FORT WAYNE DAILY NEWS – June 9, 2009

FW Daily News/KPC Media covering freestyle riding and the Mayor’s ride sponsored by ABATE of Indiana and Woodson Motorsports: Decatur, IN; featuring Josh Borne

FORT WAYNE —More than 1,800 motorcycles rode from Fort Wayne to Decatur this weekend to raise awareness for safety. The ride concluded with stunt shows by Decatur native and professional freestyle rider Josh Borne.

As the hot June sun baked the pavement Sunday, 1,800 motorcyclists gathered in a Fort Wayne Kmart parking lot for the 20th annual ABATE (American Bikers Aimed Towards Education) of Indiana Mayor’s ride.

Last year Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry accompanied the group on its ride, however, because of surgery for a hairline fracture on his upper femur, he did not ride.

“I wish I could join you on your ride today that was my intent,” said Mayor Henry. “We were all set and then I had to, unfortunately, fall and break my leg, and they won’t release me.”

Decatur Mayor John Schultz, was able to ride, and helped lead the motorcade in a side-car.

The main focus of the Mayor’s ride is to promote motorcycle safety, and urge drivers to be more aware of cyclists out on the road.

“That’s why we get the (police) escorted parade, and we do the parade through the town so that we’re visible, so people know that (cars) can see us and be aware that we’re out there,” said ABATE of Indiana Region Zero Director Teresa Bodle. “We’re on two wheels and they’re on four. Most of the (motorcycle) accidents are caused from a left-hand turn in front of a motorcycle.”

In his proclamation before the start of the ride, Mayor Henry proclaimed “May 2009 as motorcycle safety and awareness month in the city of Ft. Wayne.”

After a prayer led by a Christian Motorcyclists Association (CMA) member, the riders looped up through the city of Ft. Wayne, and then headed back down highway 27 to Decatur.

Once in Decatur, the riders were greeted by live music from The Kegels (whose front-man is a member of ABATE), stunt-bike freestyle shows by Josh Borne, drunk-driving simulations, and many local vendors, which was a great boost not only for the riders, but for the town as well.

“In this area here, and Decatur, a lot of people are laid-off from the RV-industry. A lot of them have lost their jobs, from businesses closing and everything,” Bodle said. “We tried to bring back to the community. All the vendors here today are actually local vendors that set up, and we’re trying to get some money back into the community.”

The money that ABATE made throughout the day is sent to the main state office, which is then put toward motorcyclists political rights events, other awareness raising events, and motorcycle safety course, which are available to anyone.

Borne, who is a Decatur native, also stresses motorcycle safety, which is why Woodson Motorsports sponsored him to perform in Decatur. In between freestyle competitions and exhibitions Borne has taught safety and freestyle workshops. He is more than aware of what can befall riders, and stresses proper gear when riding.

“I will never ride a motorcycle without wearing a coat, gloves and helmet, at the very least,” he said. “I wouldn’t be here if I hadn’t been wearing all my stuff and gear.”

This protective gear made it possible for Borne be able to perform on Sunday. He was only riding at about 60 percent in Decatur, due to a recent accident during the warm-up for an XDL freestyle competition, when he accidently hit the kill-switch during a one-wheeled trick.

“It’s what we call a mousetrap, when you kill the engine, the bike falls, and you’re launched over the front handlebars,” Borne said of the accident.

Borne was not used to the new boots that XDL now makes all the riders wear. After the bike tossed him, it ran him over before it fully stopped.

“At first I didn’t realize how bad it was. I was just really stiff and sore,” he said.

Then when Borne woke up after riding for eight hours the next day, everything from his waist down was numb. Apparently a synoptic nerve in his back became pinched when the bike went over top of him.

“I still can’t feel my right foot,” said Borne. “So I am one-hundred percent in backing trying to get the safety message and how to ride safe to people of all ages.”

Even though he was only riding at 60 percent Borne still put on an amazing show, to the great delight of all in attendance, providing a nice wrap-up for the day.

“It’s been a wonderful day, great turnout, eighteen-hundred bikes, and we had over two-thousand people,” Bodle said.

For more information on the story, please visit FW Daily News.

Article by: FW Daily News; Zach Glenn