Gold Wing Road Riders Association Friends for FUN, Safety and Knowledge

Transcription

1 GWRRA Region N NC District Wake Forest Wings Gold Wing Road Riders Association Friends for FUN, Safety and Knowledge Chapter Gathering: The second Sunday of each month at Golden Corral located at: Capital Blvd., Wake Forest, NC Phone Map Chapter Director John Bryant director@wakeforestwings.org Eat at 5:00 PM Gather at 6:00 PM

2 Chapter Staff Assistant Chapter Directors Roger & Sue Turner Educator, André Eason Treasurer, John Rooney Membership Enhancement Joy & Glenn Kennedy Chapter Couple, Glenn & Joy Kennedy Newsletter Editor, Debra Lawler Chapter of the Year Coordinators Glenn & Joy Kennedy Webmasters, Rick Yost and Dolores Patterson Photographer, Debra Lawler Ways and Means (GWRRA Goodies) Roger & Dolores Patterson Care Bear, joy Kennedy Mark Your Calendar September 1: NC-C2 Smithfield September 5: NC-S2 Sanford September 9: Impromptu Ride September 10: Monthly Gathering September 12: NC-Z Rocky Mount September 14: NC-F2 Garner September 15: Xtoberfest Planning Meeting September 16: Aunt Ruby's Peanuts September WOTS Most rides depart from Cruizers Capital Blvd. Wake Forest, NC NOTE: Arrive for safety briefing 15 minutes before scheduled KSU In This Issue Page 3: From Your Chapter Director Page 3: Connect to District, Regional & National Page 4: From Your ACD Page 6: From Your MEC Coordinators Page 8: From Your COY Page 9: From Your MAC Page 10: IronHorse and Moon Pie Page 15: Gizmos and Gadgets Page 12: US and Candian Quilt Shop Hop Page 18: From Your Ride Coordinatior Page 19: From Your Educator - Look Twice TLC, Area Chapter Events, Birthdays, Anniversaries, NC-X Participation, Classified, Ads, NC-X Event Calendar NOTE: Support Our Advertisers! Let them know you saw their ad in the Wake Forest Wings, X Files. Ride & Motorist Awareness Coordinator, Brad Bradford RideCoordinator@WakeForestWings.org Page 2 of 26

3 From Your Chapter Director As I write this article several members are preparing for the trip to Wing Ding in Grapevine, TX. We wish for them a safe and fun trip. Later in the month many of us will be traveling to Wings Over the Smokies followed by the Myrtle Beach trip in October and Region N Finale in November. Certainly there will be many rides and events in between offering several opportunities for member s camaraderie and engagement. Over own X-toberFest is coming up Saturday, October 14th. We are asking all X members to donate a Door Prize and be prepared to volunteer your time and service at the event. This is our time to shine and show visiting Chapters and other attendees how we put on a fun event. Bring your door prizes to the September gathering or drop off with any staff member. Help support X-toberFest by inviting people to attend, especially other biker friends. Registration is only $10 and a barbecue lunch is included. X-toberFest replaces the October gathering. We are open to suggestions to help make X-toberFest a huge success so if you have ideals please let us know or better bring them to the next planning meeting. A few Reminders: 1) The Chapter is preparing a basket for WOTS and need donations. 2) Bring monies and stubs for your WOTS grand prize tickets to September gathering or return all unsold tickets. 3) NC-X volunteers are working Registration at WOTS, Thursday 9/28 from 12 noon to 5:00 PM. Until Next Month "Ride Safe and Have Fun ". John ~ e NEWSLETTER Page 3 of 30 Click below and read Newsletters from: North Carolina District Region N, and GWRRA Insight

4 Wake Forest Wings Chapter NC-X Wake Forest, North Carolina From Your Assistant Chapter Directors Lost Forms and Still Here Well, the South African Consulate lost one of the forms we had to turn in for our visa. I have the UPS tracking number and can show when/where the form was delivered (July 6, 2017 to SA Consulate in NYC), but the consulate claims they can t find the form It would have been nice if they would have told me this several weeks ago. I tried for weeks to contact them, but they don t answer phone/phone mail, or . Anyway, we had to resubmit the form. The problem is that this form needs to be sent to South Africa for approval, and it must be approved before the visa approval process can start. So, we are still waiting. Recently I visited a friend who is a motorcycle fanatic. He owns close to 50 motorcycles, most if not all are antique bikes. He owns a couple 1940ish Indian and Harley motorcycles. Many of the bikes were found in someone s barn, given to him, and he personally restored them. Each bike runs, is licensed, and has it s own nickname. His prize bike is a 1954 Vincent Black Shadow (see picture). He rides this bike once a year to an antique motorcycle gathering, and it is always a hit! While I was visiting him, another friend of his stopped by. This friend is a writer for a motorcycle magazine. He had a Zero DSR motorcycle that he was test riding and writing a review on. The bike can travel over 100 miles on a single charge. It was definitely not anything I would want to ride long distance, but for city riding might be something to consider. Page 4 of 30 Roger and Sue Turner

5 If you have read through my article, it is time for a bit of fun. Below are 10 truths for many people over 50. Do any apply to you? 1. My goal for 2017 was to lose just 10 pounds. Only 15 more to go! 2. I ate salad for dinner! It was mostly croutons & tomatoes. Really just one big, round, flat crouton covered with tomato sauce. And cheese, FINE, it was a pizza. I ate a pizza. 3. How to prepare Tofu: a. Throw it in the trash. b. Grill some meat. 4. I just did a weeks worth of cardio after walking into a spider web. 5. I don t mean to brag, but... I finished my 14-day diet in 3 hours and 20 minutes. 6. A recent study has found that women who carry a little extra weight live longer than men who mention it. 7. Kids today don t know how easy they have it. When I was young I had to walk 9 feet through shag carpet to change the TV channel. 8. I may not be that funny or good looking or talented... I forgot where I was going with this. 9. I love being over 50. I learn something new every day..and forget 5 others. 10. I think I ll just put an Out of Order sticker on my forehead and call it a day. 11. Senility has been a smooth transition for me. Special Invite to All.. Reminder: Write an article and submit to me at Editor@WakeForestWings.org for a chance to win a neat prize at our next monthly gathering. You must be present to be awarded the prize. Happy Reading! Debra K. Lawler Page 5 of 30

6 From Your MEP Coordinators NC IN the CROSSHAIRS! This month Dorothy Richards is the one caught in the crosshairs of my GWRRA scope. Looking through the sight, I find a woman who steels herself when difficulty comes her way. She does not back down just because the path becomes problematic, instead she becomes determined to persevere. Her steeled determination is matched by her forthrightness and both are balanced by her love and fun-loving spirit. And these, dear readers, are the very attributes that were necessary in founding NC-X! As was noted last month, she and Goose were part of the Maryland contingent that migrated, albeit independently, to the triangle area here in lovely NC. Their friends had come down and were attending gatherings at the Garner chapter that interestingly included the new Garner Chapter Couple, a couple who also migrated from Maryland. Besides Fred and Judy Haynes, there were Rosy and Sandy Rosenthal, and Linda and Paul Trahan. Dorothy and Goose and several members of their Maryland Chapter joined other Maryland transplants at Wing Ding in South Carolina. Still reveling in the high of a fun filled weekend with great friends, Goose casually suggested he and Dorothy might skirt through Wake Forest on their way home (at that time still Maryland). They were instantly attracted to the area. Since Dorothy had retired for the second time and Goose was working from home as a Day Trader, jobs didn t tie them to the greater DC area. They decided to build their retirement home in Wake Forest. Once again, they enjoyed frequent rides with their old friends from Maryland as well as their new friends in other chapters in NC and new associates from the Wake Forest area. Life was indeed good--- except for one thing: the rides to the Garner and other Chapter gatherings were at night and during the week. This meant: 1) there would not be a group ride following the chapter gathering which they were accustomed to having and which had made it easy for many members to participate; 2) rush hour traffic -- something they had hoped to leave behind in Maryland; and 3) dusk riding -- the very time that deer accidents most often happen in this heavily deer populated area. Dorothy and Goose as GWRRA officers at the Chapter and District Level in Maryland believed rider and co-rider safety should be paramount. These Maryland folks preferred day riding for safety s sake. In fact, this was so significant that as deer season approached (i.e. October), there began some murmurings about starting a new chapter. District got ear of these murmurings and said, No way Jose! The murmurings continued, and suggestions were repeatedly picked up by District as rumblings. But the answer remained the same. Undeterred by District s initial response and armed with much determination, Goose and Dorothy deliberately and willfully placed themselves right in the crosshairs.their determination was based on the belief that if you don t ask then you won t get what you want. They filled the next five months with focused action. Page 6 of 30

7 First the Maryland contingent united in a cohesive commitment and invited some of their new friends to join them, giving evidence there's enough support for a stand-alone chapter in the Wake Forest area, without recruiting any members from the surrounding chapters memberships. Dorothy and Goose did however, recruit new members: instead of looking to other local chapters, they turned to the Gold Book and called the local people who were not affiliated with a chapter. They researched the web, seeking knowledge of all GWRRA requirements to begin a new chapter. They needed people, officers and a commitment to support a charity.filling the slate of officers was no problem but dealing with the expected financial gift to the O Berry Center which they were told was mandatory was problematic. Because of some past experience with raising funds for charities that turned out to be not so honest, and because they did not want their chapter to have to have a yearly fund raiser, they decided that rather than a cash contribution from the chapter, an individual free-will contribution of clothing or other gifts would be an appropriate solution. Ultimately, a formal proposal for initiating a new chapter was hatched and presented. In February, the naysayers, unbeknownst to them, faced death by power point chart. The District Directors endured this comprehensive presentation that droned on meticulously, showing the details of how every single criterion had been met, including the plans for a phenomenal kickoff that rivaled many mini rallies in attendance and in fun. (In fact, NC-X still employs, at X-toberfest, the race track Goose and others built for this kick-off.) Yes, District did agree to shoot the application upstream to National. In the meanwhile, Dorothy and Goose, and others continued riding with their GWRRA friends. In due course, Dorothy and Goose received word of approval from National and the first bona fide NC-X chapter gathering was held at the fun kick off at Hill Ridge Farms in Youngsville on July 27, Check out the pictures of the two of them dressed as babies, sans the diapers, beside the stork, signifying the birth of a new chapter (and the other pics of the various costumes they sported at differing times, winning several contests). Dorothy has kindly posted these pictures and this power point presentation on the scrapbook page of NC-X website under the photos tab Scrapbook-Sect-1-3.pdf The Richards gave solid leadership to NC-X for several years thereafter, but seasons change and life moves on, as did the Richards. They now live in Durham and Dorothy currently volunteers as a Guardian Ad Litem, where she gets caught in the crosshairs between social services, the justice system and the parents while lovingly defending children in family court. (In fact, I'd say, Dorothy is quite familiar with being in, and does an excellent job in the crosshairs, and this IS a complement as far too many of us melt in those same crosshairs!) These recent changes continue to keep Dorothy and Goose very busy. Though not as active in NC-X as they once were, they still consider NC-X their chapter and we very much appreciate their hard work during those ten months and their subsequent tenure, as well as their continued love and support today. Dorothy remains committed to rider safety and she retains the view that each and every member of GWRRA has a responsibility to have fun and to find their inner child. Here s to you Dorothy Richards! Joy & Glenn Kennedy Page 7 of 30

8 From Your Chapter Couple of the Year KNOCK...KNOCK NOBODY HOME Joy and I had long ago planned our visitations to non-eastern chapters. Albemarle was on our calendar for Thursday, August 10th. The ride was over 2 ¼ hours down US #1 South and then Hwy 24 & 28 to Albemarle. Hwy 24 & 28 are just the kind of back roads that I love to ride on. Although it was a hot afternoon we really enjoyed our ride down to Albemarle. Chapter NC-T2 Lake Tillery Wings eats at 6:30 pm at the Blue Bay Family Seafood Restaurant. As we pulled into the parking lot almost exactly on time I noticed that there were no Goldwings in the parking lot. However, I dismissed that clue as it was indeed a hot and humid August afternoon and there are many of us that will not ride in such heat. Especially for a short ride in town to a Gathering. Blue Bay Family Seafood is a wonderful restaurant with a beautiful mirrored wall of water cascading from ceiling to floor as you walk in the front door. The lady at the counter was obviously very familiar with the Goldwing s as the recognition immediately shown on her face or was it shock. She sadly informed us what I was already afraid of there was no Goldwing meeting this evening. Albemarle was having a special Saturday event that weekend (Ride for Tots) and had cancelled their regular monthly meeting for August. I know I know! That is what the District website is for looking to see if a chapter has cancelled or moved their meeting date or time before riding all the way there only to wind up eating alone. Lesson learned the hard way. Joy & Glenn Kennedy Page 8 of 30

9 From Your Motorist Awareness Coordinator Brad Bradford During my trip to Wing Ding 39 in Grapevine, Texas, I went a week early in order to spend time with friends and family on the way there. Most of my ride was very pleasant as I spent one night with a cousin in Atlanta then the next night with some fellow GWRRA members recently relocating from Rockford, IL to Huntsville, AL. Leaving Atlanta, I took US Highway 737 instead of the Interstate which turned out to be one of the best decisions I could have made. Most of the way to Huntsville was via this highway and the temperature stayed in the low 70s to mid-80s. I will share more details about the trip in a later article but I wanted to shine light on one particular incident I had while making my way to San Antonio, Texas. My trip was mostly uneventful weather wise. That is, until I got to Texas. On I10 leaving Houston, I encountered a major downpour (no, not from hurricane Harvey) and I was on a section of the highway that was under construction so lane markings weren t very good and the road surface had been grated. This rain was very sudden and extreme and there was no safe place to pull off. Traffic was heavy and no one seemed to be particularly sorry for the stupid motorcyclist riding in the rain. If you had encountered a similar circumstance, what would you have done? What I did was move to the shoulder, turned my flashers on, and slowly made my way to the next exit where I got off the bike. I have to tell you, it was frightening but I saw no other option. My thought process was to do whatever I could to make myself as visible as possible which is why I turned on my flashers. The frightening ride to the next exit last slightly more than 2 miles. Bottom line is that you should always have a strategy for mitigating various circumstances while riding and interacting with other highway users. This might not have been the option that you would have chosen but it was the one that felt was best for me at that time. Fortunately, I made it safely to the next exit and waited out the rain before getting back on the road. Until next month, Safe Riding! Brad Page 9 of 30

10 IronHorse and Moon Pie We are in the NC mountains for our 45th anniversary who d believe that Glenn would hang with me that long and longer (hopefully)? It s a perfect day for us; it starts out at the IronHorse Motorcycle Lodge, in Stecoah, NC, and is our favorite motorcycle hangout. I think it was in 2009 shortly after Glenn bought his first Goldwing that we discovered this wonderful haven, and boy, were we impressed. We've been impressed ever since, even as we watched this wonderful resort grow and expand throughout the ensuing years. The day here begins with a hot breakfast served on site. (They also serve dinner.) I linger at the table over my Bible study while Glenn is delighted to have a short morning ride through the beautiful mountains in western Carolina. Today, however, is actually an unusual event: IronHorse is serving their first lunch. And we want to share in this momentous occasion with John and Charlene Powell, owners of IronHorse. After a delightful lunch of burgers and dogs, Glenn and I reminisce over their dessert: mini moon pies. My last moon pie must ve been when I was seven or eight years old. And I couldn t eat the whole thing. But today s choice was mini sized-- just perfect. After these grilled eats many of the guests exited to the lawn with chairs, blankets, towels, cameras, gooky glasses, insect repellent and all kinds of paraphernalia. The weather is perfect for just such an occasion. We were gathered to watch a giant moon pie get devoured, one bite at a time. The rambling creek and lush greenery provide the perfect environment for this outdoor feast. Looking around you notice that some guests settle in with their brew and others with their bottles but all have those gooky glasses IronHorse so generously offered to all their guests. Although chocolate and vanilla mini moon pies were served with lunch, we find the giant moon pie is yellow--might it have been lemon? Page 10 of 30

11 Then it begins: the first bite into that yellow pie and we all begin murmuring, encouraging those not yet settled to hurry along. The second bite occurs very slowly, almost inconspicuously and then the third and the fourth. It's been a bit of time, maybe even an hour and we notice that the pie now is crescent shaped. Some people begin complaining this is taking longer than I thought while others seek respite from the almost 90-degree heat in the air conditioning inside. Meanwhile that giant moon pie is continually getting smaller and smaller. And barely perceptible, the temperature began dropping, the most gentle breeze began wafting without disturbing a single leaf or a single blade of grass. The temp actually dropped ten degrees in the two hours it took for the giant moon pie to be completely devoured, and darkness stealthily overtakes our meadow. After a few moments, a spotlight dispels the darkness, and we discover the giant yellow pie wasn t actually consumed, the heat begins returning and the wind stops blowing. Yet this was a truly awesome experience, one I'll never forget. Did you miss this pie in the sky (aka eclipse)? Fear not there will be another April 8, 2024, but you might have to travel a little further than we did to experience this natural phenomenon. Wanna plan a bike trip, this time to see the brilliant diamond ring in the sky? Photos by Adam Kennedy Joy Kennedy Page 11 of 30

12 US and Canadian Quilt Shop Hop Well, the August, 2017 trip is over and we are home safe and sound. 3,000 miles in 13 days via North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York, Ontario (Canada,) Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia Virginia again, and back through North Carolina to home. This trip was about 75% back roads, mountain roads, country roads and small town roads, with only about 25% on high speed roads. Sandie spent almost 2 months designing this trip and it was worth every minute she spent. The trip was planned around going from one Quilt store to another Quilt store as well as meeting up with 26 of our riding friends from all over the east coast of the USA in Brampton, Ontario, Canada, for a 1 day, 240 mile, ride in that area hosted by one of our friends. As Chapter X riders, you understand what it means to travel from North Carolina to Brampton, Ontario, Canada, for a ride. That is what we do...we RIDE! More about the ride shortly. As a point of reference, over the last several months, I have written several articles about riding and being ready for rides. Included in this adventure are things that directly relate to these articles. Good, Bad or just things that happen, they are included. Feel free to laugh out loud if you recognize some of these adventures happening to you along the way. Before the trip, we packed, repacked and checked if we really needed what we packed. Then, we checked to see if everything would fit on the bikes and still allow room to pick things up along the way. Sandie told me I pack Waaaayyy Tooooo Much junk and the kitchen sink had to go! In preparing for the trip, I chose to replace my motorcycle with a new to me 2006 Gold Wing. Not a bad idea, but not really smart as I did this just 2 weeks before we left home. This is our 6th Gold Wing and I thought I knew everything I needed to know about Gold Wings from prior experience. DO NOT DO THIS! Murphy's law of if it can go wrong, it will go wrong bit me in the butt a few times along the way. I obtained a new Trauma rated first aid kit, CPR mask and extra cold packs and they take up 1/3 of the trunk. My box of tools, fuses, zip ties, electrical tape, bug spray and the like takes up another ¼ of trunk. Add my shaving kit, and computer, summer gloves, cool weather gloves, colder weather gloves and my camera, dry the bike wipes and miscellaneous things and the trunk was full. I really should have listened to Sandie and left some of the zip ties at home. Page 12 of 30

13 The first part of our trip started well. We rode some great country farm roads from north of Oxford/Clarksville into Virginia. Farm land, corn crops on one side and soy bean crops on the other. Farms dotted the landscape as far as my eyes could see. Mile after mile with little traffic or stop signs. Just sweeping vistas. Riding along with Sandie is really a magnificent experience for me and over the years it has led to a comfort level as each of our riding styles complement the other's. Other than directions or look at that here and there, not much was said over the CB radio. The new to me bike was not yet equipped with my GPS and I was totally reliant on Sandie having the route and leading the way. Riding blind would be a good analogy. This worked well for us and Sandie got us to all our destinations without any problems, including, but not limited to, home. We stopped on our first night somewhere in Virginia. It was an old, 1960s(ish) motel that still is used as a trucker stop. Coffee was sold at the gas station 3 doors down. The room was clean, but not much more than a bed and bathroom. Breakfast was a McDonald's down the street. We rode north through more farm country and into some sweeping turns and rolling hills. Small towns dotted the landscape along with Quilt shops which we stopped at for Sandie to get the free pattern for this, that or the other. This went on for all the second day until we stopped at a hotel near State Collage in Pa. We met with two of our riding friends there for dinner. In the morning, we split up and they went straight to Brampton, Ontario and we went off to more Quilt Shops...did I tell you that we were going to several Quilt Shops? More rolling hills through Pa with farms along the way. These were old farms steeped in history. Many have more than one barn. One of the barns looked like it could fall down at any moment, old, gray wood with planks missing on the sides and roof. A newer looking barn was placed near by the old one. The newer one was generally painted barn red and looked a little more stable. Many of the old and new barns are decorated with some type of advertisement for chewing tobacco or some type of gas station or oil brand. We just rode on by towards our next stop. At our last Quilt Shop stop in New York, we stopped at Theo's diner. While there, our server told us that we could stay there for a while as a major storm was coming our way. Looking out the windows, we noticed the trees were blowing around and bending in ways that looked nasty. We decided to stay put for a little bit. The server told us that the storm went up through New York and beyond, but would be a while until we got caught up in the rain. WRONG, rain started to come down sideways. I ran out to the bikes and got our jackets and helmets off the bikes and brought them inside. The rain slowed down and we went out to get our rain gear and while doing so, the rain came back in earnest. Grabbing our rain gear, we ran back into Theo's and waited a while for the storm to abate. Nope, did not happen. We were able to get our gear on and head out towards the USA/Canadian boarder crossing in the rain. Page 13 of 30

14 Along the way, we had to pull off the side of the road for a moment and I put on the 4 way flashers. When it was time to go, I tried to turn off the flashers and the switch would not return to it's normal, not on, position. I ended up riding for several hours with the 4 way flashers operating. At the boarder, we waited 30 minutes for our turn to enter Canada. Sandie went first and had no issue. I went next and found out that my passport that was locked in the front lock pocket on the Wing was not opening. Remember Murphy! No matter what I did, the pocket would not open. Sandie and I were sent over to another area to meet with other boarder agents. After working with the boarder agents and verifying that I have a passport, we were on our way in the rain. What else could go wrong? Rain, rain, rain, and more rain...almost 5 hours of pouring down rain from New York to almost Toronto. Four way flashers did not matter during this time. We slowed down some but would have been run over if we slowed down too much more. Finally, the rain stopped about 1 hour before Brampton and the road cleared to dry. We got into the hotel in Brampton just as the rest of the group was finishing dinner. After saying hello to friends, we went over to Tim Horton's for our dinner of coffee and donuts. One of our friends and I worked on the 4 way flasher issue on the bike. We took the part off the bike, opened the rear and was able to pry the plunger apart from the electrical contact to dis-engage the flasher. Will not turn that flasher on again. The next day we rode the area with our friends. Lots of rolling hills. Miles and miles of straight roads with hills that looked like the back of a dinosaur. Mixed into the straight roads were curves, farms, villages and electric windmills. The sun bounced off the windmills and village buildings giving the look of a new day coming. The temperatures dipped into the it is cold zone, so I turned on the heated grips and seats that came with the new to me bike. Neither the seats or grips heaters worked. I stayed cool. Thankfully, I had layers to wear. Murphy strikes again. Wonderful ride. Riding with friends takes an understanding that we all do not think or ride the same way. Respect allows us to ride our own ride with others. It is a challenge, but it does work. The host of the ride held a BBQ picnic at the end of the ride at their daughter's home and we all sat around talking about the day and future rides along the East Coast and back in Canada. Can't wait for the next ride. Breakfast the next day was again at Tim Horton's. After which Sandie and I left the group and headed north and west towards Sudbury, Ontario. Canada for the night. We took the split to the old Trans Canada Highway along the foot hills and valleys above the great lakes. Single lane roads each way at highway speed with passing lanes about every 25 miles. Mile after mile we rode on over the hills and curves surrounded by trees, lakes and ponds. Around 200 miles before we arrived at Sudbury, I was passing a slow 18 wheeler when 5th gear gave out. The bike lost all forward power, metal on metal grinding and the tach registered near 6,000 rpm. Murphy struck again. After slowing down, I was able to down shift into 4th gear and the bike was fine. 5th gear was lost for the trip with over 2,000 miles to go. Page 14 of 30

15 . Knowing the capability of the Gold Wing, I was not that worried about the ability to get home, but was worried about the cost to fix the bike. The rest of the trip included me counting gears so I did get into what was left of 5th gear and do any more damage. The bike ran well in 4th gear, although I was going a little slower and tried not to exceed 3,500 to 3,800 rpms. Travel through the mountains and foot hills with all the curves and swoops for hundreds of miles continued on. 25 miles before Sudbury. The rail clouds got real dark and we stopped to put on rain suits. The rains hit and we drove into town in a driving rain. We stopped at our hotel and found that a Perkins restaurant was part of the hotel and we did not have to go out in the rain for dinner or breakfast. YEA! We left Sudbury and went on to Suite Ste. Marie to enter back into the USA. Remember my passport was locked in the front pocket of the wing? It was still there. We had told the Canadian boarder agents of our plan to enter back at Suite Ste. Marie and they had entered my information into the shared computer data system for USA/Canada system. I was granted entry back into the USA without issue. We were off to the Mackinac Bridge and Cheboygan, U.P., Michigan for our next stop. The motel was a 50's strip single level. Clean, wifi, with electrical outlets that were extension cords. We walked into town (about a mile down the road,) for Dairy Queen. We discovered that many of the businesses in town had Barn Quilts in the windows. As it turned out, 53 stores in town had the Barn Quilts. We enjoyed our (motorcycle) ice cream stop and walked back to get ready for the next day. Sandie had discovered an article about an area of the U. P. of Michigan that Ernest Hemingway had traveled a lot when he was in the area. She created a 200 mile route that followed Hemingway's travels. We left the next morning for the Hemingway trail route. Following the route took us though more small towns, forest covered streets, curves and sweepers and past the world's largest cherry pie (14 feet across) in front of a fire house. I thought they should have had the largest donut, but that is a police thing. We parked our bikes next to Lake Michigan and Sandie stuck her hand into the water. Off we went down the forest covered roads that were a series of pot holes and frost heaves bouncing the bikes around. Speed was not an option. We made it back to our motel for the night. NOTE: you may have noticed that I use the terms motel and hotel. A motel is a place were the room doors exit to the outside and a hotel is a place were the doors exit into a hallway. We left the motel and rode the two lane road next to Lake Huron. Winding along the way, flat land curves with trees along the way giving small peeks at the lake. Every so often there was a pull off to look at the lake and the sail boats using the wind to travel about. Very peaceful and I was reminded just how big the great lakes really are as I could not see the other side of the lake. Page 15 of 30

16 We ended the trip in Saginaw, Michigan and stopped at a hotel for the night. Our plan was to eat dinner and wash clothes. Remember Murphy? The upscale hotel we stopped at did not have and laundry machines. We ate dinner and went to bed shortly thereafter. Prior planning had us ready with another day's worth of clean clothes for times just like this one. Leaving Saginaw, we traveled south into Ohio. More wonderful farm country. Miles of corn fields, horse and cow pastures and country curvy roads with an occasional stop sign. Just who in their right mind would put a STOP sign on a perfectly great motorcycle road? Ohio was a great ride and we stopped at Sandie's brother and sister-in-law's house for a few days to visit and r & r. While there, Sandie's brother Steve and I (he did most of the work) got the volt meter and the heated seat to work. We went over the entire new to me bike and identified things that needed to be fixed. I have been ing information about the status of things that were issues with the new to me bike to the dealership and added the new items and repaired items to the list. (update, I was able to deliver the bike to the dealership and they were waiting for me with full knowledge of what had transpired. Great feeling!) We hung out with Steve and Bonita (his wife,) for a few days. Relaxing, talking and heading out to Iron Pony Motorcycle stuff store near Columbus, Ohio. On the way back we stopped at Young's Dairy for home made ice cream...oh my, so good! On Sunday, we spent time at an outdoor concert at the park across the street from their home. Great time. What a nice weekend with great folks. Both of them are long time riders who are part of GWRRA in Ohio. We started home going south along the small towns, farms and back roads until getting to the Carl Perkins ( Country singer ) bridge into Kentucky. Followed back roads and farm land until we got to the intersection of West Virginia's rte 64 and 77. Went south to rte 52 and into Mount Airy of Mayberry fame. After which we stopped in Wytheville, Va., for the night. Went home from Wytheville stopping at the Blue Ribbon Diner in Burlington, NC for lunch. Along the way during the entire trip, Sandie and I stopped at many Quilt shops to pick up patterns and quilt kits to be worked on sometime in the future. The folks at the shops were a wonderful, happy folks and a true pleasure to meet and do business with. All in all, we had a great time. Looking forward to next years major ride. Rosy Rosenthal Charter Chapter Member Page 16 of 30

17 Some members of the NC-X and GWRRA family need a little Tender Loving Care. Please keep these folks in your prayers and transmit all of your positive energy their way. Mike Humphries, Jan Humphries, Debbie Kearney, Teddy Harding, John Bryant Wedding Anniversaries GWRRA Anniversary Birthdays Rick Crawford Teddy Harding Rosy Rosenthal Dorothy Richards John Rooney Roger Turner Bob Richards Brendex Renea Floyd Tarail Flotesha Renea Flotrisha Renea Meeks Roger Patterson Ray and Diane Brinker Brad Bradford Kimberly and Alana Towles James and Debra Lawler Page 17 of 30

18 From Your Ride Coordinator The NC-X has/had so many riding activities during the month of August not the least of which was Wing Ding 39 in Grapevine, Texas. All the participants in that rally from NC-X will likely provide a synopsis of their journey there and back in the next newsletter, as will I. In addition to Wing Ding 39, there were several trips to other chapters throughout NC. So, we now gear up for Wings Over Smokies in late September, Xtoberfest in mid-october, and Myrtle Beach in late October. I mentioned in last month s article that the beautiful falls in Transylvania County, NC and wouldn t you know, the same information was featured in the most recent Wing World magazine. Isn t it great to know that others also feel that a ride that you recommend is also recommended by someone in a national magazine? That certainly helps to validate the information. As I mentioned, there are more than 250 falls in the county and one of the more famous is in the DuPont State Recreational Forest. That s a popular destination for Hunger Game fans. The covered bridge at High Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and Triple Falls made for dramatic backdrops for many scenes in the blockbuster film. Here s a link to a tour of the falls: waterfalltour&rlz=1c1chbf_enus705us705&oq=transylvania +countywaterfalls&aqs=chrome.3.69i57j0l j0j8&sourceid=chrome&ie=utf-8. Also Looking Glass Falls is another beautiful destination which is named for the reflective layer of ice that forms in the winter. You ll also find the highest waterfall in the eastern U.S. Often called King of Waterfalls, the 411-foot Whitewater Falls is a designated North Carolina Natural Heritage area. Newsflash! It s September and if it s September, that means Kim s Vineyards is now open for the season. Those who rode there with me a couple of years ago can attest to the fun ride and the enjoyment of picking your own Muscadine grapes. Kim tells you while there you can eat as many as you want but you certainly can t eat them all. Get a basket and pick to your heart s content then bring them home for making wine, canning, making jelly/jam, or just for snacking! They are delicious. Look for a ride announcement for both a weekday and weekend ride. Until next month, safe riding Brad Page 18 of 30

19 From Your Educator Look Twice Save a life Now that you're aware of your visual blind spot, what about the one in your mind? Everyone has a blind spot in each eye. That's one reason _ motorists kill or cripple...-~ thousands of people on motorcycles every year. And yet, your eyes aren't the only places with blind spots. Because you're used to looking for cars - and don't expect a motorcycle -you may not see it even with it's headlights on. And even if you do see it, you can't tell how far away it really is, because a motorcycle is so much smaller than a car. So look for motorcycles before you pull out. Then don't believe yourself. Stop as if a cycle were already there. Look again. Because when you least expect it, it will be. Look Twice. Save a life. Motorcycles are everywhere Andre Page 19 of 30

20 The X Files August 2017 Saturday 7/29 Couples Retreat Glenn and Joy Kennedy Tuesday 8/1 NC-C2 Smithfield Gathering John Bryant Glenn and Joy Kennedy Roger and Sue Turner and Mom Andre Eason Tuesday 8/3 NC-D Greenville Gathering John Bryant Tuesday 8/8 NC-Z Rocky Mount Gathering Saturday 7/29 Team Power Sports James and Debra Lawler Andre Eason Jimmy Broadway Rosy and Sandi Rosenthal Sunday 8/13 X-Gathering John Bryant Brad Bradford John Rooney James and Debra Lawler Glenn and Joy Kennedy Roger and Sue Turner and mom Teddy Harding, Deborah Kearney Jimmy and Beth Broadway Glenn and Joy Kennedy Tuesday 8/15 NC-E Cary Gathering Glenn and Joy Kennedy Wing Ding 39 Brad Bradford James and Debra Lawler Glenn and Joy Kennedy Thursday 8/15 NC-F2 Garner Gathering John Bryant Glenn and Joy Kennedy Sunday 8/27 NC- K2 Fayetteville Gathering John Bryant OK-X and Xavier Page 20 of 30

21 NC-N Burlington Toys-For-Tots Toy Collection November 18, 2017 Registration 10:00 AM Ride to start at 11:00 AM weather permitting Cost of Registration & Lunch is an unwrapped toy American Legion Building - Post West Clay Street Mebane, NC Chapter NC-N is joining forces with Riley s Bike & Trike and the American Legion Post 95 of Mebane in an effort to gather toys for children in Alamance and Orange County. Lunch will be from 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM with our November gathering starting at 1:00 PM. Page 21 of 30

22 X-Toberfest 2017 Capital Power Sports, Star Road, Wake Forest NC Saturday October 14, :00 A.M. - 2:00 P.M. Tricycle Races -1 st Place $$$ Cash Prize Tricycle Obstacle Course - 1 st Place ~ Tickets~ for each event or 2 for ~ r ~ Matchbox Car Races - ~ to Winner, {Cars $5) Auctions for O' Berry Center - Hoops Door Prizes - Grand Prizes -Wet T-Shirts Monthly Gathering starts at 1:00 PM Today Only - 20% off " In-Stock" Gold Wing Accessories & 20% off Service Installation at CPS for X-toberfest attendees Grand Prizes - Set of Tires - 2 Helmets Tickets $1 Pre-Registration $10 - On-Site Registration $10 Registration Includes a Barbegue lunch, 3 Game & 1 Grand Prize Tickets For more information, please contact John Bryant, or John Rooney There will be a Pre-Registration Drawing for $25 Registration Form I/WE AGREE TO HOLD HARMLESS THE GWRRA, THE CO-SPONSORING ORGANIZATIONS, AND ANY PROPERTY OWNER FOR ANY LOSS OR INJURY TO SELF OR PROPERTY BY REASON OF PARTICIPATION IN THIS EVENT. Rider Name Co-Rider Name Chapter or Organization Chapter or Organization Pre-Registrations X $10.00 = On-Site Registration $10.00 = 12 and under Free Admission Please make checks payable to "GWRRA NC-X" The Release Form must be signed by all registrants and returned along with payment to John Rooney, 1312 Lagerfeld Way, Wake Forest, NC PRE REGISTER FOR ENTRY INTO $25 DRAWING - PRE-REGISTRATION ENDS 10/07/17 Page 22 of 30

23 Wake Forest Wings, NC-X Calendar September Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesd ay Thursday Friday Saturday :00 am NC- S2 Sanford :30pm NC-C2 Smithfield Chapter visit Cruizers 5:30 PM 6 7 6:30pm NC- D Greenville NC-A Greensboro 8 9 Impromptu Ride 10 Monthly Gathering Golden Coral 5:00 PM :30pm NC-Z Rocky Mount :30pm NC- H2 Durham 6:30 NC-F2 Garner 15 X-tober Fest Planning Meeting 16 Aunt Ruby Peanuts Enfield NC Breakfast Ride 9:00 AM Impromptu Ride 6:3pm NC-E Cary 24 12:30pm NC-K2 Fayetteville Wings NC-X Work Registration 12:00 5:00 29 Over the 30 Smokies Birthdays this month Rick Crawford Teddy Harding Rosy Rosenthal Dorothy Richards John Rooney Page 23 of 30 Birthdays this month Roger Turner Bob Richards Anniversaries this month

24 NC-X Classified Buy Sell Trade Hartco Custom Seat with approx. 7K miles. Bought at WD in Fit GL Paid $1200 selling for $650 or Best Reasonable Offer LED fog lights with switch for GL1800 Goldwing $120 For information or to purchase any of the these items Contact John Bryant Backrest for GL1800 Goldwing New Never installed $160 Page 24 of 30

25 Support All Our Advertisers Capital Blvd., Wake Forest NC '\.. I., f ' ~ '...,. ' I,, ~-,.. ~~ ; '-!_ ' ',. ~-411 '",ii 6 t n I' ' - I I I I - Ill-' " J Page 25 of 30

26 Support All Our Advertisers Home > Life> A FREE ESTIMATES 15 YEARS Of5elllVICf ', t. L Tll,~ lie Coramit TUt: GhilssBlocb Marble Steven Wood 1252) : Rick Synthetics Nationwide is on your side Dawn A. Gooch, Offiot Ml._ i.,,ry Mite~ Jc ncv 406-A US Hp,v 1 Youngsville. NC l'llono (91.tl fax (8SS12Bo-5050.WO.dcl~wldt.toffl -. ~ -,-..,,.~--~-, ~. - _,J -, ~._., ~e:::j 'r,-1 -.) m--: :,' DON' T' USE~ ljst ANY Oil..~ MAKE SURE (Tt S OFFICIAL. ~ 1'IIE FORKS Cafeteria & Catering C/11.uk Snmhcrn F<ll't Keo.1aurant: ~ David Greenwell E'iu: owner C n: 919,270,2746 dh \' id@tbt:=f Offt.! cuf t(l'fl tt.colll Page 26 of 30

27 Support All Our Advertisers Page 23 of 26 Page 27 of 30

28 Support All Our Advertisers BF/EWER CYCLES tr: / _,, r,..1 ' I _. 1 ~ - r 1 c. I,. A --A -.. 1w 0~~-~ -& cui~! -._, TEAM POWERSPORTS 222 US 70 Eart GamB, NC (919) Sales-Parts - S«vice Home of the Goldwing Cafe 10% OFF Goldwing Accessories Free lnrtallation of *most* Parts Page 28 of 30

29 Thank You to our Sponsors. T.ank OU. Please support our sponsors when you are in need of the Products and Services they provide. Your Ad Could Go Here! Wake Forest Wings (GWRRA Chapter NC-X) is located in Wake Forest, NC. Our Newsletter is circulated to a diverse group of people all over North Carolina and is also sent to the Region staff that resides in North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Tennessee and Kentucky. In addition, your advertising will appear on the Chapter s website ( The advertising rates listed below are for 12 consecutive months 12 issues and can be modified anytime without additional charges. Business card - $25.00 One quarter page - $50.00 One half page - $75.00 Full page - $ Please contact newsletter editor, at editor@wakeforestwings.org Page 29 of 30

30 . Deputy Director National Team Bob & Nan Shrader Appalachian Region Region N Team Directors Region N Glenda & Alan Keough g.keough@live.com Director of GWRRA Ray & Sandi Garris director@gwrra.org Rider Education Bob & Althea Berry director-re@gwrra.org Director Of Training Clara Bolt toledotriker@gmail.com Membership Enhancement Larry & Penny Anthony mepgwrra@gmail.com North Carolina District Team District Directors Cindy & Roy Bryant rcbryant@suddenlink.net Assistant Directors, East Austin & Peggy Gauthier austing@mac.com peggyrm@icloud.com..,, Page 30 of 30