If you’re a motorcyclist who’ve never heard of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation or MRF, you should.

The MRF is chiefly concerned with issues at the national/international level that impact the freedom and safety of American street motorcyclists. They are committed to educating rights advocates to improve effectiveness at the state and local level. The MRF works together with State Motorcyclists’ Rights Organizations (SMROs) such as ABATE, assisting them with state and local agendas as well as working with them to influence law makers and government agencies up to the Office of the President of the United States. They are partners with the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) and work with the AMA on a host of issues.

They also work with allies in Europe and Asia to influence talks on vehicle globalization and harmonization that are proceeding under the United Nations and the World Health Organization (WHO).

Simply put, when you choose to put on your helmet, change pipes, add enhancements, etc. It’s because of the efforts of the MRF and your SMROs.

When many people think of this organization or ABATE, US Defenders, etc., the belief is that these groups are anti-helmet…nothing is further from the truth. As we say to people, if the government wanted to create a “no helmet” law, these organizations would fight that too!

Whether you ride, want to ride, used to ride, or support freedom of choice this organization needs our support! Even if you feel that you don’t have time, a membership or donation to ensure that the freedom of choice remains the same for every American…regardless of brand of bike, affiliation, or club.

If you’re interested in how these people help you (i.e. halting iHR 6809 – Energy for Schools Act which included a provision allowing insurance companies to be able to put limitations on payment without notifying the insured) retain your rights, visit http://www.mrf.org. To become a member visit https://mrf.org/register.php or to just donate visit https://mrf.org/donations.php.

With the weather in Anchorage, being what it’s being (heavy fog advisory for three days), I’ve been riding in the fog and I have to say it has not been one of my favorite motorcycling activities.

So I decided to share some tips on riding in fog for my fellow riders and to share some of my observations to help ensure a better or safer way to travel in this weather hazard.

• An immediate concern about riding in the fog is the misting of your helmet face shield & windshield. The vapor the fog puts on the face shield/windshield is very fine and does not normally roll off like rain drops. The water vapor in thick fog does not bead up and run off like rain. It does bead up, but they are tiny beads and they tend not to run. Be ready to have to pull over to wipe the mist away with a glove or rag. Depending on how thick the fog is expect it to come right back to obscure your vision. Also be aware that the mist will identify any streaks or obstructions that may not have been noticed before.
• Should you decide to use a rag, try to use a clean area as the mist will be attracted to any dust or other contaminants. It could be better to just let the mist remain as opposed to wiping off the visor/windshield!
• Obviously visibility to other traffic is diminished considerably. One strategy is to ride behind the car in front of you and stay with it while in the fog. Oncoming traffic as well as traffic from the rear can better see a car with it’s lights on than a motorcycle with its lights on. The drawback would be the dreaded pile-up, so stay alert for such a situation.
• In Anchorage, be extra careful of the ‘rubberized’ strips as the water will make it extremely slick on turns & braking.
• Remember your wet weather gear. While it may seem that it’s dry enough, you will become wet from the vapor. Remember that the vapor that is on the visor/windshield is also collecting on all exposed areas of the bike & you!
• Lastly, avoid using your high beam or passing lamps in fog (especially at night) as that this tends to hamper your visibility even more. The light reflects off of the water droplets in the fog and the glare is worse with the more light used, decreasing visibility.
• Riding in fog is taxing, more so than riding in bright sunshine so take it easy.

It’s better to arrive late than to not arrive at all!