Region H LA District NELAWINGS Chapter D - Monroe April, 2017 2013 FROM YOUR CHAPTER DIRECTORS Jim and Carol Rodgers The year seems to be going by fast. Here we are in April which offers us the start of our good season for biking - good riding days for eating, attending great rallies and a time to schedule some special rides. Hope everyone will make spring and summer plans to include and enjoy some of these opportunities. Louisiana Rally has just ended. We had 18 members and 3 guests from our chapter attend and enjoy Looking for the Rougarou in a great Mardi Gras theme environment. Thanks to those who helped with our commitment time at the Registration Desk and also selling tickets. Our chapter games team (Fay Wainwright, James Gandy, Becky Askin and Kimmie Strickland) did our chapter proud (they were very impressive waddling and dropping those quarters in the bucket.) Our chapter banner was awarded second place and we took second place for table decoration at the Mardi Gras Dance, thanks to Lou Ann and Reba. They had great ideas and decorations to contribute to an impressive table. Thanks also to Jim Berry for leading a side ride to the rally and mainly being such a good weather watcher to guide his group around the rain and storms going down and coming back. Chapter Team and Upcoming Events Inside this issue: Chapter Educator 3 Chapter MEC 4 Sponsors 6 At the Gathering 7 Rally and Ride Pics 8 Next up is the Region H Rally the last week of this month. Registration packet pick-up begins Thursday at 1:00 pm (April 27) with opening ceremony (ice cream and Boogie Woogie show at 4:30.) Friday (April 28) at 10 a.m. is the Couple of the Year selection. We are looking for lots of supporters wearing blue in the audience as we represent the Louisiana District. Lots of activities between Thursday night and closing Saturday at 4 p.m, including guided rides, chapter competitions, workshops and exercise classes. Chapter D is presently renewing advertising for our monthly newsletter. We want to thank our early responders, McKinney Honda, Bayou PowerSports, J & M Clocks, and Martin Heating and Air Conditioning. If you know of some- Monthly Gathering The Piccadilly Cafeteria 1st Thursday of each Month 2203 Louisville Ave. Monroe, Louisiana 6:00 to eat, 6:45 to meet www.nelawings.org 3 (Continued on page 2) 1
one who might want to advertise, please contact them. Rates are $60 for a business card size and $150 for a half page ad. This is great advertising for the price as it covers 12 issues of our newsletter which goes to all of our members and also some other chapters. Contact LouAnn Copeland or Jim Rodgers for further information. Hope to see all of you at our chapter Crawfish Boil on Saturday, April 22, at 7411 Westlake Road, Sterlington. If you need directions call 348-2193 or 348-2719. We plan to eat around 3 p.m., but come earlier if you want. We ll have crawfish, corn, and potatoes ($15) or hamburgers ($5) if you don t eat crawfish. Bring your favorite dessert or appetizer if you wish. JIM & CAROL 2
Upcoming Events Details at www.nelawings.org Region H Rally - 4/27-29, Marshall, TX TX District Rally - 5/18-20, Wichita Falls, TX KS District Rally - 6/23-24, Hutchinson, KS AR District Rally - 7/14-15, Eureka Springs, AR OK District Rally - 9/28-30. Muskogee, OK Chapter D Leadership Team Chapter Directors Jim and Carol Rodgers lad.cd@nelawings.org Assistant Chapter Directors OPEN Lad.acd@nelawings.org Chapter Educator Kathleen and Charles Parker lad.re@nelawings.org Chapter Motorist Awareness Lou Ann and Eugene Copeland Lad.mad@nelawings.org Treasurer Lou Ann Copeland lad.treasurer@nelawings.org Newsletter Editors Ride Coordinators Reba and Jim Berry lad.newsletter@nelawings.org Membership Enhancement Coord. Couple of the Year Jean and Eddie Peavy lad.mec@nelawings.org Sunshine Lady Fay Wainwright Check out the District Webpage for events going on throughout the state. 3
Chapter Educators Kathleen and Charles Parker Group Riding There is much info concerning group riding, but does one ever learn everything there is to know about this topic? I believe that one can learn something from everyone and every endeavor one attempts, including group or team riding. Almost all of us have ridden thousands of miles in groups and encountered just about every situation there is, but have we thought about the safety aspects of it? Here are a few more tips for us as we enter the spring riding season. During rides, bikes often get out of position, and either lag behind or move out far ahead. The drag bike is usually always trying to play catch up, and often will get out of position, or be back further than he needs to be. Of course, road conditions and traffic are factors to consider and they are variables. What can be done to keep everyone together? 1. Lead bikes can change speed more gradually. He doesn t have to gun it as often happens. 2. Since we all have cb radios, he can announce the changes in speed. Let s have all bikes changing speed at the same time rather than individually. 3. Riders should not rev their speeds just to catch up and maintain road positions. 4. A good leader does not speed up 15 seconds prior to entering a curve, just to slow down as he enters it. 5. Abandon the 2 second rule when on a 2 lane road, when riding roads like the Tail of the Dragon, or other curvy roads. Increase the time between bikes. 6. Six bikes is enough for a group, and never more than eight bikes. If there are more bikes on the ride, form more groups. I have ridden in larger groups, as I am sure almost all of us have, but it is dangerous. 7. In town and cities, try to tighten up the group so as to get thru stop lights. Never run a stop sign or light. It is not worth it. 8. In towns and cities, limit the radio chatter, so that the lead bike and the drag bike can communicate. 9. Have fun and enjoy the company of your friends. Until next time, Keep the shiny side up, and when you come to a fork in the road, take it Charles Parker Rider Educator, GWRRA La. D 4
Chapter Membership Enhancement Coordinators Jean and Eddie Peavy Hello everyone, this year is slipping on by. We hope there was a good group from Chapter D at the La state rally. We hope everyone had a good time. The next thing will be the Region H rally. We cannot make it this time, maybe next year. Please go if you can and support Carol and Jim in the Region Couple Selection. It is always a good ride and good to see old friends and make new ones. So, until next time, be safe. MEC Eddie and Jean Peavy Things on the Horizon: Region H Rally - Apr Barksdale Airshow - May Davis Mountain/Big Bend Ride - May Peach Festival - Jun Memphis Bike Fest - Jul Wing Ding 39 - Aug/Sep Nova Scotia/NE Fall colors Ride - Sep/Oct Angola Prison Rodeo - Oct Cruising the Coast - Oct Region H Ride In - Nov Chapter Cruise Rider Ed Seminars Things to celebrate in April: 12th - Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day 13th - National Peach Cobbler Day 15th - Husband Appreciation Day 26th - National Pretzel Day 28th - Kiss Your Mate Day 5
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At the March Gathering Happy Birthday: Billy Jarmon and Sandy Hudson Our new Chapter Couple: Jean and Eddie Peavy 50/25/25 Winners: Leonard Farrar and Charles Parker Green ball winner: Jimmy Watley 7
LA RALLY 8
ALLIGATOR HUNTERS 9
MORE LA RALLY That s Chapter D in the upper left in our alligator heads. Bottom left is Alvalin and Jim Woodul of Texas. They won best dressed couple. To the right are our friends Dave and Sophia. She has had better days! 10
A FEW OBSTACLES GETTING HOME The driveway to get out of the hotel parking lot onto I-49. The first brave soul to cross the lake to the interstate. The hail that arrived in Columbia about 30 minutes ahead of us. Can you believe we were never rained on? 11
The Creole Nature Trail On the Sunday before the LA Rally in Lafayette, Reba and I had visitors from Nova Scotia. Sheila and Dave Levy were in the International Couple Selection at Wing Ding in Huntsville, AL. We hit it off with them and saw each other again at the NY/NJ Bi-State Rally last spring. They decided to ride down for the LA rally but due to snow all over the ground, they elected to come in the 4 wheeler. They arrived at our house on Sunday night. On Monday morning we introduced them to our 2003 GL 1800. They ride a 1500 at home. We took in some must see sights around town, Bayou DeSiard and Duck Dynasty. On Tuesday we set off on a road trip to my home town, Natchitoches. A friend of mine, once visiting Natchitoches, described it as a little bit of New Orleans without the smell of urine and beer. I bet if they had police vehicles like this in Monroe, Jere would still be on the Sr. Citizen patrol holding his hair dryer out the window! 12
On Tuesday night we had supper with members of Chapter D at Catfish Charlie s. Several of these members are planning to ride to Nova Scotia where Dave and Sheila will serve as our hosts. On Wednesday morning 5 bikes and an SUV headed out to south LA. The plan was to do part of the Creole Nature Trail on Wednesday, finish up on Thursday and head out for the LA rally. Rain dictated otherwise. In the Lafayette area we had lunch at Pat s of Henderson and traveled back roads to St. Martinsville. The Levy s were interested in seeing the Evangeline Oak and Evangeline s statue. Evangeline started her journey just a short distance from their house in Nova Scotia. We will get to see that in September! On Thursday morning, we hit the road for Lake Charles and the entrance to the Creole Nature Trail. Here are some of the scenes from the drive. We never saw an alligator! We didn t see a lot of wildlife, but a day of riding in the sunshine in 70 degree weather ain t bad. And Reba and I now have all of the LA parishes colored in on our vests! 13
Discover the Hospitality Region Boogie Woogie Down To Marshall Region H Rally April 27, 28, 29, 2017 Marshall Texas Civic Center Complex 2501 East End Blvd. S. Mini-Grand Prize $250-2 Grand Prizes $500 each Full Registration Includes: Rally Pins for first 500 registered COY Selection Guided and Self Guided Rides Breakfast Rides Light Show/Bike Show Seminars/Workshops Vendors Early Bird Exercise Class Bingo Dress Competition Trike Course Talent Show Level 4 Breakfast CPR/First Aid Art Class HOST HOTELS Hampton Inn $75.00 next to Golden Corral - 903-927-0079 La Quinta Inn and Suites $75.00 (Pet Friendly) - 903-934-3080 Best Western $65.00-903-935-0707
Host Hotel: Best Western Inn of the Ozarks 207 West Van Burien Eureka Springs, AR 479-253-9768 GWRRA 2017 Arkansas District Region H Rally Eureka Springs, AR July 14-15, 2017 Opening Ceremonies July 14 at 11:00 a.m. At The Best Western Inn of the Ozarks Conference Center GWRRA members and friends Come and join us for good fellowship and fun! DRESS THEME GANGSTER DAYS IN THE ROARING 20 S Join in on the Roaring 20 Gambling Games: Plinko, Black Jack,Craps, Musical Chairs, Cake Walk SCHEDULED EVENTS Planned Motorcycle Rides in Eureka Springs Gambling Fun with fake money (Money is provided) Roaring 20 s Costume Contest Mascot Awards Pride Table Awards Light Parade District Couple of the Year competition GWRRA Shirt Competition VENDERS! For more information please email Richard Austin at director@argwrra.org or call Vicki Austin 501-831-2461
Arkansas District Rally Registration Form July 14-15, 2017 in Eureka Springs, AR Region: District: Chapter: I plan to Host stay at: Hotel Registration Other Hotel Camp Other Direct Miles to the Rally: Early Bird Registration (expires April 1) Qty Pre- Registration (deadline is July 4) Qty On-Side Registration Total Amount due $25.00 $30.00 $35.00 $ $20.00 $25.00 $30.00 $ $30.00 $35.00 $40.00 $ GWRRA Member Life Member Non- Member Qty Rider: GWRRA# Age: Co- GWRRA# Age: Rider Address: City: State: Phone: E-mail: Zip Code: $500 Grand Prize Tickets Quantity X $1.00 each $ Tickets are $1 per ticket. The drawing will be held Saturday at Closing Ceremonies. You must be present to win. 50/50 tickets for Friday 50/50 tickets for Saturday 20 for $10.00 Quantity X $10.00 each 20 for $10.00 Quantity X $10.00 each $ $
Level IV Luncheon (current members only) 50/50 tickets will be sold daily at the rally Master Tour Rider Number# 1 $10.00 per rider $ Please check 1 food item for luncheon Chicken Roast Beef on a Hoagie Master Tour Rider Number# 1 $10.00 per rider $ Please check 1 food item for luncheon Chicken Roast Beef on a Hoagie You must be a current member to attend the Level IV Luncheon. Deadline to register for the luncheon is June 1. If a food item is not chosen you will receive Chicken Rally T-Shirt Please enter quantity ordered from t-shirt order form. Long Sleeve S,M. L, XL Quanity ordered $15.00 per shirt $ Long Sleeve 2XL, 3XL, 4XL Quanity ordered $17.00 per shirt $ Short Sleeve S,M. L, XL Quanity ordered $12.00 per shirt $ Short Sleeve 2XL, 3XL, 4XL Quanity ordered $14.00 per shirt $ No Refunds after June 1, 2017 GRAND TOTAL DUE $ I/we agree to hold harmless GWRRA, any co-sponsoring organizations and any property owners for any loss or injury to self or property due to participating in this rally Please mail registration and fee to: Arkansas District, Becky Farmer, 3410 Browning Road, Benton, AR 72019 For additional information, please email the AR District Director: director@argwrra.org or call Vicki Austin at 501-831-2461