BREAKFAST GATHERING CARRAIGE INN RESTAURANT JUNE 21ST AT 8:00 AM
OREGON DISTRICT RALLY JUNE 18 – 21 SISTERS, OREGON
CAN-AM RALLY JUNE 25 – 28 OSOYOOS, BC
KEN’S COW DROPPINGS
This is a tough month to find time to do much of anything, especially sit down and write a newsletter article. I guess having a backache is the only way to keep off the bike for a long enough time to get it done. As those who went to the Chapter "D" Duck Hunt know, Jan and I had to leave for home almost as soon as we got there because of my lousy back acting up again. I hope everyone had a good time. It looked like they got a good turnout this year.
If you were not at the last breakfast, you missed the announcement that Mary Nokes has taken over the position of Sunshine Lady. We urge everyone to give her a call and update your birthday and anniversary information so it can get properly published in the newsletter.
There were a couple of other things that happened at the last breakfast that I was very happy to see. The first thing was that I asked for a volunteer to head up an escort for a 10 K run in Shelton. Bill Meyenburg raised his hand and took on the task. Thanks Bill, I understand you did a terrific job. The other thing I was thrilled about was the amount of participation in the ride. The weather was a little weird, and even thought we hit some pretty strong rains, nobody gave up and we all ended up having a super time. As you can see from the picture, some of us were more prepared than others.
We will be in Sisters for the next meeting, so Bob Blair will be leading the gang this month. See you soon
Ken & Jan
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ASST. CHAPTER DIR.
MOOOOVING THE HERD
by Bob & Debbie Bacon and Jennifer Iverson
As many of us know, riding season is here. With the riding season, some the news of riders down and fatalities. We must "Think safety, be prepared" as Richard and Jan Holland of Smithville, Mo. wrote in their article in Wing World, July 98. So it is most important to keep our skills and knowledge of riding at their best. Consider an ERC Course or a Motorcycle Safety Course if you are a beginning rider. "The more you know, the better it gets." Let’s be safe out there!
Shelton’s 10K run brought out several Chapter I members with Bill Meyenberg in the lead. At their request Bill contacted the run sponsors and made arrangements for other riders to be escorts on the run route. Our escorts were, Bill, Mel, Debbie, Ralph, Chuck and Ray Abitz, Chuck S., Jim (no respect) Kolowinski, Mary and Charlie Nokes. A big Thank you to Bill for the behind-the-scene work as well as the event works for the Shelton Run.
Charlie and Mary Nokes have motorcycles now. Charlie’s is a Honda shadow 1100, and Mary’s is red 700 Magna. So we will see them on some rides too! Welcome back.
Speaking of people who have just got a motorcycle, Jim Kolowinski is trying to get respect with his new 1500. Motorcycles never wear out they just recycle their rider!
You will not see our smiling faces this next Breakfast meeting. Don’t despair the meeting will go on and it will be at the Olympia Steak house STILL. Debbie and I will be down in Sisters Oregon for their district rally. Will see you at the July meeting.
Ice cream social at Hawks Prairie is going strong. There were thirty-seven bikes this last week when I decided to start counting. Some riders had already come and gone so actually there were more. Pass the word it’s open to everyone whether they come on a motorcycle or come in a car. I’d sure like to see that parking lot full of people with ice cream and motorcycles. Ride safe.
Ride safe and enjoy.
Bob & Debbie Bacon and Jennifer Iverson
Asst. Chapter Directors
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SUMMER RIDES
June - July - August
Hey you guys! Thank you for your participation on the monthly rides. We are having a great time. Lots more coming this year.
The June 21st meeting and ride occurs the same weekend as the Sisters, Oregon Rally. We will be in Sisters at the Rally so will not be leading the ride this month. Come on down to Sisters; I bet we can find some back roads!! Bob Blair will be hosting our Chapter "I" meeting and ride.
Don't forget we are back to our great location at the Carriage Inn off Plum Street. If you are not going to the Rally, please support Bob so he doesn't have to eat and ride alone. Thanks Bob.
On July 19th the ride will have a Mystery Leader going to a Mystery location. Of course if you end up in the backwoods somewhere in Oregon you might find me. I will be riding a National Enduro in the Tillamook, OR area that day.
We are going to make up for being absent the last two months. On our August 16th outing, we will be going down by the Columbia River and up the Gorge over Satus Pass to Yakima. We will then head back home over White Pass. This will be our longest ride of the year. Odie said he will have the Monkey Butt cream available on the ride.
Remember to have your gas tanks and sack lunches full.
Have Fun !!
Rick and Jan Sparks
Ride Coordinators
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I was asked by Ken to put together a small group for the Forest Festival and I would like to take the opportunity to thank those that helped. Debbie Bacon, Chuck Scovill, Ralph Desper, Ray Abitz, Charlie Abitz, Mel Musgrave, and Charlie and Mary Nokes, for helping to make the 10 K and 2 mile run a huge success. The people that put it on were very impressed with the professional way we handled everything. We even received 2 thumbs up awards from the Mason County Sheriff’s Dept. Ralph, Chuck, and Mel handled the 2 mile run and the rest did the 10 K run. After the 2 mile run they came and helped with the 10 K run. We did have to assist 3 people that couldn't make it. Wings to the rescue... Ray and I found out that a couple can really run.... Once again a Hearty Thank You and we are invited to do it again next year.
Thanks Again,
Bill
*****
WINGING IT
BY Robert Blair
MSF Instructor
Chapter Educator, WA-I
Motorcycle and rider safety seems to be the watchword of our organization. GWRRA has and does and always will go the extra mile to ensure safety among its members. We structure our rides, plan them out ahead of time, picking places to gas up, grab a bite or use the facilities. If we stick with that program, we are promoting some aspects of riding that are very important.
Chapters involve their membership and break up the hard work, spreading it from a few to many; well, hopefully, anyway. Ride Captains or Road Captains, or group leaders, however they wish to be called (or we wish to call them), are responsible for how we get to our destination as we break into small groups so as not to adversely affect other traffic.
Our Chapter Director usually picks out a leader and a tail-gunner for each group and we all sort of fall in line. Sometimes we are assigned a group and other times we simply pick out where we want to ride. Well, what if someone from Southern California drops in for a Chapter Breakfast and chooses to accompany us on a rie? Suppose we have members from a couple of other chapters along, as well? Are we all going to know what each other is supposed to do? In many cases, you don’t ride like I do, or like we do. Geographically, we each have our own thing, and tend to stick with it. I remember the stories of how Chapter "I" rode into events in very close order fashion. It caused some riders to hold back and ride outside of the group and in some instances that practice is still in place.
Enter the Road Captain course. A presentation developed by three enterprising GWRRA members and copyrighted in 1996. The course standardizes guidelines, hand signals, and terms that we can all use and understand. The course is designed for all who wish to attend, even if you have no desire to become a Road Captain. Everyone will learn and benefit from the hours spent in class. Co-riders will more than likely be more attentive to hazards and will call them out to the rider. They can give the hand signals to the rest of the group leaving the rider in more of a position to keep his hands where they belong, on the handgrips.
The course outline schedules five to six hours of training. Partly in the classroom, and the rest on the road putting to use the techniques and polishing procedures. A couple of hours inside and the rest on the road. What better way to learn?
The course covers all aspects of group riding from parking lot formation to staggered file, entering traffic lanes, changing lanes, stopping and assisting disabled riders. It covers common terms and what they mean and how they affect a ride. Hand signals for those who don’t have CBs or simply didn’t hear.
It is a good course, and hopefully you are enthused about it as well. Want to hear more? So do I, and what would please me the most would be that many of you would want to take the course. Those of you who are now Road Captains, those of you who want to be, and most of all, the rest, who simply want to know what is going on.
If you would like to have the course presented to you, I would love to take the time to do so. Contact your CD, or Chapter Educator, and we will do the rest. This course is offered in the interest of safety and your riding enjoyment. Because…… "The More You Know, The Better It Gets."
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CHAPTER CLASSIFIEDS
Size 12 Ladies Hein Gehring Jeans, worn 3 wks. $175. Men’s size 38 Hein Gehring Concord Jacket. $275. X-S Shoei Helmet – Silver $175. Worn 1 mo. Call Mike or Connie @ (360) 458-7032.
Shoei Helmet, XXL. Teal, w/headset. $100 Call Don Farrar (360) 455-1294.
For sale 1980 SX1100 Yamaha $1,200. Good bike. 943-5042 (Jim)
One real nice 1200 Yahama Royale 1983 new
every thing $2,500. How about a nice 61 husky chain saw $250? 943-5042
