Chapter V. Valley Wings News. From the Chapter Director. ALOHA From KAUAI. GWRRA Chapter WA-V Oct Meets 1 Thursday 6:00pm

Transcription

1 GWRRA Chapter WA-V Oct 2018 Washington District Newsletter Meets 1 Thursday 6:00pm Chapter V Valley Wings News Chapter Directors: Meets 1 st Thursday 6:00 Joe & Patti Diambri Trotter s Restaurant Harvey Rd, Auburn From the Chapter Director ALOHA From KAUAI For those of you that were at our last meeting I mentioned that I was leaving for Kauai on the 18 th. I left Patti home to hold down the fort while my sister and I went abroad! Well I got here, and the weather has been hot! I has been in the lower 80 s every day and a bit humid as well but enjoyable except at night! The friends place we are staying is not air conditioned (few homes have it) so is a bit warm but having 2 fans sure help. Not been out a lot for sight seeing but plan to do so this upcoming week! Have been doing a lot of sitting around relaxing as well as helping the home owner with a few small repairs that she is unable to do herself. Have done a lot of driving just trying to familiarize myself of the area so I can come and go as I please. I have a car at my disposal to use so am free as a bird to do what I want! I have a month here so plan on doing the tourist thing 2 or three days a week then just some R & R the rest of the time. Rather spendy place to live and by looking at some of the place around you can understand that. A lot of the people here are working 2 jobs just to make ends meet! Many of their homes are a bit run down and shabby looking, but they are their home! Well as noted at the meeting I am gone until the 18 th of October. Jeff will be running the meeting on the 4 th so make him earn his money! (I bet he didn t realize he was being paid just as I am)! I have added a picture of the place I am staying (House and Cottage). I have the guest bedroom which has a King-Sized Bed (The King deserves that) with my own full bathroom and big screen TV. The pool is about 8000 gallon salt water pool that is about 80 degrees! Yes, it is a bit hard to take but think I ll manage! Thanks to Patti, Jeff, and Cindy for filling in making the meeting go while I am gone! Let me know how it goes and maybe I ll stay here! NOT! Nice place to visit but don t want to live here! Aloha From Kauai See You On the 6 th

2 Joe & Patti Diambri CcccccChapter ASSISTANT CHAPTER DIRECTORS: Out Of Time I can t believe I did not get an article written for last month s newsletter. I am using the excuse that I ran out of time. I was very busy with work and home stuff. August was a good month with several good activities outlined nicely by Joe and others in last month s newsletter. That progressive Dinner Ride was a doozy. Great route, nice roads, great weather, good group but not enough stops. Cindy was having some trouble with the Spyder, it turned out to be the gear position sensor was going out. We now have that and some other things fixed and it is running like new again. September was good with a nice turn out at our monthly gathering at Trotters. We welcomed a new member couple and had a visitor couple from Illinois. They are travelling around the west on their new 2018 DCT White GW Tour. It sounds like they love the new bike. Harry was out of town on a work assignment so I took the lead on the Chapter Ride. I had a short route planned out a couple months ago that I wanted to use. We met at Auburn Denny s for lunch at noon. The place was busy and it took forever to get us seated. After that long delay we set off on our ride that hit some of the local winding roads around the Valley. I spotted a public rest room across the street from the Auburn Golf Course that we were riding past. I made a hasty decision to pull in. We needed a bathroom stop but due to the route I could not find a good place. When I saw this one, I took it. Another stop we made was at Tahoma National Cemetery. We spent some time visiting graves of relatives and friends. The last leg took us north a bit to Issaquah Hobart road. We swung back around to Maple Valley 4 corners for the DQ stop. A short ride that took us all afternoon. Fun ride, good group, good time. Now I am in Ohio for work and the bike is parked. Boy I wish I had another Wing I could ride out here. The back roads are nice, narrow and twisty. I have met a couple guys here

3 with Gold Wings so I can talk Bike Stuff with them. This area would be nice to ride but there are a lot of deer to look out for and the rain seems to come in at a moment s notice. The winter is longer and the summer is hotter. Would be a shortened ride season. One thing I like to do while I am here is go to Bike Night at a restaurant near my Hotel. Every Wednesday night bikes of all kinds roll in for a gathering. This time I saw GW, , and 2 F6B s. Someday I hope to ride out here on my bike. As I am writing this, Cindy is at the Oyster Run with Nina, Todd, and Bill. They left the Kent Valley McDonalds early for the ride up to Anacortes. When they stopped at the Smokey Point Rest Stop, they met up with the Couple from Illinois that attended our meeting. Now they are having breakfast before walking the town and seeing all the bikes roll in. The weather is cloudy but should be dry all day. I am sure they will have a good time and have a good day s ride out of it. I went with several others to the Chapter Z Chicken Run on the 15 th. We met at the McDonalds at 512 and I-5. Harry was there along with several Chapter A and Q members. The start and end location was Powersports Northwest in Centralia. Fun place to browse all the Bikes and ATV s. The rain was falling as we arrived but stopped by the time we got the ride rolling. There were two groups of bikes about 20 minutes apart. The route was fantastic and the weather turned out great for the entire ride. We did get back into some rain right at the end. Chapter Z put on a great activity and there were some good prizes and money won by some. If they have it again next year, this is a must attend activity. Bummer for us is the Maintenance workshop had to be cancelled due to work on the Harters place. I will have to do my planned repairs at home. Not much time left in the year for riding activities. Be sure to attend the October gathering at Trotters, Joe is in Hawaii and Cindy and I will be running the meeting. Be safe and Ride safe. Jeff & Cindy o District Asst. Ed SCHOOL IS BACK IN SESSION. LOOK OUT FOR THE LITTLE ONES.

4 District Couple of the Year Nashville for WD 40 With WD 40 over, the announcement went out that next year it will be just down the road to the west in Nashville. Boy how did Tennessee get so lucky to have two in row. The location is at the Gaylord Opryland Resort. That is the same resort company as Grapevine WD 39 last year. It is a very nice resort with a lot to do and see but I think they charge a lot for parking and other things. Hope it is not too expensive of a place. As of now Cindy and I are making plans to attend this one. We will represent the District as COY. There are supposed to be COY s from all the Districts there to complete in a National COY now that the Regions are done away with. We will see if anything changes during this next year on that. The activities for the Year are winding down but there are still a few things to keep on your calendar. The Chapter Q Halloween Dance at the Poodle Dog in Fife is always a fun event. I am sure each Chapter has Christmas Party plans, one of our favorite Chapter Fun events. Whatever your Chapter has planned, we as Chapter Members need to support and attend them. Going out of your way to support other Chapter events is even more fun. A lot of effort goes into planning and doing these activities. They are always fun and after we go we often say, that was great, I am glad we went to that. With the advent of Jesse V taking the helm of District Director in January, we are looking forward to new faces in the District Staff and leadership rolls. With this is the wish that new ideas will blossom and cause our District numbers to grow. How can we reach out to those multitudes out there on Touring Bikes, Spyders and other types to join our ranks and have fun riding and making new friends? We shall see in the coming months. Be sure to attend the Lead Like you Ride training event coming up on the 20 th of Oct. We are hearing good things about it and with Mike Briggs leading it, it will be good. See you soon at the next fun event. Jeff & Cindy District COY

5 Motorist Awareness For all of you that know me, you have probably heard what I am about to place in print. That is how todays technology in the new cars are causing todays drivers to become more distracted, instead of helping them becoming safer and better drivers. The very features that are supposed to make driving easier and safer have actually led to more accidents on the road. In 2015, distracted driving was the cause of 3,477 deaths with an additional 391,000 injured in car crashes, and todays cars have even more of these detractions. Also, todays drivers are coming even more addicted to these features. We all have heard, or we know, that driving while on the phone or texting is a very serious distraction, and it is against the law in a number of states. These activities could include putting directions into your GPS, talking on your phone through Bluetooth, or scrolling through social media on your infotainment center. Hands-free innovation has enabled our phones and cars to sync up, no fussing with cords, no punching in phone numbers, and no texting. Both hands are on the wheel and your eyes are on the road. Simple, right? Not so fast. A recent study asked participants questions while driving (replicating real-life mobile conversations) and found that, even with their eyes zeroed in on a hazard, they failed to recognize them. Today s mesmerizing dashboards draw you in with their sleek, futuristic feel. Manufacturers have even made icons and letters bigger so they re easy to read. But according to a report from AAA, drivers who tested 30 of the 2017 model year vehicles all took their eyes off the road and hands off the wheel while using these infotainment systems. So please set the radio to your favorite station, or music source, set the GPS, and all the other settings you need to do with the new touch screen dash console, before you begin to drive. I have heard it said many times, I can multitask! I tell people, who say this, that the human body can do many things, but only one thing at a time. Try typing something, and reading something different at the same time. You will see, even 2 things, that are simple but different, become impossible to do. Taking your eyes, off the road, while traveling 60 MPH, for 3 seconds, you have traveled the length of a football field. There could be a number of things within that distance, cars, trucks, animals, people, road hazards, etc., even a motorcyclist. That you have not seen, due to a distraction. Please talk to people about the need to take care of all of the distractions, before they start to drive, to keep all of us safe. Your Assistant Motorist Awareness Director

6 Carl Maier & Maier District Educator Fall riding is best experienced when both three rider and bike are thoroughly prepared. Not every ride needs to be complete with a map and detailed itinerary for travel but it is best to take certain precautions and be ready for whatever may be encountered during the ride. Following these four guidelines I found while searching through eight the internet will help to reduce your risk help ensure a safe and enjoyable motorcycle/trike ride. 1. PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO THE WEATHER. Autumn is a time of more than changing seven colors. The weather fluctuates quickly and often. It's important to check the weather forecast for both your current location and the destinations of the day. If storms, either rain or snow, are predicted for the day, being aware of them could save the rider a lot of trouble and risk. While the cooler air of the fall season can be enjoyable to ride in, the evenings can get quite cold, even down to freezing temperatures in many areas. When riding at night be aware of shaded areas on the road which will develop frost before the open, lit areas. When traveling early seven in the morning, remember that those areas shaded in the morning will be the last to warm or thaw. 2. BE MINDFUL OF W AR DROBE CHOICES. The fall is a great time to throw on that leather jacket for a ride. A quality leather jacket can not only keep in body heat, it can also block against wind and lighter rain. However, autumn temperatures can be very unpredictable. While the early mornings and late nights can run very cool, the midday temperatures, when the sun is high, can still be quite warm. It is important, to bring along clothing options and to layer clothing while on the road. Wearing a t-shirt under the sweater and the leather that is necessary during the chilly mornings can save a rider from feeling heat-

7 stroked later in the day when the sun begins to beat down on the road. Some riders enjoy the added comfort of wired, self-heating clothing and gear. 3. W ATCH FOR W ILDLIF E. It's always a treat, when on a long ride, to see deer grazing in open fields or other wild animals in their natural habitat. Still, during the later seasons of the eight year animals of all types are doing a lot of moving around in preparation for the long, freezing nights of winter. It s important to watch closely for any type of wildlife that could pose a threat, especially during the hours around dawn and dusk. When traveling through an area that is a native habitat for eight specific animals, such as the thick wooded areas where deer and other wild life are active, take it slow and stay alert. Animals often move quickly enough to get in the way of a rider but not quickly enough to then get out of the way as well. 4. BE SURE YOUR RIDE IS IN GOOD SHAPE. Most riders use the same bike all summer long. By the time autumn is brimming, that bike has seen several miles. Giving the bike a little extra maintenance attention before fall riding could be the difference between a cool, smooth adventure and a touring nightmare. Be sure the tire tread isn't to worn, fluids are filled and that all parts are in good, working condition. Don Eide Washington District Assistant Educator FROM THE CHAPTER TECHNICAL ADVISOR: I think by now everyone has heard about my little mishap. If you haven't, here goes... On Friday night the 7th of September, I had gotten off work at about 8:15. The weather was a little drizzly and after talking to a couple of the guys I work with that wished me a safe trip home, I put on my rain pants and gloves and put the chin guard down and also the visor. At about 8:30pm as I was making my way south on hwy 167. The rain had lifted and as I approached the hwy 18 overpass, I had heard something on my right in the other south bound lanes. Now I was in the HOV lane and the other south bound lanes are all but invisible. When it is dark and you are in the hov lane looking to your right, you can't see the other lanes or cars because of the wall that separates the lanes. I glanced to my right when I heard the noise and then looked forward. I a split second, there was an suv that had come from my right and plowed into the guardrail on my left. I slammed on the brakes and as the suv was bouncing around I let off the brakes trying to figure out if I could go around it and which way and where it was going to stop. It actually ended up making a full 180 and blocking the road in front of me. I swerved to the right and ended up hitting the left front bumper of the vehicle. The suv ended up crossing the road in front of me and it's front end slightly heading north.

8 I remember hitting the bumper and then rolling down the highway and stopping. I laid there for a bit and then got up and took off my helmet. I walked to the bike and turned the key off and put the bike on the side stand. It had ended up in the median on it's left side. The fire department came and except for a pain in my right hip I was ok. I had had the pain all day Friday so I thought I was ok. Litter did I know then. I got a ride home by a Washington State Patrol Trooper and I was conversing with him the whole way home. Getting out of the car was a little hard and walking to the house was horrible. The pain I was feeling was unbelievable. I sat on the outside step and called Sharon on the phone to come and help me into the house. Trying to walk upright wasn't going to happen. I had to hold myself up with the pool table and work through the pain and finally got to the couch. Sharon said I'll get you a beer and then she told me that I have to go the emergency room. I changed clothes and off we went. We found a wheel chair at the hospital and I was wheeled in. After telling them that I was in a motorcycle accident I was wheeled back to a room and had a series of x rays taken. Nothing was broken and no internal injuries were found. I got some drugs and headed back home. The bruising that I had was all internal and none on the outside. I woke up from my sleep on Saturday and couldn't move to get up. John Doughty had come over to visit and he helped me get up. Sharon had gone to Ken and Marion's to borrow a walker, so I could walk. I used the walker until Thursday. I was off a couple of weeks and except for feeling a little pain in my right hip I'm almost back to normal. The accident happened because the suv that caused all of this had blown a tire in the three other south bound lanes and had hit a box truck. As he applied brakes he immediately veered left, across the median and into the guard rail in front of me. I was following a pick up and I thought that the suv hit the pickup. I still don't know for sure if it did or not. So, my bike is totaled. The left engine guard bottom bolt broke off and the engine guard went into the engine and broke the valve cover. It was taken to South Bound Honda and after it was put on to the lift. they said that everything was shifted to the right. I'm thinking that the frame was probably bent at that point. I was asked if I would ride again. Of course I will. This is the first time in 42 years that I have been bike less. Not a good feeling... The guy that caused all of the carnage didn't have enough insurance to cover all of the damage that was caused. My insurance is covering my motorcycle and his is covering my lost wages, my medical bills and pain and suffering. If I had been five seconds further down the road, he would have t-boned me and killed me in an instant. I think I'm pretty lucky. So, check out your insurance policy and see if you have more than the states minimums for just this sort of tragedy. Thanks to all of the people that helped me and wished me a speedy recovery. A special thanks to my wife Sharon for doing such an awesome job of caring for me. Always thinking ahead and being one step ahead of my needs. She was AWESOME! Maybe a blue DCT for 2019????????????????? Dennis -turkey-time.gifhttp:/u/clipart/img/turkeys/run-turkey-time.gif

9 FROM THE CHAPTER NEWSLETTER EDITORS 50/50 drawings. The hidden number for September was Pearl McKinzie. She didn t have a copy of the current newsletter. Remember if you want to win you must show up at our meetings and you should check the entire newsletter when you re looking for your membership number, it can be rather difficult. It might be spelled out or just printed out as a number or both ways or broken up in one or more articles. If you find your number its good for a $10.00 dinner refund at the current meeting, honored before Other activities: Carmi s Mom won the 50/50. No report on Colors You all be careful out there. Ken/Marion

10 CHAPTER BIRTHDAYS CHAPTER ANNIVERSARYS Karen Smith 4 Jeff & Cindy Duffield 11 Computer Life As it Goes! Computers are unreliable, but humans are even more unreliable. Computers make very fast, very accurate mistakes Failure is not an option, it comes bundled with the software It works! Now if only I could remember what I did... Looking for information about our chapter? Future/Pass Events, Photo s, Links to other Chapters go to chapter web page. Monthly Calendar Events & Rides

11 SUN MON TUE WED THR FRI SAT Chapter V Monthly Meeting 6PM 8PM 5 6 Chapter Ride Columbus DAY pm 7:30pm Chapter V social Day: Time: Chapter: Location: 1 st Thur 6:00 PM WA-V Auburn Trotter s Restaurant 825 Harvey Rd Aubun WA 1 st Sat 8:00AM WA-M Yakima Branding Iron Restaurant Toppenish WA WA 1 st Sat 8:00 AM WA-X Vancouver Hometown Buffet 7809-B NE Vancouver PlazaVancouver 1 st Sat 8:00 AM WA-R Walla Walla Smiths Family Restaurant 1425 W Pine St Walla Walla WA 1stSat 8:00 AM WA-B Bremerton Airport Dinner 8803 Stet Hwy 3 SW Port Orchard WA 2 nd Tue 6:00 PM WA-H Lynden Fairway Family Restaurant 1726 Front St Lynden WA 8 th Day 1:Oclock ABCXYZKEFA Anytown dash just south of here 2 nd Sat 9:00AM WA-L Kennewick Red Lion 2525 North 20 th Ave Pasco WA 2 nd Sat 8:30 AM WA-Z Centralia Ramblim Jacks Ribeye 1335 Rush Rd Chehalis WA 2 nd Sat 8:00 AM WA-Q Puyallup Little Park Restaurant Pacific Ave S Spanaway 2 nd Sun 8:30AM WA-D Aberdeen Duffy s Restaurant 1605 Simpson Ave Aberdeen WA 3 rd Sat 7:30 AM WA-E Bellevue Kenmore Lanes 7638 NE Bothell Way Kenmore WA 3 rd Sat 8:00AM WA-P Longview Columbia Inn Kalama WA WA 3 rd Sun 8:00 AM WA-I Olympia Hawks Prairie Restaurant 8306 Quinault Drive NE Lacy WA 3 rd Sun 8:00 AM WA-N Spokane Golden Corral Buffet & Grill 7717 N Division St Spokane WA 4 th Sat 8:00 AM WA-A Seattle Golden Steer th Kent th Sat 8:00 AM WA-O Port Orchard Airport Diner 8803 Stet Hway3 SW Port Orchard WA