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 by JAMES JONES Critters, they 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 an animal on the bike and walked away. I came up with one — 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. Critters come in all shapes and sizes. In the past few months, I've encountered everything from dogs to raccoons, turkeys, possums, cats, a turtle and deer. For some reason deer and dogs put me on high alert. When I see either I go into the defense mode real quick. Deer are beautiful creatures but are crazier than most of the animals we encounter on America's roads. If you don't know it, deer season is in full swing in most areas of the state. The deer have all received their N.C. Hunting Regulation Digest and have studied the rules, locations and hunting times just to keep life interesting. They study these things so they will know where and when it is safe to roam and laugh at the humans trying to hunt them. This means that these beautiful animals are hanging out near the roads because they know that hunters can't shoot them there. These animals see you coming and for the fun of it will jump right out in front of you just to watch you freak out. Sometimes, they will stay in the road and play chicken with you. Judging by the dead deer on the side of the road, my hunting friends can't seem to find them, but motor vehicles seem to know exactly where they are. The point of the story is to avoid animals at all cost. Even a small animal is capable of making your day very bad. Last year my wife and I were riding in Tennessee when I spotted a beautiful deer ahead in the brush. I slowed to see what the doe 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 we could smell it and I'm telling you, they look nice, but they stink. Whether the animal is small or large, if you hit one on a bike you will lose. It pays to pay attention to deer crossing signs. The signs are not posted because the state looks for the deer super highways through the woods. They put the signs where they collect numerous carcasses. So when you see signs in these areas, be careful and be on your guard. As evening approaches, be aware that animals are attracted to paved roadways because it provides warmth; particularly on cool nights. When you see an animal, it is best to try and move the animal out of your way. Hollering, horns and loud pipes seem to work for most animals with the exception of the crazy motorcycle chasing dog. This dog is a huge risk to you. The top speed for the crazed dog is about 30 mph. If you come up on one just stay focused, roll the throttle up or down and get out of its way. If you get in a tight spot and find yourself side by side you better have your wits about you. If you kick at it you can easily lose your balance and/or swerve off your line and wreck. If you screw-up and you drop your bike you may be laying there with a bike on you and a dog using you as a snack. It is tempting to stick your foot out, but I like to keep my leg out of the path of the dog's teeth. No matter what evasive action you take, remember to keep focused on your driving first and then get out of the danger zone as quickly as possible. If the dog happens to be on your regular riding route you may want to contact the local authorities. Depending on the owner, law enforcement official or ordinance this tactic may not work. If it doesn't, I would suggest stopping and talking to 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 and lawyer. It may drive the point home. We share the road with lots of people, critters and unexpected hazards. 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. com. RIDE SAFE! 60 UCW SEPTEMBER 14-20, 2011 JAMES JONES, Contributing Writer COMMENTS? editor@upandcomin- gweekly.com SEPT. 16-17 • MAGGIE VALLEY FALL RALLEY at Maggie Valley Fairgrounds 3374 Soco Road, Maggie Valley, NC. 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. $10 Admission $10. Activities include bike show, bike games, motorcycle stunt show, bands and more. Find out more at www.chdda.com/events/maggierally. SEPT. 24 • CUSTOMER APPRECIATION DAY AT LEGENDS. Enjoy a poker run, drink specials, door prizes and free food. Find out more at 867-2364. SEPT. 24 • HUNGRY ANGELZ POKER RUN to benefit homeless Cumberland County school children. Find out more at www.hungryangelz.org. SEPT. 25 • PINK HEALS TOUR AT CAPE FEAR HARLEY DAVIDSON. The tour consists of firefighters dressed in pink turnout gear driving pink fire trucks in support of women and their battle against cancer. 864-1200. OCT. 8 • HARLEYS HERO DAY AT CAPE FEAR HARLEY DAVIDSON We will be raffling off lap blankets made from old Harley-Davidson t-shirts to raise money. There will be an auction and a ride. 864- 1200. OCT. 22 • FANTASTIC SAM'S 3RD ANNUAL SAVE THE TA TA'S POKER RUN Registration 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 3503 North Main St., Hope Mills, N.C. First rider $15, passengers $10. Proceeds benefit the Karen Chandler Foundation. Contact angelofjustice06@yahoo.com for more info. 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 info. Prizes, food, drinks & awards. APPRECIATION September 24th Party Starts at 7:30 p.m. CUSTOMER For more information call LEGENDS at CALLING ALL LOCAL BANDS Fayetteville wants to know you! So here's your opportunity. • E-mail Stephanie@upandcomingweekly. com for our Q&A. • Fill it out and e-mail it back to us. • Send a recent, high-resolution photo of your band. • Look for your article in an upcoming issue. WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM