Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/964044
26 UCW APRIL 11-17, 2018 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM APRIL 14 • NC BUFFALO SOLDIERS MOTORCYCLE CLUB OF FAYETTEVILLE 8TH ANNUAL PONY EXPRESS CHARITY RIDE at Fort Bragg Har- ley Davidson, 3950 Sycamore Dairy Rd., Fayetteville. Registration begins 9:30 a.m., kickstands up 10:30 a.m. $20/bike. There will be food, refresh- ments and door prizes. This is a char- ity ride, sheriff's office escorted, to raise funds to benefit the community. To learn more, call 205-902-4642. APRIL 14 • 2018 EUROBIKE RALLY in downtown Raleigh, N.C. Experience the Southeast's largest gathering of European and Euro- inspired motorcycles. The ninth-annual Eurobike Rally is a family-friendly event dedicated to the style and sophistica- tion of European mechanical design and the history of the machines. Open to all bikes of European brand and manufacture as well as café racers, brats, scramblers and bobbers. All proceeds from vendor fees, bike show registration costs and raffle ticket sales will benefit a to-be-announced charity. Free to the public. For details, visit www.eurobikeraleigh.com or call 919-525-1159. APRIL 14 • 10TH ANNUAL MILES FOR MUTTS BENEFIT RIDE start- ing at Lucky's Saloon, 1453 Industry Dr., in Burlington, N.C. Proceeds will benefit the Humane Society of Alamance County. Registration begins at 10 a.m. Kickstands up at noon. $10/single rider, $15/double. Music, raffles, auctions, food and more. Call 336-380-6892 or email theroo7@aol.com for more information. APRIL 19-22 • THUNDER ON TOBACCO ROAD at Mason-Dixon Park, Seven Springs, N.C. Live music, group rides, bike games, Ride-In Bike Show, games, contests, Signature Midnight Bare as You Dare Parade and a whole lot more. $30 for the entire event; $15 for Saturday only. 18 and older only. For more information, call Charles at 804-894-0558, email thunderontobaccoroad@gmail.com or visit the event website at mason-dixonparkbikerally.com. APRIL 21 • POKER RUN FOR MISSION 22 starting at Bubba's 33, 500 Westwood Shopping Center, Fayetteville. Sponsored by Section 8 RC and Soldiers for Jesus MC. Mission 22 is united in the war against veteran suicide. Registration is 11 a.m.-noon. Kickstands up 12:20 p.m. APRIL 28 • HOGS AND RAGS 2018 starting at the Airborne & Special Oper- ations Museum, 100 Bragg Blvd., Fayetteville. Registration begins 7 a.m. Kickstands up 9 a.m. $50 per person; all proceeds benefit local nonprofit organizations. The escorted ride ends at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. There will be a breakfast stop at Rocking A Ranch in White Oak, N.C. For more information, call 910-818-0458. MAY 4-6 • LEGENDS PUB SPRING FLING at Legends Pub, 4624-4 Bragg Blvd., Fayetteville. May 4: Pre-party. May 5: Scott Sather Memorial Run; first bike out at noon. May 6: Rodeo and bike show. This year's event is in honor of JoJo Yost, the widow of Master Sgt. Anthony Yost. Call 910-867-2364 for more information. 4624 BRAGG BLVD. SPONSORED BY SECTION 8 RC & SOLDIERS FOR JESUS MC for Mission 22 $10/Hand POKER RUN FROM THE ROAD Force majeure by JIM JONES JIM JONES, Motorcycle Enthusiast. Comments? Editor@upandcomin- gweekly.com. 910- 484-6200. "Force majeure" is an uncommon term referring to an act of God, an act of man, an irresistible force, a supe- rior force or Mother Nature. When a tragedy strikes, we often just shake our heads and say, "It was meant to be," or, "It was God's will." In the legal world, "force majeure" is used because, legally, lawyers cannot reference God in a contract or a statement. Lawyers cannot hold God responsible or prove that something was his doing. When it comes to motorcycling and car wrecks, we use the term "acci- dent" or "crash." Although the terms are interchangeable, motor-vehiclists (yes, that is a word I made up) and the automotive/insurance industry use the word "accident" when it comes to motor vehicles. In motorcycling, we hear the word "crash" more often. Depending on your point of view, these words often represent a mind- set. If I get on my motorcycle and think, "I hope I don't get in an ac- cident today," it's not necessarily the same as if I think, "I better be ready for a crash today." e vehicle industry goes to great lengths to make sure we are protected in case of an accident. Our cars have hundreds of safety features that we take for granted. To name a few, our cars feature airbags, anti-lock brakes, traction control, automatic lights, and seatbelts (although they have not been updated since 1968). Road systems are constructed for motor vehicles (not motorcycles or bicycles). Let's face it, even a drunk person has a decent chance of surviv- ing a crash. In contrast, a drunk motorcyclist does not have that same chance of survival. Motorcyclists have very few safety features on their bikes. We have lights (front and back, not so much on the sides) and brakes. More modern bikes have an anti-skid braking system and traction control; a few now have airbags. Any other safety measures are pretty much up to the rider. Motorcycling is inherently a dangerous mode of transporta- tion. When riders think there is a possibility that one day they might get in an accident or force majeure, they are more inclined to leave their fate to chance. is may be the rea- son that some motorcyclists just wear the minimum amount of clothing, such as shorts, T-shirts, flip-flops and small, peanut-sized helmets – while others are well armored with protec- tive gear and a full-face helmet. I have often said that if a person is hit by another person then they let that person get too close. ere are two situations I can think of that a person cannot control. e first thing that comes to mind is animals. Lately, I've seen a lot of deer. e weather is getting warmer and fresh grass is growing on the sides of the highways, so keep your eyes open. e other situation is weather. High winds, storms, hail, fallen trees and lightning are the most dangerous. ere is a saying, "When thunder roars, go indoors." e best possible solution to these situations is to just avoid them. Like the rules at a swimming pool, if you hear thunder or see lightning, find shelter. Gas stations, restaurants, under bridges or car washes are great places to wait out a storm. However, if you ride long enough, you will eventually get caught in bad weather. For these situations, it is best to dress for success and have some good rain gear with you until you can get to a safe place. No matter how you ride or what your mindset is, if you have an un- fortunate event, then may the force majeure be with you. If there is a topic you would like to discuss, you can contact me at motorcycle4fun@aol.com. RIDE SAFE! If you ride long enough, you will eventually get caught in bad weather.