A Word From Your Chapter Directors

Transcription

1 GWRRA Texas Chapter O - Capitol Wings Feb Texas Gold Chapter of the Year / 2008 Texas Chapter of the Year / 2007 GWRRA Internat l. Chapter of the Year A Word From Your Chapter Directors Lyle & Sheri Altes February is here already and I hope this is no indication of how fast the year is going to go by. We just got back from the District Mid-Winter Roundup in Paris Texas. This is where the District Rally will be this year. We had a good time at the Roundup, got a lot of good information, met some new friends and reconnected with some friends we have not seen in a while. Robby Winfield got sworn in as Chapter O s new MEC. As most of you know after over 8 years of being our MEC, Dawn Sprague stepped down and Robby has the hard job of following in her footsteps. But, I have all the confidence, with his enthusiasm, that he will do a great job. Please check out the District website and the information for this year s District Rally. It should be a great time. Several changes have been made including a couple of meals, training, and more. Speaking of training the District is planning another training weekend coming soon. They are trying to finalize the dates and what training will be offered and as soon as they do, I will send out the information. Keep an eye on the events calendar in this newsletter, and for s on upcoming rides. We are trying to ramp up the rides and events as we come in to spring. You should notice that there will be a ride the first Saturday of each month. We wanted to get at least one date a month on the calendar that you could plan on, depending on weather of course The first 1 st Saturday Ride will be February 2nd. There will be much more as the year goes on. We have our Bluebonnet Rally coming up real soon, so don t forget to get your camping or hotel reservations in soon if you are planning to stay overnight. Also, please get your silent auction items in to John and Wanda Osborn or Tom and Dawn Sprague as soon as possible. We plan to have a lot of fun and a couple of great pre-rally rides Thursday and Friday before the rally. Hope you all can join us. Chapter Meeting: Our next meeting will be the 3rd Tuesday (Feb 19) at El Rincon (back room), 200 E. Pecan, Pflugerville. Join us at 6:00 pm to eat and visit followed by the 7:00. NOTE: It s 1/2 price enchilada night. Important Dates: 2/2 1st Saturday Ride (see pg 3 for details) 2/12 Chapter T2 Meeting & Ride 2/16 Gene Thomas Memorial Ride 2/10 2nd Sunday Dessert Run 2/19 Chapter O Monthly Gathering Mar. TX District Education Weekend 4/6 Bluebonnet Rally 5/16- TX District Rally 5/18 6/6- Palo Duro Canyon 6/11 Ride

2 Kickstands Up! Additional rides will be announced via the website and Google Groups. For an up-to- date monthly list, visit the Chapter O web site at Date Chapter Event Location Contact/ /Web Phone 2/1 1st Saturday Ride (see pg 3 for details) Kent Power Sports Kyle, TX Ken Burnett /12 Chapter T2 Meeting & Ride Central TX Power Sports Georgetown TX Ron Longo Fred Gnuechtel /10 2nd Sunday Dessert Run (see pg 3 for details) Texan Café & Pie Shop Hutto TX Randy Reese /16 Gene Thomas Memorial Ride Catfish Parlour Georgetown TX Lyle Altes /19 Chapter O Gathering El Rincon Pflugerville Lyle Altes /2 1st Saturday Ride Details tbd Ken Burnett /10 2nd Sunday Dessert Run Location tbd Randy Reese /12 Chapter T2 Meeting & Ride Central TX Power Sports Georgetown TX Ron Longo Fred Gnuechtel /19 Chapter O Gathering El Rincon Pflugerville Lyle Altes /6 Chapter O Bluebonnet Rally Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park Fredericksburg TX Lyle Altes /4 1st Saturday Ride Location tbd Ken Burnett /4 Chapter H Rally Wings in the Park Holiday Villages Resort See flyer in newsletter 5/16-18 Texas District Rally Paris TX Jim and Alvalin Woodul

3 Palo Duro Canyon Ride June 6-11, 2019 Ken & Teri Burnett Assistant Chapter Directors Hey O! Teri and I are in the early planning stages for a ride to Palo Duro Canyon the 2 nd weekend of June. I spoke about it briefly at the January meeting, but I wanted to get the word out to everyone with a few more details. Amarillo is approximately 500 miles from Austin, so we are planning to take 2 days to ride up there, 2 days there and 2 days back. I understand that some may not want or be able to take that many days and that is okay. You don't have to ride with us to join us for the weekend. We just hope that you join us, no matter how you get there. I am trying to get the word out early so that everyone can have time to make plans to join us and will share more details as they are available. We are planning on leaving from Cedar Park on Thursday June 6 th and riding to Snyder which is slightly more than half way and there are several motels/hotels to choose from. We will ride to Amarillo area on Friday June 7 th. We have not made a decision on where to stay in that area. While Canyon is a good location near Palo Duro Canyon State Park, the lodging is limited there. Amarillo has lots of lodging available, mostly along the Interstate in the airport area and the medical center area. (178476) We will also decide which night to attend the play Texas and purchase the tickets online. We haven't made any plans for the ride back yet, except that we will depart Amarillo on Monday June 10 th. We will continue to make plans and keep you informed. We hope that you can join us. Riding brought us together, but our friendship and love for each other keeps us together. At a recent Chapter O staff planning session, one of the things we discussed was more riding and events to bring our group together for FUN. Below are a couple of ideas we will be implementing into our monthly ride calendar. If you have an idea or would like to coordinate one of these events, let Lyle or Ken know. We welcome your ideas and encourage your participation. Mark your calendar now. Come on 2 wheels, 3 or 4 wheels just come! 1st Saturday Chapter Ride Meet & Greet at Kent Powersports When: Saturday, Feb 2 9:30 am Where: Kent Powersports IH-35, Kyle TX Details: This is a ride in to Kent Powersports for a meet & greet with management to discuss future activities. Please join us to show our interest in working together. We will have a lunch ride leaving from Kent in Kyle. 2nd Sunday Dessert Run When: Sunday Feb 10 2:00 pm Where: Texan Café and Pie Shop 207 East Street, Hutto TX Details: Come on bike, trike or car. Meet us at the Texan Café & Pie Shop for your favorite pie (at least 18 pie choices daily + cake).

4 All the Rage in Paris Robby Winfield, MEC Well it has been confirmed at Mid-Winter Round Up that at the Texas District Rally in May, just as the band The Derailers song lyrics All the Rage in Paris, GWRRA is already the talk of the town in Paris, TX and All the Rage If you have not registered already, REGISTER now What energy the businesses already have welcoming GWRRA members to Paris and Lamar County. Come ride with our Friends for FUN, SAFETY, and KNOWLEDGE. We have all three of these coming at the Rally. The ride in to get here will be spectacular as you are riding the Texas backroads to get here. Fantastic roads to ride, FUN things to see like the Eiffel Tower and KNOWLEDGE to be gained about the area and it s Texas History. We are also close to the Red River. Cross the River to Oklahoma and there are casinos. There are also the events at the Rally to see along with the Vendors as well. How about a little EDU- CATION for keeping up your levels? Maybe a Level 4 meal peeks your interest? Lots to do and see and plenty of destinations to ride. They are rolling out the Red River Carpet for us. Here are a few pictures just to tease you about the venue/area.

5 Motorcycle Rider Course Options Randy & Kathy Reese - Texas District Educators Hello Texas Riders! One of the best activities you can do for yourself in 2019 is to take a riding course to hone and reinforce your skills on the street. GWRRA offers 10 different courses to help you achieve this. I know some of you might be thinking, Yeah, but I can t ever find a class being offered close to me! I know a lot of you take the courses to keep your Levels current (and I strongly support that) but did you know there are a lot more classes out there that can also be counted for the Levels program? Following is the list of Approved Rider Courses for use in the GWRRA Levels Program. The first group of courses have a classroom and range component and should be taken every 3 years to maintain Levels. Riding Courses accepted for GWRRA Levels The following courses may be taken every 3 years consecutively for Levels 2-UP 3WBRC AORC ARC BRC CMSP CSC ESCS ESCT MORE MSFARC SRC STAR TC TC-ARC TC-INT TRC TTRC VRC Co-Rider participating in a Rider Course (GWRRA) Trike Rider Course (MSF) Add-On Riding Course (GWRRA) Advanced Rider Course (GWRRA) Beginner Rider Course (MSF) California Motorcyclist Safety Program Canadian Safety Council Evergreen Safety Council Sidecar Evergreen Safety Council Trike Ohio State Program Advanced Rider Course (MSF) Sidecar Rider Course (GWRRA) Idaho State Program Two Wheel Trailering Course (GWRRA) Total Control Advanced Rider Clinic (Lee Parks) Total Control Intermediate Rider Clinic Trike Rider Course (GWRRA) Trike w/ Trailer Rider Course (GWRRA) Vanguard Rider Course (GWRRA) Continued on next page

6 Motorcycle Rider Course Options continued The courses listed below may be used in the Levels program, but the next rider course must be a course listed from above. These courses are essentially Track Day courses and must be alternated with a more traditional course that covers all the topics of safer riding. The following courses may be taken every 6 years, alternated with courses above for Levels ARC-R BBBRC BRC-2 BRC-2SP BRCGRP OHPSR RLAP SPCW SSKLS STRR TRC-R Advanced Rider Course Recert (GWRRA) Basic Bike Bonding Course (MSF) MSF License Waiver Basic Rider Course 2 Skills Practice Basic Rider Course Small Group Oklahoma Highway Patrol Safe Riders Ride Like a Pro (Jerry Palladino) Streetmasters Precision Cornering Workshop John Delvecchio's Street Skills MSF Street Rider Course (MSF) Trike Rider Course Recert (GWRRA) Co-Riders may, of course, also take the Co-Rider Seminar to maintain their levels. So, where do you find these classes? Texas Department of Public Safety has a comprehensive list of over 225 accredited riding course providers across Texas that include dealerships, colleges, and private providers as an interactive map at Many of the providers use the MSF or Total Control curriculum. If you are interested in specific GWRRA class offerings, there is a calendar of riding courses, modules, and seminars offered around the country at Be sure to check our Texas District Calendar It has just been revamped and in addition to all of the chapter events that are turned into us we will post all course offerings as they are scheduled. If there are specific courses or classes you are interested in taking, please contact me (txed@gwrra-tx.org) and we ll do our best to find instructors to put on a class near you, at an Education Weekend, or at the District Rally. Ride Safely, Ride Often, and HEY! Be careful out there! Miscellaneous Training Websites Continued on next page

7 Motorcycle Rider Course Options continued DPS Rider Course Locations GWRRA TEXAS DISTRICT EDUCATION WEEKEND The Texas District is currently planning an Education Weekend for March Stay tuned for dates, location, classes and riding course options.

8 Editor s Note: I personally asked Scott to write this article because I felt like this was an accomplishment worth celebrating. Thank you for humoring me Scott. My Life on the Run In January of 2019, I completed the Houston Marathon in a time of 4:29:10. That s an average of about 10 minutes and 15 seconds a mile for 26.2 miles. That s not really a big deal because some 7000 runners did the same thing and about ½ were in front of me. However, for me it was a big deal because it was my 100 th and last marathon. For those of you that have only known me as an adult, it might surprise you to know that I wasn t always a runner. In fact, I was a rather chubby (AKA: fat) kid growing up. In jr. high I was only 5 5 and weighed more than I do now. Fortunately, in high school and college I got taller and went from chubby to pleasingly plump. Unfortunately, in grad school I spent too much time drinking coffee and eating bear claws and the chubby returned. It was in 1981 that I was sitting in a classroom with a group of guys that were so over weight I could hear them struggling for each breathe. It was then and there I decided I had to do something about my life style or I was headed to an early grave. Because I had grown up heavy (and I had 2 uncles that weighed well over 250 lbs.), I knew a lot about dieting. I also knew that dieting alone wasn t going to get me where I wanted to go. So I tried jogging, really more of a shuffle at first. I couldn t even run ¼ of a mile without stopping. But running was something I could do by myself (you don t need a team), you can do it at any time of day and all you need is pair of shoes. That s good because in grad school I was not only fat but also poor. I kept at it and little by little the weight came off and I got to where I could easily run a couple of miles. Fast forward to 1984, Judy and I had just gotten married and within a few weeks I could tell that if I wasn t careful, I d be back to chubby again in a hurry. She s a really good cook. At Thanksgiving that year I set a goal of running 85 miles by It wasn t easy. On New Year s Eve, I had to run 9 miles just to get it done. But writing down those miles each week was very reinforcing for me. I ve been doing it ever since and have a grand total of just over 75,000 logged miles. Being a jogger is a long way from being a marathoner. And I would have never been a marathoner if Judy (without my permission) hadn t signed me up for my first 5K (3.1 miles) race. To her, it was a no brainer. I was running 3 miles a day. This should be easy. For me it was years of chubby kid jr. high PE class humiliation. I was scared to death but did it anyway. And to my great surprise, I wasn t last. Racing kind of took off from there but it still took another year to work up to a marathon. And even then, as I stood on the starting line of the Dallas Marathon in December of 1985, I wondered if I was going to die. When I finished, I thought I had. Over the past 33 years, marathoning has taken me to all 50 states (including Boston 3 times) and Europe. In 2004, at the ripe old age of 48, I jumped into the ultra running scene. Ultras are any runs over 26.2 miles. I ve complete about a dozen 100-mile races and even 2 Badwater 135 mile races that are run from Death Valley to the trailhead of Mt. Whitney in July. Just in case you re really interested, these are my PRs (personal records): Marathon (26.2 miles) 3h 13m K (31 miles) 4h 19m miles 7h 56m miles 18h 53m miles 38h 54m 2011 Even though I m retiring from marathons I ll keep running for as long as I can. It is big part of my life and I m sure if I stopped that chubby kid would return in a NY minute. I share my story with you because as I attend GWRRA events all over the country I can t help but notice how many of our members are losing many riding years because of struggles with physical health. I really do know how hard it is to eat right and exercise. Running is probably not the exercise for most of us. So how about trying a walk around the block or riding a stationary bike? I m a firm believer that there is an exercise that is right for everyone. A little exercise and more focus on healthy eating can do wonders. I hope you can tell by reading a little part of my story that if I can do it, you can to. Every little bit helps and goes a long way in extending our riding life.

9 Kathy Reese Newsletter Editor How One Woman Inspired Another to Ride A providential encounter made it happen. By Diana Bletter, Weesthampton, NY Women Riders Now 12/18 Don t get me wrong. There s nothing bad about riding pillion on the back of a motorcycle. For many years, I used to sit behind my husband, Jonny, on his Harley-Davidson Softail Deuce, spacing out and staring at the scenery. But now that I ve taken the leap to the rider s seat, I m encouraging more women to move from the back seat to actively riding their own bikes. It isn t that Jonny didn t want me to ride my own bike. In fact, he surprised me with a Vespa 50cc before I knew I even wanted one. I had no idea how much fun it would be to do my errands on a scooter. But I never thought I could or should make the transition to riding a motorcycle. My attitude changed one day when I was standing in a Starbucks parking lot on the East End of Long Island and happened to meet a woman who was riding her motorcycle right then to Alaska. We talked for a while; I was mightily impressed, then I forgot about her. About four weeks later I know this sounds unbelievable I happened to meet this same motorcyclist the day she was coming back from Alaska. I took these two providential meetings as sure signs that riding to Alaska was something I had to do. ( ) When I told Jonny my dream of riding to Alaska the following summer, instead of reacting with Say what? he surprised me again this time with six lessons at a nearby motorcycle school, where some of my instructors were women. I purchased a motorcycle I thought I could handle, a BMW G 650 GS and I chose the color red to match my lipstick. Jonny and I spent the winter planning and purchasing items for our trip and loading and unloading our gear on our bikes (his was a BMW F 800 GS). We also made sure to outfit our motorcycles properly, changing to larger windshields for protection on the unpaved roads we d encounter, and even buying Alaska butt pads to cushion our ride. We left Westhampton, New York, in June and rode into Ontario, traveled the Trans-Canada Highway, went up the Alaska Highway, into Anchorage and back again. A total of 10,230 miles in 51 days. We weren t contending for the Iron Butt Association; we took our time and stopped to visit family and friends. Although Jonny is a seasoned rider he s crisscrossed America on a Norton Commando 850, and a Triumph Bonneville 750 among others he agreed to go easy. We averaged about 300 miles a day. We also agreed that I would ride in front, which meant I could set the pace I wanted. According to him, it was never fast enough, until the time I hit close to three digits while passing a turtle of an RV somewhere in the Yukon. (I hope there s no retroactive speed ticketing.) Continued on next page

10 How One Woman Inspired Another to Ride continued Some men might not want a woman to ride next to them and would rather have them sitting behind, their arms wrapped around their waist. Others might think that it s still men and not Zen when it comes to motorcycle maintenance. Finances might be a problem the maintenance on two motorcycles is double the price of one. But now that I m riding with Jonny instead of sitting behind him, I finally get it. I know how it feels to have 50-mile-per-hour winds lash at me from all sides near Winnipeg; it's as if you re having an arm wrestle with Goliath. I understand the exhilaration, the challenge, the mental and physical exhaustion of riding through a construction zone around the appropriately-named Destruction Bay on the Alaska Highway with gravel the size of golf balls. Or what it s like to narrowly miss a 20-ton truck on a muddy patch of road in Montana. Rain has dribbled down the back of my jacket, heat has sizzled my helmet and my hands have been clenched frozen while riding on the Icefield Parkway in 37-degree cold, wet fog. I've learned it's so much more fun being an active and skilled participant instead of just a passenger, not only on a motorcycle but in life. Diana Bletter is the author of The Mom Who Took Off On Her Motorcycle WOMEN S LEATHER CHAPS Fringed & in Great Condition Size Medium $40 Contact: Teri Burnett tkburn15@aol.com/

11 See next page for registration form

12 2019 Bluebonnet Rally & Campout Registration Form Chapter O Members Having Fun at the Chapter Gathering Door Prize Winners Found Our Member Number in the Newsletter Show Us the Money 50/50 Winners

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15 Chapter O Team Chapter Director Lyle & Sheri Altes Assistant Director Ken & Teri Burnett Secretary/Treasurer Tricia Winfield Membership Enhancement Robby Winfield Ride Coordinator Ken Burnett Couple of the Year Tom & Dawn Sprague Newsletter Editor Kathy Reese Ways and Means John & Wanda Osborn Tom & Dawn Sprague Webmaster Lyle Altes Camping Coordinator Tom Sprague Seamstress Gayle Thomas Merchandise Coordinator John & Wanda Osborn Motorist Awareness Coordinator Randy Reese Texas District Team District Director Jim & Alvalin Woodul Assistant Director Dan & Donna Rymarz Assistant Director Tom & Dawn Sprague District Rider Educators Randy & Kathy Reese Assistant Educator / MFA-CPR Chris Schoenthal Ride Coordinator Butch & Marie Schmit Treasurer Tim Brooks District University Coordinator Karen Frazier MEC Coordinators Lyle and Sheri Altes COY Coordinators Dale & Carleen Garrett CHOY Coordinator Sheri Altes COY Sal & Phylis Pesta Vendor Coordinator Michael Pineda Newsletter Editor/Webmaster Tom Sprague Motorist Awareness Coordinator Scott & Judy Finnell GWRRA National Team President & Wingman Anita & JR Alkire aalkire@gwrra.org Director of Rider Education Susan Huttman snhuttman@gmail.com Director of Membership Enhancement Larry & Penny Anthony mepgwrra@gmail.com Director of GWRRA University Clara & Fred Boldt toledotriker@gmail.com Director of Finance Randall & Janet Drake financedirector@gwrra.org Director of Motorist Awareness Mike & Barri Critzman itsawingthing@hotmail.com Executive Director Overseas Dan & Rachel Sanderovich dan.sanderovich@gmail.com Chapter O Monthly Gathering Want to experience Friends for Fun, Safety and Knowledge first hand? Chapter O s next gathering will be Tuesday, February 19th at El Rincon Restaurant, 200 E. Pecan, Pflugerville TX. (we will meet in the back room). Come join us at 6:00 pm to eat and visit with your friends. The meeting will start at 7:00 pm. For more information, we encourage you to contact any of our team members or visit our websites (links to all are provided on this page). Wondering why you should join GWRRA? Check out the benefits you will enjoy!

16 OUR SPONSORS

17 OUR SPONSORS IH 10 West San Antonio, Texas (210) YAMAHA POLARIS SUZUKI KAWASAKI HONDA Friends For FUN SAFETY AND KNOWLEDGE