Is it just my imagination or are there more motorcyclists on the road these days than ever before? After visiting and talking with the owners and Rider Coaches at three of Kansas City’s most popular MSF rider training facilities I have a feeling it’s not my imagination. Just between Maple Woods, Midwest Motorcycle Training Center and Rolling Wheels Training Center, these three locations train more than 2,000 new and returning riders each year. And that’s not even counting the number of students who are trained at the Rider’s Edge®, which is part of Worth Harley-Davidson North and Kansas City Kansas Community College. I also had the opportunity to interview a student at Rolling Wheels to get a perspective of what it’s like to complete the Basic RiderCourse.
With this many new riders on the road, and with the spring riding season just getting kick-started, it’s more important than ever to remember and practice your defensive riding techniques because after a long winter, cage drivers aren’t used to seeing motorcycles on the road and are as inattentive as ever between cell phones, the radio, screaming kids and numerous other distractions.
We’ve been busy updating our Bike Night Locator page, Local Rallies & Events calendar and US Rallies & Events page to help keep you informed on all the local and national rides, rallies, and events that are coming up. As you know, we rely on you to let us know about all the events going on in your area, so please Submit a Rally or Event so we can share it with your fellow riders, and if you’re aware of any bike night locations we don’t yet have listed, please use our Submit a Bike Night link to let us know.
All of us at Cycle Connections would like to thank our new advertising partners and KC Bike Nite Calendar sponsors for allowing us help spread the word about their great products and services:
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 On the Cover
Cover Page - - On this month's cover we feature Mike Emerson's 2006 Dynamic Chassis Pro Street & Cover Model Sophia.
Features
A Helping Hand - Gene covers Spike’s 3rd Annual Breast Cancer Run.
Bike Night Reviews - Bike nights are back, so gather up your riding buddies and head out to your favorite watering hole!
Bike Reviews - Check out our latest reviews and road tests on this year’s new lineup of bikes!
Business Reviews - Bear’s Hiway Classics in Avondale, Missouri knows how to make old school cool.
Product Reviews - Take a look at latest product and book reviews!
Rides, Rallies & Events Recap - This year’s 9th Annual Kearney Bike Show was a huge success. Nic hangs out with the Harley-Davidson Employee Riders Association at Finnigan’s Hall in North Kansas City for the 10th Annual ERA Cabin Fever Bash to raise money for numerous local charities. Stripe made his way down to Grandview, Missouri to join in the early spring fun at Gail's Harley-Davidson and he and Dave also made their way out to Lawrence, Kansas for Riverfront Harley-Davidson’s ribbon-cutting ceremony to kick-off the opening of their new dealership.
Readers & Their Rides - This month we featured Dustin Triboulet and His ’06 Harley Sportster 1200 Custom.
Scenic Rides & Destinations Reviews - Ride along with our team of weary travelers as they show you some of America’s best scenic rides and destinations.
Writer's Block - Manfive Irish tells us about the day his son became a man – biker style.
Departments
Ask the Jackass - No such thing as a stupid question? Wrong! If there's something on your pea-sized brain and you don't know whom to turn to for advice, just ask the Jackass.
Behind Bars - Loney tells us about a very cool product from Custom Cycle Gear Inc. which provides an attractive and functional way to carry junk in your trunk.
Biker Humor - Our weekly publication of jokes and cartoons are sure to bring a smile to your face. We  encourage you to submit jokes and cartoons, and each month, we'll draw a name out of the helmet for a free Cycle Connections cozie!
Cool Bikes & Hot Babes -Check out our photo collection of cool bikes & hot babes! New photos are added each day. This is a members only page, so sign up now for your FREE online subscription and check them out today!
E-mail to the Editor - We've received lots of great feedback and information from our readers that we want to share. Drop us a line and let us know what's on your mind.
In Memory Of - Please stop by and pay tribute to our fallen brothers and sisters.
Safe Riding - This month we visited Maple Woods, Midwest Motorcycle Training Center and Rolling Wheels Training Centerto give you a first-hand look at three of Kansas City’s best rider training facilities. We also interviewed a student
who recently completed her MSF Basic RiderCourse.
Spoke to Spoke - Goldie talks with Debby Frerichs from Lee’s Summit who is the vice-president of the Soldier’s Angels, whose mission is to provide aid and comfort to the military and its families, provide immediate response to hard situations, and make sure no soldier feels unloved. They also help their families here at home as needed.
Tech Tips - Dave tells us how to service your 2-stroke dirt bike.
Veteran Riders - See how bikers everywhere are coming together to help support our troops.
Join our Team
Now
Expanding – Do you love motorcycles, photography, and enjoy making a few extra bucks while working your own hours on a full-time or part-time basis? Are you active in your motorcycle community and enjoy participating in local rides, rallies and events? If so, we have the perfect opportunity for you! Cycle Connections Online Motorcycle Magazine is expanding quickly, and we are seeking motivated self-starters to assemble a team of account representatives and photojournalists to sell advertising and cover events in your area. If you would like to help expand Cycle Connections into your area, please e-mail your resume to mikes@cycleconnections.com.
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We strive to make Cycle Connections Online Motorcycle Magazine your number one source for motorcycle-related information, so please drop us a line and let us know how we're doing. We are here to serve you and the local motorcycle community, so please let us know what you like, what you don't like and what you'd like to see added. Plus, if you know of any motorcycle-related businesses, rallies, events, or organizations in your area that we don't currently have listed, let us know so we can add them! All comments and suggestions are appreciated and will be answered.
Mike Schweder
Editor-in-Chief
Cycle Connections Online Motorcycle Magazine
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