July Newsletter

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News from the Chapter Educator

Flow is defined as that feeling of connectedness with a situation that transgresses cognition. It is a feeling one has when doing something well. I wrote about the importance of practice to help make the purely mechanical aspects of riding more automatic in my last article. The skill one brings to the situation will influence how often the feeling of flow can be created. The second part of the equation is the challenge the situation presents. Flow is not day-dreaming about other things while you are doing your daily commute. To experience the feeling of flow the activity has to present challenges to your skill as a rider.
How do you challenge yourself and your skills on a ride? The first thing that may come to mind is speed. A tour down CO 141 at 85 mph will definitely challenge the rider. The challenge will also probably kill him/her. The level of challenge and the skill of the rider must be nearly balanced. You want to test your limits but you also want to survive. Speeding can also create unsafe situations for others. Predicting that the road ahead is unobstructed and unoccupied often leads to trouble. At legal speeds, you can challenge yourself by carving corners as smoothly as possible. You can polish your look, lean and roll. You can work on smooth seamless braking.
M.O. S. T. courses teach that at high speed; the motorcycle basically steers itself. This means that the most skill enhancement is to be done at slow speeds. I think that is why skills games are popular. The "Top Gun" program taps into the very same idea. The challenge will also help you survive in that daily commute because the skills needed are transferable to the road.
Cone weave, Quick stops, Counter-steering, Offset Alley, Tight U turns, Slow Ride, 450 Pullout, and The Box and The Snake are drills one must master. These drills challenge your control of your motorcycle in different phases of riding. This is not "trick riding". It is practicing skills you need to survive. Its also fun. It isn't any fun to do something that doesn't challenge you in some way. I would be willing to set up a course to practice if anyone expresses interest at the next meeting. I know, I know, "I have mountains to ride in, so why would I ride in parking lots!" The best answer is that the parking lot is a more manageable environment to hone your skills. Another point is that this could be done some weekday evening just to try it out and see where our skills are. Be safe.

Rides Galore in June!

CORTEZ RALLY HAPPENINGS

The ride to Cortez was a wonderful experience for all who attended! The weather was close to perfect and the scenery was truly beautiful. The ride leader, Dan Maynard, got lost on several occasions, but Karen Sutton gently directed him when he needed to turn!
Most of our group who attended stayed at the Best Western Turquoise Motel, and were very pleased with the hospitality there.
Friday night the group traveled to Dolores and ate at the Old German House. Boyce and Jan recommended this restaurant, and we decided we probably should let Boyce out of the dog house for some of the recommendations he has made in the past! The restaurant was great, the food was wonderful and the service was prompt and friendly!
The rally was held at Cortez High School, and the sponsoring group had done a good job to make us all feel welcome.
Saturday the group traveled to Valcita Lake for lunch at a lakeside restaurant, then back to Durango for shopping and fun. Saturday evening a parade and ice cream social topped the event schedule.
Sunday, Drill Teams from Colorado and California performed for a good size crowd, and the closing ceremony was very "profitable" for Mike and Robin Bradbury. The raked in 3 or 4 door prizes. Ann won a ROCK!
The ride home Monday was wonderful. This group is so much fun to travel with! Hopefully, we can do another "Big Ride" soon!

This is one of my favorite images
I love the Southwest. You won't find better scenery anywhere!