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100 WFC: Long Rides by Steven Sanner

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100 word fiction contest continues…. #100WFC

Long Rides
by Steven Sanner
with illustration by Wayfarer

After over 40 years of her by my side, she is gone. You always hear how tough real bikers are. Seldom will you see them cry. That’s because the wind drys the tears while we ride to clear our heads and handle the emotions. We use the rain, and the water drops in the shower to mingle and mix with the tears that no one sees. We know that the emotions and pain prove we are still alive, and accept the strength that comes from it. I may seem like a tough old emotionless bastard, but excuse me if I have to go for a long lonely ride.

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Read all the entries at:
https://www.bikernet.com/pages/100_Word_Fiction_Contest.aspx

Yup, its a weekly contest open to all. Just sign up for the free weekly newsletter by clicking here. Then email us your 100 word limit fiction to wayfarer@bikernet.com

WINNERS SO FAR:
1. for the month of May 2023: “Been There Done That” by Steven Sanner
2. for the month of June 2023: “A Hundred” by Chris Dutcher
3. for the month of July 2023: “First Time” by Rhys
4. for the month of August 2023: “Hilary” by Gearhead
5. for the month of September 2023: “Mountain” by Koz Mraz

100 WFC: Hilary by Gearhead

By General Posts

100 word fiction contest continues…. #100WFC

Hilary
by Gearhead

We rode from Northern Cal. The rain came down in buckets. I pulled off under the redwoods in Big Sur. My wife crawled into the back seat of a car. I threw a sleeping bag on the ground under a leaking makeshift lean-to. It didn’t stop.

The fog threatened like a dense cloud of gray paint, and my wife said, “It won’t stop until late afternoon.” We had to ride. We packed up and pull out in the rain moments before the murkiness engulfed the highway. We fought downpours, the cloud of doom, wrecked cars, 18-wheelers, dead animals and limited vision until we caught the glimmer of Santa Barbara just before nightfall. We slipped the veil of death once more.

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Yup, its a weekly contest open to all. Just sign up for the free weekly newsletter by clicking here.

Then email us your 100 word limit fiction to bandit@bikernet.com

Chopperfest December 2022 Re-Scheduled

By General Posts

As many of you have noticed and have been calling us about, a storm is hitting So Cal this weekend, especially in Ventura, CA, where multiple weather apps forecast an inch or more rain between Sat-Sun. With this news, we have made the tough decision to reschedule the event, as we did back in 2018.

The rescheduled date will be Sunday, February 12th, 2023. All GA tickets, bike show registrations, and vendor spaces will transfer to the new date. The artists, bike builders, vendors, and sponsors work too hard all year to create great stuff for the show. We can’t put on the show in the rain and risk poor attendance for them.

We wanted to give you as much notice as possible to adjust your plans. Please help us spread the word so as not to inconvenience anyone. Thank you for understanding, and we hope to see you in February.

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STAY ON TOP OF ALL THE ACTION WITH CRITICAL MOTORCYCLE NEWS, CLICK LIKE ON BIKERNET.COM OFFICIAL FACEBOOK PAGE. VISIT https://www.facebook.com/bikernetbiker

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Airlite Lowers – form & function & durable

By General Posts

Soft Lower Leg Warmers? It’s not the ’80s anymore
Story & Photos by Koz Mraz
https://www.kozmoto.com/

Engine Guard Lowers, Engine Chaps, Rain Guards, Soft Farings…Leg Warmers? Whatever you want to call those things that go on engine guards to stop the rain, cold air, wind, and flapping pant legs from sanding the hair off your calves.

Sometimes you want the airflow, sometimes you don’t. There are a plethora of options and they all come in two parts, left side, right side, just like those 80’s leg warmers—except one. Airlite’s one-piece, full cover soft lowers can be installed and removed quickly.

There are many reasons riders need soft lowers. They cut down the cold wind and rain, keeping boots and legs dry. They can extend your riding season so you can cruise earlier – cruise later – cruise longer – cruise safer.

Because of its one-piece design, Airlite claims that air is captured, screened, and directed exactly where it belongs; into the radiator and/or cooling fins. They also claim that wind buffeting around your upper body is reduced. They’re efficient and form-fitting in the highway bar cover with no gaps, so there’s no cold and wet wind slapping onto the rider.

The soft lowers are constructed with vinyl used on car bras which means they can be in the sun and wind 24/7 and don’t harden and crack like upholstery vinyl. The soft woven fabric backing material makes it impossible to tear or rip.

The screen is made of a heavy-duty mesh for bug and rock chip protection. It’s the same material that dump trucks use to cover loads. Poly webbing that snugly surrounds the bars is also used in seat belts. Airlite uses the same nylon thread employed in aircraft upholstery and a computerized long arm sewing machine allows for topstitching.

With a background in aviation, owner Bob Morris has designed his soft lowers to be extremely durable and uses all U.S materials. These things seem indestructible and he claims to have never had a defective or damaged lower returned.

Optional storage pouches are available on one or both sides. As stated, fitment is a snap. There are in fact no snaps, clips, or zippers, just Velcro where you need it and it comes with a stowaway bag.

In the real world, Soft Lowers are leg warmers. The radiant engine heat reflecting off the back of the soft lowers creates warm air vortices noticeably increasing the ambient air temperature behind them.

The Airlite soft lowers look and function flawlessly. It’s easy to install, will stop the rain, bugs, and rocks and stows easily away when unused.

Airlite has a soft lower that’s specifically made for almost every bike and year.

Price Range: $94.95 to $126.95

https://www.airlite.ca/

Check out their website for choices and options.

Unlucky end to French Grand Prix for Lowes and Fernandez

By General Posts

Both Elf Marc VDS Racing Team riders crashed out of promising positions in the early laps at Le Mans after showing podium potential in tricky conditions.

After heavy rain through the morning, the 2.6-mile Le Mans Bugatti Circuit was soaking wet for Sunday’s warm-up sessions, but dried sufficiently to give riders a clear tyre choice ahead of the 25-lap Moto2 race.

All the field ran slick tyres on a track with numerous wet patches, providing a real challenge for the field. Both Augusto Fernandez and Sam Lowes unfortunately crashed out when fighting for the podium places.

Augusto Fernandez – DNF
Starting from fifth, his best qualifying result of the season so far, Augusto enjoyed a fantastic first lap, gaining two places to sit third.

But there was heartbreak for the rider from the Balearic Islands on the second lap, when he crashed out of a podium place at turn 11 when hitting a damp patch.

As a result of a second DNF of the year, Augusto drops three places in the championship to twelfth with 23 points to his name.

“We will work to arrive stronger in Mugello”

“It was a real shame again. I was so calm at the beginning, trying to not make a mistake like at Jerez. I had a great start and when (Joe) Roberts passed me, I passed him back. At the beginning there were some wet patches. I went just a little bit wide and touched one wet part with the front and lost it so soon. I couldn’t do anything. We have to take the positives. It’s been a fantastic weekend in all the practice sessions, be it in mixed conditions, wet conditions, or dry conditions. I had the pace to win and now I know we can be there every weekend at every track. The Aragon test was really positive and this weekend we’ve seen evidence of that. Now we have a test in Barcelona so we can continue working to arrive stronger in Mugello.”

Sam Lowes – DNF
The 30-year old enjoyed a solid start and held position in the opening laps from tenth place on the grid and then upped his pace, posting a personal best time on lap three.

But Lowes suffered a fall on the fourth lap of the race when attempting to overtake Xavi Vierge for 7th at turn 8. The Briton crashed when losing the front and was unable to restart.

The result means Lowes drops a place to fourth in the world championship with 66 points, 23 behind leader Remy Gardner.

“I’ll take the positives to come out stronger in Mugello”

“I’m really disappointed. I want to say sorry to the team and to Vierge for the accident. I was passing him, I felt OK and that the move was possible. Another rider was wide ahead of us so that meant there was no margin to go wide when overtaking. This might have made me squeeze the brake a little more so I lost the front and then my bike took him down. I’m sorry for that and to my team as we threw away a great opportunity with our speed. But I’ll take the positives to come out stronger in Mugello. It’s nice we go back there after missing it last season. It’s a track that we all enjoy and love to ride. I can’t wait to get there and put this race behind me.”

Riding in the Rain on Motorcycle: What To Remember?

By General Posts

When the rain comes, most of the motorcyclists store their bikes in the garage, and close the riding chapter until the sun shines in the following spring! Such abstinence indeed keeps them free from risks associated with motorcycle riding in the rain.

But unfortunately, they cannot understand that by doing this, they are depriving themselves of one of the best motorbiking experiences! They can never feel how thrilling a motorcycle ride can be in the rain staying inside the garage!

So, move on the roads in the rain, but never forget the risks associated with it. What to do then? We shall discuss in the ongoing lines how should you ride and what should you do while riding a motorcycle in the rain to get the most out of it and still stay risk-free.

But you should not forget one thing – unless you are an expert and confident enough at riding a motorcycle under challenging conditions, you should not take the risk for fun only. The safety measures and safety accessories can safeguard a confident, careful, and expert guy, not a novice. Anyway, let’s go to our main points:

Get the Right Gears

Choosing the right gear for rainy conditions is your first task. A good piece of waterproof rain-suit, boots, gloves, and a vest (obviously electric) will make you equipped for a rainy drive. They will help you keep warm, and especially the vest will act to prevent the colder wind soaking you. These should be good enough to keep you warm and protected. Still, if you want something more, you can consider wearing extra layers, especially some of your clothes, e.g., instead of one thick undergarment, multiple thin undergarments.

Another crucial component for your rainy ride is an appropriate helmet, which should be safe and have features, including breath guard, anti-fog visor or fog-defrosting visor, and a clear shield for more excellent vision.

Whatever gear combination you make, consider that they are comfortable and helpful for your riding. You cannot choose anything that gives you extra comfort and warmth but creates a riding obstacle at the same time. For instance, a neck warmer will provide you some extra warmth, but it may limit your head-turning capacity when you need a shoulder check, which is a risk for sure. That means whatever you do, you have to make the right balance at the end.

Stay Calm and Ride Smoothly

As the tires of your bike cannot grip the road as it does in a non-wet road condition, so you must try to ride with calmness to ensure a smooth ride. Don’t be in a hurry, and do things smartly. The way you used to adjust the throttle must be smoother. Apply small increments and lean angle throttle adjustment. Apply the brakes slowly and gradually, but do not forget to get the breaking done earlier instead of stabbing your brake lever at the last moment.

Pass Intersections, Manhole Cover, and Pavement Sealer Carefully

In intersections, where autos come to and stop, you will find a higher amount of oily stuff, which gets worse due to rain. You may not be capable of handling this at high speed, and the risk of accidents goes higher than anticipated. So, it is better to reduce your speed when you arrive at the intersection until you cross it.

Careful about manhole covers and pavement sealers. They highly reduce the traction of tires of a motorbike and increase the risk of slip or accident if drove without caution. Try to locate if there is any manhole cover or pavement sealer in front of you and avoid them. If you find space around them, go that way; otherwise, be slow and smooth over them.

Get a Dry Line

Do not be one of those riders who get a dry line on the pavement/road but go through the wet part for fun or ignorance. Doing such a thing increases risk. You should prefer the comparatively dry line your way as we know it offers more traction and maneuverability.

But it becomes tougher when you go through an off-road track. We suggest you not using off-road biking when it is quite wet. But even if you do this, that will need some extra expertise and control. You should also have some extra safety measures and gear, including head safety.

Last Words

Riding in the rain is an excellent source of joy and thrill, which you can never enjoy non-wet weather. But, you must follow enough precaution as explained above to get the best out of it safely.

READ THESE AND MORE TRAVEL TIPS IN THE CANTINA

Riding in the Rain on Motorcycle: What To Remember?

By General Posts

It’s all about Zen, Treachery and Survival
By Isabella Katee

When the rain comes, most of the motorcyclists store their bikes in the garage, and close the riding chapter until the sun shines in the following spring! Such abstinence indeed keeps them free from risks associated with motorcycle riding in the rain.

But unfortunately, they cannot understand that by doing this, they are depriving themselves of this motorbiking experiences and bragging rights! They can never feel how thrilling, spine-tingling a motorcycle ride can be in the rain!

So, move onto the roads in the rain, but never forget the risks associated with it. What to do then? We shall discuss how should you ride and what should you do while riding a motorcycle in the rain, to get the most out of it and still stay risk-free, which is impossible.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE FEATURE ARTICLE IN THE CANTINA