This page will have a copy of our latest organization newsletter. We will update the page each month.
Sanford
Maine April
2014
GWRRA President
Director
Northeast Region B Director:
Abel Gallardo
Ray
& Sandi Garris
Tom & Renee
Wasluck
Website: President@gwrra.org email%3Adirector@gwrra.org Phone:
(570) 474 1014
(602) 404-6875
Email: regionbdirectors.tom.renee@gmail.com
Region Rider Educators
Senior
District Director
Maine
Tim & Ann Grimes
Allen & Claudette Cyr
Phone: (301) 994 1394
Phone: (207) 375 4811
Email: tim@gwrramdi@gmail.com
Email:
acyrfire@roadrunner.com
Maine
District Educator:
Assistant
District Director Maine
Mark
Bennett
Sheila
Chevalier
Phone:
(860) 918 3065
Phone:
(207) 651 3484
Email:
mbennett86023@roadrunner.com Email:
schevadd@yahoo.com
Chapter A Staff
Web Site: http://gwrra.me-a.tripod.com
Club
Email: gwrra.me.a@gmail.com
Senior Chapter Director; Chapter A:
Assistant
Chapter Director
Bob &
Sheila Chevalier Mark
Seibel
Phone:
(207) 651 4981
Phone: (207) 651 4745
Ride
Coordinators:
Chapter Educator
Ron & Andrea Winslow Greg
Fogg
Phone: (207) 363 8609
Phone:
(603) 833-6065
Email: rwinslowjr@maine.rr.com Email:
gregfogg@metrocast.net
Treasurer:
Membership
Coordinator:
Nancy Seavey
Susan
Seibel
Phone: (207) 324 0881
Phone:
(207) 651 9458
Email: nseavey@metrocast.net
Email: smseibel@gmail.com
Ways & Means
Coordinator: Newsletter
Editor:
Andrea Winslow
Violet
Baker
Phone: (207) 363-8609 Phone:
(603) 312 2349
Email: andreawinslow@gmail.com Email:
violetken2@yahoo.com
Web Sites: http://www.gwrra-northeastregion.org/
Free Printable Wallet
Medical
ID Card: http://www.medids.com/free-id.php
January 2012
Directors Corner
Bob & Sheila Chevalier
Hello Everyone,
We would like to wish everybody a Happy
New Year and hope you all had a great holiday season. We enjoyed spending time with our kids and grandkids and getting together
with other family members. It seems like we had Christmas 3 times, not including our Christmas party at Back Street Grill.
Now all we need to do is to clean the house and pack it all away for 1 more year. Once again Santa forgot my new 2012 GL1800
that I asked for! Sheila says I have been naughty and don’t deserve one.
They say he knows who is naughty and nice.
It’s hard to believe we are one
week into 2012 and still have no snow on the ground. This year should be an interesting year. We have a few changes coming
up both with our staff and some of our events. The first change is our new time and location for our meeting. Back Street
Grill in Sanford is going to be our new meeting location during the off season. They did a great job with our Christmas party
and they have more room for all of us. We may switch back to Fogarty’s when the ride season starts. We also are meeting
on Sundays again like we did in the past. We hope to have a good turnout for the 22nd.
What can I say about our Christmas party?
Lots of people, (32) lots of food, (buffet) and lots of laughs.
We also enjoyed having our District Directors Alan and Claudette Cyr join us. We even
let Alan join us in all our reindeer games. We have to thank Bill and Pauline Rondo, who put on some interesting games for
us. We all had fun feeding chocolate to each other with gloves on and playing with nylons and balloons. We also had fun with
our Yankee Swap, with some gifts being switched numerous times. We also had gift bags with all kinds of goodies to pass out
to everyone.
We seem to be running out of some of our
solo riders lately. We have Paul (Birdman) Cardinal and Nancy Demarest who got married on 11/11/11 at 11:11am. (Paul you are
in so much trouble if you forget your anniversary). We also have Greg Fogg and Terri Stephens getting married this spring.
I have to tattle here and mention that Greg and Terri just picked up what I wanted for Christmas. Now Sheila and I are the
only ones with an old 88!
We have been working on some new ideas
for family Fun Day and Fly a Kite Day. We have a new location planned for our annual Murder Mystery this year also. Bill &
Pauline are going to host it this year (something about being tired playing a slut comes to mind) and we plan on making it
a 2 night weekend. We have places we never made it to last year to try again and a few places we have been before that deserves
a second visit. We are also looking to meet up with our other Maine chapters more times this year also. We are told they have
lots of ice cream shops up north and we are always looking for ice cream! (Sheila says I am an ice cream junky!)
Hope to see you at the meeting! (even if
it’s just for ice cream) Let’s start the New Year off with a great turnout!
Bob & Sheila Chevalier
Senior Chapter Directors, Chapter A, Sanford Maine
January
2012
Allen and Claudette Cyr
Senior
District Directors, Maine December
2011
Ho, Ho, Ho, and Christmas is now really creeping up on us. Where does the time go? As
much as we think we are ready for Christmas, we really never are. There are always some last minute things to do, to finish
and so on. Sometimes, this can become stressful but, we usually get it done and take a long sigh of relief after, that we
made it, like a few minutes before the event.
All our Chapters
have now had their Christmas Party. Allen and I hosted Chapter C’s party at our home; we were able to attend Chapter
A’s Christmas Party in Sanford but, unfortunately, we were not able to attend Chapter D’s as it was held on the
same day as Chapter C. Parties and get together's are such Fun, a way to stay in touch, to socialize with our GWRRA friends
and a way to share with each other. Most Chapters schedule get-togethers of some sort during the winter months so that members
can stay in touch when we cannot ride. This is a great way to spend time with our friends, whatever the plan may be. Some
Chapters plan Bowling parties, Board game afternoons, WII parties, etc. and everyone brings a platter or appetizer which makes
the get-together even more fun when food is involved. YUM, YUM!!!!
Last month, there was an OCP class held
in Bangor and we would like to Congratulate those who participated: Tom Mixon, District MEC; Duncan Hutchinson, Chapter D
Director; Reggie Moors, Chapter D MEC; Gerry Doiron, Chapter D. You all should
be very proud to have a better understanding of what GWRRA is all about and to be part of this great Association. Due to the
Christmas and New Year’s holiday season, there is not much happening at this time to report, so this will be a very
short Newsletter.
Allen and I want to take this opportunity
to wish to all our GWRRA members and their families a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We hope that the New Year
brings you good health, prosperity, happiness, contentment and a flair for fun and friends.
Before we close this newsletter, it is
also time to think about all your Ride Schedules for the coming riding season and let’s attempt to coordinate some of
the rides with the other Chapters. It is always good to get together with the other Chapter Members within our District and
other Districts also. We could even think of planning an overnight stay ride somewhere with all the Chapters. Some “Food
for Thought”.
It has been brought to our attention that we do not include all member/Chapter related issues forwarded
to us from either Regional or National in the Newsletter. One of the reasons that we do not is due to the fact that as soon
as Allen receives any mailings that should be sent to members, he immediately forwards it to the Chapter Directors so they
can forward it to their members. The purpose of doing it this way is to avoid a lengthy Newsletter that may not be read by
the members. But, be assured that all member-directed mailings are and will always be forwarded to all of you so that you
are kept abreast of what is going on in GWRRA. If you would prefer reading all new materials sent in the Newsletter which
will make it a lengthy letter, we are willing to comply with that format if it is your wish for us to change our Newsletter
format. Please let your Chapter Directors aware of any changes you would like and they will inform us. We hope that Santa is good to all of you, but, we cannot forget what is the true meaning of Christmas……….WE
must not forget that Christmas is not all about gifts but, it is the Spirit of the Season, spending time with family and friends,
being nice to everyone, and helping those who are less fortunate than us. Merry Christmas to all …………….
Allen and Claudette Cyr / Senior District Directors, Maine
Phone: (207) 375
4811
Email: acyrfire@roadrunner.com
January
2012
********************************************J********************************************
Birthdays
Eleanor Atkinson, Dec 28th / Bob Chevalier, Dec 29th
/ Ruth Hall, Dec 29th / Ron Seavey, Jan. 14th
********************************************J********************************************
Some winter plans:
Sleigh ride, one idea was Rocking Horse Stables in Kennebunkport. (If we ever get snow!)
Dinner and a Movie @ Smitty’s in Sanford
********************************************J********************************************
Notes from December:
There was no meeting held in December as we all know. We had an awesome
turnout at this year’s Christmas Party that was held at Back Street Grill in Sanford Me.
Pauline & Bill Rondo out did themselves again with the “Reindeer
Games” that were played by all. Bill will be hard to get out of our mind’s eye waiting for those little chocolate
kisses being fed to him by the gloved participants. Congratulations to the ladies team, they somehow soundly defeated the
men’s team. We ended up tied, 1 apiece. Wait till next year.
Would like to wish a speedy recovery to Greg Fogg, so he can enjoy his new bike. He had orthoscopic knee surgery.
********************************************J********************************************
Interested in a cruise with your beloved Gold Wing? Information is on the link below.
http://www.gwrra-northeastregion.org/sites/default/files/Cruise_2012.pdf
********************************************J********************************************
********************************************J********************************************
Assumptions and feedback:
Ask questions, Tell us if you are coming, we may need a head count.
********************************************J********************************************
Next Meeting is at Back Street Grill on Sunday, January 22nd at 1:00 p.m.,
Till the next
ride …
October 2010 Directors Corner: Hi Everyone,
What a date today
is 10/10/10! The year is going by fast, seems like I just wrote a Directors
Corner 2 nights ago. We have met a lot of new GWRRA members in the last couple
of weeks. Last month we met with Gary & Becky Congdon, Chapter A Vermont
Directors, who had a large group over to the Wells Ogunquit Resort. Eight members of our chapter met them and then had lunch at
Federal Jacks in Kennebunk. What a group!
We totaled 47 in all and swamped the
local ice cream shop in
Moody when we stopped for our favorite treat.
Then seven of us met with our new Region B
Directors Ed & Dottie Bahrenburg who came to the same resort with 10
members and again we went to eat at Federal Jack’s with around 17 members. The
only bummer was we were all in cars because of the weather. Ed & Dottie had lobster and Sheila had
to show Dottie how to tear open one. The owners of the resort, Peter &
Sarah Proach, are new members of GWRRA and plan to join our Chapter for rides
and meetings. They really welcomed all our members and even opened up a spare
room for some refreshments for us later that night.
We
all talked about joining the Vermont group ride to the Maine
Seacoast with the New York Chapter ride so they coincide on the same weekend.
We will then join them and make a weekend of it. Sounds like it would be
an awesome
weekend. Maybe take a
ride up the coast to L.L. Bean, Fort Williams and surrounding areas. We
will work
on it during the off
season.
This
week seemed like it had an extra day added to it, and when I
jumped on the bike this morning to head to Rochester Burger King, I realized I
had not ridden the bike since we came back from the Murder Mystery weekend in
Rangeley. Sheila had to work, so I was solo, but riding the bike made the long
week worth it. Nothing like a ride to clear the mind and make your problems go
away. Met up with Greg Fogg, who then came over to my house to help fix my
computer and also spend 4 hours updating all my files and folders for the
Chapter. Thanks Greg, I appreciate the
help.
Talking
about Murder Mystery parties! Everyone who did not see the Man of Steel showing off his outfit,
missed out a lot. We have a lot of blackmail pictures of everyone who attended,
so pay up or the pictures will get posted at your workplace! Wait a minute; some of you have pictures of
Me and Sheila, so maybe I will hold off on the blackmail. I haven’t laughed
that much in a long time. Ronnie, brought the place down with his Superman
costume, and I think the owners of North Camp must think we are all crazy!
Only
one more ride on the schedule, Oct. 17th, Sunday
meeting at Hometown Mobil at 9:00 am. Dress warm and hope to see you there.
Bob &
Sheila Chevalier
Chapter
Directors
Chapter
A Sanford, Maine
207-651-4981
READING THE SIDEWALL
October 1, 2010
At
the last chapter gathering
I attended there were a few riders sporting heated riding gear. Soon the cool
autumn days will turn too cold for even the hardiest among us. Then it’s time
for one last service stop and winterization for your bike. Perhaps this year
you were able to put enough miles on the odometer for a new set of tires.
Before starting your on-line price comparisons arm yourself with the
information needed to make an informed purchase. I’ve researched the numbers
and as the latest beer commercial says, “Here we go!” For discussion I’ll use
the tires on my 2008 Gold Wing, the front is a 130/70R18 63H and the rear has a 180/60R16 80H.
1.
130 and 180
tells you the width of the each
tire, in millimeters.
2.
/70 and /60
are the aspect ratios. They
determine the tire heights. My front tire is 70 percent of its width while my
rear tire is 60 percent of its width. The math comes out to 91 mm high on the
front and 108 mm high on the rear. If you prefer to talk in good old American
inches just multiply the millimeter numbers by .03937.
3.
R means it’s a radial
tire. My Dunlop Elite 3s come in bias and radial constructions. From the FAQ
section of www.dunlopmotorcycle.com
the engineers explain it as follows:
Bias and radial tires have significantly different dynamic
properties. They deflect differently, create different cornering forces, have
different damping characteristics, as well as other differences. In order for
radial tires to be introduced into the two-wheel market, it was necessary to
change certain characteristics of the motorcycle. The introduction of the
radial tire led to such things as modified frames, new steering geometries and
suspensions. Therefore, it is recommended that a motorcycle be used with the
type of tire construction that it came with originally. If a change is to be
made, then it should only be done if the motorcycle or tire manufacturer has
approved the change. Above all, do not mix bias ply and radial tires on the
same motorcycle unless it is with the approval of the motorcycle or tire
manufacturer.
4.
18 and 16
are the wheel diameters the tire is
designed to fit: 18 inches on the front, 16 on the rear. I know we’ve switched
to inches without having to do math. Just blame it on our global economy.
5.
63 and 80
define the tire load ratings: 63 =
600 lbs for the front and 80 = 992 lbs for the rear.
6.
H indicates
the maximum speed the tire can
safely sustain for ten minutes. H = 130 mph.
If your sidewall numbers are
different than the examples I used don’t despair. I’m reminded of the phrase,
“your mileage may vary.” Not all tires, even ones of the same size, have the
same load and speed ratings. Check the
numbers before you buy so you’ll be ready to ride two up, towing a loaded trailer,
across the interstates of Montana. A source of reliable information is: www.amadirectlink.com/roadride/Riderresc/tires.asp
Also remember to check your Motorcycle Owners Manual. MOM often has answers to
many of life’s questions.
Ride Smart,
Mark Bennett
Maine District Educator
mbennett86023@roadrunner.com
October 2010
District
Newsletter
Allen
and Claudette Cyr
Hello
to all. Well
riding season is nearing to a close and that is so very sad. The mornings and
evenings are now quite chilly making riding in the mornings more difficult.
Allen and I went to a get-together last month with Chapter A. Ed and Barbara
Mushlit also joined us. We were in Rangeley, gorgeous scenery, foliage was
spectacular, saw a deer, etc. Going on Saturday, the weather was sunny and in
the 70’s, great riding weather but on our way back Sunday, we almost froze, as
the weather was not cooperating. It was in the high 40’s only. Brrrrrr …… too
cold for us. We want to thank Chapter A for inviting us to their Murder Mystery
party. We had a fantastic time.
As winter is soon approaching, it
is time for Chapters to start thinking about putting together their Ride
Schedule for 2011. Let’s all try to come up with some great places to go
ride/visit/or do some overnighters. As always, Chapters are encouraged to
schedule a few rides to combine all 3 Chapters.
Reminder to all that there is another OCP (Officer Certification
Program) coming up this month, October 23 and 24, 2010 in Saco. It is not too
late for any member to sign up for it. You do not have to be an Officer or even
not have to want to be an Officer in order to take this course as it is not
only to Certify you but also to educate all members about GWRRA, its Mission,
its Goal, etc. Allen and I have taken the course and even though we would not
have become your District Directors, we still would have taken the course. It
is very educational, interesting and a lot of fun. If you are interested in
joining the group in Saco, Maine, contact Allen as soon as possible.
Allen and I would like to thank all those who came to the District
Picnic. We hope everyone had a good time and plenty to eat. We would like to
take this opportunity to thank all members for their support of us up to now as
we have always said, “We are non-existing without the members” as without you
all, there would be no need for District Directors. Keep up the good work. And
remember to try to Recruit New members and retain old members.
We will be talking to your Chapter Directors at the next District
Staff meeting scheduled on October 16, 2010 about the Chapter of the Year
Program and about Couple of the Year Program so that they can bring the
information to you all.
As
some of you may already know, we have a
new Regional Director---Ed and Dottie Bahrenburg from New York. We would like
to take this opportunity to welcome them. Allen and I have known them for a few
years now and we are confident that they will serve us well.
FYI: We had a meeting held at the Ramada Inn in Lewiston last
month with the other District Directors of New England to plan for the upcoming
Rally now known as Convention, which will be held in Lewiston, July 29 -31 2011. More
information will be shared with you in the near future. The proposals for the
convention/rally promises to be great fun for all.
If any member, at any time has questions, need information, have
suggestions, please always feel free to contact us, or your Local Chapter
Director. If we don’t know the answer, we will find it.
Always ride & drive safely,
be well and be happy.
Allen and Claudette Cyr
Maine District Directors
Email: acyrfire@roadrunner.com
JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ
Notes from September Meeting
New England Rally will be held in
Lewiston Me. In 2011 You will need to book rooms early at the Ramada. Inn.
Request 1st floor as there is no elevator. Dates: July 29 – 31 2011
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Wing Ding 33
Club
members that are considering going to:
GWRRA Wing-Ding 33, Knoxville Tn. (July 6th – July 9, 2011).
Some club member have already booked accommodations @ http://www.mistyriverrv.com/, Which is not a tent camping
facility. They have cabins & RV sites. If you plan to attend you should
plan to do this ASAP. Do not wait to make reservations. Further info for Wing
Ding 33 at: http://www.wing-ding.org/
JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ
Birthday’s
Anniversary’s
Greg Fogg 6th
Violet & Ken Baker: 11th Ken Baker: 7th
Jackie
& Mark Bennett: 11th Tom
Bonneau: 13th Susan
& Mark Seibel: 18th
Donna
Woodburn: 13th Sheila
& Bob Chevalier: 23rd
Gene Schneider:
15th
JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ
Co-Riders Corner
This
is our first co-rider page so
get ready for whatever unexpected info to come every month.
When
your turn comes up you can
relate something that you have learned, something that you enjoyed say riding
with the group, or share a recipe. We will keep track and let you know when it
is your turn to do this if you so chose to.
So my contribution
is an easy
recipe with 2 or three ingredients that is good for you and low in calories and
very high in fiber. Unless of course you decide to add more things to it.
Pumpkin
Spice Cookies
(Our boys
used to call these poop
cookies)
1 box of
spice cake mix
1 can of
pumpkin or squash, 15 oz
can
Optional,
1 cup of raisons or mini
chocolate chips
Mix dry
cake mix with pumpkin, Stir
together, this will moisten. Then add the optional items if you want to.
Drop by
tablespoon onto cookie
sheet sprayed with Pam or oiled.
October
2010
Bake for
8-10 min or until done in
350-degree oven.
Also this
is a given, but remember
that as Fall rides get cooler, we can be colder than the driver, so extra
layers and keep your hands and feet and neck protected and warm & never use
cotton fabrics as it absorbs moisture.
Till we
meet again
~Sue~
JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ
J…UpcomingRides: J
Ice Cream Rides
every
10th
Meet at Rochester Burger King
30th Meet at Hometown Mobil in
Lebanon
Ride Schedule
Oct. 17th
Sun. 9:00am Mystery Ride / Picnic
Hometown Mobil
Nov. 5th
– 7th Monte Carlo Night Chapter A NH Town & Country Inn Gorham
NH (make reservation)
http://www.townandcountryinn.com/
Next Meeting is at Fogarty’s Restaurant on
Tuesday Oct. 26th, at 6:30pm
471 Maine St. So. Berwick, Me. (207) 384 8361
September 2010 Hi Everyone,
I
thought I
better get my act together and get a directors corner out before Mark sends out
the newsletter with another funny picture of me. Sheila and I have had a busy month so far, and are hoping to get
into a better routine by the end of the month.
Our son Richard was to fly back to Afghanistan on Monday but had a
flight issue and left Wednesday am instead.
Having him safe with us for 2 more days was great. A lot of you met him
at Family Fun day.
Family Fun Day
turned out to be a great day for both camping and fun. We had 28 people camp
out Sunday night and about 60 people showed up Labor Day for all kinds of
fun. We had a DJ with great music and
balloon tying, lots of swimming, volleyball, kids games and best of all Lots of
food! Pauline and Bill Rondo even put
on an ice cream social Sunday night (got to love them!). We even had the
wheelbarrow / co-rider game, courtesy of Alan Cyr, our District Director who showed
up with his grandson.
On Aug. 21st
Alan Cyr had the District Picnic at his house in Sabatus. (This was 2 weeks
before Family Fun day, as always I like to jump around and not go in any type
of order). Alan & Claudette had
quite a spread of food and games, with the wheelbarrow game being our favorite.
Ken & Violet Baker won with the best time.
Some of us French people need to talk with our mouths and not with our
hands, You Know? We also had a chance
to thank Mush and Barbara for their years as District Directors. All the Chapters
pitched in for some small
tokens of appreciation for them. Thanks Mush, for talking me into being Chapter
Director.
This weekend is
the Keene Hobo Stew ride by NH Chapter E.
Sheila has to work and I have officer training in Bangor this weekend,
so we will not be able to go. I hope the rest of the chapter has time to go. We
all had a great time last year, (I always have fun when there is food
present!). Some of the group even won
some good door prizes.
I’m still working
on the Vermont Chapter A ride for Saturday, Sept 18th. We are going
to lead them on a seashore ride, stopping for lunch in the evening. I hope to
get things nailed down by our next
meeting.
Our next meeting
is Tuesday the 21st at 6:30 at Fogarty’s. We need to start looking at the 2011 ride schedule and ideas for
places to go & things to see! Our
schedule this year is getting down to the last couple of rides. We have our
Rangeley Murder Mystery weekend, two mystery rides, and NH-G annual Fall
Foliage-poker run.
Mark Seibel has
been helping me by working on the website, adding in the newsletters and stuff.
We are still looking for pictures of you and you bike to place on the website!
Send them out to Mark or me by email. I bet Mark is surprised to see this
director’s corner from me one day before his deadline. I have not been home
much this month. I have been training
in Belgrade, ME for the past couple of weeks, learning the ways of Hammond
Lumber where I’ll be a Kitchen Designer in their Portland store. Driving 200
miles each day is getting to me, except the days I can take the bike. Makes the
ride home more pleasant for sure!
Have a great weekend and ride Safe!
Bob & Sheila
No
Education article this month. Mark is busy
planning. JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ
Notes from August Meeting
Door
prize winners were Paul
Cardinal and Linda Hartley. The prizes were great First Aid kits for their
bikes. 50/50 winner was Ken Baker
New England Rally will be held in
Lewiston Me. In 2011 You will need to book rooms early at the Ramada. Inn.
Request 1st floor as there is no elevator
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Wing
Ding
33
Club
members are considering going to Knoxville Tn. For the GWRRA Wing-Ding 33. July
6th – July 9, 2011. Some club member have booked accommodations @ http://www.mistyriverrv.com/, Which is not a tent camping
facility. They have cabins & RV sites. If you plan to attend you should
plan to do this ASAP. Do not wait to make reservations. Further info at: http://www.wing-ding.org/
September Birthday’s
Anniversary’s
Wow nothing to celebrate
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Trivia
Trivia winner
for August was Nancy
Seavey, she correctly answered Violet Baker.
This month’s Trivia.
During the
safety discussion, what
item is not carried by most of our riders?
Bonus if
you get both.
What road
is this bridge located
off of ? Covered Bridge in Parsonsfield Me.
Reply to
the editor …. maseibel2@yahoo.com
__________________________________________________________________________________________
September 2010
J… Upcoming
Rides: …J
Ice Cream Rides
every
10th
Meet at Rochester Burger King
30th Meet at Hometown Mobil in
Lebanon
Sept 12th
Sun. 8:30a.m. Hobo Ride Keene NH Chapter E
Rochester B K
Sept 18th
Sat. ??p.m. Vermont Chapter A ride the Maine Coast diner ride
Hometown Mobil
Sept 21st
Tuesday Club meeting at Fogarty’s 6:30pm
Sept 25th
Saturday 8:30am Overnight at Rangeley Me. Return
on Sun
Hometown Mobil
Oct 3rd
Sun. 8:30am Mystery Ride / Picnic
Hometown Mobil
Oct 10th
Sun. 8:00am NH G Fall Foliage Poker Run
Rochester BK
Oct. 17th
Sun. 8:30am Mystery Ride / Picnic
Hometown Mobil
Nov. 5th
– 7th Monte Carlo Night Chapter A NH Town & Country Inn Gorham
NH (make reservation)
http://www.townandcountryinn.com/
Next Meeting is at Fogarty’s Restaurant on
Tuesday Sept. 21st, at 6:30pm
471 Maine St. So. Berwick, Me. (207) 384 8361
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
No Director's Corner this month ...
TIME
FLYS WHEN I’M HAVING FUN
August 1,
2010
Just over a year
ago I was surfing the web, checking out GWRRA and
saw that Ed & Barb Mushlit were looking for a District Educator. After reading
what the job entailed I talked
it over with my #1 co-rider and decided to volunteer for the position. Jackie
and I weren’t even members of GWRRA
at the time. That was resolved with an
application and check to Phoenix.
Shortly after signing up we attended the Maine District Picnic and meet
people who may very well become lifelong friends.
To say the GWRRA family is a group
of like-minded individuals would
be far from accurate. One thing we have
in common is our interest in Gold Wing motorcycles. How we use them varies widely.
Some enjoy short rides in the evening.
Others don’t understand why anyone would take it out of the garage
unless they log 250 miles before sunset.
One thing I will say is we all love to ride. Gold Wings are not driveway ornaments. If you see one in a driveway most likely the rider and co-rider
are just putting on their riding gear.
Looking back over my first year with
GWRRA brings many fond
memories. I’ve seen that each member is
interested in making the association better.
How they go about it isn’t always agreeable with others, but they truly
do want to improve what has been going on for over three decades. Whether it’s
riding styles, opinions on
improving GWRRA or the color of our motorcycles, each of us is unique. This diversity
is what makes the association
so enjoyable for over 80,000 members around the world.
Recently Jackie and I participated
in the New England Districts
Convention. I tell my “day job” colleagues
we were hanging out with 400 of our closest friends. Those friends included riders from as far away as Utah and as
close as 10 miles from our home. I’m
confident every one of them would welcome us into their home, without
hesitation. At the convention we
reconnected with friends we’d made while completing the Officer Certification
Program in Lake George, New York. I
also met several educators, who until then had only been e-mail addresses on
distribution lists. We strengthened
bonds, lost count of how many times we laughed, took in some nice roads and
were given opportunities to learn. The
motto, “Friends for Fun, Safety and Knowledge” was present throughout the
three-day event.
At this point you may be asking, “Mark,
where is the safety stuff
you always write about?” With this
being my 1st anniversary article I decided to spend time recapping
how Jackie and I have enjoyed this last year.
Safety doesn’t take a holiday, but looking back allows a person time to
reflect on how much they’ve learned.
I’ll end this with a question I have used often in my various teaching
roles.
Learning
happens when
behavior changes, when was the last time you changed something?
Ride Smart,
Mark Bennett
Maine District Educator
mbennett86023@roadrunner.com
Home 207-636-7992
Cell 860-918-3065
A few words from
your
Maine District
Directors
As many of you may already be aware, Claudette and I have
re-taken the position of being your District Directors for our beautiful State
of Maine as of June 1, 2010.
We apologize for not sending out a Newsletter prior to
this one but due to a family crisis that in late June and early July, family
took priority. We are happy to be able to serve you, our members and want to
work closely with our Chapter Directors and members.
We would like to
take this opportunity to thank Ed and Barbara Mushlit for their commitment for
the past 3 years as District Directors. Along with the everyday operations of
the District, they also had to deal with Barbara being struck by Breast Cancer.
The emotional and stress level that they had to deal with cannot be imagined
unless we also walk in their shoes. Thank goodness Barbara is now doing much
better.
We have recently
completed the OCP course (Officer Certification Program) and we have to let everyone
know that we truly enjoyed it, had lots of fun while learning new and old
knowledge about GWRRA. We are very proud to have taken this very worthwhile
course. Up to date, we have a few members who also took the course and many
more who are scheduled to take it in Bangor on September 11 and 12, 2010. We
have 16 members signed up for this course and there is always room for more. It
is not too late to sign up if you wish to take it. If you are interested and
have not signed up, contact me at acyrfire@roadrunner.com
or phone at 207-375-4811 and I will help you sign up. There
is also a
second course, which will take place in Saco, Maine on October 23, and 24,
2010. The flyers on this will be posted in the near future. You do not have to
be an officer or want to be an officer to partake in this course, it is for all
members and it really gives you a good view of what GWRRA is all about and much
more. The course itself is Free to all
members.
We just returned
from the New England Rally (now called Convention) which was held at the Town
and Country Inn in Gorham, N.H. We want to thank all the members of Maine who
attended. It was again a great convention, had lots of fun, met with lots of
old and new friends and had a great meal at the Banquet Saturday night.
Maine will be
hosting the location for the next Convention of 2011 for Connecticut. It will
be held at the Ramada Inn in Lewiston, Maine. More information will be
forthcoming in the near future.
Claudette and I will be hosting the District Picnic at
our home on August 21, 2010, which is planned to start at 1:00 p.m. until
?????. There will be lots of food and refreshments.
If you have any games that could be played in the back
yard, please let us know and bring whatever is needed for the game, that would
be fun and isn’t that what we are all about, FUN and the love of riding
motorcycles. Other than that, just bring yourselves and let’s have FUN…………..
Hope to see all of our members here, many of whom we do not see very often and
would like to see and spend time with.
Claudette states that she will do her very best to write
out a Newsletter on a monthly basis but makes no promises.
We are back in this position for YOU members and YOU
members only. We are here to serve you and facilitate any problems/encounters
you may have along the way. We want you all to know that we are just a phone
call away and we are always here to listen to you. As we have said in our past
life as District Directors, WITHOUT THE MEMBERS, GWRRA DOES NOT EXIST AND
NEITHER DO WE AS DISTRICT DIRECTORS. We are always in close contact with your
Chapter Directors on all issues and they in turn pass on the information to
you. Your CHAPTER DIRECTORS are your link to us.
Until the next letter, keep in touch, ride for fun,
safety and knowledge always.
Allen and Claudette Cyr
Maine District Directors
(207) 375-4811 Home
(207) 754-2916 Cell
acyrfire@roadrunner.com
August
2010
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Notes from
July’s Meeting
Nancy states
Treasurer’s Club Account
at $185.41
50 /50 Winner
was Terry (lunch
money for Greg)
Door prize
was won by Jackie
Bennett (we really need her to pick some Powerball tickets for the group)
New England
Rally will be held in
Lewiston Me. In 2011 You will need to book rooms early at the Ramada. Inn.
Request 1st floor as there is no elevator
How many
club members are considering going to Knoxville Tn. For the GWRRA Wing-Ding 33.
July 6th – July 9 2011. We will need a consensus on accommodations,
Camping or Motel rooms. We will need to do this ASAP.
http://www.wing-ding.org/
August Birthday’s
Anniversary’s
Mark Seibel 5th
(Need
to get
someone hitched) Susan
Seibel 9th
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
J… Trivia ….J
There were
no replies for Junes, so
no winner.
This month’s
Trivia.
Jackie played
a drawing game, Who
said Oblong instead of Rectangle?
Reply to
the editor …. maseibel2@yahoo.com
__________________________________________________________________________________________
On
August 8, 2011 during the club ride, near the end of the day, club riders
experienced what some would call a “waking nightmare”. An out of control Fire
Truck heading for the group. Bob & Sheila, Ron & Nancy, Bill &
Pauline and the tail gunner Paul & Nancy were on Newfield Rd. near Ross
Corner in Shapleigh Me. The driver did a fantastic job of avoiding the group,
& the group did a fantastic job of assisting rescue personnel. Here is a
link to the article. Thank God no one was killed. http://www.wgme.com/newsroom/top_stories/videos/wgme_vid_4613.shtml
August 2010
J… Upcoming Rides: …J
Ice Cream Rides
every
10th
Meet at Rochester Burger King
30th Meet at Hometown Mobile in
Lebanon
Aug
14th –15th
Sat / Sun. (Scavenger Hunt and BBQ @ Baker’s (Sun) 1:00P.M.
Aug 17th Tuesday
Meeting at Fogarty’s
Aug 21st Sat.
District Picnic at Alan Cyr’s
Aug 29th Mystery /picnic
ride
Hometown Mobile
Sept 6th Monday 11:a.m.
Family Fun Day at Ingleside’s in Scarborough, Me.
Sunday night overnight camping
after 5p.m. if you call Bob and Sheila before then.
Sept 12th
Sun. 8:30a.m. Hobo Ride Keene NH Chapter E
Rochester B K
Sept 18th
Sat. ??p.m. Vermont Chapter A ride the Maine Coast diner ride
Hometown Mobile
Next Meeting is at Fogarty’s Restaurant on
Tuesday Sept. 21st, at 6:30pm
471 Maine St. So. Berwick, Me. (207) 384 8361________________________________________________________________
Bob &
Sheila Chevalier; July 2010
As
I sit here thinking about what to write about for my Directors Corner, all that comes to mind is the person responsible for
me having a Wing and being Chapter Director. As Fathers day was last week, and I had just thanked him again for the gift he
gave Sheila and I, I have decided to write down the story of how I got my Wing.
My
Father Art Chevalier has owned a couple of Gold Wings. His last one was a brand new 1988 GL1500 he bought at Reynolds Motor
sports. I was amazed on how big the bike and engine was. My Father and his wife
Nellie took a couple of weeks and toured the country on the Wing. He rode it a lot to work when the weather was nice. He was
also a member of GWRRA back then. We rode a few times together and I always thought owning a Wing would be great.
Due
to a busy schedule and the health of his wife Nellie, My Father did not get his Wing out on the road for a couple of years.
I always mentioned to him that if he ever wanted to sell the Wing, I wanted first dibs! After being parked for 5 years my
Father decided to get the bike out of mothballs so he could bring it to Florida where he spends the winters. After numerous
attempts trying to get the carburetors cleaned up and running properly, He gave up and left it to sit in his garage again.
When
Nellie got ill, she mentioned to him that if he wasn’t going to use the bike he should give it to Sheila and I. After
Nellie passed away in Sept. of 2006 my Father decided to clean out some of his things and he called us and said if we wanted
the Wing to come over and get it. When he took the cover off the bike I was thinking this was the wrong bike. The bike was
stripped down and did not resemble the bike I knew so well. He spent about 20 minutes pulling parts of the shelf, blowing
the dust off and saying, “These parts belong to the bike, I think?”. He wished me luck with putting the carb’s
together and also warned me about the radiator lines that hook up behind the carb’s because there is no room to get
your hand in there to hook them up. I left his place with the bike, 2 large boxes of parts, and the bike manual. Well it took
us a couple of months to get the old girl together, and with a few calls to my Father and help from some friends we got it
on the road in the spring of 2008. Sheila and I took a few rides to the White Mountains and one ride to Rangeley and we really
enjoyed the bike.
On Fathers day, in 2008 my kid’s gift to me was a membership to GWRRA. I had told them my Father was a member
at one time and that it seemed to be a great way to meet and ride with more Wingers. I called the Chapter Director for my
area, Rob Briddle, who was in Florida at the time, and was told he would be in touch when he got back to Maine. In September
of 2008 I received a letter from the Maine District Director Ed Mushlit saying that Chapter A-Maine was going to be closed
unless someone stepped up and became Chapter Director. I called Ed and with his advice and prompting, called some of the previous
members of Chapter A. With their encouragement I decided to become the new Director of Chapter A.
As I start my 2nd year as a member of GWRRA and 1-1/2 years as Chapter Director, I still can’t believe
what a special gift that Gold Wing turned out to be. Sheila and I have met some
of the most wonderful people, rode to the most awesome places, and have eaten more ice cream then I thought possible. I have to say that the gift of that Wing has given us more close friends and unbelievable
memories then I thought possible. I would not know any of you if not for my Father and his gift to his son.
Thanks Dad, and again Happy Fathers Day!
The gift of the bike was wonderful, the gift
of the friends I have made because of it...Priceless”
Bob Chevalier, ME-A Chapter Director
July 2010
ROAD GEAR July
1, 2010
It’s that time of year. Many weekends and a few full weeks on my calendar are reserved for trips.
Some are short hops while others will have Jackie and me on the road for several days enjoying what North America has to offer.
In a previous article (Planning Matters, Jan 2010) I wrote about taking time in the cold months to plan for the riding season. Now with travel season going full throttle, all that’s left to do is pack for
each excursion. Car trips are easy. If
there is a slight chance we might need it, we take it. Space is not a concern
when taking Jackie’s Trailblazer. On motorcycle trips space is limited, so our packing is much more selective. Someday we might buy a trailer, but for now we choose to ride without a hitch.
There are some essential items you should always have on your bike.
What are the basics? For a GWRRA member to maintain his or her level III
rating they must carry a first-aid kit. Other things you should bring along are a tool kit, flashlight, raingear, sunscreen,
emergency contact information, and the GWRRA Gold Book. Past trips have taught me to add the following to my must have list:
WD-40, air pressure gage, tire repair kit, portable air pump (the 1800 was improved by removing the factory pump), camera,
paper maps, GPS, electrical tape, and a few feet of duct tape stored around an expired credit card.
When traveling on a multi-day
trip there are items beyond the basics. A cover protects the bike when it spends the night alone . . . in a cold parking lot
. . . in an unfamiliar town. It also keeps tourists from “looking”
at Aurora’s 60+ switches, buttons, and levers when I’m not around to give them a guided tour. A sturdy cable and padlock will secure the bike to a lamppost or a fellow rider’s machine. Years
ago, while in North Carolina, I was threading a KryptoFlex cable through the frames of several bikes
when a solo rider pulled into the hotel for the night.
He walked over and asked if I was worried about having our bikes stolen. I simple asked, “Are you
going to lock your bike to something.” His hesitant answer was, “No, I don’t have a cable.” While
snapping the hardened steel shackle on the Master Lock closed I replied, “Then I don’t have any concerns.” In the end he parked next to our group and we secured his bike to the other six. This
may sound like overkill, but my Dad was fond of saying a lock keeps an honest person honest and sends the rest of them looking
for easier targets.
Beyond security on a multi-day trip you need to pack enough clothes.
If the number of days exceeds your luggage space one option is to do laundry at the mid-point. In 2009 Jackie and I
rode to Missouri and back. During the two week trip we attended a nephew’s
wedding, I joined my brother and two sisters (as co-riders) on a three-day sibling tour, I gave a niece and her high school
classmate their first motorcycle rides and my Mom was a co-rider guiding me to places she had ridden “100 mph with a
high school boyfriend that her parents did not approve of”. Since the trip included a formal wedding we needed a nice
dress for Jackie, a suit for me, and dress shoes for both of us. Our solution was to mail a box to Missouri a few weeks early.
The postage was $40, money well spent since it allowed us to leave the car at home.
If you have suggestions
on what else to bring let me know. I can share them in a future article.
Ride
Smart,
Mark Bennett
mbennett86023@roadrunner.com
Maine District Educator
H: 207-636-7992
C: 860-918-3065
July
2010
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Notes from June’s Meeting
Congratulations to Greg & Sheila for completing the OCP course in Gorham NH.
Jackie & Mark Bennett also completed the course at Americade, and
will soon be certified to train others that are interested in taking the course.
Terry received
a “care” package for those long rides to help fight off ache’s in muscles she forgot she had, Greg gladly
volunteered to assist in a helping manor of course.
The 50 / 50 was
won by Jackie Bennett as well as a door prize. The other door prize was won by Nancy Seavey.
Pauline came the
closest in correctly guessing the Trivia from last months Newsletter. She received a rim cleaning brush.
Jackie taught us a teamwork game while Mark talked about different riding style as well as distance &
comfort and how it varies between rider & co-rider.
Alan & Claudette
Cyr have now assumed the reins as District Directors and the BBQ picnic will be August 21, which is a Saturday!
Tom Bonneau showed the “finished product” on the club shirts and Sheila helped take orders for
the shirts. A discussion and vote was taken on a club color, Forest Green was decided on. If you would like a shirt, (T –
Shirt or Polo) please contact Tom Bonneau @ 603 767 3784. Other styles are also available.
July 2010
July Birthday’s
Anniversary’s
Lisa Fogg 8th
Don and Lisa Fogg 10th
Nancy Seavey 19th
Tom and Bonnie Bonneau 16th
J… Trivia ….J
What did Bob & Sheila receive at the meeting & what was the color.
Reply to the editor …. maseibel2@yahoo.com
JJ
On June 20, we had a great ride to Gray Me. To the State Animal Farm.
All that attended were on “1500’s” and we called the ride the 1500 tour. Had a great lunch at an Italian
Restaurant called DiSanto’s on Rt. 202.
JJ
On June 26 – 27 was the blessing of the bikes in Colebrook NH. As a first time attendee it was a moving experience
and would like to thank Paul Cardinal for the use of his camp.
June 2010
J… Upcoming Rides: …J
Ice Cream Rides every 10th &
30th
July 4th Sun.
No Ride Planned Happy 4th of July!
July 11th Sun. 8:00am Mystery / Picnic
Ride: (Lead by Greg Fogg) Rochester BK
July 18th Sun.
8:00am Mystery / Picnic Ride: (Lead by Greg Fogg) Rochester BK
July
22nd – 24th Thursday - Saturday. - NE Rally – Gorham, NH
July 25th Sun. 8:00am Mystery / Picnic
Ride: Hometown Mobil
Aug. 1st Sun.
8:00am Mystery / Picnic Ride: Rochester BK
IF you are planning on attending the GWRRA New England Rally in Gorham NH, you need to make your plans ASAP! http://www.newenglandrally.org/
Next
Meeting is at Fogarty’s Restaurant on Tuesday July, 27 at 6:30pm
471 Maine
St. So. Berwick, Me. (207) 384 8361
Bob & Sheila Chevalier June 2010
What a great week for bike riding. It’s wonderful riding in 80+
degree weather instead of the 40 and 50 degrees we had 2 weeks ago. Sheila and I just got back from Bike Night at the Pink
Cadillac Restaurant in Rochester. The temperature dropped fast when the sun went down and we wish we had brought our jackets.
I should know better and always keep a jacket in the bike. Be prepared at all times, because we started out on just a short
ride and ended up being out for 3 hours. A lot can happen weather wise in 3 hours. Brrrr!
They have bike night at the Pink Cadillac every Thursday night, (Rt 11 Rochester)
and have anywhere from 40 to 150 bikes show up. Hamburgers, hotdogs, music and door prizes…. what more could you ask
for…. Oh yea… Ice Cream would be nice!
We
met up with Greg Fogg, George Ellis on his trike and Ray Atkinson on his rebuilt 81 GL1100.
Ray has done a great job in getting the old girl on the road.
Last Sunday’s ride was a fun Maine seashore ride from Kittery to Camp Ellis
in Saco. We had 9 bikes total and went to York beach, Nubble Light, Wells Beach, Walkers Point, Fortune Rocks Beach and then
had a picnic at The Wardwell Retirement Home (where Sheila works). Then went to Camp Ellis in Saco and walked out on the jetty.
Bill Rondo played tail gunner and kept us all together. Thanks Bill! (I know,
I know, right hand is the throttle hand and left is the clutch hand).
We are still working on our scavenger hunt fundraiser, and Sheila is working on the
Rangeley Lake Murder Mystery weekend trip. If you are planning on going we need to know as soon as possible to make sure we
have enough cabins reserved. We also have Americade and Blessing of the bikes coming up fast. Let us know if you are interested
in going to any of these rides. Keep your eye on the schedule. This month is going by faster then Greg riding to Terry’s
house, (and that is fast).
A lot of the group is camping this weekend with family and friends. Russ Hall is riding
this Sunday to Meredith NH to a large craft show. If you are interested please contact him at hallski442@yahoo.com . I hope everyone has a great Memorial Day weekend. Watch out for all the traffic and keep it on 2 wheels (3 if you own a trike).
Keep the wheels turning!
Bob & Sheila Chevalier
Maine Chapter “A” Directors
June, 2010
Notes from
Last month’s meeting:
Notes from Aprils meeting at Fogarty’s Restaurant:
50/50 winners were Tom and Bonnie Bonneau
Door Prizes were won by Jackie Bennett, and Ron Winslow
Treasury report from Nancy was a total of $157.00 with the 50/50.
Jackie Bennett made some awesome Fudge Brownies for our monthly meeting. She followed the rules wonderfully. Thanks
Jackie
Tom Bonneau brought up the information for Embroidered shirts. The
cost for the Digital set up is $80.00, it was discussed and agreed upon to pay the fee, also a price of $23.00 for the shirts
plus $2.00 for each shirt to the Chapter.
Pauline discussed the Scavenger ride and gave out the directions and questions to those who are going to do the
run and see what may need to be tweaked a bit.
Bob is looking for volunteers for the Scavenger hunt. Events, Games, Advertising?
Need to know how many from our group are going and who will help out. J
Reply to Sheila & Bob. rschev@metrocast.net
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June Birthdays:
Anniversary’s:
Bonnie Bonneau 16th
Jill and Don King 30th
June,
2010
Upcoming Rides:
June 6 Sun: 8:00 am Gorham, NH ( Ride to pick up Greg )
Rochester, NH Burger King
June
7 – 12 Thursday – Sunday Americade; Lake George Camping at Lake Bomoseen (call
for details)
June
13 Sun. 8:00am Mystery / Picnic Ride
Lebanon Me. Hometown Mobil
June 20 Sun. 8:00am Gray Animal
Farm
Rochester, NH Burger King
June 26 – 27 Sat. / Sun 9:00am - Blessing of the Bikes, Colebrook NH Rochester,
NH Burger King
June 25 - July 3 Thursday –
Sunday - Wing Ding
Des Moines, Iowa
Jul 4th Sun. No Ride Planned Happy 4th of July!
If
you’re planning on attending either Americade or The Blessing of the Bikes Finalize plans now!
Americade: A lot of the group is staying at Lake Bomoseen Campground (802) 273 2061 www.lakebomoseen.com
Blessing of the
Bikes: June 25 – 27 Paul Cardinal may have some space at his
cabin in Colebrook NH or just goggle Colebrook NH lodging.
New England Rally:
July 22 - 24, Gorham NH More info: http://www.newenglandrally.org/
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RIDING IN THE RAIN
June 1, 2010
From time to time, when I come across an article that covers a topic well I’ll share it with you. That way you will benefit from reading a perspective besides just mine every month. Before you sound the plagiarism alarm rest assured I have the author’s permission to use it in our
newsletter. I even suggest you consider getting a subscription to the magazine
that ran the story at www.roadrunner.travel or by calling 336-765-7780. So, without further
delay, below is an article from Roadrunner Motorcycle Touring & Travel magazine.
Ride Smart,
Mark Bennett
mbennett86023@roadrunner.com
Maine District Educator
H: 207-636-7992
C: 860-918-3065
*************************************************************
TOURING TIP: Riding in the Rain
By James T. Parks
Riding
a motorcycle in the rain is often a fearful prospect for new riders, but usually “no big deal” for most experienced
motorcyclists. The good news is that most motorcycles have much better traction
(75% to 80%) on wet surfaces than their riders often assume. The bad news is
that certain unrecognized hazards can trigger an all too quick loss of traction, often resulting in a crash. The key to riding safely on wet pavement is to be aware of the hazards, and how to avoid or mitigate them. Here are ten of the most common hazards riders can face while riding in the rain:
· Oily Residue: The accumulation of oily residue, left by cars in the center of the lane, can rise to the surface and
become slippery when it’s first inundated with water. Anyone who has taken
the MSF Basic Rider Course, knows that it’s a good idea to take a break from riding for 15 – 20 minutes to allow
the oil to be washed away by the rain.
· Painted Lines: Crosswalks, HOV lane diamonds and other painted lines on pavement will be slippery when wet. If you stop the motorcycle, try not to put your tires or feet on them, and when crossing them at speed,
try to do so at a right angle, with the bike straight up. It’s always good
practice to avoid sudden braking or acceleration when riding in the rain.
· Slick Concrete
Surfaces: Smooth concrete surfaces, often found in parking
lots and driveways, can become slick when wet. Avoid them if at all possible.
June, 2010
· Steel:
Manhole covers, train tracks and steel covers over sections of road under repair also will become slick when wet. Wood and rubber, frequently found at railroad crossings, can become slick as glass when wet. Either circumvent these hazards or ride across them smoothly, at a constant speed, with the bike straight
up.
· Puddles:
Puddles of water on a road often disguise perilous potholes. Steer clear of them
or, if not possible, proceed through them at a slow speed.
· Loss of Grip: Motorcycle tires with harder rubber or minimal tread can quickly lose grip on wet surfaces. Although softer rubber tires usually wear out faster than those with harder rubber, they always have better
traction on wet pavement. To mitigate the possibility of hydroplaning, make sure
your tires have plenty of tread remaining.
· Visibility: Poor visibility on your motorcycle always results in a heightened risk factor when it rains. That’s why riding at night in the rain should be avoided if at all possible. To improve your chances of being seen, have a generous amount of reflective material on your bike and riding
gear, and wear a high visibility rain suit. It’s especially important to
position your motorcycle so there is maximum visibility for both the rider to see hazards and for other vehicles to see the
rider. If the rain becomes heavy and visibility is severely limited, slowdown
or just get off the road.
· Wind:
Rain-slickened roads and high winds can be a particularly hazardous combination, especially for lighter bikes and those with
full fairings. Be prepared to lean the bike into the wind to maintain stability. If conditions become too unstable, however, find a safe, comfortable spot to pull
over and wait out the storm.
· Lightning: Contrary to what some may think, riding a motorcycle with rubber tires provides no protection if a rider is struck
by lightning. Unlike a car, with a steel cage enveloping its passengers, a motorcycle
provides no opportunity for an electrical charge to ground itself without traveling through the rider’s body. When it starts lightning, seek shelter.
· Cold: When a rider
gets wet, he or she can quickly become chilled and possibly experience the onset of hypothermia. And at speed, raindrops feel like high velocity pellets when they strike bare or lightly covered skin. Raingear: just don’t leave home
without it!
Reprinted courtesy of RoadRUNNER Motorcycle Touring & Travel magazine (www.roadrunner.travel)
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Item for Sale
Free electric chaps for anyone who would like them; contact Clyde Beaton at clyde6933@yahoo.com
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How good is your perception?? The MSF has a great site to practice with.
http://www.msf-usa.org/riderperception
The first thing I need to bring up about this newsletter is that it is
all my fault for it getting to you as late as it is. Our new Newsletter Editor
Mark Seibel had this ready to go over 2 weeks ago. Mark even came over my house
to help me fix my bike so I would have time to type up this up, and it still
took me 2 weeks to get this done.
(Mark, I will try harder next month!) Sheila and I went to the Rhode Island
Kick off breakfast on April 10th
and had a great time. Bill & Pauline Rondo, and Greg Fogg came also. We had
a nice ride down, had fun in the pool
and hot tub, had a great breakfast on Sunday, picked on Alan Cyr a lot, and
rode half way home in the rain before the skies cleared. Since we had just
purchased some new Frog Togs the rain gave us a chance to try them out. (yes,
we stayed dry.) Our staff has increased by one more as
Jackie Bennett has stepped into the Membership Enhancement Coordinator. Thanks
a bunch Jackie! Maybe I will have more time to work on my
Directors Corner bit. Jackie will be
welcoming any new members and also keeping an eye on our member’s expiring
dues. Jackie will be a great addition to the staff. We
have a lot of things happening in the next week- Central Maine Motor Sports
open house and bike rodeo is this Saturday. We leave Hometown Mobile at
8:30am. On Sunday we are headed to Cape
Cod with Mass. Chapter B. They need a
head count so if you want to go I need to know ASAP. Our May meeting is this Tuesday the 18th at Fogarty’s
6:30pm. We will be working on our scavenger hunt some more along with our busy
schedule. Now if the weather will improve temperature wise and also stay sunny
I will be happy. Last weeks ride was very cold and windy. My mother wanted a
bike ride for mothers day
but decided she would wait for a day that was warmer than 47 degrees. This
weekend looks to be a lot warmer and a lot less windy.
Ride Safe and dress
warm! Bob & Sheila Chevalier
Chapter Directors
Chapter A,
Sanford, Maine
GWRRA Maine District
May Newsletter
What a joy to have an early spring and some
early riding. Barb and I enjoyed our winter stay in Florida although it wasn't
as warm as we had hoped. We are now looking forward to relinquishing our
Directorship back to Allen and Claudette for which we are very grateful.
It has been a
great 3 years serving you all and we will be forever grateful to have had the
opportunity.
We are also grateful
to the people who have
been the backbone of this group, the chapter directors, assistants, treasurers,
ride coordinators and volunteers for rides and events. We can all take credit
for making the Maine District a successful group within the GWRRA organization.
It was unfortunate that we had to close Chapter V, however the Madawaska area
folks are still an important part of our group and remain good friends. I hope
that they will remain connected through Chapter D in Bangor and with the
District. Many of us are looking forward to visiting and attending the annual
picnic with Jim and Linda in August.
We are very pleased
to learn that Dennis and
Sandra will continue to lead Chapter C and that Chapter D is soon to have new leadership.
We also are proud of the accomplishments of Chapter A under the expert
leadership of Bob and Sheila who have had a marvelous year boosting membership
in their area and providing a lot of new ideas and promoting a ton of fun for
the members. All the Chapters have done a super job and we commend your
efforts.
We leave you
with the wish that the District
continues to grow strong and that everyone strives to gain more knowledge, ride
safely and above all HAVE FUN. We will
continue to be good friends and help in any way that we are able.
Ed & Barbara Mushlit
Upcoming
Rides:
May 15th
Sat. 8:30am Central ME Motorsports Open House Bike Rodeo
Hometown Mobil
May 16th
Sun.
7:00am Cape Code (need
head count-call if going)
Rochester BK
May 23rd
Sun.
8:30am Seashore Ride (Chevaliers lead) More info to follow
Hometown Mobil
May 30th
Sun. 8:00am Mystery/Picnic Ride
Rochester BK
June 6th
Sun. 8:00am Gorham NH, (ride
to pick up Bob, Sheila & Greg)
Rochester BK
Jun 7th –12th Thur-Sun. Lake
George Americade Camping 9th
– 12th (call for details)
Jun 13th Sun. 8:00am
Mystery/Picnic Ride Hometown
Mobil
Notes from Last
month’s meeting:
Notes
from Aprils
meeting at Fogarty’s Restaurant:
50/50 winner was Bill Rondo.
Door prizes were won by, Bonnie & Tom Bonneau,
and Ron and Andrea Winslow.
Treasury report was a total
with the 50/50 for April
of $132.00.
Violet Baker brought up the
cost for Directors to go
to the mandatory training for GWRRA to be paid for by our chapter. A consensus
was taken and it was agreed upon to cover all cost.
Slow Drag bike night is starting
up again as of May
13th. In the parking lot of
the Pink Cadillac in Rochester N.H.
May
Birthdays
Anniversary’s
Don Fogg 21st. Ron
and Andrea
Winslow 3rd
Position Filled!
Jackie
Bennett has stepped
up to fill the Membership Coordinator Position
Thanks Jackie … Does this mean
we get Fudge Brownies at the next meeting? J
Item’s for
Sale:
1980
Honda Goldwing GL 1100 Interstate. Black, New Tires & Windshield, Mirrors,
Passenger Floorboards. 11,000 miles Asking $2200.00 or B.O.
Contact:
Don King @ 603 522 3031 or email @ mdk-nh@roadrunner.com
How
good is your perception?? The MSF has a great site to practice with.
http://www.msf-usa.org/riderperception
May, 2010
 THE BIG SIX
May
1, 2010
Looking back to when our kids were
involved in youth sports I recall making sure they had the proper gear. In basketball
it was shoes that provided
good ankle support, good grip on hardwood and didn’t leave black marks. Baseball
season meant a different pair of
shoes, a hat to keep the sun out of their eyes, gloves for batting and
catching, and a helmet. For football
season Jackie and I spent a small fortune ensuring our kids survived the direct
physical contact that comes with the game.
Our kids used this equipment every time they took to the field of
play. I never saw any kids engaged in
the game without the proper equipment.
Safety gear was an essential part of
youth sports. Now when I take my
motorcycle out for a ride I often see others enjoying the open road. I guess
some of them were never involved in
youth sports. If they were they would
have learned that unique activities require unique equipment. During a GWRRA
riding event or a Motorcycle
Safety Foundation course every rider is required to wear six distinct pieces of
safety equipment. Do you know what they
are?
The first item is a DOT approved
helmet. I could spend this whole
article writing about helmets, but I’ll save that for a future article. My
plan this month is to cover all six
safety items. Continuing from the top
of a properly dressed rider let’s look at each piece of safety gear.
Eye protection, not those bargain shades
you picked up at the rally, but high quality gear that can withstand a few
rocks and bugs. If your DOT approved
helmet has a faceshield you’re all set.
Provided you don’t ride around with the shield up or with a tinted
shield after sunset. As a side note,
snowmobile helmets and faceshields are not DOT approved for motorcycle
riding. They do not pass the stringent
requirements. Snow at 60 mph is hard,
but not as hard as asphalt.
Full-fingered gloves are next. In my dirt
riding days a sturdy pair of
leather gloves saved my skin more times than I can count. From a comfort level,
even with heated
grips, my fingers are the first things to let me know when the temperature is
dropping. Cold hands reduce response
time. A delayed reaction on the
controls could be the difference between riding home and trying out my GWRRA
roadside assistance program.
Next are long sleeves. Some just use a
shirt; I suggest stepping it
up a notch. Jackie and I own two
distinct riding jackets, one for cold to mild temperatures and one for cool to
“you-can-fry-an-egg-out-here”. They
have removable liners which give us a wide range of comfort adjustments. Long
pants are the next piece of safety
gear. Most riders wear denim jeans,
which provide better protection than lightweight cotton or nylon. Jackie and
I add riding pants. They have added protection in the knees,
hips and seat, plus give us another layer of safety, over our street clothes.
The final piece of safety gear is sturdy
over the ankle footwear. Although it’s
the last item listed don’t underestimate the importance. Footwear is the
one item that routinely
comes between you and the pavement.
Make sure it provides good grip, supports your ankles and protects your
feet from rocks and abrasions. Years
ago my quality footwear ensured a crash didn’t turn into something that ended
my 2-wheeled riding days.
I’ve heard several phrases that stress
the importance of proper riding gear, “all the gear, all the time” (ATGATT) is
one. I prefer, “Don’t dress for the
ride, dress for the fall.”
Ride
Smart,
Mark Bennett
mbennett86023@roadrunner.com
Maine District Educator H: 207-636-7992 C: 860-918-3065
Next Meeting is at Fogarty’s Restaurant on
Tuesday May, 18 at 6:30pm
471 Maine St.
So. Berwick, Me. (207) 384 8361
Till
the next ride …..
Bob & Sheila Chevalier
April 2010
What
a month April has been, 83 degrees one day and 45 the next. I’m just glad
to see all that rain go away for a while. Sheila and I had a chance to try our new heated jackets out last Saturday night. Went to Newington Mall in N.H. around 8pm and we were nice and toasty. We got the
battery-powered jackets up in North Conway during the Winter Bash and only paid $35 each.
We
already have 500 miles on the bike this year, and our first official ride is this weekend.
O.K so half those miles were with just me riding around trying to fix some gremlins I’m having with the bike.
I think they are fixed (I hope!)
What
a blast we had at the Winter Bash in North Conway, NH hosted by Dennis & Sandy Wright, Maine, Chapter C Directors. It was our first Bash and was worth the trip. Sheila and I won the scavenger hunt,
thanks to help from Greg Fogg and Bill & Pauline Rondo. We were out the door looking for items before Alan Cyr had told
us what the prize was.
We
had 16 people from our chapter go and most of us tried to drown each other in the pool. Maybe I shouldn’t have walked
into the silent auction meeting with just my bathing suit and one large beach ball, (Sorry Allen, I’ll behave next year!)
also want to mention that Greg Fogg came in second in the scavenger hunt and that Mark & Susan won the couples Wii bowling
tournament. Mark & Jackie Bennett also gave a great class on rider safety.
We
are really looking forward to this years riding season. Last year was our first time to every event and function. Hard to
believe last April was our first group ride. This year will even be better because
we know what to expect and what to bring to all the big events. It still blows
my mind that one year ago this month, Sheila and I rode our bike to our first Chapter ride, as Chapter Directors, with people
who we had just met at our first Chapter meeting we held in October of 2008. Until
that ride I had never rode a bike in a group larger then 2 bikes. I think our second time around will be better than ever.
Our
big event this year is our scavenger hunt fund - raiser we are having on August 29th. We are still working on the
final details and we should have a new flyer out soon. The owners of Hometown Mobil in Lebanon are setting up to for us to
have a breakfast buffet at the start of the hunt. Starting the hunt with a good breakfast will keep anyone from starving to
death as they search for things. (Sheila says I ride only for the food and ice cream, but that’s not true, I also ride
for the ….. (Well, maybe she is right!)
Keep the wheels turning!
Bob & Sheila Chevalier
Maine Chapter “A” Directors
Notes from Last month’s meeting:
50/50 winner was Lisa Fogg
Door Prizes were won by, Bill
Rondo and Ron Winslow
Donations were made for $50.00
each to,
Mary’s Walk (Cancer walk)
Susan Seibel
Relay for Life (Cancer Walk)
Pauline Rondo
The Winter Bash in North Conway was a great get away for all. Russ and Ruth were very happy to contribute
to the silent auction totals, you both might consider taking your trailer with you next year. Ron did a great job also, he
won the Elephant full of candy by guessing the closest total, Can you say sugar high?
Don (Foggy) looked great in his winning bid of a European Man Bag.
Bill celebrated a birthday party with a weekend chocolate high that made the M & M’s blush thanks
to Sheila’s expertise in melting the Mars company stockpile.
All of our group joined the others
for a dinner at the Muddy Moose. Good food, good company. Great time meeting new friends from other chapters.
April Birthdays:
Pauline Rondo & Andrea
Winslow on the 2nd, Russ Hall on the 4th, Ray Atkinson
on the 9th & Ron Winslow on the 27th.
Happy Birthday to all of you.
Anniversaries: Bill and Pauline
Rondo 23 yrs on the 24th. Congratulations
Sue
& Mark made a deposit on their “New Trike” while on Vacation
On the Horizon:
Next Meeting is at Fogarty’s Restaurant
on Tuesday April 20 at 6:30pm
471 Maine St. So. Berwick, ME
(phone # 207 384 8361)
Venco Wings Open House May 8, 2010,
10am to 2pm www.vencowings.com
White Horse Gear Open House May 15,
2010 10am to 3pm www.whitehorsepress.com
Apr. 18th Sun.
8:30am Mystery / Picnic Ride Rochester
Burger King
Apr. 25th Sun. 8:30am Mystery
/ Picnic Ride
Hometown Mobil
May 2nd Sun. 8:30am Mystery / Picnic Ride
Rochester
BK
May 15th Sat. 8:30am Central ME Motorsports Open House Bike Rodeo
Hometown Mobil
May 16th Sun. 8:30am Mystery
/ Picnic ride
Rochester BK
May 23rd Sun. 8:30am Seashore
Ride (Chevaliers lead)
Hometown Mobil
May 30th Sun. 8:00am Mystery / Picnic Ride
Rochester BK
Rochester
N.H. Burger King is next to Home Depot, (exit 14 off Rt. 16) back parking lot.
Hometown Mobil, Lebanon, ME is on Rt 202
1 mile north of ME/NH border.
If you are planning on attending either Americade June 7 - 12, or New England Rally July 22 - 24, Plans
should be finalized A.S.A.P.
Americade: A lot of the group
is staying at Lake Bomoseen Campground (802) 273 2061
www.lakebomoseen.com
Blessing of the Bikes June 25
– 27 Paul Cardinal has offered some space at his cabin in the Colebrook / Columbia area. Space is limited.
There are also area motels to
choose as well. Just google, Colebrook NH lodging.
Rider Tune–Up
April 2, 2010
Old man winter means
a shortened riding season for many of us. Not only do our bikes miss the light
of day for months our riding skills become dormant. Once the sun begins staying
up longer and the white stuff melts it’s time to get back on the road. Many
riders expend a fair amount of energy ensuring their machine is ready. A freshly
charged battery, new oil and filter, fresh gas, and a tune-up are common tasks. As
I go about this yearly ritual it’s a way to reconnect with a hobby that has become a passion over the years. Jackie, my #1 Co–Rider, could make a strong case for “obsession”
in that last sentence.
After I’ve taken
the time to get my bike ready I focus on me. No, it’s not time to buy the
latest riding gear. I’m talking about my physical and mental abilities. Those riding skills that kept me alive through last season have been hibernating. Now is not the time to zip along my favorite twisty at a spirited pace. It’s time to head to the nearest parking lot. Any large
paved area will do, just as long as it’s not in the flight path of pizza delivery guys or inattentive shoppers.
I’ve been asked,
“How do you know a person can handle a motorcycle?” Slow down, way
down. Two wheels require skills that are not exercised while driving a car. At road speed a motorcycle stays upright because of those large gyroscopes we call
wheels. Slow speed quickly separates skilled riders from those who need more
practice. Just like my bike gets routine maintenance I give myself periodic tune–ups. Several times a year you can find me doing a parking
lot practice. On my way home from work, before heading out on a Saturday, or
in the middle of a nine day tour are all convenient times to tune–up fundamental techniques.
The Motorcycle Safety
Foundation experienced rider course has students execute u–turns within 24 feet. I’ve watched them do this low speed maneuver on fully loaded touring rigs. Their first attempts are often very humbling. Normally with
a few minutes of coaching and practice they understand the techniques and apply them; their turns becoming consistently tighter. One of the techniques is simply “look where you plan to ride”. Turning your head and looking completing though the path of travel results in better execution.
After some slow speed
u-turns I pick up the pace, to around 25 mph, and work on my straight line braking.
With each run I focus on: head and eyes forward, smooth progressive pressure
on both brakes, and reducing my stopping distance without locking either wheel. It’s
easy to measure my progress; I just reference painted lines on the pavement. The
final thing I practice, to bring my skills back from their winter hiatus, is swerving around hazards. Parking lots are full of painted lines that intersect. I pick
an intersection, ride toward it at 20 mph and then swerve around it, while maintaining steady speed and avoiding the brakes.
I limit each rider
tune–up to 30 minutes. If things aren’t going
well more time only creates more frustration, not improvement. Regardless of
the outcome, after a half hour it’s time to ride.
If you have thoughts
on this or other topics I’d appreciate hearing from you.
Tune–Up
and Ride Smart,
Mark Bennett
Maine District Educator
mbennett86023@roadrunner.com
Home 207-636-7992
Cell 860-918-3065
GWRRA
MAINE DISTRICT APRIL NEWSLETTER
It’s
been a while since I have written to you all. Barb and I have been enjoying our winter stay here in Florida despite the harsh Florida winter in January, February and some of March. It didn’t actually seem
that bad for a northerner with thick skin.
It
has been a tumultuous time for the District and the Chapters with all of the changes that came about from National. Leadership has been strained and members have been left wondering just what would become of the organization
in general. Well, here is what we know thus far.
The
District Directors position will change effective during the upcoming N.E. Convention in Gorham this July. Allen and Claudette Cyr will reassume the position at that time. We are very happy with the change and
glad that the Cyr’s will once again be at the helm. Too much has happened and relationships have been scarred enough
that Barb and I didn’t feel that we could continue in an effective manner. You all deserve better leadership and Allen
and Claudette have proven to be very capable.
We
have enjoyed the ride, made many good friends along the way and we will continue to enjoy those relationships and cultivate
new ones in the future. We will continue to support the region, district and chapters in any way we can as Just Members again.
The
future of GWRRA in Maine depends on you as members and participants in the activities and programs that it offers. You can
bring FUN back to the organization however it requires a little effort and volunteerism from everyone, not just a few. I hope
that you all support the Cyr’s and the Chapter Directors in their future endeavors.
Our sincere thanks to everybody,
Ed & Barbara Mushlit GWRRA: Maine District Directors
March 2010
***Chapter
Director’s Corner***
Hello Everyone,
In the
last couple of weeks I have seen at
least 10 to 12 bikes on the road. I
almost want to get my bike out early, but then I see all the sand in the road,
all the frost heaves and also some slick spots where snow banks are melting
into the road. I think I’ll wait till
April. If anyone hits the ride season
early, please be careful. The other
thing to watch is the average driver is not expecting to see a bike and may not
see you. I’m giving out these safety
tips to help talk myself out of getting my bike out early. Mark Bennett
has some interesting info on
getting your bike ready for the road in his safety section of this
newsletter. I’m actually tearing my
bike apart to get the carburetors out and tuned up a little. The bike is running
a little rich and also
has a little hesitation when starting out.
It looks to
be a busy month with the Winter
Bash coming up soon and don’t forget our trip to the smallest covered bridge in
N.H. this Sunday, and also our next meeting on the 21st. Before you
know it we will be meeting on
Sundays for our weekly rides. We have a
lot planned for this year, and have a lot of overnight functions that need
reservations. I have these rides listed below and will try to get more info out
on the dates and times our group is headed out to these events. You can call
the Rondo’s or myself for more
info also.
My big thing
this year is still
“communication”. I know I’m trying to
be better at getting my thoughts and ideas out to our members, and I hope to
hear from everyone else also. I know we
can’t please everyone all the time, but we need to know what pleases you to be
able to please you some of the time. Speak up, write me a letter or email, or
just give me a call. I want to hear
from you.
Bob & Sheila
Chevalier
Chapter
Directors
Chapter A, Sanford ME
207-651-4981
February
Meeting
We had another productive meeting in February. 23 people
attended, with some new people joining us for the first time. Once again our
meeting took place at Fogarty’s in South Berwick, with great food and great
service. If our group gets any larger
we may need to find another venue. Our next meeting will be at Fogarty’s on
March 21, Sunday at 11am. We will be working on the schedule and also our
fundraiser. Volunteers are needed to
help us organize our scavenger hunt.
Pauline Rondo & Sheila Chevalier will be working on the flyer.
Greg Fogg has worked on a new sign in sheet for us. Our main
members will just have to check off the box next to their name. All the info
will be listed. No more having to look up your member number and writing in all
the info needed. Ken Baker came up with the idea and Greg ran with it. Sign in
at meetings will soon be a quick “check”
and you’re done.
Eleanor Atkinson won the 50/50 and the 2 door prizes went to
Paul Cardinal and to Nancy Seavey. We
also wished Mark Bennett a Happy 50th Birthday. A belated Happy Anniversary
goes out to Ray
& Eleanor Atkinson. March birthdays
are Don King on the 19th, Bill Rondo on the 25th, and
Happy Anniversary to Ron & Nancy Seavey.
Bill
and Pauline Rondo have
put together an outing for Sunday, March 7th. We will be going in
cars, and it will be more fun if we can all car pool. We will be meeting at the
front parking lot on the left at Home Depot in Rochester at 7:30am sharp! We
will be going out for breakfast and also
to find the smallest covered bridge in New Hampshire, (the one that got away last
year!).
Cancer Walk Info from Susan Seibel
Mary's Walk for Cancer is March 14th. Sunday.
The deadline for teams walking this year for donations is March 5th.
Anyone interested in making a donation or walking with me and the gang
can do so by going to www.maryswalk.org
Then click on friends and family near the top of the page.
Then you can click on Susan Seibel or the Life is Gooders team;
either way you can still enter my name to have the donation counted with me.
If you want to register to walk there is a $20.00 fee, you can register
online also. Just join our team..
You can do this online or by giving me a check.. Doing it online is easy
and you get a receipt to print out. Or you can mail me a check to 3 Carpenter
St. Springvale, ME 04083. Please call me if you have any questions at
207-324-3833
Thank you all ahead of time if you do decide..
Susan Seibel
Safety Always!
IS YOUR BIKE READY?
March
2, 2010
Every year about this time I
find myself watching a certain side road near my home. It’s not plowed
during the winter, so stays
snow covered until Mother Nature frees the pavement from her icing grip. Yesterday
I saw the asphalt peeking out from
under the white blanket. That tells me
it’s time to get my motorcycle ready to ride.
For my favorite co-rider it means the season of me wandering around the
house “talking” about open roads is coming to an end.
Your winterization routine a
few months ago will influence your spring prep process. I have read too many
articles about how
often to change the oil, what time of year to change it and what kind of oil to
use. Generally my maintenance plan
follows the Motorcycle Owner’s Manual (MOM).
MOM knows everything and she usually keeps me from going too far from
the manufacturer’s recommendations. As
a minimum, if your machine is due an oil change now is not the time to delay it
for several hundred miles.
Besides
the oil change there are several
other mechanical areas you should visit.
After being dormant for several months you want to make sure they are
ready to go. GWRRA has a checklist that
covers most of it. The checklist
mirrors the Motorcycle Safety Foundation process which is known by the acronym
T-CLOCSSM. The acronym stands
for:
T —
Tires and
Wheels
C —
Controls
L —
Lights and Electrics
O
— Oil and Other Fluids
C —
Chassis
S —
Stands
This inspection
should be performed before each ride.
The checklist is also a helpful guide when uncovering your bike from its
winter nap. I’ve attached the GWRRA
forms for both 2-wheelers and trikes for your convenience.
As New England’s last
remnants of snow give way to blacktop spend some garage time with your
motorcycle. Time spent there will give
you peace-of-mind on those brisk spring rides.
Ride
Smart,
Mark Bennett
Maine
District Educator
mbennett86023@roadrunner.com
Home
207-636-7992
Cell 860-918-3065
Reservations Needed!
If you haven’t started making your reservations yet for some
of Chapter A’s overnighters or special events with other chapters, NOW is the
time to get cracking. It is a good idea
to call and make them now, before others also start seeing more sunshine and
their thoughts turn to riding and GWRRA activities.
Maine Chapter C’s Winter
Bash is scheduled for March 26-28 at the Green Granite Inn & Conference
Center in North Conway, and the schedule will no doubt be fun and also
educational. When you call
(800-468-3666) be sure to mention GWRRA to get your special $69.99 plus tax
nightly room rate.
Americade, Lake
George, NY. Most of our group is
staying at Lake Bomoseen Campground from Thursday June 10th till
Sunday the 13th. It is $39 a
night to camp and they will allow 2 tents per site. Reservations can be made by
calling 802-273-2061 or email to camplbc@aol.com The Website is www.lakebomoseen.com
Paul Cardinal
has graciously offered his “camp” in the Colebrook/Columbia area for Chapter A
folks riding up to the Blessing of the
Bikes June 26 & 27, plenty of room for tents or pop-ups, or you may
choose one of the area hotels/motels.
We get together and plan, shop and prepare supper together Saturday
night. We would like a head count as
soon as possible so please contact us if you plan on coming.
New England Districts Rally IX in Gorham, NH, on July 22-24, at the
Town & Country Motor Inn. Call 603-466-3315 or 800-325-4386 for
reservations. Room rates are $86 + tax per night. Be sure to tell them you are
with GWRRA. You also need to register with the host District. The cost is $40
pp for members and $ 45 pp for non-members. For additional information contact gwrranhdd@msn.com For complete info and
registration go to www.newenglandrally.org
Here & There:
For everyone going to Green Granite in North
Conway, March 26-28.
On March 26th Whitehorse Gear, in Center Conway, is offering
us a 10% discount on any regularly priced merchandise in addition to New
Hampshire's no sales tax advantage. That Friday they will
be open from 10am-6pm. Whitehorse Gear
is also donating some door prizes for my Rider Education Program
seminars at Green Granite.
I encourage everyone to visit their unique warehouse
store on Friday and take advantage of the 10% discount. For more
information check out their website www.whitehorsegear.com
Ride Smart,
Mark Bennett
Maine District Educator
382 New Dam Road
North Waterboro, ME 04061
207-636-7992
Maine Chapter A
December 2009 Newsletter
***Chapter
Director’s Corner***
With the Christmas
Season quickly blanketing our holiday spirits, Sheila and I are reminded of just how fortunate we are to have such warm and
fun friends who share our passion for riding motorcycles. To each and every one
of our GWRRA friends, newly-found ones and old ones alike, we want to pause from our hectic schedules to wish you a very Merry
Christmas.
Simply saying that
“Each Member Matters” does not do justice to how we feel about our circle of friends who also just happen to belong
to GWRRA. We hope you enjoy your Christmas time with family and friends and remember
to lend a helping hand to those less fortunate during the holidays.
A little business item…If you want
to have more fun and enjoyment through our Chapter A activities, consider helping out as our Ways & Means Coordinator. It is not time consuming, but yet you can have direct input into our 50/50, door prizes,
drawings and raffles to help position our coffers to continue to benefit local individuals or organizations who need a bit
of a helping hand…join the Chapter A Staff today! Talk to Sheila or me
about becoming our Chapter A’s Ways & Means Coordinator.
One more business tidbit…we want
to thank everyone in Chapter A for supporting our chapter’s donation to a worthy local family. Hopefully they’ll enjoy Christmas just a little bit more, because
you stepped forward with your warmth and generosity! The family has four children,
including two teens and two youngsters. If you want to do just a bit more for
this family, gift cards (Wal-Mart types) are always welcome, handy and you can bring them to the Christmas party December
6 just in time for Christmas delivery.
Soon after all
the ribbons have been picked up and wrapping paper discarded, we will get back to focusing on our 2010 riding season. Your direct input will help us all enjoy not only our scheduled outings, but it will
also enhance our “Picnic/Mystery Rides” next summer. AND, keep in
mind that a few days before Christmas (after the shortest day of the year) our days swing back the other way and we gain more
daylight time that just teases us to get our bikes ready for another riding season just.
Before you know it, we will be eating wings in downtown Lake George in June!
But first, right
after the First of the Year, we will be forced to make some decisions on what we want or expect out of Chapter A activities. Please commit a little time to think about your favorite rides, perhaps a group outing,
or an overnight trip perhaps before and during riding season, etc. Also, do we
want to try to combine our rides or activities with other Maine GWRRA Chapters? You
can readily see we have a “gazillion” things on our plate, and Sheila and I are excited about 2010! Make sure you are part of the fun! Merry Christmas and a Happy
New Year to you all!!!
Santa Bob &
Boss Claus Sheila Chevalier, Maine Chapter A Directors
Chapter A Folks Stepping UP
Not
only are our Chapter A Directors frantically active keeping our “somewhat off-riding season” busy for all of us,
but they are spreading their Gold Wings (get it?) a bit further at the GWRRA District level.
Bob and Sheila have agreed to help District Directors Ed and Barbara Mushlit, and they were recently named Maine Assistant
District Directors. For the rest of us “regular” folks in the flock,
it appears that means among many other things that Bob and Sheila will be responsible for buying everyone ice cream on 50%
of our rides next summer! “Thanx” guys!
Hold the applause…there is MORE, Ed and
Barbara have also tapped another Chapter A representative to assist at the District level.
Ruth Hall has accepted the position of Maine District Treasurer. We are
not sure, yet, if that will cover the other 50% for the ice cream rides or not. A
huge thank you deservedly goes out to Ruth for not only stepping up to help the
District but also for joining Bob and Sheila in carrying the Chapter volunteer banner to another level. Great job!
!!!CHRISTMAS PARTY!!!
Short
as a New York minute before our Christmas Party so twinkle twinkle…Chapter A’s Christmas Party and Yankee Swap
is Sunday, December 6, at 1 p.m. at Bill & Pauline Rondo’s house, 246 Long Swamp Rd, Lebanon, ME. Come join us for an evening of fun and camaraderie…bring a dish to share and be prepared to have
a jolly good time. Each person participating in the Yankee Swap should bring a $10-15 wrapped gift, and the Rondo “house
rules” will dictate how we do the Swap. Make sure Pauline (egl10@metrocast.net or 603-781-8242) knows what food you plan to bring. Elaborate,
special or expensive gifts for the newsletter editor are not necessary!
ON THE HORIZON
Christmas Party:
December 6, Rondo’s home, Lebanon, ME
Next MEETING:
January 17, location TBA
Winter Bash:
April 9-11, Green Granite Inn, hosted by Maine Chapter C
Americade:
June 7-12, Lake George, NY
Blessing of the Bikes: June 25-27, Columbia/Colebrook, NH
New England Rally: July 22-24, New England Rally, Gorham, NH
Scavenger Hunt:
August 29, Chapter A’s First Scavenger Hunt
Family Fun Day:
September 5, Scarborough, ME
Murder Mystery:
September 25-26, North Camp, Rangeley Lake, ME
Here & There:
* Chapter A is looking for 2010 Ride Schedule/Activities ideas * We are
seeking suggestions for fund-raisers for charity * Next year’s “open/potluck”
dates on the Chapter A Ride Schedule will be known as “Picnic/Mystery Rides” with everyone packing a lunch on
those dates when our destinations are impromptu and undecided until the last minute
* MALL SHOW…any interest/when/where? * Ice Cream Rides continue
on 10th, 20th and 30th and starting from where?
“IDEA/SUGGESTION BOX”
From time to time you may have some good ideas
or suggestions for the rest of us to consider, and one good way to disseminate those ideas is through the Chapter A Newsletter. Some people have mentioned in the past that they have spare motorcycle parts and/or
accessories taking up needed space. One idea for us to consider is having a “Motorcycle
Parts/Accessories Yard Sale” next summer and perhaps make it part of our scavenger hunt or a stand-alone yard sale…good/bad
idea? We can discuss at future meetings!
If you have some idea you wish to challenge all the great minds of Chapter A with, just let the newsletter editor know.
October 2009 Newsletter
*** Chapter Director’s Corner ***
Just an absolute total BLAST! As the 2009 riding season
begins to fade like the fall foliage, Sheila and I also celebrate our first year as your Maine Chapter A Directors, and we
want to thank you all for making it something so special.
It seems like years ago that we conducted our first Chapter meeting on October 26, 2008, and in such
a short period, we have developed a lot of wonderful, new friendships that will ride into the future for a long time to come. We certainly all shared some awesome rides this year, but we are looking forward to
an even better riding schedule and activities in 2010.
We have plans for more covered bridge rides led by Bill & Pauline Rondo, overnight trips to Americade,
Blessing of the Bikes and the New England Rally. We will formulate a 2010 Ride
Schedule, so others will know when to join us on one of our leisurely rides, but there will also be lots of rides when the
weather and our whims will decide our day’s destination!
Let us know if you have a favorite ride to repeat or a new one you want to take, or even better one
that you want to lead. I (Bob) promise we will continue my favorite rides on
the 10th, 20th and 30th of each month for ice cream.
However, we also want to do another trip to North Camps in Rangeley for another murder mystery weekend, plus many new
and old rides that will enhance our friendships.
Our October meeting got things rolling for the new 2010 ride schedule. We
had 13 people get together recently for the Haunted Overload in Lee, NH, for a good “scare!” In talking with many of you, nearly everyone wants more monthly events as we count down the days before
our new riding season begins in 2010. How about Movie night, Wii game night,
Murder Mystery night, Bowling night and many more “get together with our GWRRA friends” nights? Got an idea for an event to share? Give us a call. We always have a BLAST when we all get together.
Hopefully, you have noticed we added our new logo to the Chapter website and obviously to our newsletter. We extend
many thanks to Sheila’s brother, Don, who designed the logo especially for us.
He is quite the artist, and remember, the lobster is red from riding in the sun. He is not cooked! We are working on getting more shirts made up with the logo on the front.
Stay tuned and get revved up! You “ain’t” seen “nothin”
yet…more fun to follow! Thank you!
Bob & Sheila Chevalier, Maine Chapter-A Directors
From the Assistant Chapter Director
I can’t believe that it has been a year
since joining and becoming the Asst. Chapter Director of the resurrected Chapter A in Sanford, ME. Where has the time gone? The old adage is true…Time
flies when you’re having fun. I had been searching for a group to ride
with since purchasing my Gray 1988 Gold Wing, but I never found the correct fit until meeting Bob & Sheila Chevalier in
the early summer of 2008.
I met Bob & Sheila at
a local bike night, and since we have the same year and color of Wing, we struck up a conversation about our bikes and exchanged
business cards. Little did I know what great friends they would become and how
many wonderful new friends would welcome me into Chapter A’s “GWRRA family.”
As the old song goes, “they
had me from hello” at the first meeting of the new Chapter A, and I was hooked!
It was the missing link that opened up a lot of fun riding, and it was exactly what I was looking for all along. Since joining, I have become more familiar with group riding and feel I have become
a better and safer motorcyclist. From my new riding companions, I better understand
riding in staggered formation, and witnessing first-hand the clear, concise communication between our very experienced ride
leader and tail gunner makes it evident how important these two are to ensure safety first and the fun will follow!
Earlier in the year I purchased
a Lil B camper trailer, and I have received numerous helpful tips from our more experienced riders on proper “trailering”
techniques. Thanks to all of you for welcoming me into the fold, and I especially
want to thank you all for your assistance on one of our earlier rides to the Botanical Gardens in Maine one Sunday afternoon. During a very slow-speed turn on some soft turf, my trailer and Wing parted ways,
and Melissa (my co-rider and dear friend) and I were thrown from the bike. I
vividly recall you all made sure we were not hurt, and all the guys then came to my rescue and assisted with getting my bike
back on two wheels the way it came in the crate…then we were all able to laugh a bit together. Since then, we have shared many rides together. All of which
have been terrific fun, enjoyable and mishap free.
There have been times this
year when the weather has not been conducive for riding and plans were changed to a breakfast instead. These have all been great time with great new friends. Thank
you to all my new friends of Maine Chapter A. I look forward to many more rides
and non- ride events. Thanks!
Gregory J. Fogg, Maine Chapter
A Assistant Director
Christmas Party
It
is hard to believe but Christmas has been knocking at the door already. Chapter
A’s Christmas Party and Yankee Swap is Sunday, December 6, at 1 p.m. at Bill & Pauline Rondo’s house, 246
Long Swamp Rd, Lebanon, ME. It is potluck, so bring a dish to share with others
and come prepared to fill your tummy and have lots of fun. Each person wishing
to participate in the Yankee Swap should bring a $10-15 wrapped gift, and the Rondo “house rules” will dictate
how we do the Swap. Please email Pauline at egl10@metrocast.net to let her know what food you plan to bring or call her cell phone at 603-781-8242.
Safety First
Maine District Educator Mark Bennett handed out information on the Rider Education Program in August. If you have not sent this in to Mark,
please do so. If you need any new forms, go to www.gwrra.org/regional/rider/officerpage.html#5 . Mark is working hard to get everyone in
the database. We should all take advantage of the seminars he is offering. We are planning to have some rides end with one of Mark’s safety classes. See more of Mark Bennett’s safety information and classes on Chapter A’s
web site at http://gwrra.me-a.tripod.com.
REMINDER: Many of us enjoy cheating old man winter a bit and ride into the chillier months. If you ride in colder temps, be extra cautious and watch your speeds.
Around the next bend or over the next hill might be that unexpected black ice, sand or some of those accumulated slippery
leaves! Safe Riding!
November Meeting/New Location
The next meeting of GWRRA Maine Chapter A is scheduled for one o’clock Sunday, November 15, at the Pink Cadillac
Diner on Route 11 (Exit 15 off Spaulding Turnpike) in Rochester, NH, near Rochester Motor Sports. Hope to see everyone there!
Thank You! AND Thank You!
A BIG thank you goes to Violet and Ken Baker who served us well as Ride Coordinators this past year. Ken is still nursing an injury sustained in a fall last winter, and they are not sure
how much or when they might be able to get back on their shiny black Wing…hopefully a lot next summer! A HUGE thank you we gladly extend to Pauline and Bill Rondo who have accepted the Chapter A Ride Coordinator
position. They were instrumental in planning and leading a lot of our enjoyable
rides.
November Schedule:
Nov. 6-8 2009 N.H.-Chapter A 2nd annual Extravaganza Weekend, Town
& Country
Motor Inn, Shelbourne,
NH Monty Carlo night Saturday night. (for more info contact
Andy & Mary Tarbell @ 603-224-4516)
Nov. 15 2009 ME-Chapter A meeting, 1
pm at Pink Cadillac Diner, Rochester, NH
Nov. 26 2009 Thanksgiving
YOU Can Make A Difference
One of the nice attributes that makes Chapter A events successful and fun is the fact that so many of you have
stepped forward to take on lead roles, and that spreads out all the responsibilities without putting significant pressure
on anyone. We are still looking for a Ways and Means Coordinator, so if you would
enjoy getting a little more involved with your riding friends, let Bob and Sheila know!
Events for 2010
June 7-12 Americade, Lake George N.Y.
June 25-27 Blessing of the Bikes, Colebrook, N.H.
July 22-24 New England Rally, Gorham, N.H. Sep. 25-26 Chapter
A Murder Mystery, North Camp, Rangeley Lake, ME
April 8th Meeting Info:
Ride Schedule “Potluck” Meeting
Bring your favorite motorcycle ride ideas and a good appetite to our “Tentative Ride Schedule” planning
meeting! Your ideas and input will help us develop a great schedule to
fit everyone’s ride preferences.
In anticipation of a fun-filled
summer of group activities and rides, Maine Chapter A will meet on Wednesday, April 8, at 6:30 p.m. to finalize our draft
2009 ride schedule. We are meeting at Gene Schneider’s in Hampton, NH,
and the Community Room in his building is reserved for Chapter A for the evening from 6-10 o’clock.
Please
bring a dish to share. There are electrical outlets available in the kitchen
area of the community room, as well as an oven, microwave and fridge if you need to keep anything heated or chilled. Bottled water and pop will also be provided and iced down. Eating utensils and plastic silverware, napkins, paper towels and beverage glasses will also be provided.
Come join us at Gene’s
(603-770-2387) at 241 Drakeside Road, Hampton, NH: From either the north or south, take I-95 to Hampton tolls
(Route 27 and Route 101 Exit NOT through main toll booth on I-95);
* Through tollbooth stay left and follow to Route
101/Route 27 Hampton;
* Follow Route 27/101 East (veer to the right)
ramp toward Hampton;
* At end of Route 27 ramp, veer to right through
"yield" sign toward downtown Hampton;
* Go about quarter mile or so to Towle Farm Road (right
only) and turn right;
* Follow Towle Farm Road and right before bridge
over I-95 turn left (can only turn left) onto Drakeside Road;
* Follow Drakeside a short way to two, short granite
markers…one with 241 on it and turn left into driveway;
* Follow back to second building...Building B...and we will meet on first floor Community
Room
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