Tag Archives: motorcycle

Picture-Perfect Ride Conditions

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If there was ever a day fit for riding motorcycles or driving a convertible, it was August 27! More than 110 drivers and riders revved their engines under clear blue skies and sunshine for the 3rd Annual Latham Freedom of Independence Ride.

Riders crossed the Mississippi aboard the historic Cassville ferry.

The 90-mile route took riders and drivers across some of the most scenic roads in northeast Iowa and southwest Wisconsin. Participants traveled winding roads in both states, crossing the Mighty Mississippi on this historic Cassville ferry. We’d like to give a “shout out” to Ron Hampton and the hardworking captain and crew members, who made our ferry ride memorable for all of the right reasons!

Along the way, riders and drivers stopped at four different farm fields. These stops showcased: (1) Latham’s hallmark Seed-2-Soil® program, which helps increase a farmer’s profitability and efficiency by bringing more meaning to grid samples and geo-reference yield data; (2) new corn technology including Latham® Hi-Tech Hybrids with VT Double Pro, the industry’s first dual mode-of-action with above-ground insect protection in corn, and Refuge-in-a-Bag, a true one-bag system that simplifies refuge;

Our “field day on wheels” included four Latham® crop stops.

(3) new soybean products including Latham® Hi-Tech Soybeans with LibertyLink and Genuity® Roundup® Ready 2 technology, which is showing great yield advantages and economic benefits to our customers; and (4) Latham’s business philosophy, which focuses on partnering with farmers to select the seed products that best fit their needs.

Check out the Kodak moments on Latham’s Facebook page www.facebook.com/LathamSeeds. And mark your calendars now for Latham’s 4th Annual Freedom of Independence Ride on Saturday, Aug. 25, 2012. You’ll want to join us as we celebrate our company’s 75th year of business with an extra special ride through Latham Country!

I said I was going to ride this year, and I did! This year a cooler, next year a Harley?

Thank You, Independence Riders

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Thank you to the more than 100 individuals who joined us Aug. 30 for the second annual Latham Freedom of Independence Ride! If only we could ride our bikes every Monday and call it “work”!The ride kicked off at Jack Trice Stadium, where Iowa State University Head Football Coach Paul Rhoads gave a rally speech and ISU’s mascot, Cy, roamed the crowd taking photos. (I must admit, he didn’t have to try too hard to get me to pose with him.) After a tailgate lunch in Tent Row, there was a shot-gun start for all riders.The Independence Ride included stops at three showcase plots, where riders learned about technologies including LibertyLink® corn and soybean products, Agrisure® Viptera 3111, and the Genuity® family of traits including Genuity SmartStaxTM corn hybrids and Genuity Roundup Ready 2 Yield® Soybeans. The fourth stop was a tour of the new Fareway Distribution Center where riders saw how new technology has increased the speed and efficiency at which the Boone-based grocer gets its products from the warehouse shelves to the delivery trucks.

At the end of the ride, everyone was treated to a a delicious hog roast at the Boone Country Fairgrounds. Cool prizes like customized motorcycle helmets donated by Agrisure and a Harley-Davidson grill donated by Zylstra H-D were awarded to some lucky riders. Following dinner, world record-holding motorcyclist Bubba Blackwell and his protégé, Chris Rayburn, fired up the crowd with some heart-stopping stunts. (Really, my heart nearly did stop when Rayburn sat on his handlebars and stood on his bike seat while popping a wheelie – we’ll share some video later this week). By the way, taking a picture with two motorcycle daredevils is as close as I’ll ever get to performing a stunt myself!

Thanks again to the many individuals who joined us last Monday on the 2nd Annual Latham Freedom of Independence Ride around central Iowa! We were reminded yet again of what great company we’re in when we’re surrounded by our customers, dealers and associates! We’re already planning next year’s ride, so check our blog and Facebook to be among the first to know when new details become available!

Thanks again, Independence Riders! We hope you’ll join us next year, too!

2010 Motorcycle Diaries, Part III

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The Harley-Davidson experience continued…

By the time we met at the driving range on Sunday morning, I had another eight hours of experience in the saddle. More drive time had greatly increased my confidence, but I have to admit that I still wasn’t looking forward to getting graded on a Figure 8.

“Conquering the Figure 8” was listed as my top concern in my Road Book. That maneuver was my nemesis during last year’s course, and it continued to challenge me. Fortunately, I didn’t put my foot down during the driving test this year. I lost a few points for driving (slightly) outside the box, but my technique definitely improved.

One skill that came naturally was stopping quickly in a short distance. As I wrote on my blog last year, my ability to brake quickly won’t surprise anyone who has ridden in a car with me. I was pleasantly surprised to receive a Certificate of Achievement for my braking abilities during a special graduation ceremony Sunday afternoon at the Silver Eagle Harley-Davidson dealership. (Those of you who realize how challenged I am behind the steering wheel of a car can appreciate how much it means for me to be recognized for doing something good in the driver’s seat!).

Our graduation pomp and circumstance included personal – and often entertaining – comments from our rider coaches as they awarded a certificate to each student. There was even one award for “Best Motorcycle Acrobatics” to a student who accidentally popped a wheelie in the staging area.

What would a graduation ceremony be without a cake? And this wasn’t just any cake! It was an especially delicious ice cream cake from Hansen Dairy in Hudson.

Also during the graduation ceremony, each student was presented with a goody bag including: a souvenir photo of him/her on a motorcycle, a class photo, a Rider’s Edge t-shirt, a Harley-Davidson kickstand pad and merchandise gift certificates. These parting gifts were not expected but certainly sent us home with items that will help us relive our Rider’s Edge class experience.

The Rider’s Edge motorcycle course was truly a great experience, from the small group break-out sessions and Road Book to the graduation party and parting gifts.

Page 26 of the Road Book goes into more detail about the Harley-Davidson experience. It reads:

Where are you headed? Need a little help getting there, or getting your bike there? Or a place to stop for the night? With the Harley-Davidson Experience, you get more than a bike — you get answers to questions you’ve always wanted to ask … When you’re planning your next adventure, you want the best and the most. And that’s what you’ll find online at www.harley-davdison.com/experience. We provide a wide range of services that no other travel service can match, so you can just concentrate on having fun.

“Concentrate on having fun” and “providing services that no other seed company matches” mirrors our philosophy at Latham Hi-Tech Seeds. And that’s why we’re sponsoring the 2nd Annual Latham Freedom of Independence Ride. Our Independence Ride is a field day like no other! Sure, you’ll tour corn and soybean plots but we promise to not bore you with too many details. We know your passion lies on the roadway, and we want to give you the freedom to experience the ride.

Experience Latham on Monday, Aug. 30! Pre-register today for our signature field day: http://www.lathamseeds.com/intro-freedom-ride.cfm