Cycle show will be part of Treatment Center's busy weekend

News Herald photo by LESTER MURRAY Bill Jirka's 1977 Honda Goldwing will be among the motorcycles on display during the East Texas Treatment Center's motorcycle show April 1. Bill Jirka called in to work one Monday, saying he would be in late because he had a frozen motorcycle.

Right!

It's the truth.

Jirka, a physical therapist at the East Texas Treatment Center (ETTC), is an avid motorcyclist. His 1997 Goldwing will be among those on display during the People's Choice Motorcycle Show Saturday, April 1, sponsored by ETTC.

Now back to the story...

One February, Jirka rode his Goldwing to Queen Wilhelmena State Park near Mena, Ark., for a camping weekend.

"During the night, a fog rolled in and the temperature fell below freezing," Jirka said. "In the morning every exposed surface on the motorcycle had a quarter-inch layer of ice on it."

Jirka said some nice area residents offered him and his wife the use of their barn to thaw out the bike.

"We had it (the Goldwing) towed to their home where they let us spend the night and get the bike thawed," Jirka said. "I had to call into work here in Kilgore, where the temperature was in the 60s, and tell them I was frozen on a mountain top."

Jirka and his wife, Yvette, travel together.

One year, they rode 6,000 miles to Northeastern Canada.

Jirka said riding a Goldwing, or any motorcycle, is not difficult "but you must be observant of other traffic."

The motorcycle enthusiast said he practices the SIPDE riding technique.

"Scan, identify potential problems, plan action to avoid problems, decide which plan to use and execute the plan," he said.

Jirka said he took a motorcycle safety course and that taught him a lot of about motorcycle safety.

"I've been fortunate," he said. "I have not had a wreck and I think it's because of what I learned in that course.'

Jirka's Goldwing averages 40 miles per gallon.

"You've got to have a routine maintenance plan for motorcycles," he said. "Pay special attention to the tires."

Jirka will be among those at the ETTC motorcycle show.

No entry fee is required for this event. Cyclists are invited to bring their bikes and show them off. A People's Choice Award will be given in the event.

The show is part of the fundraising activities planned by the ETTC Saturday, April 1, in Kilgore City Park. Other events scheduled for March 31 through April 1 include a Rod Run, barbecue cook-off and a horseshoe pitching tournament. All but the Sock Hop will be held at Kilgore City Park.

For registration forms, information, tickets or sponsorships contact Merlyn Holmes at the East Texas Treatment Center, 1200 Dudley Road, Kilgore, TX 75662 or call (903) 9845571.