Congrats to Mr. Hough -
PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- The American Motorcyclist Association
(AMA) is pleased to announce another member of the AMA
Motorcycle Hall of Fame Class of 2009: David Hough, acclaimed
author of several well-known books on riding techniques. Hough
will be among the motorcycling heroes honored at the 2009
induction ceremony at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas
this Dec. 5.
"For many new motorcyclists, before they take a training course
or even buy a motorcycle, they are introduced to proper riding
through the books and columns of David Hough," said AMA
President and CEO Rob Dingman. "His comprehensive approach to
proper riding technique has pointed many motorcyclists -- novice
and veteran alike -- down the right path, and has helped riders
learn the skills they need to be safer on the road."
Don Rosene, chairman of the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame
Induction Committee, added: "Since the first motorcycle was
produced for commercial sale, there's been a need for someone to
teach the owner how to ride. David Hough's articles on how to
ride motorcycles safely have been honored by special awards from
the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. His books should be a
mandatory read for every motorcyclist, from novice to expert."
Hough is a long-time motorcycle journalist who turned 25 years
of experience commuting through city traffic into articles about
riding skills and crash avoidance. He is best known for his
series, "Proficient Motorcycling," in Motorcycle Consumer
News, which has been honored with awards by the Motorcycle
Safety Foundation. His books include Street Strategies: A
Survival Guide for Motorcyclists, Proficient
Motorcycling: The Ultimate Guide to Riding Well, and More
Proficient Motorcycling: Mastering the Ride.
"By the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame giving me this honor, it's
good for me and I appreciate this recognition, but it's bigger
than that," Hough said. "It's honoring all the people who write
and teach about motorcycle skills and safety, as well as the
dealers in the sport who make safety awareness an integral part
of selling a motorcycle."
Hough said that one of his main messages is that managing risks
is critical regardless of how or where your ride.
"Teaching this idea of safety has been my mission for years.
Very few journalists write about riding skills. They write about
machines," Hough said. "The secret to riding quickly is don't
crash, because crashing ruins your time. It doesn't matter if
you want to go out for a putt-putt joy ride or go fast on the
racetrack. I think it would be great if all motorcycle
organizations, associations and publications would have riding
skill seminars and columns on how to manage the risks of riding
and how to become a more skillful rider."
Not as it seems - The City of Issaquah has forced I-90
Motorsports to remove the Triumph sign from the freeway side of
the building. They still rep the OEM nonetheless.
WA DOL Skills Test Videos - The Washington DOL has
posted several skills test videos on YouTube. If you've ever
wondered what is involved in the skills test check em out at:
http://www.youtube.com/walicensing.
Vectrix for Sale? - Vectrix, the green scooter company
has just let 60 employees go and may be in sale negotiations.
Some industry insiders suspect they're having trouble paying
their electricity bills?
Enter the Scooter Barn - Cycle Barn has taken the top
level of their lower store in Lynnwood and created the Scooter
Barn, an all purpose scooter magnet location featuring new and
used scooter units as well as accessories. The official open
date is April 17th.
Help out Lance - On Sunday, June 21st, the Lance
Armstrong Foundation (LAF) will be holding it's largest
fundraiser in the nation, the Seattle Livestrong Challenge
bicycle ride (http://seattle09.livestrong.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=294734).
LAF is seeking 15-20 moto-riders interested in supporting the
bicycle ride portion of the event. Moto-riders will be issued
radios and will ride along with the bicycle riders, coordinating
support vehicles for participants needing medical or mechanical
help. Moto-riders will also help remind bicyclists of the riding
rules of the event and assist law enforcement with the interface
between traffic and ride participants.
Volunteers will receive LAF promotional materials, an
invitation to the volunteer party after the ride, and will
likely have an opportunity to meet Lance Armstrong.
To volunteer email
doug.vavrick@gmail.com
Downtown HD Harbor Steps store gets a new owner - Due
to a franchise location clause, the recent move of Downtown
Harley-Davidson's store from Tukwila to Renton means the casual
store location located in downtown Seattle will see a new owner
this year - Eastside Harley-Davidson. That transition is
expected to be completed this spring.
Springs
New Baby - Mixed MEDIA has released a new book
from SR! publisher, Tom Mehren. Dualsport Rides through Western
Washington. The book has 28
rides and is spiral bound for easy reading in the tank bag.
Adventure Riders are sure to enjoy this one.
Click here for more details.
Good things happen - George Dean's Seattle Cycle
Service has expanded their service offerings with the addition
of certified Honda/Yamaha master tech Mike Regan (formerly of
University Honda/Yamaha). Mike brings 18 years of metric
motorcycle and scooter experience to the family.
Garmin/MapSource Update - Garmin has released MapSource
version 6.15 which includes more than 20 fixes and enhancements
including the ever annoying "Move Waypoint" issue that drives
all us navigation nuts wild!
Looking for Twisties? - Take a
ride on the Salmon Creek Road near Conconully. If you ride a
dualsport continue on as it turns to gravel.
