Harleys roar through Houston: This fashionable motorcycle gang is on a mission to fight AIDS

Chris Salgardo has ridden his Harley up and down the west and east coasts to raise money to find a cure for AIDS. Now the president of Kiehl's Since 1851 is roaring across Texas.

Salgardo, accompanied by amfAR (The Foundation for AIDS Research) CEO Kevin Robert Frost, British artist Conrad Leach and rock 'n' roll celebrity photographer Travis Shinn, recently made a Houston stop at the Kiehl's Highland Village store as part of their five-day "Texas Ride for amfAR." The foursome traveled from Austin to Dallas for the Two X Two for AIDS and Art fundraiser, with stops in Sugar Land (at the Kiehl's counter at Dillard's in First Colony Mall), Houston and Longview.

"I've never come across so much rush-hour traffic where car drivers are so considerate to motorcyclists."

"I think that Texas gets a bad rap for not being supportive and emphatic to HIV/AIDS causes and I just don't think that's true," Salgardo said. "There's something about Texas, every time I come, the Southern hospitality is amazing.

"To be able to be on a bike, you see the country and you see the small towns like you can't in a car, so it's really a thrill for me."

Leach, who hails from London, said he found Texas drivers courteous to motorcycle riders, which might surprise some locals. "It's a really motorcycle-friendly place to ride. I've never come across so much rush-hour traffic where car drivers are so considerate to motorcyclists. Here I've never felt so welcomed on a motorcycle. First time in Texas, first time on a motorcycle in Texas. I'll definitely be coming back," he said.

The nice thing about a long motorcycle ride in Texas, Leach added, is the amount of miles you can cover in a day. "You can really stretch out and relax and start to enjoy the scenery," he said. "In Europe, by the time you've warmed up, you've arrived at your destination. Whereas here, the journey is everything — and it's wonderful."

The idea to launch charity motorcycle rides came naturally, said Salgardo, who has been riding motorcycles for more than 30 years. The skin care company, which has been in business since before Lincoln was president (1851), has long featured vintage motorcycles in its stores around the world.

In Houston, the band Dovetail greeted the riders and guests, who were treated to scull-themed nail art manicures and photos at the Smilebooth, along with skin care consultations. All proceeds from sales of Kiehl's Limited Edition Ultimate Strength Hand Salve benefit AIDS research, Salgardo noted. (A tube retails for $28.50.)

"Texas is a huge market for Kiehl's," Salgardo said, noting two stores in Dallas (at Highland Park and NorthPark) and one in Houston, with a new store planned to open in The Woodlands at the beginning of 2014. "We're not done with Houston yet. I will be back."

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Source: CultureMap (Pugh, 10/31)

Ten Things All Car & Truck Drivers Should Know About Motorcycles

We tend to give a lot of advice to motorcycle riders in, but this blog is for all the other motorists on the roads. Too often we hear “I just didn’t see the motorcycle.” The Cole Legal Group is committed to changing this. While many drivers are only looking for cars or trucks, motorcycles have as much right to the road as any other vehicle.

• There are a lot more cars and trucks than motorcycles on the road, and some drivers don't "recognize" a motorcycle; they ignore it (usually unintentionally). Look for motorcycles, especially when checking traffic at an intersection.
• Because of its small size, a motorcycle may look farther away than it is. It may also be difficult to judge a motorcycle’s speed. When checking traffic to turn at an intersection or into (or out of) a driveway, predict a motorcycle is closer than it looks.
• Because of its small size, a motorcycle can be easily hidden in a car’s blind spots (door/roof pillars) or masked by objects or backgrounds outside a car (bushes, fences, bridges, etc). Take an extra moment to thoroughly check traffic, whether you're changing lanes or turning at intersections.
• Because of its small size a motorcycle may seem to be moving faster than it really is. Don't assume all motorcyclists are speed demons.
• Motorcyclists often slow by downshifting or merely rolling off the throttle, thus not activating the brake light. Allow more following distance, say 3 or 4 seconds. At intersections, predict a motorcyclist may slow down without visual warning.
• Turn signals on a motorcycle usually are not self-canceling, thus some riders, (especially beginners) sometimes forget to turn them off after a turn or lane change. Make sure a motorcycle's signal is for real.
• Motorcyclists often adjust position within a lane to be seen more easily and to minimize the effects of road debris, passing vehicles, and wind. Understand that motorcyclists adjust lane position for a purpose, not to be reckless or show off or to allow you to share the lane with them.
• Maneuverability is one of a motorcycle's better characteristics, especially at slower speeds and with good road conditions, but don't expect a motorcyclist to always be able to dodge out of the way.
• Stopping distance for motorcycles is nearly the same as for cars, but slippery pavement makes stopping quickly difficult. Allow more following distance behind a motorcycle because it can't always stop "on a dime."
• When a motorcycle is in motion, don't think of it as motorcycle; think of it as a person.

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Source: Motorcycle Safety Foundation

iPhone Apps for Motorcyclists

If you ride a motorcycle and own an iPhone here are a few iPhone Apps that can help you enjoy both a little more.

Greatest Road: This app helps you find cool roads to ride in your local area. The roads are submitted by local riders, so if you have favorite roads to ride on you can submit some your self. The interface for this App is great, and it is fun to search for nice twisty roads when you have a Saturday afternoon to kill.

Motorcycle Minder: If you ride a motorcycle, you know it takes regular maintenance to keep you and your bike happy. This app helps you keep up with all the maintenance details for your motorcycle, oil change, chain maintenance, tire pressure, etc. It also has a fuel mileage tracker if you want to keep track of mpg’s.

N-Drive GPS: N-Drive is a great GPS App, whether you are on two wheels or four. It provides turn by turn directions, a POI database, and is one of the more feature rich GPS Apps for the iPhone. If you plan on using a GPS on your bike you will need a good mounting system. I recommend using Ram Mounts, they have tons of mounting applications for phones, gps, and any other goodies you might need out on the road. If you do not have a DC plug you may consider installing one of those also, as the GPS feature on the iPhone sucks the battery quick.

Weather Bug App: This App can keep you out of some hairy situations if you are hitting the open road. It provides accurate weather reports and a live radar. No one wants to get caught in a hail storm, this App can save your bacon.

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[via: Rider Groups]