Hello Friends--
I hope this finds everybody doing well, and that all of you enjoyed a Happy Easter. Sorry I didn't send it out earlier, but here's my Tiger Tales Article for April, if you hadn't gotten a chance to check it out in our ABATE of Oklahoma Biker Journal. Hopefully, you'll still be able to get something good out of it. While I'm saying hello, I've attached to this mailing an event flyer for ABATE's annual War Memorial Run to the State Capitol, scheduled for Memorial Day, Monday, May 30. I hope we'll once again enjoy a good turnout--be sure to tell all your friends and distribute the flyer information. You'll note that the American Legion Riders Post #1340 will be collecting items to help out the folks at the Oklahoma Veterans Home in Norman. Please be generous in assisting this worthwhile facility. Also, the K Saloon on Grand Blvd, west of I-35 in South OKC has graciously volunteered to host a free hot dog cookout for Bike Parade attendees--I hope you'll join us there after we remember our Armed Forces members who gave their all for Liberty. Thanks a bunch for your support of America's Veterans! While I'm visiting with you, I have something else important to share. The annual NCOM Convention is taking place May 5-8 at the Hyatt Regency in Albuquerque, NM, and I hope to see a few of you there. When the Convention opens, we take the opportunity to ring the Memorial Bell in remembrance of our Motorcycling Family members who have passed away over the past 12 months. If any of you have loved ones from our Riding Community who have left us since last May's Convention, please send me those names ASAP, and I'll make sure they're included. Thanks for listening, Ride Free and Safely, and I look forward to seeing you soon. Don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.
Yours in Freedom,
Tiger Mike Revere
Proud Lifetime Member,
ABATE of Oklahoma, Inc.
405-596-1072 (cell)
TIGER TALES – APRIL, 2011
Greetings to our Riding Community! By now, I’m sure you’re enjoying the Spring Riding Season, with much more pleasant temperatures following the roller-coaster assault on the thermometer in March. Hopefully, everyone has their machines where they need to be mechanically after the cold weather. If you’re like so many of us in ABATE, your love of Motorcycling extends year-round, so the defense of Riding Liberty will be augmented by logging lots more miles on the scooter! I especially need to emphasize this in the light of skyrocketing gas prices due to the Middle East difficulties. Be sure to remember our fellow Americans caught amid the unrest in your prayers, especially our troops routinely placing themselves in harm’s way for our Freedom. ABATE will once again honor their service at its annual Memorial Day Bike Parade May 30, so stand by for more information.
I’d like to heartily thank all those who attended our annual ABATE of Oklahoma Biker Legislative Day February 23, and especially the folks who were involved in logistics, set-up, and working the food and administrative tables. You did a terrific job serving as ambassadors to everyone in the Legislature who joined us! I got there around 7:00AM, and there were a number of people busily working, and handing out Talking Points worksheets. I appreciate the hard work Legislative Coordinator John Pierce, Lobbyist Suzette Northcutt-Rhodes, and our Legislative Committee put in on a regular basis, and they thoroughly briefed attendees on strategy for the event. A key bill that ABATE is supporting this year is SB443, which would add bicycling and motorcyclist safety and awareness information to the Oklahoma Drivers License test. All riders are strongly urged to contact their Legislators to recommend passage of this bill. ABATE presented Lt. Governor Todd Lamb with the Oklahoma SMILE Award for his involvement in helping us get FIVE motorcyclist-oriented bills passed last Session, and we hosted the entire State Legislature and their staffs to breakfast at the Capitol Fourth Floor Rotunda, as we have for two decades! Many thanks also to COD’s Carmaletta Lara for all her support and energy over the years in organizing the Breakfast event. She’s stepping down from her pivotal role, and her efforts will be sorely missed.
We had a successful Oklahoma Confederation of Clubs meeting in Bartlesville March 6, where over 410 riders packed the American Legion Post to obtain valuable information on Biker-oriented issues. Items of note included a progress update on the Trademark Seizure case, where NCOM attorneys are continuing the fight against the Federal Government’s trampling on Biker Civil Rights. The PATRIOT ACT is also being extended by Congress, and we risk a continued assault on our Constitutional Freedoms in the name of “Safety” as the Government establishes “Fusion Centers” to collect vast amounts of personal data on individual Citizens. Another key rights item we need to act on involves the State of Georgia establishing, supported by Federal Funds, Checkpoints targeting Motorcyclists exclusively. Wisconsin Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner has submitted legislation (HR904) to prohibit Federal money for this type of discriminatory activity. The U.S. Defenders Program, in a Nationwide Call to Action, is asking all concerned Americans to PLEASE contact their Representatives to urge passage of this critical Resolution, and sign on as co-sponsors. If you can, please make plans to attend the MRF-sponsored Bikers on the Beltway Rally the first week in May or the Twenty-Sixth annual National Coalition of Motorcyclists Convention, which will be held May 6-8 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Albuquerque, NM. Log onto www.mrf.org and www.aimncom.com for more information on these significant gatherings. Regarding a couple of our neighbor states, LB52 in Nebraska has been submitted to allow Helmet Freedom of Choice for adult riders, and the Kansas House passed Malfunctioning Traffic Light legislation similar to Oklahoma’s law. I’ll keep my fingers crossed that both bills get signed!
Tiger’s Tip O’ The month: We’ve long heard the old saying that “April Showers bring May Flowers”. Even though we’ve been coping with a long-term Severe Drought in the Sooner State, April can be a pretty rainy month. Riders need to be aware of wet weather that can quickly overtake you during the day. Remember that your most dangerous period is the first 15-20 minutes after the rain starts, because that’s when the accumulated oil and grease rises to the surface before washing off and the road is most slippery. Stay off the crown of the street, and follow where vehicle tires most frequently contact the roadway. Watch out for gusty winds, and be especially on guard for flash flooding and deep water. Full-size vehicles can be washed away in rushing water less than a foot deep. Getting soaked can cause hypothermia, even in the spring, so have rain gear handy, as well as effective eye protection. Remember, we want to hear from you-not about you!!
As you know already, there’s a ton of fun stuff planned for every week as the weather gets more pleasant for riding. The Oklahoma Confederation of Clubs is sponsoring a color catalog of upcoming events as the season progresses. Check out www.oklahomabiker.net for more information. April’s activities will start this month with OKC’s annual Thunder Run April 1-3 on the North Side, where you can say “howdy” to some of your ABATE Brothers and Sisters. A lot of festive occasions will feature ABATE Booths where you can buy nifty merchandise and sign up for membership. In response to queries, if non-members present a copy of their Beginning or Experienced Rider Course completion certificate to ABATE of Oklahoma, that will entitle you to a year’s Full Membership. However you do it, please take the time to become part of ABATE and take a more active part in defending your Right to Ride Free! Stay safe out there, and I’ll see you on the Road!
Keep It On The Black Strip Between The Trees,
Tiger Mike