Rocket City Wings Huntsville, Alabama -- Chapter B, Region A Friends for Fun, Safety & Knowledge April 2008

The Lazy Daze of April
  - From the Chapter Directors

The month of April is going to be a nice calm month with absolutely nothing to do but lay back and relax.  It seems like we have been running along at a nearly unbearable pace, and we will finally have a break.  We can put our cares behind us, climb into the saddle and take a nice long, easy ride.

April Fools!!

This is going to be a busy month, but it should be a very good month.  It will start out with someone winning a Goldwing motorcycle at the Alabama Rally in Mobile (hopefully it will be YOU!).  We have two fundraisers for the Relay for Life; the first at the Country Cruisers Open House and the second at the Parking Lot/Yard Sale at Gander Mountain.  We have some visitors from Georgia Chapter GA-A coming to visit us at the end of the month along with the Chapter-T Fun Day, which is almost always fun and a bit crazy.  And somewhere in the middle there; Richard and Sue are getting married.  And we need to finish up the work that needs to get done for our Chapter-B Fun Day.

I want to talk about the Chapter-B Fun Day for a moment.  We are planning on having an event that is different from your "normal" Fun Day.  Yes, we have a Fun Day that is themed like many others that are themed.  Our theme is based on the Hillbilly experience.  But ignoring that, we are really interested in providing two primary opportunities.  The first is building on the first part of the GWRRA motto; "Friends for Fun."  So we want to provide opportunities for people to cement old friendships along with providing opportunities for making new friends.  The second emphasis is on our motorcycle riding.  We are planning a special ride or maybe even a set of rides on which people can go and enjoy.  We welcome YOUR participation in the Fun Day.  The more Chapter-B members that are involved the more fun we can all have.  Please let Lisa Knapp know that you want to have fun with the rest of us.

I hope that everyone has been getting their bikes into good riding order because I think that JUST MAYBE we are going to actually get some good riding weather.  Check out the schedule for rides and join us or just call some other folks up and get out and ride.

Until next time, smile at those you don't know, hug those that you care about, and kiss the one that you said, "I do" to.

John & Elizabeth Griswold

Chapter-B Hillbilly Fun Day
  - From the Asst. Chapter Directors

Chapter B's FUN DAY is right around the corner... Saturday, May 10... so grab your hillbilly attire and come on out to Country Cruisers!!  It'll be here before you know it!!  Who knows???... you might just have to snatch a sip from the 'still.  The preparations are well underway, and seem to be right on track.  The committees are hard at work making sure you'll have plenty of good food, fun, and fellowship. 

It's not too late to lend a helping hand -- and it sure would be appreciated!  Just contact me directly or any one of the Committee Chairs:

Most importantly, remember that the profits will benefit the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation/Ride For Kids!!

Hope to see 'ya there!

Lisa Knapp

Spring into Action!
  - From the Chapter Ride Coordinators
    / Chapter Couple of the Year

The First Day of Spring has come & passed.  Time for allergies and the nicer side of Spring too.  Hyacinths are sprouting everywhere, trees are blooming, people are cutting grass, and allergies are popping.  Be prepared for Spring surprises.  We had a few dogs to chase us on our Lynchburg, Tennessee ride. It's time to Spring Into Action.  It's time to get that bike cranked up, then baby it with a little maintenance, spruce her (or him) up with a nice Goldwing bath, and unpack your cooler riding gear.  Be sure to keep some warm gear in a corner.  With Spring surprises, there's usually a surprise April shower from time to time and a cold snap is not out of the question.  Once you get'r slicked up and ready to ride, check out the calendar or come to a Chapter meeting and we will fix you up with a place to go with some built-in company to go with you!  That company may be one, two, three, four, or more people, but I can assure you with warmer temps around the corner, getting you some company to travel with won't be a difficult issue.  The biggest issue right now is how much riding do we want to do?  A lot -- a little or you just don't know.  Well, just remember, with warmer weather comes more agendas.  Everyone's schedules will pick up with holidays, camping, family reunions, vacations and other gatherings.  For those of you that have riding as your first item on your agenda, be sure to check out our schedule, but if there is not anything on there that you want to do, or nothing is scheduled, don't hesitate to pick up the phone and call someone.  It's almost a sure thing, you can find someone to ride with.  We have a routine group of folks that seem to ride just about all the time.  Steven & I resemble that remark normally.  I have an idea that might help those folks that show up and expect a crowd but find out that the "norm" crowd went elsewhere.  I will be putting a wallet-style card together that will list members and their point of contact phone numbers.  I hope to get them put together and laminated.  The phone numbers included will be on a voluntary basis only.  No one's number will be used without written or verbal permission.  Once the numbers are in, and I get cards made, I hope that you can use this wallet card to contact folks the day before a ride or day of to determine what size crowd is going to show up.  If you think no one will show, you can head out a different direction without feeling guilty.  There is never a guarantee that someone won't show up out of the blue, but after waiting a few minutes (5-10) and it's obvious that it's an unproductive turn out, you have the option to go on a ride to wherever your heart desires.  Don't forget to use the forum to post any last minute rides.  It's usually a good idea to give it a day's advance notice cause some folks only read their email and forum once a day or once a week for that matter.  I hope the idea of a wallet card will prevent you from having to rely on the forum or calendar only.

Steven & I are doing our best to ensure that we try to have a fun schedule of rides.  I have some neat ideas for some things to do in the upcoming months but we think we will focus on more quality rides versus quantity rides.  If there is a desire for more quantity rides, the forum will be ideal to set up spontaneous rides.  Spontaneous and last-minute rides are usually the most fun.  Keep your eyes peeled in the next few months for an announcement for a "Mystery Ride".  What is a mystery ride you ask???  Well, it was a suggestion given to me that I thought was a brilliant idea.  A clue as to whom it came from is Arizonian in nature.  How well do you know your Goldwing friends?  A mystery ride is just that -- a mystery.  Being that we are from the Rocket City, I hope there might be a few "rocket scientists" that can figure that one out.  If not, I can hook you up with a really cool badge called "J 4 Genius".  We will meet in a non-mysterious place and the ride will be led by someone who knows the destination and no hints or clues will be given.  Well, for a free ice cream cone from Dairy Queen, I might could be persuaded to give one little teenie weenie hint.  Not!  Ha..ha….even I can't be bought with Ice Cream!!!!!  So, after a "mysterious" ride, you will "B" "clued in" when you get there.  It's like the old cliché', it's not about the destination, it's about the journey, folks!  Enjoy the ride.  Sometimes the ride is the best part of the destination.

How many chapters have you visited this month, or how many will you visit next month?  I'd like to ask you to join Steven & me on rides to Chapter K, Chapter X, and other chapters near and far.  We are going to try to combine some chapter rides and get more folks involved with other chapters.  It won't be ride and eat, instead it will be meet & ride.  The beauty of riding with other chapters is being able to ride with them.  Steven & I feel that too much focus is on just the eating part and not enough riding.  We can always find a place to eat.  I'm not saying that we are cutting eating out of the ride…no way, Jóse!  I'm just saying let's get away from riding just to eat and more around to riding and figuring out the eating part as we go.  Oh come on, it will be good for you to ride more and eat less (often).  Your health will be better and you can burn more calories to save room for Dairy Queen.  I'm such a hypocrite.  I tell you that we can ride more, and eat less often, and then I mention Dairy Queen.  There are just some rules that can never be broken!!!  Dairy Queen is not in that equation or rather, it will never be taken out of that equation.  A little scoop of ice cream won't hurt….unless you past multiple Dairy Queens, then we might have a problem.  However, this is where the "skilled" ride coordinators come in.  Another suggestion brought up to us relates to dessert rides.  No, we won't be riding camels or chasing tumbleweeds…we will ride just to have dessert only.  Everyone wins!  Then we ride some more and maybe a little more.  Remember folks, we are always looking for suggestions, and we just want people to have fun.  We don't have to eat at just Dairy Queens, there are wonderful places out there that serve some gooooood ice cream.  I don't know where they all are, but with your help, we can make a dent in the schedule to find them.  Speaking of ice cream…it comes from milk and milk comes from cows.  Well, how many cows do you know have horns!!!!!  Ask Roy Fosnight.  On a ride to Orlando/Kissimmee, Florida to attend the Florida District Rally, we saw a pasture of Long Horns.  I was convinced that they were all bulls, but Roy tells me that some of them were cows.  Maybe at our next gathering, someone can give me an agriculture/farming lesson.  They also tell me that oranges grow on trees too.  I can only find them at Krogers!  What's up with that bull?  I mean cow?

Till next time… ride like you mean it.  Have fun.  It's crazy not to ride.  Have YOU ever seen a motorcycle parked in front of a psychiatrist's office?  I don't think so.

Long live Goldwingers!

Remember...
Friends don't let friends ride Harleys
98% of all Harleys ever sold are still on the road...
The rest of them made it home.
"That sure is a pretty GoldWing."

Don't Worry (Chapter) "B" Happy
Steven & Tammy Hollingsworth
AL-B Couple of the Year

Coming Attractions (Events)

April

The biggest news this month is the Alabama District Rally, which is the 3rd through the 5th.  We hope that you will attend.  This rally has all of the indications of being a really spectacular event.  Even if you are not preregistered, come on and join us.  And who knows, YOU might be leaving with a brand new 2008 GL1800.

The Tuesday following the Rally will be our Chapter Meeting.  We have got plenty of good information to talk about.  Please join us.

Saturday 12th Country Cruisers is having their Open House.  We are going to be working at the event to raise money for the Relay for Life.  Please come on out to help and enjoy the company.  There will be plenty going on to keep you busy.

Saturday 19th Richard Chapman and Sue LaFrance will be tying the knot.  Reggie Whiddon will be performing the ceremony at Huntsville Christian Academy.  That is the same location where we had the Christmas party the last two years and the CPR/First-Aid class, but it will be in the Chapel.  The ceremony begins at 2:00pm with a reception following in the same room where we had the Christmas party (but decorated nicer).

The next morning at Gander Mountain parking lot we will be having the second fundraiser for Relay for Life.  This is the second Yard/Parking Lot Sale, which was extremely successful last year.  This will only work if YOU help.  We will need you to bring stuff to sell.  If you have questions please contact either Alice Chapman or Tammy Hollingsworth.

Bill Nelson has organized a special visitation to the Friendship Club.  On Thursday morning of the 24th those that can will gather at Mullins.  10:45am if you want to eat lunch there.  Departure to ride to the club will be at 11:30am.  The Friendship Club is for mentally handicapped adults from the Huntsville area.  They meet once a week at the Lowe Center (2300 Washington Circle).  Call Bill Nelson for more information: 256-603-3310.

We will be having several bikes from GA-A coming to town to visit with us, arriving on the Thursday the 24th.  If I'm not mistaken, I believe they want to visit the Space & Rocket Center while they are here.  I believe their plans are to visit it on Friday.  Anyone interested in joining them, please let us know.  I'm thinking very seriously about taking a day off from work and going, just because it has been so long since I have been.

Saturday 26th we will be visiting Chapter-T for their Fun Day.  If you have never been to a Chapter-T Fun Day you are in for a treat.  They REALLY pull out all of the stops and put on a major show.

On Sunday 27th at Marty & Lisa's at 2:00pm we need to have lots of people show up as we prepare for the Chapter-B Hillbilly Fun Day.

May

May will start out with Relay for Life.  Even if you are not on one of the teams, come on out and walk around the track a few laps and socialize with us.

On the 10th will be our Chapter-B Hillbilly Fun Day.

As always, the most up-to-date schedule information can be found on the website - check it often.

John & Elizabeth Griswold

Reflections & Reminiscing (Events)

March started off in the old west with the Chapter-Y Fun Day.  There were plenty of ten gallon hats and even some 20 or 30, lots of chaps (I wonder where they got those?) and even some six guns.  To keep the wild GWRRA crowd under control some folks even ended up in jail.

Chapter-I hosted a Gary Province Seminar at Greenbrier Bar-B-Que entitled, "Preparing for Spring."  Gary started promptly at his usual 6:43.  Expecting to hear the normal T-CLOCK speech and maybe a little about practicing, Gary surprised us all and went well beyond the normal with lots of advice that was on the mark.  If you missed it, you missed a lot.

On the 16th was a ride to the natural bridge in Double Springs.  See the separate Trip Report.

On the 22nd was the ride looping through Lynchburg ending up in Grant.  Please see the separate Trip Report.

March 29th the "Richard Ride" changed into a Chrome Party over at Big Dog's (Mike Chapman's) because of bad Thunder Storms in the area.  We had a good time working on a couple of bikes.  I want to thank the guys because one of those bikes was mine.  As is usually the case with most Chrome Parties, we all had a good time working and swapping stories.  I have heard some second-hand stories from Sue's Bridal Shower that took place in the afternoon and the girls' gathering that continued into the evening.  From what a man can understand of these sorts of things; the shower seems to have plenty of fun.  And the later girls gathering has one report comparing it to a cross between a bachelorette party and a Tupperware party, while another report was a bit more racy, but all confirmed that they had a good time.

If you missed the fun last month, please join us this month.

John & Elizabeth Griswold

Ride Report: Natural Bridge Ride - Double Springs, AL
  - From the Asst. Chapter Directors

The ride to the Natural Bridge was very nice.  I've never been, even though I've lived in Alabama well over 20 years.  Considering the time of year, we had  a great turn out.  The weather was beautiful, and the company was even better.  Even though the ride started on four lanes, it quickly turned into flowing two lane country roads thru the Bankhead National Forest.  On the way, Bruce suggested a detour thru Sipsey Creek picnic area.  After a brief stop at a roadside pull-off, (bathroom break), it was on to the Natural Bridge.  This is a really nice place to visit.  ( Ms. Lucy had a great time!!).  The Bridge is just a short walk from the entrance, and well worth it.  It would be a good place to ride for a picnic ride.  Speaking of food, by now it was time to find something to eat - imagine that.J  After a very enjoyable late lunch at the Natural Bridge Restaurant, it was time to head back toward Huntsville.

Rides like this one are just one of the many reasons Lisa and I enjoy participating with Chapter "B".

I would also like to thank the Ride Coordinators and the Ride Committee for a job "Well Done". Your efforts are appreciated very much!

Thank You,

Marty & Lisa Knapp

Ride Report: Lynchburg / Porky's BBQ Ride
  - From the Chapter Ride Coordinators
    / Chapter Couple of the Year

It was a wonderful start to a great ride.  We had a bunch of folks on trikes and two bikes.  Before we departed to head off to Lynchburg, we acquainted ourselves and discussed our ride plans.  We all geared up with some good ole caffeinated drinks and saddled up for a dash to Lynchburg.  Sporting his new wheels was Walter.  The ruby glistening of his new baby was a sight for sore eyes.  Sporting a nice fuzzy blue Easter Bunny was Avery.  That bunny was hanging on for dear life cause Avery doesn't let much grass grow under his trike and he was hot on the heels of Bruce & Steven who alternated leading the ride on Saturday.  Adorned with some cozy warm duds was Ms. Pamela Crockett. Although we had some sunny delight beaming upon us, it was still a tad bit chilly for most folks.  However, as I have pretty much been riding all winter, it was looking like a nice warm day for me.  Recent rides have had me on the chat-o-meter around about 10 being the coldest and loudest my teeth chattered.  I bet those of you who know me a little more intimately than some thought I was talking about chatting which happens to be my prevailing talent which I have gained such notoriety for.  Hey, if you can't toot your own horn, who will?  I will admit I may be a "little talkative".  Now that everyone has straightened up from their laughing fit, I will tell you that Kathy showed off a nice sparkling clean trike.  The majestic purple shined like never before.  It was hard to ride behind her because the clean was so radiant.  Nathan was co-riding with Grandma and doing a fine job keeping his eyes peeled for Dairy Queen for Grandpa.  Jake (aka Grandpa) traveled quite a few miles before succumbing to hunger pains.

Bruce was coming in loud & clear on his new headsets… he was raring to go riding!  Awhile back we were having difficulty understanding Bruce because of so much interference in his headsets.  I am proud to announce Bruce is crystal clear.  Randy (Pamela Crockett's other half) was geared up and ready to find some fun as well.  Randy & Pamela just moved from Arizona to relocate here in the Huntsville Area.  They were familiar with Huntsville already and are happy to be back.  Getting settled into the area meant checking in at Mullins on Sunday mornings to meet chapter folks.  I can't say enough about folks coming to Mullins on Sunday.  We always find a good couple from time to time there.  We welcome Randy & Pamela.  I'm not sure if Pamela wants to be called just Pam or Pamela.  I think each of them is a pretty name.  When you see them out and about, ask her!

After arriving in Lynchburg, a few of us who managed to skip breakfast were thinking Porky's was a long way off (time & distance), so we carried our little cabooses over to a quaint little spot on the corner of the square in Lynchburg known as The World Famous Bar-B-Que Caboose Cafe to enjoy some of the best homemade lemonade around.  While there we had the pleasure of some pickin' & grinnin' by a live show of some good ol' boys and girl who play with Mr. Ken Fly who just happens to have a CD available for purchase.  The name of it is Diggin' in the Dumpster.  Kind of different but their talent was pretty good which was obvious by the response from the lunch crowd.  I had to pass on dessert (awaiting silence); yes, I passed on dessert.  To be honest I was holding out for Dairy Queen too!  Imagine that.  After a good meal and for others, after dessert, we headed out to do a little shopping at Judy's Leather and the other places around the square.  Walter got a nice belt with Goldwing on it.  Pam decided it was chilly enough and a pair of chaps was in order.  I bought a yellow purse.  Yes, yellow!  And, no, I will not let Sue LaFrance (future Mrs. Chapman) con me out of it.  Kathy found a very nice "normal" brown leather purse, but it was very soft and functional.  We left Lynchburg around 1:30pm and headed to Grant via the back roads of course.

Unfortunately, after debating with Bruce (who by the way was right) about which side of the road Porky's was on in Grant, it had closed around 2pm.  We missed it by a few.  No fear!  Goldwingers can find food!  Besides, we had Jake with us and we all know that Jake is like Toucan Sam… the nose knows.  If there is food to be found, Jake can sniff'er out.  Without further adieu, we quickly came to plan a backtrack to El Coyote in Gurley which was just a short drive away, and off we go.  After some Mexican cuisine, we parted ways, while some of us headed to Marty & Lisa Knapp's house to scope out Marty's progress on building Jake's customized trailer which will be carrying his scooter and oxygen tank.  Jake, Kathy, Nathan, Randy, Pam, Steven & I showed up just in time for Marty to start wrapping up for the day.  His work was impeccable as usual.  Unrelenting and persevering, the finished product will no doubt be awesome!  Jake will be traveling in style and as a bonus will have his oxygen & scooter when he gets to his destination.  Who says you can't carry everything and the kitchen sink to a rally!?  Thanks, to Marty, now Jake can!

Conclusion to a good day:  After all that, we didn't even go to Dairy Queen!!!!!  What's the world coming to!!?

Steven & Tammy Hollingsworth

Health Watch / Prayer Concerns

Don and Ellen Grundt's daughter, Jessica, passed away on March 25th.  They will be having a memorial service here in Huntsville on May 3rd. at the St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, 8020 Whitesburg Drive.

Donations in memory of Jessica may be made to:

Young Survival Coalition Houston
PO Box 22323
Houston, TX 77227-2323

Grandparents' Bragging Room

Cullen David Adams - Grandson of Sue LaFrance

After many months of a problematic pregnancy, Cullen David Adams came into the world March 14th with a very healthy weight of 9-pounds, 8-ounces and a very tall 21.5 inches.  Sue is expecting Cullen to try out for football next fall.

Cullen David Adams, Sue LaFrance's grandson

Rebecca Mahanna - Granddaughter of John & Elizabeth Griswold

As many of you may already know Rebecca was born very premature at a weight of 1-pound 15-ounces back in January.  She got to come home when she weighed 4-pounds on March 10th and now (3/26) she is up to 5-pounds.

Rebecca Mahanna & Samantha Menikheim, the Griswold's grandchildren

Serving for Freedom

Atticus "Daniel" Fisher

SPC Fisher, Atticus Daniel
TF Eagle Assault
HHC 5-101 AVN
APO, AE 09355

Serving in Kandahar, Afghanistan

Tammy Hollingsworth's brother

Heather Knapp

Air Force

Serving in South Korea

Marty & Lisa Knapp's daughter

Richard L. Follett II

Chief Master Sergeant
USAF

Rick is serving a tour in Kabul, Afghanistan training the government how to defend itself.
He is normally stationed at the Pentagon in Washington, DC.

April 2008 District News
  - From the District Director

Hello All,

March started in Gerbing's and is trying to end with us in rain suites. We just returned from the Florida District Rally and had a really fun time. We ran into some old friends we have not seen in a while and made some new ones while we were there. Alabama brought home two plaques, one for the Bike Show (way to go Dennis and Ann Greer) and the District Directors' Challenge (I got lucky catching the right color Butterflies). We had a very interesting ride home. We had a bubble in our back tire and thanks to Steven and Tammy Hollingsworth and our oldest Granddaughter and her boyfriend; they got us and the bike home safely. Always ride heads up and don't just check the tread wear indicators, check the sidewalls also.

The Rally in Mobile is here and we are still putting together things that we need to take to Mobile. We have put as much racing stuff together as we could and then Anita found some more. We have some new sign makers and hope we have thought of everything that we need to take (ha-ha). Jim Lee had almost all the swamp rides full and I can smell the Boston Butts cooking all ready. We are looking forward to seeing all of you and talking to as many as we can.

Please remember that Freedom isn't Free and remember our folks who are in Harm's Way, be they Military, Law Enforcement, EMTs or Firemen.

The next time you think about going riding, call a friend; they are probably thinking the same thing.

Roy & Anita Fosnight Please Ride Safe and Often

April 2008 District News
  - From the Assistant District Director
  / Rally Coordinator

Hi Folks,

Part of the problem with writing Newsletter articles is they can never be completely current. This article is especially true since as I write this I am in the final stages of getting ready for the rally and by the time you read this the rally will be history. We will either have had great weather, or something less than what we have had the last two years. We will either have had a great turn out or a disappointment. We will either have had a great time or something we wouldnt want to repeat. We will either have made the decision where we will be next year or not. We will have decided if another Wing is in our plans to give away. So much depends upon the turn out and how well we do this year that much is up in the air. I have no answers for you now but I have hopes. I hope we have great weather. I hope we have a record turn out. I hope we cover the cost of the Gold Wing we are giving away. But most of all I hope you had a great time.

If the pre-registration is an indication we can look for a great turn out.  This year we should be proud of our chapters in their support of the rally. Did you know  15 out of the 21 Alabama chapters had more people pre-registered for the rally than last year. Did you know we have an increase in attendance by the people from Alabama by almost 20%. Did you know we had 8 chapters that have more than 60% of their active membership pre-registered. Did you know we planned to feed 600 people Friday night. Did you know we had members coming from as far away as New York, Maryland, and Illinois with a large group from Tennessee.  Of course you didnt unless you were at the rally where you may have seen for yourself.

I want to thank each and every GWRRA member that took their time to come to the rallies over the last 4 years. I want to thank each member that took time to help support activities and promote the rally. I want to thank all the vendors that came to support our rally even with soaring gas prices. I want to thank each person that saw deficiencies and shared them with the staff where we could make improvements. Without you we could have no rally. Without you why would we want to even try. You see the Alabama Rally is for you and your membership. The District Staff serves to serve you not themselves and I am proud of each staff member Roy and Anita have assembled.

The last two months I provided a chart that showed you how each chapter was doing in registration. This month will show the final chart. Percentages are based upon the attendance reported for all your business meetings in 2007. These are averaged together to determine your active chapter size. If you have an average 30 people attend your business meeting your average size is 30. To have 100% you would need to have 30 people pre-registered. Therefore it is possible to have more than 100%. I just couldnt come up with a better way to determine chapter size without using the Green bar report which no one wants to use.

Jim & Karen Lee

District News
  - From the Assistant District Director

Time flies when you are having FUN. Well that sure is true. It seems like yesterday we were at the Snowball Rally and now it is time for the District Rally. All the planning and organizing is done. The schedules are out and vendors are on the way. So as they say "Let's get the show on the road." It is time for the Alabama District to entertain. There are seminars ERC, TRC courses and Couple of the Year competition. Ice cream social, cook out, dunking both and much more.  Come on to Mobile and let's show the other districts how it is done.

Please be sure to support the vendors at the rally, this is important if we want them to come to our future rallies.  Also remember that we are giving away a brand spanking new 1800 Goldwing at our District rally, but you have to be fully registered and present at the closing ceremony drawing to win.

We have been able to visit Chapters N and D. Thanks for letting us join you folks. Both had large crowds. We will be visiting more as we can or as our work schedules allow. I want to encourage the chapters to visit each other. Make an effort to go to each other's meeting of attend their Fun Day. Get to know our GWRRA Family.

Chapter Y had their Fun Day on March 1. The weather was good and a number of folks rode their bikes. The sheriff was on hand and arrested many bad hombres. The jail was full all day long. All the chapter members should be proud of all their combined efforts.

Hope to see you all in Mobile,

Robert & Gail Brown The more you know the better it gets

MAD About Visibility
  - Motorist Awareness Division District Coordinators

Yeah I know I've probably covered this before, but since I am a squeaky wheel eventually you begin to pay attention to me. Visibility is one of the cheapest things we can do to help avoid being ran over by the little old lady from Pasadena or in our case Opelika. It has been said that "Clothes make the man (or woman) and taking that as a truism they certainly make today's motorcyclist, rider or co-rider. Motorcycle specific clothing is both functional and good looking and with a little fore-thought colorful and highly visible.

My color of choice is the ever popular chartreuse brilliant green color that is easily seen by most everyone who is not blind, next behind that is the road worker orange that is also highly visible, but my current favorite team is violently opposed to anything orange so green works good for me. All you have to do is add some retro-reflective tape and voila you light up like the proverbial Christmas tree at night when the  headlights hit you making you more visible to those in cars and headlights hitting you does not hurt as much as cars do.

Lights on bikes make us all look great and those too enhance our visibility and at night they give us a glowing review to those in four wheels. Now all you have to do is remember your lane position and how to be seen and you have some major elements to being seen. More great tips are available at the following web sites and I highly recommend them:

http://www.highviz.org/ http://www.msf-usa.org/downloads/Riding_Tips.pdf http://www.msf-usa.org/downloads/If_you_ride_a_motorcycle.pdf

Until Next Month
Ride Safe, Straight and Aware!

Freddy & Doris Wheeler

Personal Information Updated
  - Membership Enhancement Coordinators

Have you moved, changed your E-mail addresses or your telephone number?  Always before a member's new information was corrected for you by the Chapter, District and Region Membership Enhancement Coordinators.

It is now necessary for each individual member to update their personal information.

This can be accomplished three different ways:

Call:      1-800-843-9460 E-mail:  cus tome rser vice *gwr ra:org Online:  www.gwrra.org/members and follow the instructions.

Don't forget to check your GWRRA expiration date.

If anyone has any questions, contact us at:

256-442-2458  or  tra vele rdca c1*n etze ro:net

Dewey & Alice Cole

April 2008 -  AL-B Ride Schedule

• 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, and at least enjoy some of them.
• If the weather is bad--come in your car.
• If you have a CB, you will find us on Channel 1 (unless noted otherwise by the ride leader).

• We need your ride suggestions!!
• We need any and all of your ideas!!
• You can be part of the Ride Committee!!
• If you want to help...
  Please e-mail us at Rid eCoo rdin ator

April - 2008

May - 2008