Blais, of Manchester, had driven off the road and, luckily, another driver noticed his motorcycle lights on in the wooded area and called police a little after 2:00am.

Police responded to the scene and discovered that Blais had sustained several serious injuries as a result of being thrown off of his motorcycle.  It was reported that Blais did have his helmet on.  Emergency responders transported Blais to a local hospital and then by air to Massachusetts General Hospital for treatment. 

Police are continuing to investigate the crash.

If you have suffered injuries in this or similar motorcycle accident in New Hampshire, contact the best motorcycle attorney, Tom Kiley, for a Free Consultation: 1-800-410-2769. 
The best motorcycle accident attorneys will provide a free consultation. We also provide a download of Tom’s FREE motorcycle book: Do Loud Pipes Save Lives? A Biker’s Guide to Accidents and Injuuries.

90% of the time when I ride, I do not wear a helmet. I live in Florida so I am not in violation of any motorcycle laws but I am breaking one of the cardinal sins of motorcycling. And that is riding safely.

What’s worse is I have absolutely no excuse. Not only do I blog about how helmets mitigate injuries and save lives, I own 4 helmets. I have 3 DOT motorcycle helmets and a carbon fiber novelty helmet just waiting to be worn.

The last thing I want to happen is to learn the hard way. The last thing I want is to receive a massive head injury or lose my life over something as simple as putting on a helmet.

My number #1 New Year’s Resolution is to commit to safe riding and make a bigger effort to wear a helmet each time I ride. If you have not been wearing a helmet, I suggest you do the same.

The 2010 Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge borrows from that same warrior spirit as motorcycle enthusiasts from across the country battle across 7000 miles of rugged terrain to capture the first place prize:

$500,000 in Alaskan Gold

But this motorcycle run is not about the money. The Hoka Hey Challenge is about facing and overcoming extreme obstacles and the love of motorcycling. The 2010 event kicks off from Key West, FL on June 20^th and 2010 event should be the biggest and best Hoka Hey Challenge yet.

Here are some of the features of this challenge:

• The Course: 7000 miles from Key West, FL to the Kenai region of Alaska. The actual route of the challenge will be given to each rider as they arrive at various checkpoints along the way. These check points are great places to stop to reload supplies, rest, and do quick motorcycle maintenance.

• The Bikes: The only bikes allowed in this challenge are air cooled v-twin Harley Davidson motorcycles. There will be a few air cooled non-Harley motorcycles allowed in the challenge but that will be on a case by case basis.

• Entry: Each rider is required to pay $1000 entry fee however, sponsorships are accepted for riders who have financial backing. Each biker must agree to the terms and conditions of the event, sign a release and waiver, and present their bikes for pre-event inspection. If a biker is not selected for they event, their $1000 entry fee will be refunded in full. Bikers wishing to be part of TV telecasts for this motorcycle event will need to submit a bio and other personal information.

• Charitable Contributions: Some of the funds from this event will benefit a variety of charities.

For bikers who want to be part of this event but cannot dedicate the time and energy to complete the journey, all are welcome in Key West on June 20^th. The 2010 event will be huge and all bikers are welcome to join the Hoka Hey spirit.

I’m not eating, drinking, or riding anything that has the word suicide in it.

Suicide shifters on motorcycles are relics from the mid 20^th century and are not found on any current production motorcycles in the world. Why? Because they are too damn dangerous. Often bikes with suicide shifters did not have front brakes and required the biker to take his hand off the handle bars to shift. Not cool.

Motorcycle fabricators make their own suicide shifters for extreme custom bikes because suicide shifters cannot be purchased in the motorcycle aftermarket. If you are thinking about building a custom motorcycle, forget about the suicide shifter. They are too dangerous and only good in bike shows.

• Christmas Carol: I always suspected that Santa was a biker. What I didn’t know is that his tattoo sporting, stunt riding reindeer also like to ride with him and Santa likes to pick up hot chicks and skimpy leather motorcycle outfits. Just don’t tell Mrs. Claus.
• Rick the Demon’s Christmas Dance: With a name like Rick the Demon, you would think this guy never cracks a smile. Not only does he perform a goofy Christmas dance, he wears a hat that only a true Christmas lover would appreciate. Maybe he had too much eggnog already.
• Santa is Born to be Wild: Now this is the coolest Christmas decoration ever. I have to find where I can buy one of these. Anything that includes Santa Claus, Steppenwolf’s Born to be Wild, and a custom Harley has to be part of my motorcycle accessories collection.
• The Naughty List: This is one of Harley Davidson’s best commercials. I hope I’m lucky enough to have this version of Santa come by my house on Christmas Eve.
• Dead or Alive: Bon Jovi, great custom bikes, hot chicks, and Christmas is a hard combination not to like. Especially the Biker Girls at the end of the video giving their one figure salute.
• Biker Beginnings: If I had a daughter, I would do the exact same thing. This mini-biker is decked on in cool biker gear, including a German style spiked helmet riding an electric toy motorcycle. To me, this is what Christmas is all about.
• SFPC Toy Run: If you’ve never participated in a Toy Run, they are incredibly fun and worthwhile. These events are great for meeting other bikers, having a fun time, and helping kids in your community. The South Florida President’s Council Toy Run is a great event in South Florida.

It’s great to be in a lighthearted mood this Holiday season but remember that riding a motorcycle is serious business. Don’t let your Holiday cheer allow you to let your guard down as it relates to motorcycle safety.

During my normal web surfing and motorcycle magazine reading, I came across a motorcycle accessory that is really cool and frightening at the same time. To me, this would make an excellent biker gift. In fact, I bought one for myself!

Cruiser riders who opt to wear half motorcycle helmets will love the Mauls from Solid State Covers. Not only do they protect riders’ faces from bugs and debris, they look incredibly menacing. Next Halloween, I also plan on wearing it to scare the heck out of the kids in my neighborhood. It’s very unique and I have not seen a biker with this item yet.

Couple this gift with a new half helmet from HeadTrip and your biker will be very happy with his or her Christmas. You may have to opt for expedited shipping at this point but it will be worth it.

One thing is for sure, Santa looks like a fun guy. He looks like he likes to eat, laugh, and hang out with good people. Mrs. Claus too.

Maybe it’s just me but Santa looks like a biker. It’s easy for me to see Santa riding a big Harley Ultra Glide. It just seems to match Santa’s big girth, smile, beard, and personality.

Here are my suggestions for Santa to get some much needed relaxation after the holiday season has come to a close.

January 2010: After bringing joy to the world on Christmas morning, I would imagine Santa needs some time to rest. After a few weeks or so of that, he and Mrs. Claus should ship their Harley down to Miami, ride to Key West, and throw back a few margaritas at Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville. After a week of drinks, great companionship, food, and sun at this legendary biker bar, Santa should be ready to head back to the North Pole and start working on Christmas 2010.

June 2010: Santa comes across as this big, nice guy but to me, Santa seems like a tough guy who likes adventure. In June, I suggest he and a few of his elves get together and go on a two week Alaska motorcycle tour. Billed as a tour ‘not for wimps’, Santa and the boys will face some of Alaska’s most beautiful and toughest terrain.

October 2010: Before the final stretch for getting ready for the 2010 Christmas run, Santa and Mrs. Claus should take time for one last getaway. Adding some romance into their adventurous spirit, I suggest they go to the 2010 Hogs on the High Seas Biker Cruise. This biker cruise does not involve riding but it involves the best of biker rallies; good times, people, food, and great stuff.  If he and Mrs. Claus get lucky they can win a 2010 Harley Davidson Custom Road Glide.

Santa, thanks for everything you do for us and I hope next year you take my vacation advice. And if I see you at one of these events, I won’t tell everyone who you are!

This could be true for that special biker on your Christmas list. He or she already has their dream bike, loads of motorcycle apparel, every accessory possible, and you are stumped.

Maybe the gift of education is exactly what they want and need.

If you have an avid biker on your Christmas list, sending them to a class about motorcycle repair would be a great way to build on their love of motorcycles. This could be the gift that takes their passion for motorcycles to the next level.

There are lots of options of motorcycles classes too.

• Community Colleges: Community Colleges across the country offer a variety of classes including classic motorcycle restoration. This could spark your biker to decide to build a bike from the ground up.

• Motorcycle Mechanic Schools: Just like Community Colleges, there are schools across the country specializing in certificate granting programs for various brands and groups of bikes. Students can learn how to repair sport bikers, cruisers, or specific brands like Harley or Suzuki. Graduates can seek employment or use the knowledge for their bikes.

• Motorcycle Seminars: Organizations like Motorcycle R &R have weekly seminars helping bikers learn more about their motorcycle. Some seminars are free while others have a nominal charge.

• Online Classes: If your bike has limited time available, then maybe an online motorcycle course would work best. These courses generally cover the basics of motorcycle repair but can give your biker enough knowledge to save money by doing basic maintenance at home.

• Local Mechanic: By searching sources like Craigslist.org or by stopping by a local motorcycle dealer, you may be able to find a mechanic willing to give your biker some private instruction. Perhaps this person can help your biker learn basic maintenance or work on a project bike together.

They say education is for a lifetime. If that’s true, then getting your biker a motorcycle class for Christmas could be that perfect gift.

Regardless of how I feel about President Obama’s political positions, I certainly find him to be very interesting. There is an air of celebrity about him that no other political feature as generated since John F. Kennedy. He just seems like a cool guy.

This makes me wonder. As a seemingly cool guy and the leader of the free world, what kind of biker would President Obama be?

His Bike: President Obama would ride something that is a bit flashy and has an edge that his friends would envy. Of course, his bike would have to be American motorcycle but not a Harley Davidson. That would be too traditional. He would have a red, white, and blue themed bike like Captain American from Easy Rider, a fat rear tire and a solo seat. Mrs. Obama would want her own bike. My vote is the 2010 Victory Cory Ness Jackpot.

His Apparel: Obama would probably wear something on the macho side of biker gear. Besides, Washington DC weather can be mild to cold from fall to late spring. My guess would be his favorite pair of American made jeans, a classic waist cut leather jacket, engineer boots, a flat black DOT half helmet, and a pair of Oakley sunglasses.

His Crew: As the President, it would be pretty hard for him to join a 1%er motorcycle club but Obama would want to ride with some tough, but good guys. I can definitely see President Obama riding from the White House to Capitol Hill with his Secret Service escort and with members of the Buffalo Soldiers MC. This motorcycle club was founded in 1991 and gives honor to the first all African American soldiers of the 10^th US Cavalry Regiment of the US Army formed by Congress in 1866. The name ‘Buffalo Soldiers” was given to this regiment by the American Indians with whom they fought.

Finally, Obama would have a patch on the front of his jacket. It would read “I Ride for America, the Land of the Free, and Home of the Brave.”

One of the best motorcycle styles is the low and mean look. Many bikers feel that the best look for a Harley Davidson or metric cruiser is lowered a few inches in the front and rear. This looks give a cruiser and extended look that is very cool, sexy, and sleek.

Progressive Suspension has a full line of front and rear suspension products to safely lower your cruiser while still retaining excellent shock absorption and handling characteristics. While Progressive products are a bit on the expensive side, they are generally recognized as the best for Harleys and metric cruiser.

Lowering a cruiser can also be a great safety measure for shorter riders. Even though seat height on cruisers is lower than race bikes, cruisers can weigh in excess of 800 lbs. By lowering the seat height a few inches, shorter riders can more easily maneuver a bike in tight areas when stopping  or parking.

You can’t go wrong when accessorizing your bike also makes it safer. If you are looking for a new style for your bike, consider getting low and mean with Progressive Suspension.