Rumblings

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What’s Mine is Yours Safely riding unmarked back roads

back country road

What’s Mine is Yours Safely riding unmarked back roads
IF YOUR LIKE ME, your favorite roads are the lesser-known gems that wind through the back country,  away from traffic and civilization. While those wonderful rural roads can offer up a relaxing ride, they can also present their own set of threats, especially the “lane-and-a-half” variety with no lane markings. On these stretches, “sharing the road” can suddenly mean sharing the same space. Quiet back roads are attractive because we expect them to have little or no traffic. But keep in mind that local drivers have that same expectation. Driving these roads daily, they rarely encounter other vehicles on a typical drive. As a result, they’re often inclined to use more of the road, especially on curves .Without a painted line to define lanes, what’s ours is often claimed as theirs, creating a no man’s land in the middle portion of an already narrow roadway.
The typical cornering strategy calls us to establish an outside line to improve the view around a bend. But an unmarked, narrow back road with limited sight distance calls for a compromise. Think of your lane as less than your half of the pavement. For a right hand bend, establish a position that doesn’t extend wider then the middle of your lane in anticipation of an on coming vehicle partly on your side of the road. Why not just move toward the inside of the lane? Because vehicles tend to drop wheels off the inside edge, kicking dirt, gravel and other debris onto the adjacent road surface. For a left hand bend, position yourself toward the outside of the curve, just in case that wide tractor or truck with a trailer appears suddenly and is taking a wide approach that includes part of your lane. Just Remember, when riding the back country roads. When there are no road markings, what’s mine is your, And theirs.
Keep it safe enjoy your ride
Michael Theodore
National Road Captain
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1st Annual New Straitsville, Ohio Biker Sunday June 12,2016

Tom's Flyer

1st Annual New Straitsville, Ohio Biker Sunday
June 12,2016

Looking forward to this first biker Sunday and a  mighty move of God. Looking forward to the ASR fellowship. Pastor David Showalter  from Omaha Nebraska is the guest speaker. Looking forward to what God has for southern Ohio.  Hope to see you in New Straitsville, Ohio. Southern Ohio has some great motorcycle roads to ride.

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2016 AZUSA StreetRiders National Rally

The board of Azusa StreetRiders is now accepting nominations for the upcoming elections for National Vice-President and Secretary.

Please see below for the links for the nominations. In addition, the board is asking that you read the article about the rally and board member responsibilities.

Click here for Nominating Ballot for ASR Vice-President

Click here for Nominating Ballot for ASR Secretary

2016 AZUSA StreetRiders National Rally, Cameron, MO

Well, this year’s National Rally is just around the corner. August 3 is quickly approaching, and I know everyone is excited about heading to Cameron, MO for fellowship, food, and fun — and does the hosting Azusa StreetRiders chapter there have a treat for all those attending! Did I mention food? We’re starting with the traditional meet-and-greet at the church on Wednesday, so we all can get to know each other. Then Thursday, after breakfast, heading into Kansas City and touring the Harley-Davidson manufacturing plant, and for those Non-Harley folks, Sis Lydia will be hosting her world renowned “Safety Riding Seminar” at the church. A fine dinner has been planned for late afternoon, and after feeding our physical bodies we will be feasting again with Bro Peter Grey, missionary to Haiti, as he ministers the Word of God at our “Motorcycles for Missionaries” service.

After a good night’s sleep, Friday starts with breakfast (I know we keep mentioning food), and then we’re in for a real treat. We will be touring Amish country roads and farms along with some Missouri backroads. We plan to stop for lunch at an authentic Amish restaurant, then continue our adventure across the planes of the Midwest. We will return for another fine dinner (I won’t say a word), then gear up for a night of revival with Bro. Doug White. Now, if you haven’t heard Bro. Doug White preach, you need to hang onto your helmets and buckle your boots, because things are about to happen. We all need to be praying for lost souls all along, but especially for Friday night’s service.

Saturday morning will be started with coffee and donuts at the church for our annual membership meeting and elections. The board wanted to express something before the nominations started coming in. The board encourages everyone interested in the upcoming positions to be nominated; however a word is in order that no one is caught unawares. Be certain any board position is much more than just wearing the badge, slapping backs and handing out ministry cards.

To be a board member is an honor to be able to serve the people of this ministry. However, it’s hard work and involves personal sacrifice. Now before you discard this statement, please understand any position on the board requires a lot of effort on your part. Much time is spent in meetings, planning sessions, events, rides, and then there are the national conferences. You should be prepared, if you are still employed elsewhere, to be able to take off some work to be involved in these different events. Not only is there time away from your work and family, but sometimes the travel distances can be long. As a board member, it’s part of your job description to be involved, and that sounds easier than you think, especially if you have children.

In addition there are personal expenses involved. Perhaps you’re retired and might have little or no time restrictions; that’s great. However, board members are not reimbursed for any travel expenses, even those involving board business. No board member receives any compensation for the duties they perform. In addition, out-of-pocket expenses are the responsibility of each individual board member. The problem is at these different events, as a board member, you will or should find yourself involved in many more events than you currently do. In addition, at national conferences, which involve several days, the cost can be considerable.

In conclusion, please understand this is not an attempt to discourage anyone. If you have prayed and feel led of the Lord, then please throw your name into the hat. The only measure here is that we want, as a board, to give insight into what these positions entail. We don’t want for someone who is elected to then feel misinformed about of the requirements of the position, which benefits no one and will only frustrate the situation. However, if you feel confident this is not a burden, then please have someone nominate you for an open position currently up for election, and may God bless and keep you always.

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2016 Back to the Basics

Praise the Lord Azusa StreetRiders,
We are in the 5th month of 2016 already, we are seeing awesome growth already this year.  In the last week of April we added three new chapters,  one in New Philadelphia Ohio with 8 new members , one in Evansville Indiana, with 5 new members and one in Ball Louisiana with 8 members.  God is Blessing us!!

I’m trusting that the Lord is not done with the revival He has sent us this year, but we must do our part. Lets bind together in prayer and keep on sharing the Gospel.  2016 can be our greatest year to date!!

Jesus is coming soon, lets not give up on reaching souls till He calls us home. God placed each of us in this ministry for a reason and that is to reach the lost! It’s not about bikes, riding or what organization we belong too, the Azusa StreetRiders is about JESUS!

Back to the basics in 2016 should be our mind set: Prayer, fasting, reading His Word and apostolic worship should be included in our activities.

In three months, we will be gathering for our 2016 National Rally and the excitement is building!  The Lord has blessed us greatly each year, with a great time of fellowship, new friends and most of all ,His presents. You will not want to miss this years Rally!
At our National business meeting we will be having some elections, so please try to attend. The two offices will be Secretary,  currently held by Bro. Robert Thompson and Vice President,  currently held by Bro. Jim Curley

Each of these positions are National Board positions and need to be considered carefully and with prayer. These positions are very important and take  dedication of personal time and sometimes personal funds, due to travel. All qualifying members are eligible to nominate someone or hold office. We will be posting qualifications on the website for each position.

The Cameron Missouri Chapter has put together some nice rides for us this year and on Thursday Aug. 4th 2016 during our ride we will be visiting the Harley Davidson Factory in KC. for a tour of the plant.

Vicky and I will be visiting the Cameron chapter in May and we are looking forward to seeing y’all at the rally August 4 – 7 2016

I appreciate all you do for the Lord

Rev. Anthony Storey

Azusa StreetRiders National President

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The Dirt on Riding Un Paved Roads.

off road

The Dirt on Riding Un paved Roads.
dirt road
IT’S THE END OF THE ROAD for many. But it’s just the beginning for those who are comfortable and confident when the pavement ends and gravel or hard packed dirt begins. Why is it we get so uptight when things get loose underfoot (or under tire, as it were)? Because things feel a little weird and unfamiliar on dirt. The motorcycle moves around more beneath us on unpaved surfaces, the front wheel seems to wander and the handlebars come alive in our sweaty palms. In reality, while things feel loose, there is typically more traction on hard packed dirt than riders expect. All of that movement the machine is doing? It’s just the bike’s natural way of finding a suitable path forward. That said, there are a few techniques unique to riding unpaved roads vs a hard, smooth road surface.
Stay lose. Avoid fighting the bike’s surface and, instead loosen your grip and let the motorcycle find its way. Remember the bike doesn’t want to fall any more than you do; it wants to keep moving ahead and stay upright. Keep your eyes up, looking well ahead and the bike will follow. Shift your weight from your seat to your feet. With arches on the pegs (or boots flat on the floorboards) and knees against the tank, steer with your lower body and less with your hands. Unlike riding on pavement, you’ll want to keep your body upright, allowing the bike to lean beneath you in corners to maximize traction. While all of this may feel a bit awkward at first, you’ll soon become more comfortable and more confident as you discover just how well even a large touring motorcycle can navigate dry, unpaved surfaces. And the end of the pavement will be just the beginning of your next riding adventure.
Michael Theodore
National Road Captain
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4th Annual Bind The Strongman March 2016

On March 4th and 5th 2016 the Azusa StreetRiders held their 4th Annual Bind The  Strongman all night prayer service., in Cincinnati  Ohio.

Bind The Strongman is the Azusa StreetRiders kick off event for the year and God Blesses us each year.

We had approximately 50 in attendance,  as we prayed and worshiped through the night. The Holy Ghost was in the house, many were touched by God this year.

We were treated to an awesome service in the morning when Bro.  Joel Urshan  preached a message from the Lord. I have attached a recording for the message for your enjoyment.

I look forward to next years Bind the Strongman prayer service.

God Bless

Rev. Anthony Storey

Azusa StreetRiders

National President

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6 Riding Tips for Dealing With Tailgaters

Tailgaters

You can not change some drivers’ attitudes, but you can protect yourself. Here’s how.

Tailgaters are not nice. Even though these intruders can make the hair on the back of your neck rise, your main concern needs to be whether the tailgater can stop short of rear-ending you if you need to stop quickly. Trying to change a tailgater’s behavior is about as likely as convincing Donald Trump to endorse Bernie Sanders for president. Any attempts to do so will only distract you from other hazards and could trigger deadly road rage. Instead, I present to you a few tips for minimizing the risk of being the recipient of a Hood Ornament.
1. Check your speed. If people regularly tailgate you then maybe you are not maintaining the expected speed of surrounding traffic. While you should avoid riding faster than you are comfortable, riding too slowly could increase the risk of being tailgated if traffic is moving significantly faster than you are. If this is the case, you may need to find an alternative route where the pace is more to your liking.
2. Let them by. If it becomes apparent that the driver is not going to back off, then find a safe place to pull over. This is often easier said than done, but why let a tailgater ruin your ride if you can let them pass? Be sure to signal early and slow gradually. Then watch as they zoom by to tailgate the next vehicle ahead.
3. Increase your following distance. A common response to a tailgater is to speed up to try and get away from the tailgater’s bumper. But, this usually results in the tailgater also increasing speed. Instead, slow down. No, not to mess with the tailgater to get them mad, but to gain a space cushion ahead of you. This allows you (and the tailgater) ample time and space to slow if necessary. A minimum of 3 seconds should do the trick.
4. Communicate intentions early. Most motorcycle brake lights do not command a lot of visual attention. But you can increase its effectiveness by flashing it two or three times before actually reducing speed. Also, be sure to activate turn signals at least 4 seconds before slowing to give drivers behind you plenty of notice.
5. Use smart lane positioning. To prevent a close call from a tailgater it’s important to choose a lane position that allows you the best angle of view past the vehicle ahead so you can spot problems early and slow gradually. When stopping at a traffic light or stop sign, keep an eye on your mirrors and flash your brake light. Also, place yourself in the right or left-hand portion of your lane to give the driver behind an escape if he can not stop in time.
6. Stay cool. This may be the most crucial. Even though tailgaters can get under our skin, smart riders do not let this bad behavior affect their judgment. Instead, they initiate strategies that prevent these morons from decreasing safety and enjoyment.
Michael Theodore
National Road Captain