February 2018 GWRRA Texas Chapter O Newsletter www.goldwingaustin.org

Texas Chapter O was chartered in April 1987. While the Chapter uses the name of Austin, Texas, as a location identifier, Chapter O's participants come from many cities, towns and communities in Central Texas. Come join us at one of our gatherings or rides! Our Gathering time/location and local, District, Region and Headquarters GWRRA contact information is on page 11. Come join us for a ride, see our Ride Schedule on page 2, or just visit us online: www.goldwingaustin.org Some of what’s inside Chapter Directors Article Page Lyle & Sheri Altes CD Article 1 Hey O Kickstands Up 2 Polar Bear /vMid-Winter 3 As we go into February it is time to start MEC Article 4 thinking about getting out to ride. There has been some rides, however we have had some bad weather that TX District Rally Info 4 did not allow some of us to get out and go. Not everyone can always Scratch That Itch! 5 attend the rides, it is good to go to as many as possible for the fun Rider Education Weekend 5 and fellowship. As we may still have some cold weather, there will be great days of riding, before we hit the hot days of summer. District News 6 Women MC History 7 We attended the mid-winter round up and the plans for the District Rally looks to be fun. There will be several rides to go on. There is a Bluebonnet Rally & 8-9 lot of history in that area to enjoy. The District Team is trying very Camping Info hard to make sure that members can attend the various outings and Wingers & Waves Cruise 10 not be in classes most the day. Officer Contact Info 11 We have welcomed a new team member, Trish Winfield as our new Sponsors 12-13 treasurer. Our New Couple of the Year is Tom and Dawn Sprague. Chapter Meetings This couple is always willing to do anything to help someone. Please 3rd Tuesdays @ Thomas Buffet, 9710 take the time to congratulate them. N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78753. Join us at 6:00 pm to eat and visit. Hope to see you all on the next ride. Meeting starts @ 7:00 p.m.

February 2018 GWRRA Texas Chapter O Newsletter www.goldwingaustin.org Kickstands Up! UPCOMING EVENTS Additional rides will be announced via the website and Google Groups. For an up-to- date monthly list, visit the Chapter O web site at www.goldwingaustin.org/page4.html

Date Chapter Event Location Contact/Email/Web Phone

Gene Thomas Catfish Parlour 2/10/18 Lyle Altes 512-897-0860 Memorial Ride Georgetown, TX

Thomas Buffet, 2/20/18 Chapter O Meeting 9710 N Lamar Blvd Lyle Altes 512-897-0860 Austin, TX 78753 TAMU Education Day Central TX Campus 3/10-11 Jim Woodlul 254-634-4659 1001 Leadership Pl Killeen 76549 Thomas Buffet, 3/20/18 Chapter O Meeting 9710 N Lamar Blvd Lyle Altes 512-897-0860 Austin, TX 78753

4/7/18 Bluebonnet Rally Lady Bird Park Lyle Altes 512-897-0860

Florida District Hilton Orlando 3/22-24 Bill & Cheryl Smith 561-445-4270 Rally Altaonte Springs FL

4/12/18- Louisiana District Lafayette, LA Red Roussel 504-512-1212 4/14/18 Rally

Meet Up with 40- 4/15/18 Amarillo to Phoenix Randy Reese 512-744-3635 Phoenix in Amarillo

Thomas Buffet 4/17/18 Chapter O Meeting 9710 N Lamar Blvd Lyle Altes 512-897-0860 Austin, TX 78753

5/17/18- TX District Rally Brenham, TX Jim Woodul 254-512-1212 5/19/18

Former 5/25- www.gwrra- Regions Hoot in the Ute Midway, UT 27/18 hootintheute.org J, I, F

Missouri District 5/31-6/2 Branson, MO Ken Lueckenotte 573-680-6238 Rally

Kansas District gwrraks.com/kansas- 6/14-16 Pittsburg, KS Rally district-rally.html

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Polar Bear Ride Assistant Directors Ken Burnett Ken and Teri Burnett

Mid-Winter Round Up

The GWRRA Texas District Mid-Winter Round-Up was held at the Washington on the Brazos State Park outside of Brenham Texas on Saturday January 13th. It was a cold morning, so nobody rode in on their bikes.

We had 10 members from Chapter O attend the meeting to fill out pa- perwork, swear in new officers and learn about the upcoming changes and plans for the new year. Our Happy New Year! Here it is 2018. We ended the own Patricia Winfield was sworn in year with some place getting a light snow again as Chapter Treasurer. Randy and and started the new year with a deep freeze. Kathy Reese have officially started Needless to say our annual Polar Bear Ride their year as International Couple of was all Polar Bear and no ride. the Year!

That did not stop 23 of us, The District Rally will be split into 2 locations this year, including 5 guests from with some ceremonies and events at the Washington on the Brazos State Park and the rest of the events meeting up at Dale's Es- and vendors being at the (323760) Washington Coun- senhaus in Walburg for a ty Fairgrounds in Brenham. delicious lunch and visit- ing with friends. The District Rally is May 17th – May 19th . The theme is “Wingin’ Back in History” and it will include many We were seated in a separate dining room in riding tours, activities and more vendors this year. As far as the upcoming changes to GWRRA go, we don't the back and we pretty much filled it up. The know too much right now because they are still work- staff took good care of us and the food came ing out many of the details and fine tuning with things out hot and delicious. still changing, but information will be sent out as soon as it is available. The District Education days have We spent about 2 th th hours visiting, eating been changed from February to March 10 and 11 in Killeen Texas at the Texas A&M Campus. Everybody and discussing some mark your calendars and let's get 2018 started. upcoming Chapter events and business. Everyone had a good time and good food before depart- ing and going our separate ways. If you did not make it we missed you and hope to see you next time.

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Membership Enhancement Coordinator Dawn Sprague

OH YEAH — CHAPTER O

It was a "Bummer" that our Monthly Chapter Meet- ing was cancelled for Jan. 16th. I do hope that every- body stayed warm!! BIRTHDAYS February 3 ♦ Cathy C There are a few scheduled events coming up so don't February 4 ♦ Harry B forget to mark your calendars. February 2 ♦ Rosie G

Remember, if you bring a "Door Prize" to our chapter gathering, you get a FREE 50/50 Ticket!!!

Our Annual Bluebonnet Rally is just around the cor- ner. We still need donated items for our Silent Auc- tion plus donated items for our Door Prizes.

See Everyone at our February 20th Meeting.

Til then, Stay Warm! ANNIVERSARIES Texas District Rally We have no anniversaries to celebrate this month. “Winging Back in History” May 17-19,2018 “A wedding anniversary is the celebration of love, trust, partnership, tolerance and tenacity. The order varies for any given Opening Ceremonies year.”

May 17, 2018 Washington On the Brazos State Park

District Rally Washington County Fair Grounds Brenham,TX GWRRA ANNIVERSARIES Corner of E. Blue Bell Rd 1988 ♦ Steven T & Old Independence Rd 2002 ♦ Randy R 2010 ♦ Lyle A Hotel Info: http://www.gwrra-tx.org/2018Rally.htm

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Scratch Texas District That Education Weekend Itch!

Dexter Poullard

FRIENDS: For a couple of months I suffered from an itch that, no matter what I did around the house, I couldn’t scratch it. Creating saw dust in my shop didn’t scratch it. Customizing a new cargo trailer March 10-11, 2018 didn’t scratch it. This “itch” was so bad that I laid out my cold TAMU Central Texas weather gear on the bed in a guest room on Christmas Eve in anticipation of the January 1st Po- Killeen, Texas lar Bear Ride. Well, two days ago, I finally scratched that itch. Two days of educational seminars and riding courses. We are still working on the final schedule, but you can expect to see the following offered: FUN: I rode through San Marcos ARC, TRC, Road Captain Course/s, Medic First Aid/ to Post Road and picked up FM 150, west of Kyle. I rode it to the CPR, and various modules from Goldwing University. intersection of FM 12 near Drip- There will be no charge for the modules but the riding ping Springs. Somewhere around courses and MFA/CPR will have a nominal fee to cover Driftwood I noticed that my hel- expenses and materials. These courses will be first met’s cheek pads were hurting come/first served so be on the lookout for a registration but, I wasn’t about to stop. I turned left on FM 12 and rode form (including lodging information) in early February. that through Wimberly to FM 32 and turned right. If you have any questions, please contact: Unfortunately, while riding the Devil’s Backbone, my helmet was hurting so badly that I had to pull over at a scenic over- Randy Reese • TX District Educator look and remove it. It was then that I realized that the pain [email protected] • 512-744-3635 was not being caused by my helmet at all. The pain was the result of wearing a stupid grin on my face since I left the house. (I wonder if anyone looking at me noticed my grin.) Back on the bike, I turned my grin into a serious, mean What is “biker” look. I turned off FM32 on to FM 473 through Ken- dalia and to FM 474 to Boerne. OH – OOH, here comes that pain again! HWY 46 out of Boerne gently swept me southeast 40 to Phoenix to New Braunfels and placed me on HWY 1102 – which brought me home. What an enjoyable ride!

SAFETY & KNOWLEDGE: Prior to leaving to scratch the Hello Texas Riders! itch, I installed lower Wind Wings on the engine guards and a new accessory called “Perfect Ride Handguards.” Both As your 2017 International Couple of the Year, Kathy worked as intended and both will be removed when the and I have decided to participate in the 9th annual 40 to weather gets warmer. The handguards were great for blocking Phoenix ride this year and we want to invite you to the wind from my hands and I changed from my full cold weather gloves to my perforated summer gloves. I only felt join us! What is 40 to Phoenix? A ride across 12 states, the air temperature but no wind. 4 regions, and 2 countries. This year’s ride is scheduled for April 10-18. It starts in Wilmington NC and ends at On the negative side, and this is just my opinion, they are too GWRRA headquarters in Phoenix with a big party and expensive ($160.00), they block the mirror view of what is tour of GWRRA headquarters scheduled for April 19th. directly behind the bike and, now that I look at them mounted on my bike, they are downright ugly! I color matched mine to The ride also has an optional side trip after that going to the trike but, to me, they just don’t belong on or fit the Wing. Chula Vista CA and Tijuana Mexico afterwards. So, my friends, if you are suffering from the “Haven’t Been Riding Itch,” get out and scratch it. Trust me, nothing you We plan to meet the group about halfway through the may attempt to do to scratch it will work until you throw your ride when they arrive in Amarillo on Sunday, April 15 leg over the saddle and just go! Just be warned, if your face and ride with them to Phoenix where we will return to begins to hurt, it’s not your helmet. Texas afterwards. Registration is free until Feb 1 at the site: http://40tophoenix.org/.

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February 2018 GWRRA Texas Chapter O Newsletter www.goldwingaustin.org RIDER EDUCATOR MOTORIST AWARENESS Texas District COORDINATORS Randy & Kathy Reese Texas District Scott & Judy Finnell That Vision Thing

A “visionary” is someone who has the ability to evaluate current information, use it to project likely developments in the future, and Let’s Resolve to Make the Roads Safer for Motorcyclist take effective action today to manage future events and avoid hav- ing those events manage them. Former President George H.W. Well, are you ready for 2018? It’s hard to believe that Bush famously referred to this ability as the “Vision Thing.” And another year has passed. As we begin a new year, take a the Vision Thing also can apply to riding a motorcycle. minute to think back on 2017. Did you start that new year with dreams or goals? Did you achieve what you set out to Anyone who has taken the Basic Rider Course knows a motorcycle accomplish or settle for something less. Often at the be- goes where you look, and effective cornering depends on a rider ginning of a new year people will make resolutions. Some “looking through” the curve. But in many ways, that only scratches people want to lose weight. Others want to quit smoking, the surface of the “Motorcycle Vision Thing” for riders. read more or spend more time with family. Over the years I’ve made many resolutions. Some have been easy to Focusing your sight on the proper “primary” and “secondary” tar- reach and others have been very difficult. This year my gets is important both to achieving a smooth and effective riding personal resolutions are running related. I want to finish technique and mitigating the dangers incumbent in riding a motor- my 100th marathon (I only have 4 more to go) and hit the cycle on the street. Primary targets are those of the highest priority, 75,000 logged miles mark (I have about 1500 miles left to and they demand a rider’s immediate, primary focus. Secondary targets, on the other hand, should be monitored by a rider’s second- do that). Unless I get injured, these really aren’t stretch ary focus, or peripheral vision. For example, when a rider suddenly goals for me. My stretch goal for this year is more im- detects a pothole or other road hazard in his or her peripheral vi- portant but also more ambiguous. That goal for me is to sion, that hazard should, immediately, become a primary target. embrace the next stage of life. Don’t read too much into But instead of fixating on that hazard, the rider should visualize this. I feel great and I’m as healthy as a horse (as far as I and focus on the best path to avoid it. After the danger has passed, know). But I’ll be 62 this year, my mom died shortly after riders should then refocus their attention to the new primary target Thanksgiving (which really makes you aware of your own (i.e., the one with the highest priority). mortality) and I can’t run near as fast or ride near as long as I did 20 years ago. Ready or not, I’ve moved into a new In the absence of an immediate threat, riders generally should focus stage of life. Embracing it seems a lot healthier than as far down the road as their sightline allows, but also keep their fighting it or denying it. eyes roving 360 degrees (by using their mirrors) to detect potential dangers. The farther ahead you focus, the easier it is for your brain So what does all of this have to do with GWRRA Texas to process what you are seeing. It’s as if your bike’s forward mo- District’s Motorist Awareness Program? Glad you ask. tion is progressing at a slower pace. Focusing closer to the front Just as we have personally evolved over the years, wheel makes the activity being processed by the brain seem to be GWRRA MAP has as well. For me the vision of MAP is happening much faster. This often results in jerky rider inputs that no motorcyclist will be in an accident with another through the handlebars, brakes, and throttle and less time to detect vehicle. In order to move from the reality of today to that and avoid hazards. utopian vision, we have to make sure that all motorists are aware of every motorcycle on the road. This is a stretch Let’s consider another example of how this riding technique should work. When riding in a group, particularly if it’s tightly packed, goal to say the least. (075282) So what can our chapters there’s a tendency for riders to focus on the motorcycle directly in do to help? Consider this, resolve to have at least one front of them, making it their primary target. Because the following MAP activity each month. Remember, you can use your rider is not focusing on the road ahead, he or she is constantly chapter rides as an activity if you have positive interactions braking, accelerating, and erratically executing corners. If, instead, with the public along the way. I don’t know of any chapter the road becomes the following rider’s primary focus, and the other that can’t do this. If you are up for a more challenging riders ahead are placed in peripheral vision, the following rider will goal, consider doing a training each quarter for a commu- be smoother and safer. nity group. These are my resolutions for our small chap- ter. If you are a member of a large and active chapter, A rider can practice sharpening up their peripheral vision even consider doing a community training once a month. when they’re not riding. For example, while walking down a side- walk, try to pick out details in your surroundings without looking I don’t know what the appropriate goal is for your chapter, at them directly. With a little practice, riders can master the Motor- but know that every time you have a motorist awareness cycle Vision Thing and improve their riding technique and safety. activity, you have made the roads safer for all of us. I am ready to help. Let me know how I can assist so that work- Partial reprint of the RoadRUNNER Motorcycle Touring & Travel ing together we can make Texas roads safer for all motor- Magazine May 2009 e-newsletter, permitted by RoadRUNNER. cyclist. All The Gear All The Time Ride safe. 6 February 2018 GWRRA Texas Chapter O Newsletter www.goldwingaustin.org Dot Robinson, meanwhile, rode and raced in the Kathy Reese 1930s, 1940s and 1950s. In fact, she is credited with Newsletter Editor opening the door for women in organized competition. For my women’s article this month, I have pulled an article from the Following World War II, increasing numbers of women AMA website. It is really interest- got involved in motorcycling. Margaret Wilson was ing. among them, logging more than 550,000 miles on mo- torcycles and demonstrating that women are just as passionate about the sport as men. Women Motorcycling History Making Their Mark: From the Early Years to In the modern era, Debbie Evans is considered one of Today Hollywood’s top motorcycle stunt women. She also was a pioneer in observed trials competition, a sport that In the early days of motorcycling -- around the late calls for expertise on a narrow, marked, twisty maze of 1800s and early 1900s when were a course. She successfully competed in U.S. trials in little more than bicycles with motors attached -- the late 1970s. Americans bought the machines for transportation, not recreation. Families who could not afford cars These are women who have made significant contribu- could still afford motorcycles so it wasn't all that tions to motorcycling and who have earned places in uncommon to see women riders. the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame on the AMA campus in Pickerington, Ohio. There are other women who The price difference between a motorcycle and a have made their marks, such as motocross champion car was substantial. A 1909 Harley-Davidson mo- Ashley Fiolek land-speed world record holder Leslie torcycle cost about $325 while a basic Ford Model Porterfield, who may, one day, earn their own spots in T was priced at a hefty $850 -- about one year’s that hallowed Hall. salary in those days. Fiolek began riding 50cc minicycles at age 7 and began But with assembly-line production, Ford got the her racing career in 2008. In her five years as a profes- price of a Model T down to $440 in 1915, putting sional, she won four AMA Women’s National Champi- cars within reach of many more people. As the onships and two ESPN X Games Gold Medals. She is price dropped to just $380 in 1927, even more cars also the first woman to ride for a professional factory were sold, and, as a result, fewer motorcycles. race team. What makes her story especially remarka- ble is that she is profoundly deaf. Since that time, motorcycles have been chosen primarily for recreation and primarily by men. De- Porterfield holds three land-speed records and is a spite those developments, pioneering women rid- member of the Bonneville 200-mph club. She was ers – including Augusta and Adeline Van Buren, named the 2008 AMA Racing Female Rider of the Year. Theresa Wallach and Bessie Stringfield – made their marks in the motorcycling world. The number of women riders in America is growing dai- ly, according to the Motorcycle Industry Council. In The Van Buren sisters were among the first to ride 2003, an estimated 9.6 percent of the motorcycle own- coast to coast, traveling aboard an Indian Power ers in America were women. For 2015, that number Plus in 1916. They were also the first women to grew to 14 percent and of ride motorized vehicles to the summit of Pikes course is even higher to- Peak, accomplishing that feat in the same year. day.

In the 1930s and 1940s, Theresa Wallach of Eng- There are more women in land became well known for racing and long- motorcycling than ever be- distance riding, besides serving as a dispatch rider fore. But every woman, for the British Army during World War II. from the very first who slid onto the seat of a motorcy- Back in America, African-American Bessie String- cle to the Fioleks and Por- field made eight solo cross-country trips during the terfields of today, has 1930s and 1940s, riding her motorcycle in the made a contribution to the Deep South at a time when it risky to do so. world of motorcycling.

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CAMPING INFORMATION ON NEXT PAGE

February 2018 GWRRA Texas Chapter O Newsletter www.goldwingaustin.org

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Chapter ‘O’ Team Texas District Team GWRRA National Team

Chapter Director District Director President & Wingman Lyle & Sheri Altes • 512-897-0860 Jim & Alvalin Woodul • 254-634-4658 Anita & JR Alkire • 623-445-2680 [email protected] Assistant Director Assistant Director Ken and Teri Burnett • 512-497-1259 Dan & Donna Rymarz • 847-702-6667 Director of Rider Education Tim & Anna Grimes • 301-994-1394 Secretary/Treasurer Assistant Director [email protected] Tricia Winfield • 512-576-9985 Tom & Dawn Sprague • 858-755-6071 Director of Membership Enhancement District Rider Educators Membership Enhancement Dawn Sprague • 512-301-3092 Randy & Kathy Reese • 512-744-3635 Larry & Penny Anthony • 205-492-9728 [email protected] Ride Coordinator Ride Coordinator Ken Burnett • 512-497-1259 Open Director of GWRRA University Clara & Fred Boldt • 641-484-5140 Couple of the Year 2017-2018 Assistant Educator [email protected] Tom & Dawn Sprague • 858-755-6071 Chris Schoenthal • 972-660-6286 Director of Finance Newsletter Editor Treasurer Randall & Janet Drake • 303-933-6073 Kathy Reese • 512-848-3144 Tim Brooks • 254-290-5462 [email protected]

Ways and Means District Trainer Director of Motorist Awareness John & Wanda Osborn • 512-528-8105 Open Mike & Barri Critzman • 760-486-3405 [email protected] Webmaster Assistant District Trainer Lyle Altes • 512-897-0860 Jim Scholes • 832-627-8423 Executive Director Overseas Dan & Rachel Sanderovich Camping Coordinator MEC Coordinators 942-542-300-311 Tom Sprague • 512-301-3092 Lyle and Sheri Altes • 512-897-0860 [email protected]

Seamstress COY Coordinators Gayle Thomas • 512-832-9559 Dale & Carleen Garrett • 254-554-4123

Merchandise Coordinator CHOY Coordinator John & Wanda Osborn • 512-528-8105 Sheri Altes • 512-415-1920

Chapter of the Year Coordinator 2016-2017 COY Kathy Reese • 512-848-3144 Sal & Phylis Pesta • 210-662-8161

Motor Awareness Coordinator Vendor Coordinator Randy Reese • 512-744-3635 Michael Pineda • 210-707-6071

Newsletter Editor/Webmaster Tom Sprague • 858-755-6071

Motorist Awareness Coordinator Scott & Judy Finnell • 512-591-7631

Chapter “O” Monthly Gathering Want to experience “Friends for Fun, Safety and Knowledge” first hand?

Chapter O’s February 2018 Gathering will be Tuesday, February 20, 2018, at Thomas Buffet, 9710 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78753 (2 blocks north of Rundberg Ln. on west side). Come join us at 6:00 pm to eat and visit with your friends. The meeting will start at 7:00 pm.

Please see page 2 for our Ride Calendar of Events.

For more information, we encourage you to contact any of our team members or visit our websites (links to all are provided on this page).

Wondering why you should join GWRRA? Check out the benefits you will enjoy! 11 February 2018 GWRRA Texas Chapter O Newsletter www.goldwingaustin.org OUROUR SPONSORSSPONSORS

11900 IH 10 West—San Antonio, Texas 78230—(210) 696-2000 YAMAHA POLARIS KAWASAKI HONDA

Friends For FUN SAFETY AND KNOWLEDGE

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Gold Wing Road Riders Association Texas Chapter O

GWRRA Motto.. Friends for Fun, Safety, Knowledge Ride Safe in 2013

Lyle and Sheri Altes 7619 Holly Oak Circle Austin, TX 78744

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