MEMORIAL WEEKEND--Make it a Safe One Please Everyone!

Thanking my Veterans is the most important part of this weekend and, quite frankly, each day of my life. As I have always said, I ride free in America, in particular as a woman, because someone fought for my freedom to do so. I can vote, ride and speak with honesty because I live in America! Nothing is greater than this vast grand land. No one can tell me different. So I thank, with all my heart, everyone who has died, fought and has given their time in service, and to those in service of this country, for my United States of America!

With that being said, having a safe Memorial Weekend on your motorcycle is the number one wish I wish for all my fellow riders out there. For those of you reading this that are not riders on 2 wheels or even 3 wheels please read the following excerpt from The Washington Post by Lon Anderson answering a question to Alexandria about the Rolling Thunder Ride for Freedom:

"Lon Anderson: Hello Alexandria--Rolling Thunder will have their Ride for Freedom leaving the Pentagon Parking lot at noon and go over the Memorial Bridge to the Vietnam Memorial for a program that begins at 1 and will likely go for another 2 hours or so, so there will again be plenty of action on the roads with all of the participating bikers in the 3-4 pm time frame. You may want to consider taking the Metro Foggy Bottom and trying a cab, or if you are up for it, having a good walk.

By the way, AAA Mid-Atlantic offers the following tips for drivers to help keep motorcyclists safe on our roadways:

Remember the motorcycle is a vehicle with all of the rights and privileges of any other motor vehicle on the roadway. Always allow a motorcyclist the full lane width-never try to share a lane;

Always make a visual check for motorcycles by checking mirrors and blind spots before entering or leaving a lane of traffic and at intersections.

Always signal your intentions before changing lanes or merging with traffic;

Don't be fooled by a flashing turn signal on a mo­torcycle - motorcycle signals are often not self-canceling and riders sometimes forget to turn them off. Wait to be sure the motorcycle is going to turn before you proceed;

Remember that road conditions which are minor annoyances to passenger vehicles pose major hazards to motor­cyclists;

Allow more following distance, three or four sec­onds, when following a motorcycle, so the motorcyclist has enough time to maneuver or stop in an emer­gency. And don't tailgate. In dry conditions, motorcycles can stop more quickly than cars.

If you follow those tips, both you and the cyclists should be safe."

This are great tips for everyone to follow! Thank You Lon Anderson via the Washington Post for pointing them out!

Here in Orange County, California the roads will be beefed up with Police to monitor traffic in spots of danger. So everyone going to the Memorial Ride and up to Cooks Corners for the annual Flag ceremony, please wear your DOTs and ride safely.

Blessings for a Safe & Great Holiday Weekend! Ride it!

Happy Trailzzz
KT Did