JUNE 2011 HOGHOGHOG EXPRESSEXPRESSEXPRESS BIGGS CHAPTER #0270 NORTH SAN DIEGO COUNTY H.O.G. Next Chapter CHAPTER CHALLENGE Meeting is Friday JUNE 10, 2011 7:00PM GOES TO … BIGGS! HOG Express Editor: Mary S Asst Editor & Photog: Pat L Road Crew: HOG Officers, Black Sheep, Dave Y San Diego HOG Spring Into Summer Ride Biggs Harley-Davidson 1040 Los Vallecitos Blvd. Suite 113, San Marcos, CA (800) 4-Harley Director We are in the middle of another great riding year. Our Activities Committee has done a very nice job of filling our calendar with interesting rides of varying lengths. They have really listened to the chapter and responded to what the membership wants. The results are shown in the popularity of the local rides. And what can I say about the long distance rides? Other chapters are even copying our rides, down to the same routes and hotels. As Bill E says, “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.” (Well, he might not have actually said that, but I’m sure he would agree!) Our chapter is gaining a reputation for our enthusiasm and our focus on our core mission of riding and having fun. One indicator of our enthusiasm is how we all come out to the large events we put on our calendar. Last month we had the May Ride and the San Diego HOG Spring into Summer Poker Run. Our chapter came out in force and won the chapter challenges at both events. On a special note, Clint A of the May Ride actually named the May Ride chapter challenge after our own Tom M. From now on the perpetual trophy for that chapter challenge will have Tom’s name at the top. It was so special to me that we took that chapter challenge. Presentation of May Ride “Tom Mattingly” Challenge Trophy Speaking of chapter challenges, we have one more big chapter challenge on the horizon. This June 26 is the Sweetwater HOG 4th Annual Reservoir Poker Run. This is a great ride, and typically ends back at their dealership, with food, music and prizes and all of the festivities conducted on the roof of the building! How unique is that? Preregistration for this event will be closed by the time you read this, but by special arrangement, they have extended the cutoff just for us. Thanks to this extension, you can register at our chapter meeting, June 10th at the preregistration rate of $20. Thanks to Sweetwater HOG for accommodating us. See you on the road ! Don A Assistant Director Hello Biggs Chapter! May was a very busy month for our Chapter. In two weekends alone we had six events in five days. On May 21 we had the May Ride and the Costa Mesa Speedway Ride. Then on May 22 we had the SD HOG Spring into Summer Ride. On May 28 we had the Joshua Tree Ride, followed by the Warner Springs Glider Ride on May 29. And on May 30 we had the Memorial Day Ride to Fort Rosecrans. Great job by our Activities Committee, and hopefully there was at least one or two events that captured your interest, and you came out to enjoy with the Biggs family. Oh, and by the way, Biggs won the Chapter Challenges for the May Ride and the SD HOG Spring into Summer Ride. WhooHoo! We kept our Chapter Challenge win streak alive! The next Chapter Challenge will be our biggest test yet. The Sweetwater HOG Reservoir Run. Both SD HOG and Temecula HOG Directors spoke to Don and me, and they are both vowing to beat Biggs at the Sweetwater event. Are we going to let that happen? I hope not. These events are always a lot of fun, usually taking us on roads that we don’t know or have not ridden a lot. Sweetwater’s event should be a lot of fun, and it would be cool if we could beat both SD and Temecula now that they have vowed to beat us. I have heard a few comments that a few of our members think we are pushing the Chapter Challenges too hard. So let me give you my thoughts on this (and this is only my opinion and does not mean that I am right). The principles that HOG is founded on are simple: Ride and Have Fun. At these chapter challenge poker runs we ride and we have fun. Like I stated earlier, during these events, we usually ride roads that are less familiar to us. We get to see new sites and scenery. That in itself is a lot of fun. Usually there is a lunch that is provided, and we all know that this chapter has a lot of fun eating. We get to pull poker cards to see if we can win any prizes, and I am sure the winners are having a lot of fun. By attending these events, we are also supporting our brothers and sisters of the Chapter that is putting on the event, which will hopefully translate into them supporting Biggs Chapter at our Spring into Summer event. And finally what’s really cool is that we get to socialize with other HOG members from other Chapters, possibly making new friends that share the same passion for riding in the process. To me that should be the third HOG principle: Making new friends. So these events do fit within the basic HOG principles, which is why we encourage Biggs members to support these events if you can. And so far the turnout by Biggs members to support these events has been outstanding. If you can make these rides, which in turn helps Biggs win these Chapter Challenges, Great! And if you can’t make these rides, not a problem. It’s your choice. We will never ask anyone to go on a ride they don’t want to do. We’ll just look for you on some of the other 120 rides we do in a year! If you think my opinion needs adjustment, please shoot me an email at [email protected]. As your servants, the Officers are always open to input from our superiors, which is you, the members. Till we ride together again my brothers and sisters…..I can’t wait…… Chris W Mom’s Apple Pie Ride ROAD CAPTAIN You have heard the term " Own your own Safety" during our pre-ride briefs. What does it mean? Well, it means you are responsible for the operation of your scooter. Hold yourself accountable for the safe operation when traveling with the HOG Chapter. Do not let the group mentality override your ability to safely control your scooter in turns, at intersections or when maneuvering within the group (i.e. lane changes). Clear your own path, look ahead (SEE) for obstacles. Now what it does not mean is "Ride your own ride"! You still need to conform and ride within the group policies set forth in the Group Riding Manual. Keep your interval, send signals back and watch your mirrors for any actions behind you. By far the most important is interval. We ride in accordance with MSF guidelines and keep the 2 second interval, to the bike in front of you, when riding in staggered formation. Also remember the 1 second interval to the bike diagonal to you. Keep the 1 second interval to the diagonal bike even though the bike in front of you is greater than 2 seconds. We keep the formation tight to try to prevent cages from entering the formation. By lengthening the interval you hinder the Sweep in performing his/her duties. We have provisions for those riders who may be uncomfortable in formation riding. Typically we have you ride just behind the lead Road Guard. This allows the Lead to adjust to you. We want you to enjoy yourselves so help us by letting the Road Guards in charge of your group know so we can adjust the ride. And if you have any questions, come to Formation-101 Saturday morning after the Chapter Meeting and get a refresher on how we do it and bring your questions. Until the next ride. Sam B 2011 PRIMARY OFFICERS DIRECTOR - Don A [email protected] ASSISTANT DIRECTOR - Chris W [email protected] SECRETARY - Michele DeS [email protected] TREASURER - Jeff W [email protected] 2011 SECONDARY OFFICERS AMBASSADOR - Lui S [email protected] ACTIVITIES COORDINATOR - Todd M [email protected] CALENDAR COORDINATOR - Bill T [email protected] LONG DISTANCE - Bill E [email protected] ACTIVITIES LOCAL - Dale & Linda D, Kimi M, Pat K, Cort S [email protected] EDITOR - Mary S [email protected] HISTORIAN - Dale M [email protected] LOH - Rosann T [email protected] LOH ACTIVITIES - Jennifer T [email protected] MEMBERSHIP - Pat L [email protected] PHOTOGRAPHER - Pat L [email protected] MILITARY - Nancy M [email protected] PUBLIC RELATIONS - Barbara W [email protected] ROAD CAPTAIN - Sam B [email protected] ASSISTANT ROAD CAPT - Bill E [email protected] ROAD GUARD AT LARGE – Dale M SAFETY - Jim L [email protected] ASSISTANT SAFETY – Jim W VOLUNTEERS - Jim W [email protected] ASSISTANT VOLUNTEER - Michelle M [email protected] WEBMASTER - Marty McN [email protected] LONG DISTANCE Grove, on the Monterrey Peninsula, at will visit Arlen Ness’s factory in Dublin a resort called the Lighthouse Lodge and Suites that Phil found; and he was able to get great room rates. Apache Junction, AZ 3/25-28 Zion / Bryce UT 6/3-6 and then cross some of San Francisco’s bridges before returning California Coast 7/28-8/1 Kanab UT, North Rim 9/23-26 Although this is a popular trip, it is Santa Maria CA 11/4-7 also a trip for the more experienced riders.