AMA Kids Just Want to Ride! campaign was instrumental

TWO CALIFORNIA GROUPS NOW BATTLING BIKE BANS Riders In Gated Communities Want Change

Motorcyclists at the Lake Wildwood, Calif., gated community where motorcycles are banned are considering their next move now that the community’s governing board refuses to enter into binding arbitration over the issue.

Meanwhile, motorcyclists at the 4,500-home Canyon Lake, Calif., gated community that bans motorcycles are organizing to try to get the ban overturned in their community as well. They’re circulating a petition to change the

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in bringing hundreds of young motorcyclists, their parents and concerned riders from more than 20 states to Washington, D.C., on May 26 for the AMA Family Capitol Hill Climb to lobby their U.S. representatives. The event was a strong demonstration of public opposition to the ban on the sale of kid-sized motorcycles and ATVs. “We’re honored and humbled to receive this prestigious award from the well-respected Public Affairs Council,” says Rob Dingman, AMA president and CEO. “We put a tremendous effort into the Kids Just Want to Ride! campaign, but the true heroes are all the AMA members, individuals and organizations who came together as a community for the good of the children.”

On Aug. 12, President Barack Obama signed H.R. 2715 to exempt kids’ off-highway vehicles (OHVs) from the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA), called the lead law.

The CPSIA, which went into effect on Feb. 10, 2009, banned the making, importing, distributing or selling of any product intended for children 12 and under, including kids’ dirtbikes and ATVs, that had more than a specificed amount of lead in accessible parts.

community’s bylaws to allow residents to ride their motorcycles to their homes.

Specifically, they want the issue put on the association ballot in May for a vote.

Lake Wildwood is a 3,000-home gated community in Penn Valley, Calif., about an hour north of Sacramento. The community has had a ban on motorcycles since the early 1970s, forcing resident motorcyclists to park their bikes in a lot outside the community entrance gate.

AMA member Bob Bumgarner and the Lake Wildwood Motorcycle Club want the governing board to grant a variance on a case-by-case basis for motorcycles that have federal Environmental

Protection Agency sound-compliant exhaust systems, since residents seem concerned about excessive sound.

On Nov. 3, Bumgarner and the others proposed that the matter go to binding arbitration but the community board rejected the request.

“We’re now pressing a couple of requests for reasonable accommodation for disabled riders,” Bumgarner says, and are weighing options for what to do next, including a possible lawsuit.

Photos Kids: Morten Aigeltinger; Gate: ©istockphoto.com/DmitryDDD

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STUDY: DRIVERS UNDERESTIMATE DISTRACTED DRIVING DANGERS Many Say Using Phone Doesn’t Affect their Driving Most drivers say they will answer a telephone call while driving, and many say they will send a text message.

But almost all of them also say they would feel unsafe if they were a passenger in a car and the driver was sending a text message.

That’s one of the surprising findings of the “National Phone Survey on Distracted Driving Attitudes and Behaviors” released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in December.

The new survey involved telephone interviews with more than 6,000 drivers across the United States.

Wayne Allard, AMA vice president for government relations, says that distracted or inattentive driving has become a major concern to the motorcycling community.

“Far too many cases have been documented of motorcyclists being injured or killed as the result of other vehicle operators being distracted or inattentive,” he says.

Survey respondents indicated that although they answer calls on most trips and acknowledged few driving situations when they wouldn’t use the phone or text, most support bans on texting and cellphone use.

“The findings from our new attitude survey help us understand why some people continue to make bad decisions about driving distracted—but what’s clear

from all of the information we have is that driver distraction continues to be a major problem,” says NHTSA Administrator David Strickland. “We need to maintain our focus on this issue through education, laws, enforcement and vehicle design to help keep drivers’ attention on the road.”

The report also notes: “Overall, only about two-thirds of respondents reported that they could take their eyes off the road for 2 seconds or less before driving becomes significantly more dangerous and young drivers were more likely to indicate that they could take their eyes off the road for 5 to 10 seconds or more.”

The AMA Board of Directors has adopted an official position on distracted driving and inattentive vehicle operation.

As part of the official statement, the AMA supports legislation that includes enhanced penalty options for distracted and inattentive vehicle operation to be determined by the courts.

Allard says that the AMA’s official statement recognizes that all road users—car drivers, truck drivers, motorcyclists and even bicyclists—are responsible for the safe operation of their vehicles on public roads and highways.

The complete position statement can be found on the AMA website at AmericanMotorcyclist.com > Rights > Resources.

Distracted Driving Survey Results Of those surveyed...

77% WILL ANSWER A CALL WHILE DRIVING 66% of them will keep driving them hold 45% of the phone them say it doesn’t 54% of affect their driving

18% SEND TEXT MESSAGES WHILE DRIVING 66% of them will keep driving 25% of them say it doesn’t affect their driving

90% FEEL UNSAFE AS A PASSENGER IF THE DRIVER IS TEXTING Source: National Phone Survey on Distracted Driving Attitudes and Behaviors.

STATEWAT C H CALIFORNIA State and local law enforcement agencies that get motorcycle safety grant money would be barred from using that money for motorcycle-only checkpoints, under Assembly Bill 1047, sponsored

by Assemblyman Kevin Jeffries (R- Lake Elsinore).

In other news, Lt. Colleen McMahon, a veteran of the Santa Cruz Police Department, has become the first female motorcycle officer in the department’s 145year history. McMahon completed a rigorous certification process through the Alameda County Sheriff’s Motor Academy.

RIGHTS motorcycle group ride. A flagger would be permitted to direct motorcyclists within a group ride or other vehicle traffic, overriding traffic-control devices including stop signs and traffic-control signals. Anyone operating a vehicle stopped by a flagger could proceed only on instruction by the flagger or a police officer.

MISSOURI

The state Transportation Department would be barred from designating High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes after June 30 unless the General Assembly specifically allows it, under Senate Bill 347, sponsored

by Sen. Curt Thompson (D-Tucker).

Operating a motor vehicle on roads and highways in a distracted manner would be a class C misdemeanor, under Senate Bill 717, sponsored by Sen. Bill Stouffer (R-Napton). A vehicle crash involving distracted driving would elevate the penalty to a class A misdemeanor. Operating a motor vehicle while distracted would be defined as failure to give full time and attention or failure to maintain a proper lookout, or engaging in any other activity which caused the operator to be distracted from the primary mission of driving the vehicle..

MINNESOTA

NEW MEXICO

A road guard certificate program would be established under House File 2008, sponsored by Rep. Bud Nornes (R-Fergus Falls), which would allow qualified certificate holders to act as flaggers while escorting a

The New Mexico Off-Highway Vehicle Alliance (NMOHVA) has filed a protest with federal land managers over a proposed land trade with a northern New Mexico Pueblo tribe. NMOHVA says trading up to 3,200

GEORGIA

AMA MEMBERS

SAVE UP TO 25%

acres of the El Palacio OHV Area to the Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo would splice up an area that has been used for recreation for more than two decades.

OKLAHOMA Riders over 18 who choose to ride without a helmet would be required to carry at least $10,000 in medical benefits to cover injuries resulting from a crash while operating or riding a motorcycle, under House Bill 2830, sponsored by Rep. Sean Roberts (R-Hominy).

RHODE ISLAND Landowners who allow their property to be used for an instructional educational course for a certified motorcycle rider education program would have immunity from liability for property damage, personal injury, or wrongful death, under House Bill 7269, sponsored by Robert Jacquard (D-Cranston).

SOUTH CAROLINA The state Transportation Department would erect traffic signs that promote motorcycle safety at locations that are deemed high motorcycle traffic areas, under House Bill 4584, sponsored by Rep. Todd Atwater (R-Lexington).

American Motorcyclist Association members get to take advantage of exclusive savings from Avis. Just mention Avis Worldwide Discount (AWD) # D388100 when making your reservation to take up to 25% off every rental. Also, use coupon # TUTA035 to enjoy a FREE weekend day.

Visit avis.com or call 1-800-331-1212 for reservations.

Terms and Conditions: Offer of one weekend day free applies to the time-and-mileage charges only of the third consecutive day of a minimum three-day weekend rental on an intermediate (group C) through a full-size, four-door (group E) car. Maximum rental period is five days. Taxes, concession recovery fees, vehicle license recovery fee, customer facility charges ($10/contract in CA) may apply and are extra. Optional products such as LDW ($29.99/day or less) and refueling are extra. Weekend rental period begins Thursday and car must be returned by Monday 11:59 p.m. or a higher rate will apply. A Saturday night keep is required. Offer cannot be used for one-way rentals; one offer per rental. May not be used in conjunction with any other coupon, promotion or offer, except your member discount. One offer per rental. Valid at participating Avis locations in the contiguous U.S. and Canada (excluding the New York Metro area). An advance reservation is required. Offer may not be available during holiday and other blackout periods. Offer is subject to vehicle availability at the time of reservation and may not be available on some rates at some times. For reservations made on avis.com, free day will be applied at time of rental. Renter must meet Avis age, driver and credit requirements. Minimum age may vary by location.

An additional daily surcharge may apply for renters under 25 years old. Rental must begin by 12/31/12.

Avis features GM vehicles.

©2012 Avis Rent A Car System, LLC

21433

RIGHTS

CALIFORNIA COURT REJECTS SIERRA CLUB LAWSUIT

Off-Highway Fights Your Right To Ride And Race Under Attack U.S. HOUSE BILL FUNDS TRAILS

Measure Faces Tough Battle In Senate Renewed funding for motorized trails and a ban on funding for motorcycle-only checkpoints are included in a federal transportation bill approved by a key U.S. House committee.

On Feb. 2, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee approved a transportation funding authorization bill: H.R. 7, the American Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Act of 2012. The measure now goes to the full House for a vote before moving to the Senate.

Because the Senate has its own version of the bill, the spending plan will eventually end up in a House-Senate conference committee where differences will be worked out before going back to both chambers for final approval.

The Senate version would end the dedicated funding for the Recreational Trails Program (RTP), which provides money to states to develop and maintain trails. RTP is considered to be one of the most beneficial off-highway riding laws ever passed by Congress.

The House measure allocates $85 million a year through 2016 for the RTP. “Motorcyclists and all-terrain vehicle riders spoke, and federal lawmakers listened,” says Wayne Allard, AMA vice president for government relations.

“We want to thank the members of the House Transportation and

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AmericanMotorcyclist.com

Infrastructure Committee for their hard work in putting together this massive transportation bill, and for preserving provisions that benefit our members.”

Funds for the RTP come from the federal Highway Trust Fund and represent a portion of the federal motor fuel excise tax collected from non-highway recreational fuel use. In other words, taxes generated by fuel used for off-highway vehicle recreation—by snowmobiles, allterrain vehicles, off-road motorcycles and off-highway light trucks—fund the RTP. The RTP provides funds to the states to develop and maintain recreational trails and trail-related facilities for both non-motorized and motorized recreational trail uses. It’s a program of the U.S. Transportation Department’s Federal Highway Administration. The RTP program benefits hiking, bicycling, in-line skating, equestrian use, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, off-road motorcycling, ATV riding and other off-road vehicles uses.

A California appeals court has rejected a lawsuit filed by the Sierra Club that tried to stop off-highway vehicle (OHV) riding at a 584-acre section of Oceano Dunes.

On Jan. 9, the state Court of Appeals ruled that the Sierra Club waited too long to challenge a permit issued in 1982 that allows riding on the land. The appeals court upheld an earlier ruling by a San Luis Obispo Superior Court.

“Despite two pleading attempts, Sierra Club has failed to allege that State Parks has a clear and present ministerial duty to ban activities in the La Grande Tract,” the appeals court said.

“The presumption is that the Coastal Commission, the county and State Parks have weighed the competing interests and are acting in the best interest of everyone, including the Sierra Club,” the court said.

The Sierra Club vowed to continue its fight to ban riding at the tract.

Meanwhile, the Friends of Oceano Dunes filed a lawsuit on Jan. 4 in an attempt to block a new rule that could have a major impact on off-road riding at the popular 3,600-acre Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area (SVRA).

The Friends of Oceano Dunes filed the suit in San Luis Obispo Superior Court asking the court to invalidate a rule issued late last year by the San Luis Obispo Air Pollution Control District board that requires the state to cut down on the particulates blowing from the sand dunes or face daily fines of up to $1,000.

The Friends of Oceano Dunes allege the board failed to prove that OHVs cause particulate problems.

NO MONEY FOR TRAFFIC CHECKPOINTS Besides including RTP funding, H.R. 7 in Congress bars the U.S. transportation secretary from providing grants to states and local governments for motorcycle-only checkpoints, which are opposed by the AMA. The AMA has been tracking the disturbing development of motorcycle-only checkpoints since they first appeared in New York several years ago.

“The AMA believes that the primary source of motorcycle safety is in motorcycle crash prevention and not in arbitrarily pulling over riders and randomly subjecting them to roadside inspections,” says Wayne Allard, AMA vice president for government relations. The House bill also provides funding for state motorcycle safety programs.

Photos Off-highway: James Holter; Oceano: Frank Hoppen; Checkpoints: Jeff Kardas

Group Attacked Oceano Dunes Riding

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S 1000 RR. UNSTOPPABLE SPORT. Surprisingly low monthly payments are available through 3asy Ride financing, ask your local dealer for details. ©2012 BMW Motorrad USA, a division of BMW of North America, LLC. MSRP excludes tax, title, destination and registration fees. The BMW name and logo are registered trademarks.

Always ride safely and wear proper protective gear.

THREE QUESTIONS WITH A.D. FARROW’S BOB ALTHOFF Columbus, Ohio-based A.D. Farrow’s when you realize she was a wonderful, has been selling Harley-Davidsons for a gentle woman, raising a family, being a century, having placed its first order with founding member of the Motor Maids and the Motor Company 100 years ago on holding hillclimb competitions at what is Feb. 26. now the Alum Creek Reservoir.

Over the years, A.D. Farrow has What I see in our history that has weathered two world wars, the made us successful is that this Great Depression, economic company has been a pretty downturns and wildly changing good reflection of our customer customer tastes, and yet has base. We spend a lot of time been successful despite the on the cultural aspects of our challenges. In recent years, business. We are in the kinship the company has been giving business, not the motorcycle back to the larger motorcycling business. And that entails a community through rider lot of different things—rider education and support. education, charitable funding We tracked down current and even event planning.

Bob and Valerie Althoff owner and self-described “steward” Bob Althoff to find out more AM: Is there anything about your sales about the A.D. Farrow story. process that makes A.D. Farrow unique?

Althoff: A customer who walks into your American Motorcyclist: What’s behind shop has already made a decision. Our job A.D. Farrow’s longevity? is to solidify in the mind of the customer Bob Althoff: While we’re the oldest that this is the right brand and that this is Harley-Davidson dealership in the the right dealership. We want to remind world, we’re not the first. A lot of them the customer that motorcycles are fun. that predated us didn’t last. What is it We don’t want to get wrapped up in the about this place that has been different? transaction and miss the real reason that You have to go back to the founders, people come to motorcycles, with many particularly Lillie Farrow. aspirations and dreams. There’s the idea When her husband holding many [dealers] back that, “I’m died at a very early age going to do that in the future, but not in 1927, she drove the now.” In our opinion, the best time to business through the do it is now.

Great Depression and the [second] World War. It’s AM: As a company, and for you even more remarkable personally, how do those goals

extend to the overall motorcycling community?

Althoff: Sometimes I listen to myself, and I feel like a stump preacher who is trying to evangelize the world because all the noteworthy adventures, experiences and misadventures of my life are defined by motorcycles.

People can live without a motorcycle, I just don’t recommend it. Of the hundreds of people we train [in Rider Edge Programs], the vast majority of them leave here and buy bikes from our competition, but that’s OK because we hope we are treating them the right way and that some day they migrate back and buy a Harley.

There are threats to our industry at every turn, and the AMA is our shield against all these arrows. We support the AMA because one day we will need the AMA to save our industry and save motorcycling. The AMA needs to be a million members strong, and when your government relations staff meets with a lawmaker, they need a million members behind them. Motorcycling needs a healthy, strong AMA. Because someday, someone is going to come up with a cockamamie scheme to try and end motorcycling, and we’ll need to be ready.

RIDING

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AmericanMotorcyclist.com

Photos A.D. Farrow: Courtesy A.D. Farrow; KTM: Courtesy Moto Europa (motoeuropastl.com); Baja: Husqvarna

The First 100 Years…

RIDING

HUSQVARNA CONCEPT CHANNELS PISMO Would Malcolm Ride It?

Husqvarna is ancient and proud of it. The company traces its roots to a 17th century milling factory that built guns for the Swedish army. The brand may have sprinkled some of that magic history dust on its latest concept, the “Husqvarna Concept Baja.”

The bike captures the era that American motorcyclists associate with Husqvarna: the late 1960s, early 1970s, when Malcolm Smith from “On Any Sunday” was king and everyone wanted to escape on two wheels.

The Baja concept bike is a long way from the musket factories of Jönköping, but not that far removed from the sands of Pismo Beach, Calif. Learn more: Husqvarna-MotorcyclesNA.com.

RANDY ODOM WINS A NEW DUAL-SPORT BIKE! St. Louis Rider Scores A 2012 KTM 350 EXC

AMA member Randy Odom of St. Louis will take his dual-sport passion to an entirely new level this summer. That’s because the 29-year-old Odom just got an unexpected bonus for riding in last year’s AMA KTM National Dual Sport Trail Riding Series: a 2012 KTM 350 EXC-F from 2011 series sponsor KTM North America.

The annual AMA drawing, conducted by independent auditing and accounting firm Plante & Moran of Columbus, Ohio, included participants in all of the AMA events on the national dual-sport calendar.

“Man, this is awesome,” said Odom, whose current bike is a 10-year old 125cc two-stroke. “My boss got me into dual sports, and I’ve been having the best time ever. Everybody on these rides is great. They’re friendly. They’re helpful.

Everyone is a die-hard rider. The riding is super challenging, but without the full-on pressure of a flat-out race. It’s great. I can’t think of a better time on a motorcycle.”

KTM North America Inc. President Jon-Erik Burleson said he’s excited to see the 350 EXC-F go to someone who appreciates it as much as Odom.

“It’s great that someone like Randy, who has wanted to be a part of the KTM family for so long, can now count himself among the orange-bleeders,” Burleson said.

For news about the 2012 season and a full schedule, see AmericanMotorcyclist. com > Riding > Dirt.

NINA’s AN orIgINAl.

And so is her Yuasa battery – the original equipment battery on more motorcycles, snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles and personal watercraft than all other brands combined. To locate your nearest Yuasa dealer, visit www.yuasabatteries.com.

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Now you have the power to purchase our most popular Yuasa batteries at www.yuasabatteries.com.

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Want to be an AMA tester?

E-mail submissions@ama-cycle.org for an application.

AMA MEMBER TESTED Chatterbox

Model: Chatterbox X1slim MSRP: $349.95 More info: ChatterboxUSA.com Communication is everything!

Whether you’re riding with a passenger or in a group, it’s essential to be able to communicate your intentions to keep things rolling. The Chatterbox X1slim is a great tool with an in-helmet solution that combines bike-to-bike, rider-topassenger, rider-to-phone, and monitoring of navigation and external audio devices in one package.

June 5*-9

M E M B E R T E S T ED

The X1slim is small and easily require the use of both available mounted in most types of helmets Bluetooth channels. There is a in roughly 20 minutes. I found the convenient list in the manual boom and Velcro attachment for to guide these decisions and the microphone to be too flexible prioritizations. on an open face helmet, but The X1slim provides several after re-mounting it between the options for communication padding and the shell, it became and will take priority over all much more usable. other functions when being There’s a lot of functionality used. There are 22 available Donald Green here, so a thorough reading channels and 39 talk groups of the manual is necessary to take full within each channel, providing a total of advantage of the X1slim. Once the unit 859 frequencies for connections. However, is charged, take the time to set all the only eight channels give you the maximum functions before donning your helmet and 5-mile range, with all other channels becoming familiar with the “switchology.” having a range of about 2 miles. Variations For visual learners, Chatterbox has posted of terrain, weather and power lines can some good videos on its website to walk affect the connection and sound quality. you through everything.

Ultimately, I was impressed with the The X1slim has a much clearer tone, Chatterbox X1slim and look forward to higher volume, and is easier to operate the promised functionality of a Bluetooth than the XB1, of which I’m an owner. push-to-talk button. If the add-on also had a The shaped tactile buttons make it mountable screen to help with adjustments easy to feel your way around the unit, on the fly it would stand pretty tall against even with gloved fingers. Pairing to a fully integrated motorcycle-mounted radio smartphone or GPS is straightforward, sets. The X1slim is a great all-around but to use both simultaneously you communications/entertainment system that must route your phone through your easily transfers with your helmet to whatever GPS to make and receive calls. Also, motorcycle you happen to be riding. — using a smartphone as a music player will Donald Green

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Photos Chatterbox: Donald Green

RIDING

RIDING

KEN FORD JOINS AMA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Bartow, Fla., Rider Enjoys Sport Touring And Dual Sport The AMA is pleased to announce that Ken Ford, a 27-year AMA member from Bartow, Fla., has been elected the member representative from the Southeast region on the AMA Board of Directors.

Ford, a senior executive at a Fortune 50 company for 17 years, is an active off-road, dual-sport, adventure and sport-touring rider.

He is a 32-year member of the Florida Trail Riders and former president of the AMA-chartered club. He is also a member of Sunrunners Motorcycle Club, Dixie Dual Sport and the Concours Owners Group, where he is the current executive director.

An environmental engineer by education, Ford has been riding for more than 50 years.

“I’m excited about the opportunity to help the AMA move forward,” Ford says.

“As a longtime motorcyclist and a member of several motorcycling organizations, I hope I have something to give to the organization.”

Ken Ford Ford, whose riding background is rooted in trail riding, dual-sport riding and off-road racing, said that he is particularly concerned with the loss of access to public land.

“Responsible off-road riders have a right to access public land,” Ford says. “The lobbying effort of the AMA is key to protecting our future as motorcyclists, and one that I can help with.”

Ford’s term on the board runs through February 2015.

Ask the MSF

U-TURN ON A NARROW ROAD Q: I know it’s usually not allowed, but sometimes a U-turn is necessary. What is the proper way to execute a tight U-turn on a two-lane road?

A: U-turn regulations vary state-by-state. Although we cannot address the legality of any particular U-turn, we can provide guidance regarding the proper technique.

If you are making a U-turn at night or in a curve, be extremely careful and closely monitor oncoming traffic. Depending on the width of the roadway, you may have to start on the extreme right edge of the pavement to complete the turn without having to make a three-point turn out of it. Use your turn signal for enhanced side conspicuity and be sure to check for traffic.

For a U-turn on a narrow road, you might benefit from using a counterweight technique. This is when you lean your upper body toward the outside of the turn, putting more pressure on the outside footrest while leaning your bike toward the inside of the turn. Look where you want to go, but periodically scan for emerging issues. Turn the handlebars as much as possible. Some riders find it helpful to keep the bike fairly upright and “paddle walk” by stepping along the surface for needed stability.

It is wise to practice turning at low speeds often, for example, in an open parking lot. And if available in your area, enroll in MSF’s new Ultimate Bike Bonding RiderCourse.

THREE’S A CHARM

2012 Can-Am Roadster Spyder RS and RT By Jeff Buchanan When Can-Am introduced the threewheeled Spyder in 2007, it was met with—and continues to draw—a lot of head scratching from the motorcycle community. However, with five years of retail sales in the books—during a period of significant contraction in nearly all motorcycle categories—it’s clear the Spyder concept has some traction.

To see why, understand that Can-Am is targeting a broader customer base, not just traditional motorcyclists, according to Yves Leduc, vice president and general manager for Bombardier Recreational Products North America division. “[The Spyder] is different,” he says. “It’s easy to access, and it’s your open door to open road riding. It’s the motorcycle lifestyle you’ve always aspired to.”

The out-of-the-box approach isn’t new to Can-Am’s parent company, Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP).

BRP has a history of innovation, starting with snowmobiles in 1958 and sit-down watercraft 10 years later.

“What we’re trying to do with the Spyder is that,” he says. “There’s an opportunity there for something new.”

In simple terms, Can-Am has built

a machine to deliver an open-air, motorcycle-like adventure experience without the need to balance on twowheels. The machine’s planted stance and presence grants a reassuring sense of security, which is what Leduc says attracts the core Spyder buyer.

The 2012 Spyder Roadster RS (sport) and RT (touring) are powered by an electronically fuel-injected 998cc Rotax V-twin mated with a five-speed transmission, available as electronic or manual. The electronic gearbox (which automatically downshifts) is operated by a left hand thumb/forefinger paddle, while the manual is foot-operated with handlebar-mounted clutch. Both versions have reverse, and both are available in “S” trim that is fitted with Fox Shox and double-spoke wheels. Both machines employ Dynamic Power Steering as well as anti-lock brakes, traction control and anti-roll technology.

Riding the Spyder differs from riding a motorcycle. Its planted stance grants the rider ease of mind. This becomes most pronounced when coming to a stop or when stuck in stop-and-go traffic.

However, the three-point, planted

stature of the Spyder means that in corners it responds like an automobile, wanting to sway with centrifugal force.

Riding the Spyder can be a workout, especially spirited rides through twisty canyon roads.

There are some obvious applications for the three-wheel platform, such as people with compromised physical capabilities.

But going beyond that, there are those who have always been intrigued by a motorcycle, but were too intimidated by two wheels to take up the challenge.

For those riders, Can-Am has created a vehicle that appeals to an adventureseeking nature while providing a sense of security with stability and presence. By doing so, they’ve spread something akin to the motorcycling experience to those who otherwise may have been content to spend life behind a steering wheel.

“We work hard to see how we can bring more people to this industry, and we felt that the Can-Am Roadster was the way to go because a lot of people want that lifestyle,” says Louis Lévesque, Can-Am director of marketing. “It’s aspirational, to be on a motorcycle, but they don’t feel comfortable. Roadster is a great opportunity for them.”

The 2012 Can-Am Spyder Roadster RS starts at $16,499/RS-S $18,099. The RT starts at $21,699/RT-S $25,699.

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RIDING

Watch this space for updates about your valuable benefits as an AMA member.

AMA REWARDS

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Now Available Free To AMA Members Get your full-color copy of the all-new AMA Member Benefits Guide online at AmericanMotorcyclist.com > Members and make sure to check out some of these featured benefits.

STAYING INFORMED American Motorcyclist Each month, you receive the best magazine covering the motorcycle lifestyle.

THE ESSENTIALS AMA Roadside Assistance The Best Deal In Towing Get peace of mind with AMA Roadside Assistance, which covers all your vehicles, as well as those of your family members living with you. Best of all, you can get this coverage free.

For details, call (800) 262-5646.

AMA Lodging Save At Choice Hotels AMA members save 15 percent off the best available rates at participating Comfort Inn®, Comfort Suites®, Quality Inn®, Sleep Inn®, Clarion®, MainStay Suites®, Suburban Extended Stay®, Rodeway Inn® and Econo Lodge® hotels.

Reserve online at ChoiceHotels.com and use discount code #00947556.

Motorcycle Rentals Arrive And Ride EagleRider offers a 10 percent discount on Harley-Davidson, Honda, BMW and Polaris rentals and tours.

Call (888) 900-9901.

AMA Credit Card Show your motorcycling passion and enjoy special rates and cash back with the AMA Visa Card from Capital One. Go to AMAVisa.com.

Motorcycle Shipping Ride Where You Want In the United States, call Federal Companies, an agent for Allied Van Lines, at (877) 518-7376 for at least $60 off standard rates. For international shipments, call Motorcycle Express at (800) 245-8726. To get your discount, be sure to have your AMA number handy. Motorcycle Express also offers temporary international insurance.

Car Rentals Save Money When You Drive Get up to 25 percent off prevailing rates at any Avis or Budget car rental agency. For Avis, enter discount code: D388100. For Budget, enter code: Z942000.

Camping Save With KOA KOA campgrounds in the United States and Canada offer a 10 percent discount. Find locations at KOA.com, and get your discount coupon in the Members Area of AmericanMotorcyclist.com or by calling (800) AMA-JOIN. AMA Gear Buy AMA Stuff Online Find unique patches, pins, posters, T-shirts and books at AmericanMotorcyclist.com and at

Parts And Gear Save With BikeBandit.com Get 10 percent off your order at BikeBandit.com by entering your AMA number at checkout.

AMA Government Relations A full-time staff in Washington D.C., California and Ohio protects your right to ride.

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AMA Supercross And AMA Arenacross Tickets Save on advanced tickets; details to come before the start of the season.

Call (800) AMA-JOIN for info.

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Flash2Pass Garage Door Openers Save 10 percent. Enter code AMA2011 at checkout from F2PTechnologies.com.

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MASA Medical Evacuation Services The $60 initiation fee is waived for AMA members. Enter your AMA number when you sign up at MASAAmerica.com or by calling (828) 994-2621.

AMA Motorcycle Hall Of Fame Save $5 on your admission to the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame at AMA headquarters in Pickerington, Ohio.

RoadRUNNER Motorcycle Touring & Travel magazine RoadRUNNER Motorcycle Touring & Travel magazine offers a 20 percent subscription discount to AMA members. RoadRUNNER is the touring expert of North America giving readers information on the best places to ride. AMA discount code is CRIAMA. Schampa Cold-Weather Gear Save 15 percent. Enter SCHAMA during checkout at Schampa.com.

RACING FOUR QUESTIONS WITH… Vicki Golden burst onto the women’s motocross scene in 2009. After winning an AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship, she joined the Women’s Motocross Association (WMA) and soon saw the podium.

Since making her pro debut, Golden captured a gold medal at the 2011 X-Games Women’s Moto X event, and qualified for the main event in an AMA Arenacross in the men’s class. For 2012, she earned herself a ride on the perennial powerhouse Arenacross team, Babbitt’s Monster Energy Kawasaki.

American Motorcyclist: How has the year come together for you so far?

Vicki Golden: Well, it has taken me a while to get back into the swing of things because I had a broken collarbone before the season started. After I got back on the bike, I crashed again. Even though I was not riding much, I tried my best to keep on working at the gym to keep my arms strong. I only got back on the bike about three days before my first race—not really how I wanted to start the season out, but I just tried to do the best that I could. I’ve been racing all my life, so I know how to ride a bike.

AM: Last year you were on a privateer Honda, and now you are on a Babbitt’s Monster Energy Kawasaki. How different is this bike?

Golden: My Honda was pretty good

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last year. I bought it from the GEICO Honda Team. I just didn’t have all the factory support to go with it. As far as my Kawasaki and this team, it has been great. This team is so well respected in Arenacross racing. To be a part of this team is a huge deal. Having the best bike, and being on the strongest best team really gives me lots of confidence.

I’m probably one of the lightest riders, and having the best bike out there will hopefully equal many good starts—along with some good finishes.

AM: You’ve raced a lot of motocross through your career, but is racing AMA Arenacross much different than riding outdoors?

Golden: Typically, racing outdoor motocross is all that a woman racer can do, whether we like it or not. Switching to Arenacross was just so much fun. I instantly fell in love with it! I have ridden on Supercross tracks at home, but there was never anywhere for me to race a Supercross. I would end up practicing with many of the guys, but when they went out to race, I just still rode.

Arenacross is completely different than any other racing that I had done before, and when I went to Denver last year I didn’t know what to expect at all. It was super tense. I was a nervous wreck, and actually expected to be put on the ground every lap. But I pretty quickly learned to

hold my own, and eventually progressed from there.

Some of the guys have been very helpful. I can ask any question and they’ll help me. Sometimes some of the guys will just come up and give me tips on racing an Arenacross track. So things like that have been very cool to experience. No other girls are racing Arenacross, so it is a unique situation to be in.

AM: What are your goals for Arenacross?

Golden: I don’t have a set (win) number in mind, but my best finish last year was a top 10, and I know that I could have done better. We just ran out of races. I just want to pick [up] from where I left off, and keep working on getting better finishes. I want to work on my mental side of racing to get stronger there, and keep improving.

My long-term goal probably is to get the points that I need to get my AMA professional license for Supercross. Just to have a men’s [AMA] pro license would be awesome!

AM: What are your plans for after Arenacross ends?

Golden: I haven’t figured out the details yet with regard to the WMA series, but I definitely will do the X-games. Outdoors might be a little up in the air right now with the economy being so tough. We are still trying to figure everything out. But if I cannot do the outdoor series, there are still a lot of other things that I want to do. I love being on my bike, so I am going to do everything that I can do to make a living on it. As long as I am riding my bike I will be happy!

Photos Vicki Action: Anthony Sansotta; Headshot: Feld Motor Sports; Midwest: Mike Gibbs; Western: KTM N.A.; Villopoto: Jeff Kardas

Arenacross Racer And X-Games Winner Vicki Golden By Jim Kimball

RACING WOODS RACERS FLOCK TO MIDWEST HARE SCRAMBLES SERIES AMA Mid-America XC Championship Will Be Featured Series In 2012 The 10-round AMA Mid America XC Championship will be an AMA Featured Series for 2012. The hare scrambles series includes events in Indiana and Illinois from March through October.

The series includes both open cross-country style course sections as well as tighter hare scrambles trail.

It is promoted by Mike Gibbs and Mid America XC in Monrovia, Ind. The full schedule is on page 49.

“We’re very happy to have Mike on board with this AMA Featured Series,” says AMA Director of Racing Joe Bromley. “The AMA Mid America XC Championship has a reputation for premier Midwest woods racing, with competitive classes at every level of age, skill and displacement.

It provides excellent opportunities for AMA members to compete, and we’re pleased to elevate the series for 2012.”

Gibbs said he has seen steady expansion of the series since it was launched in 2010.

“Improving organization, registration, track quality and definitely payouts and recognition have played a role in our growing rider counts,” Gibbs says. “For example, our pro purse is a set amount each round—it isn’t dependent on rider counts—and every other class down to beginner receives product awards in addition to trophies.”

For more on the Mid America XC Championship, see TheMAXC.com or the interview with Gibbs in this month’s AMA Racer, which is bound into AMA Competition Member’s copies of American Motorcyclist quarterly. If you don’t get the AMA Racer insert but would like to, call (800) 262-5646.

VILLOPOTO TAKES AMA SUPERCROSS LEAD Kawasaki Rider First To Notch Three Season Wins The AMA Supercross season consistent for the full 20-lap is starting to take shape, as main event. I’ve never won defending champion Ryan San Diego in the Supercross Villopoto, of Poulsbo, Wash., class. It was great to get secured a six-point lead in the my first win here and end title race with his third win in a Chad’s (Reed) win streak at row in San Diego.

Qualcomm Stadium. Hopefully It was one of the most I can start a streak my own as thrilling races of the year. we head to Cowboys Stadium Villopoto, who was hounded next week.”

Ryan Villopoto

by TwoTwo Motorsports’ Chad With six of 17 rounds in Reed the entire race, momentarily lost the books, Villopoto leads with 133 the lead to the Honda rider with two championship points. Reed is second laps to go before moving back out front with 127 points and KTM’s Ryan for the win.

Dungey is five more points back in third.

“You really had to be smooth every For the latest results, as well as AMA lap,” Villopoto said. “San Diego’s dirt is Live Timing & Scoring from each round, really slippery and made it tough to be see AMASupercross.com.

WESTERN OFF-ROAD RACES MOVED Land Use Access Forces Rescheduling Public land use permit problems have forced organizers to reschedule the third rounds of both the AMA Kenda National Hare & Hound Championship Series and the AMA West Hare Scrambles Championship Series.

The hare & hound, originally scheduled for Feb. 26 in Reno, Nev., will be held on June 24 in the same location. With the move, the next race in the series becomes the March 25 event in Murphy, Idaho.

The hare scrambles, originally scheduled for March 3 in Sparks, Nev., had not been rescheduled as of press time. The next regularly scheduled round becomes April 14 in Shasta Lake, Calif.

For the latest schedules of AMAsanctioned national championship events and featured series, see AmericanMotorcyclist.com > Racing > National Championships.

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Left to right: David Camo, David Pearson and Kurt Caselli

High Adventure. No Hassle.

The best routes, roads and twotrack, mapped by local experts. A great challenge with like-minded riders. A full weekend’s activities, with camping, campfires, food and prizes.

For more information visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com/Riding.

comteit Ge

OFF-ROAD ROUND UP AMA Kenda National Hare & Hound Championship Factory FMF/KTM rider Kurt Caselli kicked off his 2012 season with a win at the opening round of the AMA Kenda National Hare & Hound Championship Series in Ridgecrest, Calif.

Caselli, the reigning AMA Hare & Hound Champion, got the holeshot on a particularly dusty start and headed into the desert with a much-coveted clear line of sight. The event included two different 40-mile loops in the desert of Lucerne Valley.

“Getting a great start was definitely the key to winning this race,” Caselli said. “My bike fired up right away and I was able to get a good jump off the line and was out front early as we set out on the first loop.”

Kawasaki rider David Pearson got second and David Kamo, on a Honda, got third.

AMA Rekluse National Enduro Championship

See the event schedule in the Calendar section of this magazine.

Steward Baylor broke the ice on the 2012 AMA Rekluse National Enduro Series by taking a surprise win at round one of the series in Sumter, S.C. In the same manner that Charlie Mullins did two years ago, Baylor came into the race as a privateer, flying well under the radar. However, the 17-year-old rode a spectacular race despite a hard crash in the fourth test and claimed the upset win over a stacked field of factory-backed pros. Baylor won three tests in all and finished the race with a 40-second

Steward Baylor

advantage over second place.

The runner-up spot went to eight-time National Enduro Champ Michael Lafferty, with a strong ride in the treacherous Sumter sand. At 37, the factory Husaberg rider still has what it takes to excel at this level, taking the win in two tests. Rounding out the podium was Mullins, who finished 60 seconds behind Lafferty.

In all, 475 riders competed in the six-test, 75-mile race, which consisted of the standard Sumter fare: tight, sandy single-track.

AMA East Hare Scrambles Championship Charlie Mullins took the victory on his factory KTM at the first round of the AMA East Hare Scrambles Championship Series. Held in Wedgefield, S.C., the event was the first chance for many East Coast woods racers to get a feel for their 2012 setups. Mullins showed that he’s hitting the new year fast out of the gate, winning ahead of Yamaha rider Jordan Ashburn and Stewart Baylor Jr. on a KTM.

Photos Hare & Hound: KTM N.A.; Enduro: Shan Moore

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HALL OF FAME

1957 BSA GOLDSTAR A Jim Rice Dirt-Tracker AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Jim Rice was a leading AMA Grand National racer from 1969 through 1974, and this 1957 BSA Goldstar dirt-tracker was the bike he raced in 1968—one year before he broke into the pro ranks.

The BSA Goldstar was a prized dirttrack racing machine in the late 1950s and ’60s because of its ability to get traction.

The bike has no brakes because they were not allowed in dirt-track races at the time.

Instead, riders slowed by throwing the bike sideways going into corners.

Engine builder and Hall of Famer Tom Sifton is believed to have worked on the

motor in this machine.

Rice started racing in the mid-1960s, and by 1967 he was the top pointsscoring rider in AMA District 36 (Northern California) racing. Riding this machine, he became one of the leading amateur riders in the country, winning several amateur Nationals in 1968.

Rice won the amateur National at the San Jose (Calif.) Half-Mile after barely avoiding a heat-race disqualification. His steel shoe had fallen off and was dangling by the strap late in the race, which at the time was considered grounds for automatic disqualification. He continued to

ride despite his dangling shoe and being black-flagged. Fortunately, a group of expert riders pleaded Rice’s case to the referee, who decided not to revoke Rice’s win.

During his short six-year professional racing career, Rice scored 12 AMA National wins on mile, half-mile and TT circuits. All but one of his victories came on BSA motorcycles.

His story is just one of many told at the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame at AMA headquarters in Pickerington, Ohio. Info: MotorcycleMuseum.org.

Hall of Fame features the machines and people of the Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio. The Hall of Fame is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation that receives support from the AMA and from motorcycling enthusiasts. For info and directions, visit MotorcycleMuseum.org, or call (614) 856-2222.

Photos Sjodin Photography

Hall of Famer

BILL TUMAN Part Of The Famed ‘Indian Wrecking Crew’ Before 1954, the AMA Grand National Championship title was decided at one race: the Springfield (Ill.) Mile. Bill Tuman went into the record books as the last single-day winner of the Grand National Championship when he won in 1953.

But Tuman may be better known as part of Indian Motocycle’s famous racing team.

Dubbed the “Indian Wrecking Crew,” the team was comprised of a group of top racers in the late 1940s and early ’50s that included future Hall of Famers Bobby Hill, Ernie Beckman and Tuman.

Tuman won five AMA Grand Nationals during a professional racing career that spanned the years 1947 to 1955.

One of the most surprising victories for Tuman was at an AMA Grand National on the mile dirt oval in San Mateo, Calif., on June 22, 1952. Tuman, from the Midwest, beat all of the top riders from the West Coast on one of their own tracks, something that rarely happened.

That win in California demonstrated Tuman’s ability to master tracks quickly and his capability to earn unexpected victories. But racing outside the Midwest

was rare for Tuman because he had four children to raise, so he tried to race primarily near his home in Rockford, Ill. It proved profitable as well.

“I was making too much money racing the local events to worry about racing in all the Nationals,” Tuman recalls.

Tuman’s best season came in 1953 when he won the legendary Independence Day weekend event at Dodge City, Kan.—a 200-miler over a two-mile dirt oval, on a Norton. The heat was tremendous that day. Many riders dropped out due to the searing heat, but Tuman made it through by drinking all the water he could stand before the race and chewing on lemons during the race.

The next month, Tuman earned the biggest win of his career by taking first at Springfield, Ill., and becoming the newly crowned national champion. It proved to be the final time that an Indian rider would win the prestigious AMA Grand National No. 1 plate.

Bill Tuman was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1998.

For more: MotorcycleMuseum.org.

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active on two wheels year round, some motorcyclists dial back their riding significantly in the winter months. That’s the bad

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news.

The good news?

Winter’s over. Spring is here.

It’s time to pull off the bike cover, unplug the battery tender, perform a thorough pre-ride check and head out to enjoy freedom on two wheels.

But first, take some time to consider a few rides that just might make this the best motorcycling year of your life.

America is a big, open country with an

Take a ride to Death Valley, Calif., the lowest place in America, and blazing hot in the summer. Early spring will reward you with perfect weather. Death Valley (don’t you love the name?) features wide-open vistas, rocks of every color imaginable, and a dry lakebed so white your eyes will ache when you stare at it.

For a brief diversion off the bike, visit Scotty’s Castle. It hosts tours in the most incongruous place. By the way, it never was Scotty’s, nor did he build it. But his personality, as large as his tales, became big enough to dominate the name of the building.

Riding out and upward, you’ll appreciate the meandering roads to Zabriskie Point, overlooking the valley floor (300 feet below sea level) from a 5,000-foot elevation. And that blue sky?

Yep. Mr. Sun is a friend indeed.

Both you and your bike will like that fresh Florida air. You’ll both feel a bit younger zipping along the beach roads, searching for that perfect little restaurant by the seashore with tacky artwork and delicious fresh seafood.

Ponce de Leon searched Florida for the fountain of youth, and millions of retirees and wannabes now do the same. Although certainly not known for twisty roads or elevation changes, Florida offers some unique backdrops and a laidback atmosphere that touring riders can appreciate.

The white sand beaches that crunch underfoot from eons of broken shells, aqua green water so clear you (and the fishing pelicans) can see 60 feet deep, and blue sky truly keep anyone feeling young.

Why not trek to Colorado Springs and take a climb up the serpentine road to Pike’s Peak? A sign warns travelers not to bring a trailer, which should be a clue for motorcyclists that there’s something pretty cool ahead.

The road climbs in elevation for more than a mile, turning and twisting like a snake trying to bite its own tail. Many turns are first-gear affairs, and your bike will be gasping for oxygen (just like you) as you crest the pass at 14,110 feet.

The view from the top covers thousands of square miles, and you can relax with the satisfaction that you’ve ridden to an elevation higher than many mountain climbers attempt. However, the locals will remind you that Mt. Evans, just west of Denver, is even higher and just as beautiful.

Sure, the entire world has gone to the Grand Canyon in Ariz., but have you? Even if you have, go back! It’s difficult to say you’ve seen the canyon in one stop when it is 18 miles across, 1 mile deep and 277 miles long. One trip to the Grand Canyon is like going to the sixth inning of game three, watching five pitches and telling your friends you saw the entire World Series.

The landscape boasts huge sandstone cliffs with cinnamon

Bryce Canyon, Utah

Indianapolis

Grand Canyon

Photo Sjodin Photography

incredible diversity of riding options, from desert sands to snow-capped mountains. In addition to the numerous AMA-sanctioned events you’ll find on the calendar, there are countless rides and destinations you should consider adding to your must-do list.

In the spirit of AMA Get Out And Ride! Month, which is April, here are 10 highlights—in no particular order—based on a lifetime of riding around this great country. Selected with the long-distance touring rider in mind, these are some great two-wheeled adventures that every onhighway motorcyclist should try.

Are these the absolute best rides and destinations in America? Only you, on your bike and with your style of riding, can decide that!

Bryce Canyon, Utah

Florida

St. Louis Arch

slopes dotted with green trees and shrubs.

Sunlight casts shadows across the vistas that appear to change the very face of the cliffs as they sweep across the canyon.

Watch for signs in restaurants and stops along the way that tell stories of Butch Cassidy and others who made the West wild.

You’ll enjoy the smooth winding roads carving between the evergreen trees with myriad stops to observe another piece of the grandest landscape. It didn’t take a marketing committee to name it the Grand Canyon. All it took was one stop.

destination is the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, just east of Columbus, Ohio, on Interstate 70.

However, don’t ride there on I-70. Take a detour through the southern part of the state and the Hocking Hills region, and thank us later.

Why not tour the Midwest? You love motorsports, so ride over to Indianapolis and tour the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame. For a few bucks you can check out over a hundred years of history and drama as you walk among millions of dollars of historic racecars and bikes. Take a spin in a tour van around the track and see what it’s like from the other side of the fence.

The St. Louis Arch is another wonder to experience. At 630 feet tall, it is the largest manmade monument in the United States.

Take the elevator to the top. Because of its curve, the elevator side shifts and arcs to the summit—truly an engineering marvel. Enjoy the vast panorama below, including miles of landscape, along with the Mississippi River and Busch Stadium, home of the St. Louis Cardinals. Take in a game while you’re there.

Of course, another natural Midwest

Mt. St. Helens

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Bryce Canyon, Utah, features myriad vistas, viewpoints and trails to observe its beauty. Visit Sunrise Point, and be sure to arrive well before sunrise. Long before the sun crosses the horizon, the canyon will reward you with exquisite colors—rust, henna, fuchsia and cinnamon. As the sun rises from the east, shading erodes and the colors brighten, illuminating a plethora of shapes and beauty.

It’s not all just about the scenery, though. You’ll also enjoy the zigzagging roads, dotted with stops to gasp in awe at the colossal scenic vistas. The photographic opportunities are ample.

You haven’t toured the northern California coast yet? This year it’s time. From the San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge to twisting roads carved into the middle of cliffs to the Avenue of the Giants, California exceeds all

Avenue of the Giants

expectations.

The Avenue of the Giants is a 32-mile snake dwarfed by massive Redwood trees towering into the sky, making sections of the roadway dark, even at midday. You and your motorcycle will love this trip, as the road wiggles between trees, laid out with care not to displace any of them.

You’ll wind through the woods, burst out through a meadow for a half-mile, then bore once again into the forest.

Occasionally you’ll pass a small town before doing it all again.

As for the coast, it’s a never-ending bonanza of sweeping turns into canyons and back out to coastal vistas. While your touring bike will no doubt love the journey, this is one stretch of highway where you’ll be forgiven for wishing you had a late-model sportbike. Now that we think about it, California’s central coast between L.A. and the Bay Area is every bit as spectacular.

The Pacific Northwest provides evergreen trees and landscapes with roads cut into them with a sharp knife. The trip to Mt. St. Helens in southwestern Washington is made up of two-lane roads dwarfed by evergreen trees, then a surprise vista view of a mountain that blew off 3.7 billion yards of itself in 1980. This is a good ride to plan in the late summer if you want the best chance of experiencing plenty of sunshine.

And don’t forget the two-lane highways that crisscross the coastal ranges between the beach cities and the I-5 corridor—just remember to bring a rainsuit.

AMA Premier Touring Series Ride The Country’s Best Road Events AMA-chartered clubs and promoters organize the greatest road-riding events on the planet. Whether you want to join tens of thousands of like-minded motorcyclists at a mega-rally, or take part in a more intimate, local charity ride, AMAsanctioned events have you covered.

Events on the AMA Premier Touring Series calendar include AMA Gypsy Tours, AMA Touring Rallies, AMA Signature Events and AMA Grand Tours. Each category offers unique activities to appeal to a range of riders, making these events the best roadriding happenings anywhere.

In addition to these national events, the AMA sanctions numerous District rallies and tours that are smaller and are great places to meet other riders from your area. For local events this month, see the calendar of AMA-sanctioned events that begins on page 47. For events throughout the year, see the searchable database at AmericanMotorcyclist.com > Events > Search All Events.

AMA Gypsy Tours One of the oldest touring experiences in all of motorcycling, AMA Gypsy Tours began as one-day events held around the country where riders would travel to a specific site and enjoy the company of like-minded riders. Field-meet games like Bite the Weenie and Ride the Plank were popularized at AMA Gypsy Tours, and picnics evolved into big gatherings.

Below are national-level events. For information on Regional and Local events, see AmericanMotorcyclist.com > Riding > AMA Premier Touring Series.

Laconia Motorcycle Week, June 9-17, Laconia, N.H. This year marks the 89th anniversary of one of the country’s premier motorcycling events, and you can expect Laconia Motorcycle Week to offer all of your favorite events as well as some new ones.

The week is jam packed with action, motorcycle racing and motorcycling activities. See the website for lodging options as well as the downloadable Laconia Rally News, which covers the event in detail.

Info: LaconiaMCWeek.com

Sturgis, Aug. 6-12, Sturgis, S.D.

For many cruiser and touring riders, the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is the must-do rally of the year. Complete with concerts, parties, poker runs, short-track racing, bike shows and more, Sturgis is non-stop fun. Perhaps best of all, it’s located in the Black Hills Region, which includes hundreds of miles of great riding and some of the best scenery you can find anywhere. To start planning your trek to Sturgis this summer, see the website.

Info: SturgisMotorcycleRally.com

AMA Touring Rallies AMA Touring Rallies take the Gypsy Tour concept and mix in more options for riding during the event. These represent the top tier of the road rides and rallies sanctioned by the AMA. Often built around guided local tours and organized riding events, AMA Touring Rallies are open to riders of all stripes but generally attract those who can’t stay off the bike. Below are national-level events.

For information on Regional and Local events, see AmericanMotorcyclist.com > Riding > AMA Premier Touring Series.

Americade, AMA National Convention: June 4-9, Lake George, N.Y.

What It Is: One of the largest roadriding rallies on the planet, Americade is held in picturesque Lake George, N.Y., and features legendary roads in the 6-millionacre Adirondack National Park. It’s billed as a great motorcycle vacation, which it

certainly is.

Why It’s Cool: Americade is a laidback, road-riding touring destination with a family friendly atmosphere. Besides the great riding and camaraderie, the event offers a variety of activities including ghost tours, boat cruises, poker runs, fireworks, horseback riding, whitewater rafting, bike judging, a light parade and much more.

What You Wouldn’t Expect: Americade attracts thousands of motorcyclists, but the sound level is low—quiet bikes and responsible riding are the norm.

Bonus: Americade has a long history of focusing on rider advocacy, activism and education, offering classes and seminars that benefit motorcyclists during the entire riding season.

Info: Americade.com

Golden Aspen Motorcycle Rally, AMA National Convention: Sept.

12-16, Ruidoso, N.M. What It Is: The Golden Aspen Motorcycle Rally is a huge event in the town of Ruidoso, high in the Rocky Mountains of southeastern New Mexico.

Why It’s Cool: The great fall temperatures, roads twisting up into the mountains and shaded pines all combine to make this rally an almost spiritual experience. Plus, there will be a massive trade show, and multiple poker runs.

Unexpected: Any self-respecting alien hunter should make the 70-mile jaunt from Ruidoso to Roswell, N.M., to check out its rich history of extraterrestrials, and maybe catch a glimpse of who-knows-what!

Bonus: White Sands National Monument commemorates the area’s once-secret Manhattan Project history.

Info: MotorcycleRally.com

STAR 2012, AMA National Touring Rally: June 24-28, 2012, Avon, Colo.

What it is: Marks the 30th Anniversary of the Motorcycle Sport Touring Association and the fifth time the MSTA invades Avon, Colo. Ride some of the best roads in the United States and enjoy the outstanding scenery, food and fun in the Heart of the

Continued on page 40 April 2012

39

If you haven’t yet made the trek, then this is the season you absolutely must experience U.S. 129, the Tail of the Dragon, which straddles Tennessee and North Carolina.

With 318 curves in 11 miles, the road is considered one of America’s top motorcycling roads. (Keep in mind that cars and trucks share the road, too.)

Don’t miss the Cherohala Skyway nearby either, with 60 miles of lefts and rights. You will love it (just keep your roadracing fantasies in check).

We can’t leave the region without mentioning the incomparable Blue Ridge Parkway, whose southern terminus in Cherokee is just 55 miles east of the Tail of the Dragon.

Haven’t been to Sturgis yet?

Every biker should go to the South Dakota event once.

Not a Harley-Davidson rider?

No sweat. Motorcyclists on all brands

of bikes—including a bajillion HarleyDavidsons—enjoy what many consider the top destination ride of the year.

Sturgis attracts an amazing cornucopia of bikers and their steeds.

And the area is spectacular. The Needles Highway takes you through tight curving roads and a ride through a slit in a rock (hence the “needle”). The pigtail bridges in the Black Hills coil around to carry you 50 feet higher in a very small section of real estate. And, of course, Mount Rushmore is a must see.

One rule for this year: No excuses.

Don’t keep shoving your next great ride back month after month. Schedule it.

Plan it. Do it. Head out on the road and experience the route and landscape like only a motorcyclist can. Smell the soil drying and the blossoms erupting from a winter of hibernation. Feel the wind and absorb the riding season. It will be over before you know it.

Now fire up that motorcycle, and get out and ride!

Kevin Parsons has been riding and racing motorcycles since age 13, and joined the AMA in 1966. This spring, Kevin, his wife, and his motorcycle will begin a 50-states-in-50-weeks adventure. Check his daily blogs at www.kevinbparsons.blogspot.com.

AMA Premier Touring Series, continued from page 39 Valley along the picturesque Eagle River.

Why It’s Cool: Mountain roads, pristine landscape, and incredible elevation changes.

Bonus: Not all of the area’s best riding is out of town. Check out Avon’s web site for information about navigating their roundabouts at www.avon.org.

Info: www.sporttouring.us/star2012

Rally In The Gorge, AMA National Touring Rally: Aug. 1-5, 2012, Stephenson, Wash.

What it is: Back and better than ever, the 2012 Rally In the Gorge celebrates 10 big years with rides, poker runs, seminars, vendors and on-site camping at the Skamania Fair Grounds.

Why It’s Cool: Set in the national scenic area of the Columbia River Gorge. Combine sportbikes, sport-tourers, maxi-scooters, adventure bikes and dual-sports, and you get the biggest little rally in America.

40

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Grand Canyon

Bonus: It’s four rallies in one!

Info: www.soundrider.com/rally

AMA National Grand Tours AMA National Grand Tours are a comfortable alternative to an organized tour. The idea is to take pictures of yourself at key locations that fit a tour theme set by organizers. The riders who log the most (or best) locations within the time constraints can qualify for prizes.

National Grand Tours Polar Bear Grand Tour: Jan. 1 - Dec. 31. AMA District 2 of New Jersey; polarbeargrandtour.com; bear1733@ comcast.net; (609) 894-2941.

Hodgepodge Grand Tour: April 1 - Nov. 30. Midnight Riders M/C; midnight-ridersmc.com; Charlie@midnight-riders-mc. com; (765) 566-3807.

AMA Signature Events Ride For A Cause

These events showcase motorcycle riders giving back to communities.

They include fund-raising charity rides, poker runs and more.

One high-profile example is the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation’s national Ride For Kids program, which has become one of the most successful fund-raising efforts among motorcyclists in the nation. Held in cities throughout the country, Ride for Kids events feature phenomenal planning, great scenery, wonderful camaraderie and the opportunity to help a good cause—families struggling with the diagnosis and treatment of a child’s brain tumor. Find out more at RideForKids.org.

Another high-profile charity ride is Twisted Sister front man Dee Snider’s annual Bikers for Babies event, which supports the March of Dimes and conveys the seriousness of premature birth defects. You can get more information at BikersForBabies.org.

For more information and the latest dates, see AmericanMotorcyclist.com > Riding > AMA Premier Touring Series.

AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days

Tour Of Honor Grand Tour: April 1-Oct. 31. Tour Of Honor; www.tourofhonor.com; regis@tourofhonor.com.

Smoke Chasing Grand Tour: March 1-Nov. 30. Team Strange Airheads; www. smokechasing.com; smokechasing@ hotmail.com.

Extreme National Grand Tours

The Southern California Motorcycling Association has cooked up these highmileage challenges for serious riders. For details on each tour, see the websites.

USA Four Corners Grand Tour: Jan. 1-Dec. 31. Southern California Motorcycle Association (SCMA); www.usa4corners. org; charlieahart@cox.net; (949) 246-4941.

SCMA Best U.S. 15 Roads Challenge Grand Tour: Jan. 1-Dec. 31. SCMA; www. sc-ma.com; blakepanderson@gmail.com.

SCMA Three Flags Classic Grand Tour: Aug. 30 - Sept. 4. SCMA; www.sc-ma. com; huey@ix.netcom.com.

July 20-22, Lexington, Ohio AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio, is bursting with vintage coolness. It features North America’s largest motorcycle-related swap meet, vintage racing, new bike demo rides and much, much more.

AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days includes anything you would want from a vintage motorcycle event, from old Indian motorcycles to 1980s motocrossers to café racers, national championship racing and heroes of yesteryear.

The event also is the largest annual fund-raising campaign for the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame, which is located on the AMA campus in Pickerington, Ohio. Because of that, numerous Hall of Fame members are always on location to meet and greet, as well as enjoy all the historic motorcycles, world-class speakers and entertaining displays that are all part of the excitement.

As a special bonus this year, AMA members can save $10 off a weekend pass and $5 off a daily pass by buying their ticket early directly from the AMA. Just call (800) 262-5646. Perhaps

best of all, there are no annoying convenience or processing charges when you buy directly from the AMA. Oh yeah, and kids under 12 get in free!

Find out more at AMAVintageMotorcycleDays.com

AMA Women & Motorcycling Conference

July 26-29, Carson City, Nev. Nowhere is the passion and dedication of women motorcyclists more apparent than at an AMA International Women & Motorcycling Conference. The event focuses on educating, encouraging, inspiring and mentoring women in the lifestyle and sport of motorcycling.

Early registration of $125 is available exclusively for AMA members until April 30 at WomenAndMotorcycling.com.

(After that date, registration will increase to $175 for AMA members and be open to non-AMA members for $235.)

Previous AMA International Women & Motorcycling conferences have been held in Keystone, Colo.; Athens, Ga.; Buckhannon, W.Va.; Athens, Ohio; and Westerville, Ohio.

The conference features targeted attractions for women motorcyclists such as seminars, workshops, speeches, product displays, motorcycle demo rides, hands-on product demonstrations, recreational riding and endless networking.

Men are also welcome to attend the AMA International Women & Motorcycling Conference.

For more information, see: WomenAndMotorcycling.com.

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GROUND ZERO IN SOUND BATTLE

New Hampshire Is The Latest Front In Fight Over Sound

By Bill Kresnak

T

wo years ago, California adopted a law that essentially will require stock exhaust systems on motorcycles built in 2013 and later. Now, a New Hampshire legislator wants to enact the same law, which has created a firestorm of protest in the “Live Free or Die” state.

With the stroke of a pen in 2010, thenCalifornia Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger did the unthinkable. Instead of adopting a reasonable sound measure to address citizen complaints about excessive motorcycle sound, he signed a bill into law requiring motorcycle exhaust systems to display a federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) label.

Specifically, the law requires all California-registered motorcycles and exhaust systems built in 2013 and later to display an EPA label on the exhaust

system, certifying that the system meets federal sound standards. The law effectively mandates the use of a stock exhaust because only a few aftermarket manufacturers offer pipes with the required EPA label, and those pipes are only for a few specific motorcycles.

New Hampshire state Rep. Michele Peckham (R-North Hampton) now wants her state to follow California’s lead. Her bill—H.B. 1442—calls for fines of at least $350 for a first offense and $500 for subsequent offenses for owners of non-compliant New Hampshire-registered motorcycles built in 2013 or later.

“New Hampshire motorcyclists are facing the same issues that many other states are, such as motorcycleonly checkpoints, rider education and

crash prevention, just to name a few,” says Candy Alexander, president of the New Hampshire Motorcyclists’ Rights Organization (NHMRO).

“However, that being said, the biggest issue of late has been motorcycle noise,” says Alexander, who is on the front lines in the sound battle. “There’s been an increase in complaints from residents in parts of our state that have high tourist traffic. These folks are making their discontent for motorcycle noise known, and they are persistent.”

Alexander admits there have always been complaints about excessive motorcycle sound in the state, but nothing like what lawmakers are hearing now.

“It is now at the point where it is more than just one or two neighborhoods,” she says. “Law enforcement and legislators are feeling the pressure to crack down on motorcyclists to quiet us down. All of this has caused excessive motorcycle sound to become an issue that none of us can ignore.”

New Hampshire Rep. Michele Peckham wants all motorcycles registered in her state that are built on Jan. 1, 2013 or later to have an Environmental Protection Agency stamp on the pipe.

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New Hampshire Motorcyclists’ Rights Organization members are trying to bring reason to the sound debate. L-R: Dave Kelly, Steve Tarbox, Candy Alexander, Bob Wyman, Alan Buttrick, Kathy Roberge, Spencer Barrett and Tom Walsh.

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Bitter Local Fight

Nowhere is it more evident that excessive motorcycle sound is sharply dividing the residents of New Hampshire than in the town of North Hampton, which Peckham represents.

When town council members passed a strict sound ordinance to crack down on motorcycles, the police chief refused to enforce it, and a local HarleyDavidson dealership owner filed a lawsuit challenging the law in state court.

Meanwhile, supporters of the law tried to get federal support with a ruling from a federal judge that the law should stand.

The town law, which passed in 2010, set a limit of 80 decibels for motorcycles, far below the 106 limit on the state law books. Seacoast Motorcycles, a local Harley-Davidson dealership, quickly filed a lawsuit, alleging the law was illegal because it was stricter than the state limit.

North Hampton Police Chief Brian Page agreed and refused to enforce the law.

The federal court declined to get involved, saying it was a state issue.

Ultimately, on Dec. 9, 2011, a state judge agreed with Seacoast Motorcycles and overturned the town law.

“The court agrees with the plaintiff and finds that the subject of motorcycle noise is preempted by the state, and that since the state has not authorized the town to regulate motorcycle noise, the town has no legal authority to adopt or enforce the ordinance,” wrote Superior Court Judge Kenneth McHugh in his ruling.

“If each town in New Hampshire had the authority to enact different noise emission ordinances, the state would be subjected to a checkerboard pattern of laws,” he wrote. “This, in turn, would create multiple problems with the state’s transportation system and burden its citizens.

“For example, a motorcyclist who complies with the state noise emission limit could be precluded from driving through a town because that town enacted a lower noise emission limit than the state,” he wrote. “Legislative intent would be frustrated if each municipality in the state had the authority to enact its own noise emissions laws.”

A Changing World

Motorcyclists need to step up and become part of the solution to the problem of excessive sound, Alexander says.

“Motorcyclists need to understand we are in a different era,” she says. “The days of big, bad rebel bikers are gone.”

Much of that has to do with greater population density in many areas.

“Crowded spaces often mean that there will be times that compromise has to come into play at some point in order

Reducing Excessive Motorcycle Sound

By Wayne Allard, AMA vice president for government relations

The AMA believes that few issues add more to public misunderstanding of motorcyclists than loud pipes.

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As a national association with over 225,000 members dedicated to protecting the future of motorcycling and promoting the motorcycle lifestyle, the AMA has for many years proactively encouraged riders to respect others when it comes to excessive motorcycle sound.

More and more, motorcyclists and motorcycling clubs recognize that we must be good neighbors.

That means installing quiet exhaust systems on our motorcycles and controlling the sound of our machines while riding.

And more and more motorcyclists are doing just that.

The number of requests received by the AMA from street-riding motorcycle clubs seeking information on sound meters so that they can test their own machines is increasing. In fact, the demand from motorcyclists for quieter exhaust systems for their road bikes has risen and motorcycle exhaust manufacturers are now starting to make quieter pipes to meet that demand.

The AMA believes that few issues contribute more to misunderstanding and prejudice against the motorcycling community than excessively loud motorcycles. Since its inception in 1924, the AMA has maintained a position of strong opposition to excessive motorcycle sound. We have funded educational and public relations campaigns in support of quieter motorcycle use, and were the world’s first motorsports sanctioning body to regulate and reduce the sound level of racing vehicles.

In 2003, the AMA organized the National Summit on Motorcycle Sound to bring together riders and others, including, but not limited to,

representatives of motorcycle manufacturers, companies that make parts for motorcycles, race promoters, government agencies and law enforcement officials.

The purpose was to develop proposals regarding the issue of excessive motorcycle sound. The creation of a new on-highway motorcycle sound measure procedure was a top recommendation that came out of that effort.

In 2009, the highly respected Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)—a non-profit organization that develops technical information on all forms of vehicles—released a practical standard to evaluate motorcycle sound: SAE J2825 “Measurement of Exhaust Sound Pressure Levels of Stationary On-Highway Motorcycles.”

The Motorcycle Industry Council was instrumental in getting that standard developed.

The SAE J2825 standard is based on a comprehensive study of a wide variety of street motorcycles. It provides motorcycle exhaust system sound limits and a simple, yet reliable, method to conduct motorcycle sound testing.

The AMA immediately endorsed the SAE J2825 standard and, shortly thereafter, released model legislation for use by jurisdictions seeking a simple, consistent and economical way to deal with sound complaints related to street motorcycles in the larger context of excessive sound from all sources.

The AMA will continue to work diligently to educate motorcyclists nationwide about the issue of excessive motorcycle sound, and is confident that our efforts are making a difference.

For more information on what the AMA is doing about excessive motorcycle sound, visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com/rights/soundadvice or by keyword search: sound.

for everyone to be able to live together,” Alexander says. “Motorcyclists are part of the bigger community. We need to stop fighting the system and take a seat at the table that gives us a voice into the system.

In other words, we need to stop being part of the problem and start being part of the solution. If we don’t, we will not like the solutions that are forced on us.”

Even before the state court ruling that overturned the North Hampton ordinance, law enforcement agencies along New Hampshire’s seacoast were targeting motorcyclists with an education campaign to try to get them to pipe down.

The police chiefs of the towns of New Castle, Rye, Portsmouth, Hampton and North Hampton, as well as a state police representative, declared that they would be conducting “free” sound testing for motorcyclists so that riders would know whether they were complying with the state’s 106-decibel sound limit.

And they noted that the agencies would be sharing information about traffic stops.

Violators of the state’s sound law face fines of $84. Repeat offenders, or those with extremely loud bikes, could see their motorcycle registrations suspended until the violation is corrected, they said.

To try to find solutions to the motorcycle sound controversy, Alexander notes that state Rep. Sherm Packard (R-Londonderry), who is chairman of the House Transportation Committee and an AMA Life Member, called together representatives of motorcycling organizations including the AMA, the New Hampshire Auto Dealers Association— which includes motorcycle dealers—state and local law enforcement and even the state Department of Motor Vehicles.

“During this ‘sit down,’ we discussed the current challenges with existing legislation, including testing, enforcement and riding behavior, and what we had as an alternative,” Alexander says.

An answer, she says, is the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) soundtesting procedure J2825 “Measurement of Exhaust Sound Pressure Levels of Stationary On-Highway Motorcycles.”

Practical Solution

The Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC) was instrumental in the creation of the street motorcycle sound measurement procedure, which the SAE released in 2009. The MIC initiated the $250,000 motorcycle sound test project, conducted field tests, analyzed data and provided the initial draft practice.

A representative sample of 25 motorcycles and more than 50 aftermarket exhaust systems were tested. The goal was to develop an easy-to-administer field test to measure exhaust sound.

“If jurisdictions would adopt the SAE

J2825 test procedure as part of their overall sound-control strategies, it could eliminate laws that allow the subjective call of an officer, or a decibel-level reading that can’t be measured repeatedly, to be the basis for enforcement,” says Imre Szauter, AMA government affairs manager.

“The motorcycling community and law enforcement had long sought a practical field test for measuring street motorcycle sound,” he says.

The J2825 practice establishes several procedures to measure motorcycle sound with specific instrumentation, test sites, test conditions, measurements and sound-level limits.

The procedure follows the general SAE procedures established years ago for off-highway motorcycles. The AMA recommends that procedure—J1287— whenever off-highway motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles (ATV) are operated.

The streetbike test procedure requires holding a calibrated sound meter at a 45-degree angle 20 inches from the exhaust pipe of a running engine. The procedure spells out how to do the test with the bike at idle, at a predetermined engine speed (“Set RPM Test”) or by slowly increasing the engine speed of the bike (“Swept RPM Test”).

The SAE J2825 standard recommends a limit of 92 decibels at idle for all machines; a limit of 100 decibels for threeor four-cylinder machines at 5,000 rpm or 75 percent of maximum engine speed, whichever is less; or a limit of 96 decibels for bikes with fewer than three or more than four cylinders at 2,000 rpm or 75 percent of maximum engine speed.

“To be honest, when I first heard of the test, I was concerned with the decibel limits that are outlined in the standard,” Alexander says. “Like everyone, I was reacting to the numbers—there is a huge difference between 92 decibels [in the SAE J2825 procedure] and the 106 decibels for all bikes that we have in New Hampshire.

“But, after seeing the results of a testing session with SAE J2825, I am pretty impressed with it,” she says. “It’s obvious that the test was developed specifically for on-road motorcycles and that most motorcycles, old and new, will comply with the standard. After working with J2825 even briefly, you realize that it really is not a bad thing at all.”

EPA Label Law Not Workable

The AMA, Alexander and others oppose labeling laws like those adopted in California and being considered in New Hampshire for a variety of reasons.

“The problem is that an EPA label doesn’t necessarily mean a motorcycle complies with the sound law,” says AMA Western States Representative Nick Haris.

“A modified exhaust can still have a label.

Exhaust Label Requirement Nixed In Lake Lure, N.C. Town Adopts Roadside Sound Testing Instead The town of Lake Lure, a popular motorcycling destination in western North Carolina, removed its requirement that motorcycles operating in the town display federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) labels on their exhaust systems indicating they complied with EPA sound requirements.

The Lake Lure Town Council deleted the labeling requirement from its town noise law after hearing the reasoned arguments of AMA members in the area.

Instead, the Town Council late last year approved a change to the ordinance setting a decibel limit for “any type of motor vehicle” of 92 decibels when measured 20 inches from the exhaust pipe at a 45-degree angle when the engine is idling.

Nor does the lack of a label necessarily mean that a pipe is not quiet enough to meet a sound law.

“In many ways, focusing on the label itself isn’t just arbitrary, it’s counterproductive,” he says.

Also, EPA labels can be difficult to locate on some motorcycles, and it’s unreasonable to expect a law enforcement officer to easily locate a label, Haris says.

Says Alexander: “SAE J2825 is one way that we can be part of the solution.”

Solutions Needed

“NHMRO, with its limited resources, is so busy countering the ‘sound problem’ that we are not able to focus on protecting the real rights of motorcyclists,” she says.

“There is more to motorcyclists’ rights and freedoms than being able to make the choice of riding with/without a helmet or riding with an exhaust system that doesn’t have an EPA label on it.

“Because NHMRO is busy fighting the motorcycle noise problem, we are not able to go after things such as ensuring that rider education funds are there and that people who want to learn to ride safely are able to do so without paying extraordinary amounts of money to a private [riding] school,” Alexander says.

“I just wish we were able to focus on the real problems that motorcyclists face every day,” she says.

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Carson City , NV Enjoy great roads, great friends and great experiences, not to mention the camaraderie that you can only find in the presence of so many like-minded women motorcyclists. Join us in Carson City, Nev., for the country’s premier gathering expressly for female riders. Expect demo rides, seminars, parties and more at the AMA International Women & Motorcycling Conference.

EARLY REGISTRATION IS AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY TO AMA MEMBERS FOR $125, A $50 SAVINGS, THROUGH APRIL 30, 2012. NOT A MEMBER? JOIN NOW AT AMERICANMOTORCYCLIST.COM

WomenAndMotorcycling.com For more information about Carson City and the surrounding area, please see visitcarsoncity.com

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GO RIDE

A few of the hundreds of AMA-sanctioned events this month, detailed on the following pages.

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The battle for AMA Supercross supremacy continues this month with Ryan Villopoto, Ryan Dungey, James Stewart, Chad Reed and the other stars of the AMA Supercross circuit banging handlebars April 14 in New Orleans, and April 21 in Seattle. For the full schedule, see page 49.

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Feeling lucky? The Schuylkill County Motorcycle Club is hosting a poker run April 15 in Schuylkill Haven, Pa. Info: SchuylkillCountyMotorcycleClub. com.

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World Champion roadracer and AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Kevin Schwantz will be the featured speaker at the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Breakfast at Daytona, March 16, in Daytona Beach, Fla.. Be sure to attend this prestigious event and support the Hall of Fame. Info: MotorcycleMuseum.org.

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On April 14-15, the Volunteer Riders of Knoxville, Tenn., will host the kickoff event of the 2012 AMA Yamaha Super Ténéré National Adventure Ride Series out of Bybee, Tenn. Info: JBSaki@ gmail.com or VolunteerRiders.com.

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The fifth round of the AMA Kenda Hare and Hound National Championship Series is set for April 22 in Lucerne Valley, Calif. For the full schedule, see page 49.

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Fire up your British iron and head off to the spectacular Texas Hill Country for the British Motorcycle Owners Association of Houston road run, based in Concan, Texas, April 13-14. No British iron? No worries! Riders of all brands are invited to attend. Info: (830) 232-6118 or nealslod@hctc/met.

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The AMA West Hare Scrambles National Championship Series will hold its mid-season round for youth on April 14 and for amateurs on April 15 in Shasta Lake, Calif. For the full schedule, see page 49.

COMING UP

It’s not too early to start planning riding routes to attend AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days this July 20-22 at the MidOhio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio. Get together with thousands of your newest friends for a rockin’ good time. More information is available at AMAVintageMotorcycleDays.com.

It only happens every several years, so you won’t want to miss the AMA International Women & Motorcycling Conference that will be held July 26-29 in Carson City, Nev. The extravaganza combines inspirational speakers, great roads, demo rides, product showcases and unmatched camaraderie.

Info: WomenAndMotorcycling.com.

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ARIZONA RECREATIONAL ROAD RUN APR 20-21: YUMA: 2-DAY EVENT, NORWALK MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (818) 597-9492, YUMAPRISONRUN. ORG COMPETITION ENDURO APR 15: ARIZONA TRAIL RIDERS, (602) 692-9382, ARIZONATRAILRIDERS.ORG

APR 22: JACKSONVILLE: PEDIATRIC BRAIN TUMOR FOUNDATION OF THE U.S., (800) 253-6530, RIDEFORKIDS. ORG GEORGIA RECREATIONAL ROAD RUN APR 27-29: HELEN: MOTORCYCLE SPORT TOURING ASSOCIATION ILLINOIS RECREATIONAL

OBSERVED TRIALS

DUAL SPORT RIDE

APR 15: PRESCOTT: CENTRAL ARIZONA TRIALS INC, (602) 840-3640, CENTRALARIZONATRIALS.ORG

APR 14: LEAF RIVER: FOREST CITY RIDERS MC, (815) 6246535, FORESTCITYRIDERS.OM

CALIFORNIA RECREATIONAL ADVENTURE RIDE APR 14-15: RIDGECREST: 2-DAY EVENT, COUNTDOWN, (775) 884-0399, DUALSPORTWEST.COM DUAL SPORT RIDE APR 22: SAN BERNADINO: PEDIATRIC BRAIN TUMOR FOUNDATION OF THE U.S., (800) 253-6530, RIDEFORKIDS. ORG APR 29: SAN LOUIS OBISPO: PENGUINS MOTORCYCLE CLUB AT CAL POLY, (702) 5617349, CPPENGUINSMC.COM POKER RUN APR 7: LANCASTER: ANTELOPE VALLEY RIDERS, (661) 435-8949, AVTS.AV.ORG ROAD RUN APR 21: SACRAMENTO: CAPITAL CITY MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (916) 442-8242, CAPITALCITYMC.COM COMPETITION ENDURO APR 1: LAKEPORT: NORTH BAY MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (707) 539-2337, BLM.GOV APR 29: CASTAIC: LOST COYOTES, (818) 667-2349, AMAD37.ORG HARE & HOUND APR 22: LUCERNE VALLEY: VIKINGS MC, VIKINGSMC.COM HARE SCRAMBLES APR 14-15: SHASTA LAKE: 2-DAY EVENT, REDDING DIRT RIDERS, (530) 953-7272, REDDINGDIRTRIDERS.COM COLORADO COMPETITION MOTOCROSS APR 1: KEENESBURG: REV LIMIT PROMOTIONS, (970) 3961432, SRAC.ORG FLORIDA RECREATIONAL POKER RUN APR 15: FORT WALTON BEACH: SAND DOLLAR MC INC, (850) 244-0376, SANDOLLAR MOTORCYCLECLUB.COM APR 22: CLEARWATER: TAMPA CHAPTER OF CREDIT UNIONS, (727) 572-9464, PINELLASLUBE. COM ROAD RUN APR 15: DEERFIELD BEACH: PEDIATRIC BRAIN TUMOR FOUNDATION OF THE U.S., (800) 253-6530, RIDEFORKIDS. ORG

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COMPETITION HARE SCRAMBLES APR 29: CANTON: CANTON MOTORCYCLE CLUB INC, (309) 202-1144, CANTONMC.COM MOTOCROSS APR 29: GALESBURG: GALESBURG MOTORCYCLE CLUB INC, (309) 341-1714, GALESBURGMC.COM TT APR 14: BELLEVILLE: BELLEVILLE ENDURO TEAM INC, (618) 277-3478, BETDIRT. COM APR 21: BELLEVILLE: BELLEVILLE ENDURO TEAM INC, (618) 277-2478, BETDIRT. COM INDIANA COMPETITION HILLCLIMB APR 28-29: CAYUGA: 2-DAY EVENT, PLEASURE RIDERS MC, (217) 247-2216, PLEASURERIDERS.NET HARE SCRAMBLES APR 1: CULVER: PLYMOUTH BLACKHAWKS MC INC, (574) 259-0103 APR 29: CULVER: PLYMOUTH BLACKHAWKS MC INC, (574) 259-0103 MOTOCROSS APR 1: PIERCETON: READS RACING, (574) 893-1649, READSRACING.COM

APR 29: PIERCETON: READS RACING, (574) 893-1649, READSRACING.COM OBSERVED TRIALS APR 21: LIGONIER: MICHIGAN ONTARIO TRIALS ASSOCIATION, (574) 386-4061, MOTATRIALS.COM APR 22: LIGONIER: MICHIGAN ONTARIO TRIALS ASSOCIATION, (574) 386-4061, MOTATRIALS.COM IOWA COMPETITION MOTOCROSS APR 7: CEDAR RAPIDS: CEDAR VALLEY TRAIL RIDERS INC, (319) 363-7800, CVTR.ORG APR 21: SHELLROCK: NEW HARTFORD RACING INC, (319) 885-6469, NEWHARTFORDRACING.COM APR 22: SHELLROCK: NEW HARTFORD RACING INC, (319) 885-6469, NEWHARTFORDRACING.COM APR 28: CEDAR RAPIDS: CEDAR VALLEY TRAIL RIDERS INC, (319) 363-7800, CVTR.ORG LOUISIANA COMPETITION MOTOCROSS APR 21-22: BREAUX BRIDGE: 2 DAY EVENT, DIRT BIKE MIKE LLC, (870) 342-5373, DIRTBIKEMIKE.COM MARYLAND COMPETITION MOTOCROSS APR 21-22: MECHANICSVILLE: 2-DAY EVENT, MIDDLE ATLANTIC MOTOCROSS ASSOCIATION, (410) 375-1059, MAMAMX.COM APR 29: MECHANICSVILLE: BUDDS CREEK MOTOCROSS PARK, (301) 475-2000, BUDDSCREEK.COM MASSACHUSETTS COMPETITION HILLCLIMB APR 22: MONSON: QUABOAG RIDERS INC, (413) 267-4414, QUABOAGRIDERSMC.COM MICHIGAN

APR 7: AKRON: READS RACING, (574) 893-1649, READSRACING.COM

COMPETITION

APR 8: AKRON: READS RACING, (574) 893-1649, READSRACING.COM

APR 7: BATTLE CREEK: BATTLE CREEK MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (269) 964-0778, BATTLECREEK MOTORYCYLCECLUB.COM

APR 14: ROCHESTER: READS RACING, (574) 893-1649, READSRACING.COM APR 14-15: CAYUGA: 2-DAY EVENT, PLEASURE RIDERS MC, (309) 838-5062, PLEASURERIDERS.NET APR 15: ROCHESTER: READS RACING, (574) 893-1649, READSRACING.COM APR 21: AKRON: READS RACING, (574) 893-1649, READSRACING.COM APR 22: AKRON: READS RACING, (574) 893-1649, READSRACING.COM APR 28: PIERCETON: READS RACING, (574) 893-1649, READSRACING.COM APR 28-29: WABASH: 2-DAY EVENT, WABASH CANNONBALL MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (765) 985-3657, WABASHCANNONBALLMC. COM

HARE SCRAMBLES

MINNESOTA COMPETITION MOTOCROSS APR 15: KELLOGG: MOTOKAZIE INC, (952) 2449996, MOTOKAZIE.COM APR 22: MAZEPPA: HURRICANE HILLS MX PARK INC, APR 29: KELLOGG: MOTOKAZIE INC, (952) 2449996, MOTOKAZIE.COM APR 29: BROOK PARK: BERM BENDERS RACEWAY, (320) 6792582, BERMBENDERS.COM

NEW JERSEY RECREATIONAL DUAL SPORT RIDE APR 13-14: HAMMONTON: 2-DAY EVENT, BMW OF MANHATTAN, INC., (732) 7148874

APR 6: SPRING MILLS: XPLORINT LLC, (610) 470-8897, XPLOR-INT.COM POKER RUN

ENDURO

APR 15: SCHUYLKILL HAVEN: SCHUYLKILL COUNTY MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (570) 385-1460, SCHUYLKILLCOUNTY MOTORCYCLECLUB.COM

APR 22: PORT ELIZABETH: TRICOUNTY SPORTSMEN MC INC, (888) 274-4469, TEAMHAMMER. ORG

APR 15: YORK: YORK MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (717) 854-5980, YORKMOTORCYCLE. COM

COMPETITION

NEW YORK RECREATIONAL POKER RUN APR 22: BRONX: CELTIC MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (914) 924-2170, CELTICMCC.COM TRAIL RIDE - RECREATIONAL APR 28-29: HANCOCK: 2-DAY EVENT, BEAR CREEK SPORTSMEN, (908) 334-1637, BEARCREEKSPORTSMEN.COM COMPETITION MOTOCROSS APR 1: AUBURN: FROZEN OCEAN MOTOCROSS INC, (315) 784-5466, FROZENOCEAN.COM APR 14: AUBURN: FROZEN OCEAN MOTOCROSS INC, (315) 784-5466, FROZENOCEAN.COM APR 15: AUBURN: FROZEN OCEAN MOTOCROSS INC, (315) 784-5466, FROZENOCEAN.COM APR 28: BATAVIA: AREA 51 MOTOCROSS, (585) 345-7433, AREA51MOTOCROS.COM APR 29: NEW BERLIN: UNADILLA VALLEY SPORTS CENTER, (607) 965-8450, UNADILLAMX.COM NORTH CAROLINA

APR 21: OLEY: READING M/C, (610) 987-6422 APR 22: LEESPORT: CLASSIC HARLEY-DAVIDSON, (610) 9167777, CLASSICHARLEY.COM APR 29: SPRING CITY: FREEDOM RIDERS MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (215) 262-0578, FREEDOMRIDERS. COM APR 29: LEBANON: LEBANON VALLEY MOTORCYCLE CLUB INC, (717) 270-9797, LEBANONVALLEYMC.COM COMPETITION HARE SCRAMBLES APR 29: CLIFFORD: BP PROMOTIONS, , PAHSRACING. COM MOTOCROSS APR 15: BIRDSBORO: PAGODA MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (610) 582-3717, PAGODAMC.ORG APR 15: HANOVER: HAPPY RAMBLERS, (717) 634-2353, HAPPYRAMBLERS.COM APR 21: MT MORRIS: RACER PRODUCTIONS INC, (304) 2840084, RACERPRODUCTIONS. COM APR 22: MT. MORRIS: RACER PRODUCTIONS INC, (304) 2840084, RACERPRODUCTIONS. COM

COMPETITION

OBSERVED TRIALS

MOTOCROSS

APR 1: VALLEY VIEW: RAUSCH CREEK POWERSPORTS, (570) 682-4600, RAUSCHCREEKRACING.COM

APR 1: SANFORD: DEVILS RIDGE MX, (919) 776-1767, DEVILSRIDGEMOTOX.COM COMPETITION

APR 29: TROUT RUN: PENNSYLVANIA TRIALS RIDERS, (570) 244-8608

ENDURO

SHORT TRACK

APR 15: NEW STRAITSVILLE: NEW STRAITSVILLE ENDURO RIDERS, (740) 394-2220, NSENDURO.COM

APR 1: SHIPPENSBURG: SHIPPENSBURG MC, (717) 796-0294

OHIO

HARE SCRAMBLES APR 1: ATHENS: ATHENS MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (740) 592-6480, ATHENSMOTORCYCLECLUB. COM MOTOCROSS APR 1: SUGAR GROVE: CENTRAL OHIO COMPETITION RIDERS INC., (740) 983-3937, COCRMX.COM APR 1: UHRICHSVILLE: ACTION SPORTS PROMOTIONS INC, (740) 591-7223, ACTIONSPORTSRACING.COM

OBSERVED TRIALS

APR 22: GREENVILLE: TREATY CITY MOTORCYCLE CLUB INC, (937) 548-7197, TREATYCITYMC.COM

APR 21: RED WING: UPPER MIDWEST TRIALS ASSOCIATION, (507) 351-8879, UMTA.ORG

APR 29: SUGAR GROVE: CENTRAL OHIO COMPETITION RIDERS INC., (740) 983-3937, COCRMX.COM

APR 22: RED WING: UPPER MIDWEST TRIALS ASSOCIATION, (507) 351-8879, UMTA.ORG

RECREATIONAL

PENNSYLVANIA ADVENTURE RIDE

APR 21: DELTA: BALTIMORE COUNTY TRAIL RIDERS ASSOC., BCTRA.COM APR 29: SHIPPENSBURG: SHIPPENSBURG MC, (717) 796-0294 TENNESSEE RECREATIONAL ADVENTURE RIDE APR 14-15: BYBEE: 2-DAY EVENT, JB SAKI PROMOTIONS, (865) 322-0193, VOLUNTEERRIDERS.COM COMPETITION ENDURO APR 22: WEST POINT: NORTH ALABAMA TRAIL RIDERS ASSN, (256) 837-0084, NATRA. DIRTRIDER.NET MOTOCROSS APR 14: LIVINGSTON: VICTORY SPORTS INC, (423) 323-5497, VICTORY-SPORTS.COM APR 15: LIVINGSTON: VICTORY SPORTS INC, (423) 323-5497, VICTORY-SPORTS.COM

APR 21: BLOUNTVILLE: 2-DAY EVENT, VICTORY SPORTS INC, (423) 323-5497, VICTORYSPORTS.COM APR 28: BLOUNTVILLE: VICTORY SPORTS INC, (423) 323-5497, VICTORY-SPORTS. COM APR 29: BLOUNTVILLE: VICTORY SPORTS INC, (423) 323-5497, VICTORY-SPORTS. COM

ASSN OF HOUSTON, (830) 232-6118, NEALSLODGES. COM APR 29: HUMBLE : PEDIATRIC BRAIN TUMOR FOUNDATION OF THE U.S., (800) 253-6530, RIDEFORKIDS.ORG ROAD RALLY APR 26: ALVARADO: BIKERS ADULT RALLY, (972) 551-0024, BIKERSADULTRALLY.COM

VIRGINIA RECREATIONAL TRAIL RIDE - RECREATIONAL APR 1: FREDERICKSBURG: WASHINGTON AREA TRAIL RIDERS, INC., (571) 572-9339, WATR.US COMPETITION CROSS COUNTRY

COMPETITION

APR 22: PETERSBURG: LONE RIDER PRODUCTIONS LLC, (866) 967-8927, VXCS.ORG

RECREATIONAL

ENDURO

GRAND PRIX

ROAD RUN

APR 21-22: ALTAIR: 2-DAY EVENT, TRAIL RIDERS OF HOUSTON, (832) 929-2723, TRH-CYCLE.ORG

APR 15: DILLWYN: VIRGINIA CHAMPIONSHIP HS SERIES, (434) 245-8599, VCHSS.ORG

April 20-22: Braselton, Ga.: Road Atlanta May 4-6: Sonoma, Calif.: Infineon Raceway May 26-28: Tooele, Utah: Miller Motorsports Park June 1-3: Elkhart Lake, Wis.: Road America June 22-24: Birmingham, Ala.: Barber Motorsports Park July 13-15: Lexington, Ohio: Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course July 27-29: Monterey, Calif.: Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca Sept. 7-9: Millville, N.J.: New Jersey Motorsports Park Sept. 21-23: Homestead, Fla.: Homestead-Miami Speedway Oct. 5-7: New Orleans: NOLA Motorsports Park

Raceway Oct. 13: Pomona, Calif.: AMA Flat Track Finals at the Pomona Half-Mile, LA County Fairplex

TEXAS

APR 13-14: CONCAN: 2-DAY EVENT, BRITISH MOTORCYCLE OWNERS

HALL OF FAME EXHIBITS AND EVENTS AMA MOTORCYCLE HALL OF FAME MOTORCYCLEMUSEUM. ORG The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame is on the AMA campus in Pickerington, Ohio, and is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week. Closed: Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. Main Hall: AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame: Recognizing those who have made significant contributions to all aspects of motorcycling.

Dirt-Track! All-American Motorcycle Racing: Celebrating the storied history of the men and machines who battle on the dirt oval.

30-Year Ride: Honda’s Ohiomade Motorcycles: Gold Wings aren’t the only bikes that Honda produced at its plant in Marysville, Ohio. This exhibit showcases the 30 years of production, from the CR250 to the Rune.

Founder’s Hall: Honoring the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame’s generous contributors.

Breakfast at Daytona, featuring Kevin Schwantz: March 16, Daytona 500 Club, Daytona International Speedway, (614) 856-2222, ext. 1234; MotorcycleMuseum.org AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days: July 20-22, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Lexington, Ohio; AMA VintageMotorcycleDays.com AMA PRO RACING AMA SUPERCROSS SERIES AMASUPERCROSS.COM March 10: Daytona Beach, Fla.: Daytona International Speedway March 17: Indianapolis: Lucas Oil Stadium March 24: Toronto, Canada: Rogers Center March 31: Houston: Reliant Stadium April 14: New Orleans: Louisiana Superdome April 21: Seattle: Qwest Field April 28: Salt Lake City: RiceEccles Stadium May 5: Las Vegas, Nev.: Sam Boyd Stadium AMA PRO SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP AMAPRORACING.COM March 15-17: Daytona Beach, Fla.: Daytona 200, Daytona International Speedway

AMA PRO GRAND NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP AMAPRORACING.COM March 15: Daytona Beach, Fla.: Short Track I, Daytona Flat Track March 16: Daytona Beach, Fla.: Short Track II, Daytona Flat Track May 26: Springfield, Ill.: Springfield TT, Illinois State Fairgrounds May 27: Springfield, Ill.: Springfield Mile, Illinois State Fairgrounds June 9: TBD: TBD June 30: Lima, Ohio: Lima HalfMile, Allen County Fairgrounds July 7: Hagerstown, Md.: Hagerstown Half-Mile, Hagerstown Speedway July 14: Lake Odessa, Mich.: I-96 Half-Mile, I-96 Speedway July 28: Sacramento, Calif.: Sacramento Mile, Cal Expo Aug. 4: Castle Rock, Wash.: Castle Rock TT, Castle Rock Race Park Aug. 12: Peoria, Ill.: Peoria TT, PMC Race Park Aug. 18: Indianapolis: Indy Mile, Indiana State Fairground Sept. 1: Springfield, Ill.: Springfield ST, Illinois State Fairgrounds Sept. 2: Springfield, Ill.: Springfield Mile II, Illinois State Fairgrounds Sept. 8: Knoxville, Iowa: Knoxville Half-Mile, Knoxville Raceway Sept. 15: TBD: TBD Sept. 30: Santa Rosa, Calif.: Santa Rosa Mile, Sonoma County Fairgrounds Oct. 6: Tucson, Ariz: USA Raceway Half-Mile, USA

APR 29: BRISTOL: VIRGINIA

AMA PRO HILLCLIMB NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP AMAPRORACING.COM June 3: Jefferson, Pa.: White Rose MC; WhiteRoseMC.org June 10: Freemansburg, Pa.: Bushkill Valley MC; BikeHillcimb. com June 13: Canaan, N.H.: Ridge Runner Promotions; RidgeRunnerPromotions.com June 23 (night event): Oregonia, Ohio: Dayton MC; DaytonMC.com July 15: West Branch, Mich.: Ogemaw Hills Bike Week; OgemawHillsBikeWeek.com Aug. 5: Muskegon, Mich.: Muskegon MC; MuskegonMotorcycleClub.com Sept. 9: Freemansburg, Pa.: Bushkill Valley MC; BikeHillclimb. com Sept. 30: Jefferson, Pa.: White Rose MC; WhiteRoseMC.org Oct. 14: Oregonia, Ohio: Dayton MC; DaytonMC.com AMA PRO ATV MOTOCROSS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP ATVMOTOCROSS.COM March 24-25: Washington, Ga.: Aionia Pass MX April 21-22: Blountville, Tenn.: Muddy Creek Raceway May 5-6: Mechanicsville, Md.: Budds Creek May 19-20: Walnut, Ill.: Sunset Ridge June 2-3 (night race): Oakland, Ky.: Ballance MX June 16-17: Mt. Morris, Pa.: High Point Raceway June 30-July 1: Millfield, Ohio: Sunday Creek July 14-15: New Berlin, N.Y.: Unadilla July 28-29: Buchanan, Mich.: RedBud Aug. 11-12: Hurricane Mills, Tenn.: Loretta Lynn’s AMA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES AMA NATIONAL HARE & HOUND NATIONALHAREANDHOUND. COM March 25: Murphy, Idaho: Bill Walsh, Dirt Inc.; (208) 459-6871, DirtIncRacing.com April 22: Lucerne Valley, Calif.:

CHAMPIONSHIP HS SERIES, (276) 669-0981, VCHSS.ORG WEST VIRGINIA COMPETITION MOTOCROSS APR 7-8: HEDGESVILLE: 2-DAY EVENT, MIDDLE ATLANTIC MOTOCROSS ASSOCIATION, (410) 375-1059, MAMAMX.COM WISCONSIN

APR 8: LAKE MILLS: AZTALAN CYCLE CLUB INC, (414) 2651582, AZTALANMX.COM APR 15: GRANTSBURG: STRAIGHT ARROW ENDURO RIDERS, , STRAIGHTARROWS. ORG APR 22: GRANTSBURG: STRAIGHT ARROW ENDURO RIDERS, , STRAIGHTARROWS. ORG

MOTOCROSS

APR 22: HILLPOINT: SUGAR MAPLE MX LLC, (608) 3938812, SUGARMAPLEMX.COM

APR 1: GRANTSBURG: STRAIGHT ARROW ENDURO RIDERS, , STRAIGHTARROWS. ORG

APR 29: NEKOOSA: RAPID ANGELS MOTORCYCLE CLUB INC, (715) 451-1168, RAPIDSANGELS.COM

COMPETITION

Steve Williams, Vikings MC; (310) 490-4575, VikingsMC.com May 5: Jericho, Utah: Talisa Flitton, Sage Riders; (801) 8335946, SageRidersMC.com May 19: Jericho, Utah: KC Bogue, Sugarloafers MC; (435) 864-8305, SugarloafersMC.com June 24: Reno, Nev.: Jeff Henning, Western States Racing Association; (775) 544-66463, DirtIncRacing.com Sept. 8: Panaca, Nev.: Zach Livreri, Silver State Trailblazers; (702) 994-6823, https://sites.google.com/site/ silverstatetrailblazers/ Oct 14: Johnson Valley, Calif.: Justin Shultz, SoCal MC; (949) 981-6776, SoCalMC.com Oct. 28: Lucerne Valley, Calif.: Ryan Sanders, 100’s MC; (949) 584-9395, 100sMC.org AMA NATIONAL ENDURO NATIONALENDURO.COM April 22: West Point, Tenn.: Paul Traufler, NATRA; (256) 8370084, NATRA.DirtRider.net May 6: Forest Hill, La.: Tracy Barstow, Acadiana Dirt Riders; (337) 519-2520, AcadianaDirtRiders.org June 17: Upton, Wyo.: Paul Douglas, Inyan Kara Riders; (307) 468-2840, NationalEnduro.com July 29: Cross Fork, Pa.: Peter Burnett, Brandywine Enduro Riders; (610) 368-7332, BER.us Sept. 9: Park Hills, Mo.: Michael Silger, Missouri Mudders; michael.silger@avnet.com, MoMudders.com Oct. 14: Matthews, Ind.: Doug Spence, Muddobbers MC; (765) 998-2236, MuddobbersMC.org Nov. 4: Stanton, Ala.: Glenn Hollingshead, Perry Mountain MC ; (334) 872-4286, PerryMountain.com ENDUROCROSS ENDUROCROSS.COM May 4: Las Vegas, Nev.: Orleans Arena June 9: Sacramento, Calif.: Power Balance Pavilion TBD: Los Angeles: TBD Sept. 15: Ontario, Calif.: Citizens Bank Arena Oct. 6: Denver: National Western Complex Oct. 20: Everett, Wash.: Comcast Arena Oct. 27: Boise, Idaho: Idaho Center Nov 17: Las Vegas, Nev.: Orleans Arena AMA WEST HARE

SCRAMBLES AMARACING.COM April 14 (Youth) April 15 (Amateur): Shasta Lake, Calif.: Karl Hankins, Redding Dirt Riders; (530) 953-7272, ReddingDirtRiders.com June 16 (Youth & C Amateur) June 17 (Pro, A & B Amateur): Elkton, Ore.: Toni Bamford, ETRA; (541) 968-1664, ETRA.net Aug. 25 (Youth) Aug. 26 (Amateur): Big Sky, Mont.: Jamey Kabisch, Lone Peak Racing; (406) 223-0478, BigSkyXC.com AMA EAST HARE SCRAMBLES AMARACING.COM April 7 (Youth & Amateur): Battle Creek, Mich.: Kurt McKenzie, Battle Creek MC; (269) 964-0778, BattleCreekMotorcycleClub.com May 13 (Youth & Amateur): TBA: Rita Coombs, Racer Productions; (304) 284-0084, GNCCRacing.com June 9 (Youth) June 10 (Amateur): S. Edmeston, N.Y.: Jim Simmons, Thunder Ridge Sports; (607) 847-6522, ThunderRidge.biz July 8 (Youth & Amateur): Millfield, Ohio: Rita Coombs, Racer Productions; (304) 2840084, GNCCRacing.com July 21 (Youth & Amateur): Valley View, Pa.: Tiffany Tobias, Rausch Creek Powersports; (570) 682-4600, RauschCreekRacing. com Aug. 4 (Youth) Aug. 5 (Amateur): Hill City, Minn.: Paul Otto, Range Riders MC; (763) 229-1177, RangeRidersMC.org Aug. 11 (Youth) Aug. 12 (Amateur): E. Freetown, Mass.: Gordie Coyle, Pilgrim Sands Trail Riders; (781) 294-8355, PSTR. org Sept. 1 (Youth) Sept. 2 (Amateur) Arrington, Va.: Chuck Honeycutt, April Fools Promotions; (757) 375-5665; AprilFools62@verizon.net AMA MID AMERICA XC CHAMPIONSHIP HARE SCRAMBLES THEMAXC.COM April 21 (Amateur, Youth & ATV): Mooresville, Ind.: Mike Gibbs, Mid America XC; (317) 418-6084 May 20 (Amateur, Youth & ATV): Springville, Ind.: Mike Gibbs, Mid America XC; (317) 418-6084 June 9 (Amateur, Youth & ATV): Casey, Ill.: Mike Gibbs, Mid America XC; (317) 418-6084 July 14 (Amateur, Youth & April 2012

49

ATV): Martinsville, Ind.: Mike Gibbs, Mid America XC; (317) 418-6084 Aug. 18 (Amateur, Youth & ATV): Marengo, Ind.: Mike Gibbs, Mid America XC; (317) 418-6084 Sept. 8 (Amateur, Youth & ATV): Caanan, Ind.: Mike Gibbs, Mid America XC; (317) 418-6084 Oct. 13 (Amateur, Youth & ATV): Veedersburg, Ind: Mike Gibbs, Mid America XC; (317) 418-6084 Oct. 27 (Amateur, Youth & ATV): Gosport, Ind: Mike Gibbs, Mid America XC; (317) 418-6084 AMA/NATC MOTOTRIALS AMARACING.COM May 19-20: Cahuilla Creek, Calif.: Pete Croft, So. California Trials Assn.; (714) 580-7369, SoCalTrials.com May 26-27: Cotapaxi, Colo.: Frank Peterson, Rocky Mountain Trials Assn.; (303) 477-6793, RockyMountainTrials.org June 16-17: Toronto, Ohio: Jim Watson, Trials Inc.; (317) 8616275, TrialsInc.org June 23-24: Exeter, R.I.: David Alen, Rhode Island Trials Club, (508) 285-6074, RITrialsClub.com AMA/NATC YOUTH MOTOTRIALS AMARACING.COM June 6-8 (East): Sequatchie, Tenn.: Ashley Jackson, Southeastern Trials Riders Assn., (423) 942-8688; TrialsTrainingCenter.com July 20-22 (West): Howard, Colo.: Bill Markham, International Trials School; (719) 942-3372, ITSoffroad.com AMA ATV HARE SCRAMBLES AMARACING.COM April 7: Battle Creek, Mich: Kurt McKenzie, Battle Creek MC; (269) 964-0778, BattleCreekMotorcycleClub.com June 9: S. Edmeston, N.Y.: Jim Simmons, Thunder Ridge sports; (607) 847-6522, ThunderRidge. biz July 22: Valley View, Pa.: Tiffany Tobias, Rausch Creek Powersports; (570) 682-4600, RauschCreekRacing.com Aug. 4: Hill City, Minn.: Paul Otto, Range Riders MC; (763) 229-1177, RangeRidersMC.org Oct. 13: TBD: Mike Gibbs, Mid America XC; (317) 418-6084, TheMAXC.com Oct. 27: Gosport, Ind.: Mike Gibbs, Mid America XC; (317) 418-6084, TheMAXC.com AMA ATV MOTOCROSS ATVMOTOCROSS.COM March 24-25: Washington, Ga.: Aionia Pass MX April 21-22: Blountville, Tenn.: Muddy Creek May 5-6: Mechanicsville, Md.: Budds Creek May 19-20: Walnut, Ill.: Sunset Ridge June 2-3 (night race): Oakland, Ky.: Ballance MX June 16-17: Mount Morris, Pa.: High Point Raceway June 30-July 1: Millfield, Ohio: Sunday Creek July 14-15: New Berlin, N.Y.: Unadilla July 28-29: Buchanan, Mich.: RedBud Aug. 11-12: Hurricane Mills, Tenn.: Loretta Lynn Ranch

50

AmericanMotorcyclist.com

AMA INDOOR DIRT TRACK STEVENACERACING.COM March 31: Du Quoin, Ill.: Southern Illinois Ctr AMA VINTAGE DIRT TRACK AMARACING.COM March 10: Savannah, Ga.: Half-Mile, Oglethorpe Speedway, Steve Nace Racing; (270) 4427532, SteveNaceRacing.com March 11: Daytona Beach, Fla.: ST, Volusia Daytona Flat Track, Dave Joiner; (530) 878-7223, FastFridays.com March 12: Barberville, Fla.: Half-Mile, Volusia County Speedway, Steve Nace Racing; (270) 442-7532, SteveNaceRacing.com March 13: Barberville, Fla.: ST, Volusia County Speedway, Steve Nace Racing; (270) 442-7532, SteveNaceRacing.com May 5: Tallassee, Ala.: ST, Monster Mountain MX Park, Tom Brinkman; (334) 318-8475, MonsterMX.com May 6: Tallassee, Ala.: ST, Monster Mountain MX Park, Tom Brinkman; (334) 318-8475, MonsterMX.com June 29: Harpursville, N.Y.: ST, Don Miller; (877) 746-3876, SquareDealRiders.com June 30: Harpursville, N.Y.: ST, Don Miller; (877) 746-3876, SquareDealRiders.com July 21: Ashland, Ohio: Half-Mile, Ashland County Fairgrounds, Ken Saillant; (800) 262-5646, AMARacing.com Aug. 17: Dundee, N.Y.: 4/10Mile, Black Rock Speedway, Dean Hoag; (607) 243-8686, BlackRockSpeedway.com Aug. 18: Dundee, N.Y.: 4/10Mile, Black Rock Speedway, Dean Hoag; (607) 243-8686, BlackRockSpeedway.com AMA RACING PRO-AM MOTOCROSS AMARACING.COM March 10-11: Hesperia, Calif.: Competitive Edge; (909) 4561070, RideCEMX.com March 12-17: Pell City, Ala.: Mill Creek; (205) 699-8857, FreestoneMX.com March 15-18: Conroe, Texas: Three Palms Action Sports Park; ThreePalmsesp.com March 24-25: Prentiss, Miss.: Golden Pine Raceway; (601) 5068669, GoldenPineRaceway.com April 1: Sanford, N.C.: Devil’s ride Motocross (919) 776-1767, DevilsRidgeMotoX.com April 15: Birdsboro, Pa.: Pagoda Motorcycle Club; (610) 582-3717, PagodaMotorcycleClub.com April 21-22: Milford, Calif.: Honey Lake Motocross Park; (530) 827-2639, HoneyLakeMX. com May 5-6: Bloomingdale, Mich.: Dutch Sport Park; (269) 5217800, DutchSportParkMX.com May 12-13: Little Falls, Minn.: RM Promotions; (612) 919-3457, MotoCityRaceway.com May 13: Petersburg, Va.: South Fork Competition Park; (443) 783-3249, VMPMX.com May 18: Rancho Cordova, Calif.: Hangtown MX; (530) 7585554, HangtownMX.com May 26-27: Dalton, Ga.: Lazy River MX; (706) 278-1620, LazyRiverMotocross.com May 27: Athelstane, Wis.: Pine

Ridge Raceway; (715) 856-6612, Gmellissa337@aol.com May 27: Crothersville, Ind.: High Fly MX; (812) 374-8228, HighFlyMX.com May 28: Casey, Ill.: Lincoln Trails Motosports; (217) 932-2041, LincolnTrailMotosport.com May 28: Wortham, Texas: Freestone County Raceway; (713) 962-3386, FreestoneMX. com May 28: Brush, Colo.: Swene Cycle Park; (970) 768-0518, SweneyCyclePark.com June 16 (Sat night): Mendota, Ill.: Moto Pro Inc. Stadium Megacross; (815) 539-9021, Megacross.com June 17: Mt. Carroll, Ill.: MC Motopark; (815) 238-1614, MCMotopark.com June 17: Leonardtown, Md.: Budds Creek Motocross Park; (301) 481-6148, BuddsCreek.com July 15: Crothersville, Ind.: High Fly MX; (812) 374-8228, HighFlyMX.com July 20: Washougal, Wash.: Washougal MX Park; (360) 8373975, WashougalMXPk.com.com Aug. 26: Armagh, Pa.: Pleasure Valley Raceway; (814) 695-2453, PVRMX.com Aug. 26: Millville, Minn.: Spring Creek MX Park; (507) 753-2779, SpringCreekMX.com Sept. 1-3: Millington, Mich.: Baja MX; (989) 871-3356, BajaMX.com Sept. 2: Athelstane, Wis.: Pine Ridge Raceway; (715) 856-6612, Gmellissa337@aol.com Sept. 9: Clifford, N.J.: Hurricane Hills Motorsports; (570) 2229290, HHMotocross.com Sept. 23: New Castle, Del.: Blue Diamond MX Park; (302) 8345867, BCTRA.com Sept. 30: Canton, Texas: Buffalo Creek Motocross Park; (214) 939-4321, BuffaloCreekMX. com Sept. 30: Walnut, Ill.: Sunset Ridge MX; (815) 379-9534, SunsetRidgeMX.com Oct. 7: Gaylord, Mich.: Ostego Club; (989) 871-3356, BajaMX. com Oct. 7: Englishtown, N.J.: Raceway Park; (734) 446-7800, RacewayPark.com Oct. 14: Birdsboro, Pa.: Pagoda Motorcycle Club; (610) 582-3717, PagodaMotorcycleClub.com Oct. 27-28: Leonardtown, Md.: Budds Creek Motocross Park; (301) 481-6148, BuddsCreek.com Oct. 28: Prentiss, Wis.: Golden Pine Raceway; (601) 506-8669, GoldenPineRaceway.com Nov. 4: Wortham, Texas: Freestone County Raceway; (713) 962-3386, FreestoneMX. com Nov. 4: Pell City, Ala.: Mill Creek; (205) 699-8857, RPMSportsonline.com Nov. 10-11: Wortham, Texas: Freestone County Raceway; (713) 962-3386, FreestoneMX. com Nov. 18: Musella, Ga.: Hillbilly Hills; (205) 699-8857, RPMSportsonline.com Nov. 19-21: Gainesville, Fla.: Gatorback Cycle Park; (813) 4707498, UnlimitedSportsMX.com Nov. 22-24: Gainesville, Fla.: Gatorback Cycle Park; (813) 4707498, UnlimitedSportsMX.com

AMA AMATEUR GRAND CHAMPIONSHIPS AMA AMATEUR NATIONAL MOTOCROSS MXSPORTS.COM March 10-11: Hedgesville, W.Va.: Northeast area qualifier, Tomahawk, (304) 229-6682 March 10-11: London, Ky.: MidEast area qualifier, Daniel Boone, (423) 323-5497 March 10-11: Du Quion, Ill.: North Central area qualifier, Paradise MX, (618) 542-6203 March 10-11: Hesperia, Calif.: Southwest area qualifier, Competitive Edge, (909) 4561070 March 17-18: Englishtown, N.J.: Northeast area qualifier, Englishtown, (732) 446-7800 March 17-18: Orlando, Fla.: Southeast area qualifier, Bithlo, (814) 695-2453 March 17-18: Wellston, Okla.: South Central area qualifier, Reynard Racing MX, (405) 7931049 March 17-18: Haleiwa, Hawaii: Southwest area qualifier, Kahuku MX, (808) 668-6276 March 17-18: Mesquite, Nev.: Southwest area qualifier, Mesquite MX, (702) 883-7391 March 24-25: Axton, Va.: Southeast area qualifier, Lake Sugar Tree, (276) 650-1158 March 24-25: Rossville, Ind.: Mid-East area qualifier, Wild Cat Creek MX, (765) 379-2482 March 24-25: Prentiss, Miss.: South Central area qualifier, Golden Pine, (601) 506-8669 March 24-25: Richland, Wash.: Northwest area qualifier, Horn Rapids MX, (509) 496-2958 March 24-25: Anza, Calif.: Southwest area qualifier, The Ranch, (949) 276-5153 March 31-April 1: Washington, Ga.: Southeast area qualifier, Aonia Pass, (706) 678-3737 March 31-April 1: Uhrichsville, Ohio: Mid-East area qualifier, Crow Canyon, (740) 594-6686 April 14-15: Byron, Ill.: North Central area qualifier, Byron Motosports Park, (815) 234-2271 April 14-15: Livingston, Tenn.: Mid-East area qualifier, Thunder Valley, (423) 323-5497 April 14-15: San Antonio, Texas: South Central area qualifier, Cycle Ranch, (210) 635-9199 April 14-15: Marysville, Calif.: Northwest area qualifier, E Street, (916) 209-3855 April 21-22: Mt. Morris, Pa.: Northeast area qualifier, High Point, (304) 284-0084 April 21-22: Underwood, Ind.: Mid-East area qualifier, CLCR, (612) 559-6777 April 21-22: Winterset, Iowa: North Central area qualifier, Riverside Raceway, (515) 2667509 April 21-22: Breaux Bridge, La.: South Central area qualifier, Gravity Alley, (87 342-5373 April 21-22: Milford, Calif.: Northwest area qualifier, Honey Lake, (530) 827-2639 April 21-22: Milford, Calif.: Southwest area qualifier, Honey Lake, (530) 827-2639 April 28-29: Batavia, N.Y.: Northeast area qualifier, Area 51, (585) 345-7433 April 28-29: Blountville, Tenn.:

Southeast area qualifier, Muddy Creek, (423) 323-5497 April 28-29: Millington, Mich.: Mid-East area qualifier, Baja Acres, (989) 871-3356 April 28-29: Richwood, Mo.: North Central area qualifier, Romp MX, (573) 701-8674 May 5-6: Armagh, Pa.: Northeast area qualifier, Pleasure Valley, (814) 695-2453 May 5-6: Bloomingdale, Mich.: Mid-East area qualifier, Dutch Sports Park, (269) 521-7800 May 5-6: Tigerton, Wis.: North Central area qualifier, Motozone, (920) 419-2863 May 5-6: Lakewood, Colo.: South Central area qualifier, Thunder Valley, (303) 697-1003 May 12-13: Winchester, N.H.: Northeast area qualifier, Winchester Speed Park, (603) 239-6406 May 12-13: Little Falls, Minn.: North Central area qualifier, Little Falls Raceway, (612) 919-3457 May 12-13: Beaumont, Texas: South Central area qualifier, Cowboy Bad Lands MX, (409) 794-1985 May 19-20: New Berlin, N.Y.: Northeast area qualifier, Unadilla Valley Sports Center, (607) 9658450 May 19-20: Danville, Va.: Southeast area qualifier, Birch Creek, (434) 836-7629 May 19-20: Nelsonville, Ohio: Mid-East area qualifier, Fast Traxx Motoplex, (740) 767-3740 May 19-20: Mason, Ill.: North Central area qualifier, Cross Roads MX, (618) 686-2769 May 19-20: Little Rock, Ark.: South Central area qualifier, Tony Wynn MX, (870) 342-5373 May 20: Washougal, Wash.: Northwest area qualifier, Washougal, (360) 601-5347 May 26-27: Chatsworth, Ga.: Southeast area qualifier, Lazy River, (706) 278-1620 May 26-27: Walnut, Ill.: North Central area qualifier, Sunset Ridge, (815) 379-9534 June 2-3: Delmont, Pa.: Northeast regional (Amateur), Steel City, (304) 284-0084 June 2-3: Buchanan, Mich.: Mid-East regional (Amateur), Red Bud, (269) 695-6405 June 2-3: Wortham, Texas: South Central regional (Amateur), Freestone, (713) 962-3386 June 9-10: Mill Creek, Ala.: Southeast regional (Amateur), Mill Creek, (205) 699-8857 June 9-10: Bowling Green, Ky.: Mid-East regional (Youth), Ballance MX, (423) 323-5497 June 9-10: Milford, Calif.: Northwest regional (Youth & Amateur), Honey Lake, (530) 827-2639 June 16-17: Ellerbe, N.C.: Southeast regional (Youth), Windy Hills MX, (423) 323-5497 June 16-17: Millville, Minn.: North Central regional (Youth), Spring Creek, (507) 753-2779 June 16-17: Conroe, Texas: South Central regional (Youth), Three Palms, (936) 321-8725 June 16-17: Hesperia, Calif.: Southwest regional (Youth & Amateur), Competitive Edge, (909) 454-1070 June 23-24: Shippensburg, Pa.: Northeast regional (Youth), Doublin Gap, (717) 249-6036

June 23-24: Mt Carroll, Ill.: North Central regional (Amateur), MC Motopark, (815) 238-1614 July 29-Aug.4: Hurricane Mills, Tenn.: Grand Championships (final), Loretta Lynn’s Ranch AMA DIRT TRACK GRAND CHAMPIONSHIPS AMARACING.COM May 29-June 1: Springfield, Ill.: AMA Dirt Track Grand Championships AMA VINTAGE GRAND CHAMPIONSHIPS AMAVINTAGEMOTORCYCLE DAYS.COM July 20-22: Lexington, Ohio: AMA Vintage Grand Championships, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course AMA HILLCLIMB GRAND CHAMPIONSHIPS AMARACING.COM Aug. 17-19: Bay City, Wis.: AMA Hillclimb Grand Championships AMA LAND SPEED GRAND CHAMPIONSHIPS/BUB MOTORCYCLE SPEED TRIALS BUBSPEEDTRIALS.COM.COM Aug. 26-30: Wendover, Utah: Bonneville Salt Flats, Delvene Manning, (530) 272-4310 AMA ISDE QUALIFIERS AMA ISDE QUALIFERS AMARACING.COM June 2-3: (Round 1) Idaho City, Idaho: Peter Reynolds, Boise Ridge Riders; (208) 384-5141, BoiseRidgeRiders.org June 9-10: (Round 2) Wellston, Ohio: William Defue Jr., Appalachian Dirt Riders; (740) 384-6379, ADROhio.org Sept. 24-29: 2012 ISDE: Sachsenring Circuit, Saxony, Germany AMA DUAL-SPORT/ ADVENTURE SERIES AMA HUSQVARNA NATIONAL DUAL SPORT SERIES AMERICANMOTORCYCLIST.COM May 19: Zaleski, Ohio: Hanging Rock 200, Buckeye Dual Sporters, Bill Kaeppner; (740) 380-3050, Kaeppnerswoods. com June 2-3: Mill Hall, Pa.: Durty Dabbers National Dual Sport, Durty Dabbers, Nils Mantzoros; (570) 726-3343, Durtydabbers. com June 2-3: Bixby, Mo.: Show Me 200, Midwest Trail Riders Assn., Robert Kaufman; (314) 434-5095, RideMTRA.com June 2-3: Custer, Mich.: Whiskey Creek Classic, Great Lakes Dual Sporters, Jeramey Valley; (989) 751-6863, GLDSMC. org June 9-10: Odell, Ore.: Black Dog Dual Sport, Northwest Tour & Trail, Tom Niemela; (503) 6818881, BlackDogDualSport.com June 9-10: Wabeno, Wis.: Ride For Research, Wisconsin Dual Sport Riders, John Newton; (920) 350-2030, WIDualSportRiders. org June 23-24: Fort Rock, Ore.: Fort Rock National Dual Sport, Lobos MC, Billy Toman; (503) 656-5801, LobosMC.com July 14-15: Chandlersville, Ohio.: Zanesville National Dual Sport, Zanesville Trail Riders, Jerry Sode; (740) 221-1050, ZanesvilleTrailRiders.com July 21-28: TBD, Mich.:

28th Annual Six Days of Michigan, Cycle Conservation Club of Michigan, Lewis Schuler; (517) 416-0126, CycleConservationClub.com Aug. 4-5: Walden, Colo.: Moose Run Dual Sport Rally, Front Range Riders, Steve Eddins; (970) 221-1014, FrontRangeRiders.com Aug. 4-5: Hancock, N.Y.: Hancock Quarry Run, Bear Creek Sportsmen, Mike Goetz; BearCreekSportsmen.com Aug. 11-12: Columbus, Ind.: Buffalo 500 D/S Adventure Ride, Stoney Lonesome MC; Nathan Gaskill; (812) 343-9772, StoneyLonesomeMC.com/ DualSport/index.html Aug. 18-19: Woverine, Mich.: Ted’s Chandler Hill Challenge, Great Lakes Dual Sporters, Jeremay Valley; (989) 751-6863, GLDSMC.org Sept. 8-9: Golden Pond, Ky.: Land Between the Lakes 200, K.T. Riders, Jesse Thomas; (270) 522-3703, LBL200.com Sept. 22-23: Buck Meadows, Calif.: Yosemite Dual Sport Adventure, Family Off Road Adventures, Lawrence Borgens; (209) 649-3633, FamilyOffRoadAdventures.com Sept. 29-30: Wabeno, Wis.: Big Woods 200, Wisconsin Dual Sport Riders, John Newton; (920) 350-2030, GLDSMC.org Oct. 6-7: Mt. Solon, Va.: Shenandoah 500 Dual Sport, Washington Area Trail Riders, Andy Giordano; (703) 505-9123, NVTR.org Oct. 6-7: McArthur, Ohio: Baby Burr National Dual Sport, Enduro Riders Assn., Steve Barber; (614) 582-7821, EnduroRiders.com Oct. 20-21: Study Butte, Texas: 15th Annual Terlingua National DS, Trail Riders of Houston, Jack Jennings; (713) 248-7222, TRHCycle.org Oct. 27-28: Chatsworth, N.J.: Meteor Ride in the Pines, Meteor MC, Jeff Fitzpatrick; (609) 6545015, MeteorMC.com Oct. 27-28: Wickenburg, Ariz.: Howlin’ at the Moon Dual Sport, Arizona Trail Riders, Don Hood; (602) 692-9382, dohood@us.ibm. com Oct. 27-28: Chatsworth, N.J.: Meteor Ride in the Pines, Meteor MC, Jeff Fitzpatrick; (609) 6545015, MeteorMC.com Nov. 3-4: Port Elizabeth, N.J.: Hammer Run, Tri-County Sportsmen, Eldin Polhaumas; (888) 274-4469, TeamHammer. org Nov. 23-24: Palmdale, Calif.: LA-Barstow to Vegas, AMA D37 Dual Sport, Paul Flanders; (626) 792-7384, District37AMA.org AMA YAMAHA NATIONAL ADVENTURE RIDE SERIES AMERICANMOTORCYCLIST.COM April 14-15: Bybee, Tenn.: Slate Creek 300, JB Saki Promotions, John Strange; (865) 322-0193, VolunteerRiders.com May 5-6: Buck Meadows, Calif.: Yosemite Adventure Tour, Family Off Road Adventures, Lawrence Borgens; (209) 6493633, FamilyOffRoadAdventures. com May 19-20: Zaleski, Ohio: Hanging Rock 200, Buckeye Dual Sporters, Bill Kaeppner; (740) 380-3050, Kaeppnerswoods. com June 2-3: Mill Hall, Pa.: Durty

Dabbers Adventure Ride, Durty Dabbers, Nils Mantzoros; (570) 726-3343, DurtyDabbers.com June 9-10: Odell, Ore.: Black Dog Adventure Ride, Northwest Tour & Trail, Tom Niemela; (503) 681-8881, BlackDogDualSport.com June 9-10: Atlanta, N.Y.: Thrills in the Hills 2012, Wayne County Motorcycle Club, Don Rice; (315) 945-6911, WayneCountyMC.com June 22-25: Fairbanks, Alaska: Tag the Deadhorse Adventure Ride, Aerostich Tours, Roger Pattison; (575) 776-8785, AerostichTours.com Aug. 11-12: Columbus, Ind.: Buffalo 500 D/S Adventure Ride, Stoney Lonesome MC, Nathan Gaskill; (812) 343-9772, StoneyLonesomeMC.com Aug. 20-24: TBD: Sasquatch Adventure Tour, Sound!Rider, Tom Mehren; (206) 329-7808, SoundRider.com Sept. 8-9: Morganton, N.C.: Blue Ridge Adventure Ride, JB Saki Promotions, Ron Miller; (704) 309-3271, VolunteerRiders. com Sept. 14-16: Taos Ski Valley, N.M.: Land of Enchantment, Aerostich Tours, Roger Pattison; (575) 776-8785, AerostichTours. com Sept. 22-23: Logan, Ohio: Nutcracker 200, Buckey Dual Sporters, Bill Kaeppner; (740) 380-3050, KaeppnersWoods. com Oct. 27-28: Payson, Ariz.: Howlin’ at the Moon Dual Sport, Arizona Trail Riders, Don Hood; (602) 692-9382, ArizonaTrailRiders.org Nov. 3-4: Port Elizabeth, N.J.: Hammer Run, Tri-County Sportsmen, Eldin Polhaumas; (856) 785-2754, TeamHammer.org Nov. 23-24: Palmdale, Calif.: LA-Barstow to Vegas, AMA D37 Dual Sport, Paul Flanders; (626) 792-7384, District37AMA.org AMA PREMIER TOURING SERIES AMERICANMOTORCYCLIST. COMROADRIDE/TOURING AMA GRAND NATIONAL RALLY July 26-29: Carson City, Nev.: International Women & Motorcycling Conference, AMA, (614) 856-1900, WomenandMotorcycling.com AMA NATIONAL RALLY July 20-22:Lexington, Ohio: AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, AMA, Connie Fleming; (614) 856-1900 ext. 1258, AMAVintageMotorcycleDays. com AMA NATIONAL CONVENTION June 4-9: Lake George, N.Y.: Americade, TourExpo.com Sept. 12-16: Ruidoso, N.M.: Golden Aspen Rally, MotorcycleRally.com AMA NATIONAL TOURING RALLY June 24-28: Avon, Colo.: STAR 2012, SportTouring.us/ STAR2012 Aug. 1-5: Stephenson, Wash.: Rally in the Gorge, SoundRider. com/rally AMA REGIONAL CONVENTION May 17-20: Ruidoso, N.M.: Aspencash, MotorcycleRally. com AMA DISTRICT TOURING RALLY

June 18-21: Matamoros, Pa.: MTA 2012 Gathering, Vikingbike@mindspring.com AMA NATIONAL GYPSY TOUR June 11-19: Laconia, N.H.: Laconia Bike Week, LaconiaBikeWeek.com Aug. 9: Sturgis, S.D.: Sturgis Gypsy Tour, Jackpine-Gypsies. com Oct. 12-14: Redding, Calif.: Big Bike Weekend, BigBikeWeekend.com AMA NATIONAL GRAND TOURS AMERICANMOTORCYCLIST. COM/ROADRIDE/TOURING Jan. 1-Dec. 31: Polar Bear Grand Tour, AMA District 2 of New Jersey, (609) 894-2941, PolarBearGrandTour.com March 1-Nov. 30: Smoke Chasing Grand Tour, Team Strange Airheads, SmokeChasing.com April 1-Oct. 31: Tour of Honor Grand Tour, Tour of Honor, TourofHonor.com April 1-Nov. 30: Hodgepodge Grand Tour, Midnight Riders Motorcycle Club, (765) 566-3807, Midnight-Riders-MC.com AMA EXTREME NATIONAL GRAND TOURS AMERICANMOTORCYCLIST. COM/ROADRIDE/TOURING Jan. 1-Dec. 31: USA Four Corners Grand Tour, Southern California Motorcycle Association (SCMA), (949) 2464941, USA4Corners.org Jan. 1-Dec. 31: Best US 15 Roads Challenge Grand Tour, Southern California Motorcycle Association (SCMA), SC-MA.com Aug. 30-Sept. 4: Three Flags Classic Grand Tour, Southern California Motorcycle Association (SCMA), SC-MA. com AMA GYPSY TOUR April 26-29: Alvarado, Texas: Biker’s Adult Rally, Texas State Gypsy Tour, BikersAdultRally. com June 16-17: Kingston, Idaho: Gyro Daze, District 24 Gypsy, HiRollers.org AMA SIGNATURE EVENTS AMERICANMOTORCYCLIST. COM/ROADRIDE/TOURING Nov. 12-13: Titusville, Fla.: March of Dimes Bikers for Babies, BikersforBabies.org Aug. 6: Sturgis, S.D.: Sturgis Mayor’s Ride , (605) 720-0800, SturgisMotorcycleRally.com/ events AMA SIGNATURE EVENTS RIDE FOR KIDS PBTFUS.ORG/RIDEFORKIDS/ EVENTS/2012/ April 15: Deerfield Beach, Fla.: Quiet Waters Park, road ride April 22: Jacksonville, Fla.: Florida State College, road ride April 22: San Bernardino, Calif.: Glen Helen Raceway Park, dual-sport ride April 29: Humble, Texas: Humble Civic Center, road ride May 6: Pittsboro-Raleigh, N.C.: White Oak Recreation Area, road ride May 6: Los Angeles: American Honda Motor Co. Corporate Headquarters, road ride May 20: Alexandria, La.: Rapides Parish Coliseum Annex, road ride May 20: Franklin, Tenn.: Jim

Warren Park, road ride June 3: Alpharetta, Ga.: North Point Mall, road ride June 3: Mechanicsville, Va.: Richmond Times-Dispatch, road ride June 3: Albuquerque, N.M.: Mesa del Sol Fieldsat Journal Pavilion, road ride June 10: Independence, Ohio: Independence Fieldhouse Soccer Fields, road ride June 10: Golden, Colo.: Jefferson County Human Services Building, road ride July 8: South Bend, Ind.: Pinhook Park, road ride July 15: White Bear Lake, Minn.: East Century College, road ride July 15: Elgin, Il.: Elgin Community College, road ride July 15: Deerfield, N.Y.: Deerfield Volunteer Fire Dept., road ride July 22: Marysville, Ohio: Scotts Miracle-Gro Headquarters, road ride July 29: Knoxville, Tenn.: Pellissippi StateCommunity College, road ride July 29: Overland Park, Kan.: Johnson County Community College, road ride Aug. 5: Cranberry Township, Pa: Home Dept, road ride Aug. 5: Central Valley, N.Y.: Central Valley Elementary School, road ride Aug. 5: Middleton, Wis: Firemen’s Park, road ride Aug. 11: Salt Lake City: This is the Place Heritage Park, road ride Aug. 19: Cottleville, Mo.: St. Charles Community College, road ride Aug. 19: Fiskdale, Mass.: Tantasqua Regional High School, road ride Aug. 26: Ann Arbor, Mich.: Washtenaw Community College, road ride/dual-sport Aug. 26: Fletcher, N.C.: WNC Ag Center and Fairgrounds, road ride Sept. 9: Carnation, Wash.: Remlinger Farms, road ride Sept. 9: Leeds, Ala.: Barber Motorsports Park, road ride Sept. 9: Indianapolis: Indianapolis Motor Speedway, road ride Sept. 16: Tulsa, Okla.: Tulsa Health Dept., road ride Sept. 16: Phoenixville, Pa.: Valley Forge Christian College, road ride Sept. 23: Ellicott City, Md.: Turf Valley Resort, road ride Sept. 30: Las Vegas, Nev.: Las Vegas Motor Speedway, road ride Oct. 7: Fairfield, Calif.: Solano Community College, road ride Oct. 7: Grapevine, Texas: Grapevine Mills Mall, road ride Oct. 21: Cardiff, Calif.: MiraCosta College, road ride Oct. 21: Mesa, Ariz.: Desert Ridge High School, road ride Nov. 4: Lithia, Fla.: Heinrich Training Center, road ride April 2012

51

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GUEST COLUMN

TOGETHER IN MOTION My motorcycle idles high as it warms up, and my riding gear is coming on. As the engine speed decreases, I begin to feel anticipation of the ride. My eyes trace the shapes of metallic art that are part of my machine. I feel a slight warming near my leg as the engine heat radiates.

I check zippers and snaps—secure. My helmet is on and cinched. The gloves come on and I once again appreciate that comforting feeling of those perfectly shaped and worn-in gloves.

My leg swings over the bike, and I feel a tingle of joy that slowly makes its way through my body.

I throttle up and ease out the clutch. That first moment of motion overtakes me with a soothing rush. That moment—that same moment every time—is both mysterious and familiar. It is in that moment that all non-riding things fall away and I recapture the freedom to focus again. It is in that moment, that very real moment of motion, I am connected.

As most motorcyclists do, I often get the question, “Why do you ride a motorcycle?” For me, first and foremost, riding my motorcycle is about making a connection to motion. Riding is the absence of all non-riding thought and in that absence a connection to motion is formed. No other motorized machine designed to transport a human being provides that same connection. Planes can’t. Trains can’t. Automobiles can’t. Boats can’t.

The essence of my motorcycle ride is not just saddling the machine and transporting myself upon it. Rather, it’s how I command it by becoming part of it. The strife, struggle, and challenge to become “one” in motion with my motorcycle are part of that essence.

When I’m riding my motorcycle, I become part of the environment. The aromas, temperatures, shifts from wet to dry, the earthy grime, and shades of an infinite color palette all slam together in my senses, building not only a recognition of the scene I’m passing through, but a comprehension that allows me to feel connected to it. Riding my motorcycle brings a more focused and involved existence to my psyche and the elements of that awareness seem to overflow in other aspects of my life.

The risk of riding, while controlled, serves to sharpen my senses to a high level. Whether whizzing past a scene at high speed or experiencing it with a slow speed crawl, riding, and the act of my motorcycle in motion, connects me to those scenes unlike

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anything else, and my mind becomes tattooed.

Despite the seemingly chaotic activity of machinery in my motorcycle and the confinement of my riding gear, I feel an unmatched, unrivaled, calm and eerie freedom when I ride.

Almost surreal, those feelings are the same each and every ride, yet seemingly forgotten through planting the kick stand at rides’ end as testament to the renewed excitement I feel each time I ride.

I seek to ride my motorcycle again, then again, to repeat and recapture scenery in motion, and go beyond seeing.

While the physics of a motorcycle in motion and the science behind it have always interested me, what truly intrigues me as a motorcycle rider is how those principles keep my ego in check and provide balance in my life. My riding ego is the internal driving force and dialogue that tells me all things seem possible when I am riding my motorcycle. This is far different than what I feel off the bike, and also the mental state that encourages me to push myself when I’m on it.

To push harder along that twisting mountain road, to push harder over and through those jagged rocks on a mountain pass, to push longer, just one more hour, going for a new long-distance personal best, then realizing—as with a hypnotist’s pendulum—the motion of my motorcycle has once again transformed me.

My answer to why I ride? I ride to be connected to motion, to “become” my scenery rather than just see it, to understand the constant necessity to control my ego in all aspects of my life, and to revel in knowing that I am a motorcyclist.

Jeffrey Rumminger is an AMA member from Wichita Falls, Texas.

Photo Julia Raymond

Understanding The Ego Of The Motorcyclist

By Jeffrey Rumminger

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