Gold Wing Road Riders Association

Transcription

1 Gold Wing Road Riders Association Chapter AB-A A (Calgary) Newsletter July, 2010 Wing Wag SASKATCHEWAN CROSSING Test and Photos by: Alex & Shaun Middleton T his was the Second Annual Birthday Bash Ride to Sparwood, BC. We had been watching the weather all week as it had been raining for most of the week. As June 12 approached our excitement level picked up as this was our first group ride for the 2010 riding season. We arrived in Turner Valley around noon to have lunch with the groups coming down from Innisfail and Edmonton. We had lunch at the Chuck Wagon Restaurant which we overwhelmed with 30 riders. After lunch we had a nice ride down the # 22 to Lumbrek Falls just off Highway 3. After a few pictures were taken we moved on to Frank where some people got gas and had a look around the Frank Slide Visitor's Center. We have been driving through that area for years and didn't realize that the visitor's center was there. We arrived in Sparwood around 5 PM, checked into the hotel and watched the rain come down as we ate supper. By the time supper was over the rain had stopped and everyone was out wiping down their Gold Wings and putting on their covers for the night. By the time the sun had gone down there were over 60 Gold Wings in town. We found out after supper that this was Sparwood's Coal Miner Days weekend. The whole weekend the town was celebrating with events happening everywhere. A soap box derby ran from 7 PM until 9 PM. At 11 PM the Town put on a great fireworks display lasting almost half an hour. Saturday morning we were up by 8 AM, so that we could start the day with a free pancake and sausage breakfast. Low and behold the sun was up and stayed there for the rest of the weekend. Our folks that were camping were happy to see the sun as it got down to 3C during the night. After breakfast we got to socialize with our fellow riders waiting for the parade to start. As part of parade day, we were asked to partici- (Continued on page 2) Jul 12 Aug 9 Sep 13 Coming Events Monthly Meeting Monthly Meeting Monthly Meeting What s Inside Birthday Bash Photos...2 ARC Course...3 News & Notices...4 Meeting Stars...4 Safety First...5 Meetings Information...5 Classifieds...6 Calgary Area Team Listing /50 Winner...6 Visit to Trike Zone...7 More Trike Zone Photos...8

2 Wing Wag July, 2010 Page 2 (Continued from page 1) pate by having a few Gold Wings in the parade. After the parade was over there were festivities for the kids and BBQ's everywhere; the soap box derby ran all afternoon for the kids in the town. The bed racing event had a good turn out which was sponsored by the business's of Sparwood. Sunday morning we were up and finished breakfast in time to be picked up by the bus from Teck Coal Mining to have a tour of their open pit mining operation which operates from 5 sites in the area. This tour was definitely the high light of the weekend other than the ride down and back. Many thanks to Sharon and Tim Strom from Teck Mining for running the tour for us; It is well worth seeing. Thanks also go out to Jack Hill from Innisfail for arranging the Ride. We are looking forward to next year.

3 Wing Wag July, 2010 Page 3 Text and Photos: Alex Middleton, Chapter Educator T his spring has been busy for the rider education in our chapter. On May 14, Friday night we had 26 people enrol in the Advanced Rider Course. Terry Burrill handled the ARC classroom as well as the range course over a four day period. Many thanks to Terry's helpers, Ron Myers and Gary Premech who kept moving the pylons around offering different courses that our riders had to go through. For a change the range portion was held in blazing sunshine, what a treat, some years we have held it in the pouring rain. Thanks also go out to Darryl Snyder for arranging with S.A.I.T. for us to have an outstanding facility to hold our range exercises.

4 Wing Wag July, 2010 Page 4 1. Our Calgary Chapter has been asked to host the 2011 Region Rally on the August long weekend. Anyone interested in being involved please contact our Chapter Directors to express your interest. 2. We would like to thank all those who contribute so generously to the Veteran s Food Bank with their generous donations of both non-perishable food items and monetary contributions, your efforts are very much appreciated. While Betty was dropping off our last donations she noticed that there were several empty shelves and upon enquiring further came up with a list of items that are in short suppy. The following may help you when considering what to donate: cookies; jam or jelly; canned pasta; packaged candy; rice in small packages; canned fruit, especially pears. Bob Van nes Thank you to Bob for his Safety Minute regarding planning for your rides, long and short. Bruce Buckley Thank you to Bruce, one of the founding members of our Chapter AB-A (Calgary). His presentation and slide show presenting some of the history of our Chapter was most enjoyable.

5 Wing Wag July, 2010 Page 5 If you are interested in attending any courses please contact Alex Middleton at rider goldwing calgary.com to express your interest or for additional information. Scheduled Courses: None scheduled. DAY/DATE Jul 12 Aug 9 Sep 13 MEETING SCHEDULE July Monthly Meeting August Monthly Meeting September Monthly Meeting Friends for Fun, Safety, and Knowledge Come ride with us...everyone Welcome! For the latest updates on what we are doing and where we re going, check out our website: 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. 6:30; Meeting at 7:00 PM. 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.

6 Wing Wag July, 2010 Page 6 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: goldwing calgary.com CLASSIFIED ADS CALGARY AREA STAFF Chapter Directors Ron & Betty Syroishka (403) chapter goldwing calgary.com Assistant Gary & Susan Premech (403) Chapter Directors assistant chapter goldwing calgary.com Quartermaster Barry Lammle (403) goldwing calgary.com Newsletter Editor Lisa Miller (403) goldwing calgary.com Treasurer Eric Roberts (403) goldwing calgary.com Ride Coordinator Terry Collin (403) ride goldwing calgary.com Rider Education Alex Middleton (403) rider goldwing calgary.com Rider Course Terry Burrell (403) Instructor goldwing calgary.com Social Coordinators Carol Myers (403) social goldwing calgary.com & Susan Premech (403) social goldwing calgary.com Membership Darryl Minsky (403) Enhancement goldwing calgary.com Coordinator & Webmaster June 50/50 Winner GWRRA TOLL FREE NUMBER (CANADA & US) NATIONAL LEADERS Executive Director Melissa Nordeoff (623) Natl Dirs for Cdn Ops Ron & Carol Hodgson (403) Asst Natl Director Rider Ed Milt Sorensen (403) Region J Directors Phil & Margaret Craven (250) District Directors Ross & Audrey Woolsey (780) Terry Burrell NOTE: addresses in this publication are displayed in a manner that will deter automatic address harvesting programs. This step is taken to reduce unsolicited to any addresses we post. We regret any inconvenience caused for our legitimate visitors. REMOVE ALL THE SPACES IN THE ADDRESS TO MAKE IT WORK.

7 Wing Wag July, 2010 Page 7 Text & Photos by Bob Van nes I know that Ron and Betty had no idea the turnout for a Saturday ride to Trike Zone would be so popular. I didn t count the exact number but I was told we had bikes join in the ride. We haven t had a lot of good weather this spring but this was one of the better days. When we arrived at the Trike Zone facility in Mulhurst (once the family farm) we were welcomed by the owners and given a tour. This was followed by refreshments and demo rides. Again, the number of people interested in a trike demo ride was greater than expected. Once the group found a service station to gas up it proceeded around the north end of Pigeon Lake, south through Rimbey and joined up with Hwy 22 east of Caroline. I don t recall where we stopped for a second gas stop and ice cream as I was pretty much lost once we left Mulhurst. It was a long day but I think all would agree it was a great ride. Thanks Ron and Betty for organizing this ride and tour

8 Wing Wag July, 2010 Page 8