Blue Knights AZ IX – Page 19 – Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club

2013 Shriners Poker Run April 7, 2013

Charity, Motorcycle, Poker Runs No Responses »

Apr 072013

This years Shriners Poker Run was much different from years past. This year the run was 87 miles long. After leaving the Shriner parking lot you went to Broadway turning right to the Walgreens at Houghton & Broadway. Here you picked a number from one to 52. From there you continued on Houghton to Catalina Highway where you turned right to go up to Mt. Lemmon stopping at the San Pedro Outlook where you picked a second number. Next it was on up the mountain to the Ski lift parking lot across from the Iron Door where you picked a third number. Now back down the mountain to Catalina & Tanque Verde, B of A parking lot where you picked your fourth number. Now it is back to the Shriners via Wilmont, Speedway, to Tucson Blvd., where you will picked your fifth and final number and they then let you know your hand. The low hand drawn was a 6,5,3,2,A. The high hand was Q’s full 3’s. There were over 300 entries this year in the Poker Run. A lot more than years past.

Yours truly DID NOT win the Harley this year. I guess winning twice is asking too much. Below are some pictures of the ride and some of the many bikes in the parking lot. Some of these photos were actually taken while I was coming down the mountain. I was just pointing out in the general direction and they came out pretty good.

San Pedro Outlook

Overlooking the valley – 1

Overlooking the Valley – 2

Snow on the hillside – 1

Entrance to the Iron Door

Overlooking the valley from the Iron Door

My group in the parking lot of the ski-lift

Snow on the hillside – 2

Coming down looking out at Summer Haven – 1

Coming down looking out at Summer Haven – 2

Coming down looking out at Summer Haven – 3

Looking out over Windy Point – 1

Rock climbers getting ready to rappell over the side @ Windy Point

Looking out over Windy Point – 2

Unique bikes in the parking lot – 1

Unique bikes in the parking lot – 2

Unique bikes in the parking lot – 3

Unique bikes in the parking lot – 4

Sea of bikes – 1

Norm’s twin – 1

Norm’s twin – 2

Gold Wing Motor Trike

Sea of bikes – 2

Dyna Superglide

BKAZIX Dinner Ride March 26, 2013

Dinners, Motorcycle No Responses »

Mar 272013

WOW what can I say. We had one of our best turnouts in quite some time. A total of 22 members, family, and friends made our monthly dinner ride this month to Chad’s. There must be something about Chad’s since we always have a great turnout there. Some of our members came from Vail and Green Valley. Those who made the dinner ride were:

Stan & Patti Thibaut, Ray & Donna Valenzuela, Frank & Kate Brunetti, Alan Stewart & Susan Wagner, Steve Kelley, Patrick Shely, Norm & Mary Hubbard, Stewart Van Kirk and Judy Sable, Jeff & Kelli Jamieson, Kelli’s aunt and uncle Orville & Robert Hamburg, Beverly O’Donnell and yours truly. We also had our NEWEST member Ernie & Priscilla Wolf. Ernie & Priscilla just moved here from Colorado. They are having a house built in Saddle Brook. They belonged to Colorado 1. Here are a few photos:

BKAZIX Breakfast Ride March 9, 2013

Breakfast, Motorcycle No Responses »

Mar 102013

Well another month has come and gone as well as our monthly breakfast ride. We had a good turnout this month even if the weather was a little inclement. A total of 15 members and family made the ride. Those who made the ride were: Stan & Patti Thibaut, Russ & Jackie Cole, Norm Hubbard, long lost Twan & Fonda, Pat Shely, Mike & Tamara Leeper, our old friend Terry who was the only one on two wheels, our newest member Stewart Van Kirk, almost member George (Bud) Welch, and finally Bev and myself. Here are a few pictures.

2013 Renaissance Festival

Motorcycle No Responses »

Feb 242013

Well we made our annual trek to the Renaissance Festival. The weather was nice. It was a little chilly on the way up but by the time we got there the weather was wonderful. Those who made the ride were:
Alan Stewart, Susan Wagner, their son Ryan and his friend Gina, Bill Calkins, Bob & Rusty Ness, Bev O’Donnell and myself. I was on the bike along with Bill. Bill could not go to the Festival but he rode along up to the Tom Mix Monument. Since Alan and the family were dressed for the occasion they drove in a cage along with Bob & Rusty who drove up from Sonoita where it was obviously a little too cold for the bike.

How could you not go the Festival without see Ded Bob. We saw a fire whip show where the guy broke a Guinness record of splitting 44 roses from his assistant’s mouth in 60 seconds. The Falconry exhibition was excellent. There is way too many things to tell so you can just look at the photos in the “Photo” Gallery.

10 Things My Motorcycle Has Taught Me

Humor, Motorcycle, News, Safety No Responses »

Feb 212013

Reprinted from Cyclerides 2/20/2013.

1. Putting on rain gear. If it looks like rain, smells like rain, and there is rain on the pavement, it is probably raining. It is now officially PAST time to put your rain gear on. Put rain gear on PRIOR to all of the obvious signs.

Lesson: Error to putting on rain gear too soon. It only takes a couple of times of getting drenched to learn this one.

2. Learn that “E” on the gas gauge actually does mean empty. It does not stand for “E-ternity of Gas”. I sometimes tend to get those confused. Figuring out how far past the “E” you can ride is useful in the game to see how far you can go on a tank of gas. To win the game you are able to ride into the gas station and actually put more gas in the tank than it holds. Losing the game involves a call to AAA from the side of the road. My record is now 5.3 gallons in a 5 gallon tank.

Lesson: Walk 3 miles for gas in 100 degrees and you won’t make that mistake again.

3. Estimating time to ride to destination. Getting it through my head that 350 miles of riding through mountain passes and twisties is going to take considerably longer than 350 miles on a Montana freeway. One of my more famous quotes on a trip; “It is only 350 miles, we should be there by 3pm.” I am reminded of this quote at 5pm by Mrs. C. when we are still 100 miles away.

Lesson: Learn it. Always OVER estimate how long it will take.

4. Be sure bike is in neutral when starting. After 35 plus years of riding, this one still tends to get me every once in a while. Nothing much worse than going to your bike at a bike night, thinking it is in neutral and pushing the start button to find out that you were wrong. However, it is quite entertaining for all of the people that saw you make this common rookie mistake. Pull in the clutch or make sure it is in neutral before pushing the start button.

Lesson: Don’t be the subject of the jokes for the rest of the day.

5. Confirm that the kickstand is secure before dismounting. I had this happen in Ouray, CO. a few years ago. I put the kickstand down on the severely sloped main St. a little too straight up. The wind was blowing pretty good and when I got about 4 steps away from the bike I heard a big crash. It had blown over. Fortunately no serious damage to levers, etc. and I was able to ride it.

Lesson: Make sure that bike is stable on kickstand.

6. Directions. No matter how much I like my GPS and no matter how many times it has saved me, road signs still trump the GPS. If you know you are supposed to be on I-70 West and the sign clearly says I-70 West, go with the sign.

Lesson: Know what you know.

7. Eating regularly. I am the kind of guy that will eat a big breakfast and be good until we stop for dinner. My thought is that stopping to eat is “Burning Daylight”. Not everyone shares my thoughts on this. Much easier on yourself to stop and get your spouse some food when she is ready for it. Generally the only source of real discussion on our trips.

Lesson: Keep your wife well fed. Makes for a more enjoyable ride.

8. Be aware of under dressing. Realize that standing still in the sun with a short sleeve t-shirt on in 60 degree weather does not feel the same as riding 70 mph in the same temperature and attire. Over dressing will never be a problem for me.

Lesson: Learn how to “Layer” properly. It is easier to deal with too many clothes on than it is to freeze for 100 miles. Error to over dressing.

9. Make sure saddlebag lids are latched before riding. Not only do you lose your personal belongings out of the bags, it can be perceived as an amateur move. It is very embarrassing when the guy in the minivan pulls up next to you and points to your saddlebag lid flapping in the breeze.

Lesson: Can be very expensive if your leather jacket flies out.

10. Stop taking off with kickstand down. Rookie mistake #1. It is embarrassing to have someone point at your kickstand when you are riding to find that it is still down. It also makes left turns much more challenging. Page 12 in the riders manual advises against this activity. Never can figure out how I forget this. Usually stems from being distracted just as you take your bike off of the side stand.

Lesson: Dangerous. Stop doing it.

BKAZIX Breakfast Ride February 9, 2013

Breakfast, Motorcycle No Responses »

Feb 092013

Well even though the weather was somewhat chilly today four people made it to breakfast one of them riding his BMW. We even had the pleasure of a morning snowfall in Vail. Those who made the ride were, Stan Thibaut, Mike Leeper, Bev, and myself. Here are a few pictures for you to enjoy along with the snow.

BKAZIX Dinner Ride January 29, 2013

Dinners, Motorcycle No Responses »

Feb 082013

We had our January dinner ride at Club 21 on Oracle. Club 21 is a nice Mexican restaurant. Those who made the ride were:

Pat & Georganna Shely, Ray & Donna Valenzuela, Russ & Jackie Cole, Frank & Kate Brunetti, Stan & Patti Thibaut, and Bev and myself. Here are a few photos:

BKAZIX Breakfast Ride January 12, 2013

Breakfast, Motorcycle No Responses »

Jan 152013

The following is a report from Stan on the January 12th breakfast and ride thereafter.

We had a very good time while we visited The Old Time Cafe on Prince Rd. The food and service were excellent. Mike Leeper and I rode our motorcycles and after breakfast we went on a nice ride. We first headed north to Ina Rd, then west on Picture Rocks Rd. We then traveled south on Sandario Rd. to Kinney Rd. As we traveled south on Kinney Rd., we took a ride around McCain Loop, which is a rolling, curved road with a nice view out over the western valley. We rode to Mission Rd., continuing south to Duval Mine Rd., then southeast on Continental Rd. into Green Valley. After a nice stop and conversation, we continued on Continental Rd. around to Old Nogales Highway. We rode north to Valencia Rd., where we headed to our respective homes. It was a very good ride through some interesting areas.

Those who made the breakfast were: Stan & Patti Thibaut, John Falzone, Jeff & Kelly Jamieson, Frank & Kate Brunetti, David & Laura Vitkus, Russ & Jackie Cole, Mike Leeper, and finally Norm & Mary Hubbard.

Motorcycle Anti-Tampering Act

Motorcycle, News No Responses »

Jan 092013

This is a reminder in case you may have occasion to travel into California.

In case you forgot or missed it the first time around, the Motorcycle Anti-Tampering Act (SB 435) went into effect January 1, 2013. Signed into law by Governator, Arnold Schwarzenegger, in late 2010, the law authorizes the PoPo to cite motorcycle owners with non-compliant exhaust systems and ticket them with a noise pollution violation. SB 435 requires motorcycles and aftermarket motorcycle exhaust systems made on or after January 1st to display an EPA sound emissions label. Motorcycles produced prior to this date cannot be ticketed under SB 435. Motorcyclists must also first be pulled over for violating another traffic law such as speeding, illegal U-turn, etc. Police are not allowed to pull over a motorcyclist with the sole intention of an SB 435 infraction. First time offenders will face a fine between $50 to $100 — a fine that can be dismissed with proof of correction. A second offense raises the fine to $100 to $250 with no provision for dismissing the fine with proof of correction. Meaning, you can’t keep reinstalling your stock exhaust every time you get caught and pay nothing. An argument against SB 435 is the emasculated EPA has no power for enforcing the correct placement of its mandated label for exhaust systems, on OEM or aftermarket exhaust systems. Thus, it’s difficult to find the EPA label, especially on motorcycles with bodywork, and unreasonable to expect police officers to be able to easily locate the label. It’s also unreasonable to expect a motorcyclist to disassemble the bike’s exhaust system in an effort to find the label.

The law was originally opposed by both the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) and the Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC). These two organizations both recommended the J2825 standard developed by the Society of Automotive Engineers. The MIC is currently working with the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and the EPA on adopting J2825.

For now it is suggested that to avoid any unwarranted tickets regarding your bike’s exhaust system, the owner should carry receipts or other forms of proof regarding the date of manufacture of the motorcycle, when the exhaust was installed and/or purchased, etc.

Blue Knights International Roadside Assistance Program

Motorcycle, News No Responses »

Dec 222012

After many requests to resurrect the old Roadside Assistance Program (RAP), the Internet Committee (with the actual work done by Web Master Paul Croteau) has resurrected it via a self-sustainable, self-administered emergency contact list database. Log onto the members only section and click on the Roadside Assistance tab to the right, then once you’re on that page, read through it and then click on the “Blue Knights International Roadside Assistance Program” bar towards the bottom and add your information.

Older Entries Newer Entries