gwta 1 april 2009 touring news · gwta 3 april 2009 touring news april 2009 touring news...

GWTA 1 April 2009 Touring News


http://www.ram-mount.com


April 2009Touring news

(USPS-011-789)Volume XXIII, No.4

DepartmentsChairman of the Board .......................................... 4Education & Retention ........................................ 20Executive Director .............................................. 17Executive Director Secretary .............................. 33Family of the Year ............................................... 21Helping Hands .................................................... 23Rider Education .................................................... 6

In Every IssueChapter Listings .............................................26-29Cross-Eyed Crossroads ....................................... 32Honda Tech ....................................................22-23Rides & Rallies Across the Regions ..............30-31Welcome New Members ....................................... 4 FeaturesAlong the Road ................................................... 18My Early Years Chapter 3 ..................................... 9Region A Feature............................................34-36

Contributions and photos...are welcomed but not guaranteed to be published, whether solicited or unsolicited. All articles must be typewritten and e-mailed or provided on disk with program specified. Contributions become the property of GWTA and will not be returned to source. Reprints authorized when full credit is given. All articles subject to revision without notice and may be edited for content and language. GWTA, Editor and Publisher alike are not responsible for validity of content of the advertising copy in the magazine. Photos used in the magazine cannot be returned. The

magazine is printed in the United States of America.

Add-On ............................................................................19AIM ..................................................................................32Americade ........................................................................15ARAI Helmets ...................................................................7Big Bike Parts ..................................................................21Cartier ................................................................................9Champion Sidecars ..........................................................40Chrome Crazy ..................................................................14Chrome World ..................................................................25Everett Powersports .........................................................23Jason Industries / ION Trailer ..........................................33Lawrenceville Honda .......................................................13Leesure Lite .....................................................................17Markel American Insurance Company ........................5, 17RAM Mounting Systems ...................................................2Neosho .............................................................................25Powerlet ...........................................................................33RoadRUNNER .................................................................33ThEngraver ........................................................................4

GWTA Resource Center

Classified Ads...................................................................16Gold Rush XXII Registration ..........................................24GWTA Business Members ...............................................15GWTA Membership Application .....................................16

Office Hours: Monday - Friday 8am - 5pmGWTA National Office

P.O. Box 42403Indianapolis, IN 46242

800-960-4982(317)243-6822

[email protected] [email protected]

www.GWTA.org

Send articles, photos & changes to: Touring News Magazine, 2415 Director’s Row Suite K

Indianapolis, IN 46241Email: [email protected]

Touring News is published monthly for Gold Wing Touring Association (GWTA) in the United States of America. The known office of publica-tion is GWTA, 2415 Director’s Row, Suite K, Indianapolis, IN 46241. $39 of the annual membership dues go toward a one-year subscription to GWTA’s Touring News Magazine; however, the subscription cannot be deducted from dues. Postmaster: Send address changes to: GWTA, P.O. Box 42403, Indianapolis, IN 46242-0403. Periodicals Postage Paid in Indianapolis, Indiana and at additional mailing offices.

Advertisers

Pictured is Russell McPeak of GWTA WA-E with his 2003 Candy Red Gold Wing. The Twin Harbors Beach State Park is in Westport, WA just off the Cranberry Coast Scenic Highway.

On the Cover:

Canadian Members: Beginning April 1, 2009 an additional payment of $40 USD is required annually in order to receive Touring News Magazine. This additional fee exclusively covers the extra postage required to mail Touring News to Canada.

mailto:[email protected]


State City Last Name First NameCA Corning Flavin Jerry & JoAnnCA Yuba City Francis Joseph & JennyCA Corning Kinkade DuaneCA Corning Holden Don & PamelaIA Earling Gaul Larry & MaxineIA Guthrie Center Klever Robert & JudyIN Logansport Wolford Doyne & Barbara-JoKS Kansas City Hogan MichaelKS Leavenworth Oatney DickKS Leavenworth Nessmith FrankKS Wichita Highland Alan & SherryKS Topeka Gast Robert & SallyKY Radcliff Casper Joseph & SuMO St. Louis Moss NoelMO Nixa Hall DaleMO Springfield Ward Ray & Kay

State City Last Name First NameNE North Platte Mentzer Steve & KathyNE Omaha Sapikoski Kevin & SallyNE Blair Claywell Mike & KathyNE Papillion Conrath JennyNE Papillion Riley JimOH Bellefontaine Kennedy KarlON Penetang Lloyd Ken & PatON Brampton Wilcox Gavin & Jo-AnneON North Bay Fischer Normen & Rae AnnON Ajax Yeo Wayne & CarolynOR Grants Pass Vickonoff JimSD Sioux Falls Bonine Alan & CarolTX Red Oak Adkins BenjaminTX Rusk Miller StephenWA Tukwila Riess Chuck & CindyWA Lake Stevens Rogers Lynn

I hope everyone is preparing for Spring. Even in California we look forward to the change. If your motorcycle has been parked for awhile, make sure you spend the necessary time to make sure it is road worthy - we don’t need any accidents! As you read your Regional articles you know plans for Gold Rush are well in hand. Joanne and I look forward to our annual reunion with members, friends, and the annual board meeting. The board meeting is scheduled for 8:30 AM on the Sunday before Gold Rush opens to allow for more attendance of members and to give the Board Members an opportunity to share the results of the meeting during GR instead of after the fact. If you have any business that pertains to the Board Meeting please contact your board representative.

Coming Soon: Elections for the board members for Region A, C, E, and J are coming up this year. We are looking for a few good dedicated members to serve! As the new season begins, make sure you welcome members both old and new to your activities. Start the season with a SMILE and the energy for positive growth and friendship. Joanne and I celebrated 51 years of marriage on 2-15-09. What a great trip through life. I hope this message finds all is well in your home.Take Care, Ed DavisGWTA COB



http://www.thengraver.com

http://www.benchmarkcycle.com



Riding 60 miles foR ice cReam makes peRfect sense to us.We are who we insure. at markel, we’re riders who understand the ride is more enjoyable taking the scenic route, with the security of knowing your bike and personalized accessories are protected. We provide specialized coverage that reflects your taste; with extras your homeowners or auto insurance carrier might not offer – like diminishing deductibles and replacement cost coverage. With over 35 years of experience, markel knows how to go the extra mile for you.

for an instant quote, talk to one of us at 1-800-236-2453or visit markelinsuresfun.com/gtn

Dan ChristiansenSenior Software Developer

MARKEL AMERICAN INSURANCE COMPANY

08-502MKL_Ice Cream GWTA Touring Feb AD.indd 1 12/18/08 4:48:44 PM

http://www.markelinsuresfun.com/gtn


Rider Education Levels attained since March 2009 Touring News:

Level I: Eric Bravo, Region B, CA, Chapter NZ; Norma Icawat, Region B, CA, Chapter NZ; Jim Griffith, Region B, CA, Chapter NZ; Luis Reyes, Region B, CA, Chapter NZ; Nichole Reyes, Region B, CA, Chapter NZ; Lance Abbott, Region H, CT, Chapter M; Heidi Buatti, Region H, CT, Chapter M; Jeffrey J. Jasulavic, Region H, CT, Chapter M; Salvatore P. Sutera, Region H, CT, Chapter M.Level II: Lance Abbott, Region H, CT, Chapter M; Heidi Buatti, Region H, CT, Chapter M; Jeffrey J. Jasulavic, Region H, CT, Chapter M; Salvatore P. Sutera, Region H, CT, Chapter M.Level III: Lance Abbott, Region H, CT, Chapter M; Heidi Buatti, Region H, CT, Chapter M; Jeffrey J. Jasulavic, Region H, CT, Chapter M; John Muise, Region H, CT, Chapter M.Level IV: Lance Abbott, Region H, CT, Chapter M; Heidi Buatti, Region H, CT, Chapter M; Jeffrey J. Jasulavic, Region H, CT, Chapter M; John Muise, Region H, CT, Chapter M. A special thanks to all those above who supported the GWTA Safety program this period and to those Rider Ed Directors who made the training possible. Winter is gone in most regions and we’re able to get those beautiful bikes back on the road. Seems like it’s been a long cold spell and you may want to be a little extra careful when you first get back in the saddle. I recently received a letter from a member saying that it would be beneficial to the membership if the GWTA Safety program could offer a training course that is acceptable by all states and Military bases and I must agree. While our concern is for a safe and enjoyable ride for every member it would be a monumental task to come up with a universal training program that would meet all of those requirements. Different States and Military bases have their own ideas of what should and should not be included in their requirements. We welcome the suggestions so please keep sending them. They’re great food for thought. This is our club and we want to devote our efforts to our members. At this time our efforts are to ensure that our members have a safe and enjoyable ride for a minimal cost. We want to see each and every member at the various events year after year after year. In some cases our training program is just a reminder for seasoned riders to continue to think safety and in other cases

we offer assistance to make various motorcycle maneuvers easier and less challenging for less experienced riders. All of our Safety people are volunteers and receive nothing but your thanks for their efforts. We devote our time and effort in hopes that it will be easier for you to meet those various State and Military requirements while, at the same time, enjoying each ride with the confidence that your group members are also safety conscious. GWTA does not tell you how to ride but we do try to give safety tips to make every ride even more enjoyable than the last. There are no absolutes and as we get older our reflexes slow down so the main thing is to always be alert. You don’t know what’s waiting for you around that next corner or curve so attempt to be prepared for anything. Gold Rush is coming soon and we will be offering several short seminars on various topics so check those schedules. Gold Rush is a busy time with lots of activities going on at the same time so you want to plan ahead. Don’t forget to also plan for those short visits with friends that you’re only able to socialize with annually. There are also many things to see and places to visit in the surrounding area. If you have time, plan your trip so you have the opportunity to visit all those neat places on the way to and from Lexington. Most of all make sure that both you and your bike are ready for the trip. We look forward to seeing everyone at Gold Rush and remember that someone is going to become the proud winner of a brand new motorcycle or $10,000, but you can’t win if you don’t have tickets.Don and Judy Coons, GWTA National RED

Don’t forget to wear your safety shirts on Wednesday during Gold Rush - Safety Day!!



Arai has earned all 10 awards in 10 years.No other brand has even one.

That ought to get you thinking.Randy Blue shown on Corsair-V

Some people will tell you there’s not much difference these days between helmet brands. We know several thousand riders who’ll probably disagree with that.

Because in the J.D. Power & Associates studies of motorcycle-helmet customer satisfaction, the voting’s done by thousands of real riders who actually wear helmets. All brands.

And their answer’s been the same all 10 years: Arai is ranked number one. (Even mass hypnosis couldn’t convince that many riders for that many years.)

So maybe Arai really does build helmets that really are that different.

Maybe it’s time to make up your own mind? Go to www.araiamericas.com.

HOW MANY OFTHESE WILL IT TAK E TO CONVINCE YOU THERE REALLY IS ADIFFERENCE?

Visit www.araiamericas.com, or for a copy of Arai’s new 32-page color catalog plus an Arai sticker pak, please send $4.00 in cash or stamps ($5.00 U.S. Currency if outside the U.S.) to Arai Americas, Inc., Dept. AD09JP, P.O. Box 9435, Daytona, FL 32120. Specifi cations subject to change without notice.©2009 Arai Helmets. Arai is the Offi cial Helmet Sponsor of WomenRidersNow.com. The Offi cial Helmet of the Daytona 200.

*Arai received the highest numerical score among helmet brands in the proprietary J.D. Power and Associates 1999-2008 U.S. Motorcycle Helmet Satisfaction StudiesSM.The 2008 Motorcycle Helmet Satisfaction Study is based on responses from 5,386 purchasers of new 2007 model year motorcycles who provided information about their most recent helmet purchase experience and helmet use.

http://www.araiamericas.com


Meet our Celebrities Louisville has the race, but Lexington has the reason. Around 80 percent of Derby winners are bred, born, trained, officially registered, bought and sold, retired a n d b u r i e d i n t h e Bluegrass. Giacomo, Smarty Jones, Street Sense, Fusaichi Pegasus and Big Brown are a few of the Derby winners that call the Bluegrass home. There are three ways to tour Lexington’s finest horse farms: daily van tours, tours with a private guide or by making an appointment with a horse farm. Blue Grass Tours, D.W. Guided Tours, Horse Farm Tours, Inc, Suburban Woman’s Club Monthly Horse Farm Tours, Thoroughbred Heritage Tours, and Unique Horse Farm Tours each offer different tours, so it is best to check with each of them. For a list of private guides and more information call the Lexington Convention and Visitors Bureau at 1-800-845-3959. The five horse farms visitors can tour on their own with prior reservations are: Three Chimneys Farm, Ashford Stud, Normandy Farm, Taylor Made Farm, and Old Friends. If there is a Derby winner you are wanting to see, it is possible but be sure to call first as you must have permission to visit:

Smarty Jones (2004), Three Chimneys in Lexington (859) 255-1913; Fusaichi Pegasus (2000) and Thunder Gulch (1995), at Ashford Stud near Versailles (859-873-7088); Grindstone (1996), Overbrook Farm in Lexington (open to breeders only); Big Brown (2008) stands stud at Three Chimneys (859-873-7053);Alysheba (1987) Hall of Champions at Kentucky Horse Park (859-

233-4303);Funny Cide (2003) Hall of Champions at Kentucky Horse Park (859-233-4303)

Even though you cannot see them, G i a c o m o ( 2 0 0 5 Derby winner) and Street Sense (2007 Derby winner) also

call the bluegrass home. Giacomo had the second largest pay-off in Kentucky Derby history and resides at Adena Springs. The first two year-old champion to win the Derby since 1979, Street Sense stands stud at Darley-at-Jonabell. Old Friends is the only Thoroughbred rescue/retirement facility to accept stallions. Rescued horses include Seabiscuit celebrity Popcorn Deelites, Hall of Fame Champion Precisionist, Grade 1 stakes winners Ruhlmann, Ogygian and Special Ring. Tours are free, but donations are accepted. The Kentucky Derby is not just about the race. Generating almost as big of a buzz as the horses themselves are the hats worn at the Derby. In fact, there are hat contests and even parties that center on the hat. Although they have been a part of the Derby since it began in 1875, the styles of hats have not changed much. From the extravagant to the simple, Derby hats are adorned with everything from feathers to flowers. Perhaps the only tradition is to have them custom or handmade! For creative inspiration, there are two shops in Lexington known for their Derby hats: Polly Singer Couture Hats and Veils and Fabulous Hats. Polly Singer has been designing hats since she got a hairbrush stuck in her hair and had to wear a hat to work one day! Her designs have been featured in USA Today, People and The Travel Channel Online. Anne Sawyer is the official hat designer for the Kentucky Derby Festival. Her designs can be found in her shop, Fabulous Hats, at the Marriott Griffin Gate. Don’t miss the 22nd Annual Gold Rush in Lexington next July 13-16! To start planning your trip, call 800-845-3959 for a free Visitor’s Planning Guide or take a trip to www.visitlex.com.


My Early Years on Two Wheelsby Milton Clair Grimes

Chapter 3Chapter 3 It was 1948 and I was once again in the Bluegrass yard. We had a row of gunnysacks hanging on uprights so that they could be stuffed with Bluegrass. Our job was to turn the windrows over again and again until the grass dried out, and then stuff it into the gunnysacks. We had broomsticks stuck into soup cans full of hardened cement to tamp the grass down. When a sack was full, we tied it off and put another sack on the rack, poking the heads of the nails through the weave to hold the sack up. It was hot, it was dusty, and it paid 50 cents an hour. Pretty good for a teenager. Weekends we loafed, played Monopoly, or sat on the bench at the gas station. The fall was approaching and I would soon be off to college. Olie had a new Indian motorcycle and he was so proud of it that you sort of hated to see him come by on it. It was black, it was new, it was shiny, and it would move. On a hot summer day, that was reason enough to beg Olie for a ride on it. Olie was a confirmed bachelor, a genius with small engines that he made a living repairing, and the general impression of the population was that he was given short-shrift in the brains department. Until he got his hands on your lawn mower, that is. He put a big windshield on that Indian, made a pair of black leather saddle bags with fringes for it, and put a tiny black leather saddle bag on the windshield brace to hold his gloves. God, it WAS beautiful! I was watching the traffic kick up dust on the gravel road one Saturday afternoon when he stopped to put gas in the Indian. We got to talking, and he claimed he had taken the square corner just outside of O’Neill on the way to Atkinson at 75 mph. I ‘lowed as how he might be overstating the speed a smidgen. Olie swore it was gospel truth. That was a square corner with a posted speed sign of 30mph and I doubted that the ‘motorsuckle’ would hold the road at that speed. He pointed at the saddle and told me to get on. He was going to prove to me that he had done exactly that. Are you familiar with the phrase, “That’s when two fools met”? Well, he was a fool for bragging, and I was a fool for going along with it, but when you’re a teenager you think you’re bullet-proof.

It is 23 miles from Chambers to O’Neill and Olie believed in speed laws. You have to understand that the temperature was in the 90s and it was too tempting to get a ride on a motorcycle where you could get dried off. Of course, only theaters had air conditioning at that time. We went through O’Neill and headed the last ½ mile north to that 30mph curve. Olie wrapped the throttle up and we really did go through that curve at 75mph. Made a believer out of me, that’s for sure. Later, when I had time to think about it, I realized how dumb that stunt was. Anyway, years later I moved that curve to where it was south of town, and wrote a poem about that ride.Here it is:THE CURVE SOUTH OF TOWN I learned about trust on the curve south of town, about life, about courage and pride, when you’ve nothing to do but watch asphalt melt down, then you’d sell your soul for a ride. It was up in the sand hills one hot summer time, with no breeze and no cloud in the sky, and the sum of our wealth totaled a dime, when Olie came cruising by. We said, “Olie, how ‘bout it? This heat we decry! With a ride on your mo-chine we’d thrive! We’ll contribute our wealth, if you’ll just apply that much effort to keep us alive!” Olie shut down his mo-chine and sized us all up. He said, “I don’t believe all that jive. But I’ll give a ride free to each one of you pups, through the curve south at seventy-five.” We were stunned, we were speechless, our urge did subside, as we thought of that curve and its’ hive, and we swallowed hard, thinking it pure suicide, to take it at seventy-five. Now, I don’t recall standing, but I still clearly see his big grin as he beckoned my way. That old Indian roared when he kicked it with glee, and we sped down that asphalt highway. Now that curve – it was posted with a “not-to-exceed”, and I prayed that we both would survive, for the sign said that 30 was the pace to proceed, but we slammed through at seventy-five. I won’t soon forget how the footrests were dragged through that curve on that hot summer drive, for I saw real trust, by that old scalawag, in his mo-chine at seventy-five.

Chapter Two, in the February 2009 issue, should have had a picture of the 1939 Cushman in it, but I forgot to include it. Here it is with a first cousin, Ralph Adams sitting on it. Ralph died at age 62 having received only one Social Security check before he died. Cancer doesn’t let you pick your time to go.

http://www.cartiermarketing.com


WOW… it’s April and once again our weather has been wild for the beginning of 2009. From flooding to late snow falls we’re finally on the way to what will be some great riding here in the Great Northwest and we’re going to enjoy every minute of it this year. This will be a short article as Region “A” is featured this month. Have you made your reservations yet for Lexington, KY? If you haven’t you better get on the ball because the rooms are going fast or close to being gone. Lexington is excited that we are coming back and are helping to make plans for us to be there. Even if you’re still undecided at this time make those reservations and if it doesn’t work out then you can always cancel them. 2009 raffle tickets are here… do you have yours??? Have you gotten any from your Chapter, State, or Regional Director to sell to all your family and friends? Remember, all it takes is for every MEMBER to buy 10 tickets. Yep, that’s 10 tickets! Then we wouldn’t have to keep pleading for your assistance to help keep the

organization going. It takes a lot to keep it going and YOU need to help, it is your organization. Give us a call or drop us a line and we will get tickets out to you immediately. Remember, the chapter in Region A that sells the most raffle tickets will get a Pizza Party for its members. WA-Chapter G has won this twice now and it sure would be nice to see a chapter on the West side of the Mountains or in Oregon win. Sell, sell, sell those tickets…Last minute stuff… Region A will have a Rally. Final plans are being made and we will get the information out to all of you as soon as completed. Region “A” website has gone through some changes, so make sure it check it out… www.gwtaregiona.org Check out the Region “A” feature articles and remember to keep your Ducks in a Row. Until the next time…JR & Lindy

April Fools or Spring Fever? You pick. This year we’ve got the spring fever to really ride. Ralphie had several medical procedures done earlier in the year and was unable to ride her bike for a few months so she’s really got the fever bad! Luckily, to help her get warmed up, NorCal Chapter V is having their Shriner’s Run April 19th in Sacramento. Then there’s NorCal Chapter O’s Fallen Rider which attracts hundreds of bikers on April 25th in Redding. So Cal Chapter J is offering their annual Watermelon Run on April 5th in Yucca Valley, CA and Chapter I’s fun Mystery Ride is slated for April 19th in Montclair, CA. We apologize to some of our states if we missed advertising your Chapter’s events/activities as we did not receive word of them at the time of this posting, but be sure to check out the state and national websites as changes can always be expected there. Our members of Region B are continuing to work ever so hard to sell national tickets this year. In spite of the economy being hit extremely hard throughout all the states, it’s nice to know that you can still have a chance to win a new Gold Wing, a new Harley Davidson or $10,000 with just a buck. Region B’s goal is to have every single member purchase at least one book of 10 tickets. That’s cheaper than the cost of two mochas! With the assistance of all Chapter Directors and their continuing to get the word out, we’re sure we can reach our goal in no time at all. Remember that you can assist us greatly by turning in your money and ticket stubs as quickly as possible each month so that we may, in turn, get them to

National for the monthly Region count. We started in January by turning in 600 tickets, so let’s keep the energy going! Two of our favorite rides are coming up: Region B’s Northern California Spring Fling will be here next month in Mariposa, CA in the beautiful area surrounding Yosemite National Park and our National Rally in Lexington, KY is in July. Have you submitted your registration to attend both yet? You’d be surprised how time flies by so quickly and before you know it; these two events will be upon us. All big events/activities require much preparation and work. A big thank you in advance to all those of you who are working, planning and supporting to make these events a huge success! Definitely lots of fun will be had!

Steve & Ralphine AndrusRegion B Directors


First let me start off by saying what an honor it is for Kandie and I to serve as your Region C Directors. Kandie and I have been members of GWTA since 1996. We initially joined because we had just purchased a 1980 Gold Wing Standard and wanted to ride with people who shared the same obsession for Gold Wings as we do. It took us a couple of years before we figured out that GWTA is more than Gold Wings. We have both made some sensational friends and have learned that the bike is secondary for many of us. This club was founded because of friends that share a passion for riding motorcycles. We, GWTA, have always tried to uphold family values and friendship over all other things. Kandie and I wanted to take on the challenge of being your Region C Directors for one reason and one reason only, and that is to serve you the members to the best of our abilities. We have seen the need for leadership within our group that is not self serving. Kandie and I are both here to try and represent our members and not ourselves. I would be lying to you if I told you there were no rewards to be had; instead I believe the rewards to serving GWTA to be many. I have always loved the opportunity to be involved and to help others achieve their goals. I also love the opportunity to ride with friends and to share experiences. Region C has always been a very vital part of GWTA and I know this will continue. Region C members have always been very giving and ready to step forward to do any job that may come up. Region C represents Mid-West values and we are, for the most part no nonsense people. That does not mean we do not like to have fun, as a matter of fact if there is fun to be had Region C GWTA is usually leading the pact. GWTA brings me joy, a sense of belonging to something bigger than myself. GWTA allows me the opportunity to get outside of my own little world and to become a part of some one else’s world. Kandie and I have been married for 36 years. We have raised 5 kids and they have given us 10 grand kids with one more on the way. Kandie is not able to ride with me as much as either one of us would like any more because of health reasons, but my oldest grandson, Zach, has become a veteran on the bike riding as many miles as school and baseball games will allow him. I think many of you already know him as Shoe Shine Boy. Zach has been on the

bike with me since he was about five and he never stops amazing me in his readiness to put on a five to six hundred mile day and still ask for more. Shoe Shine Boy has been my riding partner for about 6 years now and has also gotten very involved with you, the members of GWTA. Zach will still be riding with me for many years to come and he is as excited about GWTA as I am. Riding season is just getting underway again and I know many of our chapters have made their schedules for their dinner rides and fun runs. Have you invited other riders to join you on your chapter events? What we have in GWTA is something other clubs try to achieve but have trouble maintaining. I truly enjoy time spent with the people in my chapter, in my state and in my region. I encourage all of our chapters to visit our Region C Website http://gwta-c.com/GWTARegionCForum/ and participate. Post your experiences and share your events. We all love to get the chance to ride and it is great when we know when we get there we have someone to enjoy a meal with or to talk with. If your chapter is having fun, then why not invite a new friend to come and enjoy the trip with you. Our Region C Rally is coming up very shortly in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. If you have never driven the roads of Wisconsin you are missing some fantastic riding. The Wisconsin State Directors, Sherri and Jeryl Vonderheid, have been busy getting all the details worked out on this annual get together and I know that they are anxious to see you and to share some Wisconsin GWTA hospitality. If you would like to join us in Wisconsin you can find more information on the Region C website.

Region C Directors,Rick and Kandie Hinrichs

Wanted: Region D DirectorContact Bruce Keenon at (260) 358-0851 or [email protected]


It’s now the time of year when even the most reserved of our ranks is looking seriously at getting out and doing some riding. Riding alone is great and has its advantages. Riding with others also offers many advantages. What makes a ride a particularly good one? Charlotte and I had an experience a couple of years ago that really brings home the point. We had planned a ride with mostly strangers into central Mexico. Much has been said of the ride and the adventure we enjoyed. This is not another ride report but rather what made the ride particularly good. We met in Presidio, Texas. The riders came from a very wide area. They had ridden there the day after Christmas so many had extreme temperatures and less than ideal roads. One rider turned in an out of date registration form on his motorcycle at the border. The Mexican officials would not allow him to enter Mexico. His comment was that he had a good ride there and would now have a good ride home. Nine bikes made it past the red tape and into Mexico. In the mountains we encountered one of the worst snowstorms the area had seen in many years. We rode 50 miles that day on ice. All but one of the bikes fell at least once. Several fell many times. Most suffered damage. The consensus was that we had a rare experience and no one was injured so all was good. We arrived in Creel to find that the secure parking reserved for our bikes was up a fairly steep hill for some distance. In 14 inches of snow it was felt to be an impossibility to get the bikes to the area reserved for them. We changed our reservation to another motel. The bikes were secure and we were fine. It was decided that we couldn’t ride to Copper Canyon in the snow. A rental van and driver were secured that assured us they would get us there. We picked up some chicken to eat on the way and everyone was in good spirits. We spent a lot of time pushing the van rather than riding in it as we tried to negotiate a single lane dirt road on the side of a mountain in deep snow. Everyone remained in good spirits and worked together. Ultimately, we wound up walking a few miles down the mountain. Finally arriving in Batopilas we found that the city had been without electricity for two days due to the snowstorm. All restaurants in the area were closed, as was the motel where we were to stay. Another motel said they had kerosene lamps and could accommodate us if we didn’t mind having no electricity. That sounded a lot better than sleeping outside. We found a small store and purchased some canned goods, soda, chips, etc. We took the items back to the motel and shared the food under a coal oil lamp. The sharing of experiences made for a fabulous time. The next day we toured the area after having breakfast on the back porch of one of the residents there. Not even our driver spoke English and none of us spoke much Spanish, so that added something to the trip. We made it back to Creel only to learn that there was more snow headed our way. We opted to head home a day ahead of schedule to escape more bad weather. At the border one of the bikes was hit by an automobile and delayed somewhat by the

authorities. Two of the riders were very sick. One was hospitalized with pneumonia after getting home. I might mention Charlotte was the only female along. There was no doubt that everybody on the trip had a great time. What made it great was the attitude of the people on the trip. The adversity was taken in stride and something good always came of it. I don’t recall hearing a single complaint the whole time we were on the trip. The rider that had pneumonia had taken all our photos and stored them on his computer. He later made a CD and sent a copy to each of us. We made memories, had a great time, and made new friends. How many times do we get with others and have someone in the group seem to be on a mission to ruin it for everyone with ongoing complaints? Everyone has the ability to come up with something that they would have preferred went differently. In the final analysis is it really that important? Does vocalizing ones annoyance with things beyond your control help anything? It sure makes the trip less fun for everyone that has to listen to it. Our Mexican trip was great. That wasn’t because everything went as planned. Actually, there was almost nothing about it that went as planned. The trip was great because we were in it together and everyone saw it as an adventure. It was the attitude of the participants that made the trip one that we will never forget. I have often suggested that planning a trip with others involves a great deal of preparation, planning and getting to know the people you will be traveling with. Individual preferences as to stops, food, and motel accommodations can make a trip with someone else a disaster. Planning this trip broke every rule I have ever proposed for planning a group ride. The trip was planned on the Internet with some of us never having met the others. There was virtually no discussion of individual preferences. There was a Concours, a KLR, V-stroms, and a couple of Goldwings. The riders were college professors, engineers, day laborers, and retired folks. The ages ranged from mid twenties to late sixties. One was a female. That’s about as diverse a group as you can get. We all had in common a love of riding. In all fairness, the group was made up of experienced long distance riders so it did have that advantage. The thing that made it work was entirely attitude. Everyone was pleasant and willing to take on the next challenge. The point is we can make our trips great with a good positive attitude. That attitude will overcome a lot of mishaps and make most any day on the ride a good one.

Enjoy yourselves out there and:Keep the dirty side down.


We have special guest writers this month: John & Marilla Jager, our Indiana State Directors: Welcome Spring!! We want to wish everyone a Happy Easter. We may be getting a lot of rain but just remember all that rain brings those beautiful flowers. You do not want to “fool” around with the safety of your loved one. Do not be a “fool”… make sure you do your Safety checks before heading out for an enjoyable ride. Talk about enjoyable rides… we had some great rides last year at the Indiana State Rally in Rockville. We are looking forward to going back for more fun at the Covered Bridge Capital of the World. Join us for some new adventures, beautiful bridges, and an enjoyable time with our GWTA friends. Mark your calendar for August 14th, 15th and 16th. Contact John & Marilla for more information at (260) 635-1236 or email [email protected]. Region F patches are available. They are $5 per patch. The Region adopted the logo on the patch last year (the tree with the apples). Contact Jim & Kris Rogers or the Region F website for more information. Keep selling those bike tickets. Let us try to make this our best selling year ever. Indiana is giving Michigan a run for their money. Keep up the great work!! Sell these tickets to your neighbors, your friends and the community. Look at the great prizes that could be yours! Gold Rush XXII is just 3 months away (July 13-16). Lexington, KY here we come! So many fun things to do like dirty bingo, 50/50, vendors, horse racing, scenic rides, you name it. Hopefully, you have already sent in your registration, if you haven’t, be sure to get it in as soon as possible.

We hope to see you in Rockville (or sooner)!John & Marilla Jager, Indiana State Directors

Next month we’ll hear from the Michigan State Directors…

From the Desk of the Region F Rider Education Director... Here are some words of wisdom from FRED…That’s shorthand for (Region) F Rider Education Director. FRED is also known as “Cowboy” Paul Garrison. He has been busy gathering information to help us all stay safe when out on the roadways.

Howdy All, This month is a good time to get a check list together before the riding season starts for real. Here are a few things that you might want to put on your list.A. Tire wear, front & rearB. Electrical system: buttons and knobs, etc.C. Fluid levels: radiator, brake master cylinders, battery, etc.D. Make sure your windshield is free of scratches, it may be time to replace it.E. Check your FIRST AID KITS! / During the 2009 riding season I’ll be asking some of you when you least expect it, how up-to-date your first aid kits are. So if any of you plan on riding your Gold Wings before the riding season starts getting busy, please make sure the roads are “DRY”, “CLEAR”, and “WEAR PROPER GEAR!”Ride Safe & Have Fun,Cowboy & Susan Garrison / Region F. R. E. D.


Welcome to Spring! The riding season is finally here and annual ride schedules are being finalized.

Region H chaptersConnecticut Chapter “M” www.gwtachapterm.homestead.com

April Rides25: Gregg’s Restaurant, North Kingstown, RI

May Rides:1: “Ride 4 Justin Tip a Fireman Fundraiser El Sombrero, Southington, CT2: Westfield Fire Dept Chicken BBQ3: Ride 4 Justin, Southington, CT24: Westfield Memorial Day Parade25: Middletown Memorial Day Parade 27: Rock Cats Benefit Baseball Game

Connecticut Chapter V www.gwtachapterv.homestead.com Bike tickets are going fast so let’s all get out there a make some friends and help support GWTA!

Maine Chapter A Sunshineriders.org

Region H Rally August 28 – 30 2009 Shelburne, New Hampshire at the Town & Country Motor Inn. $88 per night for( GWTA rally people) For reservations call 1-800-325-4386. Registration form should be out before you receive this issue we are working on the meal sites and cost.

Yours in Friendship,Phil & Sue Rueger

Visit Canada in April for spring bargains and warming weather. April is a great time to get a travel bargain in Canada. Many hotels, airlines and tour companies offer savings in spring. By April, spring’s heels are firmly dug in in Vancouver and the west coast. Nevertheless, the ski season in Whistler is still going strong. Elsewhere in the country, the chill of winter is disappearing but weather can be unpredictable – be prepared for a variety of weather.April perks:

• Loads of travel deals and discounts on popular tourist activities.

• Warmer weather opens up the possibility of more outdoor activity.

April cons:• Snow melting and spring showers mean wet, muddy

conditions.• Weather is unpredictable, which is why dressing in layers

is so advisable.What to wear: What you pack depends on where you are going in Canada. That said, useful items to packe for most Canadian destinations in April are:

• A winter coat for everywhere except for Vancouver or Victoria is a safe bet.

• Warm, water-resistant outer wear

• Umbrella• Comfortable closed-toe shoes and boots if you’re going to

be outside of the city.• A range of clothing, including t-shirts, sweaters, light pants,

heavy slacks. Dressing in layers is a good idea.

http://www.chromecrazy.net


Rebuttal to Mr. Kleewein’s ‘Flag Etiquette’ article in the January 2009 Touring News.

I am the guilty party he talks about in his article and I take his piece of writing as a SECOND personal attack. Things did not transpire quite the way Mr. Kleewein says. There is another side to the incident. I had put together my flag rack at home while on the bike’s center stand. After getting to the region rally and setting it up, I noticed that when the bike was on the side stand one of the flag’s corners just touched the ground. A far cry from the way he makes it sound. Also, since he wasn’t there when I put the flags on the bike. I can’t imagine how he saw me “drag them on the ground.” Back to the rack, since I was at the rally and not at home, there wasn’t much I could do about fixing the problem. When Mr. Kleewein approached me he immediately began to belittle and demean me. He became so verbally insulting and profane I had to get on my bike and ride to the other side of the parking lot. He has no idea how close the confrontation came to blows.

As a Vietnam Veteran of two tours, I earned a Bronze Star, Two Army Commendation Medals, and a Combat Infantryman’s badge before I turned 19. This along with my 30 plus years as a Chicago Police Officer I have come to have a deep respect for our flag and what it stands for. I fly one every day in front of my home. I also feel everyone deserves more respect than Mr. Kleewein afforded me, a total stranger. In the future, Mr. Kleewein should use a little more discretion and a whole lot more caution when he approaches strangers. Besides, you can get much better results with honey than you do with vinegar.

Burt WagnerChicago, IL

A ‘Veteran’ — whether active duty, discharged, retired, or reserve – is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to ‘The United States of America,’ for an amount of ‘up to and including his life.’

June 1-6 Lake George, NY

For a free 4 min. DVD, [email protected] 518-798-7888 www.tourexpo.com

World’s Largest Touring Rally

Add On Accessorieswww.addonaccessories.net

AIMwww.ON-A-BIKE.com

Americadewww.tourexpo.com

Baker Built Air Wingswww.bakerbuilt.com

Big Bike Partswww.bigbikeparts.com

Chrome Crazy Superstorewww.chromecrazy.netCIMA InternationalEverett Powersports

www.everettpowersports.comHayden Honda

www.haydenhonda.comMarkel American Insurance Co.

www.markelinsuresfun.com

Neosho Fiberglasswww.neoshotrailers.com

Neihaus Cycle Saleswww.niehauscycle.com

Road Runner Magazinewww.RoadRUNNER.travel

Tec-Matewww.tecmate.com


http://www.tourexpo.com

http://www.addonaccessories.net

http://www.on-a-bike.com

http://www.tourexpo.com

http://www.bakerbuilt.com

http://www.bigbikeparts.com

http://www.chromecrazy.net

http://www.everettpowersports.com

http://www.haydenhonda.com

http://www.markelinsuresfun.com

http://www.neoshotrailers.com

http://www.niehauscycle.com

http://www.roadrunner.travel

http://www.tecmate.com


Last _______________________ First _______________________Last _______________________ First _______________________Last _______________________ First _______________________Last _______________________ First _______________________Last _______________________ First _______________________Last _______________________ First _______________________Mailing Address__________________________________________City ______________State/Province ______ Zip/Postal __________Home Ph. ___________________ Work Ph. ___________________Email __________________________________________________Membership dues: $ __________ for __________ years.I would also like to make a donation of $ _____ to Helping Hands.Total $ _________ (Please make checks payable to GWTA)The following information must be filled out if paying by credit card:VISA/MC/AMEX _________________________________________Exp. Date __________ CVV2 (3 or 4 digit code on back) _________Billing Address _____________________ Billing Zip ____________Authorized Signature _____________________________________

Memberships: 1 Year 2 Years 3 Years LifetimeIndividual $45 $90 $120 $750Family $55 $110 $150 $900

GWTA Membership Application

PLEASE NOTE: All funds must be payable in U.S. Funds only. DO NOT SEND CASH.

Mail completed form to:GWTA Membership Services

P.O. Box 42403 Indianapolis, IN 46242-0403

Toll Free: 1-800-960-4982Ph: 317-243-6822Fax: 317-243-6833

Email: [email protected] the Blue Line (toll-free help service), the services I can provide are as follows:___ A - Bike/Trailer Pickup___B - Phone Calls___C - Tent Space___D - Lodging___E - Tools___I/we cannot offer services for the Blue Line.

Note: $39 of annual membership dues in-cludes a one-year subscription to GWTA’s Touring News magazine. Your subscrip-tion cannot be deducted from dues.

*Lifetime may be paid in three yearly installlments of $250 individual or $300 family.

Recruiting credit to_______________ Membership # ___________________

Rates effective 9/1/2008.

Please assign me to chapter ____in the state/province of _________.

___ NEW ___RENEWAL: Mem # ___________

For Sale – Our bike is now a trike! 1994 rearend wheel almost new tire less than 2,000 miles$500 obo. White saddle bags $200 obo. Crash bars $100. Triple Tree with one bearing $100 obo. Fender – best offer. Call Marilyn at 760-244-7801.

For Sale – 10 ft. Carson trailer with a 4 inch dual drop axle. It has a pack-n-iron kit specifically set to hall an 1800. Trailer has been on the road 100 miles. Asking $1900. Contact Jim Miles at 760-253-9185 or [email protected]. California.

For Sale – 1996 Kwikcamp, blue canvas, always garaged, excellent condition. Asking $2500 or best offer. Please contact Joe Wolfe at 425-277-6915. Renton, WA.

For Sale – 1996 Honda with a 1999 Motor Trike conversion and trailer (blue). Compu battery and alternator, LED lights all around, armrest with cupholder and driver seatback, airhorn, onboard compressor, airshocks, ring of fire Tulsa windshield, CB headgear hookup, full and half cover and more. Contact Per Fjugstad at 360-497-2167 for more info. Randle, WA.

Do you have anything (motor-cycle or camping related) that

you would like to sell? Have you been looking for something? Let us know and we’ll run your ad for

FREE as a GWTA member.


Heck Yes, We Ride.Not many insurance companies

can honestly say that.

Markel shares your passion for the open road, and has focused solely on powersports insurance for over 35 years. For an instant quote, talk to one of us at 1‑866‑936‑1880 or visit GWTAinsurance.com

The endorsed insurance carrier of the GWTA

EXECUTIVE DIRECTORBruce & Linda Keenon

P.O. Box 348, Huntington, IN 46750(260) 358-0851 Fax (260) 356-3392

[email protected]

Call for nearest distributor

Lees-ure Lite Popup Tent TrailersNow selling motorcycle accessories & hitches!Lees-ure Lite Popup Tent Trailers

For information or a brochurecall free 1-800-660-0933Shipping all over [email protected]

Sleep anywhere, in comfort!Set up in 6 seconds - optional add aroom - screen room - rear storage -

awnings air conditioning kit and more!

The Last Ride

Life is a journey with many roads to take. With the loss of my mother in July, right after Gold Rush, and now my father in March it leaves me to look at the many memories of my family. With that thought, it reminds me of our GWTA family. We have many members come and go on the rides and experiences of GWTA. Through the years we have lost many dear friends to death. However, have you ever wondered why members leave? Did they not enjoy the friendship and love that we all shared? What a wonderful feeling it is riding the curvy roads with fellow family members, sharing memories of our times together and making new memories along the way. The laughter, the surroundings and just being together make it a wonderful experience. In this month’s Cross Eyed Crossroads article, Jerry Weltner wrote about riding with various people. I would ride with any member or prospective member and enjoy the camaraderie and memories we would share. I often have fellow workers and non-motorcycling friends ask me why I am a part of the motorcycling community. They have no clue what being part of a family this large is like. You truly have to experience it by losing a loved one or having a hardship in your life and then you really find out what being part of this family means. We welcome the many new chapters and members who are joining us each month! Your local GWTA chapter of friends can provide you a family experience and memories

you will get nowhere else. At our chapter levels we are very protective, loving, and have fun with our GWTA chapter family. When someone threatens that, as a chapter, we become very defensive - as we should. This is our family of friends. So the next time a new person rides with you, make them part of your family. Enjoy their camaraderie and make new memories together. For those of you who are leaving our GWTA family for any reason – stop, take a deep breath and remember the many memories that GWTA is providing. I promise you, you will miss those memories. Enjoy your friends. Don’t make this your last ride! As I have recently learned, life is short but memories are forever.

God Bless & Ride Safe

The Keenons



http://www.gwtainsurance.com

http://www.tent-trailer.com



You all probably know the old saying “April showers bring May flowers” don’t you? That’s a good thing, but the word shower is not a favorite word in the avid motorcyclist vocabulary. Oh, I know, we all have to live with that time of the year but we do so grudgingly. I decided this month that since I have done plenty of pieces of art that depicted a bad storming sky and even some pretty heavy rain showers that I needed to do something that makes you want to go out on the bike and enjoy a nice ride. I think the month of April takes a few hits that it doesn’t really deserve. There are thirty days in April and, although I don’t have any real scientific information for you, I’m betting that most of those days are sunny and mild. When it’s raining it just seems like it goes on for days and when the weather is great it seems to go way too fast. This little piece of artwork is out here in the mid-west. Montana is not the only place with “big sky.” I really like these kinds of places. By that I mean the wide-open spaces. This piece of artwork could be of any number of places out here in this part of the country. I’ll let you decide where. It just seems so much bigger and wide open when you’re on the bike. You can almost feel the room around you. That just doesn’t happen in a four-wheeler. When I

find myself in this kind of a place it makes me enjoy the bike even more. It wasn’t too long ago that I stood in the door of my garage, cranking up my snow blower, looking at the Wing and questioning the wisdom of that purchase. It’s when I’m getting down the road in just a place like this that I no longer question myself as to why I bought that Wing. I know exactly why. When you find yourself out on the road this year enjoying just such a place remember to slow down, look around and enjoy the ride. I hope you readers of my little articles are taking something away from them. Don’t live life too fast. Take time to enjoy it. Make that motorcycle be your tool to an enjoyable life. Let it become a way for you to enjoy God’s creations. Look around you, they’re everywhere. You don’t have to go across country; sometimes all you have to do is go around the block. Hey, when you have that perfect ride on that beautiful day and it strikes you as to what I have been talking about in these little articles send me an e-mail, let me know. It makes me feel like I’ve done somebody some good. Just remember the bike is a tool. You have to slow down and look around to really enjoy the ride.......


NEW GL1500 LEDLICENSE FILLER ACCENT

NEW TRIPLE EXHAUST FORGL1800 & GL1500

For a free catalog, free giftand the name of your nearest dealer

Call 1-800-821-9861Web www.addonaccessories.netEmail [email protected]

TAKE PRIDEIN YOUR RIDE . . .Quality Parts and Accessoriesfor your 1975 to 2009 Wing

®

NEW GL1800 TIMING CHAIN COVER

Jeri BussellJoe Housley

Karen HousleyJack Woods

A special Thank You for all of the cards & flowers received for John Freeman.

~Marvin Freeman

http://www.addonaccessories.net




We have a new President at the helm of the United States, and it got us to thinking about taking on a new office, and the changes that we’re sure President Obama would like to see occur. In these challenging financial times, he has a tough row to hoe, but he willingly and actively pursued this opportunity to lead. How like this is leadership in GWTA? For one thing, we are all probably worried about the economic conditions. We may be thinking that we won’t want to take that extra trip in case we get laid off our jobs. We may think that we could save some money but not renewing our GWTA memberships. All of us, I’m sure, could use some reassurance about our future stability and financial health. Unlike President Obama, GWTA doesn’t have any plans to “bail out” anyone. We certainly don’t have a trillion dollars lying around, after all. But what we do have is wonderful people in this association, who willingly step up, provide ideas and suggestions, and volunteer their time to help make this association great. For most chapters, each January a new director is elected. For many of these new officers, it can be a daunting thing to take on new responsibilities. We remember when we first stepped up to chapter director. Oh my gosh – we couldn’t possibly do as well as our predecessors, was our thought. And we were right! Our first year was a constant battle to stay ahead of all the things we needed to do. Organizing rides, planning a fun run, getting next year’s meeting places lined up, remembering just a little bit too late that we needed to devote a meeting to electing our Family of the Year, or sending in our annual chapter charter – or any of the other tasks that needed to be done. But we learned, and we remembered. The second year was so much easier. And by the third year, we were seasoned pros! Looking back at that first year, one of our biggest problems was that we didn’t know what we didn’t know. We took over at a time when our chapter had just split, and all of the previous officers were now in a different chapter. We just tried to muddle through things, when what we should have done is called them to ask questions, or called the state director, or other chapter directors in our state. But as I said, we didn’t know what we didn’t know. Then we were asked to become State Directors. Oh… well…. okay – thinking that we could never possibly fill the shoes of our predecessors. Again we were right! But there was a difference. The previous state directors sat down with us and talked through what we could expect. They were only a phone call away when we had questions. And we discovered that being state directors was

actually a lot of fun. We stayed there for three years, and every year, we met more fantastic people in the organization. Every year, our circle of friends got just a little bit broader. We tried out some new things. Some ideas worked. Some bombed. But we learned from all of it! After having so much fun for three years, our next challenge was Regional Director. Now this time, we only had that role for six months, after which we became the National Education and Retention Directors. This new position for us has also been so very rewarding. We now know GWTA folks from coast to coast, and we look forward to the national, regional, and state events because we have friends we know we will be able to hook up and spend time with, swapping stories, laughing, and just having a great time. In our two decades with GWTA, only the first couple of years we did not hold some kind of position. For many years our responsibility at the chapter level was either 50-50, or membership, or some other kind of role that the chapter directors asked us to help with. Once we made it to Chapter Director, then State, Regional and now National Directors, we can tell you with total confidence, it has made a huge difference in our lives. We wouldn’t trade a single moment. So – here’s one of the biggest best-kept secrets of GWTA.

Becoming an officer in GWTA can be much more rewarding than it is work. If you have the opportunity to run for Chapter Director, then take it! Try some new things. Some may work (I’ll never forget the time Mike proposed that the chapter take the motorcycles to the drive-inn movies – boy, was that a hoot!) Some may not work out so well (let’s not even go there…) The point is, it’s an opportunity to make a difference in your chapter, your state, or even your region. You may feel that you are not ready, or not qualified – I know we did. But take small steps – be active in your chapter for a while, then chapter director, before taking on bigger responsibilities. Consider being an assistant director in your state or region,

to learn some of the ropes. The truth of the matter is, new officers, just like new chapter members, bring new ideas and fresh enthusiasm to the position. It’s not that much work – at least it shouldn’t be. Always be sure to get lots of help from other people. Have the person who was in the position before you mentor you. Attend one of our training seminars to learn more about the organization. Call others and ask questions. If you get the opportunity to become an officer, whether Chapter Director, State, Regional or other National officer, or you think you might like to run for the Board of Directors, be sure to grab it – don’t let it pass you by! Let the person who is currently in that role know of your interest. Ask questions and get more informed. Volunteer to help them. Or – as many of us have done – just jump into the pool. It will be well worth your time.

Until next time,Carol and Mike BrushNational Education and Retention Directors



Wing into Spring with your GWTA FamilyBy, Stacie Larson

What does GWTA mean to you? To me it means a lot more than just an association. It’s a whole second family. When I was born, I joined my biological family and my GWTA family. I wasn’t a part of any normal family, but a family who took me on my first sidecar ride when I was five months old. I took my first long sidecar ride when I was nine months old to Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1994 for my very first Gold Rush. Lots of people thought my parents were crazy for traveling around with my sister and I while we were so young, but we turned out okay.

Having children never stopped my parents from having fun, and I’m glad it didn’t. I couldn’t be happier when I’m with my GWTA family. You don’t have to wait for an event on your chapter calendar to get together with people and have a good time. Get together for a potluck dinner and play some cards, or board games. If it’s warm enough, take a nice afternoon ride and stop somewhere for a picnic or something. You can get a group together and stay for a few days at a campground. Mention something at your next chapter meeting and get those reservations in early. When I think of GWTA, I think of all the good people I’ve met. There are so many amazing people out there that I can’t even begin to describe them. There are those who you can trust like your aunts and uncles. Then there are those who are like that crazy cousin who is always so crazy and cheerful. Then there are the ones who joke around with you like your siblings. Going to Gold Rush, the Michigan State rally, and the Michigan Winter Weekend are all just like big family reunions to me. You see people that you haven’t seen for a while, like someone from across the state. There are people who you see more often, like your chapter members at chapter meetings. There are the grandparents who give you big hugs every time you see them. There are also the distant relatives that you only see maybe twice a year. I just love my GWTA family! As April comes around, some of you may be ready to dust off the bike and go for that first ride of the New Year. Hurray for you! Sadly, some of us in the north may have to wait a little longer. A ride my family and I go on often for our first ride of the year is to a restaurant near Marshall Michigan called Turkeyville. Although it may only be twenty miles from our house, it could take anywhere from an hour to two and a half hours for us to get there. It really is a nice first-ride-of-the-season destination for us. With it still getting a bit chilly at

night, Turkeyville is just far enough away so that we don’t have to ride in the dark on the way home. I hope all of you who are able to get your bikes out will take advantage of the warmer weather.

Happy April, and ride safe!

a product of ® • 800-826-2411 • www.bigbikeparts.com

We Cover Everything.Tailored to fit the natural

stance of your bike

Compactstorage

pouch

Sewn hem &

bungeecord

Double-stitched4-fold interlocking seams

High-quality coated, UV stabilized fabric

Integratedwindsheild

liner

3-Yearlimited

warranty

Cruiser, Street, Touringand half models from $35.00


http://www.bigbikeparts.com


HONDA TECH COLUMNISTRandy Rundle415 Court Street

Clay Center, KS 67435(785) 632-3450

Fax: (785) [email protected]

2010 Fury Development StoryA few months ago I gave you a preview of Honda’s newest motorcycle creation the Honda Fury. Now I thought it would be fun to share with you some of the technical details of this new motorcycle. Being a fan of the chopper design…or not it is interesting to note some of the innovations that are a part of the New Honda Fury, the upper radiator hose in particular comes to mind. So not that you have seen and read the press information, here is a little more of the technical details…. Welcome to the wild side of Honda, where a passion for riding reigns supreme in the stunningly creative 2010 Fury. Here we have a machine packed with radical lines and a head-turning look, a motorcycle destined to become a milestone machine. The Fury is the offspring of people who get excited about creating new motorcycles, enthusiasts who understand what it means to get really involved with a machine. The Fury captures the pure, undiluted chopper essence, a genre of motorcycle that simply feels right, looks right and sounds right when it’s done well, rather than a precise formula that’s captured with a micrometer and calipers. Choppers have been a part of the motorcycling scene for decades, but for the most part they’ve occupied a niche on the farthest edges of the sport. The first such machines were cobbled-up home-builts with a reputation for being crudely wrought and uncomfortable to ride. Since then choppers have evolved into rolling art, with true customs commanding a very high price. That’s the beauty of the Fury. Even though it looks like rolling art from the two-wheeled world, it is backed up with the same functionality, fit and finish, quality and reliability built into every Honda. Tapping into an extensive legacy of experience in building motorcycles of all types, Honda’s engineers devised a design and incorporated technological advantages to make the Fury handle,

function and ride according to Honda standards. Although stunning and daring in its visuals, the Fury is great fun to ride, with a look, feel and sound that place the rider squarely in the chopper domain. It’s a Honda and you can use it like any other Honda, yet it carries attitude and looks to the extreme. The most obvious attraction to the Fury centers on its raked-out chopper styling: high-mount steering head that gives the frame a see-through, open-air look with plenty of breathing room between the tank/upper frame and the front cylinder head; slim and long fuel tank perched up high; ultra-low 26.7-inch seat height; big-time rake; fat 200-series rear tire paired with a slim 21-inch front wheel; a condensed, hard-tail look to the rear end; and a stretched wheelbase. And that long wheelbase is no illusion—the Fury stretches a full 71.2 inches between axles. Perhaps equally important is that a close-up inspection of the Fury reveals remarkably clean lines, a Spartan return to basics plus superior attention to detail that together create the distinct impression of a full-on hand-built custom bike, but at a mere fraction of the cost. For example, to maintain the remarkably uncluttered look between the front cylinder and the front downtube/radiator area, the top radiator hose is hidden away beneath the front valve cover—a patented idea that illustrates the extreme efforts expended on maintaining the airy look of the front end. Other examples are the long, slim and voluptuous look of the fuel tank, which had to be adjusted and modified repeatedly along with handlebar shape and size to allow the appropriate amount of steering clearance when the front wheel is turned from stop-to-stop. The design of each separate element shares cascading effects with other interrelated parts, resulting in a fluidity of design. In similar fashion, the rear end of the bike had to look just right, yet still function like a Honda. The Fury incorporates a visual balance of positive and negative space between the airy front end and the more substantial engine and rear-end section; it may not be instantly apparent to some onlookers, but the design elements have been

carefully integrated. The LED taillight was selected specifically because it does not affect the shape of the rear fender, which also lacks visible fender stays—all for the purpose of giving the rear fender a simple, clean and elegant shape. In addition, there’s no need to fret about what appears to be a rigid hard-tail rear end. Those sleek lines actually cloak an ingenious single-shock rear suspension system with an aluminum swingarm, adjustable rebound damping and five-position

spring preload adjustment for exemplary riding comfort—definitely far and above the norm for a chopper-style motorcycle. Also, note the remarkably clean lines given to the aluminum swingarm, and the great efforts expendedon bestowing smooth lines upon the driveshaft on the left side. Up front, a stout 45mm fork handles suspension duties quite ably,

2004 Honda Rune

2010 Honda Fury



and the distinctive alloy wheels have a single powerful 336mm-diameter front disc brake complemented by a 296mm brake disc in back. Fire up the engine and waves of muscular V-twin power, sound and feel—vital elements that constitute the soul of the Fury—flood the senses. There’s a fuel-injection system that’s new to Honda’s proven and muscular 1312cc liquid-cooled 52-degree V-twin with a single-pin crankshaft and dual balancers. A newly designed exhaust system and new camshafts also add to the creation of an engine that’s eminently satisfying in the performance department as well as one that delivers the more intangible aesthetic sound and power-pulse sensations Honda engineers wanted. Short version: it’s just plain cool to ride and hear this baby rumble. With a full line of accessories available upon its release, the Fury is also positioned for additional customizing by owners who want to add that personal touch. You have to appreciate some of the effort that went into designing this bike. Hiding the upper radiator inside of the front valve cover then going to all the work of getting the design patented shows some of the dedication to this project. I think it is worth a trip down to your local dealer to see one in person.Until Next Time….Ride Safe! Randy

At the time this article is being written, we have received six donations for 2009. The total of all these donations adds up to less than the amount to cover two grants. While that may seem like a complaint, it is not. We realize that in today’s economy it is more difficult to donate large sums. Please keep in mind that we are grateful for even the smallest donation as when you add a bunch of small amounts together, we have funds for a grant. That’s what Helping Hands is all about.

Thank you to the following for your support:Keystone Wings – Chapter P – PennsylvaniaVictor Valley Wings – Chapter W - CaliforniaAlmaden Valley Wings – Chapter C – CaliforniaSouthern Pride – Chapter P – IllinoisGWTA Region D – Funds from Dixie Doins AuctionRiverbend Riders – Chapter B - Illinois

I’m stealing this idea from several of the regions. It’s an easy way to gather funds. Start a collection jar for your meetings. Any time someone’s cell phone rings during the meeting, they contribute to the jar (most regions use $5 per time but you decide what amount your chapter would be comfortable with). After an established period, send whatever funds you’ve collected to Helping Hands.

Happy trails – Di & Al HenningsDirector, Helping Hands




E-mail_________________________Will you use: Motel Campground Other

Gold Rush XXII: July 13-16, 2009

Make checks and money orders, US funds, payable to: GWTA, P.O. Box 42403, Indianapolis, IN 46242

Visa/Mastercard/Amex #_________________________________________Expiration Date_______

Address_______________________City_____________State/Province_____ Zip/Postal_________

Name ( A C R P )__________________________Name ( A C R P ) __________________________

GWTA Chapter/St./Pr._______________ Membership #__________ Other Affiliation______________

Name ( A C R P )__________________________Name ( A C R P ) __________________________

Circle appropriate codes after name: A=Adult, C=Under 16, R=Rider, P=Passenger. Use name wanted on ID

x

$50

Total $

Children under 16 free (not eligible for drawing)

=

= $=

x

$

Red Roof Inn (4 miles from LCC)- $49.99 + tax per night - 1980 Haggard Ct., Lexington, KY 40505Phone: 800-733-7663 or 859-293-2626. Must Mention Code B044GWTA for discounted rates.

La Quinta Inn (4.5 miles from LCC) - $77 per night - 1919 Stanton Way, Lexington, KY 40511 - Phone 800-531-5900 or 859-231-7551

freex

HOST HOTEL (Connected to Lexington Convention Center) - Lexington Downton Hotel (formerly Radisson)$89 per night - 369 West Vine Street, Lexington, KY 40507 - Phone: 877-539-1648 or 859-231-9000. Mention GWTA for rates.

$

Lexington, KYLexington Convention Center

Member Registration per person before 7/1/2009

Billing Address____________________________Billing Zip Code __________CVV2 Code_______

Cardholder Signature______________________________________________________________

REFUNDS MUST BE RECEIVED IN WRITING BEFORE JULY 1, 2009. NO REFUNDS WILL BE ISSUED WITHOUT WRITTEN NOTICE. CONFIRMATION POSTCARDS WILL BE MAILED FOR

ALL REGISTRATIONS RECEIVED AT THE OFFICE. IF YOU HAVE NOT RECEIVED A CONFIRMATION POSTCARD CONTACT THE OFFICE BEFORE THE NEXT CUT OFF DATE!! PLEASE NOTE: CONFIRMATION EMAILS FROM ONLINE ORDERS ARE NOT SENT FROM THE OF-

FICE AND DO NOT CONFIRM THAT YOUR REGISTRATION WAS RECEIVED & PROCESSED!

1-800-960-GWTA (4982) [email protected] www.gwta.org

Non-Member Registration & Registration after 7/1/2009 $55

Pre-order rally t-shirt

Welome Dinner; Sunday, July 12th @ 6pm$12$12

xxx $

$$=

==

T-shirt Pre-orderQty Size

MDSM

LGXL2XL3XL4XL

GRXXII

PreOrder

T-shirts

Ramada Inn - $79.99 per night plus tax - 2143 North Broadway, Lexington, KY 40505 - Phone 859-299-1261

Four Points Sheraton (4.5 miles from LCC) - $72 - $92 per night - 1938 Stanton Way, Lexington, KY 40511 - Phone 859-259-1311

Old Kentucky Night at the Kentucky Horse Park $40Tuesday, July 14th @ 6pm, includes meal, entrance to the park, entertainment & more!

Kentucky Horse Park Campground (8.4 miles from LCC) Must call 800-678-8813 ext. 257 and mention GWTA to receive rates. Sites are 55’ paved back-ins, 20/30/50 amp electric, water, picnic table, fire pit. $24.30 per night.

Fort Boonseborough State Park Campground (25 miles from LCC) Call 859-527-3131 ext. 218 for rates and reservations.


Win-A-Wing Sweepstakes

Guaranteed Lowest Price

Professional Goldwing Experts

Call by 3pm your order ships today

1-800-872-9595 www.chromeworld.comHome of Win-A-Wing. A Chrome World customer wins a new Goldwing every year!

Free Goldwing Accessory Catalog

Lower Gear or Brakes?(On Downhill or Turns)

by James R. Davis

An interesting everyday kind of question was asked recently:“If you have a long, descending, curving highway merge ramp, do you use a lower gear to provide some engine braking if you have to let off the throttle, or do you use a higher gear and use your brakes in the curve if you encounter slower traffic, trucks, etc.?”

Most experienced riders will virtually always opt to use a lower gear whenever they are about to enter an off ramp or when dealing with a meaningfully sharp turn. This affords them the best responsiveness (acceleration as well as engine braking) potential possible to deal with the unexpected.

But the question was really more about brakes than about gearing. On a long downhill you want to use engine braking whenever possible for two reasons:

• To prevent premature brake wear• To prevent temporary overheating

of those brakes If you do mostly touring (long distance, and therefore high-speed highway riding), you should have little concern about premature brake wear as you use your brakes infrequently compared to miles travelled. On the other hand, temporary overheating is a major concern from a safety point of view. Your brakes work by converting kinetic energy (movement) to heat. In the process the brakes can get VERY HOT

as they can only dissipate that heat at a modest rate. When brakes overheat they lose efficiency. In other words, it takes more braking effort for hot brakes to scrub a given amount of speed than it does for cooler brakes. Further, if that overheating gets severe enough it will no longer be a temporary loss of efficiency as they can bake and glaze into surfaces that are permanently less efficient at doing their job.The above article is an extract from The Master Strategy Group, all rights reserved (Chapter SC-Q Nov 2008 newsletter)

http://www.neoshotrailers.com


http://www.chromeworld.com


ALABAMA TBA

ARKANSAS Arthur Parsons (501) 268-1179 (E) Red River Riders Searcy Arthur Churchill (501) 279-0823 [email protected]

CALIFORNIA-SOUTHERN Archie James (760) 220-8240 [email protected] (I) Tri-Valley Wings Covina Diane Huff (909) 591-3657 [email protected] (J) Desert Roadrunners Yucca Valley Peter Bryant (909 941-9668 [email protected] (L) Antelope Valley Wings Lancaster Gary Biddy (818) 352-1777 [email protected] (O) Channel Islands Wings Ventura Charles Burton (805) 647-7382 [email protected] (Q) SLO Wings San Luis Obispo Dale Smith (805) 458-0271 [email protected] (S) Wings of the Phoenix Los Angeles Richard Seales (310) 391-6767 [email protected] (W) Victor Valley Wings Victorville Larry Marcum (760) 221-9653 [email protected]

COLORADO Dan & Linda McKelvey (970) 686-0430 (A) Front Range Gold Longmont Jim & Glenda Boggess (303) 772-3755 [email protected] (T) Trail Ridge Riders Windsor Don & Joyce White (970) 834-0706

DELAWARE Phil Rueger (860) 824-0005

FLORIDA & GEORGIA TBA

IDAHO Chuck Hall (208) 898-9040 [email protected] (A) Southwest Idaho Wings Boise Mike Sherman (208) 452-3481 [email protected]

ILLINOIS Jack & Joyce May (309) 797-7919 [email protected] (A) Central Illinois Wings Buckley Marvin Young (815) 457-2667 (B) Riverbend Riders Troy Deb Brem (618) 538-7511 [email protected] (C) Windy City Wings Chicago Mark Busse (773) 764-0421 [email protected] (F) Fun Troop Riders Waterman Art Eichelberger (815) 264-3271 [email protected] (G) Lincoln Land Gold Wheels Woodridge Leo Prentice (630) 971-8861 [email protected] (H) River City Riders Moline Chris Frazier (563) 243-5088 [email protected] (P) Southern Pride Mt. Vernon Tom Smithpeters (618) 242-9701 [email protected]

HAWAII Steve Andrus (707) 429-9547 (A) Big Island Buds Fred Fogel (808) 265-1659 [email protected]

ARIZONA Steve Andrus (707) 429-9547 (F) F Troop Mesa TBA (P) Lost Dutchman Wings Prescott Valley Jack Scott (928) 775-2152 [email protected]

ALASKA JR Phillips (360) 387-3523

CALIFORNIA-NORTHERN Dennis Therien (530) 877-4279 [email protected] (A) Grapestompers Stockton Jim Jackson (209) 951-4427 [email protected] (B) Redwood Wings Sonoma Tom Garske, Jr. (707) 933-9799 [email protected] (E) Yosemite Wings Clovis John Reynolds (559) 323-9807 [email protected] (F) River City Wings Rancho Cordova Phil Messer (916) 362-0431 [email protected] (J) Delta Wings Antioch Richard McMillan (925) 234-4352 [email protected] (L) ClearlakeRoad Riders Nice Lynn Hollenback (707) 263-7101 [email protected] (O) Shascade Wings Redding Les Long (530) 365-8107 [email protected] (P) Diablo Valley Wings Concord Harry Davis (925) 686-3774 [email protected] (R) Monterey Bay Wings Santa Cruz Doug Green (831) 338-6804 [email protected] (S) Gold Country Riders Paradise Bob Merrick (530) 872-0883 [email protected] (T) Tri-County Travelers Marysville Dennis Rogers (530) 682-0529 [email protected] (V) Woodland Roadrunners Woodland John Hunrath (916) 682-0734 [email protected] (X) Lassen Riders Los Molinos Terry Owen (530) 384-1407 [email protected] (Z) Golden Gate Wings San Bruno Donald Tolbert, Jr. (650) 952-7240 [email protected]

CONNECTICUT John Griswold (860) 635-5979 [email protected] (M) Mid-State Navigators Meriden David Laliberte (860) 628-7363 [email protected] (V) Valley Riders Shelton Joe Delnicky (203) 888-6443 [email protected]


KANSAS Roger & Glory Scholl (316) 778-1380 (A) Air Capital Wings Wichita Donna Felix (316) 773-2598 [email protected] (B) East Kansas Tour Riders Kansas City John English (913) 871-1489 [email protected] (C) Western Kansas Wings Dodge City Shawn Huffman (620) 255-9852 [email protected] (E) “Kansas Chapter E” Salina Bob Campbell (785) 823-1546 [email protected] (L) Leavenworth Tour Riders Leavenworth Rodger Dittemore (913) 727-1953 [email protected] (S) Wheatland Tour Riders Olathe Craig Kelsey (913) 268-4329 [email protected] (T) Prairie Trail Riders Topeka John Carkin (785) 528-4425 [email protected]

MAINE Phil Rueger (860) 824-0005 (A) Sunshine Riders Sebago Frankie Lane (207) 657-2156 [email protected]

MISSISSIPPI Larry & Michele Abramson (901) 262-0140 [email protected]

INDIANA John & Marilla Jager (260) 635-1236 [email protected] (H) Hoosier Heartland Wings Elwood Barb & am Baker (765) 724-9107 [email protected] (P) Presidential Wings Huntington Jack Miller (574) 643-2545 (Z) Wings ‘N More Knox Bill Lutz (574) 772-7000 [email protected]

KENTUCKY Ben Crowe (606) 382-5479 (B) Kentucky Cruisers Bardstown Donald Avis (502) 348-2884 [email protected] (P) Pulaski Christian Motorcyclists Somerset Gary Hampton (606) 676-8184 [email protected] (Q) Kentucky Roadrunners Shepherdsville Alan Bybee (502) 375-3202 [email protected]

NEBRASKA Dave Willenborg (402) 679-7940 (A) Heartland Wings Omaha Kim & Becky Johnston (402) 896-9717 [email protected] (B) Great Plains Riders Bellevue Michael Reinert (402) 293-9560 (C) Husker Wings Lincoln Eldon Ogorzolka (402) 489-5549 [email protected] (E) Platte Valley Wings North Platte Dale & Deb Kleewein (308) 532-6859 [email protected] (G) Spirit of Friendship Wings Omaha Bill & Jean Pierce (402) 571-8741 [email protected] (M) Monarch Wings Papillion Barb Mills (402) 253-2780 [email protected] (W) Frenchman Valley Riders Wallace Doug & Michelle Sullivan (308) 387-4669 [email protected] (Z) Country Wings Blair Peggy Hakanson (402) 659-0686 [email protected]

MINNESOTA David Olesen (320) 679-1931 (F) Minnesota F Troop Hinckley Kenneth Beal (320) 384-6678 [email protected]

MONTANA JR Phillips (360) 387-3523

MICHIGAN Norm & Sandy Helfer (517) 694-4665 (A) Capital Area Wings Lansing Vickie Hammond (517) 646-7314 [email protected] (C) Cereal City Wings Battle Creek Richard Thayer (269) 758-3219 [email protected] (E) Wings of Eagles Kalamazoo Keith & Diane Diller (269) 665-9839 [email protected] (G) Ausable River Riders Grayling Tom & Peggy Gilbert (989) 344-6891 [email protected] (H) Livingston Wings Brighton Ron Klann (810) 231-6747 [email protected] (K) Grand Valley Wings Grand Rapids Amy Campbell (269) 623-8725 [email protected] (N) North Woods Wings Royal Randy Treynor (616) 794-2777 [email protected]

MISSOURI Bob & Glen Anderson (816) 587-9536 (L) Lake Country Riders Springfield Steve Short (417) 759-7565 [email protected] (N) K.C. Tour Riders Platte City Philip & Barbara Konzak (816) 792-9647

IOWA Don Thomason (641) 493-2053 (A) Gold Wing Aces Burlington William Warth (319) 367-5119 [email protected] (H) Friendship Riders of Iowa Des Moines Steve Patton (515) 278-9051 [email protected] (I) Polk County Wings Des Moines Dennis Irvin (515) 287-5466 [email protected] (J) Nodaway River Eagles Essex Jay Liniger (712) 303-0524 [email protected] (L) Loess Hills Riders Council Bluffs Barry Frum (712) 545-3028 [email protected] (P) Nishna Valley Wings Glenwood Yvonna Allen (712) 825-3008 [email protected]

MASSACHUSETTS Phil Rueger (860) 824-0005


NEW JERSEY & NEW YORK Phil Rueger (860) 824-0005

NORTH CAROLINA TBA (R2) N.C. Rebel Riders Fayetteville Clifford Hopkins (910) 867-2760 [email protected]

OKLAHOMA Ray McGrew (918) 358-2680 [email protected] (X) Oklahoma’s First Hominy Bill Simpson (918) 387-2979

PENNSYLVANIA Bud & Karen Price (814) 797-5835 [email protected] (B) Keystone Wings Oil City Scott Dunkle (814) 516-9400 [email protected]

SOUTH CAROLINA TBA

TENNESSEE Nancy Seery (615) 849-7732 [email protected] (A) Nashville Tour Riders Nashville Dennis Seery (615) 849-7732 [email protected]

UTAH Steve Andrus (707) 429-9547

VERMONT Phil Rueger (860) 824-0005

VIRGINIA Paul Pillion (540) 537-9282 (C) Looney Toon Riders Roanoke Bud Atkinsnon (540) 265-2986

NEW HAMPSHIRE Phil Rueger (860) 824-0005

OHIO Kris Rogers (989) 770-3933 (B) Top of Ohio Wings Bellefontaine Tim Harman (937) 599-4441 [email protected] (E) Enchanted Wings Toledo Don Price (419) 693-1778 (G) Gone With the Wings Youngstown TBA (H) Hi-way Cruisers Madison Charles Jewett (440) 428-5297 [email protected]

TEXAS Jerry Burford (936) 858-4696 (B) Roaming Wings Bedford JJ Jean (214) 882-5849 [email protected] (E) The Eyes of Texas Garland Jay Perkins (972) 288-6848 [email protected] (L) Lone Star Riders Cleveland Bruce Cain (281) 450-2438 [email protected] (RR) The Road Rangers Texarkana Tommy Dossey (903) 831-4686 [email protected] (T) Texas Touring Riders Winnsboro Ron Lawson (903) 439-9599 [email protected] (V) Ghost Riders of the Rio Grande Valley Harlingen Judith Emsley (956) 425-8928 [email protected]

NEVADA Steve Andrus (707) 429-9547 (B) Sierra Wings Gardnerville Terry & Holly Edis (775) 265-1352 [email protected] (C) Silver State Riders Las Vegas Randie & Janet Buss (702) 645-7537 [email protected] (E) Vegas Valey Wings Las Vegas Jim Hentry (702) 649-3304 [email protected]

NORTH DAKOTA Keith LaCoe (701) 391-2864 (H.R.) Rough Riders Mandan Keith LaCoe (701) 391-2864 [email protected]

SOUTH DAKOTA Thomas Hilgemeier (605) 719-9419 (C) Gold Wings Plus Rapid City Diane Smith (605) 342-7410 (D) Sooland Goldwing Club Dell Rapids Pat Feuerhelm (605) 582-8707

OREGON Randi Kobernik (541) 389-0343 [email protected] (A) Rogue Valley Wings Grants Pass Ken Krois (541) 474-1178 [email protected] (B) Cascade Range Riders Bend Bill Rodgers (541) 317-3953 [email protected] (M) Mountain Valley Riders Medford Steve O’Dell (541) 479-8668 [email protected] (P) Columbia Wings Portland Mike & Dana Speer (503) 690-9783 [email protected] (R) Round-up Wings Pendleton Glen Sweet (541) 278-6034 (T) Trask Mountain Wings McMinnville Robert Dodson (503) 472-9358 [email protected]

WASHINGTON Don Sims (360) 856-5815 (A) Emerald City Wings Federal Way Becky Behan (206) 431-8996 [email protected] (B) Stilly Valley Wings Stanwood John Black (360) 793-0139 [email protected] (C) Evergreen Wings Marysville Bruce & Barb Peterson (425) 267-9443 [email protected] (D) Northwest Wings Seattle Al “Cowboy” Mitchell (253) 538-4915 [email protected]

NEW MEXICO Steve Andrus (707) 429-9547 (A) New Mexico SunRunners Alamogordo John Gilsdorf (575) 491-0994 [email protected]


WEST VIRGINIA TBA

WISCONSIN Sherri Vonderheid (715) 839-9986 (GB) N.E.W. Riders Green Bay Patrick Williams (920) 264-4642 [email protected] (Y) River Valley Riders Eau Claire Bob Johnson (715) 287-3263

WYOMING JR Phillips (360) 387-3523

ALBERTA Murray Perrett (403) 236-2138 [email protected] (B) Foothills Fhantoms Red Deer Ken Wigmore (403) 782-2593 [email protected] (C) Chinook Wings Calgary Bob Pyle (403) 286-4798

MANITOBA Kevin Davis (204) 667-7772

NEW FOUNDLAND, NEW BRUNSWICK, PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND, NOVA SCOTIA Jim Anderson (905) 563-0003

ONTARIO DIVISION 1 Jim Anderson (905) 563-0003 [email protected] (F) Ajax-Pickering Friendship RidersPickering Denis Kavanagh (905) 623-4973 [email protected] (G) Niagara Wings St. Catharines TBA (905)563-0003 (M) Mississauga Wings Mississauga Bob & Pam Beland (905) 866-7944 [email protected] (N) Northumberland Wing Riders Port Hope John Milner (905) 885-4254 [email protected] (T) Toronto Wings Toronto Nedda Lash & Kevin Welch (416) 636-8395 [email protected] (W) Waterloo Touring Wings Waterloo Kevin Dyne (519) 653-7542 [email protected]

ONTARIO DIVISION 2 Rick Moore (705) 549-4065 (H) Huronia Riders Penetang Rose Moore (705) 549-4065 [email protected] (K) York-Simcoe Riders Bradford John & Cheryl Lemaitre (905) 895-1820 [email protected] (P) Liftlock Riders Peterborough TBA (Z) Barrie Wingz Wasaga Beach Lee Thompson (705) 429-3362 [email protected]

SASKATCHEWAN Kevin Davis (204) 667-7772

ONTARIO DIVISION 3 Jim Anderson (905) 563-0003 [email protected] (B) Ottawa Gold Wing Riders Ottawa Dwight Buckland (819) 778-0521 [email protected] (PS) 30,000 Island Riders Parry Sound TBA (905) 563-0003 (R) Renfrew County Ramblers Renfrew TBA (905) 563-0003 (S) Sudbury Gold Wings Sudbury TBA (905) 563-0003

BRITISH COLUMBIA JR Phillips (360) 387-3523 (A) Harbour City Wings Nanaimo Allan Mark (250) 753-8474 [email protected]

BUFFALO SOLDIERS CHAPTER LISTINGSBrooklyn Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club Abdul-Qaadir (718) 490-6919 www.brooklynbuffalotroopers.comJacksonville, FL Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club Joe Tillmon (904) 626-1856 New Jersey Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club, Inc. Michael Wright (732) 625-2432Pocono Mtns Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club Dr. Dennis E. Castillo (570) 426-6571

WASHINGTON CONT’D (E) Lake Washington Gold Bellevue Paul Kesler (253) 631-1710 [email protected] (G) Lilac City Wings Spokane Lyle Polack (509) 239-4548 (I) Island Wings Langley John Van Every (360) 675-1240 [email protected] (L) Smoking Mountain Riders Longview Dennis Leinweber (360) 423-9153 [email protected] (Q) The Q Crew Chehalis Julie Weese (360) 736-5989 [email protected] (S) Skagit Valley Wings Mount Vernon Brad Hill (360) 848-7771 [email protected] (U) Okanogan Valley Wings Okanogan Greg Bolinger (509) 923-2409 [email protected] (V) Auburn Valley Wings Federal Way Steven & Cameron Gillit (253) 208-9275 [email protected] (Y) Yakima Valley Wings Sunnyside Jon Hopwood (509) 965-3002 [email protected] (Z) Sequim Valley Wings Sequim Mike Zmiarovich (360) 681-8085 [email protected]


NATIONAL EVENTSGold Rush XXII July 13-16, 2009. Lexington, KY. The event will be held at the Lexington Convention Center. The Lexington Downtown Hotel (formerly the Radisson), connected to the Lexington Convention Center, will be the host hotel. NEW – an event at the Kentucky Horse Park has been added to the registration form. This event will include a meal, entrance to the horse park and entertainment! Cost is $40 per person Please see the registration form in this issue of Touring News for more information!RoadRUNNER Magazine 4th Annual Christian Neuhauser Memorial Ride & Touring Weekend July 9-12, 2009. McHenry, Western Maryland. Two great days of touring, camaraderie, beautiful mountain scenery, delicious meals, and educational seminars. Call 866-343-7623 or visit http://www.roadrunner.travel/rrevents.php.

REGION A28th Annual Motorcycle Awareness Day (MAD) is sponsored by GWTA Chapter G and will be held Saturday May 9, 2009 at the Spokane Falls Community College. Includes fun run promoting motorcycle awareness and safety. Grand prizes for East side and West side of Washington state, door prizes, 50/25/25 drawings, precision riding demonstration by the Northwest Wings. Proceeds will benefit Make a Wish Foundation, Meals on Wheels and The Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery. Register by April 13th to be eligible for a $50 prize. Open registration 8-10am on May 9. Contact Michael at 509-922-2637 or [email protected] or visit www.lilacccitywings.com for more information.Annual Blue Crew Fun Run, May 30, 2009. Sponsored by Evergreen Wings GWTA Chapter C in Everett, Washington. All registration proceeds go to benefit CHRISTMAS HOUSE of Snohomish County. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. at Smokey Point Cycle Barn, I-5 exit 206, and is $20 per bike. The final check point is at Everett Powersports, 215 SW Everett Mall Way. This is a great ride with great prizes and we welcome all clubs or individuals. For more info, contact [email protected] or go to www.bluecrewfunrun.com.Oregon GWTA Beach Bash, July 17 – 19, 2009. Florence, Oregon at the Heceta Beach RV Park group camp area. Cost $5 per person per day. Contact Randi Kobernik at 541-480-3140 or go to www.gwta-oregon.org for more information.

REGION B11th Annual Fallen Rider Memorial Run, Redding, CA. April 25, 2009. Sponsored by Shascade Wings, Chapter “O” Northern California. Starting at Lee’s Honda Kawasaki, 2230 Larkspur Lane, Redding, CA. Rain or shine. All bikes welcome. $20 pre-registration, $25 on site. T-shirts for sale. Ride includes poker hand, food/refreshments, year-bar/patch, 50/50 drawing and door prizes. Pre-registrations received by March 31st will be entered into a $100 cash drawing. Contact Terry or Debbie Own at 530-384-1407 or [email protected] for more information.Cinco de Mayo, Gridley, CA. May 1-3, 2009. Join Chapter T at the Butte County Fairgrounds in Gridly, CA for motorcycle games, Mexican food dinner, piñata contest and more. Kids are encouraged to come. Registration is $15 per person. Camping is $20 per site

per night. Door prizes, 50/50, costume contest, dancing and more. Contact Dennis Rogers at 530-741-2420 or [email protected] for more info.10th Annual Hobo Reunion, Las Vegas, NV. May 1-3, 2009. Hosted by The Silver State Riders, Las Vegas, NV. Free registration if you bring a HOBO pin from a previous Hobo reunion rally. Hobo stew dinner Saturday night, bring a canned food item of your choice to add to the stew! Motorcycle parts rummage sale. Contact Randie Buss at 702-645-7537 for more info.Straw-O-Berry Ride, Ventura, CA. May 17, 2009. GWTA Southern California Chapter O invites all motorcycle riders to participate in their annual Straw-O-Berry Ride. $25 Pre-registration prize (registration must be received by May 9th). First Prize - $150 Gift Card, 2nd - $75, 3rd - $50, & Low hand: $25, plus 50/50 and door prizes. Pre-registration fee is $10 per person, on-site registration is $15 per person. Sign in at Cal Coast Motorsports 10:00-11:00am. Ride pins for the first 100 to register, donuts and coffee at sign in, strawberry shortcake at the finish. Contact Chuck & Leigh Burton at 805-647-7382 or [email protected] for more information.Northern California Spring Fling at Mariposa, Ca. May 22-25, 2009. Come join us for rides to Yosemite National Park and other gold country areas and towns.There will be games, a bike show, and a pot luck on Sat night. Camping is available on the fair grounds and there are plenty of motels 2 miles away in town. For flyer with more information go to gwta-norcal.org or call Dennis Therien @ 530-877-4279Antelope Valley Wings Fun Run, East Pearblossom, CA. June 13, 2009. Start & finish at Pearblossom park, 33922 121st St., East Pearblossom, CA. Games and check points at the park, short poker run optional, ride or just hang out. $10 pre-registration per person, $11 on-site registration per person. Pre-registration prize, High/Low hand, 50/50 and door prizes. Ride pins for the first 100. Coffee & donuts at the start. Hot dogs, hamburgers, chips and drinks at the park. For more info contact Gary Biddy at 818-352-1777.Willits, CA (a Campout!), June 19-21, 2009. This event is being sponsored by Chapter S (N. CA), the Gold Country Riders. Come join the fun at the Willits KOA campground! There’s lots of great riding in this area! Visit the giant redwoods, Fort Bragg, ride along the northern California coast, ride the Skunk Train, or just kick back and have a restful weekend! Friday and Saturday 50/50 drawing, Saturday night pot-luck. Pre-registered campers: $10 per person per night. RV’s are welcome but you must make your own space reservation with the campground at (800) 562-8542. Key word is “GWTA” and they should put you in an RV space from #39 to #42 which is right across the drive from the tent campers. The registration flyer is at www.gwta-gcr.org. For more info contact Bob Merrick at (530) 872-0883 or [email protected] Lake Tahoe Campout by the Lake. August 7-9, 2009. Sponsored by Chapter S (N. CA), the Gold Country Riders. Come join us for a great weekend get-a-way at the “Campground by the Lake” in South Lake Tahoe! Friday & Saturday night 50/50 drawing and campfire stories, Saturday lunch ride to Reno. Pre-registered campers: $10 per person per night. RV’s are welcome but you must make your own space reservation with the campground at (530) 542-6096. The registration flyer is at www.gwta-gcr.org. For more info contact Dennis Therien at (530) 877-4279 or [email protected].


REGION CNebraska Chapter G Lime Run & Pancake Breakfast, May 31, 2009 at the American Legion, 11690 S. 216th Street, Gretna, NE. Breakfast served by The Pancake man from 8:30 – 11:30. Cost is $7 for just breakfast, children under 5 are free. $10 for breakfast and Lime Run. First bike out at 9:00 and last bike out at 10:00. Last bike in at 12:30 to the Gretna City Park with awards at 1:15. Proceeds from the Pancake Man will benefit your choice of GWTA Helping Hands, Sienna/Francis House or Patriot Guard Riders. Contact Bill Pierce at [email protected] or 402-571-8741.Iowa Chapter L & Nebraska Chapter B Annual Fun Run, Council Bluffs, IA. June 7, 2009. Lake Manawa State Park, Shelter #6 (1100 South Shore Drive, Council Bluffs, IA). First bike out at 9am, last bike out at 11am. Register at the shelter on the day of the ride. $8 per person (includes lunch and door prizes). CMA services & Blessing of the Bikes will be at 8am. 50/50 and raffle tickets will be available. Contact Barry Frum at [email protected] for more information.GWTA Region C Rally, Tailgate Party, June 12-14, 2009. Chippewa Falls, WI. Join Region C in celebrating our GWTA Tailgate Party in Chippewa Falls, WI. Many guided and self-guided scenic rides, auction, area attractions, drive-in movie & campfire, bike show, rally pin, campsite judging, dirty bingo, 50/50, light show & ice cream, team spirit, catered breakfast Saturday morning, dinner Saturday night and lots of great friends. Register early to receive pre-registration discounts. Lodging and additional rally info available at www.gwta-c.com (click rally logo) or by contacting Rick Hinrichs at [email protected] or 402-578-2368.

REGION EMissouri Chapter N will hold its 5th annual “Spring Fling” Rally at Weston Bend State Park on April 18, 2009. Please see our website at www.kctourriders.com, email Phil Konzak at [email protected] or call Phil at 816-213-6300 for additional information.Kansas Chapter B will hold its annual Fun Run rally on April 19, 2009 at Shawnee Mission Park, shelter house 12. Please visit our Eastern Kansas Tour Riders website at WWW.EKTR.20m.com, e-mail [email protected], or call John English at 913-871-1489 for additional information.Region E Rally will be held on June 5-7, 2009 at the Kettle Campground in Eureka Springs, AR. Seminars, campfire entertainment, dinner ride, and rides through the twisty roads of the Ozarks are planned. The pre-registration fee is $25 and that includes a Saturday night BBQ dinner at the campground. Contact Wiliferd Lair at 417-343-9227 or [email protected] for more information.26th Annual “Hummdinger” Poker Run, June 28, 2009, Longmont, CO. Sponsored by GWTA Front Range Gold Chapter A and Old Chicago Pasta & Pizza. All proceeds go to “The Missing Children Task Force” (www.childfinders.org). Start and finish at Old Chicago, 1805 Industrial Cr, Longmont, CO. Exciting ride (approximately 100 miles) $350 in cash prizes for poker hands. Suggested $10 donation (for pre-registrants and day of) includes lunch and poker

hand. The first 250 registrants receive a pin. There are door prizes and 50/50. Special drawing (valued at approximately $100), for pre-registered if postmarked by 6/20/09. Contact Jim & Glenda Boggess for more information at 303-772-3755 or [email protected]. Pre-registration form is available at www.touringnstyle.com.

REGION FRegion F Family Reunion Rally, June 12-14, 2009. Richmond, IN. Join the family! Your GWTA Region F family, that is! Come on down, sit a spell. We’lll be riding some very scenic roads, enjoy an Ice Cream Social, experience a movie night under the stars, and get stuffed at the Saturday night dinner. We’ll miss you if you don’t come! Contact Jim & Kris Rogers at 989-770-3933 or [email protected] or visit www.gwtaregionf.org for more information.Michigan State Rally, June 26-28, 2009. Osceola County Fairgrounds, Evart, MI 49631. Contact Michigan State Directors Norm & Sandy Helfer at 517-694-4665 or [email protected] for more info.Indiana Ride for Kids, July 12, 2009. South Bend, IN at Pinhook Park. Registration opens at 8:00am, ride starts promptly at 9:45am. Join us for an escorted charity motorcycle ride through the beautiful Northern Indiana countryside and support the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. For more info contact Bobby Newman at 219-324-0706 or [email protected] State Rally, August 14-16, 2009. Rockville, IN. Contact Indiana State Directors John & Marilla Jager at 260-635-1236 or [email protected] for more info.

REGION HRegion H Rally, August 28-30, 2009. Town & Country Motor Inn, Shelburne, NH. 70 rooms are blocked at a rate of $88 per night plus tax. Call 800-325-4386 for reservations. Rally fees and other details are still being confirmed and will be published in a future issue.

REGION JRegion “J” Ride Buffet Brunch, May 3, 2009. Penetang, ON. Hosted by Chapter H, Huronia Riders. Lunch buffet is served at the Bay Moorings Centre, 200 Fox Street. Cost is $16 per person. Tickets for this event are available by contacting Rick Moore at 705-549-4065. Reserve your place early as this is always a sell out event.Friendship Rally 2009, June 25-28, 2009. Beavermead Park in Peterborough, ON. The theme is “Hillbilly Days.” Campground rates are $30/site per night, max 2 tents or 2 small trailers per site. Call 705-742-9712 and as for Joyce to reserve your space. Rockhaven Motel $70/night 2 double beds or $60/night single queen bed – call 705-742-8807 and ask for Laurie. Super Six Motel 705-748-0550 ($79.99 per night, $84.99 per night on weekends. Contact Dave & Debbie Lindgren at 705-424-1512 or Jim & Tania

Anderson at 905-563-0003 for more information.


I’d like to ride with these guys I bet you, too, have a bunch of motorcycle magazines around the house, and that you have some favorite columnist among them. I certainly do. I only get a few (3-4) different magazines (beside Touring News), but I have some favorite writers among them. Folks that I feel I could meet at a show or see at the next table over while getting coffee, and we could have an invigorating, enjoyable conversation. I feel I know them from their writing, and I’d love to go riding with them. Chief among these guys would be Clement Salvadori, the Road Tales columnist from Rider Magazine. I can just imagine seeing his beret when I ride up to some meeting location, and he has arrived before me. Clem writes both a column and numerous road test articles. He seeks out good roads, good food, good sites, and makes memories that he relates in his writing. I also enjoy the way he mentions from time to time how his wife puts up with his riding affliction, patiently awaiting his return from a trip of a day or two weeks. Clem seems to find good people – and remember them – wherever he stops. Seems to come from a genuine curiosity in the lives and interests of others, rather than telling people what he is all about. I could see myself settling down for a good meal in a small restaurant off the beaten path, enjoying a glass of red wine, toasting the beautiful roads we had ridden, and the folks we had encountered. Stu Oltman is another guy I’d love to go ride with. Yeah, I know, he’s with “those other guys”, and writes for Wing World, but I don’t care. I like his straight-forward, honest-Abe kind of answers to technical questions. He doesn’t seem to come across as holier-than-thou just because he knows how to wrench magic with Wings. Stu seems to have a true understanding of what folks who write to him are going through, like he’s been-there, done-that, and has the t-shirt to prove it. I guess part of the reason I’d love to ride with Stu Oltman is that I’d take the chance to show him this noise or how this bolt always seems to come loose, or something else, and see what he says it might be. Whatever my particular issue might be, I don’t think he’d laugh at me or get impatient. I’m thinking Stu would listen, nod his head, and either tell me what it is from his experience, or ask more questions until he had a better idea. Or maybe even go ride the bike and come back with something to look at. Would I be abusing his time? Maybe. But most of the guys I know are happy to talk about bikes and mechanical things, so I don’t think Stu would be much different. Riding with Bruce Keenon would be different. Truth be told, I have ridden with Mr. Keenon a time or two, but it was with about 100+ other folks at a Washington State Rally, and he was the acting Charlie. Just not the same. If just me and the big cheese went out for a ride, I would be taking the time to ask, “Just what were you thinking when you did this?” And, “Who’s great idea was it to do that?”

Questions I’m thinking other GWTA members might ask. And I’d also empathize with some of the tough situations we sometimes find ourselves in, and how we sometimes blame National for everything, when what they do usually has almost nothing to do with what happens in our Chapter. I’m thinking that Bruce and I would have an interesting discourse. Hmmm. Maybe I could sell tickets? Cycle World is a magazine I don’t subscribe to anymore, but I got a book by one of their columnists for Christmas, and I highly recommend it. Peter Egan has a new book out called “Leanings”, and I can relate to both how he writes and how he feels. Although he likes an entirely different kind of ride than me (old British twins and newer Ducati’s), he and I would be at home doing the same kind of two-lane roads, the same kinds of speeds (speed limit or +5), the same kind of places to stay, and we’d share the same desire to occasionally pull over and just enjoy the view. Egan talks about having a dream job where Cycle World actually sends him on riding trips, and also about trips he’s done separately, with friends who share his passion for the road on two wheels. I’d really like to be one of his friends. I’d even occasionally try a Guiness, just to be friendly. Now, I should also say that I do have plenty of friends with whom I always enjoy rides. Tom, Jeff, Jason, Wally, Tom & Deb, Nic & Phyllis, Bill, Larry, and many more. The kind of folks that if I call and suggest a ride, they are ready to go. I’d have to say I’m blessed to have as many good riding buddies as I do. I wonder if some folks who read these Cross-eyed Crossroads ever say, “I’d like go with Jerry on a ride to Destination Friendship sometime…”? I guess I can always hope to be that good a story-teller.

http://www.on-a-bike.com


April brings riding weather to many parts of the country. Everyone is anxious to get their Gold Wing out for the first few rides in your area. After checking all safety issues, etc. remember to ask new members and riders, if they want to buy Bike Raffle Tickets. Who wouldn’t want to win a new 1800 Gold Wing for just $1.00? Other prizes could be selected, see bike raffle tickets for options. This would be the perfect time to set up a card table or booth where members can come and buy their bike raffle tickets. Possibly your local Honda dealer will let you set up a table on Saturday morning when many people visit and meet other motorcyclists for a “chew the fat and kick tires” session. It’s easy - just have them fill out the first one and maybe they will buy a few more tickets if you tell them you will fill out the rest with their name and phone number. It’s worth a try! Don’t forget the area code and phone number, so we may get a hold of you if your ticket is drawn. In past years, many people have forgotten to write the area code on the stub portion. Nobody will know how to get a hold of you if your ticket is drawn without the correct information on it. On the back of the ticket stubs, is a place for your name and region designation. Please fill it out so that we may congratulate you if your person’s ticket is selected! Remember Bike Raffle Ticket Sales help the operations of the association and benefit ALL members of GWTA. Please help your Regional Director by turning in money and ticket stubs on a monthly basis. Regional Directors are asked to turn in money and ticket stubs by the first of every month. Ride Safe and have FUN!!

Linda GrimmExecutive Secretary/Bike Raffle Ticket Sales






http://www.jasoncaps.com

http://www.jasoncaps.com

http://www.powerlet.net


GREEN FREEZE RIDE #2

We had a great ride to GREEN FREEZE II. We left the Cook Rd cardlock @ about 7:45, nine bikes from Chapter S, three bikes that joined us from Chapter I and one cage. Twelve bikes going down the road was a beautiful sight. The weather was bright but cold, about 27 degrees. After a brief stop

at Hinshaw’s Honda, we went to IHOP for breakfast; the tradition still stands (so does the whipped cream fight between Daylon and Carol). We left IHOP, went to Trotters, the end of ride destination. Daylon was looking for new GWTA members, but in doing so, he was out sold by a Stronger Organization and HE became an honorary member to the “Red Hat Ladies”. Daylon, we at Chapter S are so Proud of you!! The ride home wasn’t as un-eventful as the ride down. We were following Daylon’s GPS, with highways blocked out. We tried to

shorten the ride a little bit, ended up on I-5, forgetting construction and that I-5 was down to two lanes. So we got off @ I-90 headed East, THEN North, got a little lost, but everyone did make it home without incident. I forgot the camera so I have no evidence of the day, sorry about that. February was cold but not too wet so we did get a fair bit of riding in. Clint has been on a couple “EMERGENCY RIDE”, calling those that he thought were available, thus the need for the “Phone Tree”. The phone tree is voluntary but if you do sign up, we do ask for a commitment to accept the call AND call the persons below you on the tree, leaving messages UNTIL you speak to a PERSON. The “Phone Tree” cards will be printed, laminated and distributed at the March business meeting. REMEMBER!!!!!! LETS ALL GET ON GET OUT GET INVOLVEDClint & Roxann Veach, Asst. Chapter Directors


We had a great turn out at the 2/15/09 1st Aid/CPR/AED training that was held at Scott & Sharon Starke’s home. Scott and Cindy

Peabody came all the way from Woodland, Washington to join us for the Volunteer Firemen’s Fish Fry in Gold Beach and then to put on the training for us the following day. The Fish Fry was great as usual. We joined members from Chapter M and visited while we ate the fresh fish.

The following day we assembled at the Starke’s for our First Aid class and enjoyed Scott’s injected stories along with learning important First Aid info. The fun didn’t really begin until we started the CPR training. Each one of us took our turn at saving the dummy. We treated it like it was our spouse. You should have seen Betty caressing the chest of the dummy and I think that Scott Starke gave Sharon a serious head injury. Marty did a great job but had us laughing. We really enjoyed the training and the chance to visit with one another.Thanks so much to the Peabody’s for coming all the way down for our training.Don & Judy Coons

First Aid Training

Volunteer Firemen’s Fish Fry

Lessons Learned from Other Chapters.

Over the last four weeks I have been reviewing several different motorcycle club websites along with reading the minutes from various club/chapter meetings in order to gain ideas for improvement we could make for our membership. Some of the information I have discovered is very helpful and some has me asking more questions. While this is quite typical of most research activities, the process has helped me become more aware of the challenges other groups are dealing with that I might not otherwise be aware of. One of my first observations is that there are many different ways to design and share information. Also, there are many different writing styles and formats used. While this gives each club/chapter their own identity, it can sure make it hard when looking for specific information. Another observation I came away with is that there are a LOT of motorcycle clubs/chapters out there. Each make of motorcycle has a loyal following of avid owners, each wanting their own club/chapter. While this provides folks with many different options to choose from, it also may explain why there are so few active members in any one of the groups. One of the reasons I chose to become a member of the GWTA is that we are encouraged to ride together, as a family of motorcycle enthusiasts, sharing the love of the open road and building friendships based on our love of riding. By riding together on different machines, we learn more about each other and we can share a broader knowledge of motorcycles in general. There are other benefits that can be achieved by having a more diverse group of people, and that is sharing the various program roles a club/chapter is expected to deliver to its members. Much of what I learned while reviewing is the other organizations had a similar theme being expressed. Leadership BURN OUT! When you only have a few folks working on the programs for the group, sooner or later they just run out of steam. Oregon’s, Chapter “P” has some very talented folks within its midst and it is a pleasure to be a part of such a great team. There are a lot of great activities planned for this year, both educational and recreational. We invite you to join us as we explore the many roads across the great states of Oregon and Washington.

David A. Bennie Columbia Wings, Oregon Chapter “P” Webmaster


“Wing Washington - Region A Adventure!”

One of the older events within Region A is Wing Washington, a photographic tour of Washington State sponsored by Lake Washington Gold, WA Chapter E. From January to October each

year, over 100 folks ride to all corners of Washington State taking picture of the specific sites selected by Chapter E for that year. Wing Washington gives folks who like to ride, a destination to ride to, discovering new interesting places within the state. Wing Washington divides the State into five different areas (NE, SE, Central, NW and SW), with 5 themed sites within each area, for a total of 25 primary sites, plus 12 bonus sites around the outer edge of the state. Themes can range from the wacky (a giant teapot or

a gnome “infested” castle) to typical (small town airports and state parks) to just plain interesting and delicious (small town café’s or ice cream parlors). Each year the themes and sites change based on input from the participants. The ride is open to any kind of motorcyclist, not just Gold Wingers. They can either be affiliated with a motorcycle club or not. They can ride in groups or singly. Everyone is welcome to join the fun of this exciting event. In October Chapter E has a banquet at which all the pictures are checked in and participants are given the opportunity to win valuable prizes ranging from leather jackets and bike cleaning kits to cold hard cash. After the event a majority of the proceeds are donated to a local charity. For the past two years, the charity we have supported is Eastside Domestic Violence Program. This organization provides shelter, counseling, and support groups for victims of domestic violence. We participated in their Wish Tag program, providing Christmas gifts to children who are in their shelters and group homes. Chapter E is looking forward to seeing more folks hit the road in search of adventure. Come join us. Visit www.LakeWashingtonGold.com/WingWa for more information and a registration form.

GWTA, Region A, Washington, Chapter C (the “Evergreen Wings” in the “Evergreen State”), is the largest GWTA Chapter in the U.S., with a full calendar of fun rides and social events throughout

the year. In addition, the Chapter participates in many other motorcycle rides and events in the area, including Wing Washington, Green Freeze and Ride for Kids; in 2008, Chapter C was the larges t fundraising group for Washington State’s Ride for Kids. Pictures

and highlights of Chapter C’s activities may be found on its website, www.evergreenwings.org. Chapter C also “partners” with Christmas House, a non-profit charitable organization which operates out of Everett, in Western Washington. This charity provides a Christmas “store” each December, filled with new toys, gifts and clothing for over 9500 children of low-income families in and around Snohomish County. Chapter C members volunteer to work a shift in the Christmas House “store” each December. The “store” needs upwards of 50 volunteers per shift to restock, escort shoppers, do data entry and provide other functions necessary for the store operations. In 2008, when Christmas House had a shortage of new/gently used stuffed toys, Chapter C sponsored a 4-month Stuffed Toy Drive which garnered over 1300 stuffed toys! Blue is Chapter C’s colors, our annual Chapter ride is called the Blue Crew Fun Run. 100% of the registration fees from the Fun Run go to Christmas House. In 2008 the Chapter was able to raise $2,326 and hopes to double that amount with its 2009 Fun Run. This year’s ride will be held on Saturday May 30th. Anyone seeking more information can visit the Chapter’s ride-specific website, www.BlueCrewFunRun.com, for the flyer/registration form. Registrations received before May 15th are eligible for a special $50 cash pre-registration drawing, but all participants have a chance to win many great prizes that are donated by local merchants and vendors. Last year donated prizes for the Blue Crew Fun Run totaled over $1500 worth; this year the total looks to be even higher! Check the web site for the ever-growing list of donors this year. Individuals or businesses wishing to donate a prize for the Fun Run are encouraged to contact the Chapter’s solicitations chairperson, Kathy Leon, ([email protected]).

Blue Crew Fun Run


I recently went on a motorcycle trip, through some of the most beautiful and fascinating parts of the U.S. On this trip, we went through Glacier and Yellowstone Ntl. Parks, the Grand Tetons and the Beartooth Hwy. I, in particular, was completely overwhelmed by the awesome beauty of this country, especially the Beartooth Hwy. This particular stretch of road is a motorcyclists dream: beautiful scenery and lots of great curves. It was so awesome that when we reached the eastern end of the highway, we turned around and rode back to the western end. So far the trip was great, no flat tires, mechanical breakdowns and no wrong turns. Somewhere near Twin Falls, Idaho, on a four lane freeway, in the middle of the week, our trip was about to make a drastic change. Something every rider dreads; especially when you are two up and pulling a tent trailer, we entered a construction zone. Not just a construction zone, but 17 miles of construction. Anyone who has ever toured on a motorcycle knows what that means, loose gravel, large construction rigs, fresh oil or pavement; all of those hazards, and of course the warning that *traffic fines double in work zones*. Along each side of the freeway, in each direction, traffic safety barrels, as known to the average traveler, which are actually known as /channelizer drums/ to those “in the business”, were placed at the appropriate interval, which, as I was informed by someone who is actually, “in the business”, should be a maximum of 100 feet. I’m sure you all know what I mean. They are bright orange in color with reflective stripes and stand approximately four feet high with a 25lb base, made out of recycled tires and, without the base, the diameter of the barrel is three feet, which means that the area of the bottom of the barrel is 7.07 square feet. What has that got to do with this story, you ask? I don’t know, just thought I would add some superfluous information, that I may be able to tie back into this story later. Now, as I’m sure we all know, the mile’s origin dates back to Roman times. Back then it was considered to be 1000 paces, with each pace consisting of five Roman feet, giving us a mile of 5000 feet. The English accepted the mile concept, but they didn’t really agree with the distance. They thought the mile should consist of eight furlongs, which as you know, is short for “furrow-long”, which was the distance a horse could pull a plow before it had to rest. Somewhere, around the 16th century, it was accepted that the distance of a furlong was 40 rods, which, you all know is 660 feet, so eight furlongs calculates to be is 5,280 feet, not the 5000 feet established by the Romans, which would have made everything much simpler and would not have cost me a lot of money. Accepting the appropriate interval of 100 feet, that would mean there are 52.8 barrels in each mile and with barrels on each side of the freeway, in each direction, there would be 211.2 barrels in each mile, or 3590.4 barrels in 17 miles. Well, sir, as I approached the first set of barrels I reset my trip meter, just so I could see if this really was a 17 mile construction zone. As we rode along we did not see anyone working anywhere and it was 10:00 in the morning. I thought this was a little strange, but dismissed it and closely watched the trip meter. To my surprise, it actually was 17 miles. I didn’t bother to look up, I just rolled on the power and in seconds we were back to freeway speeds. What did surprise me were the red and blue lights I saw in my side mirrors. They couldn’t be after me, so why did he turn on his siren? I pulled over to get, I thought, out of his way. But, as I was soon to find out, I wasn’t in his way, he was after me. *Why?* Did

I mention that *traffic fines double in work zones?* The officer, in his very polite way informed me that I was still in the construction zone when I rolled on the power so he was going to do his duty and give me a speeding ticket, which would amount to a $196.00 fine. I didn’t really think that was fair, so all the way home I fumed about the ticket. Several days later it came to me; there were still barrels along side the road after the 17 miles. Wait a minute, I can beat this. If they followed the 100 foot interval the last barrel couldn’t be at the end of the mile, it had to be 20 feet into the second mile, which means that Idaho increased the length of the mile by 20 feet. This wasn’t right, how could they do that? No one in the U.S. followed the Roman definition; the English definition is the rule in this country. So when my court date was only a couple days away, I got on my bike and took off for Twin Falls, 690 miles away. 690 miles is a long way, for an older gentleman, such as myself, to ride in one day, so I found a motel in Baker City, Oregon. $60 wasn’t a bad price. Early the next morning I continued on into Twin Falls, Idaho. My first stop was the courthouse to find out where my case was on the docket … tomorrow! A clerk told me the docket usually was cleared up pretty fast and I could be out of there by noon. Checked into another motel; $60. My case did indeed come up rather quickly and when the judge asked for a plea, I said *Not guilty*! The arresting officer was not present, so the judge asked me what evidence I had to justify my plea. “Oh, I have lots of evidence, your Honor”, and I proceeded to explain my theory on the barrel interval, the increase of the mile by 20 feet and the fact that the construction project, as I had found out by the same clerk, had actually been completed one week prior to my being arrested. The judge sat there in what seemed to be a confused state, then shook her head and said she would have to have the case held over until tomorrow, so she could get an expert witness to testify. Great; back to the motel and another $60. The next morning I returned to court and my case was the first one, so I figured to be out of there within an hour. The judge called her expert witness, who upon entering the courtroom, smiled at the judge and asked if she enjoyed the apple pancakes he made for breakfast. Right then and there, I knew that I was about to get the shaft. He sat up there and explained to the judge that I was right about the length of the mile and the interval of the “channelizer drums”, but because of the interval they had to put them out beyond the 17 miles, which extended the construction zone to the *end* of the “channelizer drums”, so therefore, I was guilty of speeding. Taking the only way out, I jumped up and said “but the construction had been completed a week before I was arrested”. “Well sir,” he said, “Idaho is probably the poorest state in the union and do you know how much land it would take to store that many barrels? It’s just more cost effective to leave them alongside the highway and well if you want to disobey the signs then you deserve a speeding ticket.” The judge winked at her expert witness and said “son, just pay the $196 and go home; next case please”. Well I tucked my tail between my legs, got on my bike and headed home. Had to stop again in Baker City; another $60 and at 40 miles to the gallon, fuel expense for the round trip was around $110. Now aren’t you glad I told you the real reason for an extended construction zone? Yeah, barrel storage. (17 miles my aunt Fanny; probably only 1.7 miles.)Moral of this story; don’t believe everything you read, except, *traffic fines double in work zones*.Oh yeah, it rained all the way home… Wil Ditton, Chapter L CD, Washington

Channelizer Drums


Everyone is invited to take part in RaveNRide 2009! The following tours are currently available: “Region A Tour 1” and “Region A Tour 2”. Simply request a tour card from the Region A director. Participants have from April 1, 2009 through October 31, 2009 to visit each business or chapter listed on the card. A sticker will be placed at each location visited and once the card is completed, turn it in to the National Office for a chance to win a $1,000 prize which will be awarded in December 2009! It’s that simple. More info on each location is available at www.gwta.org or www.ravenride.com.

Chet’s Honda17 H St. SW, Quincy, WA 98848

509-787-3617; www.chetshondapolaris.com

Region A Tour #1

Empire Cycle & Powersports7807, E. Sprague Ave., Spokane Valley, WA 99212

509-892-6368

GWTA Washington Chapter ELake Washington Gold meets at Denny’s:2233 148th Ave. NE, Bellevue, WA 98007

253-631-1710; www.lakewashingtongold.com

GWTA Washington Chapter VAuburn Valley Wings meets at Trotter’s Restaurant:

825 Harvey Road, Auburn, WA 98002253-208-9867; www.auburnvalleywings.org

Hinshaw’s Motorcycle Store1611 West Valley Hwy So., Auburn, WA 98001

253-939-7164; www.hinshawsmotorcyclestore.com

Onthree Trike Conversions1725 - 268th Ave. N.E., Redmond, WA 98053

425-836-0373; www.onthreetrikes.com

Renton Motorcycle Mall3701 East Valley Rd., Renton, WA 98057

425-226-4320; www.rentonmotorcycles.com

Road House Cycles1240 E. Schnidmiller Ave., Post Falls, ID 83854

208-457-1150; www.rdhse.com

http://www.chetshondapolaris.com

http://www.lakewashingtongold.com

http://www.auburnvalleywings.org

http://www.onthreetrikes.com

http://www.hinshawsmotorcyclestore.com

http://www.rentonmotorcycles.com

http://www.rdhse.com


If you are interested in having a RaveNRide tour in your region, contact your region director to find out how you can help set one up !

Everett Powersports215 SW Everett Mall Way, Everett, WA 98204425-347-4545; www.everettpowersports.com

Region A Tour #2

Gerry Andal’s27021 - 102nd Ave. NW, Stanwood, WA 98292

360-629-6569; www.gerryandal.com

GWTA Washington Chapter CEvergreen Wings meets at Everett Eagles:

1216 Broadway, Everett, WA 98201253-538-4915; www.evergreenwings.org

GWTA Washington Chapter SSkagit Valley Wings meets at Cranberry Tree Restaurant:

2030 Freeway Drive, Mt. Vernon, WA360-630-1780; www.skagitvalleywings.netfirms.com

Lifestyles Honda3302 Cedardale Rd., Mt. Vernon, WA 98274

360-416-3950; www.lifestyleshonda.com

Timber Creek Grill Buffet9211 E. Montgomery Ave., Spokane Valley, WA 99206

509-892-6390

Westside Motorsports4201 S. Grove Road, Spokane, WA 99224509-747-1862; www.westsideracing.com

Wingman Enterprises5663 - A N.E. 105th Ave., Portland, OR 97220

503-257-4141; www.wingman.com


http://www.gerryandal.com

http://www.evergreenwings.org

http://www.skagitvalleywings.netfirms.com

http://www.lifestyleshonda.com

http://www.westsideracing.com

http://www.wingman.com


http://www.championtrikes.com

gwta 1 april 2009 touring news · gwta 3 april 2009 touring news april 2009 touring news...

Documents