MINNESOTA MOTORCYCLE SAFETY CENTER

The Minnesota Motorcycle Safety Center (www.motorcyclesafety.state.mn.us/pages/home.html) offers basic and advanced riding courses all over the state. Two of our members attended a course in Duluth one week ago. Above Melicious Mama is practicing a skill under the watchful eye of the instructor.

Here Melicious Mama (left) is waiting her turn to practice a skill. The Basic Rider Skills Course involves five hours of classroom work and 10 hours of riding skills. They are offer almost every weekend in Duluth from spring to fall.

Here Gutts (far right) is doing one of the first skills taught. She is learning how to operate the clutch in the "gray zone" allowing it to slip to control her speed. The Basic Rider Skills Course assumes that the participants have never ridden a cycle. It is a step by step course which breaks down riding a cycle into skills. By the end of the course, the participant has all the skills necessary to start riding on the road.

Gutts looks sharp in her new Road Crafter jacket by Aerostitch. Gutts completed the course with flying colors. At the end of the course, all participants are able to take the skills test. Passing the test means a cycle endorsement on their drivers license. Gutts pass!

We have yet to find out if Melicious pass her road test, as she left early the next morning for Alaska. I do know she had a great time and learned a great deal. She also promoted the Nobodies the entire weekend.

Nine of our 12 members have attended at least one Motorcycle Safety Center courses.