COBRA

The May 2010 issue of Cycle World has a fantastic article called “The Demise of Buell”. Mark Hoyer, a journalist, prior employee of Buell and long-time acquaintance of Erik writes an excellent inside story on the closing of Buell. We even get a close up view of what was to be the next big Buell — the Barracuda 2, an upgraded, turbo-version of the 1125 series.

This is a MUST READ!!

Pick a copy up at the newstand — if you can find one. If not, you can download the back-issue now for just $.99 from Cycle World.

Here’s the first part of the article, along with a link to download the entire issue.

The Demise of Buell

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Roll On Columbus is a family friendly, motorcycle enthusiast focused charity event to raise money for Nationwide Children’s Hospital.

Doors will open Saturday, May 22nd at the LC Pavilion in the Arena District of Columbus, Ohio at 12:00 PM.

There will be vendors, dealers, demonstrations, live music, vintage bike show, custom bike show, The Trials Guys, The Motosphere, MiniGP racers, MSF demonstrations, fun, games, prizes, and much more. The entire day has been planned to keep every age entertained.

Let’s show our support for the children!

Our first ride of the 2010 season is here!

Mark your calendars for Sunday, May 16 @ 10am for a 160-mile loop to the east of Columbus, running from Reynoldsburg through Newark, over to West Lafayette, down to Zanesville, and back over to Reynoldsburg. We will meet in the Walmart parking lot in Reynoldsburg at I-70 and 256 (opposite side of the highway as the Motorcycle Hall of Fame).

There’s gas and food right there as well, so come early and be ready to hit the road. Kickstands up at 10am. There will be a gas & food stop mid-way through, so plan on 5-6 hrs. We’ll circle back around to where we started at Walmart for a full 160-miles.

This ride is a COBRA ride, but you’re welcome to bring along non-COBRA, non-Buell riding friends.

Here’s where we’re meeting - Walmart parking lot in Reynoldsburg:

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And here’s the route:

View Larger Map

Like last year, the ARC class is still being held as a pilot class in Ohio. There are just a few classes this year, and they’re all coming up quick. Masa and I took the class last year (at different times) and I considered it to be an excellent course for just $25. It’s mainly being held 3x over Memorial Day Weekend.

This is a one-day class on your own scoot that reinforces the principles taught in BRC and ERC, and adds a few more things — like sliding your butt half-off the seat for better turning control. MSF has a FAQ about the class here.

If anyone is interested, here is the information I received about it…I’m considering going again myself (trying to take some kind of course every year).

The ARC-ST is still being considered a “pilot” course in Ohio, so it is extremely limited this year at ODPS in Columbus and at the MSF Campus in Troy.

The Columbus offerings are over Memorial Day weekend - one class each day on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday (May 29, 30, and 31). There is 1 opening (as of 11.05p on 3/31/10) for the only other Columbus class - Sunday, April 18th. The Columbus classes are scheduled from 8a-5p and include an hour for lunch.

There are currently 8 openings for the class in Troy on Sunday, May 9th. That class is scehduled from 9a-5p.

To register on-line ( https://www.dps.state.oh.us/MOScheduling/MO_Ohio.aspx ), select Franklin County (for Columbus) or Miami County (for Troy). The ARC-ST classes are listed as ERC classes, but will have either “ARC-ST format” or *Advance RiderCourse* in the description.

I hope we’ll be able to expand the number of classes and sites next year (2011 season), but that remains to be seen.

Thanks for your interest in the course, and if there are any other questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.

Our first meeting of the new year and new decade will be on Thursday, January 21 @ 6pm. We’ll be meeting at the Barley’s Smokehouse & Brewpub located near downtown Columbus on Dublin Road.

Barley’s Smokehouse & Brewpub
Ale House No. 2
1130 Dublin Road
Col.OH 43215

Hope to see you all there!