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Top Cat's Monthly Newsletter October, 1999

PRESIDENT'S CORNER THANKS to ONE and ALL TOP CATS

I want to take a moment to thank you to each and every one of you for your support during my administration. I cannot recall what our active membership count was when I assumed the presidency, but I believe it was around 60 or 70. We are approaching 120 or so. That is a tribute to the efforts of all of you.

I want to thank those of you that brought in those new mem-bers. Not just members, but members who hit the ground run-ning, by contributing immediately to our fine organization, such as Rich Erschik, Rik Lowry, Ken Glassman, Steve Buckley. These people have gone out of their way to contribute to Top Cats. I have been able to give them assignments, and they have delivered and at a level far and above the norm. Or they have made Top Cats feel special and gone the extra mile for us. Wayne "Traveler" Kirkpatrick who has evolved as my right hand man during my tenure, his effort, along with Terry Kumro, on the Group/Safety/RC class which will be offered again. He has done so many little things that typically go unno-ticed. I converse with him on a regular basis. Rob as my sound-ing board, when I want to get a feel for how a particular idea will fly and what I might be up against; Barry Hulden for his extensive efforts and financial efforts every month on this newsletter; Sandy Vernon for her magnificent work on the Charity rides, along with O.J.'s route planning pre-work for all of our Charity Rides to date; Jim, George, and Chris for all the work on this years Charity ride; Brett's evolution into a terrif-ic Activities Chairman; Tigers persistence at grappling with the organizations accounting for funds and establishing controls to make sure our procedures are in order; Jordy's legal guidance and ability to find equable solutions as he broke deadlocks; Bard "Mr. Sturgis" as he co-ordinated that ride; Tom Eisman for sponsoring last years picnic; NISRA for sponsoring this years picnic; and anyone else I have forgotten or overlooked. I especially want to thank my board for their support and a job well done.

This is not to say we have not had growing pains, we have, but for me they have been pleasant growing pains. No pain, no gain.

Administrative Support Your Top Cats Charity Ride Volunteer now! See Jim Hennif or George the "Gray Ghost",

Chris Lax, or Carl "Virgo" Bender, or myself for a position of responsibility that fits your needs and which you CAN make a commitment. PLEASE help, we need full participation from the entire club for this event to be successful. If you have not sent in your $100 registration, PLEASE do so now.

THAT'S ALL FOR NOW FOLKS! ENJOY THOSE TOP CATS RIDES!

RIDE FREE, your Pres, and soon to be past,

Ric

Millennium Members BOARD 2000

WITH A LOT OF NEW MEMBERS, AND SOME OLD ONES WITH WEAK MEMORIES, HERE IS A RECAP OF THE NEWLY ELECT-ED BOARD WHO WILL BE REPRESENTING YOU AND GUIDING TOP CATS INTO, AND THRU, 2000.

FOUNDER. CARL "VIRGO" BENDER. CARL STARTED TOP CATS IN THE SPRING OF 1994. JUST PRIOR TO THAT HE SERVED THE NORTHWEST SUBURBAN CHAPTER OF A.B.A.T.E. AS A DIRECTOR. HIS 1996 BLUE HARLEY DAVIDSON FLT IS BIKE NUMBER 5 FOR HIM. HE RESIDES IN BARRINGTON WITH HIS WIFE JOSIE, SON DOMINIC, DOG IVAN AND CAT WILLIE (NAMED AFTER WILLIE NELSON). HE RETIRED FROM THE "DIRECT MARKETING" BUSINESS IN AUGUST 1998 AT WHICH TIME HE ENTERED THE CIGAR BUSINESS AND CURRENTLY OWNS A SUCCESSFUL INTERNET CIGAR BUSINESS.

PRESIDENT. GEORGE "GRAY GHOST" LAX. GEORGE JOINED TOP CATS IN NOVEMBER 1995 AND HAS BEEN RIDING FOR 20 YEARS. HE CURRENTLY RIDES A 1996 , ELECTRA GLIDE CLASSIC. GEORGE SERVED AS THE TOP CATS' SECRETARY 1996 & 1997 AND VICE PRESIDENT 1998 & 1999. HE IS OWNER OF LAKE COUNTY HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING. GEORGE RESIDES IN LAKE ZURICH WITH HIS WIFE, CHRIS. OTHER INTERESTS INCLUDE SCUBA DIVING, FLYING, HUNT-ING & FISHING IN THE NORTH WOODS.

VICE PRESIDENT. WAYNE "TRAVELER" KIRKPATRICK. TRAVELER WANDERED IN OFF THE STREETS TO TOP CATS IN 1996, RIDES A RATTY BORROWED BIKE, HAS THREE WIVES AND 21 KIDS, LIVES IN ALGONQUIN IN A VAN BY THE RIVER AND IS A PROFESSIONAL POLYGAMIST. HE ENJOYS COOK-ING.

SECRETARY. KEN "HAWKEYE" GLASSMAN. JOINED THE TOP CATS IN 1998. RIDING 2 YEARS ON A 1997 YAMAHA VIRAGO 1100. DOESN'T BELIEVE IN HELMET LAWS, BUT ALWAYS WEARS A HELMET, AND THINKS EVERYONE ELSE SHOULD TOO. LIVES IN ARLINGTON HEIGHTS FOR THE LAST 11 YEARS WITH HIS BEAUTIFUL WIFE DENISE OF NEARLY 25 YEARS AND 2 DAUGHTERS AGES 19 AND 16. JUST FORMED PRESTIGE MEDIA, LTD. REPRESENTING TYCOON AND RITZ-CARLTON MAGAZINES, AND OTHER BUSINESS VENTURES. DOWNHILL SKIING USED TO BE HIS #1 PAS-SION, UNTIL MOTORCYCLING TOOK OVER THE TOP SPOT. OTHER INTERESTS INCLUDE FREELANCE WRITING ABOUT

Page 1 Continued on page....4

SUBURBAN HARLEY-DAVIDSON INC. 2200 N. RAND ROAD PALATINE, IL 60074

847-358-2112 FAX 847-358-5681

HOURS M-F 10:00 AM -7:00 PM

SATURDAY 10:00 AM -7:00 PM SUNDAY CLOSED

TOP CATS - Illinois is a group of motorcycle enthusiasts with similar interests. Members must consist of responsible leaders, Presidents, Chairman, Owners, Proprietors, Kings, Queens, Partners, Principals, CEOs and other "TOP CATS" of large, medium and small organizations, institutions. companies and/or countries.

THE BIKERS WHO MEAN BUSINESS

President Ric Case (Pager: 847/834-4484) 847/363-1542 Vice President George "Gray Ghost" Lax

(glax@hotmail.com) 847/438-5236

Treasurer Jim Irvine (obrienirvine@prodigy.com)

847/381-3253

Secretary Wayne "Traveler" Kirkpatrick (wlurkpa177@aol.com)

847/854-4137

Founder Cad"Vngo"Bender(caribender@ad.com) 847/732-2767

Past President Rob "Mow Man" Mann (Rmann13@aol.com 708/750-4644 (Pager: 847/537-6545)

Director Sandra Vernon vern693@aol.com

847/634-6402

Director Vince O'Leary vincent104@aol.com

847/438-4998

Director lirry"iizauf'Kunim(teiyaicia@aolcom) 847/639-4009 Editor Barry "Bear" Hulden

bhulden@mc.net 815/356-0023

Remember, TOP CATS meet the TOP TUESDAY of EACH month! web site: www.topeats.org

NEXT MEETING: October 5, 1999 Committee Top Cats

Activities Brett Bacci (bbac59@aol.com) 847/459-3906 Charity Sandy Vernon (vern693@aol.com ) 847/634-6402 Communications Rob Scholl (robsaa@aol.com) 847/398-6357 Membership Rich Enda( (Rexclik@supewhighwaynet) 630/462-9944 Meeting Programs This could be YOU! Products Jim (Hook) Tossing (spatek204@aoLcom) 847/516-6457 Public Relations John Eliasik 847/884-9313 Roar Publisher Barry Hulden (BHulden@mc.net ) 815/356-0023 Safety Gary Wayman (Bikegar@starnetinc.com ) 847/459-3906 Security Terry "Teacup" Pollick 847/459-3906 Volunteer Virgo (carlbender@aol.com ) 847/732-2767 HOTLINE 847/622.3501

Top Cats' Annual 100 Mile Enduro By Traveler

Enduros are timed races over a measured course, through difficult off - road terrain designed to test a rider's abili-ty to maintain a specific course, at a specific speed while riding over and through varied obstacles. The winner is the one who navigated accurately, maintained the closest speed to the designated course average and, successfully rode over and through all of the obstacles. The course steward lays out the 100 to 500 mile course, the hidden check points and the rough terrain, and is often a very experienced, yet sadistic, rider. So it seemed on Sunday, August 29 as 30 riders assem-bled at Go Travel in Algonquin, for the start of our annu-al Progressive Dinner. Road Captains Windy and Taz Krepel were the sadistic course stewards who were assisted by the team of Rob and Ilene Mann, Linda and Craig Martens, John and Darlene Eliasik, and Ric and Jackie Case. Taz wisely organized the group into five sub groups each lead by an assistant road captain who had ridden the course the day before. Windy, assisted by Susan Tabordon and her guest John blocked traffic at dangerous intersections with large red flags. This race was so organized that I expected to see a checkered flag and a podium at the last stop!! The course was a varied, 87 mile timed run through the country side to five check points where we consumed awesome appetizers at the Mann's, superb salads at the Marten's, scrumptious chicken at the Eliasik's and deca-

dent desserts at the Case's. Like an enduro, it was challenging to maintain the course average when you had so many riders who were distract-ed from the ride by the temptation of second helpings. The ride was great with only a few casualties here and there. One dead battery and two fallen riders (see Fallen Angel, this issue.) We started with full fuel tanks and empty stomachs. We finished just the opposite. The highlights of this ride were not only the excellent food and hospitality but, the atten-tion to detail that Taz and Windy put into organizing it and the great opportunity to socialize with fellow riders somewhere other than a crowded, noisy bar. Adding to the enjoyment was seeing Pam and Brett Bacci who par-ticipated via car. I think that being able to see and talk to Brett helped reassure us all that, he's recovering well. Our annual Progressive Dinner ride is one of the more difficult to organize and lead but, as Taz and Windy have shown us and as Taz always says "Ain't nothin' too hard if you like doin' it!" The only regret was that we didn't make two laps of the course.

Whoever leads this ride next year will have a much easier time. Two days after the ride was over, Taz had all five food stops committed for next year and was working on a route. Our thanx to Taz, Windy, Rob and Ilene, Craig and Linda, John and Darlene, Ric and Jackie, and every-one who supported, participated, and assisted with the 1999 Top Cats' Eating Enduro.

Page 2

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Oil Spots By Traveler

INTERNATIONAL H.O.G. RALLY. Harley - Davidson announced plans to hold the annual International H.O.G. Rally in Milwaukee for the next three years. The 2000 Rally will be June 21-24. Should be a mini version of the 95th Anniversary. EXCELSIOR -HENDERSON. E-H shipped its 1,000th bike at the end of July. Bettcha there ain't no waiting list for ser-vice at an E-H dealer. Probably very few spare parts too. You can see mare at www.excelsior-henderson.com . NEW WORLD RECORD? More than 1,000 Harley owners set the world's record for the longest parade on the same kind of bike, recently. The parade took place in Dothan, Alabama over a 14.2 mile route. BUS CRASHES. On average, only six people die annually in bus crashes. Bus passengers aren't required to wear seat belts or helmets and busses don't have air bags. Deductive reason-ing would hold that, if you want to reduce motorcycle deaths... eliminate helmet laws. HONDA VALKRIE. Word has it that an abnormal number of Honda Valkrie owners have experienced problems with the Dunlop D206 rear tire. It seems that these tires can experience sidewall ply delamination, resulting in a sidewall bubble at rel-atively low mileage (3,000-5,000). Check your tires or your life insurance policy. ESTROGENIC MARKETING. Kawasaki Motors is launch-ing a new advertising campaign focused on women. You may have already seen their advertisements announcing "The show is much better when you're sitting up front." NOSTALGIA? First we lost the oil leaks from good ol' Harley. Then we got different colors and electric starters. Next came accessories direct from the Motor Company itself. Then it was a line of Willy G. designer motor clothes. Recent models are now way too quiet. Last year the Evo was replaced by a twin cam 88 and next year they will eliminate engine vibration. The new "B" model Twin Cam 88 will be counter balanced to eliminate engine vibration and a new transmission will take all the fun out of speed shifting and trying to find neu-tral!! And they call this the Harley nostalgia theme?

Biker Culture. Biker wisdom: Power is an aphrodisiac to any rider. It's not what you ride, its IF you ride. It's better to burn out than to fade away. Never try to race an old geezer. He may have one more gear than you. The best view of a thunderstorm is in your rear view mirror. (Is there such a thing as a front view mirror?) The number of kicks it takes to start your bike is directly pro-portional to the number of people watching you. Sometimes it takes a whole tank of gas before you can think straight. Never be afraid to slow down. If you don't ride in the rain...you don't ride. Respect the rider who has seen the darker side of motorcycling and lived. If she changes her oil more often than she changes her mind...follow her. The best alarm clock is sunlight on chrome.

Appropriate T-shirts for certain Top Cats: I fought the lawn and the lawn won. Bill Vernon

I've seen it all, done it all, heard it all. I just can't remember it at all. Carl Hart

My wife is a travel agent for guilt trips. Taz

(Tatoos) No! It doesn't hurt. Virgo

I used to be schizophrenic but now we're OK. Hawkeye

I didn't climb to the top of the food chain to be a vegetarian. Tiger

Coffee, chocolate, men. Some things are just better rich. Kathy Citko

Growing old is inevitable. Growing up is optional. Barry Hulden

Be audit you can be. Gerry Kostuk

Gravity. It's not just a good idea...it's the law! Brett Bacci

Wanted: Meaningful overnight relationship. (847)854-4137 ask for Traveler

The old pro. Often wrong but never in doubt. Gray Ghost

If at first you don't succeed. Don't try skydiving. Jordy

In America, anyone can become president. That's one of the risks you take. Rick Bremer

Page 3

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TREASURER. JIM " TIGER" IRVINE.JIM "TIGER" IRVINE. JIM JOINED TOP CATS IN 1996 AND HAS BEEN RIDING FOR 35 YEARS. HE CURRENTLY RIDES A 1994 SOFTAIL CUSTOM & 1998 ULTRA CLASSIC. JIM SERVED AS THE TOP CATS' TREASURER FROM 1998 - 1999, AND IS RECENTLY RETIRED. PREVIOUSLY WORKED 36 YEARS FOR SEARS CREDIT AS A CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER. HE RESIDES IN BARRINGTON WITH HIS WIFE, "RUTH" AND HIS GOLDEN RETRIEVER - "PALMER".

PAST PRESIDENT. RIC CASE.PAST PRESIDENT. RIC CASE. RIC JOINED TOP CATS IN 1994 AND HAS BEEN RIDING FOR 10 YEARS. HE CURRENTLY RIDES A 1997 H-D ULTRA. RIC SERVED AS PRESIDENT FROM 1997 - 1999 AND IS HAS HIS OWN CONSULTING PRACTICE IN THE COMPUTER INDUSTRY. HE RESIDES IN LAKE ZURICH WITH HIS WIFE JACQUIE. OTHER INTERESTS INCLUDE SNOWMOBILING, AND TEAM SPORTS.

DIRECTOR. SANDY VERNON. SANDY JOINED TOP CATS IN 1997 AND HAS BEEN ACTIVE EVER SENSE AS A DIRECTOR FOR THE 1999 - 2000 TERM AND AS THE 1998 CHARITY RIDE COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON. SANDY HAS BEEN RIDING FOR SIX YEARS, IS ON HER SECOND HARLEY, A RARE 1999 FXR2, AND LIVES IN LONG GROVE WITH HUSBAND BILL. SANDY IS AN ACCOMPLISHED PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPH-ER AS WELL AN EXCELLENT RIDER.

DIRECTOR. TERRY "LIZARD" KUMRO. TERRY HAS BEEN A TOP CAT MEMBER FOR THE PAST SIX YEARS AND HAS SERVED AS A DIRECTOR FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS. HE HAS BEEN RIDING MOTORCYCLES SINCE 1965 AND CURRENTLY HAS A BAGGER AND A SPRINGER SOFTTAIL. HE RESIDES IN OAKWOOD HILLS WITH HIS NEW WIFE, ALICIA (ALSO A TOP CAT MEMBER) AND HER TWO YEAR OLD DAUGHTER, LANA. TERRY HAS WORKED AS A SPECIALIST AT THE CHICAGO STOCK EXCHANGE FOR THE LAST 30 YEARS, AND INTER-ESTS INCLUDE SCUBA DIVING, HAM RADIO, AND WATER SKI-ING.

DIRECTOR. BARD BOAND. (NO RESPONSE AS OF PRESS TIME.)

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Page 4

Returning to Rock and Roll Grill, two odd occur- rences happened. which I think were independent

Page 5

R & R Grill Ride By Hawkeue

A cool, crisp. sunny, fall-like Saturday morning. Sept 11. 1999, greeted nearly 10❑ motorcycles at Steve Buckley's Rock & Roll Grill for his fall poker run. Conditions were perfect for a fabulous fun day. except that the turnout of Top Cats was underwhelming. Those who did participate included Carl "Virgo" Bender. Bard "Big Chief" Boand, Jeff Breuer. Kathy Citko. Ken Glassman, Jim "Tiger" Irvine. John Kahles, Terry "Lizard" Kumro, George "Gray Ghost" Lax, Stefan Levy, and Sandy and Bill Vernon [more on Bill later].

Riders received T-shirts [with the Top Cat logo on the chest] and our first draw card for the poker run at the Rock and Roll Grill, before we headed out to our next stop at Keifs Reef. There, all the women were cajoled into reading naughty poems. The win-ner of the contest was to be the gal who delivered the poem with the most enthusiasm and gusto. All the women were given prizes of little Harley dolls, but our lady Top Cats. Kathy Citko. and Sandy Vernon did our club proud with their readings. and would have split mg first place vote.

Then it was on to Colonels Sports Bar. There we munched on H❑r D'oeuvres and drinks before the horseshoe pitching contest began. Participants got 3 tosses. I was close, but in this game as in life, close didn't count. only ringers earned gift certifi-cates. For those who didn't participate in horse-shoes. there was a large "Lawn Dice" tossing game. Fortunately. Carl "Virgo" Bender upheld the honor of the Top Cats by tossing the dice well enough to win a prize. While the game was foreign to all of us. the form Virgo used for the winning tosses were remarkably similar to the form he uses to lift a beer from the table to his mouth, so apparently "muscle memory" took over and that was the keg to his success.

Our next destination took us into Wisconsin. to the 75th Street Grill. We enjoyed more nibbles and drinks on the outdoor deck, soaked up the sun-shine, and watched the world go by [such as it does in Cheeseland]. Fortunately. we only staged in Wisconsin about 9❑ minutes. Too short a time for our IQ's to drop.

We then headed to Grayslake, where the Last Chance Saloon hosted our full lunch. While there, a panel of 3 Top Cats, and 3 women riders voted for Best and Worst Bike. Worst bike went to a ratty Suzuki. which the owner had the good sense to leave with before the prize could be awarded. Best Bike went to a nice but not outstanding custom painted bike. Afterwards. an informed source close to the voting told me that Jim Irvine's bike and Jeff Breuer's bike were the favorites of the men, but they lost a coin toss to the ladies who liked the red one better. Unfortunately for Jim Irvine. there are no "Red Tigers" in the wild to fashion a motorcycle after. And Jeff. the next bike you paint has to be in a color of lipstick or nail polish if you want the chicks to dig it. But again, a good time was had by all.

of each other, but perhaps not. As all the bikes were leaving town, in a rather haphazard Chinese Fire Drill manner. Bill Vernon. apparently bumped into George Lax's bike, causing Bill to lose control and drop the bike. At least that's the story he's sticking to. Fortui Gately. no damage was done to any bikes, and nobody got hurt. except for Bills ego, [which I promised Sandy I'd make him relive with this mention in the ROAR].

I noticed the other occurrence [which may or may not have been related to the first] as we rode out of town. There was a rather attractive young woman on the ride who was dressed in jeans, chaps, and black leather halter top. I pulled out at the tail end of the group. Suddenly, along comes this gal roaring up behind me on her Road King. passing me on the left and squeezing back into mg lane just in front of me. As we stopped at the stop light. I couldn't help but notice that she had shed her blue jeans. and was just wearing a pair [although I don't know why it would be referred to as a "pair") of black thong panties. and her black chaps! Fortunately. for all of us. she had the tush for it. As I raised the visor on my helmet, to make sure there was no distortion affecting mg view. I couldn't help but think about the benefits of floss-ing in a whole new context. It also gave me a dif-ferent outlook on what I had previously perceived as a fault in Harlegs; namely their reputation for excessive engine vibration. As mg eyes trained on the aftermarket saddle of the bike. that V-Twin [no pun intended] rhythmical. undulating, droning. pul-sating. cacophony took on a whole different sym-metry at that very point "where the rubber meets the road", so to speak. I can't be sure exactly what made this gal decide to make the ride home "sans Calvins". Maybe it was the warm weather, or that last Margarita at lunch. Perhaps she was just a patron of the arts wanting to display her tattoo artists work, which decorated a part of her that wouldn't be viewed under normal conditions. I do know for sure that it definitely wasn't the first time she had chosen to display her tattoo, since she had no visible tan lines. Trust me. I checked. [Mg nickname isn't HAWKEYE for nothing] In any event. I was determined to follow her, since she seemed to know where she was going, and I was confident she wouldn't give me a bum steer. [pun intended I) Unfortunately. at the next stop sign. she pulled out on the left to act as a blocker as the group made a right turn. I'm confident that she was effective in stopping traffic.

Once back at the R & R Grill. she was reunited with her jeans, and blended back into the crowd. Again. I don't know if her dropping her drawers had any correlation to Bill Vernon dropping his bike, but I think it was lucky more bikes didn't drop that after-noon.

Back at the grill. the winner of the poker run was announced. The winning hand was 4 deuces, and the prize money of $24❑ was awarded. Steve Buckley donated to the Top Cats $24❑ from the poker run proceeds for NISRA. The event was a ter-rific success. It was well run, coordinated well, a great value, and just plain fun. A big Top Cats ROAR goes out to Steve Buckley for his effort. Hopefully, Lady Godiva will be back for next gears run, and more Top Cats will be there to enjoy the event.

need assistance with traffic control, first aid, etc.

3. Know basic first aid. If you don't know any, get out of the way and ask for someone who does. Don't move the victim, clear the airway, stop the bleeding, protect the wound, and treat for shock. The point is...know some basic first aid.

4. When cops are involved don't get loud and mouthy. If someone is loud and argumentative with the cops, don't try to interfere and calm him down. Cops get nervous when surrounded by bikers regardless of their good intentions. When cops get nervous, handcuffs come out, mace comes out, and guns come out. Just stay away.

5. When someone is tending to a victim, don't call them away to ask how they are doing. Your selfish curiosity is nowhere near as important as someone's effort to comfort a victim.

6. Do not clear the scene of the bikes involved. It's Ok to pick the bikes up in order to prevent fuel leak-ing and a fire hazard or to move them out of the flow of traffic but, don't put them away in a garage. The cops need to see them to verify your description of the accident. If the bikes are moved too far away, or put in a garage, cops get suspicious.

7. Don't hang around an accident scene if every-thing is well in hand. If you must hang around then do something useful like direct traffic. Don't wait for someone to take charge of the accident and have to tell you to direct traffic.

The up side of this accident was that Janet will be OK, Kevin wasn't injured, and we can learn some-thing from it. The down side is that we made some mistakes and had to learn from trial and error instead of knowing what to do in advance.

Our best wishes to Janet for a rapid and full recov-ery and our best wishes to Kevin in repairing two scooters.

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Fallen Angel By Traveler

Motorcycle accidents can range from horrific and tragic to minor and comical. We can also experi-ence horrific and comical to minor and tragic. Regardless of the severity of the accident, we can always find a few positive aspects. Sometimes, we have to search hard for the plus side of one, (Well, at least he didn't suffer.) Sometimes, it's easy, (Thank goodness no one's hurt.) Sunday's Progressive Dinner ride was momentarily dampened when two of our riders, Janet and Kevin Riddick, went down. Fortunately, both are OK with Janet sustaining moderate injuries yet full recovery expected. We need to learn, in the interest of safety, as much as we can from each of our accidents. Here's the scenario and here's what I hope we can learn. The setting was 2:51 PM, Sunday afternoon. All thir-ty bikes were backed into the street curb on the quiet residential street in front of the Marten's house. We just finished salads and were mounted up ready to depart to the Eliasik's for the main course. Taz pulled out to the right and subsequent riders pulled out to the right following him. We were organized into five sub groups each lead by an assistant road captain. There was a momentary delay between the groups as each road captain let the preceding group progress before pulling out. Janet and Kevin were in the fourth group and I had the last group. Janet was on Kevin's right. As she pulled her new Sporty away from the curb, Kevin waited, then pulled out to the right, anticipating Janet's turn to the right. Janet didn't turn when expected and, poor Kevin clipped the back of her bike as he turned right. 2:53 PM. The resulting jolt threw Janet off balance and she veered left and forward toward the opposite curb, as Kevin continued right and forward. Janet fell to her right side and her head impacted on the oppo-site curb with the bike falling on her right leg. Estimated speed was less than one mph! Kevin appeared unhurt and Janet's injuries at the scene appeared to be limited to a head gash and a cut on the right calf. Damage to the motorcycles was cosmetic. At 2:54 PM Sandy Vernon treated Janet for shock. The ambulance arrived at 3:06 PM. Janet and Kevin go to the hospital and the Top Cats' con-tinued their ride.

What's to learn?

1. Never assume what another rider is going to do. When pulling out from a curb, wait until the bike next to you is underway and stable.

2. Never bring the whole group back to the scene of an accident. It clutters the area and hinders access by emergency vehicles. CB's are nice but when informing the road captain about an acci-dent, direct him to keep going unless you really

Page 6

Board Meeting Minutes for Top Cats 9/7/99

The following members were in attendance: Ric Case, George Lax, Jim Irvine, Sandy vernon, Carl Bender, Rob Mann, Ken Glassman, Terry Kumro, Vince O'Leary, and Wayne Kirkpatrick

1. Jordan Glazov will look into the Liabilit y Insurance mat-ter for all Top Cats' rides and events, and has the authority of the Board to purchase the necessary coverage, not to exceed $500.00. 2. Top Cats is not a sponsor of the Sept. 11 Poker Run from the Rock & Roll Grill. Steve Buckley will add the Top Cats name to his liability waiver that all riders must sign to partici-pate. 3. Proceeds from the Rock & Roll Grill ride will be donated to NISRA. 4. Dave Gauer, of Long Grove has been approved as a new member.

General Membership Meeting By voice affirmation vote, the membership adopted the slate of candidates presented by Rob Mann. The new slate of Officers and Board Members will take effect at the October meeting. The Officers and Board Members are as follows:

George Lax Wayne Kirkpatrick Jim Irvine Ken Glassman Terry Kumro Bard Boand Sandy Vernon Carl Bender

Steve Buckley discussed the Rock & Roll Grill Poker Run and ride. Brett Bacci discussed the September rides. No road captain has been identified for the Sept 25th Sunset ride. The ride will be cancelled if no road captain volunteers. Check the Top Cats' Hotline for details.

Jordy Glazov solicited interest in a paint ball picnic theme for 2000. Details to follow.

Gerry Kostuk gave an excellent presentation on investing.

Jim Heniff gave an update on the Fall Charity ride. Everyone is encouraged to pick up their raffle tickets and to continue soliciting corporate sponsors.

Activities-October 99

3 Top Cats' Fall Charity Ride, 8:00 am, O'Traina's, Waucanda, IL

5 Top Cats' Meeting. 7:30 PM, Oregano's, (Gilmer & Midlothian)

9-10 Harley - Davidson Kansas City Plant Tours and Open House, Kansas City,M0

13 H.O.G. meeting, Suburban, H-D, Palatine, IL

17-24 Biketoberfest, Daytona Beach, FL 31 Daylight Savings Time ends

Check the Top Cats' HotLine for all event details: (847) 622-3501

CAUTION CORNER!!!!

FALL RIDING. As the season changes, so do the hazards. This time of year leaves and early morning dew can combine to cre-ate slick road surfaces. These conditions are not limited to just early morning hours either. Weather conditions, shadows, and poor drainage on highways can keep leaves and surfaces wet. Wet leaves and dew can be as slick as ice and just as hazardous to traction and control as anything on the highway.

SOLUTION. Watch the road surface for loose leaves or wet spots. In the Fall, dampness can be icy. Be careful around shad-ows on the road. Shadows will hold dampness and ice. Even during warm weather, shaded highways will be colder than warm highway surfaces and have less traction. Warm surfaces and warm tires = better traction. ( I don't recommend burnouts but...they do heat up the back tire.)

If you hit wet leaves or slick surfaces, react like you would if you hit a hot road snake in the summer...maintain control, lean away from the direction of the slide, and be prepared to stop your lean immediately upon regaining traction. The best solu-tion is, of course, prevention. Ride slow, look and clear the road ahead of you for the next 500 to 1,000 feet, and avoid shadows.

President Vice President Treasurer Secretary

Director Director Director Founder

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Top Cat Brothers and Sisters By Brett and Pam Bacci

Thank you to all the Top Cats who sent me a card, called, or more importantly, said a prayer or two for me and my family. As many of you know, I am healing slowly as it takes time for broken bones to heal but, as Traveler said in the last issue, I am here to talk about it. Lastly, I would like to thank the two Top Cats, Rob & Ric, who stayed with me during, and after, the accident. These guys, plus two other Top Cats, Wayne Newman and Jamie Dumar who rode home the same day as the accident, have helped me piece the incident back together and helped me get on with my recovery, Again, THANK YOU TO ALL. See you soon.

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Page 7

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