Getting out for a ride feels great in the warm weather we have been experiencing, and it gets even better when you can ride to benefit a worthwhile cause. Here is a list of upcoming rides throughout Maryland. Hope to see you out on the road!

March 24, 2012
Ride For Rob (Waldorf, Md.)
The ride starts at Aramis Construction, 70 Industrial Park Drive in Waldorf. The bikes go out at 4 p.m. The ride fee is $100 and includes the benefit at the end of the ride. All proceeds go directly to the Wilkinson family for medical expenses. The rid ends in Mechanicsville with dinner, auction and a benefit. For more information, call 301-751-8551 or 301-672-1958.

May 5, 2012
Poker Run to Benefit the Wounded Warrior Project (Chesapeake Beach, Md.)
The poker run starts at the Stallings-Williams American Legion, 3330 Chesapeake Beach Rd. in Chesapeake Beach. Registration begins at 9 a.m. The fee is $20. The first 150 to register will receive run pins. The run will end in Edgewater. For more information go to http://woundedwarriorproject.org.

August 5, 2012
4th Annual Ride for the Animals (Baltimore, Md.)
The ride starts at Harley-Davidson of Baltimore, 8845 Pulaski Hwy. in Baltimore. Registration begins at 10:30 am and the motorcycles go out at 12:00 pm. If you register early the fee is $10.00 for the rider and $5.00 for a passenger. On the day of the event the fee is $15.00 for the rider and $5.00 for a passenger. The fee includes event souvenir and entry into door prize. The ride will end in Essex. All the proceeds will go to the Maryland S.P.C.A. Check out our facebook page.

September 22, 2012
7th annual Ride for Life Motorcycle & Music Event (Parkville, Md.)
Sponsored by McAvoy’s of Parkville, Hard Rock Cafe’, Iron Shields MD LE MC, and Rick & Linda Ritz Foundation
The ride starts at McAvoy’s, 2531 Putty Hill Avenue in Parkville. Registration begins at 9 a.m., and the motorcycles go out at 11:30 a.m. The ride fee is $30 for the rider and $20 for a passenger. The fee includes rocker, pin, a ride patch for 1st time participants, music, and lunch. The ride will go more than 50 miles through eastern Baltimore Co. All bikes and riders are welcome. All proceeds benefit Baltimore Child Abuse Center. For more information call 410-908-3784 or go to http://www.theride4life.info.

September 23, 2012
Baltimore Washington Ride for Kids (Ellicott City, Md.)
Sponsored by Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation
The ride starts at Turf Valley Resort, 2700 Turf Valley Road, in Ellicott City. Registration is from 7:30 a.m. to 9:15 a.m., and the escorted ride begins at 9:15 a.m. All bikes are welcome, rain or shine. The ride fee is a minimum donation to ride is $35. Riders who raise additional money will receive additional gifts. The ride ends with a celebration of life program, awards and lunch. Proceeds will go to the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. For more information call 30-596-2890 or go to http://www.balt-wash-rfk.org.

By Stuart Dahne

The 2012 Motorcycle Show, held at the Timonium Fairgrounds this past weekend, continued to satisfy motorcycle enthusiasts, and Maryland Cycle Direct was proud to once again be a part of this signature show—now in its tenth year.

Severe Cycles from LaPlata, Md., had their custom "Cheerleaders Schoolbus" complete with a beautiful cheerleader!

In addition to providing free motorcycle insurance quotes to more than 200 people at the event (lines were so long at times, we reminded folks that free, instant quotes are always available on our website), we were thrilled to have existing customers come over to our booth to say hi. Amid saying hello to new friends and old, I was able to take in some of the standouts of this year’s event.

Carl Barry displayed his 2001 Harley Davidson, U.S. Army-themed bike for all to enjoy.

It was great to see Jim Foster and the Harley Davidson of Baltimore Crew who were out in force giving attendees the chance to check out the 2012 model and the world of Harley. Despite being an avid Harley fan, I must admit that I was drawn to the new BMW model, brought to us by the fine folks at Bob’s BMW, which features new tracking headlight that move as the bike turns—a very cool safety feature that helps riders see the road ahead.

Another highlight were the roughly seven custom bikes that C&C Cycle put on display. My personal favorite featured both a hideaway license plate when the bike was turned off and a rearview camera.

The artist, personal touches to the world of motorcycles could also be seen in the motorcycle sculptures masterfully created by Michigan-based artist Ron Finch. Check out my photography website for pictures of these motorcycle works of art—some of which are made out of old bike parts.

Mark Wenner completed this 1946 Indian for its owner, who saw it for the first time complete here at the show!

Speaking of bike parts, the expanded swap-meet in the building next door provided riders with a great resource for buying, selling, and trading bikes and parts.

With more than 2,500 bikes on display and live entertainment, the 2012 Timonium Motorcyle Show was another huge success. We, at Maryland Cycle Direct, are already looking forward to the 2013 event.

Motorcycle Show Brings 2,500 Bikes to Timonium Fairgrounds

Whether you are a fan of on-road or off-road bikes, cruising or extreme-sport bikes, scooters or racing bikes, The Timonium Motorcycle Show, which will be held at the Timonium Fairgrounds on Feb. 10 to 12, will cover everything on two wheels. The show, which attracted 46,000 people last year, will feature 2,500 bikes including new 2012 models.

“We have a very horizontal show, which means we cover all aspects of the motorcycle industry as opposed to competitive shows, which tend to be very specific,” show organizer Rich Kohles said.

The motorcycle show will feature bikes in nearly 50 classes, from sportsters to antiques to choppers, as well as brands like Harley-Davidson, Ducati and Suzuki. Stage entertainment includes The International Bikini Team, tattoo contests and adult games. On Friday, Feb. 10, 98 Rock will broadcast live from the stage.

This year, the motorcycle show will introduce a new garage-built vintage motorcycle expo, nicknamed “the dirty side of the bike show” after the grease monkeys who aren’t afraid to pull apart an engine. In addition, look for an expanded swap-meet for buying, selling, and trading bikes and parts.

“Attendees can see every aspect of the motorcycle industry in one show,” Rich said.

Maryland Cycle Direct, which offers Maryland motorcycle insurance for bikers by bikers, will join the show with a booth offering free, on-the-spot quotes. For more about the show, now in its 10th year, visit www.cycleshow.net.

With last weekend’s unexpected snowstorm, it seems we need to be prepared for an early winter this year. Wet pavement, along with mud, snow and ice, can mean disaster for motorcyclists who aren’t careful. We’ve gathered some tips on riding safely when winter weather strikes.

(from eHow.com)

• Avoid slippery spots if possible and try to drive on the driest pavement you see ahead of you.

• Reduce your speed – particularly on curves – because it’s harder to stop on slippery surfaces.

• Use both brakes and remember that the front brake is more effective than the back, even on slippery pavement. Squeeze the brake lever gradually to avoid locking the front wheel.
• Do avoid using the front brake, though, on extremely slippery surfaces, such as ice. Squeeze the clutch, look for an escape route and gradually coast to a stop.
• If you must ride on icy or snowy roads, keep your bike straight up and proceed as slowly as possible. Avoid sudden moves and abstain from any quick changes in speed or direction, which can cause skidding on slippery surfaces.

• Turn, brake, accelerate and change gears as little and as gradually as possible. Make no changes at all in very slippery places, such as a patch of ice, until you’ve crossed it.

Bambi doesn’t look so cute when he’s coming through your windshield. Nationwide, there are more than one million deer-vehicle collisions, 200 driver deaths, thousands of injuries and $3.6 billion in vehicle damage each year, according to insurance industry studies.

• Almost 40 percent of all deer crashes happen in October and November.
• About 70 percent of deer crash fatalities involve motorcycles.
• Deer-vehicle crashes are most likely to happen at dawn and dusk.
• 403 people died in collisions with deer in 2010, the fourth fewest in the past 30 years.

 (Source: Wisconsin Department of Transportation, Deer Vehicle Crash Information Clearinghouse, Professional Insurance Agents of Wisconsin Inc.)