Gold Wing Road Rider Association (GWRRA)

Transcription

1 Gold Wing Road Rider Association (GWRRA) Happy Holidays Chapter Directors: Danny and Kathy McIlrath fl1-k@live.com MATANZAS WINGS December 2014 k Come meet with us at Golden Corral 255 Cypress Edge Drive Palm Coast Second Monday 6 PM 7 PM

2 Contact Information GWRRA Team & FL1-K s Fun Team Director of GWRRA Ray & Sandi Garris director@gwrra.org National Deputy Director, East Bob and Nan Sharder Region A Directors Jim & Sue Jackson jack297@bellsouth.net Florida District Directors Bill & Gina Berry Florida Senior District Educators Rick & Pam Northrop Our Florida Assistant District Directors Ed & Jeanette Carr gwroadrider@hotmail.com For more information check out these websites: Gold Wing Riders Association Region A Florida District FL1-K Palm Coast/St. Augustine Fun Team Staff Members: Chapter Rider Educator: Bob Finney & Bonnie Holder: finneyb1@mac.com Webmaster: Kathy McIlrath Treasure: Kathy Organ Ride Coordinator: John Organ Chapter Store: Jim & Juanita Butler: jbutler84@cfl.rr.com Membership enhancement Coordinator: Jeanette Carr: gwroadrider@hotmail.com Visitation coordinator: Ed Carr Sunshine Lady: Mare Carstens marilynnjean@aol.com Newsletter Editors: Michael & Annette Thompson From FL1-K Happy Belated Anniversary John and Kathy Organ. Sorry we missed your anniversary in last month s newsletter.

3 Gold Wing Road Riders Associations (GWRRA) FL1-K Fun Team Members November: Team Meeting 10 Patch Jim Butler Door Prize Donor Ed Carr Golden Corral Tickets Annette Thompson 50/25/25 Tom Mitchell, Annette Thompson Door Prize Winners: Bob Caulson Don Black Sandy Miller Ed Carr Linda Mitchell Tom Mitchell Barb Pons Joe Pomerleav (2) Juanita Butler Ruth Polley Kathie Jette Mare Carstens Friends Ride for Fun Friends Ride SafelyRide with Knowledge

4 Gold Wing Road Riders Associations (GWRRA) Aluma 5 X 11 Trike Trailer. 520 lb/ 2990gvwr, 3000# rubber torsion axile with electric braking system, ST205/75R14 Westlake radial tires, Phantom Aluminum Wheels, Aluminum Fenders, Extr4uded aluminum floor, 4 SS recessed tie rings, Aluminum ramp with storage, 24 aluminum salt shield/rock guard, front triangle storage box with lid. Two years old and never used. Please for pictures. Paid $3, asking $1, Stan Solomon For Sale K FL1-K Goodie Store Chapter shirts, ball caps, ladies caps, chapter bike flags, assorted pins, patches, rockers, and other items are available. See our web site: Jim Butler jbutler84@cfl.rr.com Highs and Lows of November Tenth Chapter K mee9ngs are always fun and interes9ng. They're excep9onally great when guests and prospec9ve new members aaend. The Nov., 10th mee9ng brought Florida District Couple of the Year and Chapter Directors of FL1- G, Tom and Linda Mitchell from Deltona. FL1- X Directors, Geno and Kathie Je2e drove down from Orange Park to pick up dona9ons for their chapter's up- coming yard sale. They stopped by the K mee9ng to partake in the Golden Corral buffet and greet old friends. Chapter members welcomed Bob and Linda Coulson, formerly of Maryville, Il. They are GWRRA members who have moved to Palm Coast. Bob and Linda both ride GoldWings and plan to enjoy our year- 'round riding weather (well...almost year- 'round). Tom and Linda Mitchell apprised us of Chapter G's up- coming "Take a Ride on the Wild Side". Whoa What fun we are all in for Their "rally" will be Sat., Feb., 7th, We'll gather at the pavilion at The Central Florida Zoo, Sanford, 10:00 AM. The $12.00 entry fee gets you in to the zoo, gets you fun, games and lunch, too. How's that for "thinking outside the box"? There was one very sad moment on that Monday. Danny McIlrath announced he was stepping down as Chapter K Director. A rumble of disbelief arose from the K members. Danny and Kathy have done a marvelous job of guiding us through events and rallies, plus the everyday business that must be taken care of. Danny, Kathy, your leadership will surely be missed. Ruth & Gary Sober GWRRA Rider s Ride for Fun Ride Safely Ride with Knowledge

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6 Chapter Directors: Danny and Kathy McIlrath Hello, This is the hardest ar9cle I have had to write to date. As all of you know I am stepping down as the CD of FL1- K. This is due in part to my health. At this 9me in my life I can no longer ride a motorcycle safely. This was a very hard decision to make but it had to be done. Being safe on the road also has to do with being of good health. Riding my Goldwing and listening to the many songs I have recorded was always a peaceful moment in life for me. I always enjoyed leading rides and making as many U- turns as we could. I have had lots of help in making this chapter grow, there are many that stepped up and helped in a number of jobs. One of the many things that I feel helped this chapter grow is the fact that we started each month off with a very good gathering and it takes all the members to make this happen. Thanks to all for coming to the gatherings with the willingness to have a good 9me. I could list all those that helped me but that would be everyone in the chapter and I would feel bad if I missed someone. I have had so much fun serving in several posi9ons in this chapter. They all had their own challenges but now let me tell you if I can do this I feel that most of you could too. This chapter is s9ll growing while a number of chapters in Florida are struggling to stay alive. So we are very lucky as a chapter as a whole. Kathy and I will be around, we are not disappearing. We have a few things that will be taking up more of our 9me and I will need to try to rest more then what I have been able to do while trying to keep up with work, family, the chapter, and life in general. All of you mean a lot to Kathy and me and we wish Chapter FL1- K only the best. I am sure the new CD s will do a wonderful job. K Danny and Kathy McIlrath

7 Palatka Picnic Perfect by Barb Pons Early November started off cold for Florida but nonetheless, five intrepid journeyers made the picnic ride to Palatka on November 2 nd. John and I started off in what we consider to be full Florida winter gear as opposed to Colorado winter gear. We even considered wearing our heated Gerbing gear, but that wasn t necessary although others might have disagreed with us that morning. We were the first to arrive at Loca9on B, followed shortly thereajer by John and Kathy Organ. Last, but certainly not least, Anne2e Thompson arrived. Ajer a ride briefing, we set out on our way. Now, the easy path to Palatka would be to just follow Highway 100 and head directly east, but that was not the plan. Instead, we ran south on Highway 11 down to Highway 40, and headed east, well south of Palatka. As we ride these roads more and more, I find myself more familiar with the various points of interest. I was able to locate the Essex Seafood Two restaurant, and I have it on preay darned good authority that the food there is excellent. We ll have to try it some9me. Following shortly on the heels of the Essex came the Blackwater Inn, which we HAVE tried and enjoyed very much. But I digress We con9nued along Highway 40 to Highway 19, which runs along the east side of Lake George. We were definitely on the lookout for bears, as the signs all say to do, but were not treated to a sigh9ng on this trip. Along the way, we had a brief bio break, which is always welcome but I did not avail myself of the opportunity, a decision I would regret later. We con9nued north and came into Palatka from the southwest and journeyed to a riverside park which turned out to be undergoing some significant remodeling. Only a few sad picnic tables remained under a shelter, but we were able to find one in the sun, where Kathy and Anne2e wrapped themselves in blankets and we all sealed in for some food, fun and fellowship. The park remodel also meant that there were no public restrooms, only a single Port- A- PoAy standing sentry in the middle of a barren parking lot. I ventured over, but to no avail it was padlocked. Foiled However, as we exited Palatka we found refuge in a Best Western lobby and managed to venture forth without incident. The route then took us north on 207 to a road called Cracker Swamp. This is a VERY narrow, straight line road that we really enjoyed quite a bit. The tree canopies are gorgeous, and the road just bee- lines through beau9ful Florida countryside. We had a great 9me riding that route. It brought us back over to County Road 204 leading us back to Highway 1, where we all went our separate ways home. For us, it was a nice opportunity to sit with a small cadre of folks and get to know our Florida GWRRA family a liale bit beaer. We all can t be at everything, but it sure is great fun to go out K and ride with friends. We hope to see you all down the road let s ride Friends Ride for Fun Friends Ride SafelyRide with Knowledge

8 FL-1K Levels Status The following members of FL-1K are current in the levels program. If you are a participant in the levels Gold Wing Road Riders Associations (GWRRA) program, but are not current then please see Bob Finney, Chapter Educator, phone = or finnneyb1@mac.com Level 4 Ed Carr Jeanette Carr Danny McIlrath Robert Finney John Organ Kathy Organ John Pons Barb Pons Level 3 Annette Thompson Dan Randall Barbara Randall Randy Paul Level 2 Bonnie Holder Level 1 Mark Lasoff Pat Orsini Tony Orsini Michael Tuccelli Gordon Campbell Dena Campbell Rider Education Levels Program Let s get on the road to leveling up. Show off your skills. The GWRRA Rider Education Program (REP) is intended to make the motorcycle environment safer by reducing injuries and fatalities and increasing motorcyclist skills and awareness. The REP does not propose to have all the answers. Several benefits of GWRRA Rider Education Program are: Increased rider knowledge, Increased rider safety skills, Prevention of accidents, Reduced injuries, Reduced fatalities, Improved general public image of motorcyclists, Enhanced enjoyment of motorcycle riding. If interested in learning more about the Level s program contact your Chapter Educator, Bob Finney

9 Overnight Ride Most motorcyclists start out strictly as day-trippers, meeting with other riders on the weekends for the proverbial breakfast or lunch ride. This allows them to focus on just the day of the ride. If the weather forecast is dry, they may not take rain gear. If they do get caught in the rain, there s always dry clothes and shelter waiting at home. The type of gear worn also may be more of a light duty nature: half or three quarter style helmet, perforated jacket and pants, one set of riding gloves, no heated gear, no extra set of dry clothes, etc. On day trips, riders also may not bring along more tools than those that came with the bike or navigational aids like maps, GPS, or other items often packed for multi-day touring. I remember my first overnight ride quite clearly. It was a nice fall day with moderate temperatures when we left home at mid-morning. Although I had the foresight to pack rain gear, I didn t have extra layers of clothing or heated gear. In fact, I didn t even own heated gear. All was fine until the next morning when the temperature was only in the high 30s. While packing the bike, I recall a stranger strolling by and saying, I bet you re glad you have your Gerbings on this morning. Yeah right, I thought. Needless to say it was a numbing, but instructive, ride home. Once riders are exposed to the vicissitudes of nature, unexpected road hazards, and navigational challenges on a multi-day ride, they quickly realize that they re in a whole different ballgame, so to speak, than when they were just day-tripping to a restaurant and back home. Covering greater distances during long days of riding requires riders to do some pre-planning. As the old bromide cautions, Plan for the worst and hope for the best. Touring multiple days on a motorcycle can be an invigorating, uplifting, and confidence building experience for riders. But, if you (or a riding buddy) haven t done it before, here are a few planning tips: 1. Buddy-up: While always a good idea to tour with a partner, it s especially important for inexperienced touring riders to have a companion who is experienced. Unforeseen problems on the road are always more manageable if there s more than one person to tackle them. 2. Gear-up: Make sure you have the gear that s appropriate for the intended trip. Don t wear anything, head to toe, that you wouldn t want to crash in Also, don t leave home without reliable rain gear, extra layers of dry clothing, and a second pair of riding gloves. 3. Check Your Ride: Make sure your motorcycle has had its proper maintenance and is mechanically ready for the trip. Pack any extra tools, which might be needed, and make sure that your bike is properly loaded with luggage (weight centralized as much as possible). Anything loaded outside of side and top cases should be well secured with locking nylon straps, not elastic cords. 4. Check Your Route: Make sure your planning includes consideration of the route to be taken. Will the terrain and roads be mountainous, flat, arid, wet, curvy, straight, paved, or unpaved? Are your skills, your gear, and bike appropriate for what is expected in the coming territory, which may be far different from your accustomed backyard riding routes? 5. Check and Anticipate Weather Conditions: It s also important to gain as much advance information as possible about your route s likely weather conditions, including range of temperatures, possible severe weather, etc. There is a lot of weather forecast information available nowadays on the Internet. 6. Match Your Skills to the Route and Other Riders: Let s say you re accustomed to riding in relatively flat terrain, but are contemplating touring through mountainous areas with more experienced motorcyclists who prefer an aggressive pace. You

10 Rider Education Article Continue: By Bob Finney 1. Bring Navigational Aids: In unfamiliar territory, I may employ up to three levels of navigational assistance. Level 1 is a GPS with the route pre-programmed on it. Level 2 is a paper map(s) with the route highlighted on it (usually a computer print out of the GPS programmed route). I always do levels 1 and 2, because electronic devices can fail. Level 3 is usually a state highway map, which may not be sufficiently detailed to show the route, but will allow me to navigate to a more populated area for assistance if both Levels 1 and 2 fail. Yes, I m a belt and suspenders guy, when it comes to motorcycle navigation. 2. Pack Only Essentials: Another mistake that first time overnight riders often make is loading their bike up with things that aren t necessary. First, you don t want to exceed your bike s maximum load restriction (as specified in the owner s manual), because that alone may precipitate an accident. Second, having a lot of stuff complicates the daily loading and unloading process. On most of my trips I m either riding, eating, or sleeping and generally only need items that directly support those three activities. 3. Let Others Know Your Itinerary: If you will be riding alone, it s important for at least one person to know where you will be riding and when to expect your return. Cell phone coverage is often spotty, particularly in lightly populated areas, and can t be relied upon as your only way of reaching out for help. Letting others know about your plans is a good failsafe backup strategy. 4. Ride Your Own Ride: Although riding your own ride is sage advice for all motorcyclists in virtually every situation, it becomes paramount on a multi-day tour. Suffering an injury, while far from home in unfamiliar surroundings, is both physically painful and psychologically distressing. While most of our readers are experienced at multi-day motorcycle touring, it can be rewarding to introduce day-trippers to this larger spectrum of the motorcycling experience. Help them make a safe and enjoyable transition to multi-day touring. And, if you re contemplating your own first overnight trip, plan ahead and always ride safe. Source: K Ride for Fun Ride Safely Ride with Knowledge

11 Membership Enhancement Coordinator Jeanette Carr M.E.C. DECEMBER 2014 WHAT A WONDERFUL YEAR Chapter FL1- K has exci9ng, friendly, helpful, funny, and talented members who have the love of friends and motorcycles in common. These charter members, team members, regular members, new members, occasional members, and silent members par9cipate at different levels but are all vital in the success of the chapter. Gatherings (monthly mee9ngs), kick 9res (ice cream, donuts, local dinners, etc.), long dinner/picnic rides, short rides, visita9ons with other chapters, P.L.P. (parking lot prac9ce), boat ride, dessert social, rallies, and district conven9ons filled the months of Members aaend one or many of these events as 9me and interest allow. As humans, social interac9on is vital to our physical and emo9onal health. The hugs, conversa9ons, laughs, and smiles we share as well as just gewng out of the house enrich our lives. Teasingly we ojen call ourselves the Gold Wing Restaurant Raiders Associa3on. Well, ea9ng is a necessity and as a social event it is healthier at least if we watch what we order. Please remember that sugges9ons and cri9que is welcome from any members. Just talk with any staff member you might be comfortable with or send an . If you are just an occasional or silent member, please keep an eye on the calendar and consider joining us. If you just want to be a GWRRA member for the benefits and magazine, that s fine. You are s9ll helping keep the organiza9on strong promises to be a great year with the coninued support of old and new members. Come join us when you can. K

12 WANTED BOX TOPS AND CAN TABS The students at Bunnell Elementary are very pleased to count you among the sponsors of Ronald McDonald House and their endeavor to collect items to raise funds All proceeds go to Bunnell Elementary and Ronald McDonald House. Thank you for your continued support, Annette Happy Birthday Gordon Campbell 12/6 Mike Duffy 12/15 Bob Finney 12/16 GWRRA Member John Organ of FL1-K Happy Anniversary Stan & Karen Solomon 12/29 Don Black 12/23 Friends Ride for Fun Friends Ride SafelyRide with Knowledge K

13 Assistant District Directors Ed & Jeanette Carr Just VisiIng We have had the privilege this past month to show some of Florida s roads to Interna7onal Couple of the Year, John & Barb Pons (It s a tough job, but someone has to do it). JeaneBe & I returned to Florida from our 3600 miles trip to Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas and Louisiana on 2 November, and the four of us loaded up in our car and headed northwest to Alachua on 4 November, for the FL1- Y- Gainesville Monthly Gathering at the Conestoga Restaurant. As usual, we were greeted with a very warm welcome by Chapter Director Kenny Kellam and the Chapter Team and members. 5 November found us at Wendy s in Bunnell with FL1- K Palm Coast/St. AugusIne for a Kick Tire. Filling the restaurant, it was easy to see why the Manager came over to inquire as to what the party was all about. Trekking across Central Florida on our way to the FL2- L Lakeland s Anniversary Party, we travelled roads even I haven t been on before. The turnout was great and it s always nice to adventure out to seldom visited areas to see old friends. On 15 November Chapter FL1- X Orange Park had a very successful garage sale to help fill the chapter coffers. It s always good when a fund raiser does well. A visit to FL1- F2 Ocala on November 18 th provided a good meal, great camaraderie, and an unexpected return of Chapter Director Beverly McCarthy, from the injured reserve list. To round out the month of visita7ons we will be abending the Monthly Gatherings of Chapter FL1- H Daytona Beach on November 20th and will ride north for a rendezvous with Chapter FL1- J Jacksonville on 25 November. We hope everyone has a very Happy Thanksgiving and we hope to see you at a GWRRA event soon. Ed & JeaneBe Carr, ADD proudly suppor7ng Chapters FL1- F2, FL1- J, FL1- K, FL1- X and FL1- Y K Friends Ride for Fun Friends Ride SafelyRide with Knowledge

14 introducing your next obsession For more than 14 years, The Trike Shop of Daytona Beach has been feeding the obsessions of trike-minded individuals across the country. Featuring Roadsmith conversions, exclusively, including the all new ground breaking HTS1800, The Trike Shop is the ultimate destination to fulfill all of your 3-wheeled dreams and aspirations. Stop by our showroom at 410 N. Beach Street and let us help you choose the source of your next obsession. Ride with the expert. 410 N. Beach St Daytona Beach, FL trikeshopofdaytona.com Mark your calendar Looking Ahead to 2015 January 1 First Ride of the Year Shrimp R Us Walaka January Florida Chapter Conference Kissimmee January 17 FL2-L Chapter Rally Lakeland January 17 FL1-O Chilly Run DeFuniak Springs January 31 Multi-Chapter Lunch Micco February 7 FL1-G Chapter Rally Deltona February 21 FL2-G Chili Cook-off Fort Myers March Florida District Convention/Rally Kissimmee April 4 FL1-K Rally-Party St. Augustine April 11 FL1-B Annual Road Rally Seffner May Alabama District Convention/Rally Eufaula, AL June Georgia District Convention/Rally Dillard, GA July South Carolina District Convention/Rally Anderson, SC September 3-6 Wing Ding Huntsville, AL October Mississippi District Convention Gulfport October Regional A Convention/Rally Eufaula, AL Roadsmith Exclusive Dealer Friends Ride for Fun Friends Ride SafelyRide with Knowledge

15 Region A Regional Directors: Jim & Sue Jackson jack297@bellsouth.net For Jim and Sue s monthly article please visit the regional website at K

16 Senior District Directors: Bill & Gina Berry We hope all of you enjoyed the Thanksgiving Holiday and are now ready for Christmas and the New Year New Year? Where did this one go? As we close out 2014, Gina and I would like to let each of you know how much we have enjoyed being your District Directors another year We have traveled around the country and have seen many of your out there following Florida s #1 Rule.Have FUN Fun is what this association should be always have FUN and be safe We will be attending the Region A Officer s Conference early December which will lead up to our District Chapter Conferences January 9-11, Please, if you have not made plans to attend this very important business meeting, do so ASAP. This is the only opportunity we have each year to meet with you, the most important part of GWRRA We will start early Saturday morning. So come in Friday night for some FUN and socializing. The new information we receive at the Region meeting is passed on to you at our conference. All Chapter financials are to be turned in at this time. This is an IRS requirement and must be strictly adhered to. Jim and Rebecca Iverson, District Treasurers, will be there to assist you with any questions or problems. We are going to have sessions that will be open to all attendees and some individual meetings as needed. We will have as much FUN as possible while taking care of business side of our association. After the January conference, many local events kick off the New Year in Florida. In addition to the all important Chapter Conference, there are 4 other FUNtastic events planned by your Florida GWRRA family of friends to come and visit with them and to have fun For more of the Florida Senior District Directors see the web site:

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19 GWRRA FL1-K Palm Coast/St. Augustine RALLY-PARTY APRIL 4, 2015 Grand Prizes, 50/25/25 Drawings $12 per person Serving Lunch Games, Live Band, Chapter Challenge Proudly Supported By: First Coast Powersports St. Augustine The Powersports Leader Location of Rally 1860 N. Ponce De Leon Blvd., St. Augustine, FL

20 Ride Meeting Location Location A-Dairy Queen: US 1 & I-95 (Exit 273) Location B-Sunoco Station, Bunnell: SR 100W & US 1 Location C-Marathon Station: I-95 & US 1 (Exit 298) PLP-Flagler Square, Highway 100, Flagler Beach December 1st: Team Meeting Houligan s Destination Daytona-Ormond Beach: 6 7 December 3rd: Kick Tire: Dunkin Donuts, Palm Coast PM December 5th: Christmas Knights of Columbus, Old Kings Rd. Palm Coast: 6 December 6th: Christmas ride to St. Augustine. Meet Location C, KSU 5PM. Enjoy the holiday Season with us. December 8th: FL1-K Team Gathering: Golden Corral 255 Cypress Edge Drive, Palm Coast 7 December 13th: Maintenance Sober residence, 15 Seafaring Place Palm Bring covered dish December 17th: Kick Tire: Dunkin Donuts, Palm Coast 6:30 PM December 20th: Ride to Gator Joes, SE 135 Ave. Ocklawaha, Location B 10AM January 1, 2015: First Ride of the year. Shrimps R Us, CR 308B, Welatka, Location B 11 AM Wendy s Kick Tire November 2014 Friends Ride for Fun Friends Ride SafelyRide with Knowledge

21 Annette Thompson 1801 North Central Avenue Flagler Beach, FL District Newsletter Award Judges: Bill and Cheryl Smith 2215 W. Pineridge Court Delray Beach, FL 33444