July 2, 2009
Greetings,
I hope you take advantage of the warm weather and the long days of Summer and get out there and ride. There are beautiful vistas in every state of our country, and as we all know, they all look better on a motorcycle. Put some miles on!
Many of you will head to Sturgis in August. We hope to see many of you there. Watch for our Cycle Matters t-shirts or the Cycle Matters rig. The Cycle Matters staff and editors will be researching new products, test-riding new bikes, and gathering information to share with you. We will also have lots of photos and even videos to share this year.
Since the Cycle Matters staff and editors, and many of you, will be in Sturgis, we have decided not to publish an August edition of our newsletter. We hope you will check the Cycle Matters Facebook page or the website for articles and photos of Cycle Matters trips to Utah and Wyoming in July, and Sturgis and New Mexico in August. You can expect your next newsletter the first week of September.
The staff of Cycle Matters wish you a Happy 4th of July.
Ride safe,
ZERO X ELECTRIC MOTORCYCLE ON RAMPART RANGE TRAILS - RODE TEST
WHERE IS THE ENGINE NOISE, THE SMELL OF FUEL, AND THE WARM-UP AND SPUTTERING AT 8500' ELEVATION?
Cycle Matters editors learned of Zero Motorcycles and began to plan for a test ride as soon as production vehicles were available. We must admit, we wondered what this silent bike would be like. With all this bike was giving up, it must be sacrificing performance; right? Wrong! This little bike has got it going on!
After a successful career as an engineer in the aerospace industry, Neal Saiki, founder of Zero Motorcycles, decided to start his own business designing full suspension mountain bikes and motorcycles. Along the way, Saiki’s passion and deep appreciation for the environment grew. His engineering experience on high altitude aircraft gave him a first-hand look at the destruction of the ozone layer. From an engineering standpoint, it became obvious that electric vehicles could be a practical solution to environmental preservation.
ROAD RUMBLINGS
ANOTHER STATE H.O.G. RALLY AND THE COPS SHOW UP AGAIN
Cycle Matters was in Montrose, Colorado this month. We saw over 1,000 of you at the Colorado State HOG Rally where people know how to ride and love to play games on and off their bikes. The question is: What was going on when the cops showed up? Read about the rally, see the photos, and watch the video. We are sharing all the details.
- Read about it now
- See the photo evidence
- Civillian chases motor officer. Watch the video
HAVE YOU JOINED THE CYCLE MATTERS FACEBOOK PAGE?
Ashton Kutcher wanted one million followers on Twitter...and got it...just for asking. Now we don't claim to be as popular as Ashton Kutcher, but we aren't asking for one million fans either. What we are asking for is your help. We want to see how fast we can get 1,000 Cycle Matters Facebook fans. But we need your help. Don't let us down. Tell your friends about this site and ask them to become fans. Let's see how fast this page can grow!
MORE ON WOMEN RIDERS
DON'T CALL ME A BITCH; I'M A RIDER, TOO.
In our June newsletter, we featured an article on women who ride. The question was whether it is a requirement to be the operator of the motorcycle to be considered a rider. We heard from a number of women on this subject. We thank you for your comments. Our responses seem to indicate that encouraging women to ride is a great marketing plan; one many women are happy to embrace. Some women also feel there is some distancing or feeling of superiority among women who operate their own bikes over women who ride two-up.
One women rider shared with us: "I wanted to give you thanks and props for the woman “rider” story. Although I have and “drive” my own, I sometime enjoy being the rider and providing for my drivin’ man. I also think those who drive should lay off the women who enjoy just riding along.... Hell us women have been doing that for decades in cars, too!"
At a rally last weekend, we were invited to ride with a small group of riders around the Black Canyon in Gunnison, Colorado. Because I spent most of the ride focusing on the beautiful scenery, it was a while before I realized that everyone in the group was riding two-up, which struck me as unusual. I decided at a rest stop to ask each of the women about their riding preferences. The women, all of various ages, had these things to say about being a non-operator.
None of the women were afraid to operate a motorcycle, which may be the assumption. In fact, in the past, several women had owned or operated a motorcycle without incident. In addition, all the women had the support of their spouses or significant others to pursue purchasing and operating a bike of their own if they wanted one. So that wasn't an issue.
So why do they choose to ride in a small space on the back of a motorcycle, instead of grasping the handlebars and heading out on the open road to find their own adventures? I'll tell you why.
It's about closeness. It's about being together. It's about being able to reach out and touch their partner. It's about providing that second set of eyes on the road. It's about handing their man a piece of gum or a lifesaver.
It's all about togetherness.
Didn't read last monh's woman riders article? Read it now:
NEWSLETTERS ARE NOW ON-LINE
Can't find your Cycle Matters' newsletter email? SPAM getting your newsletter? Have a friend who'd like to read our newsletters? Or maybe you know someone who would like to subscribe to our newsletters? Now you can find and subscribe to our newsletters on-line. Past newsletters are available under "Multimedia," along with our Rally & Event Photos, and Motorcycle Videos. Click on Monthly Ride-up Newsletter to locate a past newsletter or to subscribe to future newsletters.
FAVORITE MOTORCYCLE VIDEOS
We are looking for your favorite motorcycle videos. If you come across a video on You Tube that you want to share with our audience, send the link to us at info@cyclematters.com Remember, Cycle Matters will not post lewd or inappropriate material, so keep it clean.
Click here to see our favorite motorcycle videos:
KEEP YOUR ENGINES RUNNIN'
WE STILL HAVE HUNDREDS OF EVENTS ON OUR SITE, WAITING FOR YOU
Be sure to have your riding calendar handy when you log on to Cycle Matters, because we have some of the best riding and event opportunities available. You definately don't want to miss anything! We have Bike Shows, State HOG Rallies, national owner's group events, benefit rides, dealer open houses, toy runs, huge rallies, and more. Call all your riding buddies and get them involved. If you have a few hours to spare, give back to others by supporting fund raising events.
STILL NEED EXTRA CASH?
THERE'S STILL TIME TO CLEAN OUT YOUR GARAGE
You may have missed Spring cleaning, but you can still clean out the garage in the summer. Pick a rainy day and get busy. Our Classifieds are receiving thousands of visitors. Why not make some cash on your unused motorcycle items? You know you have them. Our Classifieds aren't just for motorcycles either. On Cycle Matters you can sell parts and accessories, maintenance and repair items, apparel, collectibles and gifts, and transport items. Take a few moments to dust off those items you no longer use, take a photo of each item, and post them on our Classifieds. It is simple, and it's FREE! What do you have to lose?
PRINT ADS ARE OUT. INTERNET ADS ARE IN!
PLACE YOUR ADS WHERE PEOPLE SPEND MORE TIME
Cycle Matters has a brand new motorcycle business directory on the Internet featuring dealers, manufacturers, retailers, services, and much more. Local and national advertising packages are available that offer cross-promotion of related content between the directory and other sections of the site. Don't get left behind. We have prices you can afford, even if you are a small business owner. Let us help your business grow. Contact us today.
Interested in more visibility? Maybe a banner ad is more to your liking. Cycle Matters has advertising opportunities available to meet your needs and your budget. Contact us about custom proposals and free ad design.
If you or someone you know is interested in advertising on Cycle Matters, please contact Debby (debby[at]cyclematters[dot]com or 303-661-0880). We can help you maximize the power of your listing.
SUBSCRIBE!
MEET OUR GANG!
AKA: Eric Sondeen
Home: Boulder, CO
Current ride: '02 H-D Ultra w/2-seater California Friendship III sidecar and an '08 H-D Firefighter Ultra
Avg miles/year: 20k
About Eric:
Eric is a medically-retired fire/paramedic. He has learned what other riders know: it's always a great day to be on the bike, and life's challenges disappear during 'road therapy.' Many of Eric's miles are rolled out in support of children's and Veteran's charities. Two of his top projects are DenverBurnCampRun.org through Wind & Fire MC firefighter riders, and TheHonorRun.org supporting Fisher House lodging for families of hospitalized active military and vets. Eric and his wife, Tracy, acquired the sidecar in 2007 to support these charities.
Eric's 'Bucket List' goal for 2009 riding is to hit all four Wind & Fire MC regional rallies. The camaraderie of riding with firefighter riders from all over the world is what this old firefighter sees as among his greatest privileges. At this posting, the Daytona FL Eastern Rally and the Austin TX Southern Rally are under his belt. The Western Rally in Hollister CA and the national Rally in Sturgis SD await.
Look for the fire red double-wide sidecar carrying happy kids and adventuresome disabled vets along the Front Range of Colorado. And, look for Eric getting his favorite accessory...miles of smiles.
Ed note: A non-stop advocate for motorcycle safety, Eric is famous for handing fellow riders a tire gauge and asking "what are YOUR tire pressures." We leave our readers with that same question.
Interests: Riding our HD, flying, traveling, being with great friends
Would you like to be featured in our next newsletter? E-mail info@cyclematters.com with your username, your first and last name, where you live, what bike you ride, how many miles you ride in a year, a little bit about yourself, any special interests you might have and a photo of yourself.
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