The Palm Beach Knights Newsletter

The Knights Table

Monthly Newsletter January 2016

Greetings from your President

Cold-Weather Motorcycle Riding Tips

By Will

Recently I went on a ride with a new member Richard “Boston” Dipietro to Slim’s Deep South BBQ in Arcadia. The ride started out with about 5-6 Knights RSVPing that they would go, but the weather turned cold and they all bailed out. I completely understand, I mean it was freakin COLD!!! The day started out about 45 degrees. Now we all know that when you ride at 50 MPH or more (which we did) you can subtract about 10-15 degrees from the air temperature. We being the warm blooded Floridians that we are, can find that to be very intimidating. So it got me thinking, and yes writing. Boston made the same mistake many new comers to Sunny FLA do…they leave their cold gear up North. After all, that’s why we moved to Florida. He paid the price with a few frozen extremities…some he probably still uses! I remember way back when I first moved here from Brooklyn, I thought it never got below 80, I was wrong (ouch that was hard to write).

While it was cold, the ride still was outstanding. The ride back got up to 60 degrees and was one of the most pleasant rides we have had all year (except when my battery died…but that’s for another tale). It all got me thinking how so many Knights missed out on a great ride because of the cold. So I thought I’d include in our newsletter some cold riding tips. Some are not mine………Most of this is not Rocket Science, just common sense.

1. Wear Correct Motorcycle Gear in a Layering Fashion

Riding comfortably in cold weather begins with correct gear choice, and it’s all about layering. (See, I told ya it wasn’t rocket science). Base Layers (full leg, full sleeve), Boston was almost ready to stop for panty hose when we couldn’t find chaps for him….hey, they WORK! UnderArmour and many motorcycle apparel companies, are also a good source. Even while riding we sweat, so make sure that the layers allow our skin to breath, wicking away moisture.

For most conditions in Florida, I simply wear a zip-up sweatshirt with a neck collar over my base layers, and lots of leather.

There are two gloves I swear by for winter riding one is just a regular leather glove with fingers, the other is a gauntlet type glove that can go over your jacket sleeve (I loaned mine to Vern on a cold day). Having a glove go over your sleeve keeps out a big portion of the cold air that can travel up your sleeve and into your chest area.

Next is a neck warmer, this is especially important to those wearing ½ or ¾ helmets. I personally prefer a full face helmet which in my opinion is the best way to go for many reasons. As for heated gear, I’ve never tried it, but if you got it, what the Hell...use it.

2. Proper Motorcycle Prep for Winter Riding

The basics needed for cold-weather riding arrives at wind protections, such as a huge windscreen, or even handguards. I put on BATWINGS to keep wind off my legs in the cold and funnel wind on them in the heat.

3. Cold Weather Equals Colder Tires

It’s that simple – cold weather means colder tires. And as everyone should now, cold tires equate to limited traction. Riding helps increase heat in the tire, but even the briefest stop can quickly cool the tires down, providing lack of traction. Check your tires pressure!! I check mine religiously before every ride (well. Mostly). This is more than crucial during the winter months when there are big temperature changes during a ride. While on this subject, let’s also discuss how you get heat in your tires. Some Knights sway back and forth like a NASCAR driver, but simply put, this is a waste of time. To truly get heat in the tires, accelerate and decelerate quickly for a bit, obviously being aware of traction. Hard on brakes too hard on the throttle puts heat in tires more quickly than riding like some Squid. Plus swaying looks stupid. Also, make sure you have adequate tread on your tires.

So Knights remember always keep an eye on the forecasts, and if there’s a threat of snow (unlikely), keep the bike home otherwise, just bundle up and come on the ride.

Have any winter-riding tips you’d like to share? Let us know.

Knights, it is with mixed emotions that we say a farewell to a Great Knight, an Officer ,and a good friend. Rich" Squirrel" Love will be leaving us as he is moving to Tennessee. Rich has become a real force for good in our club and he will be extremely missed by all of us. Rich and his wife Deb have become a real part of our family, and we hope that distance doesn't end that. Rich and I are talking about a chapter in the Smoky Mtn. Please join me in wishing him well.

His leaving creates a need for another tailgunner/Capt., so if you're interested, let me know.

Knights, as you can see by this newsletter, our "story" is sometimes told by the pictures that we take. I'd like to invite everyone to take photos of what we do...it makes for a good Tale(tail)!!

CORE Members,

We need Tailgunners, and Road Capt.'s

Please see Will .

PLEASE REMEMBER THAT THE ORGANIZER AND OFFICERS WORK HARD TO PROVIDE YOU WITH A FUN SAFE RIDE. WE WELCOME SUGGESTIONS.
I'M SURE THAT THEY WOULD LOVE TO HEAR ANY IDEAS FOR A FUTURE EVENT.

While we try to mix up our rides as much as possible, it's highly unlikely that I'm going to please everyone all the time. I hope everyone has been enjoying the rides that have been on our schedule so far. I am always looking for feedback and new ideas.

Your participation is what makes this club great.

Knights, if you are reading this and would like to see it continue, please let me know. I'm starting to think that about 4 people read this and I'm the 4th!!!

Thanks

Keith Baldwin 1/7/59

Nick Chillemi 1/28/56

Yehuda "Yudi" Gross 1/26/80

We have been having some great rides TIMES !!!!!!

Gilbert's Resort - Key Largo

This turned out to be a great day. We had to keep an eye on the weather as this has been a wet winter for in FLA. Gilbert's was a great destination and the ride down was really a good one.

Skip Commagere said" Great ride with way to cool guys. The food was good and the setting was very nice."

Eating on the water in the keys is what it's all about. The views were spectacular. We were happy to have Skip's wife Cathy join us!

Progressive International Motorcycle Show
A family issue came up and I couldn't make this one. Thank you to Greenies for leading the ride down to Miami Beach!! No small task. This is always a great show and the Knights got to see many new bikes and products.

Steve Seide said"Excellent day "

VA Hospital Visit

This event took a lot of planning and work. I want to say a big THANK YOU to Rich who not only helped me raise money, but also came out to meet with the Vets. We were able to bring lots of boxes filled with all kinds of stuff the Vets need. The highlight of this event was meeting and talking to the vets. The served us with putting their lives on the line, it was the least we could do. I want to thank the Knights that came out, the weather was very bad earlier and they still should what great people they are!! THANK YOU Rich, Joe, Skip, Vern, Rick and a special thank you to my wife Sue. Sue helped me buy all the cases and drove them to the VA.

Joe Ciancio (cão) said "Hey, good day to be with friends and for a good cause."

Skip Commagere said "The vets were a hoot and so glad to see us. Some came out to see our bikes and tell us stories of their riding days. We cranked them up and watched their eyes light up. A rewarding ride. Thanks Knights. "

Pick up ride for Monday the 18th

On a suggestion from Dammit, The Knights once again went to take some target practice. We headed to the OK shooting range out in Okeechobee. We always have a great time, and I love the buffet after!

Rick Pirozzoli said"Good shot knights"

Rich Love said "Great weather conditions loved the ride thanks Knights"

Slim's Deep South Bar B Q ,Arcadia, FL

See article:

Well winter finally arrived with a vengeance that day. We had about 6 Knights going on this ride , all but 1 dropped out. The cold was pretty harsh for us Southerners. I did get the chance to get to know Boston ( Richard Dipietro)

better. He will be a great Knight and I hope he make many more rides. The one down note was my battery dying about 20 miles out of Arcadia. With Boston's and some kind bystanders help, we got the bike going and I made it home. Boy I'm glad I carry those jumper cables!!

richard dipietro said "Awesome ribs, we had a great day !!! "

Dania Beach Vintage Motorcycle Show

The last ride of this month also was a cold start! It was good to have Greenies back with us as he has been stuck at work most weekends. We all know how that feels. The weather warmed up and we all stripped off some layers and it turned into a beautiful day.We also met by Ric "Topcat" at the show. This year the show was again totally awesome. You never get tired of looking at the bikes. After the show we all headed for Cafe 27 where we had just a great lunch served by some of our favorite people....All in all, one of the best rides of the year.