By Chris Genovese, the “Marketing Guy”
Fall is officially my favorite part of the riding season, and I’ve said it many times. I mean, who in Western New York doesn’t love a sunny foliage ride through the Iroquois Wildlife Refuge or the hills and twisty roads around Ellicottville? My wife and I tend to ride around oohing and aahing, while searching for locally grown produce and discovering “new” roads and farm stands. And there’s still plenty of group rides and events on the October calendar, including annuals like the ABATE Foliage Run, the “Save the Headlights” Cancer Awareness Run out of Stan’s HD, and the Springville Travelers Chili Run – and those three all are on the same weekend, October 5th and 6th.
Of course, I’m very aware that some hearty souls ride year-round, and I salute them all! It’s just not for me, or for most riders. Fortunately, in recent years, the riding season for many of us has extended well into November. Ride to Grandma’s house for Thanksgiving if you can!
And there’s great fun indoor events throughout the snowy months, including the Voz Christmas Party for WNY Heroes, Santa’s Annual visit to Gowanda Harley-Davidson, and the ABATE Newsletter Party. Obviously, these are great occasions to “run into” and talk with other riders, but of course it’s not quite the same when you’re not riding to get there and back.
So, for those of us that are not busy avoiding frostbite as we ride, there’s a time coming very soon where we’re going to have to adjust to the dark days “off” season. And my suggestion, once again, for readers/riders that are wondering how to fill that void through the winter months is simple:
Get involved with a riding organization!
These are the months for the riding groups, clubs, and organizations to do their planning for next year, and I can confidently say that they’re ALL looking for new faces to help make good things happen and carry on their traditions. For example, I know that the local organizations I’m a part of, ABATE of Buffalo/Erie, WNY Riding Lions, Niagara Falls and Zoar Valley H.O.G., are all actively seeking new members and planning for 2025. And while some of them have a process that must be completed to become a full member, others simply need your dues and your presence and energy.
Let your own interests guide you to the group that fits you best. Those that are concerned about the future of the sport of motorcycling should look at joining our ABATE chapter. If you’re a veteran, there’s some really great groups to consider, such as the Combat Vets Motorcycle Association. Those that want to support our Veterans also have some options, including Hogs and Heroes and the Legion Riders. Other groups have members that are in law enforcement, such as Shotgun LEMC and the Blue Knights. The Red Knights for our firefighters. H.O.G. is great for finding riding friends that are on Harleys. The Riding Lions are famous for their community service. And the list goes on and on.
So take this time to invest a little of yourself in next year’s riding season, and all of the riding seasons that follow. Connect with like minded riders and get involved in something a little bigger than yourself. I’m sure that you’ll find it rewarding and energizing, and it will absolutely help you make it through the winter! Until then, please ride safely and be ready for the changing conditions that Fall brings. Always have your clear glasses with you, keep an eye on the hourly forecast, watch for deer and other wildlife, and be extra careful on wet roads with fallen leaves on them. And God forbid, if you or someone that you know goes down, call the lawyers that have been winning cases for riders and supporting the community for over 30 years at the Kantor Gullo Law Firm.
