FRIENDS FOR FUN, SAFETY AND KNOWLEDGE

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FRIENDS FOR FUN, SAFETY AND KNOWLEDGE AUGUST 2017 ISSUE 305 GOLDWING ROAD RIDERS ASSOCIATION, REGION A,

There are some changes coming to the GWRRA association, most will not be effective until 2018.

Blanding Blvd 6:30 pm Eat STAY IN TOUCH! Chapter Director 904.276.7488 www.fl1- x.org/chapterteam.html www.

For now we will keep doing what we do, and enjoy our motorcycles.

1 FRIENDS FOR FUN, SAFETY AND KNOWLEDGE AUGUST 2017 ISSUE 305 GOLDWING ROAD RIDERS ASSOCIATION, REGION A, FLORIDA DISTRICT Keep your eyes and ears on the weather reports as we enter August and the peak months for Hurricane season here in Florida. Last year hurricane Mathew got pretty close to us and did much damage to the beaches area. There are some changes coming to the GWRRA association, most will not be effective until Right now we have no real answers on how it will Monthly Gathering First Thursday of each Month At 582 Blanding Blvd 6:30 pm Eat STAY IN TOUCH! Chapter Director x.org/chapterteam.html effect your chapter, we will learn more as we get closer to January. For now we will keep doing what we do, and enjoy our motorcycles. The 2018 Goldwing Raffle tickets have been selling slowly. See Marc to get a few books for friends and family, someone will win a new Goldwing or $10,000 dollars. Hope to see you sooner than later. GENO AND KATHIE CHAPTER DIRECTORS FL1-X ASSISTANT DISTRICT DIRECTORS FOR NORTH FLORIDA

FL1-X Chapter Team Directors Geno & Kathie Jette 904.276.7488 addgeno@yahoo.com 2017 Couple of the Year Judy and Jim Rutherford Treasurer Jim Louden 904.406.0463 jplouden@comcast.

2 FL1-X Chapter Team Directors Geno & Kathie Jette Couple of the Year Judy and Jim Rutherford Treasurer Jim Louden Goodies Sales Kathie Jette Membership Enhancement Welcome Committee Gary & Terry Hartley Ride Educator Marc Oakley Newsletter Editor Dayle Manes Sunshine Coordinator Dee Louden Ways & Means 50/50 Sue McKay Motorist Awareness Liaison Bob Manes Chapter Web Master Mike Randall This is our third and last installment on Team (Group) riding. We have discussed the increased levels of skill and self-discipline required and the individual restrictions placed on us when riding with a group. In addition, we have talked about the critically of spacing and lane position within the group. The riders in front and behind you must trust that if an emergency happens you are in the correct position and space so you do not run into them during their evasive actions. Strong self-discipline is most critical when the group is riding in high traffic areas. Maintaining the correct spacing and lane position is what will keep the group together and discourage 4 wheel drivers from cutting in and separating the group. (We know there will be times when cars will squeeze in but extremely large spaces just invites them too.) The group riding as one unit is an important factor of team riding. Points to Ponder - Quick accelerations and de-accelerations (braking) by the lead or riders within the group causes spacing and safety issues. - There will be times going through towns and areas with traffic lights that riders within the group will catch a red light and get separated. Excessive space can cause the light to change by leaving the sensor uncovered thus causing riders behind you to get a red light. - Leads consider waiting for traffic lights to change or until a break in traffic is large enough for the entire group to pull out. The other groups can pull into traffic as space becomes available. - Leads use cruise control to give the group a constant speed to work with and announce speed changes. Make changes slowly. - Leads if the group does get separated consider having the bikes in front of the 4 wheeler go single file to the right and slow down when its safe for the intruder to pass. Motion for them to pass and get the group back together as one unit. I m sure many of you have also have ideas to improve our experience riding together; please share. I have seen all the issues discussed over the past months on every ride. So have you. Lets work together fix it! Safety is for Life Marc Oakley

Issue 304 Page 3 2017 FLORIDA GWRRA EVENTS GWRRA Team August 29/30/31 & September 1/2 Wingding 39 Grapevine, TX October 12/13/14 Mississippi District Rally-Masquerade Gulfport, MS October 21

Myers, FL October 26/27/28 Region A Roaring Rally Eufaula, AL November 11/12 FL1-M 35th Chapter Anniversary Largo, FL 2018 FLORIDA GWRRA EVENTS January 13/14 Lakeland Fireballs Star Wars Rally

904-388-0745 OR seedesofyesterday@hotmail.

3 Issue 304 Page FLORIDA GWRRA EVENTS GWRRA Team August 29/30/31 & September 1/2 Wingding 39 Grapevine, TX October 12/13/14 Mississippi District Rally-Masquerade Gulfport, MS October 21 FL2-G/Yellow Jackets Pancake Brunch Ft. Myers, FL October 26/27/28 Region A Roaring Rally Eufaula, AL November 11/12 FL1-M 35th Chapter Anniversary Largo, FL 2018 FLORIDA GWRRA EVENTS January 13/14 Lakeland Fireballs Star Wars Rally Auburndale, FL January 27/28 FL2-D Rally Taco Tuesday Barefoot Bay, FL BIRTHDAY PARTY: JIM RUTHERFORD = OLDER THAN DIRT PARTY (ALSO KNOWN AS JUM ) SATURDAY, AUGUST 4PM 4747 KERLE ST RSVP: OR seedesofyesterday@hotmail.com HAMBURGERS, HOTDOGS & WHAT EVER DISH YOU WOULD LIKE TO BRING Deputy Director East Bob & Nan Shrader Region A Director Jim & Sue Jackson District Director Bill & Gina Berry Motorist Awareness Nate & Danelle Kinion Chapter of the Year Coordinator Harry & Lynn Anderson Assistant District Directors Geno & Kathie Jette District Ride Educator Rick & Pam Northrop Assistant. Ride Educator Scott & Kathy Kelly Assistant Ride Educators Ray & Claudia Vega Florida District Couple Rick and Jan Meredith District Webmaster Scott Kelly re@fl1-x.org Sarah Sullivan Danny Williams Juvasia Williams Jim Rutherford Jim Woodford Diane Papet Dayle Manes Louise Maloy Gail Baker 3rd 4th 5th 10th 10th 15th 22nd 23rd 25th Lee & Sue McKay 5th Noah & Bonnie Hinton 17th

Attend various GWRRA events if you can. At the July Chapter gathering the following took place: we had visitors from Chapter V, Chapter H and Chapter Y.

4 HARTLEY HAPPENINGS Hello Wingnutts, and welcome to the month of August. Terry and I hope everyone is doing well. Take advantage of the great riding weather and get in some extra riding but remember to stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water as coffee, sodas and tea tend to dehydrate you. Attend various GWRRA events if you can. At the July Chapter gathering the following took place: we had visitors from Chapter V, Chapter H and Chapter Y. Len Lewis won the patch drawing, door prizes were won by Jan Harney, George Bird, Jeff Cox, Sandy Coulter (FL1-Y), Dayle Manes, Linda McGinnis (FL1-H), Ralph Mathis, Bruce Hutchinson and Teena Cox. Thank you all who brought door prizes. The evening s drawings were won by Wayne May and Dayle Manes. The Ride Jar drawing was won by Jim Louden. Door Prize drawing was won by Glynda Mathis. From Region F Membership Enhancement Coordinators, Emma and Bryan Lape: As the home office is looking at how to grow the membership, one of the things that is changing is that the organization is referred to now as "GWRRA", with the full name of Gold Wings Road Riders Association not necessarily playing a central role. If the "Gold Wing" is the primary focus of membership then we become challenged to grow. Someone may think that if they don't have a Gold Wing then they cannot join, become part of the organization and/or its support team. By using the acronym of GWRRA, it puts less emphasis on them having to have a Gold Wing and more on having fun. If we focus just on Gold Wing riders, then we become challenged to grow. Last year there were approximately 335,000 motorcycles sold in the United States. Only about 8,000 were Gold Wings, with some sources are saying that figure is really closer to 5-6,000. That large estimate is less than 2.5% of numbers sold. Honda realized this disparity several years ago and introduced a couple of new models including the F6B. The F6B was an attempt to get the "30 Something" riders who are transitioning from sport bikes to cruisers, into a Gold Wing. They just made it into a "Bagger" style bike. Then came the new Valkyrie revival which was introduced in This is the same engine as the Gold Wing but on a 750 lb. bike to grab the even younger crowd with speed and agility. All three motorcycles carry the same engine, power and performance. The only difference is the comfort level. All of this was in attempt to get the younger generation to buy/drive/ride Honda motorcycles. We, too, (GWRRA) need to also take a look at bringing in the younger generations. GWRRA members are getting older, ourselves included. That's not really a secret. We enjoy the bigger motorcycles for comfort, ease of use and all of the luxury that the GL's brings to us. However, GWRRA needs to attract some of the same younger generations into our membership that Honda is pulling in with their new models so that we can grow our organization. But you might ask, what about our focus on the Gold Wing! Do we lose our image or focus? Not at all! Anita Alkire made a comment that really stuck with me. She stated that when we are riding and we pass a motorcycle on the road, we wave at them no matter what kind of bike they ride, right? My immediate thought was "Well I don't always wave at the scooter riders ", anyway. If we don't care what kind of motorcycle they are riding when we do "the wave", then why should we care what kind of motorcycle they ride if they want to be members and ride with us? Our motto is "Friends for Fun, Safety and Knowledge". Nowhere in there do we say, "only if you are on a Gold Wing". The focus of our organization should be "Friends" then "Fun" which all incorporates the "Safety and Knowledge". Two wheels are two wheels! Unless they are modified, then they become three wheels! A question was also raised as to how we keep our non-riding members involved and how could we bring some of those who have dropped out back into the "fold". Part of that responsibility falls on the current membership. Those who were friends of past members could reach out to see if they can get them involved again. That responsibility should not just be the responsibilities of the Membership Enhancement Coordinator (MEC). All of us should play the MEC role in many instances. Again, we need to look at the "Friends" part of our motto. When people drop out, others may not notice at first, but their absence becomes the norm and the norm then becomes to not notice their absence. Everyone falls into that trap. How can "WE" change this?>

Work as a team to figure out how to get past members involved again even if they don't ride anymore. We all have four wheel transportation which gets us there just like our two wheels.

Somewhere along the line the associate membership came into play so that the non-gold Wing or non-honda rider could still be a member.

5 Work as a team to figure out how to get past members involved again even if they don't ride anymore. We all have four wheel transportation which gets us there just like our two wheels. Focus on the "FUN" aspect of it all. Another thing that was mentioned is that the "Associate Membership" is going away. Somewhere along the line the associate membership came into play so that the non-gold Wing or non-honda rider could still be a member. That in itself created a division and could have been the reason some may not have joined GWRRA. It is estimated of 45-50% of our members are moving to trikes. Some may have dual wheels in the back and others may have them in the front. Should we care? Riding is riding. Each member is a member, no matter what motorcycle you ride. I have always told people that I don't care what motorcycle you ride as long as you have two or three wheels, like to be out on the road and want to have fun. WE as an organization need to grow our membership in order to continue strong into the future. WE as an organization need to keep better track of past members, get them involved again and grow our family. WE as an organization need to welcome all motorcycle riders to our gatherings, events and training to build our group of friends and to make the roads safer because what WE have to offer in the Safety and Knowledge area is better than most organizations offer their membership. Everyone has to admit that when we are together with Friends and Family, we always have a good time. Let's figure out how WE can make this happen because it takes us all to "Git Er Done" Be sure to check out the 2017 Florida GWRRA Events in our newsletter and see what s coming up that you may want to attend. Wing Ding will be held in Grapevine, TX this year from August 29 to September 2. The Mississippi District Rally is October in Gulfport, MS and the last Region A Rally will be October in Eufaula, Al. The August and September GWRRA Anniversaries will be in next month s newsletter. As always, ride safe and remember (ATGATT) All the Gear All the Time! Gary & Terry Hartley, Membership Enhancement Coordinators

6 GWRRA August 2017 FL1-X SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT 1 FL1-Y MTG. Conestoga's Main St Alachua 6:30pm 2 Romeo 3 FL1-X MTG Blanding 6:30PM Eat 7:30PM Meet 4 Kick Tires 5 Nicole's Cafe 1101 Blanding Bv 11AM 6 HONEY DO'S Juliet Dinner & Movie/TGIF 5:30PM 9 Romeo Kick Tires 12 Cracker Barrel Breakfast/ 9AM 13 The Pig 1330 Blanding Bv. 1:30PM 14 FL1-K MTG Palm Coast 6:30PM Romeo 17 Miller Ale House Wells Rd 6;30PM 18 Kick Tires 19 FL1-V MTG Open Grill Cafe Angie's Subs 1436 Beach Bv Jax Bch 10AM 20 OutBack Mandarin 2:30PM 21 Planning The Jette's 6PM Articles Due 22 FL1-J MTG Merrill Rd 7PM 23 Romeo Juliet Dinner Olive Garden Argyle 5:30PM Kick Tires 26 Johnny's BBQ SR 21 Keystone Hgts 10:30AM Loc#1 27 Corky Bells SR 17 Fleming Island 2:30PM 3 Mission BBQ 1:30PM Romeo 31 1 Kick Tires 2 R&R Wings US#1 Hilliard, Fl KSU10AM Loc#8 Location Guide #1 Flash Foods Station, 2540 Blanding, Middleburg #5 Race Trac, RT 17/CR209, Green Cove #2 Gate Station by Hospitality Inn 103 & 295 #6 Speedway, RT 17, Orange Park #3 Speedway Station, 9651 Argyle Forest Bv. #7 Gate Station RT 220, Fleming Island #4 Dairy Queen, 610 Kingsley Ave #8 Race Trac, US#1 & I-295 (northside

riders of the Honda Goldwing/Valkyrie motorcycles and some say the world largest family.

7 Wingnutts Chapter FL1-X Assistant District Directors For North Florida Geno & Kathie Jette Chapter Director 114 Canis Dr. E. NEXT MEETING THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7TH Friends for Fun, Safety, and Knowledge he Gold Wing Road Riders Association T (GWRRA) is the World s largest singlemarque social organization for owners and riders of the Honda Goldwing/Valkyrie motorcycles and some say the world largest family. Dedicated to our motto, Friends for Fun, Safe and Knowledge, GWRRA members enjoy the freedom of belonging to a non-profit, non-religious, and non-political organization. Once you join GWRRA, you can participate with as many Chapters as you choose. You decide your own level of involvement and time. Wherever you go, whenever you travel, you are welcomed. GWRRA membership opens doors to friendship everywhere you ride! Monthly Chapter get-togethers often lighthearted changes of information at a breakfast location are pleasant, social occasions, There are no expectations, riding requirements, elections, politics, required uniforms or Chapter dues.

FRIENDS FOR FUN, SAFETY AND KNOWLEDGE

FRIENDS FOR FUN, SAFETY AND KNOWLEDGE FEBRUARY 2019 ISSUE 323 GOLDWING ROAD RIDERS ASSOCIATION, REGION A, FLORIDA DISTRICT Hello fellow WINGNUTS! What a great time we had on the First Ride of the Year,