Gold Wing Road Riders Association

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Ginger Spencer
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submitted by Don Martin for the November 2002, Wing Wag and reprinted in the May 2006, Wing Wag.

This has given me some interesting insights and now the opportunity to make a few observations regarding portions of the aforementioned article concerning the view from behind.

I say this because as a Co-Rider the primary object in my line of sight is, unlike the Rider, not the road and traffic ahead, but rather the big black 8 ball that is my husband s helmet.

1 Gold Wing Road Riders Association Chapter AB-A A (Calgary) Newsletter November, 2006 Wing Wag Fall Colours The View From Behind A s I am very new to the world of motorcycling (maybe 10 times on the back of a motorcycle including one round trip ride to Edmonton 2 years ago) I was particularly interested in the article Have you thought about your Co- Rider? submitted by Don Martin for the November 2002, Wing Wag and reprinted in the May 2006, Wing Wag. Well here it is September 4 and I have now spent more time on the back of a motorbike during this past month than in the previous 45 years of my life. This has given me some interesting insights and now the opportunity to make a few observations regarding portions of the aforementioned article concerning the view from behind. My most striking observation is that the author must be a Rider and has likely never been a Co-Rider. I say this because as a Co-Rider the primary object in my line of sight is, unlike the Rider, not the road and traffic ahead, but rather the big black 8 ball that is my husband s helmet. It provides a rather intriguing, but fish-eyed, perspective of the road and traffic behind us. The view can be rather The Big Black 8 Ball disconcerting as it looks like ALL the traffic that is approaching from behind is going to drive right into the back of the bike regardless of its lane in traffic. The reflective nature of the big black 8 ball has the unexpected benefit of being a convenient mirror and is very handy when trying to determine if my helmet vent is open or closed. I also suspect it could be useful in the application of lipstick although I have not investigated this further. The side mirrors also figure prominently in my line of sight providing yet another view of all that has gone before. As a Co-Rider, the only signal that they should be involved in is waving to others? and the final duty of a Co- Rider WAVE! these statements left me with no doubt as to my role and I took it very seriously. I have discovered that this is much easier to comprehend and attempt than it is to accomplish. It seems that the big black 8 ball presents a daunting optical obstacle to fulfilling this important duty. Unless you are leaning left to look over the Rider s left shoulder consistently there is very little chance of seeing the approaching motorcyclist with enough time to actually pull your arm up and wave. This is particularly true on two-lane, two-way roads but is also a factor on four-lane (Continued on page 8) Coming Events What s Inside Nov 1 Nov 13 Nov 25 Jan 5-7 Annual Odometer Reading Monthly Meeting Christmas Party Motorcycle Show Lest We Forget Three Flags Classic...2 Rider Education...3 Calgary Motorcycle Show...3 Christmas Party...4 Favorite Things...5 In Flanders Fields...5 Words From...6 Classifieds...10 Calgary Area Staff Listing...11

Wing Wag November, 2006 Page 2 I was able to get some time off work and purchased a TFC ticket from the Three Flags internet forum. Shelley and I left Calgary after work Monday at 12:00 p.m. for Butte, MT where we stayed at the Holiday Inn Express (700 kms).

2 Wing Wag November, 2006 Page 2 I was able to get some time off work and purchased a TFC ticket from the Three Flags internet forum. Shelley and I left Calgary after work Monday at 12:00 p.m. for Butte, MT where we stayed at the Holiday Inn Express (700 kms). At 6:30 a.m. we continued south on Interstate 15. About 10 kms south of Salt Lake City I noticed I had forgotten my gas cap at the last fuel stop. We trusted Garmin (our navigator) to find the next turn around and went back to find it. It was on the ground beside the pump but this treasure hunt resulted in a 30 minute detour. By the time we made it to Mesquite, NV it was 7:00 p.m. and 42 degrees. We stayed in a nice Casino Hotel for $45.00 a night. Back on the road by 7:00 a.m. we arrived in San Diego, CA at 1:00 p.m., after 2 days and 1 hour of travel time with a total of 2450 kms. We arrived at our home for the night (Shelley s sister s place) tired, hot, and exhausted. Thursday afternoon I headed across into Mexico to find the, Camino Royal Hotel, host for the rally Shelley stayed a couple of days with her sister then flew home. After I checked into the hotel and received my gifts and instructions from the TFC club, I met a few fellow members from Calgary GWRRA and chatted for awhile, but I hit my bed early, about 8:30 p.m., as the rally had a Friday 3:00 a.m. start time. The night club beneath my room started at 9:00 p.m. and boomed till 2:00 a.m. I slept for 30 minutes then got up to get ready for the start of the rally. I didn t think I d get too far before having to get a room and rest. Most of the bikes were out of the secured parkade and in front of the lobby ready to start. There were 250 bikers and some coriders in the lobby waiting to hand in their start cards at exactly 3:00 a.m.. When they started there was Bob Quinlan with bike and trailer a mad dash for the bikes and bikers were zooming off down the main street. Because I got out a little late my bike was at the end of the line and as I was scrambling to get my helmet on. I asked the Mexican security guard standing beside me, which is the fastest way to the border? He said, Not the way everyone was going, he was busy, but he pointed in a different direction and said bus route and budge in. I wasn t sure about this but 3 BMWs roared off in that direction so I was hot on their trail, racing through Tijuana up to the bus border crossing that was closed. I watched the BMWs cross about 6 lanes to get into the cars lanes and butt in front of all of them, horns were honking but I followed suit. It was 3:12 a.m. and I was through the border, looking back I could see hundreds of cars and no sign of any other bikes. I was through LA County by 5:00 a.m. and well on my way to rallying. I stopped for fuel and a stretch every 2 hours without exception. About 7:30 a.m. I took a wrong turn and put on an extra 100 kms to get back on track. At 9:30 I took another wrong turn and ended up on an 80 mile long twisty mountain road were I didn t see a car, a bike, or a human for 2 hours. Finally back on course I hooked up with another rider and arrived at check point #1 at 4:00 p.m. At this point I got my TFC passport stamped. I loaded up with water and granola bars then back on the road for 3 more hours, destination Jackson, CA. After the grueling ride of the day before, my riding partner and I decided to cut out part of the route. With a 6:30 a.m. start we rode for about 200 kms to Sacramento, CA at which point I pulled over and said, I feel guilty not following the route, this is why I came, I m sorry but I m going back to get on the route. He asked me if I was crazy, but decided to follow along anyway, so we backtracked to the route thus adding one more detour to the trip. The Immortal Tree Avenue of the Giants (Continued on page 9)

3 Wing Wag November, 2006 Page 3 When asked this question pretty well everyone will answer to help out other people in time of need. While this is a true statement, the PRIMARY reason from my perspective is to help yourself! No, not so you can bandage a wound but so that you know enough about predictors and mechanisms of injury so that you can prevent incidents. The Canadian Red Cross states Research shows that just by getting trained in First Aid, individuals become more aware of potential dangers, and can reduce their risk of personal injury by up to 40-45%. That s a pretty staggering percentage. Let s face it, we are all getting older and Gold Wing riders as a whole have an average age higher than most other Motorcycle groups. We tend to not eat as well as we should and riding a Touring Motorcycle while extremely enjoyable does not give us a lot of exercise. Do you know what symptoms may precede a Heart Attack? And did you know that caught in the early Rider Education Why take a First Aid and CPR course? by Don Martin stages, the effects of a Heart Attack can be completely reversed? Could you tell if you were experiencing Appendicitis? Can you tell, as you are laying there on the ground after an accident whether you may have injured your spine? Are you able to dislodge food stuck in someone s throat (Heimlich maneuver) or more difficult, could you dislodge food stuck in your own throat by yourself? Can you tell if you are becoming Hypothermic? How about close to Heat Exhaustion or Heat Stroke? Do you know what the Golden Hour is and why it is important? Many of these Medical Conditions (Choking, Hypothermia, Heat Stroke etc.) can be avoided through preventative actions (eat slowly, dress warm, drink lots of fluids) while others (Heart Attack, Appendicitis, Motor Vehicle Accident) are much less preventable (although you could argue that even these are somewhat preventable). Knowing the signs and symptoms during the onset of these conditions can alert you to measures that you can take to make sure that a Medical Condition does not become a Medical Emergency. Remember, the life you save may well be your own Take a First Aid & CPR course every 2 years. Reprinted from June 2002 WW The show times are as follows : January 5 January 6 January 7 Noon till 9 PM 10 AM till 9 PM 10 AM till 5 PM We will require 15 volunteers from our membership to look after our booth. Interested people please contact Alex Middleton or Brian Perrin. Please give them 2 time and date preferences. We will do our best in filling these requests. Something new for the show this year is the availability of VIP passes for friends and family at a price of $ per ticket, this is $2 cheaper than the regular price. Anyone who is interested in these tickets please give Alex the name of your guests along with the prepaid amount for each ticket ordered before Thursday Dec. 7. Thanks to everybody who has submitted pictures for the show booth. Alex Middleton

4 Wing Wag November, 2006 Page 4 GWRRA Chapter AB-A A Christmas Party Mark your calendars for our annual Christmas Party Saturday, November 25, 2006 at the Austrian Canadian Club. Dine and dance to the music of Jana and Danny. Doors open at 6:00pm, Buffet Style Dinner at 7:00pm Dance starts at 8:30pm Tickets will be $32.00 This year we have round tables reserved. Early bird Draw for a prize: November 5, 2006 Door Prizes at the Party We have a total allotment of 60 tickets for this event. As of November 1 st only 16 tickets are still available. After November 10 th any remaining tickets will be made available for Non-Member family and friends of GWRRA Members. Final attendance must be confirmed on or before November 19 th Sharon Sanders & Rose Perrin Social Coordinators

5 Wing Wag November, 2006 Page 5 What Are Your Favorite Things? I don t know about you, but as Christmas is fast approaching I have begun to think about my favorite things and consequently the favorite things of the people on my gift giving list. Somehow this has led to a gnawing curiosity about the favorite things other GWRRA members have bought or received for their Gold Wings. So now I want to put it to all of you. What are YOUR favorite things? What would be the first thing you would want if you were starting all over with a brand new bike? What have you got now that you would happily do without? What do you want most but don t yet have? Of course I hope that anyone answering these important questions will make mention of the whys and wherefores of their choices in the hope of helping others to chose carefully. With all of the toys available to attach to our Gold Wings and Christmas just weeks away I thought this might provide a helpful guide for the gift givers still looking for the perfect something for their Gold Wing rider. I hope to publish a list in each category in the December issue for those last minute shoppers and steer them toward the perfect stocking stuffer or gift for under the tree. Please send a list of your favorite things to wing telus.net Lisa Miller WW In Flanders Fields By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD ( ) Canadian Army IN FLANDERS FIELDS the poppies blow Between the crosses row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields.

Wing Wag November, 2006 Page 6 Words from your Rider Educator A s we near the end of 2006, I would like to thank the members of Chapter AB-A for making 2006 such a successful year for Rider Education.

Perhaps it suggests that more people are interested in honing their skills. Chapter AB-A put on two "Advanced Rider Courses.

6 Wing Wag November, 2006 Page 6 Words from your Rider Educator A s we near the end of 2006, I would like to thank the members of Chapter AB-A for making 2006 such a successful year for Rider Education. The Parking Lot Practices were very well attended. We had 20 plus bikes out to each session. I don't remember there ever being that large a turnout in previous years. Perhaps it suggests that more people are interested in honing their skills. Chapter AB-A put on two "Advanced Rider Courses. These courses were filled by new members wishing to advance their skills and repeated by other members who had taken the course before. It doesn't matter how many miles you have ridden or how many courses you have taken, you will always pick up new useful information and skills from these courses. Being the first CPR course to be offered by Chapter AB-A in many years, we had a great turnout this last spring, seventeen chapter members completed C.P.R training in two sessions. Currently, I have a list of 26 people who want to take part in a First Aid Course. However to date I have not been able to finalize dates with the Instructors. We may be able to set the courses for late November and early December, but be (Continued on page 7)

Wing Wag November, 2006 Page 7 (Continued from page 6) aware that times may not be in place until January or February, 2007. Those on my list will notified by email when everything is finalized.

I hope to see a large number of our members attend this seminar. Do not be confused by the term "Road Captain".

7 Wing Wag November, 2006 Page 7 (Continued from page 6) aware that times may not be in place until January or February, Those on my list will notified by when everything is finalized. There are a few things that had been planned for this year but will now have to wait until 2007 to be completed. The Road Captain Seminar will definitely be put on in the spring of I hope to see a large number of our members attend this seminar. Do not be confused by the term "Road Captain". This is simply a course to educate more riders in the whys and wherefores of group riding. The other item that will be put on in the New Year is a "Co-Rider Seminar" for our Co-Riders to advance to or to renew Level II of Rider Education. This is a must. I hope the same enthusiasm we saw for our courses and training this year will carry on into our 2007 riding season. As a side note: I would like to see more Chapter Members sign up for the Rider Education Program. Drive Safe We would rather talk to you than about you! Thanks, Wes Braden WW

$Wing Wag November, 2006 Page 8 (Continued from page 1) divided highways where the speeds of the approaching vehicles are even higher allowing scant fractions of a second to process and respond$ Waving to others traveling the same direction is very doable as I can see them coming from a long way off and in triplicate!

Waving to others traveling the same direction is very doable as I can see them coming from a long way off and in triplicate!

Once more the big black 8 ball" blocks the view ahead and even to the side unless I am leaning one way or the other; something one can only do for so long before it gets uncomfortable.

8 Wing Wag November, 2006 Page 8 (Continued from page 1) divided highways where the speeds of the approaching vehicles are even higher allowing scant fractions of a second to process and respond appropriately. I have found that the best chance I have to wave is to watch for my husband s left hand to drop from the handlebar as he waves. Waving to others traveling the same direction is very doable as I can see them coming from a long way off and in triplicate! A similar problem also applies to trying to point out features or creatures along the way. Once more the big black 8 ball" blocks the view ahead and even to the side unless I am leaning one way or the other; something one can only do for so long before it gets uncomfortable. By the time I see something worth pointing out it is long gone before I can even open my mouth to say, you re too late, we ve passed them. Frankly, there is absolutely no chance at all that I will ever utter the words deer hard right or Wolf at nine o clock as my eyes, brain, and mouth just don t seem to be able to work together fast enough. I think that my Rider, and others, may have to accept that while we Co- Riders have the best of intentions we also have little option but to look further into the woods than they can and that while the animals many be, as Don Martin writes, out of my scanning area. anything closer may very well be out of the Co- Riders scanning area. Just to keep things even in the, I never see them because department, if my husband tries to point out something interesting it is a virtual certainty that I will miss it completely. I am invariably looking in the opposite direction and the feature or creature is long gone because I can t respond quickly enough when told where to look, neither can I anticipate which way I should be looking. On our last ride I suggested a booster seat for me so I could see over the big black 8 ball but I am not sure I want to be that exposed to the flying protein and road detritus. The upshot of this whole sad story is that I think I may have to abdicate my final duty and any Co-Rider spotting duties more often than not. My Rider Motorbikes on the Avenue of the Giants and I will both have to accept that I am not the most dutiful Co-Rider around. However, it must said that I am REALLY enjoying the view from behind my big black 8 ball, perched upon our great white Gold Wing and I am looking forward to 16 days in that position enroute to San Francisco and back from September 14 to 30 of 2006 (more about that trip in the next newsletter). I just might have to paint the 8 in a white circle on the top of that helmet; I wouldn t want to obstruct the mirror function. Lisa Miller WW Writers Wanted If you have a story about your recent motorcycle adventures we would love to share it with the other GWRRA members by publishing your story in the Wing Wag. Please your stories to Lisa Miller at wing telus.net

9 Wing Wag November, 2006 Page 9 (Continued from page 2) The roads around Lake Tahoe, CA and to the north are awesome! We were about 30 minutes from Willow Creek, CA check point #2, but this is where the state troopers had closed the road due to a forest fire. We were instructed on the alternate route to Willow Creek and according to Garmin this would be a 3 to 4 hour detour, if we rode hard we d make it. What a road! It was a good thing we rode it during daylight, I could not imagine riding it in the dark and we knew a lot of riders would have to do just that. At 7:00 p.m. we left checkpoint #2 with our passports stamped and headed north. We arrived at Crescent City, CA at 11:00 p.m., the longest 4 hrs of my life. Never again will I ride a piece of road like that at night in the cold. By 6:15 a.m. we were back on the road ready for another awesome day of riding spectacular scenic roads. Then we hit smoke from another forest fire that was so thick it was hard to see and breathe. We arrived at The Dalles, OR check point #3 in the midafternoon. My riding buddy said, it s been an exhausting 2 ½ days of riding with you, we should call it an early day. I told him, It s only 700 kms to the finish and I m feeling good I m going to attempt it. We parted company and away I rode. This was quite an easy ride compared to the last 3500 kms. I was fueling up in Penticton, BC by 8:40 p.m. Sunday night, wow that was quite a ride, woke up in California, sleeping in BC. I ended up riding 4235 kms on the rally. I rode to Peachland for the night and passed out shortly after arriving, then rode back to Penticton Monday morning to get my TFC passport stamped for the finish. I was one of the first newbie s to get Oldest there Rider following the 90 years of age route and placed about 30 th in the rally. Instead of staying for the banquet Tuesday I headed for home. A total of 7295 kms, it was the hardest and most technical ride of my life including an Iron Butt I did this spring. The roads and scenery were unbelievable and the fellow riders were a great. I look forward to riding in the rally again next year Mexico/ Medicine Hat as a veteran who will be more prepared for the rapid changes in course and weather. Text by Terry Burrill Photos by Bob Quinlan WW

Should you wish to continue to run your ad for a second or succeeding month, you must resubmit or renew your ad. Deadline for submission is the 25th of the month preceding publication.

10 Wing Wag November, 2006 Page 10 Classified Ads The Classified ads are free to all members and associates of the GWRRA. While advertised items do not have to be Gold Wing related, we do insist that all ads pertain to motorcycling. Ads will appear on a space available basis for one month. Should you wish to continue to run your ad for a second or succeeding month, you must resubmit or renew your ad. Deadline for submission is the 25th of the month preceding publication. To post an ad or if the item is sold or the offer withdrawn, please contact Lisa Miller at: wing telus.net November December EVENT SCHEDULE DAY/DATE EVENT AB-A SPONSOR Mon, Nov 13 Monthly Meeting Sat, Nov 25 Christmas Party Jan 5-7, 2007 Calgary Motorcycle Show Friends for Fun, Safety, and Knowledge October 50/50 Winner Come ride with us...everyone Welcome! For the latest updates on what we are doing and where we re going, check out our website: GWRRA TOLL FREE NUMBER (CANADA & US) Holly Braden NATIONAL LEADERS Executive Director Melissa Nordeoff (623) Intentional Dir of Ops Jim Hodge (228) Natl Dirs for Cdn Ops Dennis & Yvonne Evans Natl Rider Ed Director Gordon Murphy (709) Region J Directors Ron & Carol Hodgson (403) District Directors Terry & Betty Collin (403) NOTE: addresses in this publication are displayed in a manner that will deter automatic address harvesting programs. This step is taken to reduce unsolicited to any addresses we post. We regret any inconvenience caused for our legitimate visitors. Remove all the spaces in the address to make it work.

Wing Wag November, 2006 Page 11 CALGARY AREA STAFF Chapter Directors Bob & Joanne Quinlan 271-5239 quinlan_rw @ accountant.com Treasurer Joy Somers 293-5134 jj somers @ shaw.

11 Wing Wag November, 2006 Page 11 CALGARY AREA STAFF Chapter Directors Bob & Joanne Quinlan accountant.com Treasurer Joy Somers jj shaw.ca Membership Enhancement Darryl Minsky Coordinator & Webmaster shaw.ca Monthly Meetings Monthly meetings are held on the 2nd Monday of each month. This is a time to share information and to meet old and new friends who like to ride together for FUN, Safety and Knowledge. See you at the next meeting at the Fox Hollow Golf Club, 9th Street and 32nd Avenue N.E. 6:30; Meeting at 7:00 PM. Social Coordinators Rose Perrin br telus.net & Sharon Sanders sanders telusplanet.net Quartermasters Jim & Dorothy Baker Ride Coordinator Phil Poirier paad shaw.ca Rider Education Wes Braden old goat shaw.ca Newsletter Editor Lisa Miller wing telus.net Rain, snow or shine, we meet for breakfast every Sunday morning about 9 AM. This is a great year round way to stay in touch with your GWRRA friends. So, if you have missed the opportunity to join us for breakfast recently, why don t you come on over to the Fox Hollow Golf Club, 9th Street and 32nd Avenue N.E. Michael Oram Agent/Advisor Cell: (403) 990-HOME {4663}

12 Wing Wag November, 2006 Page 12

Gold Wing Road Riders Association

Gold Wing Road Riders Association Chapter AB-A A (Calgary) Newsletter February, 2008 Wing Wag SWISS GUIDES COTTAGE AT LAKE LOUISE www.goldwingcalgary.com Text and Photos by Bob Van nes Each year I look