Monthly Meetings 3rd Thursday 6:00 pm eat 7:00 pm meeting Golden Corral I-55 & Hwy 157 Collinsville, IL GWRRA National PH 800-843-9460 GWRRA Director Jere Goodman director@gwrra.org Region E Director Bruce & Barb Beeman bbbeeman@charter.net Illinois District Director Dan Ribbing dd@gwrra-ildistrict.org Chapter O Officers Chapter Directors Ed & Vina Haggerty cbc05wing@aol.com 618-558-4729 Assistant Director Dave & Betty Story drstory1@aol.com Treasurer Vicky Dillard vcdil@aol.com Member Enhancement Judi Laux judilaux@newsignsfast.com Educator Jean Stout stoutsworld@gmail.com Webmaster & Newsletter Roy & Cheryl Miller rlm1123@charter.net From the Director Friends for Fun, Safety, and Knowledge Volume XIII Issue 9 September 2012 Changes I ve been told that the only constant in life, is change. The winds of change are in fact blowing in Chapter O. A year ago in July I announced that I would give up the director s position after a year, well, I stuck it out for another year, but Vina and I will step down in December and starting in January, Dave Story will be the new Chapter O director. Time for a change and some new, and fresh ideas. Vina and I look forward to supporting Dave and Betty anyway we can. Vina and I look forward to making more trips to Huntsville, Alabama to see our granddaughter change as she grows up. Fall is my favorite time of year to ride. The leaves have started to change color, well from green to brown and drop, but the leaves are changing. A cool bite in the air, a little heat from the Gerbing liner, clear blue sky above and deserted country road is my idea of a perfect ride. I hope you take your Goldwing out to ride in the changing season. Changes can take many forms, for instance, road construction. We all are experiencing the changes to the highways as we travel to St. Louis on the highways 55, 70 and 64 merge to the Popular Street and MKL bridges, as a new bridge is being constructed. We all have put up with road construction for a long period of time and rejoice when construction is over and we get to experience a smooth, new road. What a joy to ride on a newly paved road. However when the weather changes, and rain covers a newly paved road, oil and water don t mix, and safe riding condition quickly change to unseen disaster. Two couples from Chapter E wrecked on a new paved section of highway 55, near Cape Girardeau,
continue lightly covered in rain. From what I was told, no one saw a problem, and then both bikes lost control, and went down. One couple is fine, but their wing is destroyed, the other couple s bike looks fine, however the rider has two broken legs. How quickly things change. You may need to think a change to your insurance. Please consider taking a look at Air Evac EMS, a very affordable membership that provides air transport in an emergency. I found out that the average air transport is $17,000, I called my insurance agent and they will cover $1,000. Getting a bill for $16,000 certainly would change things in our lives. Their number is 800-793-0010, or www.joinlifeteam.com Exclusions and limitations do apply, call for details. I have no affiliation nor receive any compensation if anyone gets a membership. So as Fall approaches listen to the words of the Bee Gee s: Get on up, look around; can't you feel the wind of change? Get on up, taste the air; can't you see the wind of change. Good lyrics for motorcycle riding, be aware of changes, and anticipate changes. Ride Safe. Ed & Vina 41 members present Visitors: Jim & Mary Harris from O Fallon August Meeting Highlights Jean Stout talked about GWRRA member benefits, Sears, Office Max & hotel discounts etc. You can find a complete list on the Resource Link page on the website Announcements: New IL District Director 2013 Mary Adams currently Chapter G Director New Chapter O Directors 2013 Dave & Betty Story Winter Warm-up January 18th - 20th at Decatur Conference Center Theme Jungle Fever 2
CALENDAR of UP-COMING EVENTS Sep 20th - Chapter O Meeting - Golden Corral, Collinsville (eat 6pm meeting 7pm) 21st -23rd - 27th Annual Southern Illinois Ride-In 22nd - MO A to Z Poker Run Big St Charles Motorsports, St Charles, Mo 8:30 am 26th - Ice Cream Run - DQ, Troy 28-29th Iowa District Rally Toledo, IOWA Oct 3rd - Ice Cream Run - DQ, Highland 6th - Chapter- I 30th Anniversary Lions Club. 415 N Main St, Moweaqua, IL (see pg 8) 10th - Ice Cream Run - DQ, Bethalto 17th - Ice Cream Run - Culver s, Collinsville 18th - Chapter O Meeting - Golden Corral, Collinsville (eat 6pm meeting 7pm) 24th - Ice Cream Run - Culver s, O Fallon 27th - Fall Ride (more info to come) 27th - Chapter O Halloween Chili Dump @ 7709 Goshen Rd, Edwardsville Nov 7th - Ice Cream Run - Culver s, Edwardsville 21st - Ice Cream Run - Culver s, Collinsville Dec 5th - Ice Cream Run - Culver s, O Fallon 8th - Christmas Party Eagles Club 100 Eagle Dr., Shiloh 5:00 pm 19th - Ice Cream Run - Culver s, Edwardsville IMPORTANT DATES Oct 1st - Dave & Judi Laux Check the Chapter website at www.gwrrail-o.org for last minute schedule changes & updates Sep 23rd - Kathy Hahn Sep 24th - Richard McLean Sep 27th - Bill Sankus Oct 1st - Ruth Adamson Oct 2nd - Larry Kolling Oct 8th - Joann King Oct 16th - Dan Ribbing 3
NEW BADEN D.A.R.E. RIDE By: Roy Miller Sunday Sept 9 th was an extremely beautiful morning. Several Chapter O members met at Good Ol Days in New Baden, Walter & Jean Potwora, Dave and Betty Story joined by me and my Co-Rider, Larry & Lorraine Kolling, they only came for breakfast, along with Bill Sugg, Dan & Martha Ribbing, Bernie Lavezza, and Ed & Vina Haggerty for a very good breakfast. From breakfast we rode over to the New Baden Park where we all registered for the ride. At the New Baden Park we were joined by Bob & Vickie Depew Chapter U Directors, Ray & Mary Ruder, Henry & Sharon Ludwing, EJ & Jean Sporleder, Jim & Vickie Dillard. We all received our booklet that would get stamped at each stop along with the Dare Tee Shirts. At approximately 10:00 a.m. we pulled out of the New Baden Park led by our Chapter Director and his Co-Rider heading towards our first stop in Columbia, IL. We had nine two-wheel and three trikes. Ed lead us past Scott AFB in IL Hwy 161 to Hwy 158 to Hwy 177W and Walter and Jean pulled drag duties. We rode past Eckert s Market on IL Hwy 13/Hwy 15. We picked up Hwy 158W. It was a very beautiful morning, I believe it was around 75 degrees. The Dare directions brought us into Columbia through the back roads. The distance from the New Baden Park was 42.4 MI or about 1 HR and 11 mins. The first stop was at the Columbia Fire Department. Upon arrival the Fire Department parking lot was filled with all riders so we had to park across the street. It didn t take long before this parking lot was full as well. We all got our books stamped then refreshed and set out for our second stop at Fort de Chartres in Prairie du Rocher, on State Route 155. Once again Ed & Vina led most of the way through the Bluff Roads, Along the way we met several bike groups that were either part of the ride, they wore the shirts we were given at the New Baden Park. Our Chapter Director and Co-Rider had some communication break down for Ed missed a right turn on Chalfin Bridge Road, so Dan & Martha stepped up and led us on into Fort de Chartres with Ed and Vina pulling drag duties for a while. This was truly a Chapter O ride now. The ride was 39 miles or approximately 1 HR and 11 mins. At the Fort we all once again got our books stamped and freshened up. The Cub Scouts were assisting everyone at each stop with refreshments. It was decided we would stop for lunch at our third stop in Sparta. Ed & Vina once again took the lead and headed East on IL HWY 155 towards Sparta Fire Department. The ride to Sparta would take us 31.1 miles and around 49 mins. By now the temperature was a very pleasant 80 degrees. Upon arrival we were just one group among a bunch of other bikers, The Fire Department s was providing music and the mascot, Sparke was looking for a dance partner. Henry Ludwig tried to dance with Sparke, but was rejected for a much younger participant. Most of us just checked in by getting our books stamped and others bought some goodies to help out the Boy Scouts. After our lunch we all mounted up and headed to our fourth stop in Nashville, IL at the Boy Scouts Building. The temperature was still very pleasant, the sun was shining brightly making the ride very pleasurable. The ride to Nashville was 31 miles taking approximately 51 mins. We had a very short stop over just to get our books stamped for the last time. Now it was time to head back to New Baden s American Legion. The ride back to New Baden was 27 miles for about 37 minutes. Upon arrival back the parking lot was packed with bikers who participated in today s ride. We 4
continue had to park across the street. At the American Legion we all got together to take a group photo. At the Legion we were treated to a very fine dinner consisting hamburgers, brats, chicken, potato salad, beans, and sauerkraut.we were told what the various colors that were used to stamp our books were worth so while we were eating we all added up our points. Ed had the most points in our group with 3,100 which he received a Texas Roadhouse Gift Card and Mary Ruder had 2,900 she received a hand gun case. The final tally was there were 589 motorcycles and 882 riders that participated in today s ride. The weather was great and the company outstanding. Overall it was a great ride! Ride for Kids, August 19th By: Roy Miller On Sunday the 19thof August several members of Chapter O met at the Flying J @ Hwy 270 & Hwy 111. Dan and Martha Ribbing, Bernie Lavezza & Julie, along with Bill Sugg, Cheryl and I, consisting of three two wheel and one trike. We were participating in the 10th Ride for Kids. A group of 175 riders and other supporters came to St. Charles Community College in Cottleville to support their stars, James, Isabelle, Brian, Joshua, Daniel, Hope, Abigail, Josh, Zachary, Ashleigh, and Courtney. The ride consisted of going through the Wine country on HWY 94. There was one accident where a rider got into some gravel and his motorcycle went out from under him. He received minor injuries. After the ride, PBTF college scholarship recipient Abigail said, Thanks so much to everyone that gives up their time to help. You give us hope. Much of that hope comes from researchers like Dr. Joshua Rubin of St. Louis Children s Hospital and Siteman Cancer Center, who assured the riders that their dollars make a difference. The top fundraisers were: Individual: Lisa Rozier, $45,000 Family team or organization: Taylor Rozier s Hope for a Cure Brain Tumor Foundation, $45,000 Motorcycle club/chapter: Brian Ott s Bikers, $12,179 Motorcycle business: Niehaus Cycle Sales, $17,760 Total raised. $101,831 for the PBTF The donated Ride for Kids drawing prizes went to John Voss (Honda motorcycle); Mary Hoette (AGV helmet); Mike Doyer (Dunlop tire); and Lisa Rozier (Tourmaster luggage and Cardo Systems headset). After the event a few riders headed over to Edwardsville, to join Bill & Cheryl Cook at the DARE show. 5
My Favorite Things By: Ed Haggerty (from Oct 2009 newsletter) Cool Autumn Mornings and warm heated liners, Geese flying south, and trees turning colors, Harvested farm fields, with sweet smells in the air, This is my favorite time of the year. When the deer jumps, when the clouds rain, When my hands turn cold, I simply remember my favorite things, And then I don t ride so bad. Ok, so I can t write a song, but Fall is my favorite time to ride the Goldwing. As the season changes, so does your level of awareness need to change. Temperatures drop, your tire pressure drops too. We adjust the pressure, then we get a warm day, this will over inflate the tires, take 2 minutes and adjust the tire pressure. Keeping proper inflated tires is a never ending chore. The holidays are approaching, if you don t have a small compressor to inflate tires, one would make a perfect gift. Having proper inflated tires are one of my favorite things. Clean your windshield. Get the bugs off. Here we have different ideas, a hot, wet dishcloth with one drop of Dawn dish washing liquid is the best I have ever found. A second wet dishtowel to remove the soap works for me. I use a clean micro fiber towel to dry the windshield. I ve tried different sprays, Hydrogen peroxide and polishes that are made to clean the windshield, I like the hot, soapy dish cloth. Time to pick up a pack of micro fiber towels. Looking through a crystal clear windshield as I ride, is one of my favorite things. Familiar roads can change in a day. Road crews working on highways, farmers slinging mud on the road as they harvest. Dead critters that didn t make it. Road alligators appear out of nowhere. All present distracting challenges that raise the need to ride aware. Darkness comes sooner every day now, be visible, be seen. Wearing a reflective vest is a good idea. Arriving home, kick stand down, a safe ride concluded is one of my favorite things. Fall is a wonderful time to ride. Take time to prepare your Goldwing for your ride, see what s in front of you, and be seen by others. Enjoy these last days of the riding season and you too will be singing with Julie Andrews that memories of Fall rides on your Goldwing are a few of your favorite things. 6
Press release from the District Newsletter 7
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Just for Fun GUESS the Young Biker Look over the Young Biker of the month. We ll have the photo posted on the Web also. Post your guess on the Chapter message board or email me at rlm1123@charter.net if you don t have email leave a voice message. Phone 667-7132 Need a couple more photos to finish the year out!! Boy! This was a difficult one. Vicki Dillard guessed it on Sep 19th Ed Haggerty Next year we would like to do wedding photos! PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS 9
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS GWRRA IL Chapter O Ed & Vina Haggerty 1101 West Harnett St. 10