1974 June

Mike Krauser #2559, has announced his third Olang Touring Rally to be held on the 28^th and 29^th of September. The tour, with approximately 260 motorcycles, will leave Munich early on the 28^th, and travel through Austria to the Dolomites in Italy. Overnight at Olang, Italy and return the next day by a different route. The tour will cost about $25 per person and will include a rally jacket, lunch and dinner the first day, overnight lodging, breakfast and lunch the second day. Estimated milage is expected to be 685 miles.

The Olang Rally is Europe's largest touring rally, and of the 275 motorcycles that were in last year's rally, 200 were BMWs. Rosalie and I had a marvelous time at the rally last year and we hope to attend this year as well. For more information and application forms, write to: Mike Krauser, 8034 Munich-Germering, Obere Bahnhofstrasse 56-60, Postfach 50, W-Germany.

APO addressees are now receiving their News by air mail If you're still receiving the News later than you think you should be, drop me a line.

Germany is starting to take a hard look at introducing legislation on motorcycle safety. One of their first steps will probably be ot intriduce a mandatory helmet law, similar to England's, which went into effect last year. Germany, like most European countries, has experienced a tremendous increase in the number of motorcycle registrations in the last five years or so, along with a proportionate number of accidents. Also, the typical image of the European cyclist, dressed in black leathers, wearing a half-mooon helmet, and sporting a black machine, is fading as colorful leathers, helmets, and cycles enter the scene. Ever since my accident two years ago, whre the car driver who caused the accident stated, "I didn't see him!", I am very conscious of wanting to be seen on the road. My leathers are yellow, my helmet is orange, and I've painted the inside front groove on my /5 forks with day-glow orange. Most of my frineds have followed suit on this last point, and while making the bike stand out, it blends in quite well without lookiung gaudy.

We've had one new member in April, Tom Parker. Tom, who is also from Worms, bought my old wrecked BM two years ago, and has done a real fine job of getting it running on the road again. Our membership stood at 26 in April, and no losses are expected in June.

Our thanks to Malcolm Goodwin #839, whose letter appeared in the April issue of the News. I agree with Malcolm on most of what he stated about European roads and drivers. However, the main highways, such as the Autobahns and Autostradas of Germany and Italy, respectively, are built for high speeds, and do allow for fast travelling. In fact, the Autobahns have no speed limit, and speeds in excess of 75 mph are the rule more than the exception. On secondary roads it's another matter. One hazzard to be found Europe, not common to the States, is cobblestone roads found mainly in or noear towns and cities. They are real slower-downers with their uneven and slippery surfaces - when dry. When wet, they are pure murder to the unsuspecting - so beware!

Auf Wiedersehen