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This test also shows us and our readers how far the so called “free magazine” genre has come in 8 short years. Time was that as far as industry movers and shakers were concerned free magazines were used to soak up oil under an old scoot in your garage. Now with the big national “glossies” losing readership and circulation faster than the stock market is losing value, things have really changed. Quick Throttle’s expansion into doing tech articles a few years ago has really paid off and the faith and trust that companies like Big Dog have in us will not be wasted or abused. We plan a very extensive array of road tests, product reviews and new product intro’s over the next few months so stay tuned.

VETERAN’S DAY: November is a very busy, fun and colorful month. In addition to Thanksgiving another holiday we celebrate is “Veteran’s Day (formerly Armistice Day.) Please take a few minutes to pause and remember that our freedom has never been free and it never will be. Then thank a vet, donate to a vet’s organization or help out at a vet’s function. These are the men and women who make it possible for you and I to say and do whatever we choose to say and do and to live each day in the greatest country in the world. You might also want to make sure you vote on the 4th. It is perhaps our greatest privilege, and some seem to be taking it for granted and not exercising their inalienable right to vote in or out the leaders we have come to love or hate. By the way,we are also proud to announce our continued support for the “Forgotten Veteran’s Ride” which will take place next July 19th 2009. Quick Throttle will also be continuing its support of “Journey for Freedom” that provides full scholarships for the children of our fallen heroes.

FEDS PROPOSE NEW HELMET LAWS, RELEASE TRAINING DATA: Mary Peters, current chief of the Department of transportation is proposing more stringent helmet laws designed to make it easier for both riders and police to identify so called “novelty” helmets and to strengthen DOT helmet standards. At the same time the DOT released information showing that the Motorcycle Safety Foundation trained more than 400K riders in 2007. This means that for the first time “trained” riders outnumber untrained riders by a scant .01 percent. It’s a step in the right direction for sure. At the same time riders groups and many manufacturers are pressuring the DOT to get started on their long-delayed crash test study. The delay, plus additional standards and study areas has now ballooned the cost of the study from 3 million dollars to over 6 million and many say it will top out at 7.5 million dollars. This will all be covered by license and endorsement fees as well as Federal funds.

The new pressure is a result of recent data that shows that while motorcycles account for just under 2% of all highway traffic, they are involved in 11% of all accidents. Not a good ratio and bound to get worse as more and more people seek to escape today’s high gas prices by converting to motorcycles.

Hopefully the study will get under way in early 2009 under a new DOT chief appointed swiftly by a new administration.

UNCLE SAM AMERICAN BAR & GRILL: Shortly after starting Quick Throttle Magazine back in Feb. of 2002 one of the first people we met was Craig Arrowood or as his friends call him “Beer Man.” He helped us by opening doors to ABATE as well as spending some money to advertise some of his concert productions and was a very loyal reader and supporter of the magazine. Several other music promoters followed Beer Man’s lead and bought ads as well. You can imagine how important something like that was to a new business with a new idea. Well now we get to return the favor. Beer Man has just opened a new B&G in Spanaway called the “Uncle Sam American B&G.” You can see his ad on page 36 and we want all of our readers to stop by and see Beer Man’s new place when they are in the Spanaway area. You can’t miss it with its unique red, white and blue exterior paint job and we wish our old buddy the best of luck and great success with his new venture!

SONS OF ANARCHY TV SHOW: We got lots of letters from all of you SOA fans so it’s our pleasure to mention that the show has been renewed for another year. With episodes for 2008 winding down, we are delighted that the show will be returning late next spring for another run!

BRONZE BIKE RENDEVOUS: The numbers are in and this years event more than doubled the number of riders who attended this neat event in Joseph, Oregon in August. Congratulations to organizer and promoter, Terry DeSpain and his hard working staff of volunteers. We look forward to attending the 2009 event. Look for the photo coverage of this year’s event on page 16 in the magazine.

SANDBAGGED!: My wife and staff decided they were getting tired of the ongoing questions from clients and readers regarding my involvement with Wolf Haven and decided against my wishes to explain in excruciating detail my obsession with the wolves, Wolf Haven and our ride. See Jan’s article on page 19 in the magazine. I hope this puts to rest all those rumors about how I was raised by wolves on Long Island and other similar stories!

THANKSGIVING: We have been asked by all of the local Turkeys to please suggest that our readers skip the traditional roast turkey dinner this year and try something different like pork, beef, fish or tofu. They feel that most of you are in a rut when it comes to having the same thing year after year.

Regardless of your meal choice we hope that all of you take the time to count your many blessings, as we do, and have a really great TG Day!

MD