Green Knights Military Motorcycle Club

Newsletter Summer 2015

Safety First! Page 1 "The second key factor in keeping riders safe is a change in
Destinations Page 1 perspective, and this change is needed for not only
motorcycle riders, but all drivers," DeYoung added. "The
GKIO Profile Page 3 mind sees what the brain tells it to see. When approaching
Upcoming Events Page 3 an intersection, most people have been taught to look both
Good Times Page 4 ways to see if any cars are coming, so their mind focuses on
Chapter Spotlight Page 5 cars and they tend to miss anything that is not a car, such as
Cool To Know Page 5 a lorry, tractor, pedestrian, motorcycle, bicycle or dog. I tell
my riders to look to see if the road is empty, at that point,
anything that's not an empty road will stand out."
Safety First!
Heads Up! By Gina Randall, 100 ARW/PA In order to keep up the good work on the local area roads,
The summer is a time when many motorcycle riders make the safety office has advice if anyone is looking to ride a
the most of the better weather and longer evenings by motorcycle.
getting out on the roads. Motorcycle riders are even more
at risk than vehicle drivers. "The first person a rider should contact with questions is
their unit motorcycle safety representatives," Lyman
"Bikes are smaller and harder to see and require more explained. "Each unit is required to have at least one
attentiveness to notice," said SSgt Koert Lyman, 100 appointed at all times. If there are still questions, then the
ARW/SE. "Complacency by road users puts motorcyclists at rider can contact their wing safety office. Each wing safety
risk. In any mishap, they have much less protection than office has its own program manager assigned."
someone in an automobile." Those in vehicles can help
protect others on the road who are more at risk. Destinations
Two-Wheeling the Land of Enchantment
"Other road users need to stay constantly vigilant for
motorcycles sharing the roadways," added Lyman. "They By Michael Biggerstaff, Chapter 36
need to look, look, and look again at all junctions before What do you think of when you think of New Mexico? For
pulling into the road." The safety representatives believe a years I thought that all of NM was one big desert. Then I
community of like-minded motorcycle enthusiasts can help found a job in the Land of Enchantment and had the chance
one another keep safe. to see many of this state’s wonders. I prefer to see the state
from my motorcycle, however many have seen the state in
"I feel there are two fundamental things which help keep everything from bicycles to hot air balloons. NM has some
riders safe while on the road," said Kevin DeYoung, GKMMC of the most agreeable weather that can be found anywhere.
Chapter 86. "The first is to get involved in a mentorship
relationship with other riders. We, as riders, can always learn This journey begins and ends in Albuquerque, the largest city
something from other riders, whether it's riding habits not in NM. A good time to come to Albuquerque is mid Sep to
to emulate, or tips that improve our riding skills. mid Oct. The NM state fair would be in progress in mid Sep.
Every day of the fair has a different vehicle exhibit to include
"Always riding alone can develop and reinforce bad habits," such themes as Model T and Model A Fords, Gold Wings,
he added, explaining that a good group to get involved with Muscle Cars, etc.
is the GKMMC, that address the needs and concerns of
military and DOD civilian riders through education, safety The weekend following the state fair is when the world
knowledge and the shared joy of riding. famous Albuquerque Balloon Festival begins. Driving the
length of I-25 through Albuquerque as hundreds of balloons
DeYoung reiterated that everyone on the roads should are taking off is a real visual treat. The weather this time of
remain alert and look out for one another. year ranges from high 50s at night to low 80s at mid-
afternoon, but with the low humidity it is very comfortable MPH and are off camber. If you think the sound of scraping
riding weather. floorboards, or even sport bike pegs is a real cool sound than
some of these turns will provide music to your ears.

At the bottom of the hill you are faced with a choice of

either going through Los Alamos or staying on Highway 4
and bypassing the town. No matter what you choose you
will end up eventually on highway 502 heading down to U.S.
84/285.

Bypass Santa Fe on the road marked Relief Route (Hwy 599).

When you come up to I-25 keep going straight under the
freeway and you will now be on State Hwy 14 (The Turquoise
Trail). The Turquoise Trail is derives its name from the
turquoise mining that goes back to 1,000 BC. This area is
actually the home of the first gold rush west of the
Mississippi River in 1925. The towns you will find along the
Trail were at one-point genuine ghost towns but are once
On the north side of town is U.S. Hwy 556. Where it again coming alive with museums, restaurants, hotels, and
intersects I-25 is Sandia Casino, which is one of the largest other tourism industries.
casinos in the area and sits on the Sandia Indian Reservation.
Head West for a couple of miles and you will come to the
Intersection of State Hwy 313. When the road reaches the
city of Bernalillo, head west on US 550. You’re only on it for
about 22 miles and you will get to State Hwy 4, which in my
opinion is where the scenic treat to the senses begins.

Head up to Jemez Springs and you’ll experience more colors

then you ever thought possible. A decent place to learn
some Native American Culture would be the Walatowa
Visitors Center. As you continue farther up Hwy 4 you'll
realize the canyon has very limited ways in and out. With a
little imagination you can feel as if you’re in a half scale
model of the Grand Canyon. Be careful as you travel through
Jemez Springs. The Speed Limits seem unnaturally low. When you get to the Intersection marked with the Sandia
Crest and Ski Resort you will want to go turn west and go up
After Jemez Springs, you will start into the mountains. You'll the mountain. What you see as a dramatic mountain rising
notice several different land formations such as Soda Springs straight above the eastern edge of Albuquerque is a gentle,
Dam, Battleship rock, and you'll see the last of the but ever increasing slope when approached from Highway
Cottonwoods and the first of the Aspens for the next several 14. You will be able to ride your bike all the way to Sandia
miles. You will also notice that the air is cooler, a welcome Crest.
relief if you are riding in mid summer. If you are into viewing
fall foliage than the best time for this ride would be the first The view from on top will take you breath away; at 10,678'
half of Oct. The deciduous trees will already be into their there’s more than one reason for this! If you’re already
change at the higher altitudes. acclimated to high altitudes you might consider the
approximately 4 mile round-trip hike to the top of the
Speaking of altitude you will be at the 10,000' level a couple Tramway and back. One of the many interesting things you
times during this ride. If your bike is carbureted and running can see from the crest is the spot where you started and will
lean than you shouldn’t have too much problem keeping finish your journey.
your bike running, however you may notice less horsepower.
For those with Injection everything should be fine, in theory. You will of course have to take the same road back down the
mountain, and once again take it easy on the brakes. At the
The next thing item of interest after a stint in the mountains bottom you will turn South on State Highway 14 again.
is a large open area known as the Valle Caldero. It is difficult When you reach Interstate 40 I recommend continuing
to tell, but this is actually an extinct volcano. It is also the under the Interstate and you will find the more famous Post
home to a herd of Elk and other wild, grazing animals. 1937, Route 66 highway. Head West through Tijeras Pass
Continue on and soon you will find yourself going down and at the intersection of Tramway the road will go by the
some steep switchbacks. Some are marked as low as 10 name of Central Ave, but is still in fact Route 66. As you get
closer to Downtown Albuquerque you will see many of the
same businesses that greeted many who traveled through
here in the 30s, 40s, and 50s.

In downtown Albuquerque, you'll want to run the length of

Route 66 for the sake of it. You will want to go west at least
as far as the Rio Grande. Just before you get to the Rio
Grande you will see Old Town Albuquerque on the right.
There is some nice restaurants in the area and many art
exhibits. Behind Old Town Albuquerque are the museums to
include the National Atomic Museum, Albuquerque History
Museum, and NM Museum of National History. After an
evening at Old Town Albuquerque you will need to double
back on Central Ave, this time going east. Turn North on
Broadway until you reach Lomas, turn west on Lomas and
than make a right turn (north) on 4th Street and your back on
the original Route 66 again. Head toward Sandia Casino and
you have completed your journey.

This is only one ride in a state that has some of the greatest
riding weather, road conditions, and scenery to be found
anywhere in the United States. Come experience the Land
of Enchantment; English is the primary language and no visa
is necessary for your visit.

GK International Officer Profile

Shane “MacGyver” Buss, Int'l Members Advocate
By Brian Codd, GKI Guardian Editor