Oil Drippings: News and Opinion

By Bud Wilkinson of RIDE-CT.com

It took a while, but results from RIDE-CT.com’s August poll have been tabulated and a topic for a September poll has been selected. The new poll asks if you take any measures to make yourself more visible while riding.

The August poll question revolved around reading habits, asking if you subscribed to or regularly read some well-known motorcycle magazines. “Cycle World” proved to be the most popular with 35 percent of the respondents picking it. “Rider” and “None” tied for second place with 33 percent.

“RoadRUNNER” came in next with 24 percent, followed by “Motorcyclist” with 18 percent and “Motorcycle Classics” with 12 percent. Rounding out the choices were “American Iron” with 10 percent and “RoadBike” with six percent.

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The 3rd annual Torrington Thunder is coming up on Friday, Sept. 28 in downtown Torrington. RIDE-CT.com and “The Republican-American” are teaming up on a motorcycle display. The event benefits the Torrington Police Department’s D.A.R.E. program and the newspaper will soon start running promotional ads, which should include a publicity picture that was shot last Saturday:

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RIDE-CT.com is heading up to Sturbridge, MA in the morning for the 29th annual IMOC Rally at the Hamilton Rod & Gun Club. IMOC stands for the Italian Motorcycle Owners Club and the rally brings together owners of bikes whose brand names end with a vowel – such as Aprilia, Benelli, Bimota, Ducati, Laverda, Moto Guzzi and MV Agusta. The rally runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is worth the ride.

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The Victory demo truck will be at Willow’s Motorsports in Cheshire on Sept. 25 and 26 (that’s a Tuesday and Wednesday) offering test rides from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days.

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There are so many charity rides that it would be a full-time job keeping track of them. That’s why RIDE-CT.com generally avoids mentioning them. This way the website is equally unfair to everyone, although we support them all in spirit. But there are exceptions…

Dave Sherman has been persistent in providing reminders of a benefit poker run tomorrow for the Hidden Acres Theraputic Riding Center in Naugatuck, which provides equine-assisted activities for individuals with special needs. The ride starts at the Slainte Pub & Eatery at 1221 New Haven Road in Naugatuck. Registration begins at 9 a.m. with the run commencing at 11 a.m. Cost is $25 for bike and $10 for passenger. For more info, call 203-723-0633.

Oh, yeah, it’s open to cars, too.