Hey there, all my riding Brothers and Sisters!  I hope this finds all of you well and enjoying the beautiful Oklahoma Spring weather on two- and three wheels, where we can really appreciate it.   The temperatures are finally starting to creep back up into the 70s on a regular basis, and those famous Oklahoma winds are blowing across the state with a vengeance!  The Freedom Riders got blown around pretty well on their April 17 Poker Run, which was a great time, and the Central OK H.O.G. Chapter hosted its annual Red Rock Canyon Poker Run April 18, where riders had to cope with sustained winds of 30 MPH, with gusts of up to fifty!  I was working the stop down in Anadarko, and folks coming through were looking a bit battered by the breezes, but still were having a lot of fun.  I even lost a deck of cards when the wind ripped the bag out of my hands.  By the time I could react, they were halfway to Kansas!  One thing for sure, the wind sure isn't slowing down Oklahoma riding enthusiasm--the calendar is just packed with varied and enjoyable events designed to appeal to the interest of any motorcyclist out there.  There isn't any reason I can think of to stay indoors and be miserable, so jump on your sled and put some miles behind you!  In fact, we have an additional reason to enjoy our riding this month.  I'm both pleased and proud to announce that Governor Brad Henry has once again graciously agreed, in response to ABATE's request, to issue a Proclamation designating May, 2004 as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month in Oklahoma.  The text, which we're providing in this newsletter for all to take advantage of, underscores the importance of motorcycling in the area of transportation, of developing sound riding skills and safety habits, and of responsible motoring and sharing the road.   I hope all of you will give this Proclamation the widest distribution around our state, to encourage motorists to look twice, be more aware, and save a life.  Motorcycling will continue to become an increasing presence on Oklahoma's and America's roadways, and we need to keep working together to promote motorcycling safety among our Riding Community, and reduce the number of deaths and injuries.  I appreciate the efforts of all motorcyclists and trikers in our state that support improvement of our Quality of Life, and look forward to the passage of HJR 50, which will designate May as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month every year! 

 

One of the key events this month that we've talking about in past issues and have been building up to has been the 19th Annual National Coalition Of Motorcyclists Convention to be held May 6-8 at the Biltmore Hotel at I-40 and Meridian Ave. in Oklahoma City, and the time's finally here!   WINDS OF CHANGE is the theme for this year's Convention, and Oklahoma's motorcycling community will have the opportunity to give a hearty "HOWDY!" and welcome all our riding Brothers and Sisters to our fine state where, in the words of Oklahoma's State Song, "the Wind comes sweeping down the plain"!  Riders from all over the country will be able to find out what we Oklahomans have known for a long time--that our state is one of the best in which to ride a motorcycle or trike.  Thanks to the hard work of Oklahoma's motorcyclist rights activists on all levels of government, our state enjoys an atmosphere of Riding Freedom which has greatly added to our motorcycling Quality of Life.  Not only have Oklahoma motorcyclists successfully defended Freedom of Choice regarding helmet wear several times in the last two decades, but we have also pushed for legislation designed to improve the motorcycling environment in many areas, so we have much to be proud of.  We've worked with the Legislature on passing laws authorizing Motorcycle Endorsements on our drivers licenses, a State-Sponsored Rider Education Program, providing Handicapped Motorcycle Tags for disabled riders, spreading out Motorcycle Registration throughout the year instead of just in December, and re-wording the motorcycle safety equipment statute to ease handlebar height, eyewear, and lighting restrictions.  However, there is still much to be done, and more battles left to fight.  During this year's NCOM Convention, we'll learn much about the issues facing motorcyclists everywhere, and how to operate more effectively in meeting those threats head-on.

 

  In the song "Okie From Muskogee", Merle Haggard writes, "We like livin' right and bein'; Free".  Oklahoma's motorcyclists, as involved riders do everywhere, cherish and uphold the freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution which would enable us to ride without undue governmental harassment and interference.  These Freedoms have been bought with a price, which we're especially aware of during Memorial Day this month, knowing that many Americans have given their lives in their defense over the years.  As the old saying goes, "For those that fought for it, Freedom has a flavor the protected will never know".  As I write this, I'm observing the ninth annual Murrah Building Remembrance Ceremonies, and realize that no one is more aware of the threat to Freedom than Oklahoma, which on April 19, 1995 was shaken by what was then the worst terrorist attack on American soil up to that time.  Visiting riders to our state are encouraged to tour the Oklahoma City National Memorial while here.  However, the world has been beset by more Winds of Change, especially since the September 11, 2001 attacks on our Country.  America has been embroiled in a war against those who would seek our destruction, and while our young men and women have been fighting and dying to defend Freedom abroad, changes have been taking place here at home affecting the Constitutional guarantees we hold dear.  Just as Spring signals storm season here in Oklahoma, thunderclouds exist on the horizon in the form of repressive legislation or proposals from governmental agencies which could permanently alter or eliminate Free Motorcycling as we know it, as well as completely change the way we look at our Civil Liberties.  This year's NCOM  Convention will provide us with an excellent opportunity to interact together in discussing how to increase our political effectiveness, promote Biker Unity, and enact proactive, pro-motorcycling legislation.  We'll address important motorcycling-related topics such as Equal Access (Biker Anti-Discrimination), Legislative and Judicial threats to Biker Constitutional Rights, blue-dot tail light and handlebar height restrictions, multiple parking for motorcycles, anti-confiscation laws and other ideas that would benefit motorcyclists.

 

  Even as the numbers of motorcycling enthusiasts continues to increase to record highs, the threats to Motorcycling Freedom are blowing in on multiple fronts.  It's important for all of us as members of a worldwide Motorcycling Family to harness those Winds of Change and influence them to result in positive change that will continue to improve the environment for riding on two- and three wheels.  The 2004 NCOM Convention will focus on legislation and regulations that impact our rights to Ride Free, or to exist as Free Citizens, including restrictive motorcycle construction and maintenance standards which could prohibit individual customization, environmental regulations that could eliminate the aftermarket industry and cost thousands of jobs nationwide, and tax-funded studies that characterize motorcycling itself as dangerous, risky behavior and question whether it's worth riding at all.  Of course, Motorcycling Freedom Fighters know better, and realize that motorcycling constitutes a viable, worthwhile, and important alternative means of transportation, as well as a satisfying lifestyle, and that's why we continue to fight!  What I've written in the above paragraphs will constitute part of my Convention welcome to all those riders coming to Oklahoma City from around the world to celebrate Freedom and Unity, and I'm proud to be representing Oklahoma's Rights Activists and NCOM, where I serve on the Board of Directors representing Region 2, which includes Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Iowa.  I look forward to seeing a good number of you there at what should prove to be one of our best Conventions ever, and I'll provide a recap as to how things went in my June article.   

 

   Since I've adopted a "windy" theme for this May article, it's probably time for my long-windedness to die down, so I'll wrap this up for another issue.  I hope all of you will continue to exercise caution and be careful out there as you enjoy Oklahoma's roadways.  We had a wreck coming out of Red Rock Canyon at the H.O.G. Rally that included a head injury, so my prayers go out to those that were injured.   Tiger's Tip O' The Month:  One of the burdens we bear in the Sooner State involves having to cope with Severe Weather season this time of year.  Nobody thinks they're going to be out on a bike in the middle of a storm voluntarily, but that experience can be thrust upon you in an instant.  I was riding south on I-35 near Hutchinson, Kansas a few years back, fat and happy, when suddenly I noticed I was the only vehicle on the road, and everyone else was hiding under bridges and such.  I looked over toward the East in time to see three tornado funnels on the ground a couple of miles away!  Needless to say, I quickly found my own little spot at an underpass.  Knowledge is power, so make sure you keep abreast of weather updates, both before your trip and while on the road.  Our dresser pilots have the luxury of CB and Weather Band Radios, but it doesn't hurt for the rest of us to get a periodic heads-up on weather conditions when stopped at a gas station.  If you get caught out in the open, it's not a sign of weakness to find shelter, especially if you're subject to blinding rain, injuring hail, or high-velocity straight line winds.  Speaking of winds, that Oklahoma weather feature seems to claim a few of the unsuspecting every season, so make sure you have everything on your bike and your person secured before heading out, keep in the part of your lane that'll give you the most asphalt to maneuver on during side gusts, and lean into the wind as appropriate to maintain your position.  Watch out for the abrupt wind changes that occur when passing large vehicles like big-rig trucks, and remember some of those large vehicles like motor homes, Fifth Wheels, and trailers (especially when driven by the inexperienced), have trouble staying in their own lanes and may decide to take a chunk of yours.  Be aware, get past them as quickly as safely as possible, or SLOW DOWN and keep out of their way!  Don't exhaust yourself to the point where you can't maintain control--you might consider more frequent stops instead of fighting the elements nonstop.  One final thing: hypothermia isn't just limited to Winter months, so make sure you're prepared for the temperature drop accompanying windy weather by having warm back-up clothing in your saddlebags, and leather continues to serve as both your best wind barrier and road protection. 

 

  Well, it's time to bring this sojourn to an end, but before leaving I want to remind everybody that May is our time to honor our Veterans that have sacrificed so much for Freedom during our Nation's wars.  We must especially keep a good thought for and remember in our prayers our men and women in uniform that continue to be in harm's way in Afghanistan and Iraq as we continue to prosecute the War against Terrorism.  There are a couple of events that deserve our active support, and I hope a large number of riders will turn out for both of them.  The Rolling Thunder Hospitality Cookout hosted by Sunset Chapter ABATE will take place at the Cherokee Trading Post KOA on Sunday, May 23, and the COD ABATE War Memorial Run will be held on Monday, May 31, leaving out of the Skyline Restaurant in Oklahoma City.  These events are advertised both in our newsletter and on the Biker Calendar in the State Website.  I hope you'll reserve some time in your busy schedules to attend, fly your flags, and demonstrate your pride and solidarity with our fellow Americans that are putting their lives on the line for the Liberties we cherish, and to honor those that have made the Supreme Sacrifice.  The War Memorial Run will also provide an excellent opportunity to celebrate the memory of Cecil Lister, our Brother in Arms who, along with the Marine Corps League of Oklahoma, worked so hard to organize the ceremonies we enjoy at the State Capitol every Memorial Day and Veterans' Day.  This year, we'll celebrate our first Memorial Day without him, and the Biker Community will miss him terribly.  Please remember all those families that are hurting because of their members lost in service to Country, and continue to give thanks that we have such special Americans that don't hesitate to step forward to defend our great Nation.   Ride Free and Safely, everybody, and may God continue to bless America and our great State of Oklahoma!

 

 

Keep It On The Black Strip Between The Trees,

Tiger Mike