Brushing Up on Your Riding Skills
Warm days and clear roads are finally here! Before you hop on your motorcycle this spring, think about how you will refresh your skills to stay safe.
Refresh Yourself
Like many skills, riding a motorcycle is all about muscle memory. When winter arrives and you take a hiatus for several months, you may need to refresh your skills with a quick ride around the neighborhood.
If you feel like you need a more thorough refresher, motorcycle safety classes cover basic skills, maneuvers and strategies.
Stay in Shape
It’s a good idea to keep your muscles in shape. Particularly during the holiday season, you may relax and put on a few pounds. Once spring arrives, your body suddenly has to get back into the groove of riding.
Maintaining your physical fitness has many benefits, including:
- Improved stamina, so you’ll be able to ride farther.
- Better physical flexibility.
- Greater concentration, so you can stay focused on longer routes and road trips.
Work on Bike Maintenance
It’s never a good idea to throw your bike into storage and leave it unchecked until spring. Pests, rust and corrosion, mold and viscous fluids may negatively affect its condition. Even after sufficient pre-storage prep, check your bike and make repairs before the new season.
The end of winter into early spring is the prime time to start making these updates. To begin, put together a checklist that covers the following:
- Suspension adjustments
- Engine tune-up
- Valve adjustments
- Fluid changes
- Battery check
At any given moment, an estimated 800,000 US drivers are texting behind the wheel. This behavior is responsible for:
For your first trip, choose a familiar destination where you already know the roads. However, potholes and uneven pavement may not be addressed by early spring. Even a route you know well could present a few riding challenges.
You can never be too careful, even when circling the block to get back in the swing of things. Prepare for uneven pavement, potholes, accidents and unpredictable weather with the right riding gear:
It’s very important to submit your events on time and with accurate information. Once the booklet goes to print, we cannot make any changes to your event. Please send the following information to 
Although there’s no set timeline, those in the Northeast often retire their bike toward the end of October or whenever the temperatures turn noticeably cooler. On the other hand, some people extend it until there’s no more sun. Through a combination of these factors, your bike should be prepared and covered before the season’s first snowfall.
For the first – and perhaps most crucial – part of their progression, Harley-Davidson 
Summertime brings a tremendous amount of traffic to roadways statewide. Be sure to watch out for all vehicles, including cars, trucks and bicycles, as well as pedestrians.
Tickets are $30 in advance and include the scenic motorcycle ride and admission to the concert. They can be purchased at:
Sun Valley Beach Club is a family-owned and operated private campground in Stafford Springs. The lake covers 10 acres of peaceful land, including 300 seasonal camping spots. Four Seasons By the Lake at Sun Valley, formerly known as Clubhouse Café, is the new on-site restaurant to enjoy a meal overlooking the water.