As my first attempt to provide a safety suggestion/reminder for the month of November I want to emphasize precautions for winter riding. The most important thing of all on any trip is to arrive at your destination safely. We all know about slippery roads, wet leaves, pine needles, manhole covers, and worse of all "Black Ice" but also remember that automobile drivers don't see motorcycles on a clear day much less on a rainy day with a fogged up windshield. Be especially alert in the early morning when drivers may not be fully awake and late afternoon when they are fatigued from working all day and anxious to get home.

 

     Be extra careful at intersections and driveways. I used to watch the front wheel of the car as my early warning. If it started to move then I knew they were pulling out but nowadays with spinner hubcaps that can be deceiving.

 

     Your vision is not nearly as good on a stormy day as it is on a clear day so also be extra alert for animals and debris in the roadway.

 

     Remember to look and think ahead so you won't be required to make any sudden changes which can be disastrous on slippery roads.

 

     I prefer to use the modulating headlight, daytime hours only, to attempt to get other drivers attention. I also use the modulating break light. It modulates for approximately 10 seconds and then goes solid. You can do the same thing by tapping the break several times before stopping. Anything and everything you can do to get noticed is advisable as long as it's legal.

 

     Judy and I want to wish everyone a safe and enjoyable winter riding season and are anxiously looking forward to our first spring season here in Oregon. We are really enjoying all the fall colors and the even the rain is welcome.

 

     Downtown Grants Pass has a sign reading "It's the climate". It should also read "It's the friendliest people in the Nation". We have received a great welcome and are looking forward to many happy years at our new home.

 

     In Friendship, Don and Judy Coons