CHAPTER AR-C NEWSLETTER

Transcription

1 CHAPTER AR-C NEWSLETTER October 2016 VOLUME 4 ISSUE 10 REGION H

2 CHAPTER C TEAM CHAPTER DIRECTORS ASST CHAPTER DIRECTORS MEC COORDINATOR CHAPTER COUPLE of the YEAR TREASURER CHAPTER EDUCATOR MOTORIST AWARENESS COORDINATOR CHAPTER WEBMASTER NEWSLETTER EDITOR RIDE CO-ORDINATOR CHAPTER of the YEAR COORDINATOR SUNSHINE PERSON SCRAPBOOKING COORDINATOR PHOTOGRAPHER Richard & Vicki Austin T B D Pam Saulters Tim & Bonnie Nagy Steve Brant Greg Reinhardt Greg Reinhardt Greg Reinhardt Greg Reinhardt Tim Nagy Bonnie Nagy Pam Saulters Ron Abbott Tim Nagy - Lead

3 OCTOBER S GOINGS ON Oct 1 st Oct 3 rd Oct 8 th Oct 10 th Oct 13 th Oct 15 th Oct 17 th Oct 18 th Oct 22 nd Oct 31 st Nov 5 th Chapter D Rally (Lake Frierson State Park, Jonesboro) 7:30 am: Chapter C Ride ( Jonesboro Exxon on Hwy 5 ) Rosh Hashanah 10 am - 2 pm: AR District Memorial Picnic ( Burns Park, Little Rock ) Columbus Day Stephen Lybrand s Birthday 7:30 am: Chapter C Ride ( T B D ) Boss s Day 6:30 pm: Chapter C Dinner Ride ( T B D ) 7:30 am: Chapter C Ride ( T B D ) Halloween 8 am: Chapter C Monthly Meeting ( Emily s Diner, 3286 South 2nd Street, Cabot, AR ) ( 8 am / 9 am ) 10 am: Chapter C Lunch Ride ( T B D )

4 GARAGE SALE 2002 Pearl Yellow Honda Goldwing ,700 miles EXCELLENT CONDITION Garage Kept Everything works Runs and Drives perfectly No ABS No CB but has antennas and is CB ready $7500 OBO Joe & Monica (Hot Springs Village) (501)

5 Chapter Chatter Richard & Vicki Austin Chapter C Directors Hello from your chapter Directors. ( See District Dirt for this month s news... ) Ride Safe and Ride Often Richard & Vicki Austin

6 TWO-WHEEL TOPICS & 3-WHEEL THOUGHTS Greg Reinhardt Chapter C Educator 5 Tips for Rain Riding By Ken Condon If you re like most riders, you avoid riding in the rain. But rain showers are known to pop up unexpectedly, and with a little forethought and knowledge rain riding can be reasonably safe and even fun. 1. Stay Comfortable You ll want to stay dry so you re comfortable but also to avoid distraction. Investing in good waterproof gear is often the difference between enduring a rain ride and enjoying it. Supplementing your usual gear with a waterproof shell is a good way to go, but make sure the fit is snug. Look for gear that packs small and is reasonably easy to put on and take off. 2. Keep a Clear Shield Without windshield wipers, we must resort to turning our head left and right at speed to get our visor to clear, or wipe away water with our gloves (a built-in finger squeegee is helpful). Fogging can be minimized with a breath guard or a Pinlock face shield insert that s doubly helpful because when there s no fog you can keep water from getting on the inside of your shield by leaving it shut. 3. Be Seen Seeing is good, and being seen is just as helpful. Bright colors and reflective stickers may not be your style but will surely help you stand out on gloomy days. Be sure all of your lights are working and signal early before reducing speed so you don t get rear-ended. Also, adjust lane position to create the best line of sight for you and your machine, and keep an eye out for low spots in the road where water can puddle or hide debris.

7 4. Ride Smart Slowing down to minimize the risk of hydroplaning is a good idea, plus it gives you more time and space to respond to hazards. Increased following distance is extra important in the rain. Riding closely behind other vehicles is asking for trouble in the best conditions, but it s downright foolish when it s raining. ABS offers a big safety advantage in these situations, but it s better to ride smart so you don t need to brake hard enough to trigger the ABS in the first place. Traction is reduced because of water but also from accumulated road grime. A steady rain will eventually wash the slime away, but this takes time. So be extra careful at the beginning of a rainstorm, especially if it hasn t rained in several days. Most goop settles in the middle of the lane, so be gentle when braking or accelerating over that area. Road paint, tar snakes, railroad tracks, and construction plates can become insanely slick when wet. If you can t avoid riding over these hazards then slow way down, remain as upright as possible, and avoid any braking or accelerating as you cross over them. 5. Be Smooth There can be a surprising amount of grip on wet roads, but it s always important to be smooth and recognize that traction is indeed reduced compared to dry conditions. That being the case, it s also important to reduce lean angle while cornering. Leaning your upper body toward the inside of the curve allows the bike to remain more upright. Ensure that your arms are relaxed by bracing your legs and lower torso against the pegs and gas tank. That way the front tire doesn t have to fight against upper-body tension.

8 District Dirt Richard & Vicki Austin District Directors Hello! Vicki and I hope everybody is doing well. It looks like the weather is getting better for riding. Just got back from a weeklong trip to the Smoky Mountains. We went up to Kentucky to the Mammoth Cave and then up to Louisville to the Louisville Slugger Museum. We went to Jim Beam and to Markers Mark Distilleries. We ended up at the Wings Over the Smokes Rally. We had a good time meeting with old friends and making new ones. We hope that you can make it to this rally in the future. This month on the first of October we have Chapter D rally at Lake Frierson State Park. They always have a great rally and some really good food. Please try to attend if you can. The next weekend on the 8th of October is the district Picnic at Burns Park in North Little Rock. This is the District s way of remembering the riders that have gone on before us. We will remember all of the ones by name and have a moment of silence. After this we will have the chili cook off to see which chapter has the best chili. We will have the chapter competitions to see who will take home the district trophy. The district will provide all of the hot dogs and fixings for lunch. We will have $500 worth of gift cards give a way and some door prizes as well and 50/50. Please try to make this event if possible. We have asked that the chapter member to please bring a desert. On October 21st-23rd is the Region Ride In. We will meet at the Bay Mount Inn in Hot Springs on Friday Night for a get together and the next day we will leave to ride to the Hub Inn near Jasper to spend the night and have some good fellowship with all of the other members from around the region. We hope as many as can will make this trip with us. Ride Often and Ride Safe Richard & Vicki Austin

9 Education Extras Arrel E. Carter III (Buster) District Educator Fall Riding Tips I wrote this article a few years ago. It was the last article I wrote for Chapter A and our GWRRA Memorial Day of that same year but I do not think it was submitted due to the closing of the chapter. Speaking of our Memorial Day, this year it will be on May 8th at Burns Park in North Little Rock and I hope to see everyone there. This weekend some of us visited Chapter D in Jonesboro as they had their Rally. The weather was outstanding for riding, leaves are just starting to turn, but more importantly we had a great time visiting everyone. If you did not go you really missed out. The Bar-B-Que and deserts were outstanding. Thank You Chapter D for your hospitality. I will also bring my cache of patches and pins, so if anyone needs them I will have them. Ride Safe and Enjoy the Fall Colors. Most of you will agree that this summer has been one of the hottest in our history. The lazy days of summer are rapidly coming to an end. The fall season brings with it cooler weather, shorter days and some of the most beautiful riding weather for motorcycle riders in Arkansas. State highways, rural cities and back roads come alive with brilliant and vivid colors of the new season. Our roads are lined with oranges, reds, yellows and sporadic patches of green that dot our state with vibrant colors of fall. Arkansas is truly a very remarkable place to live and ride. During your rides this fall try to take in the spectacular sights of our rolling hills and deep valleys painted with color. Take a moment when looking at these beautiful sights to remember those who are no longer with us to enjoy these scenes. Fall also brings some interesting weather, cool mornings, warm to hot afternoons and cooler riding in the evenings. I want to touch on a few tips to make your fall riding more enjoyable. Dress for the weather: Early morning and late afternoon riding will see cooler temperatures so make sure you bring a jacket you can put under your protective clothing. The wind can chill you and make riding a little on the cool side. Stay hydrated: Even with cooler temperatures stop every now and drink something. Take breaks to stretch your legs and enjoy the scenery.

10 Prepare for Rain: Most riders have rain gear in their bags but this time of year rain is in the forecast daily. Also check the weather report in the area you are riding. The weather man has not been able to forecast the correct weather yet but one never knows when he may actually get it right one day. Watch for Wild Life: No I am not talking about those crazy college kids (Actually really watch out for them too) but watch for deer, squirrel, rabbit, Sasquatch, armadillo s, Lions, Tigers and Bears Oh My.. With Fall comes the hunting season. Animals are under more pressure during hunting season. They are easily spooked and on the move. As most of you know deer are our largest threat and are everywhere this time of year. Deer are very unpredictable and tend to eat beside the roads we like to ride. Scan the road at all times and be prepared. On full moon nights deer will feed until late at night beside the road. Also watch out for birds, a bird strike at 40+ mph is not much fun either from what others tell me Be prepared: carry the other items you may need to help get you and your Co- Rider back home safely. You know, all of those items you think you do not need but now wish you had left in the bike. Tools, Water, First Aid, munchies, flashlight, Camera (to document the fall colors) cell phone, GOLD BOOK... etc.. Document the Ride: Do something new and document your fall ride. Bring a camera along to document the fall colors. You never know what you might find to photograph on your ride. Many use GoPro systems to document the back roads. Make sure you take a photo of your baby with those fall colors in the background. On that note: Please make sure you ask your Co-Rider if she would also like to be in the photograph. You know women get a little jealous when you show too much attention to the bike. Final note: Ride Safe, Have Fun, Enjoy the company of other Riders and Co- Riders. Please visit our State Parks they are very beautiful this time of year. For those of you lucky enough to have a WingerGirl, show her how much she means to you. Surprise her by packing a picnic lunch, stop on the top of some hill in the middle of who knows where, overlooking the rolling hills and valleys and take in the beauty and spectacle of the fall colors. Or Not, and just throw her a pack of peanut butter crackers and tell her to hold on. Ride Smart, Ride Safe, Ride Protected Arrel E. Carter III (Buster)

11 Directors Corner Jim & Reba Berry Region H Directors Wing Ding was a blast! We surely hope you got to experience it. There were so many great stories and pictures from all the routes selected to get to Billings. We had to drive our SUV but still had a great time. We were able to stop off at the SD/NE rally in Wall, SD the weekend before. At Wing Ding, Region H was very well recognized. We had Carolyn and Steve Cotton selected as the 2016/2017 International Couple of the Year. Rodd Polk, LA District Educator, Keith Cooper, AR Chapter D Director, and Ricky Frazier all were awarded National Merit Awards. The Kansas Twisters were 1st Place in Show for motorcycle drill teams. The Region put on a fantastic bike show. Rodd Polk headed up the Region H Crash Scene Enactment which received great reviews and comments from the membership and the National Team. Great job Rodd and Region H! See Rodd s letter on page 14 of this newsletter. Last weekend, Reba and I attended the OK District Rally in Muskogee. The weather was great, the rides beautiful and the friends heartwarming. Sadly, Gina and Johnie Fredman announced that they were stepping down as District Directors at the end of the year. Johnie has some family and career priorities to address over the next couple of years and we all understand that. Also, KS Directors, Doris and Jack Schoeck, announced they were stepping down at the KS mid-winter meeting in January. Both of these couples will be sorely missed and are greatly appreciated for what they have done for GWRRA and Region H. We wish them great success in the future. As a result, we are now accepting applications for the positions of KS and OK District Directors until October 21. After resumes are collected, the Region Team will interview applicants and offer the positions to the most qualified applicant. If you are interested, send me a resume. If you have questions give, me a call or shoot me an . What are you doing October 21-23? If you want some fun, travel and adventure, come join the Region H Ride In. Details can be found later in this newsletter. Currently, we are looking at over 40 bikes. Saturday night will conclude at The Hub Motorcycle Resort just south of Harrison with a big bonfire and lots of stories. We would love to see you there. This is some great hobby we have! Jim & Reba

12 By the Book Jack Wagner Deputy Director -- 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: Please feel free to reprint these articles in Region, District, or Chapter newsletters. Statement of Purpose or Why Are We Here? Every organization or business should have a mission statement as well as a statement of purpose. While being similar, they are different. A mission statement should answer the question 'what do we do and who do we do it for?'. The statement of purpose answers the question 'why do we do what we do?'. The statement of purpose contained in the Officer Handbook includes pieces of the mission and sums it up very succinctly to answer the questions of 'what do we do and for whom' as well as 'why we do it'. GWRRA is an informal educational, social organization of proud, unique and special people Gold Wing Owners. It was formed for people to exchange ideas, share safety information relating to motorcycling and motorcyclists, educate the non-motorcycling public concerning motorcycling problems and participate in impromptu rides. In addition, it supports the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) and assists all motorcyclists in achieving and/or improving public acceptance of motorcyclists. GWRRA is a family-oriented organization, without political or religious affiliations or influence and supports civic, local, police, charity, and government organizations. GWRRA publishes and distributes Wing World and other media that will inform, educate, entertain and enlighten our Members and Officers. The More You Know, the Better It Gets Jack Wagner