DiSalvo gets up off the mat, qualifies third - April 25, 2008
 Coming
into Auto Club Speedway on a roll after earning the first two Superbike
podiums of his career already this season, Jason DiSalvo was eager to get
off on the right foot this weekend.
In fact he did exactly that, but not in the fashion he was hoping, crashing
in the opening practice after posting the second fastest time of the session
to that point. His Yamaha USA YZF R1 came down on his right foot, leaving
the New Yorker in pain and immediately concerned about his further
participation this weekend.
But DiSalvo, who came into this weekend with his shaggy hair and bushy
offseason beard fashioned into mohawk/beard combination based after that of
Rocky III villain Clubber Lang, proved he could do what Clubber could not --
get back up after being knocked down.
A quick trip to the hospital showed he had no broken bones, ‘merely’ a bad
sprain, and even though his foot was swollen and preventing him from walking
unaided, DiSalvo gutted it out and took to the track for the afternoon
qualifying session.
Despite his injury, he made another strong case for the claim of ‘third
fastest man in the paddock,’ this season, throwing down a 1:24.354 to rank
as the only man other than provisional poleman Ben Spies and Mat Mladin on
the lead second.
At the conclusion of an eventful day, DiSalvo said, “It’s like one second
I’m going ‘round and I had just seen P2 on my board and I was thinking, ‘man
this is going to be a great weekend,’ and the next second I’m sliding across
the ground with a 370lb bike rolling across my foot. As soon as it happened
I was like, ‘oh man that is not good.’
“Usually I jump right up but I stayed down for a second and then tried to
get up. I got to my feet and I tried to stand up and I put a little weight
on it and nope, that’s not good and I laid right back down.
“I thought it was broken for sure. They said it was a really, really bad
sprain and they can be as painful if not more than a break. It’s pretty
swollen. I normally run a European 40 (boot) but we had to run a 42 in that
session.”
The injury made DiSalvo adjust his riding during qualifying but surprisingly
it didn’t slow him down much if at all. “I couldn’t really put any weight on
my right foot so that made righthanders difficult. It was funny, for all the
righthanders, I was like 80% -- there’s not many righthanders to this track.
The only one I really pushed through was Turn 1 because that’s really
important for a lap time. I couldn’t believe it. I thought maybe I was more
focused on my drive or something. I was kind of cruising a little bit and I
couldn’t believe that lap time when I came across the finish line.
“The bike is working really well too. There’s not enough I can say about the
bike this weekend. To come off the Barber race, and again, come here with a
very similar setting, it’s amazing. I’m really happy about that, and I’m
looking forward to tomorrow.”
Asked if he was concerned that his foot might swell up more overnight, Jason
said, “I’m not but Bethany (Jason’s fiancée) is. She’s having me icing it --
all the way back from the hospital and everything. Right after I went out
for qualifying I could kind of walk on it, which is cool because I hadn’t
been able to. It’s just starting to tighten up now. It was just good to get
out and ride and help loosen it up a little. For sure adrenaline is the best
painkiller too.”
http://www.amasuperbike.com/article.php?UID=fxc6mTcwSDbKwT6OiP624jYS1dRsON&sc=1120&aid=11457
Micky Dymond Signs with Husqvarna
for 2008
 SAN
DIEGO, CA – April 11, 2008 – www.gphusqvarna.com, Former AMA Super Cross and
Supermoto Unlimited Champion Micky Dymond signs with GP Husqvarna to contest
the 2008 AMA Supermoto series along with Moto X and Summer X Games events
aboard the Husqvarna SMR 450.
The effort will combine resources from Dymond existing title sponsor, “All
Access: and team GP Husqvarna to create Team All Access GP Husqvarna.
GP Husqvarna’s Paul Lima says, “We are happy to be working with Micky – he
is a talented and experienced rider. He has been riding one of our bikes for
the last week or so preparing for the Moto X event here in San Diego this
weekend, and we are all happy with his progress and performance on the bike
on such short notice.”
Micky may be joined by one or more of the World Championship Husqvarna
riders at select events throughout the season, but details are still to be
finalized.
Micky commented, “It’s great to be back on Husqvarna. I pretty much started
my career on a Husqvarna and I have a lot of great memories and hope to make
many more. Every time I step onto the bike I feel faster than the time
before, so I think we are headed in the right direction.
Initial team sponsors are as follows:
Husqvarna USA, All Access, Dunlop, FMF, Beringer, QTM, Marzocchi, Maxima,
STM, Race Tech, K&N, Renthal, Cycra, Hot Cams, CP Pistons, Faulkner &
Livingston, SDG.
http://www.husqvarnausa.com/
KAGAYAMA 3RD IN ASSEN WSB QUALIFYING -
Team Suzuki Press Office - April 25.
 Team
Suzuki Alstare rider Yukio Kagayama finished the first day of qualifying at
Assen with the third fastest time of the day on his GSX-R1000, less then
three tenths of a second outside the lap record.
Team mate Fonsi Nieto ended with the fifth fastest time and Max Neukirchner,
recovering from a broken collarbone, finished eighth.
Provisional pole went to Aussie Troy Bayliss (Ducati) with Japanese rider
Noriyuki Haga (Yamaha) second.
Yukio Kagayama - 3rd, 1:40.036:
"Today was not so bad and I didn't have any big problems. We started with
one of the bikes with the Valencia set-up and one different. But we soon
found that the Valencia set-up didn't work so well so we concentrated on
getting the other one to work at this track. We worked a lot on the
electronics, the chassis and improving the rear stability so that the bike
is smoother and more comfortable to ride. Assen is a track where you have to
have a smooth bike if you want to go fast, so this is our first goal."
Fonsi Nieto - 5th, 1:40.195:
"I'm really happy with how today went. The bike is working well - much
better then Valencia - even though the set-up is more or less the same! I
found a good rhythm and everything was OK, except when I tried to do some
quick laps at the end of qualifying, the red flag came out two times and I
wasn't able to get in a clean lap. I am happy because I did my fastest lap
on tyres that had already done 13 laps. Tomorrow, I hope to do a good
Superpole, get a good grid position and challenge for the podium in both
races."
Max Neukirchner - 8th, 1:40.409:
"This morning I think we went in the wrong direction, but in the afternoon
we made the bike a bit stiffer and it was much better. I had a bit of a
problem with the bike keeping a good line today, but I think we know what to
do tomorrow and hopefully we will make progress. I didn't have any problems
with my shoulder today so I think it's going to be OK for the weekend.
Friday WSB qualifying: 1 Bayliss (Aus-Ducati) 1:39.677, 2
Haga (J-Yamaha) 1:40.009, 3 Yukio Kagayama (J-Suzuki Alstare)
1:40.036, 4 Smrz (CZ-Ducati) 1:40.064, 5 Fonsi Nieto
(E-Suzuki Alstare) 1:40.195, 6 Tamada (J-Kawasaki) 1:40.278,
8 Max Neukirchner (D-Alstare Suzuki) 1:40.409.
Choppers
hosts hundreds for grand opening
 Times
Herald-Record, NY - NEWBURGH -- Hundreds of people streamed into the
Orange County Choppers headquarters today after the Teutuls cut the ribbon
and opened the doors to 92,800 square feet of all things gear-head.
The Teutul family, stars of the television show American Chopper, started
their business in a garage. After today, they’ll build bikes in a
state-of-the-art, environmentally-friendly building. Local officials touted
the family for keeping the business local and green.
The behemoth retail store contains thousands of T-shirts, baby tees, tank
tops, and sweat shirts all with the Chopper logo. Bikes from the show’s
builds are also on display, including the recent U.S. Army and the Lugz
bikes.
Tomorrow, the crew will sign autographs throughout the day. On Saturday,
the festivities continue with a 10 a.m. ride along with the crew and the
unveiling of the N.Y. Giants bike. There will be live music and autograph
sessions through Sunday.
For more details, visit
www.orangecountychoppers.com .
Hells Angels' chief sues HBO - Sent by Reader
 LOS
ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Hells Angels veteran Sonny Barger, the man
who oversaw the motorcycle gang's violent crackdown on fans at the Rolling
Stones' disastrous Altamont concert in 1969, is suing HBO over a drama
project he claims he helped develop.
In a suit filed last week, Barger contends HBO and the producers of the
motorcycle-themed drama pilot "1%" cut him out of the project and violated
many of his publicity rights when he demanded changes to protect his own
brand.
"1%" originally was set at the Carefree, Ariz., chapter of the Death
Rangers, one of the toughest motorcycle clubs in the country, and centered
on Misfit (Donal Logue), a Silicon Valley member who is sent to the troubled
chapter to bring it under control.
The lawsuit comes as HBO is readying "1%" for production. The actors had
motorcycle training late last week, and production on the pilot is slated to
begin Friday.
In the complaint, filed in Los Angeles federal court, Barger says he first
optioned his best-selling autobiography to 20th Century Fox for movie
development. Fox then hired writer/executive producer Michael Tolkin (Robert
Altman's "The Player") to write the script. Tolkin is also named in the
suit.
Barger claims he also shared with Tolkin a series of novels he had been
working on about a fictional motorcycle club. Together, the two pitched HBO
on a motorcycle club-centered series, and HBO subsequently turned to Tolkin
to create it.
However, after Barger objected to some of the elements in the pilot, HBO
"refused to acknowledge the contributions or authorship" of Barger and
didn't seek permission to "use or publish the name, trademark, persona or
likeness of Sonny Barger for any purpose," the suit said.
Barger was given the option of serving as a consulting producer on the
project but turned it down. There was also talk of his appearing in the
pilot in the potentially recurring role of Chief, the oldest member of the
Death Rangers, but the casting never materialized.
Among the objections Barger lists in the suit are "that some characters
introduced by Tolkin too close resembled or depicted living persons (in
particular a character named 'Chief,' which for decades has been a
well-known nickname or alias for Sonny Barger), that some actual place names
used in the script were too identifiably associated with Sonny Barger and
the Hells Angels (such as the primary location being Carefree, AZ, which is
the town adjacent to where Sonny Barger presently resides, and that the
principal character has moved from Northern California, which is exactly
what Sonny Barger did)."
The name of the Chief character, played by Hans Howes, has been changed to
Cap, the setting of the show has been moved to Apache Junction, Ariz., and
Misfit now comes from Valhalla, Ore.
Barger wants the court to declare the "1% Script" as a joint work of Sonny
Barger Prods. and Tolkin, enjoin Tolkin and HBO from selling or exhibiting
the program, and award compensatory damages for exploiting Barger's
publicity rights.
Barger is best known for his role at Altamont, a free Stones concert
captured on film in the documentary "Gimme Shelter." The band hired Barger's
Oakland, Calif., chapter of the gang as security for the poorly organized
event, and his crew tried to control the masses by beating them with pool
cues. One fan, who appeared to be pointing a gun at the stage, was fatally
stabbed by a Hells Angels member who was acquitted at trial. Barger angrily
claimed the gang were treated as dupes by the Stones.
Sentence 'reserved' for Angel's prez
CTV Winnipeg, Canada - Former Hell's Angels'
president Ernie Dew will have to wait a while longer to see how much jail
time he gets. He was convicted earlier this year on four counts of drug
trafficking.
During Dew's sentencing hearing Thursday, the crown described him as
multi-kilogram cocaine dealer. They said during Project Defense, Dew sold
more than three kilograms of cocaine to a police agent hired by the RCMP.
In February 2006, police arrested 13 people, including two other members of
the Hell's Angels.
The prosecutor in the case says for Dew, it was all about the money. He told
the court that the biker showed no remorse for the damage cocaine
trafficking causes the community. The prosecutor argued drug dealers at
Dew's level often receive sentences of 10 to 12 years.
Dew's lawyer disagreed, saying a more appropriate sentence would be seven to
eight years -- less the credit Dew will receive for his time in remand.
Which is the real ex-Hells boss?
Winnipeg Sun, Canada - Is Ernie Dew a
high-level drug dealer motivated by nothing more than greed?
Or is he a man who helped a friend, only to learn he had been betrayed to
police?
Those are the competing arguments a judge is being asked to consider as she
prepares to sentence the former Manitoba Hells Angels boss on four counts of
drug trafficking and three counts of possessing proceeds of crime.
"Mr Dew is at the highest level of drug trafficking," Crown attorney Pat
Flynn told Justice Brenda Keyser yesterday. "He has absolutely no remorse.
It's not in his mindset -- all he's interested in is the money."
Dew was among a dozen bikers and associates arrested in February 2006
following a year-long police sting dubbed Project Defence.
Franco Atanasovic, Dew's longtime friend, was paid more than $500,000 for
his help ensnaring Dew and other project targets.
Dew's lawyer Sarah Inness had been set to argue Dew was a victim of
entrapment, but abandoned the motion yesterday.
Inness argued Dew sold cocaine to Atanasovic, thinking he was helping
Atanasovic settle a debt with fellow Hells Angel Ian Grant.
That may have been true, said Crown attorney Pat Flynn, but it was Dew's
greed that saw him urge Atanasovic to buy larger quantities in return for a
"bulk discount."
Dew sold Atanasovic a total of 110 ounces of cocaine. Two of the
transactions were at the kilogram level.
"That's a tremendous amount of cocaine," Flynn said.
Flynn said the starting point in similar cases is at least 10 years. Flynn
urged Keyser to consider consecutive sentences for the drug charges.
Flynn agreed Dew should be given double credit for the 27 months he has
spent in pre-sentence custody. Inness recommended a sentence of seven to
eight years.
A final sentencing date will be set next month.
Fallen state trooper memorialized
Bridgewater Courier News, United States - On
the night of Feb. 22, 1932, 28-year-old Trooper Michael J. Beylon was thrown
from his motorcycle after he hit a car that suddenly stopped on Route 29 in
what was then North Plainfield Township. Beylon, who was on duty, landed in
the center of the highway and was struck by another car, causing his death.
On Friday morning — more than 76 years later — Beylon's nearly five years of
service as a state trooper were formally recognized during a ceremony where
officials dedicated a monument in his honor.
A triangular stone now sits in the small park at the intersection of
Somerset Street and Coddington Avenue reminding the public of Beylon's life
and service.
Vineland Daily Journal, NJ - MILLVILLE -- A
42-year-old man declined medical treatment after his motorcycle shot forward
and struck a city vehicle operated by fire Chief Kurt Hess around 5 p.m.
Thursday.
Hess was not injured.
It happened at High and Main streets.
Ricky Dilan told police his 2005 Kawasaki was stalling at the intersection.
He said he managed to start it and place it into first gear, but when he
released the brake, the motorcycle shot forward, and he lost control while
trying to turn.
Hess, who was stopped for a red light in his 2001 Dodge Durango, said he
observed Dilan having difficulty keeping the motorcycle running. He said the
bike shot forward when the light turned green, and Dilan was unable to
complete his turn.
The motorcycle was removed from the intersection by a friend of Dilan's,
according to police. Dilan was issued a careless driving summons.
Motorcyclist injured in collision with boat on trailer in Bass River
Press of Atlantic City, NJ - BASS RIVER
TOWNSHIP - A motorcyclist was injured Friday evening when he crashed into a
boat trailer, State Police said.
Anthony Caruso Jr., 37, of Bass River was driving his pickup truck towing a
boat on Leektown Road at 5:09 p.m. when he slowed to turn into a driveway,
according to the State Police Tuckerton Station.
As he slowed, a motorcycle ridden by Charles Haywood Jr., 36, of Little Egg
Harbor Township collided with the trailer and was ejected from his bike.
Haywood suffered injuries to his right leg and back, and was airlifted to
AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, city campus, police said. Caruso was
not injured.
Oregon Man Sustains Injuries After Thursday Night Motorcycle Crash
Centralia Chronicle, WA - A Medford, Ore., man
received injuries to his head, right leg and left arm and was transported to
Providence Centralia Hospital for medical attention after his motorcycle
went off the roadway on Winlock-Vader Road three miles south of Winlock
between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. Thursday night, according to the Washington State
Patrol.
The driver, identified as 58-year-old Roy R. Striley, was thrown from the
vehicle and landed in the south-bound lane when he lost control after
leaving the roadway and hitting a patch of gravel on the shoulder, according
to a press memo provided by WSP.
The memo noted that drugs or alcohol appeared to have been involved. The
motorcycle, a 2007 Harley-Davidson, sustained an estimated $10,000 in
damage, according to the WSP.
Christian Motorcyclists embark on fundraiser for mission projects
Lake City Reporter, FL - If you plan to ride
with these tough guys, you better say your prayers.
Members of Lake City’s Iron Shepherds chapter of the Christian Motorcyclists
Association will embark on a 24-hour adventure Saturday that will see a few
of its members ride 1,000 miles during the day in an effort to raise money
for missionaries and other Christian projects around the world.
Four members of the chapter and three of their friends will make the ride to
raise money for CMA’s upcoming annual fundraiser, The Run for the Son.
Saturday’s
1,000-mile ride will fund a portion of the $15,000 the Iron Shepherds will
raise locally by the end of May.
]On Saturday, the seven riders, Lake City Iron Shepherd members Bill Potts,
Link Olson, Tim Williams and Kyle Prince and their friends, John Clarke,
Harrison Ambrose and Larry Sisco, will ride from Lake City to the Asheville,
N.C., area, eat lunch at a country store in Leicester, N.C., that is owned
by Potts’ parents, then ride back to Lake City.
Four Harley-Davidson motorcycles. Three Hondas. Total miles: 1,024. Time to
ride it: About 21 hours.
Last year, just for kicks and to raise money for the CMA, Potts and Olson
made the
same ride. This year, others got wind of it and wanted to join in.
“This is all for the glory of God,” Potts said. “It’s for our mission to
touch one heart at a time. We never lose sight of the real reason we do this
ride and that’s to allow the CMA’s ministries to grow and reach people who
have not heard about Jesus.”
Donations to the fundraiser come from area churches of all denominations,
plus from local businesses and individuals who sponsor riders by the mile or
through one-time gifts. Worldwide, The Run for the Son raised more than $3.8
million last year. The money went primarily to fund “The Jesus Film” project
and provide dirt bikes and other forms of transportation for missionaries in
third-world countries.
A portion of that money also printed and shipped more than 19,000 Bibles to
children in China.
“If we can raise enough money to send 19,000 Bibles to China, and I can help
be a part of that, I will ride to Canada and back if I have to,” said Olson,
who in 2005 rode solo for 1,600 miles in a 24-hour period to raise money for
the CMA effort. Olson is retired.
Potts said anywhere the group stops — for 10 minutes about every 150 miles —
motorcycles always draw a crowd. And, when people approach the Christian
group, members pray for and minister to the bystanders and fellow bikers.
Olson agreed: “One of the best things about this ride is we meet so many
people who don’t know about us and what we stand for. We get to share with
them.”
Potts said prayerful consideration must be given to the task of tackling a
1,000-mile ride on a motorcycle within a 24-hour time frame.
“Most people here and along the way just shake their heads and say we’re
crazy,” said Potts, whose day job is as a property appraiser for the state.
“It’s not a bad ride. The adrenaline is pumping. When you’re on the road on
a motorcycle at sunrise, I don’t know how anyone could say there isn’t a
God.”
The group will leave Lake City at 4 a.m. Saturday with plans to return
around 1 a.m. Sunday. Potts said if riders get tired, they are encouraged to
pull off and get a room somewhere along the route.
The route heading to Leicester will see the Iron Shepherds ride north on
Interstate 75 through Atlanta, then northeast to Gainesville, Ga., and on to
Clayton, Ga. Franklin, N.C. will be the first community spotted in the
western North Carolina mountains, then on to Sylva, Waynesville and
Leicester for a one-hour stop for lunch.
The return route will see the group head southeast into South Carolina,
through Spartanburg, Newberry and Columbia at Interstate 95. The riders will
cruise south on I-95 to Jacksonville, then make the turn onto I-10 for home.
Williams, the chapter’s chaplain and a missionary in Latin America, just
returned this week from Nicaragua. He said he wouldn’t miss the chance to go
on the 1,000 mile ride.
“I’ve done one of these before and it’s a great time,” Williams said. “It’s
a blast and CMA is such a great organization that really makes a
difference.”
Prince, a CMA member who works for the Columbia County School Board, said he
had ridden 800 miles in a day before. “It’s a good fundraiser for a very
good cause,” he said. “The money helps missionaries. It’s a great
opportunity to test myself and see if I can do it. It’s a mental thing. It
will be a fun challenge.”
John Clarke, a truck driver, said he has not ridden long distances on a
motorcycle in
25 years. “It will take determination. You must enjoy what you’re doing. It
will be a lot of fun.”
Larry Sisco, senior vice president and chief financial officer at Columbia
Bank, said he is making the ride for the CMA cause.
“The going up there is not the problem,” Sisco said “It’s coming back that
is the challenge. We’re bound and determined to do it, so we’re just going
to do it.”
Harrison Ambrose’s longest motorcycle ride is a 320-mile round trip. The
Suwannee County Schools eighth-grade math teacher and girls track coach said
he was ready. “It will be a comfortable ride,” he said. “It’s like kicking
back on the open road in a Lazy Boy and relaxing. I look forward to the
challenge of a 1,000-mile ride.”
Bike ride to benefit area woman's family
Lebanon Western Star, OH - LIBERTY TWP. — A
motorcycle ride is expected to help the children of 35-year-old Maineville
resident Paula Burwick, who died unexpectedly last month.
Gilby's Cruise for the Kids is scheduled for today, April 26, at Gilby's
Irish Pub, 5555 Cincinnati-Dayton Road in Liberty Twp., rain or shine
Burwick, who became a real estate agent last year, planned to remarry in
July to fiance Steve Chinn, whom she had been dating for four years. Burwick
had three daughters, Jesse, 19; Samantha, 16; and Rebecca, 12. Chinn has two
children, Ashley, 15, and Danny, 8. All the children are living with Chinn.
Burwick died suddenly March 19 after collapsing at a beauty shop, said
family friend Sidney Hauser, who noted she had no pre-existing medical
conditions.
"She just stood up and said 'I don't feel so good' and fell to the floor,"
Hauser said.
The event kicks off at 9 a.m. with breakfast. Riders are scheduled to motor
out at 11 a.m. for journey with stops at The Village Tavern in West Chester
Twp., Indian Creek Tavern in Riley, The Golden Key in Darrtown and Jen's
Place in Liberty Twp.
Riders are scheduled to return to Gilby's at 5:30 p.m. for food, music, a
silent auction and a split-the-pot raffle and the event is expected to last
until 2 a.m., Hauser said.
The cost to participate in the event is $15 for solo riders and $20 per
couple. All proceeds from the event, including a portion of food and
beverage sales at all five bars, go to a trust fund for Burwick's children.
Hauser said he and Gilby's owner Bryan Gilmartin organized the event a
tribute to Burwick's generosity.
"Even though she wasn't very well off financially, she was always there for
her neighbors," Hauser said. "She was just a wonderful person."
Contribution to the Paula Burwick Memorial Fund may be made at any Fifth
Third Bank location.
For more information, call (513) 659-8254 or (513) 777-9898.
Robbie Knievel Plans 24 Truck Jump at Kings Island
WKRC TV Cincinnati, OH - Motorcycle daredevil
"Kaptain" Robbie Knievel, son of the legendary Evel Knievel, plans a major
jump here in the Tri-State next month.
Robbie will try to jump over 24 Coke Zero trucks on May 24 at 7:00 pm at
Kings Island.
The spectacular jump is expected to be his last major feat.
Knievel will attempt to surpass his father's memorable Kings Island jump in
1975, when Evel jumped 14 Greyhound buses. That event set an audience
viewing record for ABC's Wide World of Sports. The 22.3 rating record stands
today.
The event will be included free with park admission or season pass.
A former biker takes one more ride
Dayton Daily News, OH - Anna Palatas is the
last surviving member of a motorcycle club her family founded.
DAYTON — Wearing a black leather jacket and hat, Anna Palatas celebrated her
89th birthday a bit early Friday, April 25, with a ride in the sidecar of
her nephew's motorcycle.
On the hat was the emblem of the Dayton Ramblers Motorcycle Club. Palatas is
the last surviving member of the club her family founded.
The Ramblers once had about 50 members and met at a clubhouse on Airway
Road. Club members road Harley-Davidsons and Indians, said Jerry Henry of
Brookville, Palatas' nephew.
"They constantly had parties and rallies, and I'm sure they did charity
rides," Henry said. Palatas "was one of the wild childs. She was a
character, my favorite aunt. She sort of had that flavor of the '30s. I
called her my flapper aunt."
One of five children, Palatas had four husbands: Carl Blackson, George Gregg
and Melvin Mead, who are deceased; and Ray Palatas, whom she divorced. Her
only son, Carl Blackson Jr., died in 1999. She lived in the Drexel area and
served as a firefighter/EMT there, Henry said.
"She quit riding about 10 years ago, but her eyes light up whenever I
mention the club or motorcycles. She's been riding since she was 18."
Her birthday is May 18, but she had quit eating lately, and the ride was a
surprise special "gift of a day" organized by the staff of Crossroads
Hospice in Miamisburg, who help care for Palatas at the Grafton Oaks Nursing
Center off Grand Avenue in Dayton, where the ride took place.
Accompanying Palatas and her nephew on the ride around the neighborhood were
Karl Abram of Waynesville, Rodney Leland of Farmersville, Tom Meininger of
Vandalia, and Bob Baughman of Brookville on their bikes.
Nurses from the center and staff from hospice encouraged Palatas before the
ride and cried when she passed by with a big smile on her face.
Palatas used to ride a white Harley-Davidson, said Henry's daughter-in-law,
Nan Henry of Miamisburg.
"I rode them everywhere," Palatas said of her early biker days. "I just like
them."
"It was wonderful. It made my day," she said.
Motorcycle Rider Hit By DeSoto Parish Sheriff's Car Dies
KSLA-TV, LA - Thirty-four-year-old Melvin
Hawthorne, the motorcycle rider struck by a DeSoto Parish Sheriff's vehicle
on April 19, has died.
A spokesperson for LSU Hospital confirmed his death.
A family friend told KSLA News 12 he died Thursday night.
From April 25
A motorcyclist remains in critical condition after he was hit by a DeSoto
Parish sheriff's deputy over the weekend. Now a friend of the victim tells
KSLA News 12 the accident could have been avoided.
Chris Thomas says it was the deputy and not the group of motorcyclist that
was travelling at a high rate of speed, and had the deputy not lost control,
Thomas believes his friend wouldn't be in the hospital fighting for his
life.
Thirty-four-year-old Melvin Hawthorne was airlifted to LSU Hospital after
Saturday's accident with the Desoto Parish deputy.
Thomas says 15 to 20 motorcyclists were headed northbound on I-49 when they
saw the deputy coming up from behind them at a high rate of speed. Thomas
says the deputy did not have on any lights, or his sirens. They say he lost
control, tried to overcorrect and that's when he hit Hawthorne."
According to the state police report, the deputy was trying to catch up to
the pack when the rear cyclist hit the brakes. Thomas says Hawthorne was in
the front of the pack leading the way.
"And when (the deputy) hit the shoulder on the left, he went into the grass,
and the car started spinning," said Thomas.
Thomas wants to know if the deputy was in pursuit of the bikes why weren't
the light on?
"I don't know why he was going as fast as he was going. He passed at least
15 of us."
Calls to the DeSoto Parish Sheriff's Office on the matter have not been
returned.
As for Hawthorne, we're told that he has some severe swelling in the brain.
He was wearing a helmet, but came off during the crash. He is showing some
positive signs, but it's still too early to tell his long term prognosis.
River Run Brings Thousands To Laughlin
KTNV Las Vegas, NV - The 26th annual Laughlin
River Run takes place this weekend.
Action News reporter Jeff Gradney has more on one of the biggest motorcycle
gatherings in America.
Bikers who were coming into River Run on any road they choose immediately
learned there is not just a big police presence, it is massive.
75,000 bikers all partying at one time in one place could be a bit scary for
those attending the River Run for the first time.
"I was a little nervous coming here for the first time. I worried about
crime and all that," explained Jean Lindholm.
But all the police everywhere and lots of warm smiles from bikers change
that.
"It is awesome! Everybody is so nice and all the hotels are great!
Everywhere you go everyone is happy," said Kevin Lindholm.
Mark Secours feels so comfortable among all this, he decided to take his
bride to Laughlin to get married.
"We are leathering it out! Harley up," said Secours.
Police know anywhere there are that many bikes, there are bike thieves.
So to fight crime police say any bike you see could be a bait bike.
That is just one of many reasons even the newbies will feel welcome and safe
this weekend.
Bikers say because of all the police prescience they worry less about being
assaulted, robbed or run over so that way it is more fun for everybody out
here.
Stay tuned to Action News as we monitor developing news around the Valley.
Fairfield Man Injured In Calaveras Motorcycle Accident
MyMotherLode.com, CA - Mokelumne Hill, Ca --
61-year-old Matthew Applin of Fairfield was transported to a local hospital
with minor injuries following a motorcycle accident Friday morning in
Calaveras County.
According to the CHP, Applin was traveling north on Hwy 49 near the
Mokelumne River Canyon when he failed to negotiate a turn. The accident was
reported at 11:55am. No other vehicles were involved.
Motorcyclist injured in collision
Fall River Herald News, USA - Fall River — A
motorcyclist was injured when he was struck from behind by a motor vehicle
last Thursday at 6:25 p.m. at the corner of Pleasant Street and Eastern
Avenue.
Police said Anthony G. Rose, 46, of 82 Huard St. was transported to Charlton
Memorial Hospital for back and neck injuries.
When he was struck, he was knocked to the ground, according to the police
report. The motorcycle sustained extensive damage. The driver of the motor
vehicle, Juliana Domingos, 50, of 163 Grove St. was cited for failing to use
care in stopping.
Poker Run invades Ada
Ada Evening News, OK - Ada — Motorcycle and
Classic car enthusiasts are invited to participate in the 2008 Ada Bike Run
May 10, benefiting Ada Area Youth Shelter. While poker runs have previously
been held in the area, this is the first run by the youth shelter.
The event is a five-stop, 171 mile poker game on wheels. At each stop
contestants will pick up one card, eventually assembling a five-card poker
hand.
Crafty contestants who bought mulligan redraws can play them at the stops in
hopes of getting better cards. Once all players finish their trek, prizes
will be awarded for best hand, second-best hand, and worst hand. Door prizes
will also be awarded.
Entry fees are $25 for solo players, and additional hands for passengers
will cost $15. For those that register early, entry fees are $20, and
passenger hands are $10. Mulligans can be purchased for $5 apiece.
The event starts at 9 a.m. in the Ada Home Depot parking lot.
Those interested in participating can register until 11 a.m., the deadline
for participating vehicles to enter the run. According to event organizers,
the intermediate stops are tentatively scheduled to be in Sulphur,
Tishomingo, Coalgate and Calvin.
The event finishes at the youth shelter in Ada, where riders will display
their final hands. Players will be treated to a catered meal at the youth
shelter, and prizes will be awarded at 4 p.m.
More information on the event can be found on the Bike Run web site,
www.adarun.com, by contacting the organizers at
adabikerun@gmail.com , or by
phoning (580)515-7602. |
