Wednesday, May 18, 2011

May 2011 Newsletter

Spring Changes
By Steve Johnson, RG Program Director


With spring finally looking to arrive in the Midwest, it’s great to see the bikes return to the road.  While winter kept many off of their bikes, things have been very busy with Road Guardians.  A record number of riders have been trained in Accident Scene Management training.  We have settled into our new compound in Big Bend, WI and have hosted a bike night every Tuesday night.   The place is looking and feeling like home.

With the Road Guardians Program coming up on our second year, looking back we can see how far we have come.  We have hosted two national Better Biker Conferences and are working to plan for our third one coming in early 2012. Road Guardians also encourages motorcyclists to continue to look for ways to not only avoid a crash but to also have a “disaster plan” should the unthinkable occur. Using the Haddon Matrix and NAMS as models for our message to Motorcyclists and Professionals, we are making significant headway as we connect Prevention and First Response as Motorcycle Safety efforts that have a common goal: Reduce injuries and Fatalities!


In order to continue the growth of the Road Guardians program, I have been asked to fill the newly created position of RoadGuardian Program Director.  It is my plan to assemble a team to grow and build the resources and services that we provide to our members.  One of the first areas we will need help with is forming a committee to oversee the planning for next year’s Biker Betterment Conference.  We would also like to host a fundraiser social event the Sunday over Labor Day weekend to coincide with the Milwaukee Rally.  Look for my monthly newsletter column to keep everyone up-to-date as we grow into our second year.  Do you have ideas to help grow the Road Guardian Program?  Are you willing to be involved and help as we grow? Email me at Steve@roadguardians.org and we will find a place for you on the team.

May RG Newsletter - A Word From the Director


A Word from the Director
Vicki Sanfelipo


I just returned from an exciting trip to Melbourne Australia where my friend and fellow ASMI instructor, Cat and I traveled. We went to help launch “Accident Scene Management Australia, an arm of ASMI in the USA. Since I have been awake for over 32 hours I am going to share an article written by Ken Wooton, Motorcycle Trader magazine reporter in Australia. Ken is a well-known journalist in both written and TV media. He completed both our Basic and Advanced classes.

We also trained 4 new instructors and students representing many areas of motorcycling from organizations to manufacturers. We had press interviews for 4 days and attended two women’s rides while there.  To read Ken’s humorous article, CLICK HERE. I will write more about our adventures in next month’s newsletter. If you are in the Milwaukee area, be sure to come out to Road Guardians Tuesday, May 24th between 6-9 pm to hear about our trip, try some vegemite, listen to Aboriginal music and check out our videos and pictures. Of course we will have the Barbie (Grill) going and would love to see all some of you Bloaks and Sheilas make your way down.

For anyone interested in seeing how you can get involved with Road Guardians, we need your help, even if it’s to process Memberships once a week. If you are interested in helping in some way, come to the Compound at 4:00 pm.


P.S. If you haven’t signed up for WIM/TTRR yet (RG members get a discount), be sure to do so soon! At the very least, get your rooms booked as rooms will be released next month and we got fantastic rates. See the article below for more information.

May RG Newsletter - Women in Motion



Why to Register Today!
By Cindy Johnson

The
Women in Motion Ride is coming up fast – July 14-17, 2011.  This year, it will go through the Heart of Wisconsin.  Combined with the Tommy Thompson Reunion Ride, there is registration and a Manservant Auction at the CC Riders Clubhouse in Madison Thursday night On Friday, the ride will leave from Madison, heading for an evening party at Reel Brothers HD in Mauston via Monroe and Viola.  On Saturday, the ride continues to Black River Falls for lunch then ends with a Pig Roast dinner in Elroy.  On Sunday, everyone heads home on clean bikes, thanks to the guys that volunteer at the topless bike wash.  Vicki Sanfelipo leads the way with the talented Women in Motion Road Guardians.  It is an annual fundraiser for Accident Scene Management, Inc.   


I am a veteran to this ride and love the weekend get-away in the middle of summer.  For everyone, this ride has different meanings.  For many, it’s something that they have been doing for over a decade and a chance to catch up with others on the ride.  For others, it’s the mystery of finding out when Tommy will join us and what he will ride (last year was a Corvette and a Can-Am Spyder).  For those awesome WIM Road Guardians, I see their role as a chance for a weekend to get away from home and lead motorcycle enthusiasts on an awesome ride.  It doesn’t matter what you ride – just join us!

I truly enjoy taking the roads that are less traveled and wind through curves and hills, taking you to a different place.  Even a few years ago when the ride went through Manitowoc and Sheboygan, an area that I know well, I enjoyed the route and the ride – still finding something new.  I like that there are scenic stops along the way.  The stops last year were particularly beautiful – especially Pike’s Peak.  The Road Guardians are skilled and know the route – guiding the group smoothly through the most organized ride that I have ever gone on.  It is an economical ride – for your tax deductible registration, you get some snacks, meals, and evening entertainment – the evening dinners are always tasty and fun.  Hotel room blocks are arranged with great rates but the rooms blocks will be released next month so don't delay getting your room booked! It is a fundraiser for a great cause – many can speak of how the skills taught by the curriculum of Accident Scene Management courses have helped them in a crash.  To be able to get skills to more riders, ASMI needs financial support – this is a fun way to accomplish this.