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.
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Critters, Critters Everywhere by JAMES JONES Critters are everywhere. They're crazy. If it's not critters, it's obstacles; but for this week, I'm going to stick with critters. Critters and motorcycles don't get along. I tried to think of how many people I know who have actually hit something on their bike and walked away. I came up with one, and that was me. I was in Colorado, and I hit a bird at 60-miles-an-hour. It impacted with my arm. At first, I wasn't sure what had happened because it happened so quickly. Then I had a sensation that my arm was missing. I checked and saw it was still with me. Then I saw the feathers. Anyway, I was lucky that it was not a direct hit to the face. Everyone else I've ever talked to who hit something wound up on the pavement, which can be painful, expensive and possibly life Animals are unpredictable and dangerous to threatening. motorcyclists. Critters come in all shapes and sizes. In the past few months, I've encountered everything from dogs, raccoons and turkeys to possums, a turtle, cats and a deer. For some reason, deer and dogs put me on high alert. I go into the defense mode real quick. Deer are beautiful creatures but are crazier than most of the animals we encounter. The deer know that hunting season is over so they are out enjoying the grass along the sides of the road. Deer like to play chicken with motorcycles and cars. They see you coming, and just for the fun of it, they will jump right out in front of you. The point of the story is to avoid animals at all costs. Even a small animal will be able to make your day bad. Last year, while riding in Tennessee, I spotted a beautiful brown deer ahead in the brush. I slowed to see what the critter was going to do. Animals are slow to respond to lights, horns or MOTORCYCLES. I was almost at a complete stop when all of a sudden the crazy thing jumped up and over my front tire. It was so close I could smell it. Whether the animal is small or large, if you hit one with your motorcycle you lose. It pays to pay attention to deer crossing signs. The signs are not posted because the state looks for deer super highways in the woods. They put the signs where they collect numerous carcasses. So when you see a sign, be careful in these areas and be on your guard. As evening approaches, animals are attracted to the pavement because it provides warmth — particularly on cool nights. I've missed many an animal lounging at night in the middle of the street soaking up the heat. If a dog happens to be on your regular riding route, you may want to stop by and talk with the owner. Be polite and tell him or her that their pet is a hazard. If the owner refuses to do anything about it you might just ask the owner if you can get the name of their insurance agent or lawyer. It may drive the point home. You can also contact your local authorities. We share this world with every living being. Animals do not read or understand our way of life so be careful out there. If there is a topic that you would like to discuss please send your comments and suggestions to motorcycle4fun@aol. JAMES JONES, Contributing Writer. COMMENTS? Editor@upandcomincom. RIDE SAFE! gweekly.com. MAY 24-26 • SPRING FLING AT LEGEND'S PUB Call 867.2364 for more information. JUNE 15 • FASHRM SCHOLARSHIP FUND MOTORCYCLE RIDE at Arnette Park. Reg 9-9:45 a.m., ride 10 a.m. $10/rider, $15 rider/passenger. Meal, raffles, awards. Call 366-3983 for more information. JUNE 22 • 3RD ANNUAL HOME GROWN HEROES FALLEN OFFICER MEMORIAL RIDE at the Cumberland County Courthouse. Reg 8 a.m., ride 9:45 a.m., $25/rider $15/pass. Benefits NC C.O.P.S. and other local charities. Sponsored by Blue Knights NC XIII of Fayetteville. Find out more ar www. fayettevillencblueknightsXIII.org. JULY 21 • CHRISTMAS IN JULY TOY RUN at Victory of Fayetteville. Reg 8 a.m. depart at 10 a.m. $15/rider $10 pass. Lunch provided by Texas Roadhouse. Contest, prizes and raffles, food, and Live Entertainment. Call 910-426-5082 or 910261-4601 for more information. SEPTEMBER 15 • CAPE FEAR VALLEY HEALTH FOUNDATION FRIENDS OF THE CANCER CENTER RIBBON WALK & RIDE at the Medical Arts Center in downtown Fayetteville. 8 a.m. registration. 9:45 a.m. Ride Begins. 10 a.m. Walk Begins. For more information, visit www.ribbonwalkforcancer.org. PATRIOT GUARD RIDERS The Patriot Guard Riders is a diverse group of patriots from every state that come together to honor fallen soldiers at funeral services across the country. Visit www.patriotguard. org for more information about the group. Spring Fling • SAVE THESE DATES • May 24, 25 & 26 MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND All proceeds to benefit Kidsville USA For more information, call 4624 BRAGG BLVD. The Big Ones • August 5 to 11, Sturgis, S.D. • October 2 to 6, Myrtle Beach Bike Week Fall Rally, Myrtle Beach, S.C. • October 17 to 20, Biketoberfest, Daytona, Fla. NATIONAL AWARD-WINNING BARBECUE :AC= FA?@LK DAN= EMKA; ;9L=JAF? ;J9>L :==JK$ EA;JG:J=OK 9D=K 482 N. MCPHERSON CHURCH RD. | 910-354-2590 | MACSPEEDSHOP.COM 26 UCW MAY 15-21, 2013 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM