Carolina Chrome March Issue 162

Carolina Chrome

The #1 Magazine for South Carolina Bikers!

March 2022

FREE NOT FOR RESALE

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Issue #162

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Ms. Chrome March 2022

Ms. Holly

Photography By PBJoker

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CHROMESC.COM

CAROLINACHROME@YAHOO.COM

803-931-2613

Want To Make A Few Extra Bucks This Year?

-orWant To Volunteer Helping Veterans?

-orTake a few pictures of “bikers being bikers”??

Contact Carolina Chrome @

carolinachrome@yahoo.com

For more information: Selling advertisement -orBeing part of our yearly fundraiser for Veterans -orTaking pictures at bike related events or times!

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CONTENTS

Carolina Chrome

Cover Photography by Robert Vance 3

The #1 Magazine for South Carolina Bikers!

Ms. Holly Chrome March 2022 Photography By PBJoker

March 2022

Issue #162

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Wolfpack MC Raises Over $5,000 Towards Brantley’s: Things To See, Before I Can’t See! Article & Pictures By Starla Robinson 11-12 Lake Murray 2022 Polar Bear Plunge With ABATE CWC & TuTu's Article By Nicole CGW Pictures By Deb Davis

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Getting Your Motorcycle Ready For Spring Checkist & ...A Few Friendly Reminders Article By Nicole CGW

14-15 Back In The Days With Pappy 16-19 EVENTS 24 A Light In The Darkness Monthly Devotional

By Dennis Reynolds 26 A Real One-Kicker Article By Wally Wersching

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ADVERTISING SALES & MARKETING 803 931-2613 or803 238-8258 803-931-2613 803-572-2172

carolinachrome@yahoo.com

Carolina Chrome LLC ® PO Box 85293 Lexington, SC 29073

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Cover Photography By Robert Vance Holley Carolina Chrome Magazine™ (CCM) is a FREE publication printed monthly, Distributed in South Carolina & Border Towns to Biker Friendly Businesses & Watering Holes.

CHROMESC.COM

CAROLINACHROME CHANNEL #CAROLINACHROME CHROMESC.COM * CAROLINA* CHROME MAGAZINE

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CCM IS CREATED BY SOUTH CAROLINA BIKERS IN AN ECOLOGICALLY FRIENDLY & ENVIRONMENTALLY CONSCIOUS NATIONAL AWARD WINING MANNER

WE WERE BORN GREEN

INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS PROVIDED BY ADVERTISERS AND READERS AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE. WHILE EVERY REASONABLE EFFORT HAS BEEN MADE TO INSURE THAT THE INFORMATION IS ACCURATE AS OF PUBLICATION DATE, CCM AND ITS EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, CLIENTS, AND DISTRIBUTORS SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES ARISING FROM THE USE OF OR RELIANCE ON THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS PUBLICATION OR FROM THE OMISSIONS OF INFORMATION FROM THIS PUBLICATION. CCM’S PARTICIPATION IN THIS PUBLICATION IS NOT AN ENDORSEMENT OF THE VIEWS, OPINIONS, PRODUCTS OR SERVICES OF ANY ADVERTISER OR OTHER PARTICIPANT APPEARING HEREIN. NO PART OF THIS PUBLICATION SHALL BE REPRODUCED IN ANY FORMAT WITHOUT THE EXPRESSED WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE PUBLISHER. CCM DOES NOT PROMOTE THE CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES. CCM IS TO BE HELD HARMLESS FOR FAILURE TO PRODUCE ANY ISSUE ON SCHEDULE DUE TO REASONS BEYOND OUR CONTROL INCLUDING ACTS OF NATURE; TO BE HELD HARMLESS FROM SUITS OR CLAIMS DUE BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE UNAUTHORIZED USE OF A PERSONS NAME OR PHOTOGRAPH, PLAGIARISM, LIBEL, OR COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT. THE CAROLINA CHROME NAME AND LOGO IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK AND IS THE PROPERTY OF THE OWNER AND PUBLISHER NICOLE GANTT AND CAROLINA CHROME LLC.

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Photography Page By Cyndi

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Photography Page By Cyndi

Hardwood Cruisers Anderson

Did You Know??

The Motorcycle Awareness Alliance is based out of Anderson SC. Their Mission Statement The Motorcycle Awareness Alliance was formed in Anderson, SC to promote safety and awareness to the general driving public. MAA has since ventured out to several upstate counties including Greenville, Spartanburg, Oconee and Laurens.

We are a non-profit organization of motorcycle enthusiasts who believe motorcycle safety is top priority.

Our mission is to promote safety and awareness to the general driving public. Through generous donations, we are able to provide yard signs, banners, car tags, bumper stickers etc. to promote safety.

Our organization is strictly for promoting awareness; therefore we do not host benefits or rides for fallen/ deceased bikers. We as individuals may participate in a benefit but not on behalf of the Motorcycle Awareness Alliance.

Confederate Rodeo 2021

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Wolfpack MC Raises Over $5,000 Towards Brantley’s:

Things To See, Before I Can’t See!

Atricle & Photography By Starla of Starla Faith Photograph

“really bad” due to his Nystagmus.

When he tries to focus on things, he says sometimes spots come by...in color, purple, blue, and even sometimes black. I told him, “You know what? GOD loves you, son!

He took extra time on you! You are a blessing!”

Visiting Pearl Harbor is one of the biggest things on Brantley’s: Things To See, Before I Can’t See, bucket list! As of last reported; the Wolfpack MC raised OVER $5,000 towards this goal.

Brantley thinks it is so cool they made him an Honorary Member of the Pack! What an awesome way to help a little boy get closer to his dreams!

Carolina Chrome Crew would like to give a big shout-out to the Wolf Pack MC for putting on an awesome fundraiser for Brantley Stanley!

Robbin Stanley: Brantley’s mother, told us a little about her son: “Brantley was born with Optic Nerve Hypoplasia, and he has a Nystagmus. They noticed at 3 months old, his eyes were different than other 3-month-olds. At that time, Brantley was referred to Asheville NC Pediat-ric Ophthalmology. He had very little vision, and the possibility of him losing it all one day!

As Brantley’s mother, she is comforted by his favorite bible verse; Joshua 1:9 [Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 NIV] Robbin says, “he tells me; Do not be afraid of what the future holds that he isn’t afraid. He’s willing to be a blessing through his trials to reach so many lost people.” He loves the Lord! Brantley tells everyone not to speak negatively around him because he honestly thinks he will be a walking miracle in his church. What an inspiration right there to have that childlike faith. If we all had faith like that, the world would be so much better. Brantley asked me how it was to see normal things. How do I see things? We were talking about it. He said WOW if only I could see that. He told me that everything bounces

Strong

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Brave

Fearless

Joshua One Nine

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#Brantleysbucketlist

Photography Page By Starla

Are You Interested In:

s Having a Fun-Filled Day with a group of Ladies? s Going to Different Biker Events & Festivals? s Helping Veterans Across the State of South Carolina? s Meeting New People of All Ages and All Walks of Life?

The Ladies of Chrome Need Your Help! aNo! You do NOT have to ride your own bike or any bike...

But Yes! You

do need to

know how to spell

Bike...

aNo! You do not have to be "Super Model" Status!

But Yes! You do have

to

have most of your teeth, regularly shower and

Presentable Public Apperence aYes! You will have your picture taken!!

Some by our Professional Photographers!

NOOOO! We will not use your picture hanging in the post office! aYes! We do love Dramatic Eye Make-up, Beautiful Personalities and Funny Jokes!

But NOOOO! We will NOT tolerate: DRAMA, Snakes In Your Head, ASSHOLE Personalities or Funny Business!

Still Sound Good? Contact Deb Davis!!

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Page Photography By Deb Davis

Photo Submitted By CWC Denise Stamps

The Lake Murray Polar Plunge is an annual event held by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Torch Run campaign. 100% of the funds raised, directly benefit The Special Olympics Programs around our state of South Carolina!!

Danika Olafson, Treasurer of CWC ABATE, is a Special Education teacher at White Knoll Elementary School. Saturday, February 12th,2022, her ABATE Chapter teamed up with her AGAIN to support her and the Lake Murray Polar Plunge! For 3 years; CWC ABATE, not only donated money...but SOME have actually taken the PLUNGE! Yes, you read that right!!

These fun loving, “Motorcycle Rights” Activist, who are “hairy bikers” with tattoos; dressed in TuTu’s!! Why?? Because they are the CWC chapter - (Cayce West Columbia) and I quote them as saying: "Cause We Can!!"

And boy, did they!!!

With ABATE CWC's support for Danika, and her school, half of the money raised that day, went directly back to White Knoll’s Special Olympics team. The money will help pay for, year-round inclusive activities, as well as, the game expenses.

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Current Motorcycle Related Bills At The Statehouse!

At The Statehouse: As of this writing the Hands Free bill S248 is being debated in the Senate. Hopefully, while you

are reading this it has passed the Senate and will be making its way the House of Representatives. I will tell you right now, if you want to have the most current information, make sure you are part of the Legislative Alerts email list. Just send me an email saying you want to be added. helmet_laws_suck@msn.com

The Big Debate: The common comments from our legislators during the debates and many others is “How can I still use my phone while I am driving if this passes?” as if this is the top priority for getting from point A to point B. Now I am not saying I hadn’t been one of those in the past but we have to face reality that driving a car is about driving a car. It’s even worse to think that someone riding a motorcycle wants to use his phone while driving. Not that I hadn’t done this also but it didn’t take me long to figure out that was just stupid.

So when someone wants to debate you about using a phone while driving, remind them that driving is about driving!

The Hidden Debate: During the debate on February 16th one of the Senators suggested to have any Hands Free

violation inadmissible as is currently if you are involved in a collision and you are not wearing a seatbelt. While this is not apples to oranges, it scratches the surface for why Hands Free legislation is also important. You see, if a person is involved in a collision and is unlawfully using their cell phone this would add negligence on their part, which we currently do not have. This was a suggestion at the time of this writing and was not amended.

There are some groups pushing to get the seat belt violation gag order removed and below are some of their talking points, we do not want this inadmissible language in any Hands Free legislation.

Allow Non-Use of Seatbelts Be Admissible – Let the Jury Know, and Decide

• The current provisions of South Carolina that insulate people from financial consequences of failing to wear a seat belt should be repealed. The trial judge should be able to determine what and how evidence should be used in a civil trial on a case-by-case basis.

• The jury should be able to know this, whether they apply it to mitigate damages or not.

“Let the jury decide.”

• No other motor vehicle code violation is exempt from admissibility as evidence. All conduct is relevant, especially when one does not take the common-sense precautions to protect oneself or others by not wearing a seat belt.

• This “gag order” is likely in violation of equal protection, and therefore Unconstitutional.

Ralph Bell, Reb Richardson Legislative Coordinator (803) 556-2354

Assistant Legislative Coordinator (803) 491-5145

E-mail helmet_laws_suck@msn.com

Email reb@truvista.net

Let Your Voice Be Heard Now! Become an

ABATE of South Carolina

Member TODAY and let your VOICE be heard before its too LATE! www.abatofsc.org 12

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Getting Your Motorcycle

w e F A d n A .

Ready For Spring ..

A little maintenance today will help Friendly s r e ensure that your bike is ready to go! d n i m e R DO NOT ASSuME

other vehicles are watching for you.

Be prepared to YIELD right-of-way when approaching vehicles, particularly at intersections and signals.

The No-Zone is areas around large trucks and buses where cars cannot be seen. These blind spots are found on the sides, rear and front of a large vehicle.

Did I Miss Anything? Email Me. To Add To

“The Motorcyle Check List”! Nicole CGW WWW.CHROMESC.COM

In South Carolina, drivers and passengers UNDER the age of 21 are REQUIRED by law to wear A HELMET and EYE PROTECTION while riding.

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Back In The Days With Pappy

Brook had just got a K Model, Fat Head Sportster,

Well, I should have started this story like now…

I’m a 75 years old that’s been riding for 64 years now, I have owned a bunch of bikes!

Harley-Davidson K Model Sporster

Brody Chase got a BSA 500,

First Knuk was a 47 EL 3 speed with a sidecar…

35 bucks, sold the side car for $50 that fall and sold the bike to the guy that bought the sidecar years later; he gave it to his son Mighty Mike and he still has it.

Mighty Mike still 1947 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead EL lives in the house with Sidecar. National Motorcycle Museum he grew up in, and has never been anywhere.

Back to the start… Schools are out, so the fun begins! I’m now making $0.75 an hour and gas was $0.24.9, that’s right 24.9 CENTS per gallon!

My scooter got about 40 mpg and it needed to be painted, big time!! So, I striped it at Ed Orrs Body Shop, where he let us guys hang around and we would make paint & parts runs for him. Cliff Blogett was the best painter around and I got him a Badger Air Brush to do the flame job I wanted, and it looked so goooood!

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BSA 1948 A7 500 cc 2cyl ohv

Bobby Michel got a 55 Triumph!

TRIUMPH 1955 T100

We made some weekend camping trips to lake Michigan full of lots of girls and little bathing suits (some stories will never be told). There was a teen age night club not too far from Farmville called the Teen Beat a way cool place to ride to and the girls love bikes; good bands and more fun than the law would allow. Also, the crazy horse barn same thing good bands, lots of girls.

Girls love two wheels!

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Well, its Fall now, time to put up the bikes for winter and get out the trucks! Brody Chase & Howard Cole had a 1935 Ford,

Us, farm boys, love our trucks too!

It’s now Winter, snow a**hole deep, colder than hell! 21-degree Winter, in Michigan sucks, so that’s why I’m in South Carolina.

See ya next month, I’m getting a real motorcycle to ride. A 1955 Zundapp 250, with a California tag… WOO HOO!

1935 Ford Truck

Tommy Jenkins had a 1933 Chevy with a 327, 1955 Zundapp 250

My Triumph story Is coming soon!

RIDE FREE RIDE SAFE

Pappy

1933 Chevy Truck with a 327

and I had just gotten a ‘47 Ford that I put a Buick Nailhead motor in.

Send us YOUR Article Ideas & Suggestions by email to

carolinachrome@yahoo.com

or text 803-931-2613

1947 Ford Truck

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Submitted Events

2022

Saturday, March 5th Hart County Habitat for Humanity 11am-6pm 900 Benson St.Hartwell, GA 30643 FMI: Brooke Saturday, April 2nd @ 7:30am-10:30am Dutton 706-961-2175 fromthehart8485@gmail.com American Legion Rider Chapter 193 Breakfast Fundraiser Event by American Legion Riders Chapin SC - Chapter 193 Flyer Page 18 @Zorba’s Tickets: www.americanlegionpost193.com Each year American Legion Rider Chapter 193 host a buffet Saturday, March 12th 9:30am- 6pm breakfast fundraiser at Zorba’s of Chapin. All money raised is CVMA Spring Ride 2022 used to support Veteran, youth and Community causes. The Starts & ends @ Swamp Cabbage Brewery, 921 Brookbreakfast is fantastic, the breakfast alone is worth more than wood Dr. Columbia, SC. FMI: Howler: 912-809-0291 the $10.00.

Come out and support ALR Chapter 193 and a great Flyer Page 18 cause. Tickets can be purchased every Monday morning from 8:30am- 11am at Chapin Post 193 or you can send a check to Sunday, March 13th PO Box 897 Chapin SC 29036 attn: ALR breakfast Breast Cancer Benefit Concert For Katie Feaster Flyer Page 19 Noon-6pm Concert Benefit being held at the Skyline Club in West Columbia for Katie Feaster who is currently Sunday, April 3 2022 battling breast cancer and just gave birth to her first Bub Lollis Spring Whitten Center Ride child. FMI Madison prefer text:803-530-2064 Noon- 3pm Whitten Center Campus Pavilion Madison.Morris03@yahoo.com FMI: James Lollis 864-993-3718 Thursday, March 17th - Sunday, March 20th Flyer Page 19 AHRMA Bridgestone Tires Nat’l Historic Roadrace Vintage Motorcycle Road Racing at it’s best. @ Carolina MotorSaturday, April 16th, 9AM to 2PM sports Park 3662 Kershaw Hwy, Kershaw SC www.ahrma.org Food Drive For The Homeless Americas Guardians Le/Ps MC Chapter Sc8a Saturday, March 19th At Quality Foods in Greer, SC If your church or business 7th Annual Chili Cook Off would like to help by collecting products, we will be ABATE Of SC Charleston County 1-5pm happy to pickup the week prior to our food drive. Call to VFW Post 5091, 4257 Spruill Ave, N. Charleston schedule pick up: Joker 864-602-3168 or Amy 864-436-5535

Flyer Page 18

Sunday, March 20th @ 2PM 14th Annual Greenwood S.C. Blessing Of The Bikes Event by Dennis Reynolds @ First Mount Moriah Baptist Church.

We will leave the Greenwood S.C. Hobby Lobby parking lot at 2pm sharp for the ride to First Mt Moriah Baptist Church!

RAIN DATE MARCH 27th!!!

Sunday, March 20th 10am-3pm ABATE Of SC; Colleton County Recruiting Day & Hero's Blood Drive Bourbon Creek Bar & Grill 23746 Augusta Hwy, Cottageville, SC 29435

Flyer Page 19

March 26th 11am American Legion Blessing of The Bikes 132 Saint David’s Church Rd. W Cola, SC 29170 FMI: Andy Powell 803-606-2285 AWPOWELL55@GMAIL.COM

Flyer Page 18

Saturday, March 26, 2022 11AM- 5PM Freedom Biker Church’s 4th Annual Bike Blessing Hosted By Freedom Biker Church Foothills. Live music, BBQ, guided ride and a whole lot of blessings. 3910 Highway 11, Pickens SC FMI (864) 230-4839 - Cindy Shafer/Joe Pelfrey 16

Saturday, April 30th

CR & Broken Chains JC 2nd Annual Spring Rally 11am-4pm Broken Chains JC are a fellowship of Bikers who have found hope and healing in Jesus Christ through the ministry of Celebrate Recovery, helping others to realize that change is possible! BCJC is hosting a Spring Rally & Bike Show this year in celebration of Celebrate Recovery’s 7th year at Honea Path First Baptist Church!

Proceeds from the rally will be donated to Shalom House Ministries in Belton. In addition to the bike show, there will be food, vendors, live music, swap meet and a kids play area. Honea Path First Baptist Church, 100 S. Main Street, Honea Path SC. FMI Shovelhead 864-318-5072

Saturday, May 14th, 2022 Steel Horse 6 Riding In A Pack ‘Cause We Got Your Back Registration @Harley Haven @ 10am, KSU @11am Ride to The Big Red Barn for an event to help military and first responders dealing with PTSD. FMI: Shane Reynolds 515-402-3641 iafireman323@yahoo.com

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Monday, March 14th is "Man"

Valentine's Day

Served With Steak!

One Celebration on March 14th, is with eating Steak for Male Valentine's holiday! This day is specifically for the guys and is ALWAYS celebrated the month after Valentine’s Day- which is the holiday for women.

As a side note; March 14th is also Pi Day because the first few significant digits of the mathematical constant pi are 3.14. It is also Albert Einstein’s birthday. Traditions on this day include: Baking pies to celebrate Pi Day. National Steak Day is Monday this year, and always April 25th!

Now, back to "the meat!" A recent study published in; International Journal of General Medicine

by W. You Et Al., states: Meat Consumption is Positively Associated with Life Expectancy! It also states; “Vegetarianism that has been prevalent in Western countries has been subject to prejudice, low self-esteem, and low psychological adjustment.” Makes sense to me...

Are YOU Helping the Bike Community?

Get YOUR BIKE EVENT listed in our FREE SECTION! YOU Deserve A Little HELP, TOO!

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EVENTS & EVENT UPDATES @ CHROMESC.COM

EVENTS & EVENT UPDATES @ CHROMESC.COM

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On The Roads In

South Carolina Just How Bad Is It In South Carolina?

Just How Bad Is It In South Carolina? o o o o o o o o

Distracted driving kills more thano eight peopledriving and injures Distracted kills more than eight people and injures (NHTSA) another 1,095 people daily in the U.S. another 1,095 people daily in the U.S. (NHTSA) South Carolina ties for 7th worst odrivers in Carolina the U.S. according a study of in the U.S. according to a study of South ties for 7thtoworst drivers key metrics. (SmartAsset.com) key metrics. (SmartAsset.com) South Carolina is #1 in the nationo for Fatality Rate per Vehicle South Carolina is #1100 in Million the nation for Fatality Rate per 100 Million Vehicle Miles Traveled in 2019. (IIHS) Miles Traveled in 2019. (IIHS)

South Carolina averages two crashes every hour involving distracted o South Carolina averagesatwo crashes every hour involving a distracted driver. (SCDPS) driver. (SCDPS) A teen driver is involved in a collision or is injures someone everythat kills or injures someone every o A that teenkills driver involved in a collision 1.4 hours in South Carolina. (SCDPS)1.4 hours in South Carolina. (SCDPS)

1,006 people were killed in traffic on South o accidents 1,006 people wereCarolina killed inroads trafficinaccidents on South Carolina roads in 2019. (SCDPS) 2019. (SCDPS)

In 2019, South Carolina reported 18,936 totalSouth collisions where distracted o In 2019, Carolina reported 18,936 total collisions where distracted driving contributed to the accident.driving (SCDPS) contributed to the accident. (SCDPS) Texting and driving is 6X more dangerous driving is drunk.

(NHTSA) o Textingthan and driving 6X more dangerous than driving drunk. (NHTSA)

Are You A Smart Driver?

Are You A Smart Driver?

If not, you can expect your car insurance increase by 51% if you are at faultto inincrease by 51% if you are at fault in If not,to you can expect your car insurance an accident and someone is injuredan (ValuePenguin.com). accident and someone is injured (ValuePenguin.com).

According to ValuePenguin.com, you can expect your car insurance rates to can increase According to ValuePenguin.com, you expect your car insurance rates to increase by around 51% for one at-fault accidentbyinaround South Carolina.

That works out to be an 51% for one at-fault accident in South Carolina. That works out to be an increase of over $1,000 dollars a year on a full coverage policy.dollars So, distracted driving increase of over $1,000 a year on a full coverage policy. So, distracted driving can cost you. can cost you.

Distracted driving is one of the most dangerous you while behind the Distractedthings driving is can one do of the most dangerous things you can do while behind the wheel. wheel.

Your chances of having an accident increase by 90%of when youan drive distracted.

Your chances having accident increase by 90% when you drive distracted.

Drivers 15-25 are the most likely to drive distracted.

Drivers 15-25 are the most likely to drive distracted.

Become an ABATE of South Carolina Member TODAY and let your VOICE be heard before its too LATE! www.abatofsc.org

https://www.doi.sc.gov/884/Distracted-Driving https://www.doi.sc.gov/884/Distracted-Driving

Page Photography By Cherokee

Let Your Voice Be Heard! www.abatofsc.org

Photo By Karisa

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Page Photography by Grange Simons Lucas III

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13th Annual Polar Bear Run Goose Creek to Summerville

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A LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS Monthly Devotional

Laying on a gurney in the back of an Army ambulance, I thought I was a goner for sure…

Roving Sands, the largest military training exercise in the United States, was a regular event which began in 1989 and continued well into the 2000s. My main function during Roving Sands 1993 was to keep large generator sets maintained and running in order to provide power for radar and missile systems.

On day one, we drove for hours across the New Mexico desert until we finally found the coordinates to where we were supposed to set up our missile site. As I climbed from my vehicle, I stood for a second and looked in every direction. We were about the spend three weeks with nothing to see at but mesquite bushes, tarantulas, rattlesnakes, and a lot of sand.

I was assisting in putting together the motor pool maintenance tent when I noticed people running toward where the mobile kitchen was being assembled. Thinking something was wrong, I hopped from the hood of my vehicle and ran to where the excitement was.

There, sitting on the ground, was a young soldier friend of mine with his boot off. Laying near him was a dead Western Diamondback Rattlesnake, and on top of his foot were two small puncture wounds. The snake had bitten right through his boot and into his foot. He was taken to the hospital and came back a couple of days later and all was good.

During our stay in New Mexico, we came in contact with 25 or 30 rattlesnakes. When we walked from place to place, we could hear them rattling in the mesquite bushes and under our vehicles. Some small ones even made their way into some of the tents. This was quite unnerving!

One evening about midnight, as I was out refueling the generators, something hit me in the lower leg. Looking down, I saw that a rattlesnake had hold of my pants.

Apparently, I had stepped on it and yep, it had bitten me just above my boot. The snake recoiled and began to rattle, and I moved away. Calling for assistance, the supply sergeant ran to my aid and killed the snake with a wooden tent pole. The medics loaded me into a humvee ambulance (hummalance) and off we went on a 50-mile road trip to the hospital… Or so I thought…

About twenty-five miles into our ride, the “hummalance” began to run hot. A few minutes later, steam was entering the cab and we could smell the aroma of coolant. The driver made the decision to keep going until the vehicle would no longer run, which would not take very long. The Army hummalance finally stalled and coasted to the side of the road.

Scrambling for anything they could find, the medics cut open IV bags, poured canteen water, they even opened 12 pack of Dr. Pepper, and used any liquid available to 24

fill the radiator. After a few minutes, we were again on our way. But not for long… After another 20 minutes, we were stalled once again…

We were out of reach for the radios, cell phones were still unheard of, and I was in bad trouble.

The medic attending me in the back of the ambulance asked, “Is there anything you want me to tell your family?”

“WELL THANKS A LOT BUDDY!” Peering through the rear window of the hummalance, there was nothing but darkness, and the situation looked very grim. We had not seen a single vehicle all night, and this road was hardly ever traveled. As I mentioned in the beginning, laying on that gurney in the back of the Army ambulance, I thought I was a goner for sure…

After sitting there for over an hour, I noticed something flicker in the distance. In the desert you can see for several miles, and I was sure I had seen a light. Initially, the light resembled a pinhole in black canvas. Then, for what seemed like an eternity, we watched as the tiny glimmer grew larger, then split in two, and finally became almost blinding…

As the vehicle approached our hummalance, the medics flagged for the driver to pull over. It was an Army soldier in a Humvee heading in to work. I was swiftly loaded into the back of the Humvee and sped away to the hospital for medical attention.

My point is this… When I was in a very bad place, thinking I was going to die, that little flicker of light provided hope…

As I stared at the light, it became more prominent… When I embraced the light and what it brought to me, I received exactly what I needed…

John 8:12 Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life.”

Jesus Is the light of the world. When we are burdened with despair, He is that light of hope. When we are overwhelmed, He is that light of comfort. When we are burdened by our bad decisions, He is that light of forgiveness. If we seek Him, His light will show us the way.

One thing we can always be sure of, if we keep our focus on Him, we will never be in darkness!

Shine that light!

Ride on and stay safe, Dennis Reynolds Mideast Regional Elder Bikers for Christ M/M

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Do You Have A

Photo Submitted by Reader “Dragon”

Biker Kid Picture?

Submit it to us, to have it placed in the Carolina Chrome Magazine!!

Submition

email: Carolinachrome@yahoo.com

Options CHROMESC.COM “Send To Us” tab

Photo Submitted by Reader David

Photo Submitted by Reader AWINN75

Photo Submitted by Deb Davis @ Polar Bear Plunge

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A Real One-Kicker

By Wally Wersching

In November 1969, after I got out of the Navy, I told my Chicago friends that I was in the market to buy a bike. I had some money saved, and this time, I wanted a Harley. On December 6, 1969, Herb, an old friend who usually rode Triumphs, and I drove to a garage where we were supposed to meet a guy named “Flakey” who had an old Harley for sale.

“Flakey” hadn’t been ridin’ much since he hurt his leg at work. With Christmas coming, his wife was nagging him to, “get rid of that old thing.” We went into the garage where he showed us his bike. It was a 1957 FLH (Panhead Hardtail). It had no front fender along with a fiveinch extended front fork, and the stock sixteen-inch tire on a rusty spoked wheel. It had no speedometer because the gas tank was a gold metal-flake “turtle tank” full of bondo ripples, and cracks. The bars were Sportster buckhorns with only a left-hand cracked mirror. The exhaust pipes were the standard “Easy Rider” upswept style with “shorty” mufflers and fishtails, but these pipes were different. After they swept up and back, they went straight up for about three feet before the fishtails. Because there were no supports, they banged into each other as they wobbled back and forth. The homemade flat rear fender tilted to the left, and the license plate was mounted at the rear axle on the left side with wires dangling, and rubbing against the rear tire. The rear wheel was another rusty spoked one that matched the front. The seat was an aftermarket “solo” seat with external springs. The engine was a mass of tangled wires, oil, and dirt. I wasn’t impressed!

Flakey limped over to the bike, turned on the gas, and flipped the choke closed. He then proceeded to kick the bike over with his left foot on the right side of the bike. It looked very awkward but it worked. He kicked it three times then adjusted the choke to two notches down from open. Then he flipped the toggle switch that was taped to the frame, and jumped off the ground, and onto the kick-starter. It fired right up. It sounded wonderful even though the pipes were rattling like a New Year’s Eve noisemaker. I knew that to start a Harley, or any bike, in December in Chicago with only one kick was no small feat especially after not riding it for months. Flakey knew his bike. Now I was impressed!

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I didn’t take if for a ride due to the snow blocking the garage door. I bought it anyway, and it was the best $550.00 I ever spent. I picked it up the next weekend, and rode it home with the pipes flopping, and rattling. I froze my butt off.

I convinced my parents that my bike should go in the basement. They weren’t real pleased about it, but went along. Once in the basement, I could clean it up, and get it ready for spring for my first summer since the Navy.

The first thing I did was to take everything off that could come off.

All that was left was a frame, a pile of parts, a dirty oil stain on the floor, and the smell of solvent throughout the house. Mom really loved the mess!

As I reassembled it, I cleaned, painted, and polished everything. Luckily most of the parts were usable. I made front and rear fenders from universal fender stock; cut the pipes right before they went straight up, and remounted the fishtails; painted the spokes on the wheels (the chrome rims cleaned up OK); and “chopper wired” the lights, ignition, and charging system nice and neat, routing all the wires, and tying them into a loom.

I had to do something about the gas tank. That “turtle tank” was too far gone to fix. A friend gave me a Sportster tank with a few dents in it. I really wanted a stock set of split “fat bob” tanks, but money was short. After I had the Sportster tank straight and primed, Little Eddy; the Enforcer in the Hell’s Henchmen, MC, said he’d trade a stock set of ’60 FLH tanks with speedometer and brackets for the Sportster tank if I painted it metallic burgundy. Soon I was mounting the stock ’60 tanks. Then I wired the stock ignition switch, and wound the speedometer cable through the frame to the transmission.

I painted the fenders and tanks with a gold “candy” base, and a blue transparent overcoat with a clear coat over it all. It looked about a foot deep in a shade of what is now called “teal”.

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Herman, a friend with a welder, made a “sissy bar” out of half inch solid steel bars with two stainless steel military shells on top, and a chrome drawer handle for a cross brace. I mounted the license plated on it.

To make it “street legal” it needed a horn. There was no horn on it when I bought it from Flakey, and I really didn’t want wires tied to the handle bars so I used a good quality bicycle horn mounted to the handle bar. It may have looked and sounded funny but it was legal!

Now it was ready! In early April ’70, I rolled it out of the basement, and into the backyard. I remembered how Flakey had started it in December. I turned on the gas, closed the choke, and kicked it over three times. Now was the time to turn the key and see. I turned the key, and with one mighty kick, it started!

It was the best rush I ever had. After some minor clutch, chain, and brake adjustment, it was ready for anything. With my tool kit strapped to the handlebar, I took it on the streets of Chicago.

I couldn’t have done it without the help of many good friends. That’s what it’s all about. That’s what makes a bike special, and mine was very special to me. That was a great summer of riding! I made many new friends, and went to some wild parties on my ’57 Pan.

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Page Photography by Grange Simons Lucas III

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Page Photography by Grange Simons Lucas III

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Page Photography by Louis Champom

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