FROM THE PUBLISHER

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By the time you read this – the entire COVID situation and our state mandates will have probably changed 3-5x since I wrote it. So, I’ve decided to ditch my first draft of the Letter from the Publisher which talked about all we’ve gone through in terms of the riding community. It’s not really going to be relevant – and what’s really the point? Our whole country has obviously changed a lot through all of this, and certainly the riding community is not the exception. Our whole lifestyle is centered around getting OUT! So, how does that work for us during a “shut down”? It doesn’t. But then the lock down evolved into social distancing and more and more folks realized that motorcycling is a great activity that you can safely do with others. It’s a great time to get out and explore the roads less traveled – either alone or with friends. If you get a group out riding – you’re going to be able to get out and hang with others, while still relatively safe. That is – until you stop. And then you have to make sure all the guidelines are followed. So motorcycle and powersports sales have taken off and despite the lack of big events to ride to – this is a GREAT time to be a motorcyclist! Slowly but surely, some of the restrictions are starting to be rolled back and smaller rides and events are being held. During this period of transition, though, a lot of the big events have been rescheduled – allowing more and more riders to attend the smaller events which are easier for the organizers to hold out and see how things are. Silver lining – more smaller, new events and ride stops are able to take advantage and even flourish during this time. The important thing, though, is that we all make an effort to support some of these folks and the riding community in general. A lot of rides and events have been forced to reschedule / postpone til next year. I’d encourage you to seek alternative ways to help these groups and the causes they support. For the local shops and ride stops – bars / restaurants especially – I’d encourage you to make an extra effort to give them your business.

A lot of ride stops and events won’t survive this year.

It’s sad to consider who some of these causualties might be. I’m not weighing in on the politics or value of the masks and restrictions placed – and maybe it’s all worth it. I’m not challenging that at all. I’m just saying that we need to consider how much we value our riding community as a whole and recognize that some of the businesses and charitable organizations may really need our support to make it through all of this. The one real undeniable truth through all of this is that we are all in it together. And it’s more than likely that most everyone will survive as individuals. So, maybe we need to focus on the here-after and where we want to ride then and with whom.

With any luck, it will be here sooner than later and we can get past the challenging times. And when we do – I know that I want to see you all out riding! Til then’ RIDE SAFE – and LIVE STRONG!

Sincerely, D. Armstrong Smith Publisher

FEATURES

6 ROAD TALES FEATURE UPCOMING EVENTS

14 BIKE SHOW FEATURE

18 DOUG DANGER

DEPARTMENTS

02 FROM THE PUBLISHER

06 ROAD TALES

14 BUCKEYE THUNDER RUN

16 SPORT TOURING

22 CALENDAR FEATURE

26 TRO NETWORK: Where to get the mags!

27 SERVICE SPECIALISTS

32 MARKETPLACE

36 UPCOMING MOTORCYCLE EVENTS

40 FUNNY STUFF

42 RECIPES

43 WORD SEARCH

44 SPONSOR LISTING

44 SCAVENGER HUNT

30 KNOBLE MOTO

ON THE COVER:

Doug Danger a protege of Evil Knievel is profiled and his book reviewed by David Eggert on Page 18