Where real journalism meets italicized smart-assed comments.

by Gus Breiland
Issue #66--May 2004

*Riders Needed

*New Aerostich Rider Wearhouse Catalog is Out!

*Stay a Night, Win a Bike

*Harley-Davidson Corrects Media Reports on Voluntary Motorcycle Recall

Riders Needed
The Lifetime Fitness Triathlon needs your help and your motorcycle this July 17th. For those not familiar with the Lifetime Triathlon, it is a nationally televised race that attracts top triathletes from around the world. 25 volunteer riders are needed to help with transportation of race officials during the bicycling portion of the triathlon.

Riders will act as escorts for the race marshals who monitor the race to keep help keep it fair and safe. As an escort you will have a race marshal assigned to you and will be responsible for taking them around the racecourse. The course is laid out on the parkways and scenic roads around south Minneapolis and St. Paul and is closed to all motorized traffic except yours. It is a fun and challenging experience. Publisher Wanchena has done escorts for triathlons on two occasions and says it's incredibly fun and gives you a front row seat for watching a world class triathlon. Requirements for volunteers include availability on the morning of Saturday July 17th from 8am till around noon and once before the race date to pre-ride the course. You must be comfortable with carrying a passenger on a complex course and be able to maneuver around various obstacles. Larger touring, sport-touring and cruiser motorcycles are preferred for the comfort of you and the race marshal. Quiet exhaust is a must as the race is televised on NBC and loud exhaust disrupts the TV audio crews.

Does this sound like it's for you? Interested riders should e-mail MMM with the following information: Your name, e-mail address, Phone, T-shirt size and Type of motorcycle. Or call the MMM office at 763.315.5396.

New Aerostich Rider Wearhouse Catalog is Out!
There is a certain sound that Homer Simpson makes when he is confronted with, thinking about or near food. His jaw drops, his head falls back, his tongue falls out like an over heated dog and he begins to expound something that is difficult to spell but goes a little something like "Guhhhhhhhhhh!" This is precisely what happens to me when I open the pages of a new 'stich catalog.

After perusing the pages for a bit I immediately set forth on a trip north to visit the kind folds of Duluth Minnesota and everyone's favorite rider outfitter Aerostich. After savoring the sweet bouquet of riders gear I proceeded to give my list of "stuff I want" to my salesperson and they looked puzzled? "Sir, why are you handing me the catalog?" the Aerostich employee asked. I explained simply "One of each, please." He leapt to his feet and started filling the order. A couple of trips later and a call to the local moving company I threw caution to the wind and handed them my MMM corporate card. (Hey Victor, why does the card have my account number and my name on it?)….

Actually I sat at home leafing through the booklet saying things like "…and one of these, and one of those, and maybe 2 of these, and OOOOO look…" Then I drove (yes, you read that correctly, sigh. I am so ashamed) up and grabbed some T-shirts, a set of tank panniers, etc. If anything, grab yourself a copy of the catalog and read through it. Not only is it full of wonderful motorcycle gear but the sense of wit and humor that fills its' pages make a day of bench racing in the rain feel oh so good.

Aerostich can be reached at 1.800.222.1994 or www.aerostich.com. Otherwise thump up to Duluth MN and head to Eight South 18th Ave West. They will be happy to see you and you will be pleasantly surprised. Early recommendations: Of course the suit, a Ride There t-shirt, an Aerostich Parcel bag, collapsible cup and a Mr. Happy.

Stay a Night, Win a Bike
That's right. For every night you stay in North Carolina's Graham County, you get a free chance to win Aprilia's top tourer. This 2002 Caponord comes decked out with dual-sport tires, a hard luggage package, and an Aprilia accessory tank bag. Barely broken in by the pros at Aprilia USA, this versatile motorcycle is ready for adventure, and it comes with a full two-year manufacturer's warranty. 

From April 1 to November 30, all you have to do is stay at one of the participating motels, lodges, inns, resorts, vacation rentals, bed and breakfasts, or private campgrounds in Graham County. For each night of lodging, you get one free ticket for this drawing. The winner will be selected on December 6, 2004 at the Graham County Travel and Tourism Meeting. 

While you're in the area, ride such world-famous roads as the Cherohala Skyway, the Tail of the Dragon at Deal's Gap, and the Blue Ridge Parkway. Explore the Appalachian Trail, hike the Slickrock/Joyce Kilmer Trail, and go whitewater rafting on the Nantahala River. Discover wildlife and waterfalls in spectacular settings, and enjoy some of the best native trout fishing in the country. 

Plan your visit around the Honda Hoot, or check out antique, craft, folk, and fiddle festivals, and fabulous local feasts. In the Great Smoky Mountains, the weather's fine, spring through summer, and the autumn colors are simply spectacular. Have a great time exploring gorgeous Graham County. Come stay, play, and win!

For more information contact the Graham County NC Travel and Tourism Authority at or 1-800-470-3790 or e-mail.

Harley-Davidson Corrects Media Reports on Voluntary Motorcycle Recall
Milwaukee,WI (March 26, 2004) - On Monday, March 22nd Harley-Davidson Motor Company advised its U.S. dealers of a voluntary recall on a circuit breaker which is used on certain 2001 through 2003 model motorcycles. Widely circulated media coverage of this recall inaccurately reported the models that are affected.

The vehicles included in this recall are fuel-injected 2001 to 2003 model year Electra Glide Classics and Electra Glide Ultra Classics (models FLHTCI and FLHTCUI), 2001 model year Screamin' Eagle Road Glides (model FLTRSEI-2) and 2001 to 2003 model year police motorcycles (models FLHPI, FLHPEI, and FLHTPI).

Upon notification from the Motor Company in the next few weeks, owners of these motorcycles are encouraged to take their vehicle to a Harley-Davidson dealer to have the appropriate service performed. The required service is expected to take less than one hour.

M.M.M.