MAY 2006 NEWSLETTER
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MAY 2006 NEWSLETTER |
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From your Chapter DirectorWell, the riding season is off and running. Peoria�s Chapter Z traveling trophy got an early start and went to J in Bloomington, so Gary and I just had to go get it since it changed our plans of going after it at Peoria�s meeting. They, J, were a little surprised that we had traveled to go get it. Needless to say, Peoria�s CD had e-mailed that to �put another steak on the barbie as they will be down to get it.� So it looks like we may be riding a little North this year. The neighbor rides have started with the first one being stormed out to D2 but we did make D in Mattoon and Jim & Brenda and Gary making I in Decatur. Gary & Steve went to a HRCA meeting in Bendl and had a good ride and also some good food. On Sunday April 30th, Darrell & Donna, and Steve & Jeannie braved the elements and rode to Bald Knob for the Blessing of the Bikes. We skirted rain, rode on wet roads and was surprised that despite the rain in the area that when we got there the place was packed. The sky cleared off and had a good ride to the Pioneer Cabin for lunch. When we came out a loud clap of thunder sounded and we scrambled to put the rain gear back on and get riding. We rode North then East then North then East till at Carlyle we decided that Greenville was black so we rode to Sandoval then North to Vandalia. We got into town as it started to sprinkle again and as we got under our porch the bucket dumped with rain and hail, talk about timing. We have 4 or 5 couples going to Branson this weekend and have 5 couples signed up to take the ERC coarse at Pontiac in June. Don�t forget we have registration at Niehaus on May 20th from 2 to 4 and on May 13th we have the windshield wash. Memorial weekend we will be riding to Memphis, leaving Vandalia McDonalds at 8am. The Wind Ding trip is also shaping up with a full schedule. So, like I said earlier, we are off and riding, so get out and ride and be safe. Don�t get lost, but then again, that is half the fun, Steve & Jeannie From your Assistant Chapter DirectorGary is getting ready for the Missouri District Rally in Branson, so I gave him the month off. Note from BonnieApril 1, 2006 Our day started by getting up and getting ready to ride to Gilman � we looked at the temperature gauges showed 54 degrees around 8 am � I thought that looks promising � but as they say looks are deceiving!! But I was sort of prepared for the ride thermal socks, long johns, jeans, long sleeved sweater, chapter shirt, heavy hooded coat, 3 pair of gloves and a neck scarf. The ride to Vandalia wasn�t bad at all. Arriving at McDonald�s had breakfast with Steve and Kelli. Around 9 am Gary, Francie, Steve, Kelli, Moe, Paul, Bill and myself were on our way. After riding in the wind and cold I was wishing I had a blanket to wrap up in � YES IT WAS COLD! Ask Kelli. Finally found Kenny over on the other side of Effingham at a rest area. He was ready to go � someone asked where Carol was � If its not 70 degrees she�s not riding � SMART LADY When we got to Mattoon exit Paul was in need of gasoline - we stopped and while Paul was getting his fuel he came over to all of us and said he was going back too cold and in pain. Francie put a snowmobile suit on � Continued on our way stopped in Rantoul to get lunch � Gary�s daughter, son-in-law and grandson live there. They came to the restaurant where we were � chicken-wimpy Francie stayed in Rantoul while we continued our ride to Gilman. Finally arrived � there were several of the gang won door prizes. Now we are on the way back STILL COLD of course Gary had to get off at Rantoul to go play with grandson and pickup whimpy! When we went past the Tuscola exit had to make sure Steve kept going off to the right was a DQ sign. Then I looked in left mirror and couldn�t find Kenny but he was behind us on right side. Moe kept on going down interstate when the other 3 bikes got off on Route 16. The sun shined on us, told Steve it�s a good thing we got on Rt. 16 or we would have missed the sun. Stopped in Shelbyville to eat at a DQ. After eating we went our separate ways home � arrived back home around 6:30 pm. It was a long cold day � but a good ride 358 miles round trip I think this should have been the Polar Bear ride. Had our regular chapter meeting Monday 17th there were only about 20 people there and that included 2 little boys Kody and Tyson � Ron Tompkins won the Lotto. Gary and Gary won 50/50. During the meeting we talked about Chapter U�s campout June 16-18 at Ramsey � don�t forget to reserve � ride to Peoria � May�s windshield wash, ice cream rides, neighbor rides and of course Niehaus days � May 19 �21st.
After the meeting the people going to Wing Ding discussed when, where, what time to leave and etc.
During the meeting we talked about Chapter U�s campout June 16-18 at Ramsey � don�t forget to reserve � ride to Peoria � May�s windshield wash, ice cream rides, neighbor rides and of course Niehaus days � May 19 �21st. Coming Events
Times to leave Vandalia are on the calendar. 3rd is Ramsey, 10th is Mrs. Sams in Greenville, 17th is Farina, 24th is Homewood Grill in Effingham, 31st is Cool Cats in Highland. June rides are 7th is Pana DQ, 14th is Altamont, 21st is Vandalia DQ, and 28th is Ramsey.
Lotto winner for April was Ron. 50/50 winners were Gary Hall and Gary Rahe. Gary Rahe also had won Chapter F�s and I�s 50/50�s, but the luck ran out at Chapter J in Bloomington. Don�t forget that on Sunday mornings at 8 am, we are having breakfast at the Vandalia Chuckwagon. Maybe this year we can ride after eating. We need sponsors!! We need people to get sponsors!! We have a job(s) opening in the Chapter. No experience necessary, will train, have fun, meet a lot of people, eat, ride, and learn a few new things. You only get out what you put into it. We need assistant director(s) for the future of our Chapter.
From your Chapter Educator: Kenny SmartPlanning the Perfect RideA guide to resources that will help you plan your trip Back in the days of the Old West, one would climb upon a horse to ride off into the sunset and end up wherever the wind blew. The only problem though with being one of these high plains drifters was that it was hard to drift back not knowing where one started. Well, luckily, at some point between then and now, people began planning their road trips and have been returning home ever since. Safety First At the top of any motorcycle ride planning checklist should be safety. Make certain that all riders and passengers have appropriate protective gear, and make sure that all bikes making the trip have been maintained for safe performance. Also, don�t forget that riding with a passenger usually requires making proper adjustments to tire pressure (consult your motorcycle owner�s manual for specifics). If being accompanied by an inexperienced motorcycle passenger, take the time to give a safety tour. Point out all of the hot spots on the bike to avoid burns from contact, and check to confirm that your passenger is not wearing any loose clothing that can get caught in a wheel or in the chain. Always remember to make correct adjustments to your driving when carrying a passenger. A person sitting behind you will have a great affect on the bike�s performance. If you have not ridden with a passenger before, it may be wise to start slow and try it out once�a 100 mile road trip might not be the best time to �give it a shot � for the first time. Turning, braking and accelerating all become 10 kinds of different with someone sitting behind you. The road to happiness is best traveled on two wheels. But when the road to happiness takes an unforeseen turn for the worse, a once-relaxing ride can feel more like a rolling nightmare down the wrong path. Okay, this may be a slight exaggeration, but unexpected mishaps are sometimes an unavoidable part of life. And they certainly are a part of motorcycle riding. Even after taking the most extreme measures to prevent roadside catastrophes�regular tune ups, rider training programs, thorough trip planning�they can, on occasion, rear their ugly heads and present unwanted challenges for any rider. Understanding that these circumstances can and will occur given enough time in the saddle, makes preparation for these scenarios in the best interest of every road-bound rider. Kenny Smart
This is an excerpt of an e-mail some will get regarding their chapter home. Please fill it out and e-mail it back so that they can complete their work on mapping all members to the chapter that you want to be known as your home chapter or they will assign you to a chapter.
Dear GWRRA Member, Billy Graham was returning home after a speaking engagement. When his plane arrived at the airport, there was a long black limousine to transport him. Just as he was about to get in the back of the limo, he stopped. He whispered to the driver who was holding the door open for him. "You know" he said, "I am 87 years old and I have never driven a limousine. Would you mind if I drove it for a while?" The driver said, "No problem." Billy got into the driver's seat and they headed out to the interstate. Lurking behind an exit ramp a short distance from the airport, sat a rookie State Trooper operating his first speed trap. The long black limo went by him doing 70 in a 55 mph zone. The trooper pulled out in pursuit and easily caught the limo. He pulled up behind, and got out of his North Carolina State patrol car.The young trooper walked up to the driver's door. When the glass was rolled down he was very surprised to see who was driving. Trying desperately to maintain his professional attitude, he immediately excused himself and walked back to his car and called his supervisor. He told the supervisor, "I know we are supposed to enforce the law but I also know that important people are given certain courtesies. I need to know what I should do because I have stopped a very important person."
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