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Rhino Riders: Local bikers enjoy fellowship, food

Staff reporter

On any given weekend, the mostly middle-aged, business owners and career-minded riders strap on the leathers.

It's time to ride.

The faces of motorcycle enthusiasts have changed these past few years.

Fear would be in hearts of some motorists when they see more than a dozen bikers at a given place. With these Harley and Honda riders, fear is not a factor.

"We're treated like rock stars when we travel," said Todd Carpenter. "We get to park close to buildings and people treat us well. Motorcycles are great ice-breakers."

Welcomed wherever they go, this group, ranging from 30 to 60 years of age, make food and fun a part of their travels.

Called the Rhino Riders, the Marion County motorcycle enthusiasts became organized two years ago.

"Our first trip was to Noel, Mo.," said organizer Bruce Skiles. "A bunch of us then participated in a poker run during Chingawassa Days and we came up with the name Rhino Riders."

Currently there are 63 names on the unofficial roster, in this case an e-mail list.

"We serve no other purpose other than riding, having fun, and eating," said Gene Winkler.

The group's motto is "Live to Ride . . . Ride to Eat." And that's just what they do.

They saddle up their cycles and ride to various destinations to eat meals.

"Our most popular ride is to Cassoday," said Roger Hannaford III. The Cassoday breakfast is held the first Sunday of each month.

The past two years, the group has traveled to Pittsburg for Blessing of the Bikes. The riders also have traveled to Atchison, Holton, Kansas City, Abilene, Yoder, and places in between.

For most of the more seasoned riders, their passion for motorcycles began as children.

"I've been riding for 40 years," said Jim Herzet.

"I started riding in 1969, when I was seven years old," said Carpenter.

Ron Cooper said he started riding in 1969 or 1970, and bought his first Harley- Davidson in 1973.

"I rode it to Canada," he said. "2,007 miles is a long ride on a Sportster."

The cycle sat in a garage for the next 20 years until he sold it.

"It's just a matter of time before you get the fever," said Kevin Hoffer. He raced dirt bikes for 10 years and riding is second nature to him.

Younger riders like Brenda Dawson said she became interested after hearing of family and friends experiences on the road.

"It was an infectious process," she said with a laugh. Dawson completed motorcycle safety class at El Dorado before attempting to ride her own motorcycle.

"Club members rode up the day that Kris Edwards and I took our tests," said Dawson. "I firmly believe the class is very important for any new rider."

Janet Herzet also is a newcomer to riding her own cycle. She rode behind husband Jim for years but decided she wanted to try to ride on her own and also completed a class at Hutchinson.

"I decided I liked driving better than riding behind," she said.

Not all spouses agree. Diane Carpenter said she is perfectly content to ride behind husband Todd. Bev Cooper definitely does not want to ride alone.

So, why buy a bike and take to the road now?

For most, timing is everything.

"I had a bike in college," said Hannaford. "When the wife and kids came along, the bike disappeared."

"Now the family is grown up and there's more room for the scooter," said Hoffer.

"I swore I would never own a cycle," said Skiles, after working in emergency rooms. The anesthetist decided to purchase just a small motorcycle for riding locally.

"I bought a little Honda for riding on the back roads in Marion County," he said. "After that it just blossomed."

Winkler said he did the same thing. He bought a cycle in the 1960s, and eventually moved up to a 1200 Honda in 1975.

"It sat in the garage so I sold it," Winkler said. More recently, he bought a 1500 Honda but didn't ride it much until this group started riding together.

The fun-loving group does abide by the code of the road — they leave as a group and return as a group.

When Jim Herzet crashed his motorcycle a year ago, the entire group waited until Herzet was attended to and his motorcycle was loaded.

"We're like the military — no man is left behind," said Hoffer.

Weather is never a factor. Donning rain gear and bundling up with layers of clothing is no big deal.

"We (Gene and Doris Winkler and the Coopers) rode to Kansas City on New Year's Day," said Winkler.

As far as safety is concerned, the group knows personal safety is number one. Most wear helmets, especially on highways, while some prefer not to. As a whole, the group said they receive respect on the road from other motorists.

Winkler said he thinks the main issue with increased motorcycle accidents, especially in Wichita, is due to inexperienced drivers.

"Some people buy cycles for gas economy and don't have any training," he said.

Everyone agreed that training classes are important.

Skiles said he wishes there was a national helmet law instead of individual states having laws for specific age groups.

"It sure would make it easier when traveling," he said.

The Carpenters wear their helmets all of the time because of an intercom system built in their helmets.

"They say when you drive a car to drive defensively," said Ron Cooper, "and when you're on a motorcycle you need to drive double defensively."

Always looking for new members, anyone interested in joining the group should contact Skiles at (620) 382-2760 or Janet Herzet at (620) 382-2970.

So what's on the schedule for their next ride? On Thursday they're going to Sedgwick — to eat, of course.

Rider safety course

Butler Community College offers a motorcycle training class at El Dorado and Andover.

Two courses are offered at those sites — a basic rider and experienced rider.

The basic rider course is designed for beginning riders or for those who have not ridden motorcycles for a few years. Basic skills and techniques are covered from straight line riding and stopping, to advanced turning and braking techniques. Safety strategies for street riding also are a part of the curriculum.

This course is recognized by Kansas Board of Education for Certification of Completion at all Kansas Driver's License examiner stations.

The experienced rider course is designed for riders with several years of experience who want to improve their skills and increase their level of enjoyment.

Both courses are recognized by many insurance companies for discounts on insurance premiums.

For more information, call (316) 683-2342 or e-mail Mike.Harlan@teachmetoride.com.

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