Tue, Aug 17, 2010 
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BY C.E. SIKKENGA news@grandhaventribune.com
SPRING LAKE TOWNSHIP — think of a convoy of motorcycle riders in leather pants and boots, and images of Hell's Angels might come to mind.
Click to enlarge But for Pastor Dennis Snyder and the Nortonville Gospel Church, it will be more like the Heaven's Angels on Sunday, Aug. 22, as the church hosts its fourth annual Bikers Day.
Snyder, a Harley-Davidson enthusiast who has been riding motorcycles for 35 years, introduced the idea nine years ago from his previous pulpit, the KV Bible Baptist Church in Demotte, Ind. He continued the tradition when he took his current position at Nortonville Gospel in Spring Lake Township.
"I talked to the board and they said, 'Yeah, go for it,'" Snyder said.
The event, which is open to the public, begins with a 10:45 a.m. church service in which Snyder tries to gear his message toward riding and motorcycles. After the service, lunch will be served on the church grounds.
After the meal, the bikers will depart from the church and head north on a 100-mile ride, most likely ending up in Baldwin at Jones Ice Cream before heading their separate ways.
"We try to hit the back roads," Snyder said. "We stay off the highways as best we can. ... when you have 20 motorcycles behind you, you want to keep them together."
Although most of the bikers in the first three rides were not Nortonville Gospel members, Snyder said the congregation is very supportive of the event — a fact supported by the numerous Harley-themed gifts from parishioners lining the walls and bookshelves of his office.
Church member Leroy Britton, who plans to join the ride for the second time this year, said he appreciates how well the event is organized and enjoys the fellowship. He also likes that it gives the congregation the chance to re-evaluate perceptions about bikers.
"I know that some of the folks that go to church don't know bikers and don't know that bikers can also be Christians," Britton said. "I feel like they learn that bikers aren't all outlaws."
Snyder also hopes events like this help squash stereotypes and remind people that most bikers are squarely in the mainstream, regardless of their appearance.
"I wear my leather jacket and Harley boots when I ride," Snyder said. "We may not look like normal people, but we are."
For Snyder, the day is an important part of the church's outreach program — one which allows him to interact with members of the community he might not otherwise meet.
"I get to bond with them and meet them and see them on the street and I say, 'hi' — and they know who I am," Snyder said. "If I see them at Pronto Pup, we can talk."
Most of all, he said, it is a chance for the church to mix its business with pleasure.
"We have a very loving congregation here and they enjoy life, and motorcycle riding is an enjoyment in life," Snyder said. "We want to let people know you can believe in Jesus Christ and still have fun."
Filed under motorcycle Gear by on Aug 29th, 2010. 
The motorcycle is, from many years, a widespread vehicle, designed for many purposes, such as urban traffic, racing, long distance travel or sport. The first motorcycles were built by Wilhelm Maybach and Gottlieb Daimler, in 1885, in Stuttgart, Germany. It was petroleum powered motorized bicycle. In 1867, Sylvester Howard Roper, from Massachusetts, designed a vehicle on two wheels and a steam propulsion, and presented it at fairs.
The Japanese manufacturers are dominating today the motorcycle production; brands such as Yamaha, Suzuki, Honda or Kawasaki are appreciated world wide. There are other famous motorcycle manufacturers, such as Harley Davidson, Triumph, Ducati or BMW with growing popularity. Since 2006 a Dutch firm produces a diesel powered motorcycle, reliable and efficient.
Motorcyclist organizations are organized geographically; many raise money for charities organizing rides or popular events. People choose a motorcycle to avoid the effects of huge urban traffic; motorcycles are an affordable alternative to other transport vehicles. In some countries, such as UK, motorcyclists are exempt from charges in many agglomerated areas, may use the bus lanes and have dedicated free parking.
Motorcycle safety and motorcycle clothing are vital; the biker is subject to vary accidents more often than a driver. They have a rate of crippling and fatal accidents higher than cars (the ratio is 5.1 to 1 in U.S.). If we consider the distance traveled, the ration increases dramatically: 33 to 1. The causes of the motorcycle terrible accidents are the rights of way violations and the frequent use of alcohol when riding. The accidents can be prevented with proper training, and separating riding and drinking alcohol.
The insurances are also important for motorcyclists; in many countries the insurance companies are forcing the riders to undertake a motorcyclist training course. The appropriate equipments, leather clothes and gloves, are protecting the rider from rains, snow, humidity, cold and shocks. Protective gloves, boots, pants and jackets are made from nylon, Kevlar or leather. Motorcycle safety clothing includes carbon fiber knuckle protection. Boots include plastic caps and reinforcements.
Motorcycle safety clothing provides abrasion, puncture and impact protection; the cowhide is recommended for the durability and strength; kangaroo leather is supple, light and resistant. Usually, the motorcyclists wear black leather suits, decorated with metal studs. The classic American motorcycle jacket has epaulets and a few zippers; modern leather clothes have armor on the inside to protect the critical impact zones, such as spine, knees, or shoulders; the leather clothes are spreading the impact to avoid or minimize injuries.
Kevlar, Lycra or Cordura are the most popular textiles used for motorcyclist clothing to protect them against rain, cold or heat because the artificial fabrics take less time to dry out. Some bikers testify than the artificial textiles are comfortable, especially in warm weather. Bikers boots are made of heavy leather, to protect the bikers feet, legs and ankles. The bikers helmet is very important to protect his head; many helmets have also face shields, ear protection and intercom. There is full face helmets, open face helmets and half helmets, all reinforced with carbon fiber or Kevlar. There are also some other types, non certified, smaller and lighter than traditional helmets.
Filed under motorcycle headsets by on Jun 25th, 2010.
MILWAUKEE, May 27, 2010 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ --Harley-Davidson, Inc. /quotes/comstock/13*!hog/quotes/nls/hog (HOG 26.62
Joanne Bischmann Named Vice President, Communications of Harley-Davidson, Inc.
Filed under motorcycle headsets by on Jun 21st, 2010.
Filed under Motorcycle Rain Gear, motorcycle Gear by on May 5th, 2009.
