American Motorcyclist 08 2013 Dirt Version

AUGUST 2013

Ron Grace Uses Motorcycles For Good

Photo Sam Adams

Motorcycle Camping Done Right

THE JOURNAL OF THE

T:7.625”

IT’S A GOLD WING. WITH AN

T:10.5”

ATTITUDE

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powersports.honda.com BE A RESPONSIBLE RIDER. ALWAYS WEAR A HELMET, EYE PROTECTION & PROTECTIVE CLOTHING. NEVER RIDE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF DRUGS OR ALCOHOL, AND NEVER USE THE STREET AS A RACETRACK. OBEY THE LAW AND READ YOUR OWNER’S MANUAL THOROUGHLY. Gold Wing® is a trademark of Honda Motor Co., Ltd. ©2013 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (4/13)

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Mitchell, Steven C. (LAN-DLA) / Whitaker, Eric

Printed At

None

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

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Win A New Bike

Swee

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New Bike!

! s e k a t s p e e w S

JOIN OR RENEW your AMA membership in 2013 and you could

WIN!

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NAVIGATION

Navigation Photo

The Yonkers (N.Y.) Motorcycle Club, which holds AMA Charter No. 6, is more than 100 years old and has a long relationship with the AMA. Simply put, AMA clubs are composed of the most dedicated riders and racers on the planet, and the AMA is proud to be associated with them.

AMA file photo

10. LETTERS

You write, we read.

12. ROB DINGMAN A Family Affair.

14. RIGHTS

Anti-public-land access forces are hard at work, and motorcycles are now part of “smart car” intelligent transportation systems research.

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 2013.

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.

August 2013 Volume 67, Number 8 Published by the American Motorcyclist Association 13515 Yarmouth Dr. Pickerington, OH 43147 (800) AMA-JOIN (262-5646) www.americanmotorcyclist.com

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22. RIDING

Learning road-riding skills in the dirt, and the scoop on Slick motorcycle cleaning products.

36. HALL OF FAME

Jeff Fredette’s 2005 ISDE Kawasaki 220, hard-luck Hall of Famer Maldwyn Jones.

40. OFF THE GRID

Modern motorcycle camping: tips and tricks.

45. GO RIDE

What to do, where to go.

54. BILL BROKAW

A sidecar in Pikes Peak country.

AmericanMotorcyclist.com

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EDITORIAL OFFICES

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.

THE ADVENTURE is out there

comteit Ge

Contact any member of the AMA Board of Directors at AmericanMotorcyclist.com/ about/board Maggie McNally, Chair Albany, N.Y.

James Holter, Managing Editor Bill Kresnak, Government Affairs Editor Mark Lapid, Creative Director Jen Muecke, Designer Jeff Guciardo, Production Manager/Designer Kaitlyn Sesco, Marketing/Communications Specialist

Russ Brenan, Vice Chair Irvine, Calif.

Ken Ford, Assistant Treasurer Bartow, Fla.

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

Perry King, Executive Committee Member Northern California John Ulrich, Executive Committee Member Lake Elsinore, Calif.

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

Sean Hilbert, Hillsdale, Mich.

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, 2013.

Scott Miller, Milwaukee Art More, Sun City West, Ariz.

Stan Simpson, Cibolo, Texas Jim Viverito, Chicago

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

AMA STAFF EXECUTIVE

AMA RACING/ORGANIZER SERVICES (continued)

Rob Dingman, President/CEO Rhonda Hixon, Administrative Asst./Litigation Manager Bruce Moffat, Chief Financial Officer Sen. Wayne Allard, Vice President, Government Relations Bob Chaddock, Vice President, Administration Jeff Massey, Vice President, Operations Renee Bock, Receptionist Jim Williams, Vice President, Industry Relations & Corporate Member Programs Grant Parsons, Director of Communications & Marketing Rob Rasor, Director of International Affairs

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

ACCOUNTING Dawn Becker, Accounting Manager Melanie Hise, HR Assistant/Payroll Coordinator Ed Madden, System Support Specialist Peg Tuvell, Member Fulfillment Specialist ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES Sean Maher, Director AMHF/MOTORCYCLE HALL OF FAME Connie Fleming, Manager of Events and AMHF Operations Beth Myers, Donor Relations Specialist Paula Schremser, Program Specialist Katy Wood, Collections Manager AMA RACING/ORGANIZER SERVICES

Sponsored by Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A.

AMA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

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

Kip Bigelow, Amateur MX Manager Joe Bromley, District Relations Manager Jacki Burris, Organizer Services Coordinator Jane Caston, Racing Coordinator Lana Cox, Administrative Assistant Kevin Crowther, Director SX & Pro Racing Relations Bill Cumbow, Director of Special Projects Sandi Dunphy, Road Riding Coordinator Dave Hembroff, Road Riding Manager Alex Hunter, MX Operational Coordinator Tamra Jones, Racing Coordinator

The new Grip the ro our paten Add in tou and you’ll

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DISTRIBUTION/FACILITIES SERVICES John Bricker, Mailroom Manager Heida Drake, Copy Center Operator Bill Frasch, Mailroom Clerk GOVERNMENT RELATIONS Marie Esselstein, Government Affairs Assistant Danielle Fowles, Grassroots Coordinator Nick Haris, Western States Representative Sean Hutson, Legislative Assistant Sharon Long, Legislative Coordinator Rick Podliska, Deputy Director Imre Szauter, Government Affairs Manager - On-Highway INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Rob Baughman, Network Administrator John Boker, Developer Dave Coleman, Network Architect Amy Hyman, Senior Programmer/Analyst Bill Miller, Enterprise Architect 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 Kimberly Jude, Member Services Representative Tiffany Pound, Member Services Representative Jessica Robinson, Member Services Representative

www.yamaha-motor.com

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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 STEALTH RIDER

I was riding home from work the other day and, in my neighborhood a Each month, a lucky AMA member wins a Bike couple blocks from my home, I came Bandit gift card worth $100. Didn’t win? No upon a mother and young daughter worries. You can still take advantage of your of about 5 years old at an intersection 10% AMA member discount at BikeBandit.com. out for a stroll.

As I approached them and prepared to turn, I was disheartened to see the girl see me and cover her ears, apparently anticipating a loud noise from my mufflers.

Fortunately, I had the pleasure to try to tell Brett Herbert her that I’m “quiet”—through my full-face helmet—and hopefully let her know that not all motorcycles are obnoxiously—and sometimes painfully—loud on ears, especially young ones.

Brett Herbert Thornton, Colo.

STILL AMERICAN? After reading the AMA’s response to the letter “Red Light Worry” by Bill Pollack in the July issue, I had to give my two cents.

Part of the AMA’s response said: “That’s good advice to carry a copy of the federal regulation, but a law enforcement officer doesn’t have to consider it. According to more than one member, when they tried to reference the paperwork, they were told to ‘save it for the judge.’”

Having been in law enforcement, I find it stunning at the lack of common sense some officers exhibit... To write someone a traffic citation without looking at evidence to their defense is at best negligence...

When a person can show proof that they are not violating the law, [the] officer needs to either let that person go and forget about it, or let that person go and investigate the law more closely... The courtroom is not the place for an officer, who is getting paid overtime, to hash out a law that he or she knows nothing about.

We as motorcycle riders do not have to put up with violations to our constitutional rights. The next time this happens and you are found guilty, appeal! If you are not found guilty, hire a lawyer to find out if you were detained unlawfully. Either way, write a letter to the AMA explaining your situation, and maybe the AMA will print it for us all to read.

Gerald Sloan President The Upstate’s Finest M/C Anderson, S.C.

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ETHANOL: THE OTHER ARGUMENT I have been a proponent of mechanized mayhem ever since as a child my mother told me to “go play in the street.” I now own old cars, newer cars and a motorcycle.

My experience also includes boats, farm machinery and other gasoline-powered engines. Modern electronics solve many design limitations and help engines start every time. I see a major fuel problem for those of us who drive old cars and bikes.

I believe the EPA will not let up until they get higher quantities of ethanol at as many gas pumps as possible. To solve our fuel problems, our modern manufacturing has added monitoring devices and fuel injection into all sorts of transportation.

These corrections by computer allow us to operate at constant speeds, monitor emissions and troubleshoot failures, making life simpler for almost everyone.

A carbureted engine uses a compromised device to mix air and fuel together to produce forward motion…

It [is] mechanical in nature and cannot compensate for changes in temperature, air density or fuel quality.

The modern engine uses fuel injection.

It monitors what is down the pipe because of catalytic converters and for better fuel economy. But ethanol is an oxygenator.

It guarantees a cleaner burn in a system that is non-monitored, but has an opposite effect in a fuel-injected vehicle. Opening the throttle makes more free oxygen and adds more fuel to compensate. Add ethanol, which is oxygenated, and even more fuel must be added to over-compensate.

Newer cars, such as those designed to run on E85, have a special setup to note when the ethanol level is elevated. The problem is the fuel-injection monitoring in the slightly older cars and bikes. They can’t tell when you dumped ethanol in the tank.

They check for free O2 and extra ethanol produces more free O2, so they pump more fuel, which includes more ethanol and more free O2… This disconnect is why ethanol is not cleaning up the environment.

It is making it dirtier.

I propose that we remove the blender pump and go to premium, regular and E85.

For certain communities, the availability of E85 will make the do-gooders feel like they have done the right thing, and newer cars programmed to compensate for the free O2 in the ethanol will run fine. The requirement for a real E85-only pump at more locations across the country will increase the demand for ethanol from those who supply it.

For the rest of us in the real world, I can fill my pickup truck with E85 today, top it off with regular tomorrow, and let the electronics do their thing. No problem. My vintage bike, it gets premium. My quad runner, mower, chain saw, and boat— regular gas, no ethanol.

Kurt von Leyser Brunswick, Ohio Thanks for the note, Kurt. Manufacturers report that even new vehicles with modern electronics have to be calibrated to run ethanol blends greater than 10 percent— such as an E85 vehicle. Also, whether fuel injected or carbureted, AMA members report significant degradation problems with rubber hoses and gaskets in vehicles not designed to run ethanol blends. Simply put, ethanol mandates remain a serious issue for motorcyclists, and more testing is desperately needed. Follow the AMA’s efforts at www.americanmotorcyclist.com/ rights/AMAFuelforThought.aspx.

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BIGG

Get rea Biketob sun, sa play a l motorc

NICE ARTICLE, NICE AD I just loved reading the June father/son touring article. It was sooooo good! But I also loved the Progressive Insurance ad on page 15. The biker’s eyes say it all. He’s deeply in love with Flo, just as every other real American male in this country is. I feel for him.

Ed Hausafus Eagle Creek, Ore. DESTINATIONS MATTER The places I visit have always been a big part of why I love riding. Many of the special places—maybe most when I think

AmericanMotorcyclist.com

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13DBA158_A

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OCTO 17-20

For mo or call

back 40 years—are now closed to off-road eight full-time law enforcement rangers. I remember there being just one. vehicles. Considering their distances from Our future depends on our stewardship legal trailheads, the time it takes to cover that distance on foot, and in my case and and effective participation in government. other baby boomers with limited mobility, Participate, and when at meetings, strive to these excellent places are off limits... be the most civil person in the room. Don’t concede knowledge of nature to others. A Requirements for Wilderness designation little research can go a long way in being have been twisted to where upward of 20 percent of federal public land in some able to suggest and discuss options. The states has been determined to be “special conservation movement was conceived by outdoor sportsman to preserve their and unique” and eligible for Wilderness. quality of outdoor sporting experiences.

In areas for which Wilderness designation criteria can’t be further stretched, other Most important, belong to and support backcountry stakeholders are attempting to organizations that support and defend responsible public access. create private domains through monument designation with inappropriate application of the Antiquities Act. Robert Adams In addition, new components of land-use Pahrump, Nev. planning are subjective aesthetic values.

THE SOUND ISSUE This is their reasoning: “I don’t like off-road I am writing to take exception to your vehicles—their simply being there offends me. Therefore, there should be a law article “Coming Around On Sound” in the July issue. I have been riding street bikes against them.” If that logic were applied for 37 years and have owned many bikes to anything else, it would be decried as un-American. during that time.

“There is nothing they can do to stop I want to say that loud pipes most likely me from riding” is an illusion. Next year, save lives, especially in this age of drivers talking and texting on their cellphones the Bureau of Land Management office 13DBA158_AMERICAN_MOTORCYCLIST_JULY15_PRESS.pdf 5/15/13 11:17 AM and1 being otherwise distracted behind serving Clark County, Nev., is budgeting for

BIGGER

the wheel. I came to this conclusion when I consider the three loudest bikes I have owned... I rarely encountered close calls while riding these bikes; but while riding the others I have owned (with stock quiet exhausts) it was like “running the gauntlet” just to get where I was going.

While not obnoxiously loud these bikes made enough noise to get the attention of surrounding drivers.

Matthew Bowman Middletown, Ohio Thanks for your letter, Matthew. Some street riders still share your opinion, but there is no scientific study that supports the claim that loud motorcycle exhaust lowers the risk of crashes. (On the other hand, rider education and risk-management strategies have been proven effective.)

Unfortunately, excessive sound is one of the biggest reasons for cities and states implementing draconian sound laws and legislation targeting motorcyclists. The AMA believes the SAE J2825 sound standard is a reasonable solution. For more information, go to www.americanmotorcyclist.com/ Rights/SoundAdvice.aspx.

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OCTOBER 17-20, 2013 For more information, visit Biketoberfest.org or call 1-866-296-8970.

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BLEED TRIM SAFETY

FROM THE PRESIDENT

a family affair

Sharing A Passion For Riding

By Rob Dingman My job requires me to be away from home and my family a lot, including over many weekends. One of the things I really like to do when I get a weekend off is to go trail riding. After being away for successive weekends at some motorcycling meeting or event, it can be hard to justify avoiding the honey-do list to go riding. I would never say that my wife is anything less than supportive (at least not in a publication that comes to my house anyway) but I do spend a great deal of time involved in one way or another with motorcycling.

Of course, it occurred to me that there’s no better way to bond with my kids and spend more time with the family than to get them involved in motorcycling. Until recently, my 12- and 14-year-old sons had shown little more than a passing interest in dirt bikes.

They both have other interests and are getting to the ages when there are fewer activities to bond with their old man.

As AMA president and CEO, I am not immune from the issues all motorcyclists face when it comes to things like getting buy-in from my wife and negotiating for additional space in the garage. I decided that I would ease into it and only get one bike for the boys to share and learn on—at first. (To this day, I am not certain that I ever officially got that buy-in, but then I never heard, “No!”) So one day this spring, the boys and I went to a dealership and purchased a Kawasaki KLX140L. After several trips to the local gear shop, they were both fully equipped and ready to learn to ride.

I started the boys out in our very small yard, figuring it would take them some time to get used to the clutch and develop a comfort-level with the bike. They learned quickly and had a really good first experience with the bike. My wife even rode a few laps around the yard.

A neighbor suggested that I take the boys out to a much larger neighborhood common area across the street. So we did. Now this is a small field usually used by the neighborhood kids to play soccer and football and fly kites and things like that. I figured if I let them ride there too long, it would only be a matter of time before I got a letter in my mailbox from the neighborhood association, so I reluctantly made them return to the yard. But—you guessed it—after riding in a much larger space, our small yard had quickly become even smaller.

Watching the boys ride and seeing how much fun they were having was really tough on their 8-year-old sister. You can imagine how many times I heard how unfair it was that the boys had a dirtbike and she didn’t. Now, my daughter is what has been described as “spirited.” She is smart, tough, energetic and regularly puts her older brothers in their place. I frequently say that if she had been born first, she’d be an only child. In short, I had no doubt that she could be the strongest rider of the three.

It was my wife’s idea, in fact, to get our daughter a bike. She only had to mention it once, and I brought my daughter to the dealership and picked up a Yamaha TTR50. We also got her outfitted with all the necessary safety gear and she was ready to go. She rode the wheels off that little 50 the first time out in the yard and, given the size of the bike, she had plenty of room.

While my boys seemed to get the hang of riding much more quickly than I thought they would, this also meant that I would

12

have to find a larger place for them to ride. They had grown bored with figure eights in the yard but they were not quite yet ready for trails. So the next time I was home on a weekend, I took them to a baseball field and let them ride around the outfield. This is where sharing a bike quickly wore thin.

As luck would have it, a colleague at the AMA needed additional space in his garage for a new bike he had already purchased and decided to sell me his wife’s slightly used Honda CRF230F. We were now ready for a family outing. I loaded my bike and the boys’ bikes on the trailer and put my daughter’s bike in the back of the SUV and headed for the nearby state forest OHV area. It has a large open area, where I thought it would be good for the kids to hone their skills because they weren’t quite ready for trails. And since we were going to be staying in one place, Mom could come and supervise.

After riding around for less than a half hour, I suggested to my wife that she take a turn on the KLX. I was hoping it would improve her comfort level with me taking the kids riding. She put on a helmet and waived off my 12-year-old’s offer of his gloves and chest protector. She was on the bike for less than five minutes when she grabbed too much front brake going into a little dip in the terrain, got out of shape and whiskey throttled her way onto the ground.

She was banged up pretty bad and told me through clenched teeth while still on the ground that we needed to leave. Obviously, this didn’t turn out at all like I had planned. She has been a good sport about it since and, thankfully, enough time has gone by that she can almost laugh about it.

The boys finally graduated to easy trails and I recently took them to ride some trails in the Wayne National Forest here in Ohio. Yes, there was some controversy when my daughter got left behind at home but she’ll be getting some one-on-one trail riding time with Dad soon. I am sure that it won’t be long before I am the one who can’t keep up with the kids.

Motorcycling really is a family affair. While riding with my wife and kids, I am reminded why we work so hard to preserve our motorcycling freedoms for future generations.

Ease the p we’ll repla

Rob Dingman is the AMA president and CEO. Share your family riding story at submissions@ama-cycle.org.

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LEGISLATION, LAWSUITS AIM TO STOP TRAIL RIDING

Jeff Kardas

California, Other Western States Are Latest Battlegrounds

F

ederal legislation has been introduced that would designate 23 million acres in five western states as Wilderness— which would block off-highway riding on that land—and a lawsuit in California could stop open riding at the popular Ocotillo Wells recreation area.

These are the current battle fronts challenging responsible off-highway vehicle recreation.

Not all the news is bad, however.

A proposal to designate the immensely popular Johnson Valley riding area in California as a national recreation area— which would protect the land from a U.S.

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Navy takeover—is making progress on Capitol Hill. Also, federal legislation has been introduced to reopen California’s Clear Creek Recreation Area to riding.

Clear Creek has been off limits to recreation for several years.

“There’s a lot going on concerning our ability to ride on public land,” says Nick Haris, AMA Western states representative.

“Riders nationwide need to remain vigilant to attacks and must take action to protect riding areas from closure and to reopen those that have been shut down.”

One of the biggest threats facing offhighway riders in Congress today is H.R.

1187—the Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act. The bill would designate 23 million acres of public land in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming as Wilderness.

A Wilderness designation is one of the strictest forms of public land management.

Once Congress designates an area as Wilderness, nearly all forms of nonpedestrian recreation are illegal, including off-highway vehicle and bicycle riding.

Wayne Allard, AMA vice president for government relations, has repeatedly expressed the association’s concerns.

“Our public lands are for the enjoyment of all Americans and not just an elite few who would have you build a fence around them for those who are physically able to enjoy them,” says Allard. “Enthusiasts who enjoy the public lands of our nation are not just the nimble and fit but also families with small children who wish to recreate together as well as active senior citizens and the handicapped who enjoy the freedom to access the outdoors that off-highway vehicle and all-terrain vehicles provide.”

U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.) introduced H.R. 1187 with support from U.S. Reps. Raul Grijalva (D-Texas) and Ed Markey (D-Mass.).

Besides going to Congress to ask lawmakers to pass legislation to block

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Jeff Kardas

A Wilderness designation is one of the strictest forms of public land management. Once Congress designates an area as Wilderness, nearly all forms of non-pedestrian recreation are illegal, including off-highway vehicle and bicycle riding.

OHV riding, anti-access groups also file lawsuits. In late May, the groups Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility and the Desert Protective Council filed a lawsuit to try to force the state of California to restrict riding in the popular Ocotillo Wells State Vehicle Recreation Area in Southern California.

Ocotillo Wells offers more than 85,000 acres of desert for off-highway riding. The lawsuit seeks to end the area’s open riding policy and impose rules restricting riders to designated routes.

On a positive note, U.S. Rep. Paul Cook’s (R-Calif.) plan to create the Johnson Valley National Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area in California was included June 5 in the National Defense Authorization Act, which is making its way through Congress. If approved, the proposal would protect the area from a takeover by the U.S. Navy that would virtually end riding there. The Navy wants to expand the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center at Twentynine Palms into the 189,000-acre Johnson Valley area,

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which is a long-standing and popular area that is across the San Bernardino Mountains from Los Angeles.

“This legislation has cleared an important hurdle,” says Cook, a member of the House Armed Services and Veterans’ Affairs Committees. “Support for it was overwhelmingly bipartisan.

“My concern has always been about public safety,” says the retired U.S. Marine Corps colonel, who was awarded the Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts.

“The Johnson Valley [area] is one of the few places left for off-highway vehicle recreation. This is a balanced approach which protects public safety while still allowing for recreational use.”

Several years ago, the U.S. Department of the Navy began the formal process to take over some 365,906 acres of public land near San Bernardino to use for livefire training for the Marines.

Cook’s proposal would designate the Johnson Valley OHV riding area as the Johnson Valley National OHV Recreation Area. The area would be designated

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specifically for recreational uses, including, but not limited to, OHV use, camping and hiking. Marine Corps activities would be allowed twice a year and couldn’t include any explosives that could be left behind.

There’s also an effort in Congress to try to reclaim the 75,000-acre Clear Creek Management Area in California’s San Benito and Fresno counties for recreational use.

California U.S. Reps. Sam Farr (D-Carmel), David G. Valadao (R-Hanford) and Jeff Denham (R-Turlock) introduced the bill, called the Clear Creek National Recreation Area and Conservation Act. The bipartisan legislation directs the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, which oversees the land, to reopen the area for recreational uses.

Besides allowing access for off-highway vehicles, the measure, H.R. 1776, would designate about 21,000 acres of BLM land adjacent to Clear Creek as the Joaquin Rocks Wilderness.

Once considered a premier off-road vehicle recreation site, Clear Creek was closed to the public in 2008 following an Environmental Protection Agency analysis because of health risks that may be posed by naturally occurring asbestos.

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AMA STRESSES IMPORTANCE OF TRAIL FUNDING

DISTRACTED DRIVERS RUN RED LIGHTS New Campaign Launched To Raise Awareness

threat to motorcyclists, particularly when it comes to cellphone use while driving.

According to the National Safety Council, cellphone use is a factor in 21 percent of crashes, and drivers talking on handheld or hands-free cellphones are four times more likely to be involved in a car crash.

The AMA recognizes that distracted or inattentive driving has become a major concern for all road users. Far too many cases have been documented of motorcyclists being injured or killed as the result of other vehicle operators being distracted or inattentive.

To view AMA position statements on distracted and inattentive vehicle operation and rider education, as well as other subjects, visit www. americanmotorcyclist.com/rights/ positionstatements.

Photo courtesy of U.S. Rep. Tim Griffin’s office

A new research analysis by two trafficsafety groups shows that distracted driving is a factor in drivers running red lights.

The National Coalition for Safer Roads and FocusDriven released the analysis examining the impact of distracted driving on red-light running. With the release of the findings, the two organizations launched a new multimedia campaign effort, Stop Distraction on Red, to raise awareness about distracted driving and intersection safety.

A sample of 118 red-light safety camera intersections in 19 communities across the United States was analyzed over a three-month period, finding that 12 percent of red-light violations during that period were caused by distracted driving.

From the sample findings it’s estimated that 7,336,696 intersection violations across the United States were attributed to distracted driving in 2012.

Distracted driving is a pervasive

Tells U.S. Lawmakers Trails Vital for Rural Economies

‘RIDIN’ WITH YOUR REP’ IN ARKANSAS

The day was wet and soggy, but that didn’t dampen the spirits of those who turned out for the “Ridin’ With Your Rep” day with U.S. Rep. Tim Griffin (R-Ark.) at the North Little Rock ORV Park in Arkansas. The event was an opportunity for riders to tackle the motocross track and trail ride with Griffin as well as discuss motorcycling-related issues.

Pictured left to right are: Griffin, Jason McGehee, Phil Jarvis, Jon Samford, AMA Deputy Director of Government Relations Rick Podliska, AMA Grassroots Coordinator Danielle Fowles, Annamarie Atwood, Carl Vogelpohl and Aaron Lazenby.

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As Charlotte, N.C., Mayor Anthony Foxx was being considered in late May in Washington, D.C., to be the new U.S. transportation secretary, the AMA reminded lawmakers that the secretary is also responsible for the Recreational Trails Program.

The AMA’s concerns were raised at the nomination hearing by U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.). She asked Foxx: “If confirmed, will you work to ensure that this valuable program [RTP] continues to meet the needs of all trail users in Minnesota and across the nation?”

Amy Klobuchar Foxx responded that he “looks forward to working with you [Klobuchar] on these issues.”

Those trails are important for rural economies, are a way to explore the nation’s natural beauty and enjoy physical activity, wrote Wayne Allard, AMA vice president for government relations, in a column that appeared in the Washington, D.C., newspaper The Hill on May 21.

“I cannot stress enough the importance of this program,” wrote Allard, who is a former U.S. representative and U.S. senator. “In my home state of Colorado, outdoor recreation is a $13.2 billion-a-year industry. Across the country, outdoor recreation generates $646 billion a year in consumer spending and supports 6.1 million direct American jobs that can never be outsourced.”

Allard wrote that since 1991, Congress has considered the benefits of recreational trails when authoring our nation’s transportation bills. Out of this bipartisan consideration, the Recreational Trails Program emerged as an equitable way to fund the nation’s vast system of trails.

The RTP is a federal grant program that provides funds to the states to develop and maintain recreational trails and related facilities for all recreationists. RTP funds come from excise taxes generated by fuel purchased for off-highway vehicle recreation—snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles, off-highway motorcycles and off-highway light trucks.

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SUPPORT NEEDED FOR E15 FUEL LEGISLATION

damage their engines and fuel systems.

The AMA wants your help to pass S. 344 and H.R. 875. Contact your representative and senators and ask them to support S. 344 and H.R. 875.

Contact Your Federal Lawmakers

The AMA is asking you to act now to urge your U.S. legislators to support two E15 fuel-related bills in Congress that could protect your motorcycle from possible damage.

U.S. Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.) has introduced a bill, H.R. 875, to require the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to stop the use of E15 fuel until it has been studied more.

In the Senate, Sens. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and David Vitter (R-La.) introduced legislation to overturn the EPA waivers that allow E15 to be used in many passenger cars and light trucks and would prohibit the EPA from granting any waiver for a blend above 10 percent ethanol.

The senators said the higher blend of ethanol has been found to cause engine damage, reduce fuel eďŹƒciency and contribute to higher corn prices and rising food costs for American consumers.

In October 2010, the EPA approved

E15 for use in model year 2007 and newer light-duty vehicles (cars, light-duty trucks, and medium-duty passenger vehicles). In January 2011, it added model year 2001-2006 light-duty vehicles to the approved list.

None of the estimated 22 million motorcycles and ATVs currently in use are on the EPA approved list and no manufacturer has approved E15 for use in its motorcycles and ATVs. Since motorcycles and ATVs haven’t been approved to use E15, the AMA has expressed serious concerns about inadvertent misfueling that could

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CAN MOTORCYCLES TALK? Research Is Under Way To Find Out

Motorcycles are now being added to the mix of vehicles in a federal research project into intelligent transportation systems, which allow vehicles to “talk” to each other to avoid collisions.

The 30-month, $15 million project called U.S. Safety Pilot Model Deployment began in August 2012. The research is being conducted for the federal government by the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute in Ann Arbor, Mich.

The project involves almost 3,000 vehicles and initially only included passengers cars, commercial trucks and transit buses. The institute is now adding motorcycles to the mix to see how cars, trucks, buses and motorcycles interact using V2V (Vehicleto-Vehicle) communications technology from Cohda Wireless, a vendor in the intelligent transport systems sector.

BMW and Honda motorcycles are being used for the research.

Paul Gray, Cohda Wireless CEO, says that it’s extremely important that connected vehicle technology include vulnerable road users such as motorcycle riders and pedestrians.

“We are very proud to see our products being used in this important

Husqvarna is proud to sponsor the 2013 AMA National Dual-Sport Series

trial to improve the safety of car drivers and motorcycle riders alike,” he says.

For more than a decade the AMA has maintained that motorcycles must be an important part of the mix of vehicles involved in research related to ITS. Grey notes that with V2V communications, the vehicles must be able to communicate with each other even in an urban setting where buildings prevent the drivers and riders at an intersection from seeing each other.

Cohda and Cisco Systems have jointly developed roadside equipment that enables communications for such safety applications as Curve Speed Warnings, which tell a driver or rider when their vehicle is approaching a curve too fast, and Traffic Signal Violation Warnings, which indicate when a vehicle might run a red light. Both of these applications are important for motorcycle riders.

Cohda has also developed a vehicle awareness device that enables V2V communications for such safety applications as Intersection Collision Warnings, Forward Collision Warnings and Emergency Electronic Brake Lights.

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STATEWAT C H

FLORIDA Gas stations are no longer required to put ethanol in their gas under a new law that went into effect July 1. The law is the

result of House Bill 4001, sponsored by Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fort Walton Beach).

ILLINOIS House Resolution 312, introduced

by Rep. Dan Beiser (D-Alton) urges Congress to suspend the sale of gasoline blended with ethanol at levels above E10 until motorists are better protected.

The resolution cites numerous problems with gasoline containing greater than 10 percent ethanol by volume, including the potential of fueling unapproved vehicles and engines, and voiding manufacturer warranties.

SOUTH CAROLINA Motorcyclists must now take a skills test when renewing their beginner motorcycle license permits, under new rules that went into effect June 3. The rider must pass the skills test to get a motorcycle license.

Failure results in a renewed learning permit.

Officials decided to impose the new rule because so many riders with learner

Rick Podliska

CALIFORNIA A driver who allegedly swerved his car into a motorcyclist in an apparent case of road rage in Chula Vista has pleaded not guilty to felony charges. Phillip Michael Eggers, 24, of El Cajon, entered the plea to charges of two counts of assault with a deadly weapon and one count of child endangerment related to the May 22 incident.

In other news, the Shasta-Trinity National Forest Motor Vehicle Use Maps are now available to the public at no cost. The Federal Travel Management Rule requires national forests to produce these maps to display a transportation system of the roads, trails and areas that are open for public motor vehicle use. The maps are available at all Shasta-Trinity National Forest offices and at other locations.

U.S. Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (left) and the AMA’s Wayne Allard.

AMA HONORS U.S. REP. JIM SENSENBRENNER Lawmaker Receives Hero Award

The AMA honored U.S. Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.) for his extraordinary efforts to support motorcyclists and motorcycling during the two-year 112th Congress that ended late last year.

Sensenbrenner was singled out for the AMA “Hero” award for his efforts to end motorcycle-only checkpoints and

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for trying to protect motorcyclists and all-terrain vehicle riders from possible dangers related to the new E15 fuel blend.

“Rep. Sensenbrenner has been a champion for motorcyclists on Capitol Hill and continues to work on behalf of motorcyclists in the 113th Congress,” says Wayne Allard, AMA vice president for

permits were simply renewing their permits rather than making an attempt at passing the skills test.

WISCONSIN The AMA is warning motorcyclists and all-terrain vehicle riders who may be traveling in Wisconsin to look twice when they fill up their machines’ fuel tanks to ensure they aren’t accidently filling up with E15 fuel that could potentially damage their engines and fuel systems. The SmartStation at 1290 Business Highway 151 in Platteville is the latest station to offer E15 fuel. SmartStation is a wholly owned subsidiary of Badger State Ethanol. E15 is a new fuel blend of 15 percent ethanol and 85 percent gasoline (by volume) that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has approved for use in 2001-and-newer passenger vehicles. The blend isn’t approved for use in motorcycles, ATVs, boats, lawn mowers and other engines, and may even damage them and void warranties.

government relations. “We are fortunate to have Rep. Sensenbrenner on our side.”

Sensenbrenner introduced H.R. 1861 to prohibit the U.S. Transportation Department from providing funds to state and local authorities for motorcycle-only checkpoints. The bill, called the Stop Motorcycle Checkpoint Funding Act, also has language to force U.S. transportation officials to focus motorcycle safety efforts on crash prevention programs rather than national helmet mandates.

He also introduced H.R. 875 to require the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to stop the use of E15 fuel until it has been studied more. E15 is a fuel made up of 85 percent gasoline and 15 percent ethanol. It hasn’t by approved by the EPA for use in motorcycles or allterrain vehicles so the AMA wants testing done to ensure the fuel won’t damage motorcycle and ATV engines.

The measure would repeal the EPA’s waiver decision approving the use of E15 and would bar the agency from granting further decisions on the use of the fuel until the EPA obtains an independent scientific analysis of the effects of the E15 blend.

Sensenbrenner has said there have been several tests highlighting E15’s harmful effects on engines but the EPA has dismissed them all. Because of that, he believes “we must force the EPA to stop the use of E15 fuel until the serious safety, durability, performance and environmental concerns have been addressed.”

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Jay Sallstrom Doubles At Hillclimb Opener AMA Pro Hillclimb Championship Series

Jay Sallstrom had a perfect ride in the Xtreme Class, and followed up with another great showing in the Unlimited Class, at the 2013 Wiseco AMA Pro Hillclimb Championship Series opener at Jefferson, Pa. Sallstrom walked away with top honors in both classes.

Newcomer Nicholas Bleau’s fast time in the first half of the Pro Sport Class held for the win, giving him the top step on the podium in his first appearance on the AMA Pro Hillclimb circuit.

Gary Sutherlin Brings Home AMA West Hare Scrambles Title Decision To Race Pays Off Big

Gary Sutherlin didn’t set out to run the entire AMA West Hare Scrambles Championship Series this year, but after the Motorcycle-Superstore.com Bell Helmet rider won the season-opening race, it was hard not to come back for more.

Sutherlin, who rides a Yamaha, won in Buckeye and Globe, Ariz., and finished well enough in the other two races to clinch the series title with one event to go.

“This series is a whole new ballgame for me,” Sutherlin says. “Hare scrambles are really tight rides. I come from a motocross

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Sallstrom rode late in the Xtreme Class, posting a 7.837-second run—the class’s only sub-8-second time. He bumped Anthony DeHart to second while Vinny Nuzzolilli wedged into third at the half.

In the second half, Phil Libhart took over third with an 8.175-second ride before John Koester knocked seventenths off his first-half score, posting an 8.079 time and knocking Libhart off the podium. At the finish, it was Sallstrom for the win, followed by DeHart and Koester.

Libhart led off the Unlimited Class at

8.226 seconds. He was quickly edged to second when Shane Green rode a tenthsecond faster. Koester dipped into the sevens for the lead. Sallstrom rode next and shaved a tenth off Koester’s time, posting a 7.868-second ride.

In second-half action, Libhart fought back with 7.919 run, and Chris Chartier Jr. bested Koester by one-thousandth of a second for third.

In the Pro Sport Class, Bleau held the lead at the half with 9.779 seconds, followed by Nick Drummer (10.044) and Angie Farnsworth (10.289). In the second half, Josh Kobel edged Farnsworth off the podium with a 10.15-second run.

background where things are more open.

I met a lot of new guys I’d never crossed paths with before, because it’s such a different series. There are a lot of guys who can go really, really fast through all the tight stuff. It’s been great.”

Sutherlin says the most-exciting round might have been the next-to-last round in Shasta Lake, Calif. But not for the race, when Sutherlin got second. Rather, for what happened afterward, “[Former series champion and Husqvarna rider] Cory Graffunder and I raced on Sunday morning,” Sutherlin says.

“We threw all our stuff in my van and we drove to Sacramento so we could fly to Brazil for the X Games the next week. I had a lot on my mind, but I just rode smart and wrapped up the title early.”

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RACE AT BIG SKY, WIN A TITLE

2013 AMA Kenda Big Sky Amateur National Off-Road Championship

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Starting in 2013, the AMA Kenda Big Sky Amateur National Off-Road Championship, presented by KLIM, will crown amateur national off-road racing champions in a wide range of classes. The event is Aug. 24-25 at Montana’s Big Sky Resort.

The first-place finishers in every class will receive an AMA national No. 1 plate, and the top-three riders in each class will be invited to the annual AMA Championship Banquet. Classes will be run across a range of skill-, age- and motorcycle-based categories.

Although the race at Big Sky has been a round of the AMA West Hare Scrambles Championship Series for a few years, it still may be unfamiliar to some off-roaders, East Coasters especially. We caught up with event promoter Joe Miller to get more details on what make’s the Big Sky amateur national so special.

American Motorcyclist: In a nutshell, what’s going on at Big Sky this year?

Joe Miller: Big Sky is a standalone AMA Amateur National Championship.

It’s a concept that has thrived in AMA motocross and AMA dirt-track racing for decades.

There have been debates for years about who are the best off-road racers.

It’s reasonable to believe there isn’t a perfect venue for a desert racer and an enduro racer to compete on equal ground.

What Big Sky does is allow the off-road racing community to come together one weekend every year and push each other and grow together.

I believe Big Sky was selected for this venue because the location is compelling, unique and family friendly. Because it’s closed to motorized use for the rest of the year, the potential to grow into an event of the same caliber as the AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship is there. If the off-road racing community accepts the concept and location, Big Sky is poised to become an amazing asset to the sport.

AM: What makes this event different from other off-road championships? As a racer, why should I plan on racing this event?

JM: Big Sky is often described as an alpine paradise. People travel to Big Sky and Yellowstone National Park from across the world simply to see nature in its purest. Big Sky Resort is a world-class ski resort that’s still in its infancy compared to similar resorts in Colorado, Utah and California. A racer can travel to Big Sky with friends and family and expect an amazing vacation. Racers from over half of the country’s states have already traveled to Big Sky over the past four years and none that I’m aware of has left regretting the effort it took to make the trip.

AM: Is this basically a hare scramble, or is the idea to include elements of all types of off-road racing—enduro, hare scrambles, endurocross, etc.?

JM: It is a hare scrambles format race.

Unlike some hare scrambles formats, we

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don’t stop racing until the final second. If someone arrives at the finish line with 5 seconds left in the race, they’re sent back out for another lap. That means the 3 hour A/Pro race may end up being 3 hours, 30 minutes long. Our race format absolutely requires top physical fitness to walk away with a championship.

AM: How does someone get on the starting line for this event? Is there qualifying? Where do I sign up? What is the deadline?

JM: There have been 12 regional qualifiers across the country. The top 10 per class at each of those events are qualified. The second way to qualify is by finishing in the top 10 in one of 14 major AMA-sanctioned series, either you had to do that in the 2012 year-end standings or in the 2013 year-to-date standings as of July 15.

Finally, 150 spots will open up on July 15 to non-qualified racers. Over the coming years, the number of opportunities available to qualify for Big Sky will dwindle. Off-road racers can expect this event will one day have the same exclusivity of the AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship, where only the country’s top racers will make it to the line.

More about the qualifier races and series can be found at www.bigskyxc.com.

AM: There have been some good events at Big Sky in recent years, what is it about the locale that makes it stand out?

JM: Big Sky embodies the spirit of offroad racing. It’s wild, rugged, challenging and beautiful. Add the amenities of one of the country’s top ski resorts, and you’ve

got the perfect race location. Restaurants, hotels and shops are only steps away from one of the most memorable race trails in the country. It doesn’t hurt that the alpine weather in the Northern Rockies is the perfect escape from the summer heat that the majority of the county experiences in late August.

AM: How did you guys get started at Big Sky? JM: The Big Sky race is a product of the economic downturn. Management at Big Sky Resort did an excellent job of thinking outside the box at a time when families were really tightening up vacation budgets. Motorcycle racing was a brandnew concept for them. Through difficult times comes opportunity.

The original race was held on abandoned downhill mountain bike trails.

The race courses have evolved since the first year to be more appropriate for offroad motorcycle racing.

AM: What is the terrain like — rocky, hilly, tight trails, open areas? As a racer who may be traveling from a different part of the country, what should I prepare for?

JM: Big Sky is unique. Even the national forest trails 10 miles down the road from Big Sky are different. The race course is on the side of a mountain, so there are plenty of rocks. Racers will experience switchbacks, tight wooded single track, long downhills, and high-speed service roads. There are five different courses: 50cc, Minibike JR, Minibike SR/Adult C classes, B classes and A/Pro classes all race on ability-appropriate courses.

Racers should prepare for a course that’s both mentally and physically challenging.

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AMA Member Tested

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and effective cleaners” for all your toys— with or without water.

We had the opportunity to find out, testing the company’s Wash Cleaning Solution, Suds Wash and Wax, Cleaner Degreaser and High Gloss Pro Shine products in a few different applications.

Here’s how it worked out.

After his final hare scrambles race last October, Andrew, my stepson, didn’t have a chance to clean his bike. He used the one nice day we had in mid-March to test the Wash Cleaning Solution on some seriously caked-on mud.

According to Andrew, he sprayed on the solution then washed it off without scrubbing. All the dirt came off, but it left stains. He reapplied it, scrubbed a little and rinsed—no stains.

Andrew did not use Cleaner Degreaser Formula because he runs his chain dry and has no oil leaks. The bike looked great, so he didn’t use the High Gloss Pro Shine, a polish and protectant.

By early April, the temps rose to a sultry mid-40 degrees, so I took that three-hour opportunity to clean the street bike. The dirt, caked-on dead bugs, grime and chain-flung grease was from last June. (I had an exceptionally busy late summer and fall.)

For the most part, the bugs and grime wiped right off after applying Suds Wash and Wax, and waiting about 2 minutes, demonstrating the waterless cleaning capabilities of the product. A rinse, wipe and the bike looked new. Spraying with Shine (though it seemed unnecessary) appeared to seal up the little scratches and created a gelcoat sparkle.

At the same time my husband, Ken, tested the degreaser. The degreaser didn’t remove any of the grease that was baked onto the muffler. To get rid of the grease

on the swing arm and rear rim, Ken had to reapply the cleaner several times and vigorously agitate. He thought a stiffer brush would help. Other grease, however, just wiped off.

Here’s a summary of each product’s performance: • Slick products are easy to use and leave the equipment virtually new in most cases. Suds Wash and Wax and Wash Cleaning Solution easily take off dirt, grime, dust, dried on old mud, salt, smudges and gook of all sorts.

• Suds Wash and Wax has high quality carnauba wax that leaves the toys gleaming so brilliantly that the product Shine seems unnecessary. Applied to windshields the rain rolls right off.

• Cleaner Degreaser is an excellent nonpetroleum-based product. For some jobs extra exertion is required, but it still does a better job than anything else we’ve tried in that category.

• Shine High Gloss Pro Shine takes the clean to different level and makes surfaces appear to be clear-coated. (Just don’t get it on anything you don’t want slippery.)

There are a few complaints, although each is ancillary to the core functions of the products. The names of the individual cleaners are confusing and not very descriptive; I had to repeatedly read the entire bottle to ensure I was using the right product. Second, Slick should provide a variety of different sized brushes and microfiber towels online. Third, Slick may want to emphasize not letting the product dry before wiping it down. Doing so essentially defeats the waterless option.

Fourth, the Ultimate Cleaning Kit, which contains all four Slick Cleaning products and all of the accessories should contain two spray applicators—one for each washing product.—Amy Nystram

AmericanMotorcyclist.com

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AMA ROADRACE GRAND CHAMPIONSHIPS SET

Chris Latham, 46, of Greencastle, Ind., won the grand prize for participating in the 2012 AMA Husqvarna National Dual Sport Trail Riding Series: a 2013 Husqvarna TE449 from series sponsor Husqvarna North America!

Want to win like Chris? There are still plenty of rides left on the 2013 schedule. See www. americanmotorcyclist.com/ riding/dirt/eventsandseries/ nationaldualsport.

Titles Will Be Won At Virginia International Raceway Sept. 21-22

Amateur roadracers will compete for national championships on Sept.

21-22 when the 2013 AMA Roadrace Grand Championships head to Virginia International Raceway in Alton, Va. “The annual AMA Roadrace Grand Championships feature the most-talented up-and-coming young roadracers in the United States,” says AMA Track Racing Manager Ken Saillant. “We’re looking forward to bringing this event to the top-notch facility at Virginia International Raceway. This is an excellent venue for our amateur racers to compete for AMA national No. 1 plates in several skill-, ageand displacement-based classes.”

The AMA has partnered with the American Sportbike Racing Association and Championship Cup Series to help run the AMA Roadrace Grand Championships.

The grand championship event will run in conjunction with CCS and U.S. Grand Prix Racer Union classes. As always, the 2013 AMA Roadrace Grand Championships will welcome racers from all clubs and organizations, and is open to all licensed roadracing AMA members.

Racers can get more info or sign up now at www.ccsracing.us.

“As an organization involved in the sport of motorcycle roadracing, there is no greater honor than to be part of the AMA Roadrace Grand Championships,” says CCS President Kevin Elliott. “Bringing the AMA Roadrace Grand Championships to VIR during the CCS End-of-Summer Cyclefest is a boost for the event and the championships. Not only will the weekend be packed with top-caliber sportsmen racing, but the AMA-sanctioned USGPRU finals will complement the action. This will be an awesome weekend for racers and fans.”

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August 2013

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Cross Training At Cornerspin

Better Road Riders Learn In The Dirt By Bob Burns Maybe the concept sounds a little weird at first. Take a few acres of silty North Carolina clay. Carve out a small spider web of linked curves, very short straights, and small elevation changes. Take the dirt bikes of 13-year-old kids’ dreams—Honda CRF 100s, Yamaha TTR 125s, Suzuki DR-Z 125s—all of them mounted with street rubber. Now, add in some adult street riders and (re)teach them the basics of riding well, safely.

Some of the students looked cold on the Saturday morning of our class, but I was fine. Heck, it had to be 35 degrees out—warm compared to back home in Chicago. After a brief explanation of the

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body position we were trying for—outside elbow up, inside elbow straight, chest out, weight above the bike, eyes looking down the track—we got on the specially prepped minibikes and took a few laps to familiarize ourselves with the controls.

The full name of the school is “Cornerspin Road Racing in the Dirt.”

While the lessons are taught on dirt using small dirt bikes, it was repeatedly emphasized that we should think of the surface as slippery pavement. In fact, there were big streaks of rubber laid down on the track by the time we were done with each exercise.

Any rider who knows anything about

Photos © CornerspeedSchools

riding knows that you should always keep your eyes pointed where you want the bike to go. The biggest thing I learned is that this is also true of your belly button.

The lessons place great emphasis on controlling the bike with the core of your body, everything from the bottom of your ribs to your knees. There were several exercises where we did laps with our left hands on the gas tank. Thanks to the control techniques we were learning, after a while this felt completely normal.

Lead Instructor Aaron Stevenson is a very limber, athletic dude, and he demonstrated that the drills apply to any type of riding. First he pretended he was on a dirtbike. Body upright, heels under his butt, elbows out. He moved his invisible bike left and right underneath him while keeping his body above the bike, rotating eyes and belly button in the direction he wanted to go. When he rotated his core his hips and legs naturally followed.

Then he went into a sport bike tuck.

Holding on to his invisible clip-ons, hunched over his invisible gas tank. He was hanging off to the inside of the turns but his eyes and core still rotated in the direction he wanted the bike to go. The same body mechanics work on any bike.

Aaron and his staff coached us through drills all day long. Outside elbow up.

No, higher! Inside elbow straight. No, straighter! Get up on top of the bike, don’t lean to the inside, you’ll go down.

I did it wrong, and I went down. Aaron stopped and asked if I knew what I did wrong, explaining that I leaned to the inside of the turn instead of getting above the bike. He provided some words of encouragement and chased off after another student.

Just then one of my classmates did exactly the same thing I did in exactly the same place. I ran over to help him up, and then I said “Hey! Do you know what you did wrong?”

One of the things I love about motorcycling is the range of people that you meet—like my classmates.

There was a husband and wife corner-worker team, a heart surgeon, a 17-year-old who races a Ducati 848, a crash prone 23-year-old engineer, an older not-as-crash-prone engineer, a retired finance guy, a woman working in finance, a spunky lady from Brooklyn.

And me, a giant dude from Chicago.

People have noticed that I am somewhat larger than most human beings.

While this is useful when it comes to relocating big heavy things and kidnap avoidance, it does present a challenge when it comes to motorcycling.

At Cornerspin, I met an instructor who

AmericanMotorcyclist.com

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understands. Steve “Triple X” Broadstreet is my height and build. We could pass for brothers. It was inspirational to see what he was able to get his nicely modified DRZ 125 to do, and he was able to give me insights into riding from the perspective of a man who could be mistaken for a draft horse.

On Saturday night, the whole school went out to dinner. We enjoyed food, drinks and amusing anecdotes. (If you ever meet Aaron, ask him to tell you the one about “The Pro.”)

Sunday morning it was warmer, maybe all the way up to 40 degrees! Aaron took us to his tiny flat track and after some explanations and demonstrations, he positioned himself just inside of one of the turns. Barking out commands like R. Lee Ermey (a.k.a., Gunnery Sergeant Hartman in “Full Metal Jacket”), he soon had us circling around the track like a demented carousel. “BRAKE! TURN! GAS!” First, we all did laps to the left, and then we did it again to the right. And then Aaron stepped aside and let us go for it.

Two other students and I were having a blast. There were inside passes, outside passes—not so much racing as dancing, experimenting with what we could make the bikes do. It was magic.

There was one more exercise to finish the weekend. It’s called “Notajump,” and it lived up to its reputation. If you want to know more, go get signed up. Hint: there are no blue barrels.

Cost for the two-day school is between $425 and $525 (pricing is seasonal) and includes bike rental, lunch, drinks, a t-shirt and a water bottle. And fantastic instruction. Maybe that sounds like a lot of money, but expressed as a ratio of dollars spent, to fun had and lessons learned? It’s a bargain.

Info: www.cornerspin.com

Julie Monacella

Photos © CornerspeedSchools

“We’re going to feed you this stuff with a fire hose,” says Cornerspin Lead Instructor Aaron Stevenson.

“But you’re only able to drink it with a teacup.”

August 2013

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Jeff Kardas

Zach Osborne is going to put his MX skills to work at the ISDE.

AMA GEARING UP FOR 2013 ISDE WORLD TROPHY HUNT World’s Biggest Off-Road Race

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The U.S. riders who will contest the 88th International Six Days Enduro are set.

Led by the World Trophy Team of Mike Brown, Kurt Caselli, Thad Duvall, Charlie Mullins, Zach Osborne and Taylor Robert, a contingent of 31 U.S. riders will face the best off-road racers in the world in Sardinia, Italy, Sept. 30-Oct. 5.

Antti Kallonen, who guides KTM’s off-road racing teams in North American competition, manages the U.S. ISDE team.

“We made great progress last year with our ISDE program, and I’m happy to see that we have been able to build an even better team and program for this year,” Kallonen said. “Our Trophy team is as good as it can be, and all team riders are already hard at work to make sure we are 100 percent prepared.”

Caselli, from Palmdale, Calif., will captain the World Trophy Team. He will race a KTM in Italy. Brown, from Bluff City, Tenn., and Mullins, from Hickory, N.C., will also be on KTMs. Osborne, from Abingdon, Va., and Duvall, from Williamstown, W.Va., will race Hondas.

Robert, from Scottsdale, Ariz., will ride a Kawasaki.

“It’s great to be on the AMA’s World Trophy Team again for this years’ ISDE in Sardinia,” Caselli said. “We’re bringing the best off-road riders that the United States has to offer with a great chance of winning the World Trophy.”

Like ISDE veteran Brown, who won the 2001 125cc AMA National Motocross Championship before his career shifted to off-road racing, Osborne’s roots are in motocross.

However, the 23-year-old—a newcomer to the ISDE—has been branching into off-road recently and says he is ready for the competition at the ISDE. “I’m very excited about

this opportunity,” Osborne said. “I know it will be a challenge for me, but I’m working hard to be prepared and do my best for the team. I have to give a big thanks to everyone involved in picking me, and also my team for supporting me and giving me a bike to race.”

The U.S. Junior Trophy Team will include Grant Baylor from Belton, S.C.; Steward Baylor from Belton, S.C.; Andrew DeLong from Morgantown, Pa.; and Jesse Groemm from Forked River, N.J. Brothers Grant and Steward Baylor will ride KTMs. DeLong will ride a Husqvarna, and Groemm will compete on a Yamaha.

The U.S. Women’s Cup Team will include Rachel Gutish from Terre Haute, Ind.; Mandi Mastin from Whitehouse, Ohio; and Brooke Hodges from San Martin, Calif. All three Women’s Cup Team riders will field KTMs in Italy.

The U.S. Senior Club Team will include Team JAFMAR riders Scott Bright from Platteville, Colo.; Jeff Fredette from Beecher, Ill.; and Brian T. Storrie from Denton, Texas.

The Wellard Team will represent one of the strongest club teams this year.

It will include national-caliber riders Nick Fahringer from Dayton, Ohio, on a Husaberg; Jimmy Jarrett from Salem, Ohio, on a Kawasaki; and Ryan Sipes, from Flaherty, Ky., on a Suzuki.

Other teams include team GoFasters. com (Johnny Barner, Ian Blythe and Alex Dorsey); AMA District 37 (Sam Buffa, Trevor Kline and Ryan Kudla); team Tony Agonis (Keith Curtis, Fred Hoess and Josh Knight); and Dewitt Powersports (Jeff O’Leary, Shawn O’Leary and Cory Pincock).

Buy A Shirt, Help The Team

Team fundraising shirts are available.

Proceeds support the U.S. effort. To buy a shirt, visit www. americanmotorcyclist.com > ISDE Team Info > Buy An Official T-Shirt.

AmericanMotorcyclist.com

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KING RICHARD AT BIKEBANDIT.COM AMA VINTAGE MOTORCYCLE DAYS Eight-Time AMA National Enduro Champ!

From 1974 to 1981, AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Dick Burleson won eight consecutive AMA Grand National Enduro Championships during his remarkable career, earning the nickname “King Richard.” This July 19-21, Burleson’s triumphs will be celebrated when he serves as the grand marshal for BikeBandit.com AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, featuring the riders and champions of Husqvarna, at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio.

“Dick Burleson’s dominant run in the AMA Grand National Enduro Championships is legendary,” says AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman. “His dedication to competition and his focus on excellence produced a winning streak that included some of Husqvarna’s greatest titles in the country’s leading offroad championship.

BikeBandit.com AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days is the perfect venue to honor Dick Burleson’s accomplishments, and we are very pleased that he will be our grand marshal,” he says.

BikeBandit.com AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, featuring the riders

and champions of Husqvarna, includes vintage racing, bike shows, seminars and an expansive motorcycle swap meet.

It is a fundraiser for the 501(c)(3) AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio.

“It will be a blast to share memories of winning titles on Husqvarnas with fellow riders, fans of motorcycling and supporters of the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame,” Burleson says. “Off-road motorcycle technology has come a long way, but the sport is still about the thrills of pushing your limits on the track while enjoying time with friends off it—that never changes. We’re going to have a great time in Lexington this July 19-21.”

In addition to his incredible domestic record, Burleson also won eight consecutive gold medals in the world’s top off-road competitive event, the International Six Days Trials (now called the International Six Days Enduro).

To meet Burleson and learn more about his Hall of Fame career—including his final title that came down to the last section of the last race vs. his protégé and fellow Husqvarna rider Terry Cunningham—make plans to attend BikeBandit.com AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, featuring the riders and champions of Husqvarna. For tickets, go online to www.midohio.com, call (800) 643-6446 or just buy them at the gate.

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Young MX Guns Eye Title 2013 FIM Junior Motocross World Championships

Some of America’s fastest youth motocrossers will compete at the FIM Junior Motocross World Championships, Aug. 10-11, in Jinin, Czech Republic.

Multiple riders in each class—65cc, 85cc and 125cc—will attempt to regain the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme world title that the U.S. team relinquished last year in Bulgaria, where it finished third after winning the title in 2010 in France and 2011 in Italy.

This year’s 10- to 12-year-old 65cc class racers are Max Miller from Springfield, Ore.; Aiden Tijero from Ripon, Calif.; and Ty Masterpool out of Paradise, Texas. All three riders will compete aboard KTM Orange Brigade machines.

Three-time AMA Amateur National Motocross Champion and Monster Energy Team Green Kawasaki rider Sean Cantrell from Newbury Park, Calif.; Bonamigo Suzuki-mounted Michael Mosiman from Seabastopol, Calif.; Rock River Racing Yamaha star Chase Sexton from La Moille, Ill.; and KTM Orange Brigade rider Mitchell Falk from Costa Mesa, Calif., will represent the United States in the 11- to 14-year-old 85cc ranks. Mosiman is racing for the team for the second time, hoping to improve on his top-10 finish in Italy in 2011.

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In the 13- to 17-year-old 125cc class is Jarek Balkovic from Camp Hill, Pa., on his Cernics Racing Yamaha. Alongside Balkovic, and also on Yamahas, are Rock River Racing riders Cole Barbieri from Ukiah, Calif., and Tristan Charboneau from Tenino, Wash. Alexander Frye from Huntington, Md., will compete on an Orange Brigade KTM machine. Returning for his second time is Josh Mosiman from Seabastopol, Calif., aboard his Bonamigo Suzuki. Mosiman’s outstanding performance in 2010 propelled the team to a World Championship in France.

Two-time AMA Amateur National Motocross Champion Frye says he is ready for the challenge.

“I am very honored to be a part of Team USA this year,” Frye says. “I cannot thank the AMA and [AMA Motocross Manager] Kip Bigelow enough for this once-in-alifetime opportunity. This is a brand-new experience for me, so I am excited to see how well we will work together as a team.

To be selected out of hundreds of kids to represent the United States is like a dream come true. I’m very thankful and blessed to be awarded this opportunity.”

Chase Sexton, 2011 85cc 9-11 AMA Amateur National Motocross champion,

will lead the 85cc class in hopes of recapturing the World Team title.

“To be selected for the Junior Motocross World Championship is a huge honor,” Sexton says. “To get to go race with kids in my class from different countries is awesome. I have been training hard and I feel ready for the heat and track conditions, and ready to bring home gold for the United States!”

KTM North America’s Amateur Motocross Support Coordinator Mike Sleeter will serve as co-team manager and organize the team’s efforts. Sleeter, a racer himself who also won a title at the 2012 AMA Amateur National Motocross Championships, brings years of amateur and pro racing experience and will be instrumental in the success of the team.

“It’s an honor to be able to work with top American amateur riders and families to accomplish their goals of becoming the next MX/SX star,” Sleeter says. “I believe with the track record of riders who have attended the FIM Junior Motocross World Championships, it speaks volumes on the caliber of riders that attend this event.

Being selected for this event leads me to believe that these select riders are well on their way to being the next superstars of the sport. We have a very strong team this year, and I look forward to the challenge and task of bringing back the title to the United States.”

AmericanMotorcyclist.com

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L-R: Jim Balkovic, Jerek Balkovic

RACER PROFILE: JAREK BALKOVIC Racing At The Next Level Jarek Balkovic, who will race in the the 13- to 17-year-old 125cc class at the 2013 FIM Junior Motocross World Championships, is one of the country’s most formidable amateur motocrossers.

One of the favorites to win the Schoolboy 1 and Schoolboy 2 classes at this year’s Red Bull AMA Amateur National Motocross Championships, Balkovic is like many of today’s young motocross stars in that he has strong family support.

Racing began for the Balkovics when Jarek was 5 years old. His younger brother Joe later joined him on the track while mom Linda manned the motorhome.

Linda made sure her boys, and often

many others, were well fed and rested while dad Jim worked constantly to keep the bikes at their best. With the weather in Pennsylvania limiting training opportunities, the family spent many winter weekends in the south. Jim drove, sometimes all night, to get the boys back to school and he and Linda back to work on Monday mornings.

Jarek continued to develop as a rider, winning an AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship at Loretta Lynn’s in the 65cc 10-11 stock class in 2007. This led to a deal with Rockstar Suzuki and greater expectations.

In 2012, Jarek had the opportunity

The team will also have Jeff Cernic as co-manager. Cernic is owner of Cernic’s Racing and longtime amateur motocross supporter. He has an abundance of success on his resume, including supporting Travis Pastrana in his amateur motocross racing days.

The AMA’s Bigelow, who also is the FIM Team Jury Delegate, says the team is looking forward to re-creating the success it had in 2010 and 2011 and would like to look past last year’s podium finish.

“This is the fourth year the AMA has put in the effort to bring a team overseas for this event, and with the depth of our team I expect a strong showing,” Bigelow says. “While in the past American riders have won individual titles—such as Ryan sixth horiz July.indd 1 Villopoto in Italy in 2003, Blake Wharton in Bulgaria in 2007, Eli Tomac in New Zealand in 2009 and most recently 2013 Supercross Rookie of the Year Joey Don’t be Savatgy in Italy in 2012—our primary goal is to bring home the Team World Championship for the United States.

Without question, our amateur motocross program in America produces some of the best young racers in the world.

I’m extremely proud to be a part of this program that provides the riders and the families with this exceptional experience.”

To support the Junior World Motocross U.S. team, buy a team t-shirt at www.americanmotorcyclist.com.

to represent the two-time defending champion Junior World Motocross U.S. team in the FIM Junior World Motocross Championship in Bulgaria. After setting some of the fastest lap times in timed qualifying, Jarek was one of the favorites the 125 class. Unfortunately, a mechanical DNF took him out of the running.

Jarek joins the team again in 2013 in another attempt at winning a world championship and an overall team championship in the Czech Republic.

Unbeaten on his 125 at major amateur races in 2013, Balkovic has his eyes on a sweep of the Schoolboy classes at the AMA Amateur National Motocross Championships, as well as a world championship this summer.

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Sam Adams

Adventure With A Purpose

Six Questions With Lost For A Reason’s Ron Grace AMA member Ron Grace, from Arvada, Colo., has pretty much ridden it all. The 46-year-old carpenter started out on a Benelli 50cc at 9 years old and has since ridden dirt, street, raced speedway and even had an alcohol-burning funny bike.

Starting in 1998, when he got a BMW R100GS PD, his passion has been adventure motorcycling—“just packing up and exploring,” as he puts it. Currently, he rides a 1999 BMW R1100GS. He doesn’t just explore, however.

Adventure rides sometimes take the riders into under-developed areas, and that can mean poverty. Seeing this poverty first hand struck a chord in Grace, and he was inspired to do his small part to make a difference. His answer was to start Lost for a Reason.

We caught up with Ron to get some more background on this effort.

American Motorcyclist: How did Lost for a Reason get off the ground?

Ron Grace: Lost for a Reason began about five months ago, but the idea was formed from different trips I had taken to the Navajo land. I remember sitting in a small town—almost a ghost town—covered in sweat and bright red mud and dust, and I thought, “this land is so beautiful, and the people here are so friendly. How can it be almost left behind with so much poverty?”

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When traveling quickly through areas in a car, getting out for the occasional soda or bathroom break, we don’t notice the sights and smells and get to know the local people like we do on a motorcycle. A dirty GSPD, fully loaded down like a mule, always starts conversations with the people around you.

That’s when you get to really experience a place, rather than just pass by it.

My 1999 R1100GS is not quite the new water cooled version, but to me it’s a tool, and a trusty one that helps me raise awareness for the needs of children and families on the Navajo reservation.

My love for motorcycle travel and people make for a good mix. It’s not always easy, but it feels right, and that can take you past a lot of bumpy patches. It’s hard for a lot of us to grasp the fact that simple things like toothpaste, soap and other personal hygiene items are hard to come by in other parts of the world, let alone in our backyard!

I owe a lot to my dad for getting me started in motorcycling and teaching me how to work on them. It’s all tied together with Lost for a Reason—my love for motorcycle travel, and the connection to the land and the people you experience from it.

AM: What are the logistics involved here? What is your effort composed of?

RG: I originally thought at first that I would pack some things in my panniers— some food, some new socks and the like—but obviously God had a bigger plan because after I had mentioned what I wanted to do to a few other people, they offered to help as well. They offered to donate gift cards, food, clothing, money. It seemed that my motorcycle trip was going to change to a truck trip because many other people felt the same way I did and were willing to throw in as well.

My business partner, Mark Levesque of KBC Remodel Service, and I decided that if this thing is picking up so much steam that we will have to take donations in company trucks, why don’t we bring the crew down and do some needed repairs?

In searching out a good place to hold a fundraiser ride, I was introduced to JJ Lewis, another adventure rider who lived and worked on the reservation and would know the current conditions. Well, JJ knew them, and he also knew the current emotional conditions. It turned out that JJ works in Kayenta, Ariz., in the mental health services [field] directly with some of the children and families who need help the most. With JJ, Lost for a Reason had a real connection to the area.

JJ was able to tell me that they needed food at the food bank, they needed soccer balls for the youth soccer program, and they needed funds to support families at the domestic abuse shelter. That [information] gave me and Mark a goal to achieve, and

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we started raising funds any way we could.

KBC Remodel donated the seed money for T-shirts and stickers, and now we just roll what we generate from the shits into the next shirts, and send the rest to where it’s needed most—on the reservation.

AM: What has been the biggest challenge here?

RG: Since we operate purely by volunteer effort, probably the biggest challenge is the money it costs to take off from work, drive to an event and spread the word. Since we operate by product donations from businesses and cash donations from private parties and we send 100 precent of the profits to help the kids and families, sometimes it gets difficult. But then when I get to run to the store and buy a couple of new bicycles for kids who had to leave their home due to domestic abuse, or I see the kids holding their new soccer balls, I am recharged.

AM: Who is behind you on this?

RG: We are still in our infancy, and are always changing with new ways to provide help. At www.lostforareason.org, we have fundraising items for sale. Some of our past product contributors have included Black Dog Cycleworks, Touratech USA, Twisted Throttle, Rawhyde Adventures, Trailmaster Adventure Gear and others.

Well respected members of the adventure riding community like Paul Smith and Nicole Espinosa of ADVmoto, Jim Hyde of Rawhyde Adventures, and Martha and Kurt Forget of Black Dog Cycleworks have also helped us in huge ways to spread the work in their own networks as well.

Right now, Lost for a Reason consists of Mark Levesque, Leigh Levesque, JJ Lewis, Tegan Lewis, Dawn Capra-Grace and myself, but so many people have jumped in to help is so many ways that I feel bad that I can’t thank everyone.

AM: How many folks do you figure you have helped so far?

RG: Hard to say. We help an orphanage in New Mexico, a school in Shonto, Ariz., a food bank in Kayenta, a shelter for domestic abuse in Kayenta. It’s ongoing.

I wish that it weren’t, but the need for the services is ongoing. We will be doing a fundraiser ride in the Valley of the Gods, Utah, on July 12- 14 this year and hopefully by next year we will be able to buy and remodel a trailer set up to wash clothes and offer showers. Many homes are without electricity and running water.

AM: What is the connection of all of this to adventure riding?

RG: The bittersweet [aspect of] adventure riding is that we get to see and feel the surroundings like no other form of travel. When we see and feel something that needs to be changed, then we have to do something about it.

Adventure riders are really a natural fit.

We often go out of our way to take the most challenging route. We are not afraid to get our hands dirty, and that’s often what’s needed. Motorcyclists of all types are a natural fit to help others because, simply put, we hear you, we see you, we don’t have the window rolled up with the A/C on.

I probably put 20-30 hours per week into Lost for a Reason between t-shirts, Member # stickers, soliciting product sponsors, etc., for zero dollars.

2013MembershipCard_ATVA.indd 1 I always say that and laugh because Lost for a Reason is the worstpaying and mostrewarding job I’ve ever had. When you hear that a shelter home was going to have to turn away a family Member # because they didn’t have the resources to take care of them, AMA_Member_Card_Military.indd 1 but then as a result of something you did they were able to help them, well that feeling lasts forever.

Member #

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Taking advantage of your 20 percent AMA member discount on lodging from Red Roof Inn has gotten easier. The AMA member benefit partner has launched www.ridewithred.com.

The site includes an easy-to-use booking feature, an event calendar and a riding-related blog. To take advantage of your discount, just click on “Book Now” and the promo code will be applied automatically.

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2005 KAWASAKI KDX220 One Of Jeff Fredette’s ISDE Machines

AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Jeff Fredette rode this 2005 Kawasaki KDX220 in his 25th International Six Days Enduro, which was held in Povazska Bystrica, Slovakia, in 2005.

Fredette was a silver medalist that year.

The event in Slovakia marked the 25th time that Fredette finished an ISDE. Over the years, he has earned 10 gold medals, 14 silver medals and a bronze—and he is still competing. This KDX220, now on display at the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame on the AMA campus in Pickerington, Ohio, appears as it did after Fredette rinsed it off following the 2005 ISDE. Fredette made modifications to this bike—including a ported cylinder, milled head, bored carb and revalved suspension—and then crated it and shipped it to Slovakia.

The bike was never started until it was presented for tech inspection in Slovakia.

This KDX220 began the ISDE competition with fewer than 15 minutes running time on the engine. There were no problems during the six days of competition. The only parts changed were air filters and tires.

Besides being a multitime ISDE medalist, Fredette is also an AMA Grand National Cross Country, hare scrambles and enduro race winner. He was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2002.

This bike is on loan to the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame from Fredette. To learn more about the great men, women and machines featured in the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame, go to www.motorcyclemuseum.org.

Photo Jeff Guciardo

The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio, features the people and machines that have defined the sport, lifestyle and business of motorcycling in America. The Hall of Fame is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation that receives support from the AMA and from the motorcycling community. For info and directions, visit www.motorcyclemuseum.org, or call (614) 856-2222.

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Hall of Famer

Maldwyn Jones Hard-Luck Racer Maldwyn Jones was a well-known competitor and racing motorcycle builder of the 1910s and ’20s. During the mid-to-late-1910s, Jones was perhaps the best dirt-track racer in the Midwest. He won hundreds of regional dirt track events during his 13-year racing career, but is equally known for the bad luck that followed him at the big National events.

Probably no other racer of his era led, or was in the hunt for, victory at a National as frequently as Jones only to fall prey to mechanical problems or other misfortune.

Jones was born in 1891 and grew up in Lebanon, Ohio. At 18, he began racing an old three-horsepower Marsh at a local dirt track in his hometown.

His first victory at a county fair as an amateur in 1909 earned him the top prize of a .22-caliber rifle.

By 1910, Jones was ready to turn pro. A year later, he went to work at the nearby Merkel motorcycle factory as

a test rider. By that time, Merkel was no longer fielding a full-fledged factory racing team, but Jones raced his own immaculately prepared Flying Merkel.

By 1913, Jones was one of the top regional dirt-track racers, and he began racing Nationals.

In December 1913, Jones competed in the grueling Savannah 300-mile roadrace National. He ran at the front all day, but his Flying Merkel broke a chain on the final lap and he finished second to Excelsior star Bob Perry. A scoring error was later found in which a lap had not been recorded for Jones early in the race, which meant he won the event. Jones petitioned the Federation of American Motorcyclists, the precursor to the AMA, to give him the win, but was turned down and the record gave the victory to Perry.

At the Savannah race in 1914, Jones was running a close second when he ran out of gas. Jones later led, or battled for the lead, in such top-level

events as the Dodge City (Kan.) 300, the Sheepshead Bay (N.Y.) 100-mile national board track championship and the Marion (Ind.) 200-mile roadrace before mechanical problems forced him to slow or retire from the races.

Jones accepted an offer to ride for Harley-Davidson in 1916. In 1919, he finished second to future AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Shrimp Burns at the FAM 100-mile board track national championship. In 1920, he was a front-runner in the Dodge City Classic before his Harley had mechanical problems and he dropped to seventh at the finish.

In 1922, Jones signed with Excelsior and was again runner up. He retired at the end of the year.

Maldwyn Jones, who died in 1987, was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1998.

To read more about Jones and other heroes of motorcycling, go to www.motorcyclemuseum.org.

Put yourself in the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame is YOUR hall of fame—we couldn’t exist without the generous support of our donors. Now there’s a new way for you to show that support in a very visible way: My Hall of Fame. The idea is simple: A $20 donation gets you a 3-inch-square space on the wall in the Hall of Fame entrance foyer that hangs during the campaign year. Want a bigger space? A 6-inch square is an $80 donation, and a 9-inch square is a $180 donation. You also get an official certificate noting that your picture is on display in the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame.

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Off The Grid

Modern Motorcycle Camping: Tips And Tricks

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ne reason many of us ride motorcycles is the adventure of getting off the beaten path. An excellent way to heighten that experience is to combine your two-wheeled excursion with a camping trip. Living and riding in the Pacific Northwest, I’ve had numerous opportunities to sneak off for a night or so of camping, while exploring the grand scenery by day on the bike.

Camping trips also represent a common bond among motorcyclists of all types. Whether you ride a Yamaha WR250R or a Honda Gold Wing, you can experience the combined fun of backroad adventures and nights by the campfire.

Although these tips are written from a dual-sport perspective, they are helpful for anyone who camps on their motorcycle, regardless of what they ride.

Written and photographed by Tom Mehren August 2013

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Two-Day Stops

As a longtime AMA-chartered promoter, I’ve learned over the years to plan the routing of our tours so riders actually stay in the same place two nights in a row. It’s really nice each day not having to break camp in the morning and set camp again at night.

You get more time to ride and everything is already done when you come back to camp on night two. Another advantage is having lighter loads during those days.

Such was the case during a recent tour through Idaho last summer. Two nights in McCall, a one-nighter in Salmon, then two nights in Kamiah made it much simpler for those camping to explore Hells Canyon, Railroad Ridge, the Chinese Wall, Magruder Corridor and the Lolo Motorway.

Because temps can vary widely over the course of a few days, a warm bag with zipper along the foot box on the bottom allows you to adjust how much heat it will retain, making it more comfortable on warmer nights.

As you plan the menu, remember to have things from dinner to carry over to breakfast.

The rest of that double portion of fruit you got in the deli last night will go nicely with breakfast this morning.

Sleeping Mat Options

On a typical day ride, I need about 40 liters of storage to carry the important stuff like a first-aid kit, tire pump and repair gear, tools, water, snacks, camera, rain gear, etc. When I go camping, I need another 40 liters for my tent, sleeping bag, air mat and kitchen gear. If I minimize it to its fullest, I can usually slip in a creature comfort like a camp chair.

For the dual-sport camper, having an assortment of dry sacks, waterproof compression bags and plastic freezer bags will ensure your gear stays dry regardless of ensuing rain, or because you dumped your bike during that last water crossing. In my arsenal, everything is sorted into various bags, keeping it dry and making it all that much easier to locate.

The main reason many riders give up on camping is because as we age, lying all night on a skimpy piece of foam becomes downright painful. Technology has come a long way. New air mat technology provides a 2- to 3-inch loft—much nicer than a halfinch of foam. Air mats like these roll up really small, about half the size of a foam mat.

For a little more warmth, seek out a mat filled with down or synthetic that will help retain body heat in the mat below you when temps drop. Between a modern day

Storage

Tent Selection

As motorcyclists, we tend to like to get our important gear into the tent with us, including storing our riding gear at night. A one-person tent or bivy sack won’t allow that for the solo rider. If I’m out solo, I’ll carry a two-person tent. Couples will enjoy the added space a three-person tent provides.

Most two- and three-person tents on the market today pack up pretty small. The day of the canvas pup-tent is long gone and compact size is the name of the game. But

Sleeping Bag Choices

In the 21st century it’s possible to purchase a sleeping bag that weighs less than 20 ounces that will keep you warm in the wild down to 15 degrees. Up until now the smart choice was a synthetic bag because they would keep a rider warm even if they got wet. But with the new DriDown fill available, you can go either way. When it comes to weight, both are neck-and-neck.

A typical rule of thumb here is the less the bag costs, the more it will weigh. So again, you may want to spend a little more for more technically advanced, lighter fabrics and fills.

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sleeping bag and a syn-filled mat, you can be comfortable when it’s 30 degrees outside.

It’s a lot easier to air these mats up with a pump than your lungs. Some companies offer a pump/pillow item that serves two good purposes in one device.

Making A List

You may already have a list you use to pack your gear—good idea. Because food can be a lot to think about at the end of the day, preplan a simple menu before your trip and have it handy when you go shopping each afternoon. That way you won’t forget the little things like coffee creamer, ice and otherwise.

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don’t go cheap. Remember that a leaky tent in the middle of nowhere is a major pain, so at least get yourself into the medium price range tent and don’t be bashful about spending more. Lighten your load even more by seeking out a tent in the ultralight range. It’s money well spent.

There are a few upgrades you may want to make to your tent as well. Consider adding some lighter and better quality stakes as well as swapping out the tent lines with glo-cord. If you’re tired of tripping over your lines on the way to the facilities late at night, glo-cord will usually solve that problem.

A simple tent repair kit is also handy and can fix more than just your tent. We once used one to make a broken brake lever operational again.

Four-season expedition quality tents are probably beyond what’s really needed for a typical motorcycle camping trip and will add on pounds and require more storage space.

Larger tents with taller, longer vestibules have served some riders well during inclement weather when some service is needed for the bike, but again these will add pounds and push capacity limits.

Most tents can be purchased with an optional footprint, a sheet of waterproofed nylon that goes between the tent and the ground. Get one. These moisture barriers are essential to keep ground vapor out of your tent. Nobody likes a wet sleeping bag or packing a wet tent. The tent footprint can also be utilized as a clean sheet to place on the ground during a roadside repair, keeping your tools and parts out of the dirt.

The Robust Kitchen

I like to add in places that have at least a convenience store on the way in to camp. A full-size grocery store with a deli is a bonus.

Because you’re on a vehicle that requires you to put gas in the tank once or twice a day, your route will no doubt come across these stores in one form or another.

The only food items on the bike are snacks and a small collection of cooking sundries. I purchase food for meals late in the day on the way to the campsite. For this I use an ultralight daypack that fits in the palm of my hand when stuffed into its carrying sack.

If you plan on camping at elevations above 5,000 feet, the stove you choose needs to be able to burn fuel at higher elevations. Some will and some won’t, depending on the type of gas they use and how it is delivered to the stove element.

As for more robust cooking pleasures, an egg-scramble in the morning utilizing some of the previous night’s leftovers is nice. And in the evening a longtime favorite of mine is frying some bananas and dousing them with some of that raspberry vinegar. It’s the ultimate dessert treat.

I really like the folding plate ware that packs up flat. It’s easy to clean and I can slide it anywhere into my bags easily.

When selecting food, I look for items I might serve as both dinner and breakfast.

Cheeses, beef sticks, nuts, fruits, veggies and dried fruits can all be enjoyed at dinner and polished off at breakfast.

On board, a small bottle of orangeinfused olive oil, raspberry vinegar, some salt and pepper, a small tube of ghee (clarified butter) and a few of your own personal cooking favorites will provide you with unique ways to enhance the food you already bought.

Personally, I avoid dehydrated foods.

They are overloaded with salt and can be the source of excessive gas, so they are off the list. This includes entrees you might get at the outdoor store as well as freezedried soups, freeze-dried beverages and anything that is loaded with salt during the dehydration process.

For your hot beverages like tea and coffee, pack a small single service stove

If you want to move to cooking some foods, keep in mind you’re getting into more gear to carry. A larger stove, more fuel, extra utensils and cleaning items are required that you may not have room for at this point.

But if you’re out with a group, this becomes more doable as gear storage can be shared between riders.

For the simple kitchen, you could probably do fine with a single-serving cook stove, but when it comes to making eggs and other items, you’ll need a larger size pan system.

Meals Made Easy

You’ve just ridden eight hours, 150 miles, all on gravel and now you have to set camp.

After that, you’re going to make dinner. This is where I get minimal. During my routing,

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DREAM LOCATIONS Five Ideal Dual-Sport Camping Choices In The Pacific Northwest Camping choices in the Pacific Northwest range from bare bones primitive to outright modern. If you do a little homework, you might even be able to toss in a night or two of cabin camping. Here are a few of our favorites.

Newberry Crater, Ore. Located inside the Newberry National Volcanic Monument, you can choose from six different campgrounds, some primitive, some featuring running water and even hot showers. Cabins are available at both Paulina Lake and East Lake. Don’t miss a chance to ride your bike to the top of Paulina Peak for the full 360-degree view of the crater. The riding nearby goes on forever.

Lewis & Clark Resort, Kamiah, Idaho. This rustic campground has plenty of tent camping available, running water and hot showers. You can up your accommodations getting one of several cabins onsite. The location is central to coming off the Magruder Corrider (FS 468) or making an assault on the Historic Lolo Motorway (FS 500).

FS 5900 (various sites, west of Lake Chelan), Wash. Located at 6,000 feet in the Chelan Mountains, choose from five different primitive campgrounds between Shady Pass and Lake Chelan below. Views across the lake are great anytime morning or evening. Food and fuel are a ways off in each direction, so plan ahead.

Timberlake Campground, Home Valley, Wash. While the Columbia River Gorge is a great place to ride, it can get a bit windy in the early mornings and late afternoon almost any time of year.

Timberlake CG is tucked away from the wind in the trees just north of Home Valley making it an optimal overnighting location. With so much great riding in this area, you could make it your base camp for a few days. There’s a large hall with a fireplace groups can use for gathering in the evening hours.

Fremont Point Lookout, Ore. You’ll find this primitive camp spot in Central Oregon at 7,000 feet overlooking Summer Lake, which lies 3,000 feet below. It’s a stunning location for a summer sunrise. Food and fuel are located to the south in Paisley and to the north in Silverlake.

system. Some of the top name coffee conglomerates now have single serving packets. If you like cream, grab a few tubs of the liquid type when you make that fuel/ food stop in the afternoon.

And like the cream trick, condiments are all over the place. Packets of relish, ketchup, mustard and otherwise abound. If you’re grabbing a lot of them, offer a buck or two when you hit the register.

a pannier or two to lighten the load for the final ascent, stashed them out-of-sight and picked them up on the way back down.

WHEN ALL IS SAID AND DONE For all riders who gave up camping because it was uncomfortable, times have changed. It’s time to come back to the good life. The more one does this, the

better they become at it. It’s just you and your motorcycle, out exploring where most cages will never go, days at a time and comfortable at night. Adventure awaits!

Tom Mehren runs the AMA-sanctioned Sasquatch Dual-Sport Tour and publishes www.soundrider.com. He also authored the book “Packing Light Packing Right!”

WHERE TO PUT IT ALL

The general rule of thumb is put the heavy stuff lower in your luggage to maintain a lower center of gravity. Also consider convenience. You want access to the things you need during the day, so those items may wind up on top and the camping gear winds up on the bottom. A combination of the two usually works.

Because most dry bags, sleeping bag stuff sacks, tent storage bags and otherwise have a tubular shape to them, you’ll find it easier to store them all vertically as opposed to horizontally. Access to each is greatly improved.

If you’re packing chocolate or anything else that has an aversion to heat, bury it away from the exterior of the bag in the day so it won’t turn to mush.

During our jaunt up to the Chinese Wall last summer, the last five miles of road were very rocky. Knowing it was an out-and-back part of our day, a number of riders removed

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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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There’s a full slate of dual-sport rides on the schedule for August in the AMA Husqvarna National Dual-Sport Series. Catch the Dual-sport Northwest ride July 31-Aug. 4 in Stevenson, Wash.; Buffaloe 500 Aug. 10-11 in Columbus, Ind.; Rat Dog Dual Sport Aug. 17-18 in Tillamook, Ore.; Ted’s Chandler Hill Challenge Aug. 17-18 in Wolverine, Mich., and the Sasquatch Dual Sport Tour Aug. 19-23 in Idaho. For the full schedule, see page 59.

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The high-flying racers in the AMA Motocross National Championship Series will be at Unadilla in New Berlin, N.Y., on Aug. 10, at Miller Motorsports Park in Salt Lake City on Aug 17 and at Lake Elsinore in Lake Elsinore, Calif., on Aug. 24. For the full schedule, see page 57.

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The fastest racers on the planet will be at it once again at the AMA Land Speed Grand Championships-BUB Motorcycle Speed Trials Aug. 25-29 at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah. Info: www.bubent.com.

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The all-American sport of AMA Pro Racing Flat Track features racers battling on the dirt oval this month in TT action in Castle Rock, Wash., on Aug. 3; at the famed Peoria TT in Peoria Ill., on Aug. 11 and at the famous Indy Mile in Indianapolis on Aug. 17. For the full schedule, see page 57.

COMING UP

The AMA 2013 Legends Weekend is set for Oct. 1819 in Las Vegas, Nev. The weekend kicks off with the 2013 AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Oct. 18 at the Green Valley Ranch Resort. The next morning will include the all-new Dave Mungenast Memorial Legends Reception, where the Class of 2013 and previous Motorcycle Hall of Fame inductees will be honored and interviewed on-stage in a casual setting. Info: www.motorcyclemuseum.org.

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It’s one of the biggest and most storied motorcycling events on the planet. Just say the name and every biker knows what you’re talking about: Sturgis. This AMA National Gypsy Tour happens Aug. 5-11 in Sturgis, S.D. Info: www. sturgismotorcyclerally.com.

6

The Bikers for Babies event in West Virginia is set for Aug. 1617 in Sutton, W.Va. All activities take place at the Flatwoods Factory Stores just off of Exit 67 on I-79. The first day features a parade ride through the towns of Gassaway and Sutton and then food, music and camaraderie.

Saturday starts off with breakfast and then a 115-mile scenic ride followed by various activities. This is a fundraiser for the March of Dimes. Info: www. wvbikersforbabies.org.

STREET MAIN DIRT

August 2013

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AUGUST EVENTS CALIFORNIA RECREATIONAL DUAL-SPORT RIDE

CONNECTICUT

AUG 3: BIG BEAR CITY: BIG BEAR TRAIL RIDERS, INC., (818) 391-3031, BIGBEARTRAILRIDERS.COM

RECREATIONAL

GRAND TOUR

AUG 18: EAST HAMPTON: BRITISH IRON ASSOCIATION OF CONNECTICUT, (860) 585-5102, CTBRITIRON.ORG

AUG 30: NORWALK: SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA MOTORCYCLING ASSN, (661) 298-4444, SC-MA.COM DUAL SPORT-OFF ROAD AUG 17-18: PIONEER (NEAR): 2-DAY EVENT, RACERS UNDER THE SON NORTH (RUTS-NORTH), (209) 6256738, RUTSNORTH.ORG POKER RUN AUG 3: SAN JOSE: SAN JOSE DONS MC, (408) 293-4501 ROAD RALLY AUG 5: SONORA: SPYDERS IN THE REDWOODS, SPYDERSINTHEWOODS. WEEBLY.COM COMPETITION MOTOCROSS AUG 17: (Includes ATVs) SAN BERNARDINO: UNITED MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (626) 483-5164, GLENHELEN. COM SPEEDWAY AUG 2: AUBURN: FAST FRIDAYS SPEEDWAY, (530) 878-RACE, FASTFRIDAYS.COM AUG 9: AUBURN: FAST FRIDAYS SPEEDWAY, (530) 878-RACE, FASTFRIDAYS.COM AUG 16: AUBURN: FAST FRIDAYS SPEEDWAY, (530) 878-RACE, FASTFRIDAYS.COM AUG 23: AUBURN: FAST FRIDAYS SPEEDWAY, (530) 878-RACE, FASTFRIDAYS.COM AUG 30: AUBURN: FAST FRIDAYS SPEEDWAY, (530) 878-RACE, FASTFRIDAYS.COM COLORADO RECREATIONAL ADVENTURE RIDE AUG 18: SILVERTON: ROCKY MOUNTAIN ADVENTURE RIDERS, RMARIDERS.ORG DUAL-SPORT RIDE AUG 3-4: WALDEN: 2-DAY EVENT, FRONT RANGE RIDERS, (303) 5915913, FRONTRANGERIDERS.COM DUAL SPORT-OFF ROAD AUG 9: BUENA VISTA: DIRT RIDERS OF COLORADO (DROC), (888) 651-2093 AUG 9: SALIDA: EXIT TOURS M/C, (719) 207-1189, HTTP:// COLORADODUALSPORT.COM

1714, GALESBURGMC.COM TT AUG 3: (Includes ATVs) FOSTERBURG: SPLINTER CREEK DIRT RIDERS INC, (618) 372-4355, SPLINTERCREEK.COM

BIKE SHOW

INDIANA

ILLINOIS RECREATIONAL TRAIL RIDE - RECREATIONAL AUG 11: (Includes ATVs) OTTAWA: VARIETY RIDERS MOTORCYCLE CLUB INC, (815) 434-3669, VARIETYRIDERS. COM

RECREATIONAL ADVENTURE RIDE AUG 11: COLUMBUS: STONEY LONESOME M/C, (812) 343-9772, STONEYLONESOMEMC.COM DUAL-SPORT RIDE AUG 10: COLUMBUS: STONEY LONESOME M/C, (812) 343-9772, STONEYLONESOMEMC.COM ROAD RALLY AUG 2: CORYDON: MOTORCYCLE SPORT TOURING ASSOCIATION,

COMPETITION HILLCLIMB AUG 10: WHITE CITY: CAHOKIA CREEK DIRT RIDERS, (618) 946-4316, CCDIRT. COM AUG 24: OREGON: ROCK RIVER RIDERS, (815) 946-2183, RRRMC.ORG AUG 31: (Includes ATVs) NEOGA: CENTRAL ILLINOIS M/C, (217) 317-9278,CENTRALILLIONOIS MOTORCYCLECLUB.ORG HARE SCRAMBLES AUG 17: (ATV only) FOSTERBURG: SPLINTER CREEK DIRT RIDERS INC, (618) 372-4355, SPLINTERCREEK.COM AUG 18: FOSTERBURG: SPLINTER CREEK DIRT RIDERS INC, (618) 3724355, SPLINTERCREEK.COM AUG 25: BYRON: MOTOSPORTS ENTERPRISES LTD, (815) 234-2271, MOTOBYRON.COM MOTOCROSS

COMPETITION ENDURO AUG 10: ROSE LAWN: HILL & GULLY ENDURO RIDERS, (630) 329-0365, MIDWESTENDUROS.COM AUG 11: ROSE LAWN: HILL & GULLY ENDURO RIDERS, (630) 329-0365, MIDWESTENDUROS.COM HARE SCRAMBLES AUG 25: (Includes ATVs) CULVER: PLYMOUTH BLACKHAWKS MC, INC., (574) 259-0103 MOTOCROSS AUG 10: (Includes ATVs) CAYUGA: PLEASURE RIDERS MC, (309) 8385062, PLEASURERIDERS.NET AUG 11: CAYUGA: PLEASURE RIDERS MC, (309) 838-5062, PLEASURERIDERS.NET IOWA

BRAIN TUMOR FOUNDATION OF THE UNITED STATES, (800) 253-6530, RIDEFORKIDS.ORG COMPETITION HILLCLIMB AUG 9: (Includes ATVs) MONSON: QUABOAG RIDERS INC, (413) 267-0332 MICHIGAN RECREATIONAL DUAL-SPORT RIDE AUG 17: WOLVERINE: 2-DAY EVENT, GREAT LAKES DUAL SPORTERS, (989) 751-6863, GLDSMC.ORG AUG 25: ANN ARBOR: PEDIATRIC BRAIN TUMOR FOUNDATION OF THE UNITED STATES, (800) 253-6530, RIDEFORKIDS.ORG ROAD RUN AUG 3: DEFORD: LUCKY THUMB MOTORCYCLE CLUB, INC., (810) 404-2895, LUCKYTHUMBMOTORCYCLECLUB. COM AUG 25: ANN ARBOR: PEDIATRIC BRAIN TUMOR FOUNDATION OF THE UNITED STATES, (800) 253-6530, RIDEFORKIDS.ORG COMPETITION DIRT DRAG AUG 2: (Includes ATVs) BRIDGETON TWP: MUSKEGON MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (231) 733-9856, MUSKEGONMOTORCYCLECLUB.COM 1/2 MILE DIRT TRACK AUG 24: (Includes ATVs) CROSWELL: PORT HURON MOTORCYCLE CLUB, INC., (810) 531-0031, PHMC-USA.COM ENDURO AUG 4: BENTLEY: VALLEY TRAIL RIDERS, (989) 846-4401, THEVALLEYTRAILRIDERS.ORG

AUG 2: (Includes ATVs) WOODSTOCK: WOODSTOCK RACING LLC, (815) 3373511, WOODSTOCK-KTM.COM

COMPETITION MOTOCROSS

HILLCLIMB

AUG 4: (Includes ATVs) BRYON: MOTOSPORTS ENTERPRISES LTD, (815) 234-2271, MOTOBYRON.COM

AUG 3: (Includes ATVs) CEDAR RAPIDS: CEDAR VALLEY TRAIL RIDERS INC, (319) 775-0893, CVTR.ORG

AUG 9: (Includes ATVs) GEORGETOWN: PLEASURE RIDERS MC, (309) 8385062, PLEASURERIDERS.NET

AUG 10: (Includes ATVs) CEDAR RAPIDS: CEDAR VALLEY TRAIL RIDERS INC, (319) 775-0893, CVTR. ORG

AUG 3-4: BRIDGETON TWP: 2-DAY EVENT, MUSKEGON MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (231) 733-9856, MUSKEGONMOTORCYCLECLUB.COM

AUG 18: (Includes ATVs) BYRON: MOTOSPORTS ENTERPRISES LTD, (815) 234-2271, MOTOBYRON.COM AUG 18: (Includes ATVs) MASON: CROSSROADS MX AND OFFROAD PARK, LLC, (618) 686-2769, CROSSROADSMX.COM AUG 23: (Includes ATVs) WOODSTOCK: WOODSTOCK RACING LLC, (815) 3373511, WOODSTOCK-KTM.COM AUG 25: WALNUT: 4P PROMOTIONS INC, (815) 379-9534, SUNSETRIDGEMX.COM OBSERVED TRIALS

COMPETITION

AUG 18: OTTAWA: VARIETY RIDERS MOTORCYCLE CLUB INC, (815) 4343669, VARIETYRIDERS.COM

MOTOCROSS

SHORT TRACK

AUG 11: MILLIKEN: TWO RIVERS RACING LLC, (970) 587-5770

AUG 10: RIO: GALESBURG MOTORCYCLE CLUB INC, (309) 344-

AUG 12: BASALT: COLORADO 500

46

AUG 25: DACONA: IMI MOTORSPORTS INC, (303) 833-4949, IMIMOTORSPORTS.COM

AUG 24: (Includes ATVs) CEDAR RAPIDS: CEDAR VALLEY TRAIL RIDERS INC, (319) 775-0893, CVTR. ORG AUG 31: (Includes ATVs) MONTEZUMA: FV MOTO X, (641) 623-3456, FVMOTOX.COM MARYLAND COMPETITION MOTOCROSS AUG 24-25: MECHANICSVILLE: 2-DAY EVENT, MIDDLE ATLANTIC MOTOCROSS ASSOCIATION, (410) 375-1059, MAMAMX.COM MASSACHUSETTS RECREATIONAL ROAD RUN AUG 18: FISKDALE: PEDIATRIC

HARE SCRAMBLES AUG 18: EVART: PORTLAND TRAIL RIDERS, (517) 647-7045, PORTLANDTRAILRIDERS.COM AUG 24-25: BIG SKY: 2-DAY EVENT, LONE PEAK RACING LLC, (406) 2230478, BIGSKYXC.COM AUG 25: MIDLAND: POLKA DOTS M/C, (989) 832-8284, POLKADOTSMC.NET MOTOCROSS AUG 3: (Includes ATVs) BELDING: GRATTAN RACEWAY MOTOCROSS, (616) 691-7221, GRATTANMX.COM AUG 3: (Includes ATVs) CHRISTMAS: X-MAS FAMILY MOTORSPORTS PARK, (906) 202-2681, XMASFAMILYMOTORSPORTSPARK. COM AUG 4: (Includes ATVs) CHRISTMAS: X-MAS FAMILY MOTORSPORTS PARK, (906) 202-2681, XMASFAMILYMOTORSPORTSPARK. COM

AmericanMotorcyclist.com

46

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STREET MAIN DIRT

6/14/13 1:48 PM

AUGUST EVENTS AUG 4: (Includes ATVs) BELDING: GRATTAN RACEWAY MOTOCROSS, (616) 691-7221, GRATTANMX.COM AUG 10: (Includes ATVs) CADILLAC: CADILLAC MOTORCYCLE CLUB INC, (231) 884-3729, CADILLACMC.COM AUG 11: (Includes ATVs) CADILLAC: CADILLAC MOTORCYCLE CLUB INC, (231) 884-3729, CADILLACMC.COM

AUG 11: (Includes ATVs) BROWERVILLE: MOTO CITY RACEWAY & RECREATION INC, (218) 894-2826, MOTOCITYRACEWAY.COM

AUG 25: MAURICETOWN: COMPETITION DIRT RIDERS, (609) 319-7496, COMPETITIONDIRTRIDERS. ORG

AUG 18: (Includes ATVs) CAMBRIDGE: RTW RACE PROMOTIONS, (612) 9193457, MOTOCITYRACEWAY.COM

MOTOCROSS

AUG 18: MILLVILLE: HI-WINDERS, (507) 753-2779, SPRINGCREEKMX.COM

AUG 10: (Includes ATVs) ENGLISHTOWN: RACEWAY PARK, (732) 446-7800, RACEWAYPARK.COM

AUG 25: KELLOGG: MOTOKAZIE INC, (952) 244-9996, MOTOKAZIE.COM

AUG 11: (Includes ATVs) ENGLISHTOWN: RACEWAY PARK, (732) 446-7800, RACEWAYPARK.COM

AUG 31: MILLINGTON: BAJA MX INC, (989) 871-3356, BAJAACRES.COM

AUG 25: BROOK PARK: BERM BENDERS RACEWAY, (320) 679-2582, BERMBENDERS.COM

AUG 17: (Includes ATVs) ENGLISHTOWN: RACEWAY PARK, (732) 446-7800, RACEWAYPARK.COM

OBSERVED TRIALS

OBSERVED TRIALS

AUG 10: ROSE CITY: MICHIGAN ONTARIO TRIALS ASSOCIATION, (810) 417-2892, MOTATRIALS.COM

AUG 24-25: DULUTH: 2-DAY EVENT, NORTHLAND MOTORCYCLE RIDERS ASSOCIATION, (218) 349-9578

AUG 18: (Includes ATVs) ENGLISHTOWN: RACEWAY PARK, (732) 446-7800, RACEWAYPARK.COM

AUG 18: BATTLE CREEK: BATTLE CREEK MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (269) 729-9691

AUG 11: ROSE CITY: MICHIGAN ONTARIO TRIALS ASSOCIATION, (810) 417-2892, MOTATRIALS.COM SHORT TRACK AUG 3: OWOSSO: OWOSSO KART SPEEDWAY, (810) 691-5781, OWOSSOKARTSPEEDWAY.COM AUG 10: (Includes ATVs) DEFORD: LUCKY THUMB MOTORCYCLE CLUB, INC., (810) 404-2895, LUCKYTHUMBMOTORCYCLECLUB. COM AUG 17: (Includes ATVs) MIDLAND: 2 DAY EVENT, POLKA DOTS M/C, (989) 832-8284, POLKADOTSMC.NET TT AUG 11: (Includes ATVs) DEFORD: LUCKY THUMB MOTORCYCLE CLUB, INC., (810) 404-2895, LUCKYTHUMBMOTORCYCLECLUB. COM MINNESOTA COMPETITION ENDURO AUG 11-12: AKELEY: 2-DAY EVENT, PAUL BUNYAN FOREST RIDER MC, (218) 739-5525, PAULBUNYANFORESTRIDERS.COM AUG 24-25: DUQUETTE: 2-DAY EVENT, STRAIGHT ARROW ENDURO RIDERS, (651) 456-0224, STAIGHTARROWS.ORG HILLCLIMB AUG 24: (Includes ATVs) MANKATO: KATO CYCLE CLUB, KATOCYCLECLUB.COM AUG 25: (Includes ATVs) NEW ULM: FLYING DUTCHMEN CYCLE CLUB, (507) 354-2306, FLYINGDUTCHMEN MOTORCYCLECLUB.COM MOTOCROSS AUG 4: BROOK PARK: BERM BENDERS RACEWAY, (320) 679-2582, BERMBENDERS.COM AUG 4: MAZEPPA: HURRICANE HILLS MX, (507) 843-5154, HURRICANEHILLS. COM AUG 4: BROOKSTON: ECHO VALLEY MOTOCROSS PARK, (218) 348-4754, ECHOVALLEYMOTOCROSS.COM AUG 11: KELLOGG: MOTOKAZIE INC, (952) 244-9996, MOTOKAZIE.COM

MISSOURI RECREATIONAL

NEW MEXICO

ROAD RUN AUG 18: COTTLEVILLE: PEDIATRIC BRAIN TUMOR FOUNDATION OF THE UNITED STATES, (800) 253-6530, RIDEFORKIDS.ORG COMPETITION HARE SCRAMBLES AUG 4: (ATV only) KAHOKA: IOWA ATV HARE SCRAMBLE SERIES, (515) 9713736, IATVHSS.COM MOTOCROSS AUG 17-18: (ATV only) KIRKSVILLE: 2-DAY EVENT, THUNDER RIDGE MX PARK LLC, (660) 626-5318, THUNDERRIDGEMX-PARK.COM MONTANA RECREATIONAL AUG 24: BILLINGS: MARCH OF DIMES MONTANA, (406) 206-1686, BIKERSFORBABIES.ORG/MONTANA NEVADA RECREATIONAL ADVENTURE RIDE AUG 22: MINDEN: ADVENTURE MOTORCYCLE RENDEZVOUS, LLC., (775) 586-7700, CARSONTAHOEADVENTUREMOTO. COM ROAD RALLY AUG 20: RENO: AMERICAN VOYAGER ASSOCIATION, (415) 269-7998, HARRAHSRENO.COM COMPETITION

OBSERVED TRIALS AUG 3-4: SIPAPU: 2-DAY EVENT, NEW MEXICO TRIALS ASSOCIATION, NMTRIALS.ORG NEW YORK RECREATIONAL BINGO RUN AUG 4: QUEENSBURY: ADIRONDACK RIDERS OF GLENS FALLS NY, INC., (518) 792-1713, ADIRONDACKRIDERS. COM DUAL-SPORT RIDE AUG 3-4: HANCOCK: 2 DAY EVENT, BEAR CREEK SPORTSMEN, (732) 2711616, BEARCREEKSPORTS.ENT.COM

AUG 24: PANACA: SILVER STATE TRAILBLAZERS, (702) 645-2506 NEW JERSEY RECREATIONAL BIKE SHOW AUG 17: MT HOLLY: BIKERS FOR JC, (215) 234-8611, PAGOSPELRIDERS. COM

ENDURO AUG 4: (Includes ATVs) GENOA: CAYUGA COUNTY RIDERS INC, (607) 594-3536 AUG 18: BERKSHIRE: ITHACA DIRT RIDERS INC., (607) 657-8248, ITHACADIRTRIDERS.COM HARE SCRAMBLES AUG 11: (Includes ATVs) CORTLAND: KNOBBY ACRES ASSOCIATION INC., (607) 756-5277, WNYOA.NET AUG 31: HANCOCK: BEAR CREEK SPORTSMEN, (732) 271-1616, BEARCREEKSPORTS.ENT.COM MOTOCROSS AUG 4: RICHFORD: BROOME TIOGA SPORTS CENTER INC, (607) 849-4438, BROOME-TIOGA.COM AUG 9: NEW BERLIN: UNADILLA ENTERPRISES, LLC., (607) 965-8450, UNADILLAMX.COM AUG 18: (Includes ATVs) CAROGA LAKE: ROYAL MOUNTAIN SKI AREA, (518) 835-6445, ROYALMOUNTAIN. COM AUG 25: (Includes ATVs) MAPLEVIEW: SMX ASSOCIATES LLC, (315) 4807733, MOTOMASTERS.COM OBSERVED TRIALS AUG 11: LAKEMONT: DISTRICT 4 TRIALS COMMITTEE, (607) 243-7221, DISTRICT4TRIALS.ORG AUG 25: CUBA: DISTRICT 4 TRIALS COMMITTEE, (585) 247-5508, DISTRICT4TRIALS.ORG

AUG 25: MINEOLA: NASSAU WINGS, (516) 248-5555, POPSRUN.ORG

AUG 31: HANCOCK: BEAR CREEK SPORTSMEN, (732) 271-1616, BEARCREEKSPORTS.ENT.COM

AUG 25: CLARENCE: REGENT RIDERS, (716) 937-9524, REGENTRIDERS.ORG

RECREATIONAL

POKER RUN AUG 11: ONEONTA : HUDSON HIGHLAND RETREADS MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (607) 563-2083 AUG 18: PATTERSON: YONKERS MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (914) 403-4173, YONKERSMOTORCYCLECLUB.COM ROAD RUN AUG 4: CENTRAL VALLEY: PEDIATRIC BRAIN TUMOR FOUNDATION OF THE UNITED STATES, (800) 253-6530, RIDEFORKIDS.ORG AUG 11: WANTAGH: ALLIANCE MC, (516) 509-8143, ALLIANCEMC.COM

HARE & HOUND

ENDURO

COMPETITION

FUN RUN

ROAD RUN

COMPETITION

AUG 31: ENGLISHTOWN: RACEWAY PARK, (732) 446-7800, RACEWAYPARK. COM

YORK EXTREME DIRT TRACK RACING (WNYEDT), (585) 737-5698, BATAVIAMOTORSPEEDWAY.COM

AUG 25: GENESEO: CONESUS LAKE RIDERS MC, (585) 314-9124, CLR-MC. COM ROAD RALLY AUG 16: BRONX: CELTIC MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (914) 924-2170, CELTICM.C.C.COM COMPETITION 1/2 MILE DIRT TRACK AUG 23-24: (ATV only) BATAVIA: 2-DAY EVENT, WESTERN NEW

NORTH CAROLINA ROAD RUN AUG 25: FLETCHER: PEDIATRIC BRAIN TUMOR FOUNDATION OF THE UNITED STATES, (800) 253-6530, RIDEFORKIDS.ORG ROAD RALLY AUG 9: BOONE: CAROLINA’S BMW MOA CLUB, BOONERALLY.COM COMPETITION MOTOCROSS AUG 18: (Includes ATVs) IRON STATION: IRON STATION MOTORSPORTS, INC., (704) 732-8200, ALLANEMOTORSPORTS.COM OHIO RECREATIONAL ADVENTURE RIDE AUG 3: ZANESVILLE: ZANESVILLE TRAIL RIDERS, (740) 452-9468, ZANESVILLETRAILRIDERS.COM DUAL-SPORT RIDE AUG 18: NEW STRAITSVILLE: NEW STRAITSVILLE ENDURO RIDERS, (740) 603-3299, NSENDURO.COM

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AUGUST EVENTS DUAL SPORT-OFF ROAD AUG 4: ZANESVILLE: ZANESVILLE TRAIL RIDERS, (740) 452-9468, ZANESVILLETRAILRIDERS.COM AUG 10: TORONTO: OHIO VALLEY BSA OWNERS CLUB, (724) 945-6018 ROAD RUN AUG 10: FAIRBORN: ABATE-OH INC, (937) 626-6958, ABATE.COM AUG 10: TBD: OHIO CHAPTER MARCH OF DIMES FOUNDATION, MARCHOFDIMES.COM/OHIO

AUG 25: BUCK: GENTLEMEN MC SPORTSMEN, (717) 284-2270

RECREATIONAL

AUG 15: DODGEVILLE: RETREAD MOTORCYCLE INTERNATIONAL INC. NORTH CENTRAL, (651) 459-4664

ROAD RUN

COMPETITION

POKER RUN AUG 4: LEBANON: LEBANON VALLEY MOTORCYCLE CLUB INC, (717) 2709797, LEBANONVALLEYMC.COM AUG 11: BUCK: GENTLEMEN MC SPORTSMEN, (717) 284-2270

AUG 23: MARIETTA: MOTORCYCLE SPORT TOURING ASSOCIATION SWAP MEETS

ROAD RUN

AUG 9: TORONTO: OHIO VALLEY BSA OWNERS CLUB, (724) 945-6018

AUG 4: CRANBERRY TWP: PEDIATRIC BRAIN TUMOR FOUNDATION OF THE UNITED STATES, (800) 253-6530, RIDEFORKIDS.ORG

COMPETITION GRAND PRIX AUG 24: ATHENS: ACTION SPORTS MOTO PARK, ACTION SPORTS PROMOTIONS, (740) 591-7223, (724) 945-6018 ENDURO AUG 25: MC ARTHUR: ENDURO RIDERS ASSOCIATION, (614) 582-7821, ENDURORIDERS.COM MOTOCROSS AUG 4: (Includes ATVs) MARYSVILLE: AMERICAN MOTOSPORTS LLC, (937) 358-2427, AMERICANMX.COM AUG 8: (Includes ATVs) CROTON: AMERICAN MOTOSPORTS LLC, (937) 358-2427, AMERICANMX.COM AUG 11: DAYTON: DAYTON MOTORCYCLE CLUB INC., (937) 2639321, DAYTONMC.COM

AUG 10: LEESPORT: CLASSIC HARLEY-DAVIDSON, (610) 916-7777, CLASSICHARLEY.COM

AUG 31-Sept. 1: NEWARK: 2-DAY EVENT, TRIALS INC, (740) 467-2910, TRIALSINC.ORG OREGON RECREATIONAL DUAL-SPORT RIDE AUG 17: TILLAMOOK: NORTHWEST TOUR & TRAIL, (503) 681-8881, BLACKDOGDUALSPORT.COM PENNSYLVANIA

ROADRACE AUG 24-25: TOOELE: 2-DAY EVENT, UTAH SPORT BIKE ASSOCIATION, (435) 277-RACE, MILLERMOTORSPORTSPARK.COM RECREATIONAL ROAD RALLY AUG 31-Sept. 1: KILLINGTON: 2-DAY EVENT, AMERICADE, (518) 798-7888, KILLINGTONCLASSIC.COM

AUG 3-4: (Includes ATVs) STURGEON BAY: 2-DAY EVENT, DOOR COUNTY FAIR ASSOCIATION, (920) 746-2261, DOORCOUNTY.ORG/FAIR AUG 10: (Includes ATVs) ANTIGO: RIB MOUNTAIN RIDERS MC, INC., (715) 573-4934 HILLCLIMB AUG 4: (Includes ATVs) HIXTON: CMJ RACEWAY LLC, (608) 220-6853, CMJRACEWAY.COM HARE SCRAMBLES

COMPETITION

AUG 16: SPRING GROVE: WHITE ROSE MC, (717) 229-2621, WHITEROSEMC. COM

GRAND PRIX

MOTOCROSS

AUG 4: IVOR: VIRGINIA COMPETITION HARE SCRAMBLE SERVICES, (757) 570-2839, VCHSS.ORG

AUG 11: LAKE MILLS: AZTALAN CYCLE CLUB INC, (414) 265-1582, AZTALANMX.COM

COMPETITION ENDURO AUG 11: THREE SPRINGS: GREEN MARBLE ENDURO RIDERS, (301) 8650779, GMER.US MOTOCROSS AUG 4: BIRDSBORO: PAGODA MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (610) 582-3717, PAGODAMC.ORG AUG 11: NEW ALEXANDRIA: 8 SEVEN MX, LLC, (412) 736-1225, PRPMX.COM

SHORT TRACK

OBSERVED TRIALS

COMPETITION

1/2 MILE DIRT TRACK

SWAP MEETS

AUG 24: DAYTON: DAYTON MOTORCYCLE CLUB INC., (937) 2639321, DAYTONMC.COM

AUG 29: (Includes ATVs) RICHWOOD: AMERICAN MOTOSPORTS LLC, (937) 358-2427, AMERICANMX.COM

AUG 10: SALT LAKE CITY: PEDIATRIC BRAIN TUMOR FOUNDATION OF THE UNITED STATES, (800) 253-6530, RIDEFORKIDS.ORG

AUG 18: HAYWARD: MIDWEST OFFROAD TRAIL RIDERS, (715) 7434132, MOTRWEB.WEBS.COM

OBSERVED TRIALS

AUG 28: (Includes ATVs) MT. GILEAD: AMERICAN MOTOSPORTS LLC, (937) 358-2427, AMERICANMX.COM

UTAH

VERMONT

AUG 18: (Includes ATVs) MARYSVILLE: AMERICAN MOTOSPORTS LLC, (937) 358-2427, AMERICANMX.COM

AUG 25: DAYTON: DAYTON MOTORCYCLE CLUB INC., (937) 2639321, DAYTONMC.COM

48

PARK, (903) 498-4659, UGMXPARK. COM

AUG 18: SCHUYLKILL: SCHUYLKILL COUNTY MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (570) 385-1460, SCHUYLKILLMOTORCYCLECLUB. COM

ROAD RALLY

ROAD RALLY

AUG 18: COLUMBIA: THUNDERBIRD MOTORCYCLE CLUB, INC., (717) 898-0871

AUG 4: MARYSVILLE: TRICKY TRYALERS MC, (717) 580-1272 AUG 10: (Includes ATVs) READING: SHIPPENSBURG MC, (717) 796-0294, BAERMOTORSPORTS.COM AUG 18: (Includes ATVs) SHIPPENSBURG: SHIPPENSBURG MC, (717) 796-0294, BAERMOTORSPORTS.COM AUG 24: SPRING RUN: TWO WHEEL PROMOTIONS, (717) 368-5903, PATHVALLEY.COM TENNESSEE COMPETITION ENDURO AUG 17-18: SEQUATCHIE: 2-DAY EVENT, SOUTHEASTERN TRIALS RIDERS ASSOCIATION, (423) 942-8688, TRIALSTRAININGCENTER.COM

VIRGINIA

AUG 11: MARTINSVILLE: VIRGINIA COMPETITION HARE SCRAMBLE SERVICES, (276) 252-6801, VCHSS. ORG AUG 25: PENHOOK: VIRGINIA COMPETITION HARE SCRAMBL’E SERVICES, (540) 420-6334, VCHSS. ORG MOTOCROSS AUG 10-11: PETERSBURG: 2-DAY EVENT, MIDDLE ATLANTIC MOTOCROSS ASSOCIATION, (410) 375-1059, MAMAMX.COM AUG 25: (Includes ATVs) SUTHERLIN: BIRCH CREEK PROMOTIONS, LLC, (434) 836-7629, BIRCHCREEKMXPARK. COM WASHINGTON COMPETITION MOTOCROSS AUG 25: (Includes ATVs) WEST RICHLAND: HRMC, INC., (509) 9535242, HORNRAPIDSMX.COM WEST VIRGINIA RECREATIONAL ROAD RUN AUG 17: GLEN DALE: HOAGY’S HEROES, INC, (304) 639-1863, HOAGYSHEROES.ORG AUG 17: SUTTON: MARCH OF DIMES WEST VIRGINIA CHAPTER, (304) 7202229, BIKERSFORBABIES.COM

MOTOCROSS

WISCONSIN

AUG 10-11: (ATV only) HURRICANE MILLS: 2-DAY EVENT, RACER PRODUCTIONS INC, (304) 284-0084, ATVMOTOCROSS.COM

RECREATIONAL

TEXAS

CARNIVAL RUN

AUG 25: KEMP: UNDERGROUND MX

RECREATIONAL ROAD RUN AUG 4: MIDDLETON: PEDIATRIC BRAIN TUMOR FOUNDATION OF THE UNITED STATES, (800) 253-6530, RIDEFORKIDS.ORG

AUG 17-18: (Includes ATVs) HILLPOINT: 2-DAY EVENT, SUGAR MAPLE MX LLC, (608) 393-8812, SUGARMAPLEMX. COM AUG 17: WITTENBURG: FANTASY MOTO LLC, (920) 419-2863, FANTASYMOTO.COM AUG 18: WITTENBERG: FANTASY MOTO LLC, (920) 419-2863, FANTASYMOTO.COM AUG 23-24: (Includes ATVs) HUSTLER: 2-DAY EVENT, CMJ RACEWAY LLC, (608) 220-6853, CMJRACEWAY.COM AUG 24: (Includes ATVs) CHILTON: GRAVITY PARK USA, (920) 849-7223, GRAVITYPARKUSA.COM AUG 25: TIGERTON: FANTASY MOTO LLC, (920) 419-2863, FANTASYMOTO. COM OBSERVED TRIALS AUG 3: DICKEYVILLE: WISCONSIN OBSERVED TRIALS ASSOCIATION, (319) 624-2003, WISCONSINTRIALS. ORG AUG 4: PLATTEVILLE: WISCONSIN OBSERVED TRIALS ASSOCIATION, (319) 624-2003, WISCONSINTRIALS. ORG SHORT TRACK AUG 17: (Includes ATVs) LAKE MILLS: AZTALAN CYCLE CLUB INC, (414) 2651582, AZTALANMX.COM AUG 24: (Includes ATVs) BURNETT: BEAVER CYCLE CLUB, INC., BEAVERCYCLECLUB.COM

AmericanMotorcyclist.com

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2013 EVENTS 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.

2 Wheels + Motor, A Fine Art Exhibition: More than two dozen artists celebrate the spirit, excitement and adventure of motorcycling through fine art.

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

July 19-21, Lexington, Ohio: AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days. Information: www. amavintagemotorcycledays.com.

Oct. 18-19, Las Vegas, Nev.: AMA Legends Weekend. Information: www. motorcyclemuseum.org.

AMA PRO RACING

AMA MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP MXSPORTSPRORACING.COM July 20: Washougal, Wash.: Washougal July 27: Millville, Minn.: Spring Creek Aug. 10: New Berlin, N.Y.: Unadilla Aug. 17: Tooele, Utah: Miller Motorsports Park Aug. 24: Lake Elsinore, Calif.: Lake Elsinore AMA PRO ROAD RACING CHAMPIONSHIP AMAPRORACING.COM

July 12-14: Lexington, Ohio: Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course July 19-21: Monterey, Calif.: Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca

Oct. 13: Oregonia, Ohio AMA PRO ATV MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP ATVMOTOCROSS.COM July 13-14: New Berlin, N.Y.: Unadilla

Aug. 2-4: Tooele, Utah: Miller Motorsports Park Aug. 16-18: Indianapolis: Indianapolis Motor Speedway Sept. 13-15: Millville, N.J.: New Jersey Motorsports Park

July 27-28: Buchanan, Mich.: RedBud Aug. 10-11: Hurricane Mills, Tenn.: Loretta Lynn’s Ranch AMA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

AMA ENDUROCROSS ENDUROCROSS.COM

Sept. 27-29: Monterey, Calif.: Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca AMA PRO FLAT TRACK CHAMPIONSHIP AMAPRORACING.COM July 20: Elma, Wash.: Half-mile, Grays Harbor Raceway July 27: Sacramento, Calif.: Mile, Cal Expo

Aug. 24: New Kent, Va.: Mile, Colonial Downs Sept. 1: Springfield, Ill.: Mile, Illinois State Fairgrounds

Oct. 26: Everett, Wash.: Comcast Arena

July 13, Amateur: McCarran, Nev.: No ATVs. Erek Kudla, Get-Xtr-Eme; (805) 236-5866; www.Get-Xtr-Eme.com

July 28: Cross Fork, Pa.: Peter Burnett, Brandywine Enduro Riders; (610) 368-7332, www.ber.us Sept. 15: Lynnville, Ind.: Gil Jochem, IN, IL, KY Enduro Riders; (812) 6240344, www.blackcoal.org Oct. 20: Oklahoma City: Chuck Howard, Oklahoma Dirt Riders; (405) 249-6702, www.okiedirtriders.com

Oct. 12: Pomona, Calif. Half-mile, LA County Fairplex

AMA VINTAGE DIRT TRACK AMARACING.COM

AMA PRO HILLCLIMB CHAMPIONSHIP AMAPRORACING.COM

July 20: Ashland, Ohio: Half-mile, AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, Ashland County Fairgrounds; Ken Saillant, AMA; (800) 262-5646; www. americanmotorcyclist.com/racing

Aug. 4-25: TBD

AMA VINTAGE MOTOCROSS AMARACING.COM

AMA HARE AND HOUND AMARACING.COM

Sept. 29: Santa Rosa, Calif.: Mile, Sonoma County Fairgrounds

July 14: West Branch, Mich.

July 19-21: Lexington, Ohio: Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, www.amaracing. com

Oct. 12: Denver: National Western Complex

AMA NATIONAL ENDURO NATIONALENDURO.COM

Aug. 17: Indianapolis: Mile, Indiana State Fairground

AMA VINTAGE HARE SCRAMBLES AMARACING.COM

July 19-21: Lexington, Ohio: Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, www.amaracing. com

Nov. 23: Las Vegas, Nev.: Orleans Arena

Aug. 11: Peoria, Ill.: TT, PMC Race Park

Sept. 22: Cuddebackville, N.Y.: ST, Ron Edlin, Tri-State MC; (845) 5664956; www.tristateclub.com

Sept. 21: Ontario, Calif.: Citizens Business Bank Arena

Nov. 9: Boise, Idaho: Idaho Center

Aug. 3: Castle Rock, Wash.: TT, Castle Rock Race Park

Ron Edlin, Tri-State MC; (845) 5664956; www.tristateclub.com

Sept. 8: Freemansburg, Pa.

Aug. 16: Indianapolis: ST, MidAmerica Speedway; Jim Terchila; (317) 871-4392; info@midamspeedway.com

Sept. 29: Jefferson, Pa.

Sept. 21: Cuddebackville, N.Y.: ST,

Aug. 24, Amateur and Youth: Panaca, Nev.: Zach Livreri, Silver State Trailriders; (702) 645-2506; desertracer24p@gmail.com Oct. 12, Youth; Oct. 13, Amateur: Lucerne Valley, Calif.: Ryan Sanders, 100’s Motorcycle Club; (949) 584-9395; www.100sMC.org AMA NATIONAL MID-AMERICA CROSS COUNTRY SERIES WWW.THEMAXC.COM July 27: Burnettsville, Ind: Peaceful Valley Aug. 10: Martinsville, Ind: Copperhead Row Sept. 7: Monrovia, Ind: The Bulldog Sept. 28: Plymouth, Ind: The Blackhawk Oct. 19: Gosport, Ind: Rally in the Valley Nov. 2: Freedom, Ind: Coyote Run AMA ATV MOTOCROSS ATVMOTOCROSS.COM

You can have it both ways.

AMA members do it all—long-distance rides, off-road races, cruising main street, vintage dirt track... To better serve our broad membership base, American Motorcyclist magazine is now published in two versions. The dirt version includes more off-highway and racing content. The street version includes more articles for road riders.

Want to switch? Just call (800) 262-5646, ask for membership services and tell them which version you want.

Want to read both versions? Call the above number to get both delivered to your home for just $10 more a year.

Members can read both online at www.americanmotorcyclist.com/magazine for free.

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2013 EVENTS July 13-14: New Berlin, N.Y.: Unadilla July 27-28: Buchanan, Mich.: RedBud Aug. 10-11: Hurricane Mills, Tenn.: Loretta Lynn’s Ranch AMA ATV EXTREME DIRT TRACK EDTRACING.com July 13: Goldsboro, N.C.: Busco Beach; (919) 222-9614; www. buscobeach.com July 27-28: Ashtabula, Ohio: Bud Fischer, Pine Lake Off-Road Facility; (440) 997-4166; williamfischer07@ yahoo.com Aug. 23-24: Batavia, N.Y.: Keith Dawydko, Batavia Motor Speedway; www.bataviamotorspeedway.com AMA SWM NATC MotoTrials AMARACING.com July 27-28, Rounds 5 and 6: Kingman, Ariz.: Mike Carlton, Central Arizona Trials Inc.; (928) 681-5700; www.mcparks.com Aug. 3-4, Rounds 7 and 8: Sipapu, N.M.: Lance Butler, New Mexico Trials Association; (505) 332-3172; www.nmtrials.org Aug. 24-25, Rounds 9 and 10: Duluth, Minn.: Steve Ahleri, Northland MC Riders Association; (218) 349-9578; dam@cpinternet.com AMA NATC WEST YOUTH MOTOTrials AMARACING.com July 19-21: Howard, Colo.: Bill Markham, ITS Offroad; (719) 942-3372; www.itsoffroad.com AMA FEATURED SERIEs

AMA western checkpoint enduro championship ridechec.com

Sept. 13-14: Johnson Valley, Calif.: Two-day qualifier Sept. 28-29: Toulon, Nev. Oct. 26-27: Elkins Flat, Calif.

Nov. 9-10: Stoneyford, Calif.

Virgina championship hare scrambles series vchss.org July 28: Bristol, Va. Aug. 11: Martinsville, Va. Aug. 25: Penhook, Va. Sept. 8: Sutherlin, Va. Sept. 22: Spring Grove, Va. Sept. 29: Chatham, Va. Oct. 13: Rural Retreat, Va. Oct. 27: Dillwyn, Va. Nov. 10: Spring Grove, Va. AMA ATV heartland challenge heartlandchallenge.com Aug. 15-17: Carlisle, Iowa

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AMA ACTION SPORTS Grand Prix series ACTIONSPORTSracing.com July 14: Athens, Ohio: Action Sports Moto Park, Action Sports Promotions, (740) 591-7223 Aug. 24: Athens, Ohio: Action Sports Moto Park, Action Sports Promotions, (740) 591-7223

EAST COAST ENDURO ASSOCIATION HARE SCRAMBLES SERIEs ECEA.ORG July 20-21: Jefferson Township, Pa.: 2-Day, Ridge Riders MC, (973) 919-4780 Aug. 3-4: Moosic, Pa.: 2-Day, High Mountain Dirt Riders, (570) 954-7799

Sept. 21: Athens, Ohio: Action Sports Moto Park, Action Sports Promotions, (740) 591-7223

Sept. 21-22: Plymouth Township, Pa.: 2-Day, High Mountain Dirt Riders, (570) 954-7799

Oct. 20: Athens, Ohio: Action Sports Moto Park, Action Sports Promotions, (740) 591-7223

Sept. 28-29: Three Springs, Pa.: 2-Day, Green Marble Enduro Riders, (410) 638-9367

Nov. 16: Athens, Ohio: Action Sports Moto Park, Action Sports Promotions, (740) 591-7223

Oct. 5-6: Eagleswood, N.J.: 2-Day, Pine Barons Enduro Riders, (609) 6546300

AMA DISTRICT 37 BIG 6 Grand Prix series BIG6racing.com Oct. 5-6: Ridgecrest, Calif.: Ridgecrest Fairgrounds, Viewfinders MC Nov. 2-3: Gorman, Calif.: Quail Valley, Prospectors MC Dec. 7-8: Pala, Calif.: Pala Raceway, Vikings MC EAST COAST ENDURO Association ENDURO SERIEs ECEA.ORG July 14: Gillett, Pa.: Southern Tier Enduro Riders, (607) 382-8534; www.ster-mc.org

Oct. 26-27: Millville, N.J.: 2-Day, Competition Dirt Riders, (609) 319-7496 Nov. 16-17: New Castle, Del.: 2-Day, Delaware Enduro Riders, (302) 8344411 ALL-STAR NATIONAL FLAT TRACK STEVENACERACING.com July 18: Billings, Mont.: Half-mile, Billings Motorsports Park Aug. 9: Peoria, Ill.: ST, Peoria Speedway Aug. 31: Springfield, Ill.: ST, Illinois State Fairgrounds Sept. 28: York, Pa.: Half-mile, York Expo Center

July 20-21: Deposit, N.Y.: Ridge Riders Motorcycle Club, www. ridgeriders.org

AMA IOWA ATV HARE SCRAMBLES IATVHSS.com

July 28: Cross Fork, Pa.: Brandywine Enduro Riders, (610) 368-7332; www. ber.us

July 24: Indianola, Iowa: Heartland Challenge

Aug. 3-4: Grier City, Pa.: High Mountain Dirt Riders, www.hmdr.org Aug. 11: Three Springs, Pa.: Green Marble Enduro Riders, (410) 638-9367; www.greenmarbleenduroriders.org Aug. 18: Berkshire, N.Y.: Ithaca Dirt Riders, (607) 657-8248; www.ithacadirtriders.com Aug. 25: Mauricetown, N.J.: Competition Dirt Riders, (609) 3197496; www.competitiondirtriders.org Sept. 8: Shippensburg, Pa.: South Penn Enduro Riders, (717) 265-6055; www.southpennenduroriders.com Sept. 15: Brandonville, Pa.: Valley Forge Trail Riders, (484) 948-5361; www.vftr.org Oct. 20: New Lisbon, N.J.: Ocean County Competition Riders, (609) 7582747; www.occr.net Nov. 10: Warren Grove, N.J.: Motorcycle Competition Inc., (609) 5757820; www.ride-mci.com Nov. 24: New Lisbon, N.J.: Central Jersey Competition Riders, (732) 5586475; www.cjcrmc.org

July 19: Centerville, Iowa:

Aug. 3-4: Kahoka, Mo. (rescheduled from May): Mule Kicker Aug. 16-17: Carlisle, Iowa: Heartland Challenge Sept. 7-8: Beaconsfield, Iowa: Coyote Crossing Oct. 5-6: Carlisle, Iowa: Blue Ridge Run AMA American sportbike racing association CHAMPIONSHIP SERIEs AMARACING.COM July 20-21: Millville, N.J.: New Jersey Motorsport Park Aug. 17-18: Loudon, N.H.: New Hampshire Motor Speedway

Sept. 8: Millville, N.J.: New Jersey Motorsport Park (3 hours or 200 miles) Oct. 19: Daytona Beach, Fla.: Daytona International Speedway, 30th Annual Race of Champions AMA U.S. Grand Prix Riders Union SERIES USGPRU.NET July 20-21: Millville, N.J.: New Jersey Motorsport Park Aug. 17-18: Loudon, N.H.: New Hampsire Motor Speedway Sept. 21-22: Alton, Va.: Final, Virginia International Speedway AMA amateur championships

AMA amateur national motocross mxsports.com

July 29-Aug. 3: Hurricane Mills, Tenn.: National Championship, Loretta Lynn’s Ranch AMA Big Sky Amateur National Off-Road Championship BIGSKYXC.com Aug. 24-25: Big Sky, Mont.: National Championship, Jamey Kabisch, Lone Peak Racing; (406) 223-0478; www.

BigSkyXC.com AMA HILLCLIMB GRAND CHAMPIONSHIPS AMARACING.COM Aug. 9-11: Monson, Mass.: Jim O’Connell, Quaboag Riders; (413) 2670332 AMA EXTREME Enduro GRAND CHAMPIONSHIPS tennesseeknockout​enduro.com Aug. 17-18: Sequatchie, Tenn.: KENDA Tennessee Knockout, Trials Training Center AMA KENDA BIG SKY AMATEUR NATIONAL OFF-ROAD CHAMPIONSHIP bigskyxc.com Aug. 24-25: Big Sky, Mont.: Big Sky Resort AMA VINTAGE GRAND CHAMPIONSHIPS AMARACING.COM July 19-21: Lexington, Ohio: Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course AMA ROADRACE GRAND CHAMPIONSHIPS AMARACING.COM Sept. 21-22: Alton, Va.: Virginia International Raceway

Sept. 21-22: South Beloit, Ill.: Blackhawk Farms

AMA LAND SPEED GRAND CHAMPIONSHIPS - BUB MOTORCYCLE SPEED TRIALS BUBENT.COM

Oct. 17-20: Daytona Beach, Fla.: Daytona International Speedway

Aug. 25-29: Wendover, Utah: Bonneville Salt Flats

AMA american sportbike racing association TEAM CHALLENGE SERIEs AMARACING.COM Aug. 25: Summit Point, W.Va.: Summit Point Circuit (3 hours or 200 miles)

INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION: U.S. ROUNDS/World Championships

FIM ROAD RACING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP GRAND PRIX FIM-LIVE.com

AmericanMotorcyclist.com

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2013 EVENTS July 19-21: Monterey, Calif.: Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca Aug. 16-18: Indianapolis, Ind.: Indianapolis Motor Speedway FIM WORLD SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP WORLDSBK.COM Sept. 27-29: Monterey, Calif.: Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca FIM TRIAL DES NATIONS FIM-LIVE.COM Sept. 8-9: La Chatre, France FIM MOTOCROSS OF NATIONS FIM-LIVE.COM Sept. 29: Teutschenthal, Germany FIM INTERNATIONAL SIX DAYS OF ENDURO FIM-LIVE.COM Sept. 30-Oct.5: 2013 ISDE: Sardegna, Italy BUB MOTORCYCLE SPEED TRIALS BUBENT.COM Aug. 25-29: Utah: Bonneville Salt Flats COOK MOTORSPORTS PRIVATE LAND SPEED SHOOTOUT Sept. 12-16: Utah: Bonneville Salt Flats AMA DUAL-SPORT/ADVENTURE SERIES

Fullface Riders, www.happy-trail.com

Lonesome MC, Nathan Gaskill; (812) 343-9772; www.stoneylonesomemc.com

Sept. 7-8: Golden Pond, Ky.: Land Between The Lakes 200, KT Riders, Jesse Thomas; (270) 522-3703; www. lbl200.com

Aug. 19-23: Various, Idaho: Sasquatch Dual Sport Tour, Sound Rider!, Tom Mehren; (206) 329-7808; www.soundrider.com

Sept. 13-15: Reno, Nev.: Ride Reno 200, Dust Devils MC, Gary Lambert; (775) 224-0361; www.lbl200.com Sept. 21-22: Logan, Ohio: Nutcracker 200, Buckeye Dual Sporters, Bill Kaeppner; (740) 380-3050; www. kaeppnerswoods.com Sept. 28-29: Buck Meadows, Calif.: Yosemite Dual Sport, Family Off Road Adventures, Lawrence Borgens; (209) 649-3633; www. familyoffroadadventures.com

Oct. 26-27: Prescott Valley, Ariz.: Howlin’ at the Moon, Arizona Trail Riders, Don Hood; (623) 826-1092; www.arizonatrailriders.org

Oct. 5-6: Mt. Solon, Va.: Shenandoah 500 Dual Sport, Washington Area Trail Riders, Andy Giordano, (540) 379-5631; www.watr.us Oct. 12-13: McArthur, Ohio: Baby Burr National Dual Sport, Enduro Riders Assn., Steve Barber; (614) 582-7821; www.enduroriders.com Oct. 26-27: Prescott Valley, Ariz.: Howlin’ at the Moon, Arizona Trail Riders, Don Hood; (623) 826-1092; www.arizonatrailriders.org Nov. 2-3: Port Elizabeth, N.J.: Hammer Run, Tri-County Sportsmen, Eldin Polhaumas; (888) 274-4469 or (856) 7852754; www.teamhammer.org

AMA HUSQVARNA NATIONAL DUALSPORT SERIES, PRESENTED BY FMF AMERICANMOTORCYCLIST.COM July 20-27: Gwinn, Mich.: 29th Annual Michael R. Burlingham Memorial Six Days of Michigan, Cycle Conservation Club of Michigan, Lewis Schuler; (517) 416-0126; www.cycleconservationclub.com July 27-28: Ray, Ohio: Black Bear National Dual Sport, Chillicothe Enduro Riders, Kevin Claytor; (740) 637-2714; www.chillicotheenduro.com July 31-Aug. 4: Stevenson, Wash.: Dual Sport Northwest, Sound Rider!, Tom Mehren; (206) 329-7808; www. soundrider.com Aug. 10-11: Columbus, Ind.: Buffaloe 500 D/S Adventure Ride, Stoney Lonesome MC, Nathan Gaskill; (812) 343-9772; www.stoneylonesomemc.com Aug. 17-18: Tillamook, Ore.: Rat Dog Dual Sport, NW Tour & Trail, Tom Niemela; (503) 681-8881; www. blackdogdualsport.com Aug. 17-18: Wolverine, Mich.: Ted’s Chandler Hill Challenge, Great Lakes Dual Sporters, Jeremay Valley; (989) 751-6863; www.gldsmc.org Sept. 5-7: Kamiah, Idaho: Lewis and Clark Dual-sport Adventure Ride, WW

AMA YAMAHA SUPER TÉNÉRÉ NATIONAL ADVENTURE RIDING SERIES AMERICANMOTORCYCLIST.COM Aug. 10-11: Columbus, Ind.: Buffaloe 500 D/S Adventure Ride, Stoney

Sept. 13-15: Reno, Nev.: Ride Reno 200, Dust Devils MC, Gary Lambert; (775) 224-0361; www.lbl200.com Sept. 21-22: Logan, Ohio: Nutcracker 200, Buckeye Dual Sporters, Bill Kaeppner; (740) 380-3050; www. kaeppnerswoods.com

Sept. 28-29: Wabeno, Wis.: Big Woods 200, Wisconsin Dual Sport Riders, John Newton; (920) 350-2030; www.widualsportriders.org

Nov. 29-30: Palmdale, Calif.: LABarstow to Vegas, AMA Dist-37 DualSport, Paul Flanders; (626) 446-7386; www.dist37ama.org

Sept. 6-9: Buena Vista, Colo.: Rocky Mountain Autumn Hot Springs Adventure Tour, Exit Tours MC, (719) 207-1189

Nov. 2-3: Port Elizabeth, N.J.: Hammer Run, Tri-County Sportsmen, Eldin Polhaumas; (888) 274-4469 or (856) 7852754; www.teamhammer.org Nov. 16-17: Hammonton, N.J.: Pine Barrens 300, Cross Country Cycles, Jack O’Connor; (732) 714-8874; www.pinebarrens500.org

www.roadrunner.travel/events/touringweekend/ July 30-Aug. 4: Stephenson, Wash.: Rally in the Gorge: www.soundrider. com/rally AMA NATIONAL GYPSY TOURS AMERICANMOTORCYCLIST.COM July 31-Aug. 4: Tunica, Miss.: 36th Annual National Bikers Roundup: www.nbrkcmo.com Aug. 5-11: Sturgis, S.D.: Sturgis: www.sturgismotorcyclerally.com Aug. 30-Sept. 3: Killington, Vt.: Killington Classic: www. killingtonclassic.com Oct. 11-13: Redding, Calif.: Big Bike Weekend: www.bigbikeweekend.com AMA SIGNATURE EVENTS AMERICANMOTORCYCLIST.COM March of Dimes Bikers For Babies Rides: Nationwide: www. bikersforbabies.org Rides For Kids Events: Nationwide: www.rideforkids.org AMA NATIONAL GRAND TOURS, PRESENTED BY SHINKO TIRES AND FLY STREET GEAR AMERICANMOTORCYCLIST.COM

Nov. 29-30: Palmdale, Calif.: LABarstow to Vegas, AMA Dist-37 DualSport, Paul Flanders; (626) 446-7386; www.dist37ama.org

Jan. 1-Dec. 31: Polar Bear Grand Tour: AMA District 2 of New Jersey; (609) 894-2941; www. polarbeargrandtour.com

AMA PREMIER TOURING SERIES AMERICANMOTORCYCLIST.COM

March 25-Oct. 1: Eddie’s Road and Team Strange Airheads Smoke Chasing Grand Tour: Eddie’s Road and Team Strange Airheads; www.smokechasing.com

AMA NATIONAL RALLIES AMERICANMOTORCYCLIST.COM July 19-21: Lexington, Ohio: AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days: www.amavintagemotorcycledays.com

April 1-Oct. 31: Tour of Honor Grand Tour: Tour of Honor; www.tourofhonor.com

AMA NATIONAL CONVENTIONS AMERICANMOTORCYCLIST.COM

AMA NATIONAL EXTREME GRAND TOURS AMERICANMOTORCYCLIST.COM

Sept. 18-23: Ruidoso, N.M.: AspenCash Rally: www. motorcyclerally.com AMA NATIONAL TOURING RALLIES AMERICANMOTORCYCLIST.COM July 11-14: Maggie Valley, N.C.: 2013 RoadRunner Motorcycle Touring & Travel Annual Touring Weekend:

Jan. 1-Dec. 31: SCMA Four Corners Grand Tour: Southern California Motorcycling Association; www.usa4corners.org.

Aug. 30-Sept. 2: SCMA Three Flags Classic Grand Tour: Southern California Motorcycling Association; www.sc-ma.com.

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(800) AMA-JOIN® • AMA Dragbike™ • AMA Endurocross® • AMA Pro Grand National Championship™ • AMA Pro Racing® • AMA Racer® • AMA Racing® • AMA Supermoto® • AMA Supercross® • AMA SX Lites™ • AMA U.S. Drag Racing Championship® • AMA U.S. Flat Track Championship® • AMA U.S. Hillclimb Championship® • AMA U.S. Motocross Championship® • AMA U.S. Supercross Championship® • AMA U.S. Supersport Championship® • ATV Hare Scrambles National Championship Series™ • ATV Motocross National Championship Series™ • Amateur National Motocross Championships™ • American Motorcyclist Association® • Arenacross® • Dirt Track Grand Championships™ • Grand National Enduro Championship™ • Gypsy Tour® • Hare & Hound National Championship Series™ • Hare Scrambles Championship Series™ • Hare Scrambles National Championship Series™ • Kids Just Want To Ride® • Motorcycle Hall of Fame® • Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum® • Motorcyclist of the Year™ • National Adventure Riding Series™ • National Dual-Sport Series™ • National Enduro Championship Series™ • Protect Your Right to Ride® • Protecting Your Right to Ride® • Ride Straight® • Rights. Riding. Racing.® • Road Race Grand Championships™ • Vintage Grand Championships™ • Vintage Motorcycle Days® • Vote Like A Motorcyclist® August 2013

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GUEST COLUMN A SIDECAR IN PIKES PEAK COUNTRY

Sidecars have been around nearly as long as motorcycles. Despite this longevity, they have remained an oddity in most riders’ minds, garnering little interest. How could anything that stops you from leaning in a corner be any fun?

I was raised in a Goulding sidecar attached to a Harley 74. My pappy challenged Iowa winters with that machine, particularly during World War II when the rationed gas for our pickup was siphoned into the Harley, thus stretching the available miles. He always said a sidecar bike was the most stable vehicle on snow and ice.

Eventually our scene changed to Southern California and a Triumph with Watsonian sidecar. By then I was big enough to ride it and found it way more fun without a passenger—meaning I could easily ride it on two wheels with the side car in the air, so long as my dad did not catch me. I was just a natural motorcyclist I guess.

Six decades have now passed since those exciting days of youth, but youth has a way of living on for the motorcyclist.

Being a dual-sport rider (although there was a time all riders were “dual-sport” riders), dirt is my preferred road surface.

So, I find myself in Colorado, a state saturated with dirt roads, at an age when falling off no longer seems like just part of the fun. Add to the mix a new wife who wants to go but is most certainly opposed to falling off. We do ride the dirt two-up, but it just isn’t as neat as being solo where a little slide is no big deal.

In my archives is Sidney Dickson’s “Bridget & Sidney’s Cross-Country Sidecar Adventure,” a well-done movie about a Pikes Peak racer and newlywed.

The film is about Dickson’s honeymoon ride—a Pacific to Mississippi dirt road adventure powered by a KTM—and his answer to loving both dirt roads and a woman who wants no part of being left behind.

I plugged it in for Suzi to view just to see what the reaction would be. She came away irritated that she would have to wait for the next day to size up this sidecar thing at our local dealership, Apex Sports, where turning two wheels into three, of either arrangement, is a way of life.

Doyne, the owner, sent us off for the

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Joel Strayer

A Difference Of Perspective

By Bill Brokaw

weekend on a Shadow 1100, with bags and Velorex sidecar attached, in search of dirt roads. This requires no search here since from south of Denver to Canon City on the Arkansas River, there are eight roads into the Rampart Range and Pikes Peak monolith. Only two of them are paved and all of them are nifty.

With check book in hand, a very excited Suzi and I returned the bike, temporarily, with 200 miles added to the odometer. No, it was not a rocky Jeep road bike, but it handled the highway easily and the dirt roads could again be ridden with exuberance.

So what is it like to ride a hack? To state the obvious, we have the same visibility and controls we know well.

Because this bike does not have the luxury of sidecar forks to reduce trail, it takes near continuous muscle use to ride it, and sometimes quite a bit. So you can decide whether that is a bad thing or a good thing. For me it is more satisfying than spending money at a gym.

A two-gallon gas container has been secured behind the sidecar seat for peace of mind because the hack cuts the miles per gallon to a bit over 30.

Maintaining awareness of two tire tracks, and trying to give Suzi the smoother ride,

keeps my mind busy on rougher roads.

We managed to crack the windshield on the hack when I did not deal with washboard properly. Now Suzi puts a hand on the shield for a damper and we have not lost another. We have not resorted to dual-sport tires because losing a bit of traction now and then adds to the fun, and fun it is, although of a different kind. Changing direction in a corner becomes quick and simple.

Operating a sidecar rig is a unique experience to share with your passenger and certainly escapes the cumbersomeness of a car. Suzi reports the sidecar is comfortable on the rough roads. It is also nice to have your passenger in view rather than behind.

Finding escape from traffic on these decomposed granite byways is no small benefit. With fine routes such as the Shelf Road, Gold Camp Road, Rampart Range Road, Tallahassee Road and Oak Creek Grade—to name just a few that are never experienced by sport or touring bike riders—our options are numerous. The future looks good.

Bill Brokaw is an AMA member and AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer from Colorado Springs, Colo.

AmericanMotorcyclist.com

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