Gold Wing Road Riders Association Chapter AB-A A (Calgary) Newsletter February, 2008 Wing Wag SWISS GUIDES COTTAGE AT LAKE LOUISE www.goldwingcalgary.com Text and Photos by Bob Van nes Each year I look forward to riding in October. First, if the weather is nice in the morning it is unlikely it will deteriorate during the day. Second, the roads are generally clear of holiday travelers. And third, the mountains look great with the snow on them; this year was no exception. I know that some of the guys put on more kilometers than I did in October but I thought I would share a few of my rides. I always like to do a ride to Saskatchewan River Crossing in October. In the past a few of the chapter s retired members have done the ride during the week. This year, the weather forecast looked great for a Saskatchewan Crossing Sunday ride. The size of the group ranged from 13 to 15 riders. Some riders joined us (Continued on page 4) Feb 11 Mar 10 Coming Events Monthly Meeting Monthly Meeting What s Inside 2008 Motorcycle Show...2 Travel Travel Travel...5 Safety First Courses & Seminars...8 News & Notices...9 Classifieds...10 Calgary Area Staff Listing...10
Wing Wag February, 2008 Page 2 Text and Photos by Alex Middleton The 2008 Motorcycle Show was a great success due primarily to the dedication of our chapter volunteers. We had 16 people working 9 different shifts. New to the Chapter, Ian & Carolyn Sundby, worked Sunday afternoon and Sid Robinson worked a shift Sunday morning. It was sure great to see the enthusiasm from these new members. A couple from Canmore (Dennis and his wife) who are restoring a 1981 Gold Wing stopped by the booth on Friday afternoon and then showed up at our Sunday breakfast, (Continued on page 3)
Wing Wag February, 2008 Page 3 (Continued from page 2) it was great to see them and we hope to seen them again during the up-coming riding season. WW
Wing Wag February, 2008 Page 4 (Continued from page 1) Sundre Pressure Release Stop Photo Op when we stopped in Sundre and others departed in Rocky Mountain House after lunch. The group was so large, the lineup at Tim Hortons was well out the door. We stopped for some photo ops, but mostly just enjoyed the vistas through the mountains. I rolled into the garage at 7:00 pm just as it was getting dark. My second ride was with a much smaller group consisting of Jack Shapansky, Sid Robinson, and Alan Orr. This time we would ride south to Waterton, north to Fort Mcleod, and then north through Vulcan. We had cloud cover most of the day and therefore the temperature stayed a little cool. The wind did pick up as we proceeded north to Fort Mcleod. I guess that is why they put all the wind generators in the area. Riding north on Hwy 800 the evidence of cattle got greater and greater as we were forced to weave between the trails of droppings. I mentioned to Jack that I thought we were going to come across a herd of cattle and I was right. They were spread across the road and into the ditches on both sides. Just as I was thinking it was going to take a while for our group to get to where we were going, one of the horse mounted cowboys/out-riders motioned me to follow him. The horse moved slowly through the herd and the Entertaining the Tourists Getting ready to ride four of us followed in single file close be- (Continued on page 6)
Wing Wag February, 2008 Page 5 Text and Photos by: Lisa Miller A lot of us did a lot of traveling and touring last summer. For Colin and I it was a wonderful few months spent together in a variety of wonderful and scenic locations with work squeezed between trips. I actually kept our suitcases fully packed all summer long. As soon as one trip finished our travel clothes were washed and repacked and consumables were refilled ready for the next foray usually no more that two weeks down the road. To the casual observer you would think we never changed but we have developed a motorcycle travel wardrobe that maximizes our Gold Wing s limited packing space. Our first trip of the 2007 riding season took us to Wing Ding in Billings, Montana as part of a two week tour via the Black Hills of South Dakota and the Beartooth Pass then ending with a side trip through Glacier National Park enroute home. The summer s second trip was a one week excursion which took us to Jasper via the Icefield Parkway for a couple of days, then on to visit friends in Edmonton which resulted in a thorough drenching in a rain storm of epic proportions. Then on to Cold Lake to see my parents and sister. The return trip brought us home via St. Paul and Camrose a route we had not taken before. Our final two week trip of the summer took us through mainland British Columbia and up the sunshine coast, then across the strait to Vancouver Island. Once there we rode as far north on the island as the paved roads would take us and ferried to several islands. Returning down the island we stopped to check out several vineyards and wineries to sample the wares on offer in various locals. We returned home crossing the new bridge at Golden two days after its grand opening. We greatly enjoyed our various trips during the summer of 2007 and we hope to do many more such trips in the years to come, but 2008 will likely be limited to shorter weekend and overnight trips. Were will we go this year? WW
Wing Wag February, 2008 (Continued from page 4) hind. This was definitely a first for me. As we approached High River, Jack was getting low on gas and since he had never seen his red light come on before he wasn t sure if it worked (Jack has a 1993 Gl1500). The good news was that he lives in High River and the light does work. Page 6 How to Park The last ride for the year would take us to Radium, Golden and back home. This time The long lunch we would have riders from Airdrie, Okotoks, Hanna, and Strathmore join us. The group gathered at the Petro-Canada station just west of the city, split into groups of three and we were away. When we arrived in Radium, Allan Orr decided he would go for a swim. He did have plenty of time since it took forever to get something to eat. In fact Allan sat on the hearth of the fireplace to explain his theory on the right (Continued on page 7)
Wing Wag February, 2008 Page 7 (Continued from page 6) way to park a motorcycle as we were eating. This ride would be the first time for me crossing the new bridge east of Golden. It is pretty spectacular. Due to our delay in Radium the group topped up with gas in Canmore but skipped the usual visit to Tim Hortons as the sun would be going down soon and we didn t want to be riding in the dark. WW WW The view from the leader s perspective
Wing Wag February, 2008 Page 8 The courses listed below are in the planning stage pending approval from the district office and availability of facilities. More information will be forthcoming after the District meeting in mid February. If you are interested in attending any of these courses please contact Alex Middleton at rider education @ goldwing calgary.com to express your interest. March Co-Rider Seminar April Team Riding/Road Captain Seminar and Course April Parking Lot Practice May Two - ARC Courses June One 2-up ARC Course WW Writers Wanted 1020 Meridian Rd. N.E. Calgary, AB T2A 2N8 If you have a story about your recent motorcycle adventures we would love to share it with the other GWRRA members by publishing your story in the Wing Wag. Please email your stories to Lisa Miller at editor @ goldwing calgary.com
Wing Wag February, 2008 Page 9 1. Our chapter will be hosting members from the Edmonton chapter at the end of July. Tentative plans include a Saturday ride through the Highwood Pass with a picnic lunch along the way. A dinner on Saturday night with a venue and menu to be determined. We are also hoping the guest members will join us for Sunday breakfast before heading for home. Apparently there has been a challenged issued by the Edmonton chapter to have more of their members attend than Calgary members, that sounds like a challenge worth rising to. 2. Please submit your odometer readings for 2007 to Carol Myers at her chapter email address social 1 @ goldwing calgary.com. WW
Wing Wag February, 2008 Page 10 Classified Ads The Classified ads are free to all members and associates of the GWRRA. While advertised items do not have to be Gold Wing related, we do insist that all ads pertain to motorcycling. Ads will appear on a space available basis for one month. Should you wish to continue to run your ad for a second or succeeding month, you must resubmit or renew your ad. Deadline for submission is the 25th of the month preceding publication. To post an ad or if the item is sold or the offer withdrawn, please contact Lisa Miller at: editor @ goldwing calgary.com CLASSIFIED ADS WANTED: Used camper trailer to pull with my GL 1500 SE. Call Harvey in Calgary at (403) 285-8514. CALGARY AREA STAFF Chapter Directors Jim & Dorothy Baker (403) 285-0063 chapter director @ goldwing calgary.com Assistant Gary Premech (403) 238-8478 Chapter Director assistant chapter director @ goldwing calgary.com Quartermaster Brian Perrin (403) 241-7955 quartermaster @ goldwing calgary.com Newsletter Editor Lisa Miller (403) 288-0845 editor @ goldwing calgary.com Treasurer Darryl Snyder (403) 284-8425 treasurer @ goldwing calgary.com Ride Coordinator Rod Banman (403) 208-8142 ride coordinator @ goldwing calgary.com Rider Training Don Martin (403) 281-4687 rider training @ goldwing calgary.com Rider Education Alex Middleton (403) 274-4223 rider education @ goldwing calgary.com Rider Course Terry Burrell (403) 333-9914 Instructor rci @ goldwing calgary.com Social Coordinators Carol Myers (403) 254-1649 social 1 @ goldwing calgary.com & Susan Premech (403) 238-8478 social 2 @ goldwing calgary.com Social Coordinator & Vi Banman (403) 208-8142 Membership social 4 @ goldwing calgary.com Enhancement Assistant Membership Darryl Minsky (403) 286-9711 Enhancement webmaster @ goldwing calgary.com Coordinator & Webmaster January 50/50 Winner Warran Lench GWRRA TOLL FREE NUMBER (CANADA & US) 1-800-843-9460 NATIONAL LEADERS Executive Director Melissa Nordeoff (623) 581-2500 Natl Dirs for Cdn Ops Ron & Carol Hodgson (403) 309-5001 Natl Rider Ed Director Gordon Murphy (709) 753-2318 Region J Directors Phil & Margaret Craven (250) 353-7108 District Directors Ross & Audrey Woolsey (780) 922-2670 NOTE: Email addresses in this publication are displayed in a manner that will deter automatic address harvesting programs. This step is taken to reduce unsolicited email to any email addresses we post. We regret any inconvenience caused for our legitimate visitors. REMOVE ALL THE SPACES IN THE EMAIL ADDRESS TO MAKE IT WORK.
Wing Wag February, 2008 Page 11 EVENT SCHEDULE DAY/DATE EVENT AB-A SPONSOR Feb 11 Mar 10 February Monthly Meeting March Monthly Meeting Friends for Fun, Safety, and Knowledge Monthly Meetings Monthly meetings are held on the 2nd Monday of each month. This is a time to share information and to meet old and new friends who like to ride together for FUN, Safety and Knowledge. See you at the next meeting at the Fox Hollow Golf Club, 9th Street and 32nd Avenue N.E. Dinner @ 6:30; Meeting at 7:00 PM. Come ride with us...everyone Welcome! For the latest updates on what we are doing and where we re going, check out our website: www.goldwingcalgary.com Rain, snow or shine, we meet for breakfast every Sunday morning about 9 AM. This is a great year round way to stay in touch with your GWRRA friends. So, if you have missed the opportunity to join us for breakfast recently, why don t you come on over to the Fox Hollow Golf Club, 9th Street and 32nd Avenue N.E.
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