Regular readers may recall that I had an opportunity to experience the new Advanced Experienced Ride Course last fall. My friend Dave Wendell of Pacific Northwest Motorcycle Safety (full disclosure: Dave’s company is a long-time advertiser on NWCR.) dropped me a line the other day to let me know that they have three AERC courses scheduled in the coming months.

June 21st, July 10th and September 12th. I highly recommend this course. It’s not your father’s rider training. This experience will make you a better rider as you learn to get the most out of your bike. All types of riders will benefit; cruisers, touring riders and sport bike riders. Contact Dave soon to reserve your spot in one of these classes.

Dave also wanted me to pass on the word that they are now offering training at the Auburn Supermall site.

It’s time to ride again. Despite my absence from the site for a while, I am anxious to get out and ride! My new job downtown makes commuting daily a bit of a challenge, but my weekends are quickly filling up with great rides.

So get that bike out, dust it off, change, oil, check the tires and cables, and let’s go riding!

So, where have I been? Well, I was hospitalized last July to remove arterial emboli from my leg and arm. After recovering and returning to my day job I was laid off in November due to a downturn in business. I spent 6 months looking for a job before finally landing a great position with a technology company in downtown Seattle. Now, I have a 2.5 hour (one way) commute and less opportunity to ride daily.

But that’s all behind me now. The weather is better, I feel better and I’m itching to ride! So watch this space as I try to get myself back into the rhythm or riding and writing. NWCR just celebrated it’s 5th birthday and despite recent setbacks, I’m not ready to give it up.

New Year’s Resolution: Get Endorsed http://ow.ly/16bHM9

Registration for the 2009 Washington 120 State Park Tour is open. This is the third year for this unique event and promises to be the largest yet.

In the Washington 120 motorcyclists compete by visiting as many of the 120 Washington State Parks as possible before the tour deadline. Each park visit must be documented with a photograph of the park sign and the riders registration number.

With budget cuts looming, this could be the last year that many of the parks will be open. Don’t miss this chance to see some of the wonders of Washington State.

For more information or to register for the tour, please visit Washington120.com.

The budget proposal released yesterday by Washington State House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kelli Linville steals ALL of the Nonhighway and Offroad Vehicle Activities (NOVA) funds for the next two years and puts it in the general fund.

The following is from page 156 of the proposed changes to House Bill HB1244 under:

Sec. 805. FOR THE STATE TREASURER–TRANSFERS.

Nonhighway and Off-Road Vehicle Activities Program
Account: For transfer to the state general fund,
$4,780,000 for fiscal year 2010 and $4,780,000 for
fiscal year 2011 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $9,560,000

Proposed bill:
http://leap.leg.wa.gov/leap/Budget/Detail/2009/ho0911bill_0331.pdf

Other supporting reports:
http://leap.leg.wa.gov/leap/budget/detail/2009/ho0911p.asp

Please direct questions pertaining to the contents of these documents to the House Ways & Means Committee at 360-786-7204.

The Washington State Supreme Court has ruled in the past that it is unconstitutional to use gas tax monies for non-road purposes.

Ways and Means
Telephone: (360) 786-7204
Fax: (360) 786-7018
Toll-Free Legislative Hotline:
1-800-562-6000

John L. O’Brien Building
Room JLOB 220-A
P.O. Box 40600
Olympia, WA 98504-0600

Committee Members

Representative Room Phone
Linville, Kelli (D) Chair Linville.kelli@leg.wa.gov (360) 786-7854
Ericks, Mark (D) Vice Chair Ericks.mark@leg.wa.gov (360) 786-7900
Alexander, Gary (R) Alexander.gary@leg.wa.gov (360) 786-7990
Bailey, Barbara (R) bailey.barbara@leg.wa.gov (360) 786-7914
Dammeier, Bruce (R) dammeier.bruce@leg.wa.gov (360) 786-7948
Chandler, Bruce (R) chandler.bruce@leg.wa.gov (360) 786-7960
Cody, Eileen (D) cody.eileen@leg.wa.gov (360) 786-7978
Conway, Steve (D) Conway.steve@leg.wa.gov (360) 786-7906
Darneille, Jeannie (D) derneille.jeannie@leg.wa.gov (360) 786-7974
Haigh, Kathy (D) haigh.kathy@leg.wa.gov (360) 786-7966
Hinkle, Bill (R) hinkle.bill@leg.wa.gov (360) 786-7808
Hunt, Sam (D) hunt.sam@leg.wa.gov (360) 786-7992
Hunter, Ross (D) hunter.ross@leg.wa.gov (360) 786-7936
Kagi, Ruth (D) kagi.ruth@leg.wa.gov (360) 786-7910
Kenney, Phyllis Gutierrez (D) kenney.phyllis@leg.wa.gov (360) 786-7818
Kessler, Lynn (D) Kessler.lynn@leg.wa.gov (360) 786-7904
Pettigrew, Eric (D) Pettigrew.eric@leg.wa.gov (360) 786-7838
Priest, Skip (R) priest.skip@leg.wa.gov (360) 786-7830
Ross, Charles (R) ross.charles@leg.wa.gov (360) 786-7856
Schmick, Joe (R) schmick.joe@leg.wa.gov (360) 786-7844
Seaquist, Larry (D) seaquist.larry@leg.wa.gov (360) 786-7802
Sullivan, Pat (D) Sullivan.pat@leg.wa.gov (360) 786-7858

When you speak to your representatives office be sure to tell them to NOT redistribute funds intended for the Non Highway and Offroad Vehicle Activities account!

This account was created when offroad vehicle users volunteered to waive their legal right to a fuel tax refund in exchange for a self-directed state account to provide funding for programs that benefited offroad vehicle activities.

These same citizens volunteered to have their license tab fees increased so long as those monies were also placed in the Non Highway and Offroad Vehicle Activities (NOVA) account.

To redirect the funding away from the NOVA account would be nothing short of stealing from the very same citizens that willing gave the state their hard earned money.

Furthermore, these funds are protected by the Washington State Constitution, Pursuant to Article II, Section 40 these monies must be used for their intended purpose or refunded. The State Supreme court has repeatedly reaffirmed this requirement.