I would like to commend your guest columnist Chris Upton from the April edition for his excellent and soul-baring article. The connection he made between strengthening this country’s values of freedom and independence and how a commitment to motorcycling is important to that was incredibly inspiring!

Simeon Calhoun | Sylacauga, Ala.

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Imagine Then Ride

The April issue’s “61 Days Under The Sun” was a nice story. Well done. It is difficult to capture a 13,000-plus mile journey in so few words. I’ve been most of those places, and the author’s story brings back memories. For those who have not been to these places, it should stir their imaginations.

Stephen Cantrill | Payson, Ariz.

It’s The Little Things

I just wanted to let you guys know how much I appreciate you running the nice bike photo spreads in the middle of the magazine so I can pull them out in one piece.

I now have a dozen or so on my garage wall and counting.

My favorite might be the Can-Am from last month (“Jimmy Ellis’ 1975 Can-Am 250,” April). The bike might not be a classic or perfectly restored beauty, but for me it represents 1970s motocross, which was pretty much the most fun and best time of my life!

Thanks for keeping memories alive for old dirt bikers like me.

Mike Keefe | Chicago, Ill.

Natural Dangers

I recently heard of the tragic collision of a rider and his wife in Florida with a vulture. When I was young, I was hit by a duck gaining altitude off a lake. After several other very close calls with other wildlife over the years, I’m reminded that animals, wild or domestic, never respond how you think they will!

When there is wildlife on or near the road, slow down and give yourself time to react.

Jonathan Chapman | Dunedin, Fla.

Vintage Hondas

I’m looking forward to the AMA’s vintage bike event at Mid-Ohio this summer more than ever. The last several years, the event has grown big time, and I’m sure this year will be huge with Honda there.

My first bike ever was an XL250. My first “grown-up” bike, as I like to say, was a CB750. I don’t have either bike anymore, and while ethanol has me a little spooked about getting in the whole vintage game, I still love these old motorcycles and the memories they stir up. I will be at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days this summer, and I hope I see a lot of cool old Hondas!

Speaking of cool Hondas, I also wouldn’t mind winning those Nicky Hayden tribute bikes!

Joe Brooks | Joliet, Ill.

Thanks for the note, Joe. AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, featuring Honda, is July 5-7 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio, and AMA members can still purchase discounted tickets at www.amavintagemotorcycledays.com if you hurry.

As for the Nicky Hayden raffle bikes, celebrating the life and career of AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Nicky Hayden, you can donate to the Hall of Fame for a chance to win both bikes at www.motorcyclemuseum.org.

Bike Ban

I was interested to read the article on New York City motorcycling in the October issue of American Motorcyclist (“Singled Out: Riders Battle NYC Authorities”). There has been a long history of friction between the NYPD, the NYC Department of Transportation, the New York City Council and even the NYC Department of Sanitation and New York City’s motorcyclists. Anyone who has lived there or has ridden there regularly knows that the city is one of the most hostile environments in America where motorcycles are concerned, and that’s without the hassles with legal authorities.

More interesting though was the quote from Detective Kellyann Ort from the NYPD Office of the Deputy Commissioner for Public Information. She said, “It is not illegal to operate motorcycles on New York City streets.” That’s not entirely true. I was a member of the New York Motorcycle Coalition back in 1978 when we unsuccessfully fought a City Council effort to totally ban motorcycles from the streets of New York City’s five boroughs. We were only partially successful: It is, in fact, illegal to operate a motorcycle in New York City between midnight and 6 a.m. The law, I believe, is still on the books.

The only reason why this local law was not put fully into effect was a consequent law that would require the city Department of Transportation to erect signage throughout the five boroughs of New York City noting the ban. The expense of those signs was deemed to be prohibitive. But it did not stop the ruling from being adopted. It just isn’t being enforced—at present.

Norman E. Gaines Jr. Hartsdale, N.Y.