June August 2013 2008 Alamo City Wings Volume 32 Friends for Fun, Safety, and Knowledge! Chapter H Officers Chapter Director Bruce MacMaster 520-3061 BAMac45@aol.com Assistant Chapter Director Vacant Chapter Educator Bruce MacMaster 520-3061 BAMac45@aol.com Membership Coordinator Phyllis Ellis 695-4320 Pcelde@swbell.net Secretary/Treasurer Charles Fleming 827-1894 txgoldwing00@att.net Chapter H Staff Web Master Dean Davis dean@jeanniesherbs.com Newsletter Editor Vacant Technical Advisor Len Ellis - 695-4320 Pcelde@swbell.net Chapter Photographer Dean Davis dean@jeanniesherbs.com Activity / Ride Coordinator Charles Fleming 682-1446 txgoldwing00@att.net * From the Chapter Director * It seems that summer has finally arrived. I went up to Wichita Falls for the Gumball Rally, running into a mist or drizzle, depending how you define those two terms, however temperature wise it was pretty comfortable. It turned hot up there and humid. The next day I woke up to a wet bike and cover. When I left on Saturday at 5:00 PM it was 100 degrees. It was still in the upper 80s when I arrived home about 11:00 PM. It has stayed hot since then until the torrential rains we had on Saturday that wiped out our planed breakfast ride. O well we needed the rain but it would be nice if it didn t come all at once. The next rally, that I know people are going to, is Wing Ding. Take a look at our Web site and you will see that there are at least three different times that people are leaving and returning from Greenville. Hook up with one of the groups for a more enjoyable and safe trip. If you can t leave at the same time as the trips planned let Dean know your plans so he can post them on our Web site. This way someone else may be able to join you on your trip across country. Texas District Officer s & Staff District Directors David & Christina Vidrine 281-709-3904 Asst. District Directors Mike & Robin Thacker 281-686-8892 District Educators Ricky & Karen Frazier 281-615-4386 District Treasurer Diane Shults 713-562-3994 Membership Enhancement Steve & Billie Fleming 832-630-2038 Coordinators Asst. Membership Enhancement Jim & Alvalin Woodul 254-458-2079 Coordinators Entertainment Coordinator Kenny Shults 281-642-4619 District Couple of the Year Mike & Robin Thacker 281-686-8892 COY Coordinators Jean & Dave Simmons 325-382-4469 District Trainer Open Vendor Coordinators Kenny Schults 281-642-4619 Webmaster Tom Sprague 858-755-6071 Newsletter Editor Christina Vidrine 832-217-5432
Volume 32-2 - There are some officer and staff positions in the chapter that are looking to be filled. We need an assistant Chapter Director, an Educator and a Newsletter Editor. If you are interested in any of these positions please let me know. If you are going to Wing Ding there will be seminars about them so you can find out what they entail. Remember the more you participate in chapter activities the more fun you have. Our June meeting will be on the 5th at 7:30 PM at Logan's Roadhouse. Come early for dinner. Hope to see you there. Ride Safe, Ride Often Bruce MacMaster Rider Education Motorcycle Gear for Staying Safe Information on Materials So you are ready to buy your gear and the question is leather or synthetic? Well tomato or to-mat-to? Riders recommend and prefer both, here's what we know about each: Leathers If you decide on leather, make sure you check what kind of leather you are buying. Cowhide, is known for its strength and is preferable. Any leather jacket you buy should be at least 1 millimeter thick. Another option is Buffalo Hide, which is less common but also is very durable and is great for riding. If you see motorcycle wear made of pigskin, buy it, wear it to a club, or pose in your closet mirror while listening to "Born to be Wild". But do not wear it to ride a motorcycle, pigskin is very soft, tears easily and is not durable enough for motorcycle riding. Although we all love a good deal, oftentimes the best leathers are the most expensive. This probably isn't the area to scrimp in, remember, the best hide will save your hide. (Sorry, I had to make that joke at least once.) If you'd like to know more, check out Chillowee.com's guide to hides. Synthetic materials Man-made materials are increasingly common choice for motorcycle gear as they offer improved weather protection and can often be more comfortable than leather. Common materials include ballistic nylon (also called Codura nylon), Kevlar, or blends of several materials. When you are buying synthetic gear, be sure to check out the strength of the piece of clothing. The piece should be able to maintain its structure and integrity in a crash. Be sure that it has an ability to slide, not grab the road. Finally, be sure to check out the material's ability to stretch and breathe. You want to be safe, but you also want to be comfortable. Information on Reflectivity One of the additional advantages of synthetic material is that they often involve reflective fabrics or highly visible fabrics, that increase visibility.
Volume 32-3 - Fluorescent clothing may reduce motorcycle injuries and death. British researchers who analyzed 463 motorcycle drivers admitted to hospital following a road traffic incident and 1233 other drivers (control group) to evaluate how wearing conspicuous attire affected the risk of having an accident. They found that with reflective or fluorescent clothing the risk of a crash injury was reduced by 37%, with a white helmet by 24%, and with headlights by 27%. ("Motorcycle Rider Conspicuity and Crash Related Injury: Case-control Study") If you are riding in a highly populated urban area, wear Day-Glo colors combined with reflective panels and tape. High visibility colors are the best way to be seen during the day and the best choice is yellow, which is the color most visible to the human eye. Here are some reflective motorcycle vests and reflective motorcycle gloves. A vest is a good choice when you want to be seen on your bike, but not necessarily off it. They are easy on, easy off; not all of us want to wear Day Glo orange in the grocery store. Colors do not offer us much protection at night. Advances in reflective technology, offer us a way to be easily visible at night with retroreflective materials. These materials reflect light back at its source. Leather can also be equipped with reflectively, often in the piping or logo. Reflectivity is always a good choice when choosing gear. You can also add reflectivity to your existing gear with reflective tape kits, which allow you to sew or adhere tape to your bike or clothing. We re Back in the Saddle, Again Because of Rod s vision, we d stopped riding at night a long time ago. I d noticed it was getting progressively worse over time. Finally, on a day trip, in early November 2012, it became all too obvious to me that it had reached the point that I no longer felt safe to ride with him. I told him that would be the last ride for me, unless and until he had taken steps to correct his vision. I also suggested that he not ride. He s strongwilled (obstinate?) enough that he refused to give up riding altogether, but to his credit, he only rode enough to keep the battery charged. When he realized that I intended to follow through on my resolve to not ride, he made an appointment with an Ophthalmologist. Weeks later, he had successful cataract surgery, with improved vision, literally overnight. When I was convinced that he could see again, I agreed to ride with him. After slightly more than six months of not riding, we ventured out on a day trip, just the two of us. For years, we ve had a standing Sunday night dinner date with friends. Since they were out of
Volume 32-4 - town, we decided to combine our ride with dinner. There s a place in San Marcos that makes my very favorite sandwich. Now, we re seldom in, or passing through San Marcos at mealtime, so yes, on occasion we do drive that far just to eat. After a couple of unseasonably chilly days, the temperature on Sunday was perfect for riding. As we pulled out of our housing area, traffic was light, skies were bright blue, without a cloud in sight and there was a gentle breeze. After six months off the bike, and having added a few pounds, to my dismay, I had to loosen the Velcro straps on the sides of my jacket. The helmet felt tighter (Did my head get bigger, too?), the legs felt a little stiffer when mounting, and I was the least bit uneasy when we started out. By the time we got out of the driveway and turned onto the next street, I was totally comfortable and felt like I was where I belonged! As we reached highway speed, the normal exhilaration had returned. Over the years, the scenery from home to San Marcos has changed drastically. What used to be countryside between the towns has become quite urbanized. Now it seems that San Antonio becomes New Braunfels, becomes San Marcos. What with travel centers, shopping malls, other commercial establishments and housing developments, I had to shoot quickly to get pictures of anything resembling rural life. We had a pleasant, uneventful ride to San Marcos, then a leisurely, scrumptious dinner, after which we headed home. As I said earlier, it was sunny, with not a cloud in the sky. The return trip was marred slightly, as we were riding directly toward that big orange ball, which now was lower in the sky, causing us to cast a much longer shadow. Most of the way home, Rod definitely needed his new and improved vision! We rode 120 miles for our first outing. It was a fun trip and I m ready to go again. Maybe next time we ll put more thought into planning the timing and/or direction a little better. Betty Loper, aka Rebel Child
Volume 32-5 - LETTER FROM THE EDITOR We are looking for the right person to fill this position. If you are interested please see me. Bruce MacMaster - Interim Newsletter Editor So you think you know everything? A dime has 118 ridges around the edge. A cat has 32 muscles in each ear. A crocodile cannot stick out its tongue. A dragonfly has a life span of 24 hours. A goldfish has a memory span of three seconds. A "jiffy" is an actual unit of time for 1/100th of a second. A shark is the only fish that can blink with both eyes. A snail can sleep for three years. Al Capone's business card said he was a used furniture dealer. All 50 states are listed across the top of the Lincoln Memorial on the back of the $5 bill. Almonds are a member of the peach family. Father s Day comes once a year on June 16. For those of you wondering just why it is that our nation sets aside a special day for fathers, let s put this in perspective. To begin with, if it weren t for some random guy named Dad, you wouldn t be here! When you really stop and think about it, it s no laughing matter. After all, some guy named Dad cared enough about your future existence to marry your Mom and then hang around for 18 years while you grew from an embryo to an infant to a bratty teenager to a full grown adult. That s quite some commitment, and a lot of time, money, and effort. Parenting is a two partner project, and it s only natural to celebrate both partners alike. So, the Fathers get their own day, each and every year, on June 16. Father s Day means a great many things to a great many people. But most of us will agree that Father s Day means the day in which you celebrate your Dad s existence. Father s Day is the day you bring your Dad a little gift. It s the day we all say Thank you for being there, Dad! Thanks for everything you did, and for just being you! In this day and age of rampant divorce and parental abandonment, it s more important than ever to pay our due tribute to the fathers who took the time and made the major commitment simply to Be There. There aren t as many of such noble warriors as you might imagine. Does Dad really want a gift for Father s Day, or can you safely ignore it? Naturally, we don t know the secret wishes and
Volume 32-6 - inclinations of every Dad in America. Some do, some don t. But we re pretty well sure that, even if your Dad doesn t make a big deal out of the holiday (or any holiday for that matter, especially his birthday!), your Dad will certainly appreciate receiving some small trinket and token of your affection. Just don t get all soppy and mushy about it! Ger Dad something useful, like a tool, or a sports memento, or something of the sort. In the end, it s the gesture that really counts. Your Dad is sure to be very glad that you care enough about him to get him anything at all! FLAG DAY Each year on June 14, we celebrate the birthday of the Stars and Stripes, which came into being on June 14, 1777. At that time, the Second Continental Congress authorized a new flag to symbolize the new Nation, the United States of America. The Stars and Stripes first flew in a Flag Day celebration in Hartford, Connecticut in 1861, during the first summer of the Civil War. The first national observance of Flag Day occurred June 14, 1877, the centennial of the original flag resolution. By the mid 1890's the observance of Flag Day on June 14 was a popular event. Mayors and governors began to issue proclamations in their jurisdictions to celebrate this event. In the years to follow, public sentiment for a national Flag Day observance greatly intensified. Numerous patriotic societies and veterans groups became identified with the Flag Day movement. Since their main objective was to stimulate patriotism among the young, schools were the first to become involved in flag activities. In 1916 President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation calling for a nationwide observance of Flag Day on June 14. It was not until 1949 that Congress made this day a permanent observance by resolving, "That the 14th day of June of each year is hereby designated as Flag Day. The measure was signed into law by President Harry Truman. Although Flag Day is not celebrated as a Federal holiday, Americans everywhere continue to honor the history and heritage it represents.
Volume 32-7 - By the Book By: Jack Wagner Region H Trainer By the Book articles are intended to help familiarize GWRRA Volunteer Leaders and Members with the policies, procedures, and information contained in the GWRRA Officer s Handbook (OHB). A copy of the Officer s Handbook can be found at the following Internet website: www.gwrra.org/oconnect/ Our Core Values In the past issues of By the Book we explored the GWRRA Mission and Vision statements. Now its time to turn our attention to the Core Values of our Association. These are values that all of our GWRRA officers from the Chapter level to the 'top of the house' should strive to exhibit. EXCELLENCE - Our quest for excellence includes an abiding pride in our Association. CHARACTER - Honesty, integrity and commitment are the key character elements in developing trust and respect within our Association. FOCUS - Our focus is to meet the needs of our Members and provide leadership through our Officers and staff. ATTITUDE - Our Officers and staff maintain a positive, enthusiastic and creative attitude in their approach of providing an atmosphere for fun, safety and knowledge. FAIRNESS - The resolution of any issue should stand the test of is it fair? COMMUNICATIONS - The more we share information and communicate about goals, values, measures and rewards, the more effective we can be as individuals and as Members of the Association. TEAMWORK - Teamwork is the ability to work together toward our common vision. It is our ability to direct individual accomplishment toward Association objectives. It is the fuel that allows all of us to achieve exceptional results. TRAINING - Well-trained Officers and staff will provide improved Member services and create increased position satisfaction. QUALITY - To be the best we can be and to hold the Members in highest esteem and respect will guarantee the quality of our Association. The core values form the basis of many other facets of the Officer Handbook. Do they sound like the qualities you would like to see in your Chapter Team? I imagine they are. They are simple, easy to understand and if you keep them in mind as you go about running your Chapters, you will have happy Members and thriving Chapters. Learn the Truth Then Pass It Along Jack Wagner Region H Trainer Murphy's Law of Motorcycling 1. A Motorcycle cannot fall over without an audience. 2. The odds of a motorcycle falling over are directly proportional to the size of the audience and the owner's ego. Newness and cost of the bike are contributing factors. 3. Motorcycles are yellow bugs to what aircraft carriers once was to Kamikaze pilots. 4. You will not feel the need to go to the restroom until you put on your rainsuit. 5. The fact that your keys are still in your pants pocket will not become apparent until after you put on your gloves. 6. Quick fixes are so named for how long they stay fixed. 7. The only part you really need will be the one on permanent backorder. 8. Nothing is harder to start than a used motorcycle being shown to a prospective buyer. 9. You will never suffer a punctured tire on the road until you leave the repair kit at home. 10. "Universal" accessories are so named because that is where you have to search to find the bike they fit.
Volume 32-8 - REGION H NEWS Bill & Dea Ann Gray Region H Director, GWRRA Operation H - No Winger Left Behind! Chapter Anniversaries / Rallies / Fund Raisers Fund raising is a must for all Chapters, Districts and Regions. This is one way we continue to move forward as an active organization. Education and training is how we stay viable. The success of our activities is completely de-pendent on attendance. Region H has a Region rally, 5 District rallies and approximately 70 annual Chapter rallies, anniversaries and fundraisers. Scheduling can be a challenge. you can capitalize on get-ting the most attendees. For most of us, there is only so much time and money to go around. As leaders, Directors have a responsibility to optimize our members opportunities to attend and participate in GWRRA activities. AS MEMBERS WE CAN T DO IT ALL BUT LET S DO WHAT WE CAN! See you somewhere! To make things more interesting we see the majority of District and Chapter activities PACKED into 4 months. Not to mention District and Region activities outside of Region H. Regions and Districts have only ONE OPPOR-TUNITY to raise funds. Chapters on the other hand have many opportunities such as monthly 50/50 sales, bake sales, spirit wear sales as well as their annual anniversary / fund raiser / rally. Here is the challenge: How do we prioritize these activities and make them a win/win for all? First, we encourage all District and Chapter Directors to work together as you build your calendars for the year. Second, please consider National, Region and District rallies when scheduling chapter activities. Third, check District calendars to prevent conflicts with other chapter functions. Lastly, with 12 months to work with, consider a less busy time for your annual chapter activities so
Volume 32-9 - Alamo Cycle Plex 11900 I.H. 10 West 696-2000 Complete Bike Financing Sales and Service WDC Trike Conversions, Inc. www.2wingnuts.us June BIRTHDAYS 210-872-6206 * MTC Voyager Trike Conversions * Champion Sidecar-Trikes, Sidecars, Colorado Trailers & Patriot hard bags. * California Sidecar-Trikes, Escapade Trailers & Sidecars * Cyclone Alarm Systems * Klicktronic-Electric Shifter * LED Lighting * Rivco Accessories JR Fitzgerald Old Friends 20 th Wayne: 2wingnuts2@earthlink.net Daniel: 2wingnuts@earthlink.net Colby: 2wingnuts3@earthlink.net Two elderly ladies had been friends for many decades. Over the years they had shared all kinds of activities and adventures. Lately, their activities had been limited to meeting a few times a week to play cards. One day they were playing cards when one looked at the other and said, "Now don't get mad at me... I know we've been friends for a long time, but I just can't remember your name. I've thought and thought, but I can't recall it. Please tell me what your name is." Her friend glared at her. For at least three minutes she just looked at her. Finally she said, "How soon do you need to know?"
Volume 32-10 - 06/02/13 08:00 14:00 Breakfast Ride pick a place and go Chapter Meeting/Gathering at Logan s Road House on IH 10, Meet around 6:30 p.m. for 06/05/13 18:30 20:30 dinner, meeting starts at 7:30 p.m. 06/08/13 08:00 14:00 Breakfast Ride - pick a place and go Meet at Mimi s at La Cantera and IH-10 West for breakfast. Meet at 8:00am for 06/16/13 08:00 14:00 breakfast, or show up at 9:00am just to ride. 06/22/13 08:00 14:00 Breakfast Ride - pick a place and go 06/30/13 08:00 14:00 Breakfast Ride - pick a place and go WING DING in Greenville, South Carolina July 3 rd thru July 6 th Check www.gwrra.org 07/03/13 web site for details WING DING in Greenville, South Carolina July 3 rd thru July 6 th Check www.gwrra.org 07/04/13 web site for details WING DING in Greenville, South Carolina July 3 rd thru July 6 th Check www.gwrra.org 07/05/13 web site for details WING DING in Greenville, South Carolina July 3 rd thru July 6 th Check www.gwrra.org 07/06/13 web site for details 07/06/13 08:00 14:00 Breakfast Ride - pick a place and go Chapter Meeting/Gathering at Logan s Road House on IH 10, Meet around 12:00pm for 07/13/13 12:00 14:00 lunch, meeting starts at 1:00pm. 07/14/13 08:00 14:00 Breakfast Ride - pick a place and go 07/20/13 08:00 14:00 Ride to Utopia for breakfast at Lost Maples Café Utopia, TX and then ride in the area 07/28/13 08:00 14:00 Breakfast Ride - pick a place and go 08/03/13 08:00 14:00 Breakfast Ride - pick a place and go 08/07/13 18:30 20:30 Chapter Meeting/Gathering at Logan s Road House on IH 10, Meet around 6:30 p.m. for dinner, meeting starts at 7:30 p.m. 08/11/13 08:00 14:00 Breakfast Ride - pick a place and go 08/17/13 08:00 14:00 Breakfast Ride - pick a place and go 08/25/13 08:00 14:00 Meet at El Chapparel Helotes at 8:00am for breakfast, or at 9:00am just to ride. 08/31/13 08:00 14:00 Breakfast Ride - pick a place and go 09/02/13 LABOR DAY Chapter Meeting/Gathering at Logan s Road House on IH 10, Meet around 6:30 p.m. for 09/04/13 18:30 20:30 dinner, meeting starts at 7:30 p.m. 09/08/13 08:00 14:00 Breakfast Ride - pick a place and go KANSAS DISTRICT CONVENTION Abilene, KS Sept 13 th thru Sept 15 th Check their web 09/13/13 site for details KANSAS DISTRICT CONVENTION Abilene, KS Sept 13 th thru Sept 15 th Check their web 09/14/13 site for details KANSAS DISTRICT CONVENTION Abilene, KS Sept 13 th thru Sept 15 th Check their web site for details 09/15/13 09/14/13 08:00 14:00 Breakfast Ride - pick a place and go LUNCH RIDE DESTINATION TO BE DETERMINED===We will meet at 10:00am and go for a ride in the hill country and make our way for lunch around 1 to 2pm. 09/22/13 10:00 15:00 09/28/13 08:00 14:00 Breakfast Ride - pick a place and go Chapter Meeting/Gathering at Logan s Road House on IH 10, Meet around 6:30 p.m. for dinner, meeting starts at 7:30 p.m. 10/02/13 18:30 20:30 10/06/13 08:00 14:00 Going to Brick s in Bandera, TX for breakfast, then ride afterwards. 10/12/13 08:00 14:00 Breakfast Ride - pick a place and go 10/20/13 08:00 14:00 Breakfast Ride - pick a place and go 10/26/13 08:00 14:00 Breakfast Ride - pick a place and go
Volume 32-11 - DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME ENDS AT 2:00 AM- MOVE YOUR CLOCKS BACK going back to 8:30 am departure 11/03/13 08:30 14:00 11/03/13 08:30 14:00 Breakfast Ride - pick a place and go Chapter Meeting/Gathering at Logan s Road House on IH 10, Meet around 6:30 p.m. for dinner, meeting starts at 7:30 p.m. 11/06/13 18:30 120:30 11/09/13 08:30 14:00 Breakfast Ride - pick a place and go LUNCH RIDE DESTINATION TO BE DETERMINED===We will meet at 10:00am and go for a ride in the hill country and make our way for lunch around 1 to 2pm. 11/17/13 10:00 15:00 11/21/13 THANKSGIVING DAY-TURKEY DAY 11/23/13 08:30 14:00 Breakfast Ride - pick a place and go 12/01/13 08:30 14:00 Breakfast Ride - pick a place and go Chapter Meeting/Gathering at Logan s Road House on IH 10, Meet around 6:30 p.m. for dinner, meeting starts at 7:30 p.m. 12/04/13 18:30 20:30 12/07/13 08:30 14:00 Breakfast Ride - pick a place and go 12/15/13 08:30 14:00 Breakfast Ride - pick a place and go 12/21/13 08:30 14:00 Breakfast Ride - pick a place and go 12/25/13 CHRISTMAS DAY 12/29/13 08:30 14:00 Breakfast Ride - pick a place and go 01/01/14 10:00 15:00 HAPPY NEW YEAR.POLAR BEAR RIDE- Meet at 10:00am, and take a ride for Lunch in the Hill Country Note: Unless otherwise indicated all Chapter "H" rides start at the parking lot behind the Exxon and Whataburger located at Bandera Rd. & 1604 (Northwest San Antonio.) Rides are subject to change. Changes will be communicated via the website, Newsletter, and/or e-mail. If there is a discrepancy between the newsletter and what is published on the web site, the web site will take precedence. THE ORIGINAL SIN: NO MATTER HOW HARD YOU TRY ABSOLUTELY NO ONE CAN TOP THIS
Volume 32-12 - Spell Cheque Eye halve a spelling chequer It came with my pea sea It plainly marques four my revue Miss steaks eye kin knot sea. Eye strike a key and type a word And weight four it two say Weather eye am wrong oar write It shows me strait a weigh. As soon as a mist ache is maid It nose bee fore two long And eye can put the error rite Its rare lea ever wrong. Eye have run this poem threw it I am shore your pleased two no Its letter perfect awl the weigh My chequer tolled me sew. A Feat of Strength The strong young man at the construction site was bragging that he could outdo anyone in a feat of strength. He made a special case of making fun of one of the older workmen. After several minutes, the older worker had had enough. "Why don't you put your money where your mouth is?" he said. "I will bet a week's wages that I can haul something in a wheelbarrow over to that building that you won't be able to wheel back." "You're on, old man," the young guy replied. The old man reached out and grabbed the wheelbarrow by the handles. Then he turned to the young man and said, "Alright. Get in." 2 nd Place
Chapter Director 6419 Red Jacket Dr. San Antonio, TX 78238