Dixie Thunder of Aiken County S.C.

Helping Hands Back To School Run

admin — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 05:28:05 +0000

The Annual Helping Hands Back to School Run will be held on August 21 2010 at 12PM. Riders will meet in the Midland Valley Shopping Plaza (Bilo Parking Lot) in Clearwater SC.

Time for a state helmet law

admin — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 02:13:49 +0000

Time for a state helmet law

Sunday, July 18, 2010

Call it the revenge of “Easy Rider.”

Myrtle Beach, due to a ruling by the S.C. Supreme Court, had to refund $14,000 collected in tickets from motorcyclists for not wearing helmets in violation of a city ordinance.

The city lacks the authority to issue tickets for a practice that the state law allows, the court ruled.

Its decision probably produced some hearty laughter among the bikers, who have periodically been at odds with city officials over loud, congesting motorcycle rallies.

The city had to pay interest on the fines, as well.

The ruling should remind the Legislature to extend the state requirement for motorcycle helmets to all bikers, not just those under 21. Riding without a helmet is a safety hazard for all motorcyclists.

Motorists are required to wear seat belts to improve their chances in an accident.

Bikers should be required to wear helmets to prevent death or serious brain damage when collisions inevitably occur.
Copyright © 1995 – 2010 Evening Post Publishing Co..

http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2010/jul/18/time-for-a-state-helmet-law/

Winner of the PPKS Pistol is…

admin — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 00:37:55 +0000

Doris Johnson from Aiken, SC was the lucky winner of this fine pistol and it was delivered into her hands on 14 July 2010.

The drawing was held at the Tuesday night meeting.

Rick Cooper Accident Recovery Updates

admin — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 20:01:29 +0000

Rick’s CT scan showed fluid around his lungs again so his chest tubes were reinserted. They also found a pulmonary embolism and he has been started on blood thinner and an IVC filter inserted. He remains sedated.

I’m collecting details from various sources, if you have anything to add please use the comments section or TEXT me at 803-295-2040 or email to aikenabate@gmail.com

As many have already heard Rick was in a bad motorcycle accident on July 5 2010. He was on a ride with about 18 other riders and it was a great day to be out riding.

Mick and Melinda started posting updates within the hour and did a great job at updating people on FaceBook. Clifton called me to let me know and soon I was in contact with Darlene who went to the hospital to be with the family. From there I was in contact with Beth and have been in contact with her since.

Rick left the road and traveled about 100 yards before hitting a culvert. There is good reason to believe he had a heart attack behind while riding. There is no way to tell though because the heart would have produced the same chemical response to heart attack as it would to the accident. His recent history however and the fact that he was due for open heart surgery is enough to let us know what happened. Rick is not an irresponsible rider and wouldn’t have lost control riding with a pack on a beautiful day otherwise.

He was air lifted to the Medical College of Georgia Shock Trauma ICU. He has broken all of his ribs, his sternum, collar bone and has broken his spine in two places. He has two lung punctures, a bruised aorta and there was some brain bruising and swelling.

Updates will continue regularly and will be posted here and on FaceBook. I am keeping contact with Beth (Rick’s Daughter) and Clifton (Rick’s Roomate) GerryLynn and Darlene have been visiting regularly and are also giving updates. If you have medical updates from the family please forward them onto me so they can be published in nightly reports. aikenabate@gmail.com

Becky

Family Outreach Ride August 21

admin — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 22:46:54 +0000

Family Outreach Ride to benefit Tiffany Cox
Date: August 21 2010
Time: 8:30 AM
Place: Langly Pond Aiken, SC (Directions)

Fritz N’ Friends Relay for Life June 26

admin — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 04:39:19 +0000

FRITZ n’ FRIENDS RELAY FOR LIFE
Saturday June 26, 2010 Beginning at 4PM
15080 Hwy 64, Snelling SC 29812

Myrtle Beach Exhaust Ordinance

admin — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 21:56:11 +0000

As everyone knows the Supreme Court of South Carolina invalidated many of the anti-motorcyclists ordinances passed by the City of Myrtle Beach . However a few of the ordinances remain, one of which is the exhaust ordinance. Myrtle Beach has passed an exhaust ordinance which is far stricter than that enacted by the state legislature. The result of this is that motorcyclists whose exhaust systems are legal everywhere else in the State of South Carolina can be ticketed in Myrtle Beach and in some instances have their property confiscated.

On Tuesday, The Law Offices of Tom McGrath filed suit in Horry County asking that the court find the ordinance to be unconstitutional and therefore invalid. The plaintiff’s in the law suit are numerous residents of the City of Myrtle Beach as well as ABATE of South Carolina, Inc. and ABATE of South Carolina, Inc., Horry County Chapter.

As always thank you for supporting the rights of motorcyclists everywhere. I will provide updates as the information becomes available.

Matt Danielson

Tom McGrath’s
Motorcycle Law Group

Virginia Coalition of Motorcyclists

1-800-321-8968

State Party 2010 Recap

admin — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 21:42:20 +0000

Thanks goes to Mike Bryce (Bubba) for the photos and update.

Nice Location …..lots of shade under the trees but no breeze.

Hot as blue blazes both Friday evening and all day Saturday.

Had acceptable representation for Dixie Thunder at the party. Had Toni and Rick there with the products. Mick, Judy, Richard and Karen there as part of the daytime crew, and Father Time, Gary, Michele, and Bubba there for the overnight crew.

Best thing that showed up was the dance pole mounted on a trailer and someone to give all the girls instructions in the proper use of the pole.

Band was good both nights and whiskey and beer never ran out.

Hope to see more of ya’ll at the party next year!!!

Bubba

Floyd Basden Memorial Benefit Event July 17 2010

admin — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 20:52:32 +0000

Please try to attend this event if possible. Floyd Basden’s family needs our help to cover the expenses related to Floyds final ride. This event is on July 17 2010 in Hampton SC at Bombs Away Billiards & Sports 920 Elm Street East, Hampton, SC 29924-2612(803) 943-9970‎ First Bike out at 10 AM

School bond referendum

admin — Thu, 20 May 2010 03:51:38 +0000

From Gerry Lynn:

I gave out fliers for the Vote No to the School Bond Referendum.
This special Election will be on May 25

If this passes your primary house taxes will go up 4%, car, motorcycle, car, boat, etc will go up 6%, rental and commercial property will go up 6%.

This special election is costing the county $40,000. They could have waited and put this on the November ballot and saved this extra cost.

There will be a Vote No rally Monday night at 6:30 at the Aiken County Court House steps. Please ask ABATE members to please attend. The election if May 25th.

Hopefully I will be able to get more fliers for the ABATE meeting May 23rd.

Thanks

Gerry Lynn

For more information about the School Bond Referendum please visit:

http://www.aikenstandard.com/Local/0516-referendum-by-numbers

http://www.aikenteaparty.com/2010/05/vote-no-on-may-25th.html