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Rocket City Wings
Huntsville, Alabama -- Chapter B, Region A
Friends for Fun, Safety & Knowledge
March 2005
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What does the announcer say when he breaks into your favorite TV program? “ This News just in!” I had to wait until the last day of February for the “Real” Manager to arrive at Ryan’s. So, I have a verbal promise thatwe will be afforded additional space for our March 8th meeting at Ryan’s. We could probably do ourselves a favor by calling our Friends and reminding them to come on down and support Chapter B – In a little more comfortable area. We have been averaging about fifty people at our meetings, and I hope we grow this year. We want everyone to enjoy themselves and help us keep the noise level under control. The larger room will mean people will spread out and be more comfortable. Please mind your comfort level and keep the snoring under control.
Please be alert for some minor changes in our business over the next couple of meetings. We have simplified the sign in sheet and will use it for the next meeting. This sheet will only require your name and GWRRA number. We will circulate a sheet for all contact information, probably on a quarterly basis to pick up changes or to correct our administrative mistakes. Russ Werman has done a lot of work to verify and update all e-mail addresses. His efforts have also brought some of our family back to ride with us, Go Russ! When we have special projects, trips to rallies, or shirts to order we will try passing the information and sign up sheets around before the meeting starts. This should take less time away from the meeting.
One of those activities could be a Pancake Breakfast! If we canround up a good crew like we had last yearfor the Pancake Breakfast, we are going to do that toraise money for Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. Applebee’swas already booked up through July when I called them. The Pancake Breakfast is a great fund raiser, so I had them Pencil us in for 13 August. I do mean pencil us in, until I get full agreement from the Chapter. We raised over $600.00 last year and that made a nice contribution to Ride for Kids. I am already getting information from RFK, some good and some to be concerned about. Short version, The Foundation is recruiting for people to organize and execute the Birmingham Ride. The e-mail I received (second hand) from the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation said emphatically “We will have the ride in Birmingham this year”. That is to say, our commitment will not go beyond coordination of the parking, as we have done in the past years. So, find your aprons and your appetites between now and August, and tell your friends about it.
We had some confusion in the ranks at our last meeting and kind of messed up our 50/25/25 tickets. Believe me the Staff let me know it was my fault. I tried to plead ignorance, but they agreed with me too quickly. We will be back on track in the March meeting and will be giving out the extra tickets for wearing Chapter Vest, or shirts and riding your Ride. My sincere apology for the mix up, we will try to stay on track now. We discussed some new ideas for “Give A ways”. We will probably do some special things on a quarterly basis that should be some very useful tools for the safe motorcycle rider (and co-rider).
Russ Werman has really done a lot of research and work on the 2005 ride schedule so far. We had so many suggestions for birthday dinners and anniversaries that we had to help him rework the March schedule to take advantage of those suggestions. It is great when you are able to manipulate the dates and not have to eliminate any of the good places to ride and eat!
Please express your gratitude to Lonnie Wyatt and Midway Cycle for the door prizes that were donated at our last meeting. Midway also has those wonderful Krispy Kreme Donuts from time to time. Watch our ride schedule, or Chapter I’s.
We need to take some time at the Chapter Meeting to get some Small Groups together for those folks that are going to the District Rally. The Chapter B Staff has agreed to furnish the door prizes for the District Rally, but we may need some help for some of our Chapter meetings or the Region A Rally.
The Most time sensitive project for the Members of Chapter B is the ongoing Shirt Order. I appreciate every one taking care of the ordering as quickly as you did. Naturally the money is the next thing on the agenda. Please check your e-mail for the appropriate contact information for Mike and Alice Chapman. They need to collect all the money as soon as possible so we can pay for the shirts.All payments must be turned in to Mike and Alice Chapman No Later Than 13 March. We must pay the Stichin' Post for the shirts by 18 March. If you know you are going to be out of town or very busy, please take care of your shirt payment as soon as possible and you will have a new shirt for the District Rally.
There will be some extra Grand Prizes at the district Rally. There will be three sets of tires and $1500 cash given away. The e-mail I read, said there may be more….! There are already more Vendors signed up for Mobile than we had in Madison last year.
Donnie and Charlotte Mardis sent a note of appreciation to Chapter B for donating the first money in support of the Couple of the Year Program. They also dedicated the time and effort to calling me to verify an address to send the Thank You note to the Chapter. Several people and a beneficial program will be assisted because Chapter B is an active caring family.
Now I must close with a brief, but very important note. In just a very few months I have seen so many people donate time, money, ideas and a long list of both tangible and intangible things for the benefit of the Chapter. My personal appreciation may not be appropriate, or sufficient, but I do offer it humbly. It is Your Chapter and your support serves only to benefit the GWRRA family and those less fortunate. You have much to be proud of, keep up the great work and progress.
Mike and Cindy
GWRRA – An Evolving Relationship
Linda & I came to GWRRA out-of-curiosity. We were new to motorcycling and looking to hook-up with other riders. We had a new GL1800, but none of the rest of our gear was motorcycle specific. We were Novices with a capital “N.” We started showing-up for breakfast on Sunday mornings at Mullins in November 2001, and meeting the group we, to this day, refer to as the AL-B Breakfast Club. We were looking for rides, pure and simple, and the group welcomed us and made us feel right at home. We didn’t attend a Chapter meeting until July or August of ’02, but as it turned-out, we already knew many of the active chapter participants from our weekend rides.
Since then, it is a rare occasion that we miss a chapter meeting. We look forward to the friendship and camaraderie that the chapter gatherings represent. Rallies, Rides, Chapter Events, Dinner rides, or just fun get-togethers are always high on our list of priorities, and we do try to attend, when that four-letter word “work” doesn’t interfere. For the guys, there’s always talk of riding weather – good or bad, maintenance issues, tires, or some new got-to-have accessory. The Chapter Ladies also find things in common to share ranging from the latest diet, to fashions and grandkids – I know Linda looks forward to the time she spends with the other ladies.
Since November 01, we’ve spent several thousand dollars on motorcycle apparel and accessories. We’re also much more knowledgeable and I hope safer riders. While our Goldwing remains the ticket to GWRRA activities and we do so enjoy a nice ride; the ride is no longer the primary reason we participate. Plain and simple, we have come to value the fun; friendship and knowledge the people of GWRRA AL-B have brought to the Miller household. And we do so look forward too much more!
Chris (Killswitch) & Linda Miller Reality Break
March 8, 2005. MEET AT Ryan's. 6 to eat, 7 to meet. Hope to see you there.
The new Alabama B web page is designed and maintained by John Griswold. Take a look at: http://www.rocketcitywings.org there are several new capabilities and useful features.
We are trying to collect some pictures of chapter members, places we have been, bikes, trikes, etc. We want to post them to the web page and be available for all our members to see. If you have any digital pictures, please e-mail them to Mickey Polka at "mcp 326* char ter: net".
If you buy 50/25/25 tickets you will receive 1 extra ticket for each if you wear shirt and/or vest with Chapter logo and/or ride your bike to the meeting.
Also Alice has the country store if anyone needs items for vest or hats.
There has been some discussion recently concerning the backgrounds of many of our chapter members. Consequently, the staff agreed to place brief biographies in our newsletter to, hopefully, bring us all closer together. Well, here is my effort.
Originally from Des Moines, normal rural/suburban childhood began riding motorcycles at 16 starting with Honda 90s rented in the days you could. Early on I realized that motorcyclists are the only people who understand why dogs ride with their heads outside car windows. Entered the Army at 19 and did 20 years seeing the world. Have been riding motorcycles off and on for 40 years. Many different makes and sizes, too many to remember them all, but Honda has always been a staple. The only motorcycle I ever fell asleep on was a 1972 500 Four driving across New Mexico. The highway was straight and flat and B_O_R_I_N_G. I must have been living right because nothing bad happened and after about 10 minutes woke up and realized what I had done. Needless to say, I learned to be considerably more attentive to my surroundings after that incident. A lesson I think I carry with me to this day.
Stress Relief is my first Gold Wing but I doubt that it will be my last. I traded in a 1997 Magna 750 in May of 02 for this 1800 because I wanted two things the Magna could not deliver; luxury and more power. I am a big believer in personal comfort and I defy anyone to produce a more comfortable touring bike than the GL 1800, although I welcome all to try. Keep in mind, fewer lawyers and more engineers will result in better motorcycles.
Ride Safe & Ride Often
Paul & Susan
Rocket City Wings
Ride Educators
Pet Peeves 011705
This is intended to provoke thought, questions, or dialog OR to entertain or aggravate ONLY! It is in no way intended to be indicative of rational thought nor to delude anyone that it is based upon the reasonable input or opinion of any expert other than Ellis Counts!
My writings for “WhadDaYaThink” began after being asked by Rich Whittington, Newsletter Editor for GWRRA Tullahoma, TN Chapter G, to “write up some crap for the newsletter.” Please note that my qualification for the job as Chapter Educator was “being dumb enough to take the job.” The thought processes that resulted in this particular article began after a talk with Don Grundt, Newsletter Editor for GWRRA Huntsville, AL Chapter B. These folks do an awesome job, and there is quite a bit of WORK to it. They really do need something with which to work, and some of the very best and most interesting to us can come from US – from YOU! It would be very helpful to them if you would write up things of interest / concern to you, because it will probably be a better “fit” and of more interest for our chapters than something from an outside source. These folks do know how to use the “Delete” key if it doesn’t fit or if there is insufficient room in an issue, and I have always urged them to feel free to do so. I find “Ride Reports” especially interesting, and they are especially useful if specific roads and encountered safety issues are included and addressed. I urge you to write and to send YOURS to AL-B (Don and Ellen Grundt) at don zora e*kn olog y:net , TN-G (Rich and Ann Whittington) at rwh itt1 *cha rter :net , to YOUR Chapter Newsletter Editor or to Tennessee Wing News (Bruce and Pat Merrill) at bru ce68 681* msn: com . Also, READ the newsletter and express your appreciation for their work. They work hard for you – for us; help ‘em out.
This month’s article reveals some of my “Pet Peeves.” Any or all of us could be guilty of any or all of these at any one time. However it behooves those of us who ride motorcycles to be especially conscience of avoiding such. Our well-being is generally dependent on DEFENSIVE DRIVING. Just about the last thing we would want to do to lower the likelihood of even that taking care of us out there on the open road is to TICK SOMEBODY OFF. WE can be guilty of foolish / thoughtless actions if we don’t THINK -- too!
All bikers are our brothers – and sisters. Ride! Ride often! Ride Together! Ride SAFELY!
Ellis
RELAY FOR LIFE starts at early dusk and ends the next day. The light and darkness of the day and night parallel the physical effects, emotions, and mental state of the cancer patient while undergoing treatment.
The RELAY begins when the sun is setting. This symbolizes the time that the person has been diagnosed as having cancer. The day is getting darker and this represents the cancer patient’s state of mind as they feel that their life is coming to an end.
As evening goes on it gets colder and darker, just as the emotions of the cancer patient do. Around 1:00 am to 2:00am represents the time when the cancer patients start treatments. They become exhausted, some sick, not wanting to go on, possibly wanting to go on, possibly wanting to give up. As a participant, you have been walking and feel much the same way. You are tired, want to sleep, maybe even go home, but you cannot. You cannot stop or give up, just as the cancer patient cannot stop or give up.
Around 4:00am to 5:00 am symbolizes the coming of the end of treatment for the cancer patient. Once again they are tired, but they know they will make it.
The sun rising represents the end of treatment for the cancer patient. They see the light at the end of the tunnel and know that life will go on. The morning light brings on a new day full of life and excitement for new beginnings for the cancer patient. As a participant, you will feel the brightness of the morning and know that the end of the RELAY is close at hand.
When you leave the RELAY, think of the cancer patient leaving their last treatment. Just as you are exhausted and weak, so is that person after treatment.
REMEMBER: There is no finish line until we find a CURE.
Information About Our Group Rides
- Unless otherwise indicated, all rides will leave from the ride meeting place at scheduled time.
- As a courtesy to all members, it is important to be ready to leave at the departure time.
- All bikes should be fueled and bladders emptied ahead of time.
- We plan a variety of rides. Time and money might make it hard to make all events. We hope this variety will give you an opportunity to pick and choose.
- If the weather is bad---come in your car.
- If you have a CB, you will find us on Channel 1.
- We will meet at Mullins for our Sunday morning breakfast at 8:30 am, most of the time. However, there are some rides to breakfast at other locations. CHECK THE RIDE SCHEDULE.
- Visit the web page at www.RocketCityWings.org for all the latest information.
C/B Shell is the Shell station (3490 Wall Triana Hwy) next to the Cracker Barrel just off of I-565 in Madison.
Tue Mar 1 Supper at Tai Pan Chinese Restaurant, 8883 Madison Blvd (Hwy 20), Madison, at 6:00 pm
Thu Mar 3 Midway Cycle to meet with Apparel Reps from HJC/Joe Rocket, and Power Trip, at 6:00 pm. Free (I think) food to be served.
Thu Mar 3 Bike Night at Sonic’s off Hwy 20 on Wall Triana, Madison, at 6:00 pm
Fri Mar 4 Fri Mar 4 – Sun Mar 13 - Daytona Bike Week, Daytona Beach, FL
http://www.daytonachamber.com/bwhome.html for more info
Sat Mar 5 Parking Lot Practice - Madison County Airport Range - Meridianville - 10:30am. Bring your trailers and a picnic lunch. We will be there through lunch, so it should be an interesting day.
AL-K meets at Underwood Community Center, Muscle Shoals. 8:00 am to eat 9:00 am to meet
Sun Mar 6 Breakfast at Mullins, at 8:30 am. Ride TBD.
Tue Mar 8 Monthly Meeting at Ryans, S. Pkwy, Huntsville. 6:00 pm to eat, 7:00 pm to meet
Thu Mar 10 Bike Night at Sonic’s off Hwy 20 on Wall Triana, Madison, at 6:00 pm
TN-G meets at Ponderosa, Tullahoma. 6:00 pm to eat, 7:00 pm to meet
Fri Mar 11 Breakfast at Granny Nels, Brindley Mountain. Depart Lowe’s on S. Pkwy at 8:30 am, then Ride to Talledaga Forest.
Sat Mar 12 Chapter Y Fun Day, 10:am to 2:00 pm, Gardendale Civic center, Gardendale, AL. Proceeds benefit “Camp Smile A Mile”. Meet for breakfast at Country Vittles at 8:00 am, and depart after breakfast.
Sat Mar 12 Don Broxson is hosting a "Tech Daze" where he will be holding a seminar / demonstration on rebuilding suspension and replacing brakes. Meet at Country Vittles for breakfast at 8:45 am, Seminar starts at 10:00 am in Don Broxson’s garage, located at 103 Autumn Crest Dr, Madison.
Sat Mar 12 Chapter U Poker Run, Dothan
Sun Mar 13 Breakfast at Mullins, at 8:30 am. Ride TBD.
Mon Mar 14 AL-E Meeting, Fish Creel Restaurant, Hwy 207, Anderson, AL - 6:00 pm to eat, 7:00 pm to meet
Tue Mar 15 Birthday Dinner at Tony's Little Italy, Village of Providence, 7 Town Center Drive, at 6:00 pm
Thu Mar 17 Thu Mar 17 through Sat Mar 19 -- FL District Rally, Kissimmee, FL
http://home1.gte.net/eeporter/ for more info
Thu Mar 17 Bike Night at Sonic’s off Hwy 20 on Wall Triana, Madison, at 6:00 pm
Thu Mar 17 Gary Province “Group Riding” Seminar, Tony’s Country Cookin, Hwy 31, Decatur. 6:00 pm to eat, 6:43 pm to meet
Sat Mar 19 Breakfast at Little Rosie’s Taqueria, 4781 Whitesburg Drive, then ride to RRMC Poker Run - Chips & Salsa, 1030 Bailey Cove Rd, Huntsville. Games start at 10:00 am; First Bike out 11:00 am, Last Bike out 12:30 pm, Last Bike in 3:00 pm
Sun Mar 20 Breakfast at Geralds Family Restaurant, Decatur. Depart CB/Shell at 8:00 am, then Ride to Cherokee and ride Natchez Trace North. Lunch somewhere near or at Franklin, TN.
Tue Mar 22 AL-I meets at Tony’s Country Cookin, Hwy 31, Decatur (Just North of the Beltline). 6:00 pm to eat 7:00 pm to meet
Wed Mar 23 Staff / Ride Meeting at Mike & Alice Chapmans, at 6:00 pm. Please RSVP if you are planning to attend.
Thu Mar 24 Bike Night at Sonic’s off Hwy 20 on Wall Triana, Madison, at 6:00 pm
Fri Mar 25 Breakfast at Rachaels, Family Restaurant, Fayetteville, TN. Depart Cowboys, N Pkwy & Winchester Road at 8:00 am. Ride to Fried Pie place after breakfast. Return via county roads in North Limestone county.
Sat Mar 26 Breakfast at Jackson Family Jackson’s Family Restaurant, 234 Lime Quarry Rd, Madison, at 8:00 am, then ride to Sloan’s in Murphreesboro, TN (after going to Decatur and eating Chapter I’s donuts). Late Lunch at Bell Buckle, TN on way back.
Sat Mar 26 Chapter I hosting Coffee & Donuts at Cycles Unlimited, Decatur, 9:00 am to 11:00 am.
Sun Mar 27 HAPPY EASTER
Tue Mar 29 Supper at Red Lobster, 1818 University Drive, Huntsville, at 6:00 pm
Thu Mar 31 Bike Night at Sonic’s off Hwy 20 on Wall Triana, Madison, at 6:00 pm
Thu Mar 31 Thu Mar 31 through Sat Apr 2 -- AL District Rally, Mobile, AL
http://www.gwrra-regiona.org/~ala/index.html for more info
Fri Apr 1 AL DISTRICT RALLY, MOBILE, AL
Sat Apr 2 AL-K meets at Underwood Community Center, Muscle Shoals. 8:00 am to eat 9:00 am to meet
Sat Apr 2 AL DISTRICT RALLY, MOBILE, AL
Sun Apr 3 Set clocks forward 1 hour for Daylight Savings Time at 2:00 am. Breakfast at Mullins, at 8:30 am. Ride TBD.
Tue Apr 5 Supper at Duffy’s Deli, 2324 Whitesburg Drive, Huntsville, at 6:00 pm
Thu Apr 7 Bike Night at Sonic’s off Hwy 20 on Wall Triana, Madison, at 6:00 pm
Thu Apr 7 Thu Apr 7 through Sat Apr 9 – LA District Rally - WINGS OVER THE BAYOU
“Mardi Gras Madness Rally” - Lafayette, LA - http://www.ladist.org/ for more info
Fri Apr 8 Breakfast at Country Vittles at 8:30 am, then Ride TBD
Sat Apr 9 ERC – Madison County Airport Range – Meridianville – 8:00 am to 2:00 pm
Sun Apr 10 Breakfast at Mountain Breeze restaurant on Brindlee Mountain (231 South, top of mountain, on the right). Depart Lowe’s on S. Pkwy at 8:00 am. Ride to find Covered Bridges after breakfast.
Tue Apr 12 Monthly Meeting at Ryans, S. Pkwy, Huntsville. 6:00 pm to eat, 7:00 pm to meet
Remember, this is YOUR chapter and YOUR participation and ideas are what makes it all worth while. So please pass along any ideas you have. It will be appreciated by all, especially me. Also, if 2 or more chapter members (from different households) meet or go somewhere, let me or the Chapter Director know how many folks.
Russ Werman, Rid eCoo rdin ator - 256-777-9467
Mar 4 – Mar 13 - Daytona Bike Week, Daytona Beach, FL http://www.daytonachamber.com/bwhome.html for more info
Mar 17 through Mar 19 -- FL District Rally, Kissimmee, FL
http://home1.gte.net/eeporter/ for more info
Mar 31 through Apr 2 -- AL District Rally, Mobile, AL http://www.gwrra-regiona.org/~ala/index.html for more info
Apr 7 through Apr 9 – LA District Rally - WINGS OVER THE BAYOU
“Mardi Gras Madness Rally” - Lafayette, LA - http://www.ladist.org/ for more info
Apr 21 through Apr 23 -- TN District’s Spring Fling, Pigeon Forge, TN
http://www.tngwrra.org/ for more info
May 5 through May 7 -- SC District Rally, “Back to the Beach”, Myrtle Beach, SC
http://www.gwrrasc.com/scrally/sc05flyer.pdf for flyer
May 12 through May 14 -- Texas District Rally, “Fabulous 50’s”, Wichita Falls, TX
http://www.texasdist.org/ for more info
May 13 through May 15 – Niehaus Days – Litchfield IL
May 19 through May 21 -- Region N Rally in Maggie Valley, NC
http://www.region-n.org/images/regionnrally05.pdf for flyer
Jun 6 through Jun 11 – Americade, Lake George, NY
Jun 16 through Jun 18 -- Georgia District "Wing Fling" in Hiawassee, GA
http://www.gwrra-ga.com/ for info and flyer.
Jun 17 through Jun 19 -- Lynchburg TN Motorcycle Rally
Jun 22 through Jun 25 -- Honda Hoot, Knoxville, TN
http://www.hondahoot.com/ for info.
Jul 4 through Jul 7 – WING DING – Fort Wayne, IN
http://www.wing-ding.org/ for more info
Jul 28 through Jul 30 – Honda Homecoming, Marysville, OH
http://www.ohio.honda.com/events/homecoming/index.asp for info.
Aug 8 through Aug 14 – 65th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, Sturgis, SD
http://www.sturgismotorcyclerally.com/ for more info
Aug 25 through Aug 27 -- Kentucky District’s "Blue Grass Blast" in Paducah, KY
http://www.gwrra-ky.org/index.asp for more info
Sep 8 through Sep 10 – Region A Rally “Wings of Autumn” -- Helen, GA
Sep 22 through Sep 24 -- Wings Over the Smokies, Fletcher, NC
http://www.gwrranc.org/ for more info
Oct 13 through Oct 15 -- Mississippi District Rally in Biloxi
http://www.msgwrra.org/~miss/MsRally.shtml for more info
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