SERVICE NOTES

from Thunder Roads Ohio July 2020

by REASONS TO RIDE Motorcycle Magazine and Ride Guides

KENNEDY STYLE

Feeling Panicked? Free Mental Health Resources for Dealing with the Coronavirus Outbreak Reprinted from Military.com | By Rebecca Alwine parenting, and can connect you with the right program or resource. The free counseling "In every thing there is a season," and services are also offered over chat or the this season is coming with a lot of panic. phone, so you don’t need to leave your house From panic-buying toilet paper to deleting to get support. everything from our calendars for the next few weeks, many military spouses may find themselves in an unknown place. Most of the time, we're pretty calm and prepared people. We have a "bring it on" attitude, and we are pretty unflappable. Now, with current events, it's hard to cling to our "we've got this" attitude when it seems no one else is even trying. 2. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Open 24/7 to provide free, confidential crisis information via the nearest crisis center. You can also chat with them online. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline service can benefit youth, adults, veterans, and disaster survivors, among others. Call 1-800-273- TALK (8255); En Español 1-888-628-9454 3. Crisis Text Line. Texting is much more But we can do this. We have to do this. We common than calling among certain age will do this. groups, so keep this Crisis Text Line option Here's the trick: We do not have to do it alone. handy -- especially for the younger ones in your families or units. The text line is open Figuratively, of course. Some of this we will 24/7 and can help with any crisis, connecting literally be doing it alone. Because our service the texter with a counselor who can help members will be ... at work! Yup, we know. provide both information and support. We know you've got to homeschool, cook from the pantry, keep the laundry going and work from home -- all while trying not to freak out your kids. So, no, you're not OK. And that's OK. Here are resources to help you out during, and after, this time of crazy. 4. Chaplains and Religious Services. We know some chapels are closing, but that doesn't mean the chaplains stopped working. Ask your service member for the on-call number and have a conversation via phone. Let's also talk about apps that may help with your mental health. Going without seeing 1. Military OneSource. Yup, they're still your friends is hard, as your children may be there, and they're still available for you. telling you. And while you may not be in crisis, The Military OneSource call center is open your mental health is a concern with social 24/7, and they are ready to talk to everyone distancing and quarantines. who is eligible for services. They help with information regarding stress over education, PCS, mental health, physical health and 1. Marco Polo. Social distancing is hard! Keeping in touch with your friends, however, is easy. Marco Polo is a great video

messaging tool that allows you to record and send a video message to anyone with a cellphone. It works overseas, too! Set up a daily chat with your friends and encourage your kids to do so, as well (Free; iOS and Android) 2. MindShift. Helps teens and young adults realize how changing their thoughts can aid in managing their anxiety. It's an excellent resource for parents to assist their teens and young adults, while not being in the middle of the issues. (Free; iOS and Android) 3. Happify. This mood training program helps keep, or get, you in a good mood. It has activities, gratitude prompts and games to train your brain to overcome negative thoughts. (Free; iOS and Android) 4. Headspace. While not free, this app offers so much that it may just be worth it. (In the past, Blue Star Families had a free code, so keep your eyes out for that!) To help make meditation easier, the app also gives you access to tools to help with anxiety, stress, focus and sleep. ($12.99/Month or $9.99/Year for students; iOS and Android). They do offer a free trial. Make sure you take care of yourself during this time. Gather your resources, find the facts and make the best decisions for your family. But also make sure you also take care of your mental health. Whether that means talking to a counselor online or having a virtual coffee date with your bestie, take the time to do it.

Over the last several years, Thunder Roads Ohio has worked to develop the TRO Championship Bike Show Series as a means of showcasing both the rides that our readers have and the amazing works of rolling art that local shops and builders have been producing in an informal, fun format. Along the way, we discovered that many local riders had never participated in a Bike Show – never considering that their bikes were “show worthy”. It turns out though, that most riders have an appreciation – even a love of motorcycles that goes beyond the amount of chrome on a bike or if there are water spots and dust on them. We’ve hosted Bike Shows at indoor venues showcasing bikes with less than a dozen miles on them – and we’ve hosted Bike Shows at outdoor venues ranging from dealership parking lots to grass fields with countless entries still hot from riding in from across the state! Throughout, we’ve discovered that it’s not always the most polished that gets the attention, but it’s the love and work that goes into the bike that everyone appreciates. Even if you’ve never participated in a Bike Show before, we encourage everyone to participate and have fun with the shows! Chances are that you’ll discover a greater appreciation for what makes your bike unique and meet some other folks with a similar passion. And we’re certain you’ll have a blast! The TRO Bike Show Series features local, regional, and nationally recognized shows that all builders and bike owners are welcome to participate in. Vintage, metric, v-twin, customs, restored antiques, “resto-mods”, trikes, and radicals are all welcome to the show. These shows are RIDE-IN shows, meaning the bikes are expected to be ridden and a little bit of road dust is fine. We don’t split hairs over trailering in bikes, but we do require that all bikes must be functioning. They must start and be able to be safely ridden on the road. Most of the shows include voting by event attendees and weighted judges scores. We use this approach to make certain we include both the “popular opinion” and an objective review of the bikes.

Interested in coming out? It’s easy!

Just visit us online at ThunderRoadsOhio.com and you can register for whichever show you’d like. By Pre-Registering, you are locking in your spot, saving a few dollars, and you’ll even get a FREE T-Shirt! Then come on out to the show! Specifics vary by show, but it’s generally an informal process. You’ll meet other builders and exhibitors – and most likely walk away with more than a few new friends in the motorcycle community.

NEW for 2020 – NEW Vintage Classes!

For 2020, we will be adding VINTAGE RACING and VINTAGE TOURING classes as options for exhibitors taking part in the BIKE SHOW SERIES. As always, we will require at least 3 bikes in these classes to qualify for a BEST IN CLASS AWARD – but several of the 2019 shows already far exceeded this for these classes, with some amazing bikes. Our hope is that we can encourage more Exhibitors to bring out and show their bikes in these classes with us offering new, distinct classes.

ATTENTION MOTORCYCLE SHOPS / CUSTOM BUILDERS / PAINTERS:

For shops interested in participating and possibly exhibiting customer and shop bikes, a limited number of shop displays are available at Thunder Roads Bike Shows. Participating shops and organizations are able to offer special incentives for their customers and members. For more information or to reserve space for group bike displays (i.e. shops, clubs, race teams, etc..) email BikeShowInfo@gmail.com INTERESTED IN HOSTING A TRO BIKE SHOW AT YOUR LOCATION?

Email us TODAY for more information at BikeShowInfo@gmail.com TOUR NOTES:

• Vendors and Local Riding Organizations are invited to come out and set up at many of these shows. You must register in advance though, by emailing ThunderRoadsOhio@gmail.com • Tour Series Shirts are now available online at ThunderRoadsOhio.com or by clicking SHOP NOW on the Thunder Roads Ohio Facebook page.