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

It is hotter than ...
  - From the Chapter Directors

What can I say? IT IS HOT!!  It looks like the normal temperature right now is five degrees above ouch!  And the heat index makes a convection oven seem like a winter resort.  So what am I trying to say?  It is so hot that it's dangerous folks.  Does that mean that we have to stop enjoying ourselves on our bikes?  Not if we are very careful.  So what do we need to do?  Well, this is one man's advice.  But this man has been into the danger zone regarding heat health problems.  Some of this will be just good common sense.

Before we talk about what to do let's first understand what your body does concerning heat.  Your body is the main and normal source of the heat that will give you problems.  Three-fourths of the energy you convert for physical activity turns into heat and only one-fourth into motion.  When you are making heat, your heart beats faster and then your blood vessels expand to bring more blood near your skin, where hopefully the heat is released.  If the excess heat cannot be disposed of fast enough via the dilated vessels for whatever reason then your sweat glands go to work.  They draw water from the bloodstream to make sweat that is then excreted onto the skin via pores and evaporates and releases heat.  When more blood goes toward your body surface for cooling then less is available for your muscles, brain and other internal organs.  And when you sweat for a long period of time you remove a lot of water from the bloodstream which reduces its ability to do its job of supplying the cells of your body with good service.  You can easily sweat out one quart of water during an hour of heavy work in hot weather or ¾ quart in less strenuous work (guess what, motorcycling is strenuous work).  If your body continues to lose water, you will most likely have severe symptoms of heat illness which might include: general discomfort, loss of coordination and stamina, weakness, poor concentration, irritability, muscle pain and cramping, fatigue, blurry vision, headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion and unconsciousness.  Can you imagine having a problem like one or more of these while riding?

Now, the first thing that I'm going to suggest may surprise you because it has nothing to do with drinking water or wearing special clothing.  If it is really hot like it is now and you are planning a ride of more than a couple of hours then make sure that you have at least one other person with you.  I will even go so far as to suggest, try to have at least three bikes in the group.  The reason for more than one person is because when you are riding and concentrating on the tasks at hand the symptoms of heat illness can creep up on you without you even noticing.  In my case, I was already in the danger zone (one step away from heat stroke) and I still didn't recognize it.  All I recognized was that I didn't feel "quite right".  It took another individual in the group that was trained to look for the signs to realize that I was in trouble.  The reason for three bikes is in case you are in a "really strange" situation where your cell-phone would not get signal.  You could leave one person with the individual that was in trouble while the other went for help.

Get busy early with a good hydration plan.  Do you like the way that sounds?  "Hydration Plan," sort of sounds official doesn't it?  Basically it means start out drinking a whole mess of water before you climb into the saddle.  You notice that I did not just say fluids, but explicitly water.  Then take frequent breaks all through the day and continue drinking plenty of water.  If you wait until you are thirsty to drink then it is already too late; your body is screaming for fluids at that point.  You know you are doing okay if you need to stop to pee regularly.  Your urine should NOT be a deep orange.  If it is light yellow or clear then you are okay.  If you stop needing to pee, then you are in serious trouble.  It is time to get off the bike go inside and drink plenty of water.  If you get to that danger point, do not drink gator aide or similar sports drink.  You can take a sports drink and dilute it to less than 50% and slowly sip it.  100% sports drink taken at that point will actually throw your body into shock.

Next is dealing with your attire.  Remember all of those dilated blood vessels that are trying to get rid of heat?  When your skin is exposed to direct sun light or rushing through very hot air, those vessels can become a heat sink and pick up heat instead of release heat.  So you need to cover up.  Put on a mesh safety jacket or a wicking long-sleeve shirt at a minimum.  If it is really hot, like it is now, you may want to invest in a cooling vest.  But if you don't have one of those, I will give you a strange hint that was given to me.  Take an old "heavy" cotton flannel shirt and cut the sleeves out of it.  Dip it in water and then put it on underneath your mesh safety jacket.  But if you can, I would suggest going with a real cooling vest.

And the last point is to avoid riding in the hottest part of the day (can we say Duh!), that is usually around 2:00 to 4:00pm.

Remember when you are trying to cool down you need to deal with the big blood vessels.  Put cooling rags around your neck, under your arms (but not to ride with), over your head.

Every time you stop, make an effort to check everyone in the group.  Are they talking normally, do they look like they are sweating?

Have a great time on your rides and please keep a careful watch on each other.

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

It's been a great ride
  - From the Chapter Rider Educator

I write this article with mixed emotions. Good because while leading and teaching you over the past three years, I learned more about being a safer rider as well and I thank you for this experience. A little sad because Sue and I are stepping down as Chapter B's Rider Educator effective August 1, 2008. Sue and I have been very busy since our wedding trying to get some much needed things accomplished, but over the course of the next few months we will start major house renovation and putting a workshop in the back yard of our home. To that extent, Chapter B deserves to have Rider Educators that can devote the necessary amount of time to helping all of our members and friends reduce their risk of riding and increasing their fun in riding these great motorcycles and trikes.

As the Rider Educator over the past three years and with your assistance and perseverance we have increased the number of people participating in all levels of the safety program. Congratulations to all who participated and for your effort in achieving these extremely important milestones. The number of individuals who achieved levels 3 and 4 is the highest in the history of the chapter and I am hopeful that those individuals current enrolled at level 3 finish the requirements and apply for Level 4 next year.

We held more safety seminars in the past three years than in the history of the Chapter. The seminars were put on because the chapter members were hungry for information and requested the training. We held more safety courses in the past three years than previously, again because you asked for the training and information to make yourself better and safer riders.

I hope that you continue to ask for more of the courses, seminars, and talks to help improve you knowledge and reduce your risk in riding, because that is what truly helps to reduce your and your co-rider's risk of riding motorcycles.

While I won't be the chapter educator anymore, if I can ever do anything to help anyone of you it would be my pleasure to aid you.

Richard & Sue Chapman

Thank You for ...

Thank you for your many seminars.  Unfortunately some of them pointed out just how old that I am getting, but without them I would not be riding as safely.  Thank you for pushing and cajoling and prodding us when we needed to be reminded to step up to that next GWRRA safety level.  Thank you for setting up many different Rider Classes or Parking Lot Practices; these are the places where we really get to iron out those skills, safely.  Thank you for challenging us with teasers at the monthly meetings.  Thank you for stepping up when we all needed it.  Richard Chapman, thank you for the three years of effort and excellence that you have put into being the Chapter Rider Educator.

John & Elizabeth Griswold

Coming Attractions (Events)

August

2nd - Please remember to come and support the Ride for Kids Pancake Breakfast.  We need your help and most important, they need your help.

9th - District Picnic at Tannehill State Park.  This is always a lot of fun even when it is hot.  We will be leaving from the Madison CB/Shell at 8:00am to ride down.  We will be meeting up with some Chapter-I folks on the way down.

9th -  Ride for Kids Auction at 6:00pm.  This is another Bill Smith Auction if you have never been to one.  Bill has a great time and he can coax you into bidding against your spouse.  At times I'm wondering if you are not bidding against yourself.

12th -- Our chapter meeting.  I won't call it regular meeting because we may have some surprises this month.  All I will tell you is that a couple members of your staff came to me and wanted some extra time for some fun.  Hmmmm...

17th - Bankhead Forest Picnic -- Any Picnic ride is worthy to pay attention to and attend.

23rd - All Day Ride -- basically ride all over the place and back again.  See the calendar for details.

September

13 Ride for Kids Worker Training
14 Ride for Kids

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

John & Elizabeth Griswold

Reflections & Reminiscing (Events)

July

2-6 Wing-Ding -- We had an absolutely grand time at Wing-Ding.  For us it was doubly special, since it was Elizabeth and my first ever Wing-Ding, and it was a trip home for Elizabeth.  She was born and raised in Greenville, SC.  Because of the "home knowledge" we were able to show some special sites to several of our friends.  If we had more time we could have done even more.  But what can I say about Wing-Ding itself?  WOW, will the vendors' area never end?  The seminars were very good, but I would have liked to have had more time to attend more.  My only real complaint was that they had the closing ceremony on Sunday.  Sunday had to be a travel day for me.

Sunday, 13th we had our second visit to Harmony Park Safari.  I feel sorry for those that have not come out to experience this.  Young and old alike enjoy this place.  Even if you don't experience it with chapter you need to make an effort to visit.  You will remember it and talk about for a long, long time.  We have the details listed under the "Rides" section of the website if you are interested.

Saturday, 19th we had over 50 people show up for the Traveling Plaque Gathering.  We had lots of different chapters represented.  Everyone that attended had a very good time.

Saturday, 26th - We went to the "First Annual Tennessee/Alabama Big Burger Adventure" in Trenton, GA.  There were around 76 attendees from all over the place.  I honestly can't tell you where all they came from.  But we had an absolute blast, even in the rain.  And a 48oz burger is gigantic, but very, very good.  Randy's Restaurant cuts the burger into 8 pie shaped pieces.  The buns are unbelievably tasty and I was expecting a big burger like that to be dry, but I was proven wrong.  Randy's cooks them just right and it was nice and thick, but not too thick.  We joined up with the folks from Chapter-H for the ride over.  I am definitely looking forward to the "Second Annual".

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

John & Elizabeth Griswold

Couple of the 1/2 Year

The year is over halfway gone.  We are only Couple of the 1/2 year now!  Ha ha  My, my, how time flies.  Our adventures continue as we try to represent our wonderful AL-B chapter.  I don't know if we could ever do enough to show how honored we are to be selected by our chapter.  Going to all of these places and visiting all of the chapters is not just a choice, but a joy.  Steven and I enjoy immensely the places we go and people we encounter.  It is the most rewarding and fulfilling thing.  Compared to other parts of my life, in GWRRA and as Couple of the Year, we don't get judged.  We get greeted!  People don't make fun of me because I'm different; they help me laugh about it.  I don't feel bad cause I don't have a lot of money, I just feel bad cause I didn't get to say good-bye to someone leaving the group.  If one of us spills something on our shirts, we don't get called slobs....someone hands us a bib!  Being in the association is a very positive experience.  I don't feel like I am lacking or feel uncomfortable, folks make you feel at home and relaxed.  They make you feel like you are on top of the world and they make you feel special.  Being in other situations, you have to worry about what people think about you...in the crowds we hang with, they TELL you what they think about you.  Negative things are usually kept at bay and you have a strong, powerful influence of positive charging the atmosphere.

My GW confidence level far exceeds my confidence level in other situations.  At work, I'm always trying to stay low-key and out of trouble, but in the GW crowd, I'm just a clown at heart.  I get to live.  It's about living a life without regrets, without regard to prejudice, as well as it's about living with confidence.  When I'm with any GW member, I feel like I'm wonder woman (no cracks or jokes please....I know my friends "wonder" about me sometimes!); I think Steven feels the same, only maybe he hasn't gotten in touch with his feminine side unless he's in a chapter challenge and someone dresses him up.  Otherwise, he probably feels like superman.  Nonetheless, we are ready to jump in and do whatever it takes to help out or make things fun.  It's amazing, I used to never attempt to do anything that might embarrass me, now I do it just for the embarrassment cause it makes my friends laugh.  We never think about the time....we lose it a lot and find out that we are "homeless again".  Roy Fosnight defines Steven and I as members of the "homeless" gang...we go out and have fun and if we end up somewhere, we just keep having fun until we might realize, uh oh, it's almost MIDNIGHT.....we must go home so folks can go to bed!  Time is not as critical as it is with an 8-hour work day.  An 8-hour fun day is only true if it rains.  Unless you were a duck in your past life and you like to play in puddles like I do.  Quack! Quack!

A short story for you....I work in a huge complex and there are multiple ways of coming inside.  The way I normally go is the road that takes me by the big pond/lake.  What do you find with ponds, either ducks or geese, right?  Well, there are usually at that time in the morning Canadian geese hanging out.  If I'm on my bike, I always lift my face shield and go "quack, quack" at the geese.  Answer me this, do geese go quack, quack or honk, honk? Hmmm...some good trivia there for ya.  Well, I get these strange looks when I do it....from the geese and any landscape personnel that might be close.  But you know what GW has taught me.....have fun, REGARDLESS!!!  As a kid, I use to harass animals like that.  I'd try "talking" in their language.  As a kid, you just laugh and think it's funny.  As an adult, they want to fit you up for a nice, crisp white suit!  What's up with that jive!!!!????  So, thanks to the wonderful magic and confidence I share in the GW world, I just don't care anymore!  If I wanna quack, quack, then I'm gonna quack, quack.  Heck, if I catch I frog, I might go "ribbit, ribbit" at it.  If I see a dog, I might go "woof, woof".  If I'm with my friend, Jake, well, Mr. J-4-Genius might try taking the dog's doggie biscuit, so I'd just have to take it away from him like Kathy does!!  I'll always be a kid at heart.  Don't make me stop!  Please.  Besides, I might have hissy fit!! Ha ha

Getting out and being involved and representing our chapter as Couple of the Year is very rewarding.  The only challenge about time is finding a 25-hour day.  Time is ticking as we approach January.  More rallies, more picnics, fun days............bring 'em on!  Steven and I are ready!  I hope I get to meet more "quacky" friends!  Steven just hopes to meet more adults probably.  Either way, roll out Goldwingers!

Long live Goldwingers!
It's not about the destination, it's about the journey.

Don't Worry (Chapter) "B" Happy
Steven & Tammy Hollingsworth
AL-B Couple of the Year,
Ride Coordinators, and
NOW District Vendor Coordinators

AUGUST Lazy Days of Summer

Well, since the last time when I said "it's gettin' hot", well, it's GOT there!  August is just around the next hairpin corner and it won't be long till folks will be riding a lot more because the temps will be a little more forgiving and going out on a ride won't be as uncomfortable.  For those of you that cannot tolerate the heat as much, we sure have been missing you.  We understand though.  We hope that we can get some stuff on the schedule that will keep you either in the breeze or in the cool spots.  We are working to rejuvenate the schedule and separate it from the Events schedule.  Two different animals they are.  Steven and I don't expect you to make every single ride or every single event, but we love to see your smiling faces at every opportunity.  Although we are not in charge of the events schedule, if you have any ideas, just contact the events coordinators.  If you wanna ride somewhere, give us a call or email!  You have a choice of 3 Ride Coordinators:  Me, Steven or Miss Betty.  Between the 3 of us, we'll fix you up.  We are aware of the ever-changing economy.  Who hasn't notice that gas is a "little' high.  Hmmmm....we are all starting to feel it...what better way to save a little money than to ride your bike.  Whenever I fill up my avalanche (correction:  even sometimes when I con Steven into filling it up), I feel a little weak in the knees when I drive away.  For example, my poor piggy gets distraught... 

Look at my piggy bank after I bought gas today

I don't know of any other way to get through the gas blues, but maybe a few pictures can ease the tension.  Enjoy...

For my next birthday, I'm throwing myself a birthday party just so I can register somewhere!!

Hmmmmm.....this might not be such a bad idea!!

Even the kids are noticing!!!

This explains the statistics for our crime rates.

This explains the high medical costs we are experiencing with gas prices!!!!!

I hear that goats work well.  I wonder if stealth goats work too???

Well, July was full of fun.  Did you remember me mention the word animal?  Well, we visited the Harmony Safari Park again and AGAIN, it was awesome.  I had buffalo, zebra, camel, and other miscellaneous slobber from one end of the truck to the other.  I think the water buffalo just stuck his tongue out at us and we just happen to drive by at the same time cause I had on one side, one very L-O-N-G tongue (slobber) print on the side of my truck.  Maybe we dripped some ice cream and he was taste-testing the truck???? Anyways, it was a blast.  The camel & zebra are some of the friendliest around these parts.  We got to picnic in July thanks to Chapter T's event on 12 July.  We had a lot of fun.  To beat the heat, there are some wonderful chapters that donate time and HUGE commercial size fans...so no excuses to miss Chapter T's next picnic.

We caught up with some old & new friends on 19 July at the plaque giveaway.  Chapter S captured the plaque with 18 members if my memory serves correctly.  Afterwards, a small handful of us took a Mystery ride.  It was fun.  We ended up at Tiger Hut and we ate some good ole upside down banana splits.  Yum, yum.  We had Elizabeth totally lost, but she was having fun.  What was really cool, besides the ice cream, was that she has not been to Tiger Hut yet!!! This was her first experience!! O-M-Goooodness.  I don't think we will have to twist her arm the next time we head that way!!  ;-)

Wing Ding was a wing dinger.  Greenville, SC was a nice city.  It just happens to be the home place of Elizabeth Griswold and Avery Howard.  We met up with Elizabeth's brother and his wife.  A BIG THANKS goes out to Elizabeth and her family for surprising Steven with a HUGE birthday cake that we got to share with a small handful of friends, approximately 72 friends I believe.  By the way, we are not prejudiced against Harleys, Steven had a Harley on his cake....along with an Over-the-Hill tombstone ornament.  It was perfect timing and we love you all for it.  Unfortunately we were unable to meet Avery's relatives, but he did get a chance to take time out to go see them.  Maybe next time we can get them to come meet with us too. 

Some upcoming adventures are a ride to and through Bankhead Forest to have a picnic.  Toward the end of August we have a trip planned to Mt. Cheaha.  For those of you that don't know, Mt. Cheaha is the highest point in Alabama.  It's about a 3-hour ride to get there, so it will be an all-day ride but it promises to be a relatively new experience for the chapter.  Since I'm fairly new, I'm not sure if our chapter has ever made it there or not, but if so, it's been a while. 

We are looking forward to seeing you on the road soon!

Don't forget....if you drive by Dairy Queen, look for your friends!  They just might be there!

Until next time...........stay safe, stay alert, and ride like you mean it!  Have YOU ever seen a motorcycle parked in front of a psychiatrist's office?  I don't think so

Long live Goldwingers!

Closing Humor:

What is the difference between a Gold Wing and a logging truck?
About 40 pounds and a stuffed animal.

Why do Harley owners love chrome?
Makes the parts easier to find when they fall off.

Please, no disrespect to Harley riders....they have feelings too....they might be numb feelings from all of the vibration...but they have feelings too!

Sorry guys, I love my Harley friends too!

Words to live by:
It's not about the destination, it's about the journey.

Don't Worry (Chapter) "B" Happy
Steven & Tammy Hollingsworth
AL-B Couple of the Year,
Ride Coordinators, and
NOW District Vendor Coordinators

Health Watch / Prayer Concerns

Bob Caryl's Son

Bob's son (I apologize but I don't have his name right now) was involved in a motorcycle accident.  My understanding is that he got pretty seriously banged up, especially his legs.  Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers.

Julianna Polka

Good news about Julianna -- she is preparing to head back to Alabama.

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.

District News
  -- From the District Director

We sure hope everyone has a great July, we sure are. We left Huntsville going to Wing-Ding by way of Mobile (I need a new GPS). We went down for the plaque grab and got to see some friends. As all good Gold Wingers do we went to supper at Ed's for some really wonderful seafood. We spent the night at the Malaga (what a grand old Hotel). We got up Saturday and met Cindy Long (Chapter-A ACD) for Breakfast at Tea for Two. If you have never been there it is an experience you should try to have. The people are great and the food plentiful and Excellent. We left there and Cindy went with us to some nice places and we wound up at a place called Lulu's. We had some great ice tea and saw some really beautiful boats.

Cindy had to leave us and we left in search of the Ft Morgan Ferry. What a pretty and relaxing ride. When we got to Dolphin Island we were getting short on time for the plaque grab and had to run for the Border, I mean Catfish Junction. We had a good meal and got to socialize with some folks we don't get to see very often. Chapter B won the plaque but Chapter-N was only 60 miles behind.

After all our good byes we left for Helen, GA to spend a few days in the mountains, we stopped on the Alabama Georgia state line at a little town called Valley. We left the next morning and rode on to Helen. We got to the hotel and they let us check in early, gave us a covered place to park and away we went to find lunch. If you have never been to Helen, it is a quaint little Bavarian town in north GA that has some great food and really fun roads to ride. We met other Gold Wingers who had traveled to the GA Mountains to relax just as we had.

We left in search of Greenville and had some really fun riding to get there. We had a nice time with friends and made some new ones while we were there. We worked ticket sales and tried to help in anyway we could. We went to eat at a Restaurant that we had made reservations for 40 to eat at 6:00, we had 72 show up. The Staff at the restaurant was great and got us all fed. We had over 65 people from AL attend. We would like to thank all who attended and a special thanks to those who worked. We hope to see more of you in Tulsa, OK next year.

I don't know about everyone else but we are having a lot of tire problems lately. Steven had a flat coming off the mountain going into Ft Payne. We plugged it and got him home safely.

Chapter-T invited a bunch of folks to their picnic and they sure had a good spread of food. There were people still eating at 8:00 Saturday night. We had a District Staff meeting while we were there to talk about our up coming Rally in Pelham, AL. Thanks to Billy for the great food and Frank and Linda for the hospitality.

On the 19th of July we attended the plaque grab at the new Greenbrier Restaurant off of I-565 by Madison. The turnout was really good. The food was good and the Strawberry Shortcake was divine. We had folks from A, B, H, N, S, T, and Y. Chapter-S went home with the plaque and will let us know where the next plaque grab will be.  Come and get and if you don't you will still get to see some really nice folks.

We need some help from the Chapter Directors; we need some articles from your Couple of the Year to put in the District Newsletter so the rest of the state can meet them. Please send them to Lynn and Lyn. If you do not have their Email it is on the web site under staff. If you would like you can send it to us and we will forward it on.

We have the North Picnic coming up fast, 9 Aug, at Tannehill State Park. We will have some hamburgers, hot dogs, a 50-50 and some door prizes. We are having an auction for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation in Pelham on the evening of the 9th. We would appreciate as many folks as we can get. There will be a silent auction as well as a regular auction and lots of great items to take home with you.

Don't forget the Region A Rally in Dothan on Sep 11th through the 13th . Please come and join us for a good time and to help support Terry and Barbie in the Region Couple of the Year selection.

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

Fun-SAFETY-Knowledge
  -- From the Assistant District Director

FUN-SAFETY-KNOWLEDGE

Last month we started a series of articles that focused on these there words, we just wanted to give you a chance to think about what each of these words means to you in relation to your GWRRA experience.  Last month we focused on FUN, so this month we will move on to SAFETY but after pondering this for a while I can see that there is no way to completely separate SAFETY and KNOWLEDGE.

SAFETY:  Just as with Fun different people have different views of what Safe riding means, GWRRA has really made an effort to bring safe motorcycle riding to the forefront in this organization.  It is our Rider Education program that affords GWRRA to have a not-for--profit status with the IRS.  We are different from other motorcycling organizations or clubs. We do focus on SAFETY our Rider Education program has several levels that allow members to advance at their own pace and to start a member just has to commit to riding safe. GWRRA offers classes and seminars for not just the Riders but also the Co-Riders, ERC and TRC classes that incorporate classroom and range portions. GWRRA has even added a 2-up to the ERC class that gives the Rider and co-rider instruction with 2 people on the bike.  If you haven't had a chance to participate in a Road Captains class, speak with your Chapter Director and/or Chapter Educator to see if one will or can be offered in your area for you and your fellow chapter members. 

Group riding rules are for the SAFETY of all that are riding in a group, if everyone knows and follows the rules, riders can anticipate what the other riders will do.

On a recent Saturday ride to a Chapter-T function that we had been invited to attend, we were traveling on I-59 to Tanahill State Park in a small group of 3 bikes.  We heard an unfamiliar voice come over the CB.  The voice of the rider identified himself as JR from TX chapter B2 and asked if he could ride along for a while with us, he fell in as the DRAG bike, after asking for a few lane changes, we could tell that JR had been involved in the GWRRA rider education program and I would bet that JR had been to the Road Captains class, we had never met this member before, but he was able to ride with us like he had been apart of our group for years. I use this as the perfect example of why this program works. When riding in a group, we must remember that it is not all about ME; it is about the SAFETY of the group.

GWRRA also has a program know as MAD which focuses on making others more aware of us that ride on motorcycles. They are involved with schools, civic organizations and also spend time and money bringing our needs to the forefront by meetings with our elected officials.  So now you can see why we can not separate SAFETY and KNOWLEDGE.

Please get involved, learn and ride safe. The life you save may be your own.

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

MAD about Understanding
  -- Motorist Awareness Division District Coordinators

I like most of you still work and I am looking forward to retirement it is after all something I've worked for a long time. I often hear in my occupation "He or she is not doing their job!" The first question that pops into my head is what is their job and who are you to determine that they are not doing their job? Quite often it is someone who is disgruntled with their own job or someone is making their job tougher then what they assumed it would be at that point in the day. The same holds true for volunteer jobs, I hear every now and then that this CD is not doing his job or that CRE is not doing their job or even to the district level for the various and sundry jobs available here "We're not doing our job's" quite frankly I think it's do to understanding what the persons job above you is. The District MAD coordinator for example my job is simple I attempt to make Motorist Awareness a higher priority within the state of Alabama and this is done by contacting various state officials. I ask annually for Motorist Awareness Month to be declared (You get a Deluxe No-Prize if you know what month I'm talking about) and it is one the Governor's office does really easily. I write articles for the local newspaper answer questions about MAD when approached by CRE or MAD people on a local level and try to be a resource for those people.

What I am not is someone else's secretary I'll point you in the right direction and try to give you as much information as I can but ultimately it is your job to get the information that you need, make sure any reports that you have are sent at the appropriate times and to the appropriate people. I don't mind supplying you with articles I've written already since I keep most all of them somewhere on my PC at home. Brochures bumper stickers and pamphlets can be obtained from Phoenix simply by picking up the phone and  calling them, they will send it directly to your home you can also get information from DOT as well as AMA or even Google or just search for Motorcycle Awareness  regarding motorist awareness by visiting them on the intranet and for those of you without a computer you can go to the public library in your town to get online most have intranet services available.

Understand I am stepping down in January of 2009 and a new person will be filling my place and they may have a different perspective of this job and how to do it, but I will give them my take on the job and how to proceed and hopefully they won't hear about them not doing their job, because I did not do mine.

Ride Safe, Straight and Aware

Freddy & Doris Wheeler

Recruiting & Retention
  -- Membership Enhancement Coordinators

Recruiting and Retention are the beginning and the end of the membership cycle.

Recruiting is the HEART of a healthy and growing association.  You are proud of GWRRA.  So---go tell people about your chapter---where you went last year---about the fun you have---Wing World magazine---Gold Book---Rescue and Rescue Plus program and invite them to JOIN!

The second part is Retention.  This is where the new members expectations are fulfilled, resulting in a satisfied and enthusiastic member. 

Teamwork in GWRRA is to give and take, have cooperative attitudes, consideration and respect, can, will do and I want to.    The dictionary says, Teamwork is the acting together of a number of people to make the work of the group successful and effective. 

Happy Recruiting,

Dewey & Alice Cole

Vendor Bender
  - From the Rally Vendor Coordinators

What happens when a vendor bends?  You poke them in the ribs and make'em jump!!  Ha ha  Have you ever noticed, most of them are always bending?  They are always working on something and you don't get to see their faces as much.  We hope to change that this year.  Tick-Tock-Tick-Tock....the Alabama District Rally is not too far away.  We are gearing up for it.  If you have any fender benders, we hope to have a vendor bender for you.  Maybe you shouldn't poke them in the ribs, but check them out though.  I bet a good chrome vendor could hook you up with a nice piece of safety chrome.  If you have any scratches, a good pin-striper artist can do a nice cover job for you.  If your butt gets numb, I bet you could find a new seat or gel pads.  Whatever you need or especially whatever you don't need, we hope to have it there for you.  We are going to try to include the vendors a little more in our activities at the rally.  It's not fair that they work all the time and don't get in on the fun as much.  Along with bending vendors, we are going to try to have some southern hospitality food, fun, and games.  These will be no-ticket-purchase-required games.  We plan to have different types of games on the table for you to pick and choose from and then grab a bunch of friends (whether you know them or not) and get in on a good card game, Yahtzee game,  pick-up sticks, chess, checkers, and maybe even marbles.  Maybe someone can show me how to play marbles cause I never got to.  Raised as an only child, I didn't get to play too many board games or group games.  Steven likes Rook; I don't.  Maybe you can join him in a game.  We hope to confirm and have a lot more in store for you.  So, don't miss it! 

For other entertainment, we are looking for candidates to put together a talent show.  Maybe we can get Randall Southerland to sing for us if he makes it.  We don't discriminate... singers, comics, skit artists, clowns... all are welcomed.  Give me a call if you have something in mind.  We recently visited Georgia's rally and they had an awesome talent show.  The talent had so much fun, they started just mixing in and dancing to anything!  We want to bring it back strong to Alabama's rally.  Please folks, you don't have to be talented, just crazy enough to try something.  We might get another sneak peak at The Blues Brothers.  We need you.  Be All That You Can Be, be a "Rally Artist".  If you become famous, we'll sell tickets for you!!

Till next month... ride like you mean it!  Start practicing on your new talent.  If we don't have a talent show, we can have a parking lot party!!!!  ;-)

Long live Goldwingers!

It's not about the destination, it's about the journey.

Steven & Tammy Hollingsworth

GWRRA - Establishes New Marketing Position
  - Contracts New Wing Ding Event Management Company

Phoenix, AZ (July 30, 2008)

The Gold Wing Road Riders Association (GWRRA) is pleased to announce the appointment of longtime GWRRA Event Management Group (EMG) Director, Edward Price, to the newly created position of Marketing Director.

Mr. Price had been the EMG Director for seven years.  In this capacity, he planned the annual GWRRA event, Wing Ding, with a staff of dozens of GWRRA Volunteers and the officials of cities, states and local Convention & Visitors Bureaus of various cities where the event was held.  Most recently, Mr. Price organized Wing Ding 30 in Greenville, South Carolina, this past July Fourth week.  Mr. Price also organized other GWRRA national and international functions, such as Wing Ding Europe, held in Sakskøbing, Denmark, last year.

As Marketing Director, Mr. Price will continue to organize some GWRRA events and will plan strategic methods of marketing GWRRA to the public through the motorcycle media and other forms of consumer media.

GWRRA recently contracted KKT Event Management, LLC, of Surprise, Arizona, to coordinate future Wing Ding events, the next of which will be held in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in July of 2009.  KKT is a management company owned by Kevin and Kristi Thomas, both of whom have extensive backgrounds in tourism and event management, including The Organization Of Associated Salespeople In The Southwest, Inc.'s (OASIS) semi-annual OASIS Gift Show(R).  In addition, Mr. Thomas was GWRRA's Event Manager from September 1998 to August 2001 when he was the head coordinator of Wing Ding.

GWRRA, the world's largest single-marque social organization for owners and riders of Honda Gold Wing and Valkyrie motorcycles, is an international association, founded in 1977, with 75,000 members worldwide, thousands of whom attend Wing Ding each year.

Gold Wing Road Riders Association
21423 North 11th Avenue, Phoenix AZ 85027
CONTACT: Executive Director, Melissa Eason
(800) 843-9460, ext. 212 or (623) 581-2500, ext. 212
www.gwrra.org

August 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

August - 2008

September - 2008