The Blue Ridge Breeze - BMW Motorcycles of Asheville

The
Blue Ridge
Breeze
A Publication of the Asheville BMW Riders
August - 2014
BMWMOA Club #353 & BMWRA Club #339
Schedule of Club Events
8/2
Saturday
9am Social Gathering
Asheville - Eurosport Asheville
30 Bryson Street, Asheville, NC 28803
9/6
Saturday
9am Social Gathering
Asheville - Eurosport Asheville
30 Bryson Street, Asheville, NC 28803
Sunday
9am Social Gathering
9/16 Tuesday 7 pm Club Meeting –
South Asheville – Katuah Market
Club Anniversary Party
2 Hendersonville, Rd, Asheville, NC 28803
Eurosport Asheville
30 Bryson Street, Asheville, NC 28803
8/19 Tuesday 7 pm Club Meeting –
Presentation TBD
9/21 Sunday
9am Social Gathering
Eurosport Asheville
South Asheville – Katuah Market
30 Bryson Street, Asheville, NC 28803
2 Hendersonville, Rd, Asheville, NC 28803
8/17
10/4
Saturday
9am Social Gathering
Asheville - Eurosport Asheville
30 Bryson Street, Asheville, NC 28803
10/19 Sunday
9am Social Gathering
South Asheville – Katuah Market
2 Hendersonville, Rd, Asheville, NC 28803
The Blue Ridge Breeze
August 2014 Page | 2
Mark Your Calendars
August 8-10
37th ANNUAL DAN’L BOONE RALLY
Boone, NC
September 26-28
www.carolinasbmwmoa.org
This is the 37th Annual Dan’l Boone Rally, held at
the KOA Campground in Boone, NC. It offers
some of the best motorcycle roads east of the
Mississippi River with three contiguous states to
make scenic loop routes. Ride the Blue Ridge
Parkway and High Country of North Carolina or
head for the roads in SW Virginia and NE
Tennessee. Try out a variety of challenging and
fun GS rides, all within easy distance of the
campground.
http://www.bmwmchr.org/rally.htm
This rally will be in conjunction with the Military
Aviation Museum's "Wings and Wheels" event,
with hundreds of antique cars and the best
collection of vintage military aircraft on display
(some flying). Our charity poker ride to benefit
Tidewater Search and Rescue on Saturday will
include a ticket to the event. Otherwise, just hang
out at the North Landing Beach Campground in
Virginia Beach or ride some of the great roads in
the area, such as the road tothe Currituck Ferry to
the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Preregistration is $50, onsite will be $55.
August 26-29
15th Curve Cowboy Reunion
Chattanooga, TN
http://www.curvecowboyreunion.com/
CCR 2014 is in Chattanooga! At the first CCR
gathering in 2000, an onlooker called the
participants a “Bunch of Curve Cowboys!” The
name stuck. These folks only knew each other
virtually but decided yearly in person meetings
would be fun and a great excuse to do some
distance adventuring. These BMW riders hail
from all over the country and share an interest in
solo and two-up touring. They agreed that
advancing rider education, and doing some
charity work at each year’s host location would
give them added purpose.
September 19-21
Ride the Blue Ridge with the Knobbies Rally
http://www.knobbies.org/Site/Rally.html
We are happy to invite you to the 5th Annual
RIDE the BLUE RIDGE with the Knob Mountain
NC Motorcycle Chapter (Knobbies). The rally site
is Catawba Meadows Park in Morganton. There is
easy access to Interstate 40, and the best riding
in the southeastern United States, including the
Blue Ridge Parkway, the Snake, the Dragon, and
many more roads that have not yet been
"named".
Beemers and Warbirds Rally
October 3-5
Overland Expo East
This event will occupy the Taylor Ranch, just off
Cane Creek Road in Fletcher. Put it on your
calendar and plan to attend. Expected to be
smaller the first year or two, plans are to expand
as has happened at Mormon Lake near Flagstaff.
This great adventure motorcycle and four-wheeldrive event is sure to put Asheville OnThe Map!
http://www.overlandexpo.com/
Random Moto Photo
The Blue Ridge Breeze August 2014
President’s Message
Page |3
Knowing Ursula, she may never call on us, but I
feel it might ease her mind knowing she has a
By Jim McMains
“motorcycle family” that she can depend on if the
need arises. The old saying, “Many hands can
August 2014
make heavy work light” can make a difference,
especially for her.
This message of mine
I am still in shock over this recent loss of ours,
for August marks our
as
it
hits very close to home. It is a reminder that
3rd year as a club. We
we are here on this earth for a short time and
decided a few months
should make every minute count. I know that I
back to move our 3 year
take it for granted sometimes when getting upset
anniversary party to
by something or putting something off, thinking
September to allow for
I will get to it another day. Each time I experience
summer vacationing
members to be able to attend. We look forward to a loss like this; it is a gentle reminder to love life
and live it to its fullest. I intend to try and be
that celebration. The July meeting is behind
vigilant in that attitude and hope that you all will
us and we had a very nice turnout for the
presentation of the fund raising check to the Blue as well.
We still have half the summer left, so I hope
Ridge Parkway Foundation and the excellent talk
each
and every one of you do the things that
given by Carolyn Ward. I also want to thank Gary
make you happy. Go out and experience all the
and Linda Cox for generously picking up the tab
things that call to you and make “time” for your
on all the food that was provided that night. We
had some really great Firehouse Sub sandwiches family and friends. That “time” is as precious as
and the sides to go with them. The Stewart family those family members and friends, so don’t waste
either.
was kind enough to pick up and deliver it for
See you down the road,
Them/us and leftovers were plentiful. Again,
Jim
thanks to all who provided for us that night in the
[email protected]
way of food and knowledge.
We have really come a long way in the
formation of this club over these last few years
and look forward to many more good times
The ABMWR
together. There have been many great
Members of our club share many things
presentations at meetings, group gatherings,
in common, including a love of riding,
social events, rallies and fundraisers, as well as
being outdoors, a fondness for BMW
impromptu rides.
motorcycles regardless of type or age,
An almost common denominator at all of these
and the camaraderie of our sport. We
was the attendance of our club secretary Kent.
are a social club, focused on riding, and
This will no longer be the case…I know that all of
take full advantage of our area’s
you have heard of his recent passing. We will all
beautiful roads and scenery. Although
feel this loss, none more so than our own club
member, and his spouse, Ursula. As a Club and
our club is based in North Carolina,
personally as a friend I want us to take the time to
membership and participation from all
show her our feelings for her loss and to also
surrounding areas are encouraged.
offer her any support she may need here in the
For membership information, view our
future.
website at www.abmwr.org or drop us a
I will be reaching out to all of you so I can
line at ABMWR
come up with a list of volunteers that she can call
PO Box 5103
on if she needs a hand with anything. My request
Asheville, NC 28813
will come by email and if you think you may be
able to help out if needed, please respond back,
and you will be added.
The Blue Ridge Breeze
August 2014 Page | 4
July Meeting
By Gary Cox
The July meeting was very well attended with
over 40 people enjoying the opportunity to visit
and excellent Sandwiches, Salads, beverages
and cookies from Fire House Subs.
There was a balanced mixture of sadness and joy
at this meeting. There was sad news that our
dear friend and fellow club member, Kent Skoug,
had passed in a motorcycle accident while
traveling. Joy was found in presenting the fund
raising proceeds from the High Pass Boogie to
Carolyn Ward (CEO) and Willa Mays (CDO) of
the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation. The High
Pass Boogie raised $5200 for the Foundation,
and John Koenig, Stew Stewart, and Thomas
Montgomery presented the check to Carolyn.
After receiving the donation Carolyn gave a
presentation on ways the Foundation supports the
Blue Ridge Parkway and the many various projects
which promote Parkway use and guest experience
and comfort. Proceeds from the High Pass Boogie
will be used to complete a parking area, rest room
facilities and information boards at the Graveyard
Fields hiking area. Our club will be recognized with a
magnet on the site’s donors’ board. Carolyn also
presented the club and dealership with a very nice
Blue Parkway Foundation sign.
Last but not least, we want to acknowledge all of
those involved in making the High Pass Boogie a
successful event that was able to generate a
sizeable donation to the Blue Parkway
Foundation for a local project. Thank you to all
the participants and volunteers. Also, we give a
special Thank You to the Stewart family for being
the largest single contributors, and also to
Eurosport Asheville and Thomas Montgomery for
sponsoring the Boogie and providing a fantastic
starting point!
The Blue Ridge Breeze August 2014
Page |5
July’s Social Gatherings
There was a great turn out for both of the social
gatherings in July! Asheville BMW Riders made
good use of the local roads for beautiful rides,
good food, and most of all great companionship.
This is an exciting club that likes to get out and
ride the some of the best motorcycling roads in
the world. Let the pictures tell the story.
Special Thanks to Perry Hebard, our official club
photographer, for all the great meeting and ride shots
The Blue Ridge Breeze
VP Report
By John Koenig
Hi Folks,
Man, I still miss
Kent. He’s been
such an integral
part of many of our lives, and he has touched
almost every one of us club members. The guy
has definitely left a void. I could write paragraphs
about him, but two sentences by family and
friends, assembled by his son Jim Skoug, say it
all. “Kent was such a friendly, easy going,
intelligent and interesting person. We feel
fortunate to have had him in our lives.”
August 2014 Page | 6
On a different note, I’m happy to report that we’ve
gotten some great press since our awarding of
$5200 to the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation at
the July meeting. Go to brpfoundation.org; click
on “news” then check out articles on the High
Pass Boogie and the Graveyard Fields Ribbon
Cutting. Good Stuff!
I am also thrilled to announce that there will be a
2nd annual Blue Ridge High Pass Boogie event!
Mark your calendars now for Saturday, May 16,
2015. Your Board of Directors has voted
unanimously to run it again. With your help, I’ll be
honored to work as the Event Director again.
Please let me know if any of you want to help in a
particular area of expertise.
Meanwhile, enjoy the rest of this great summer
for riding. Good fortune to you in your rambling
about.
And we must all go on. We’ve had a few mishaps
and situations this summer already, both within
our club and in neighboring clubs. It’s given some John
of us a “call to action” kind of alert. Should we all
be toning it down just a notch? Should we be
better prepared when going out for that next ride?
Who’s Who
More rested, more organized, better protected, or
Board of Directors
have our affairs in better order? I, for one, am
revisiting the whole concept of emergency contact
Jim McMains, President
information and such. We’ve discussed this
John Koenig, Vice President
before, but sometimes we become sloppy.
, Secretary
Dan Falkenstein, Treasurer
On the same subject of safety and preparedness,
Gary Cox, News Letter Editor
I’d like to remind everyone of group riding safety,
Dan Thompson, Merchandising Director
period. We’ve published tips, charts and
Phil Weinmann, Webmaster
suggestions in past newsletters, but maybe it’s
Perry Hebard, Club Photographer
time for a little “group riding” update. I’ve
Sergeant at Arms
experienced some strange things happening on
some club rides lately. Fidgeting and screwing
Adam Stewart
around with devices on the bikes; Lack of
Ride Captains
attention to the road; Riders almost running into
Stew Stewart
each other; Riders wanting to play Ricky-Racer.
In addition to the basic rules of group riding, we
all need to show up for a ride with our heads
screwed on right. You’ll hear more from me in the
future, as I really think this needs revisiting.
Meanwhile, be sure to concentrate and live in the
moment.
The Blue Ridge Breeze August 2014
Editor’s Ramblings
By Gary Cox
SUMMER RAMBLINGS
Honestly, rambling may be
about the best that I can
manage this month. It has
been a bit of a hard month in
some ways, with two
different people that I know
dying in motorcycle crashes.
The first was a friend of my
family, and the other of
course was Kent Skoug. Both of these fine people had
a great passion for motorcycling, and will be missed
by many.
Since I don’t like to dwell on the sadness, July also
has provided some wonderful times that I will not soon
forget. I really enjoyed the July club meeting when we
presented the check to the Blue Ridge Parkway
Foundation, I/we always enjoying coming to the
meetings and hanging out with everyone. Then there
was the Sunday social gathering where six of us
headed out with the destination of Roan Mountain and
took some of the most fantastic back roads in the
area. The great thing about this club is that it pulls so
many people from different areas together and
“someone” always knows a new back road. On the
way back from Roan Mountain heading back home in
Johnson City, a guest rider rom Elizabethton treated
us to a “new to me” road called “Old Rail Road Grade
Rd.” This patch of pavement mostly parallels US 19E
between the town of Roan Mtn. and Hampton, TN. It
was part of the now abandoned Tweetsie Rail Road
line traveling between Johnson City, TN and Boone,
NC. The cool part (for me at least) is the pavement
literally covers the old rail road bed, running beside a
creek and through narrow cuts in the cliff walls. It’s
narrow and caution is necessary due to 2-way traffic
but what a beautiful little side road!!
There was also a ride that Linda and I did from
Johnson City over to Valle Crucis stopping at Elk
River Falls and the Mast General Store. On the way
back we found the “Old Hwy 421,” which is a nice little
detour. Lastly, there was the 200 plus mile day of
dual sport riding that I did between Hot Springs and
Paint Creek using all sorts for forest service roads
leading to fire towers to explore.
Page |7
Yet another direction of rambling: It is great to see
new members coming into the club!. We’ve been over
200 members strong for a while and now we’ve
reached member number 300, and that is pretty cool!
Reflecting on this also reminds me that membership
renewals will be coming around soon, so keep an eye
for that. Let’s keep this club growing and getting
better.
Let me finish my ramblings by saying that it is hot out
there riding and remember to stop to drink plenty of
water. Being dehydrated on a motorcycle is not a
good thing, so please be safe.
Looking forward to more spectacular rides,
Gary
Welcome New Members
Geoff Benedict-Hall - Reston, VA
Lisa Benedict-Hall – Reston, VA
Jerry Gentry, Asheville, NC
John Godts - Asheville, NC
Keith Ray – Waynesville, NC
Alan Rogers-Charlotte, NC
Michael Sartisky -Fairview, NC
Patricia Wiebe – Old Fort, NC
Steven Szczepanski – Asheville,
NC (number 300!)
The Blue Ridge Breeze
August 2014 Page | 8
The Blue Ridge Breeze August 2014
Featured Member Tribute
Complied by Gary Cox
This month we feature
a Tribute to Kent
Skoug, who passed
last month doing what
he enjoyed the most,
riding a motorcycle.
Kent was quite a
motorcyclist and will be
greatly missed. He
was our club secretary and ride captain. This tribute
Includes quotes, remembrances and pictures from our
Clubs’ website, Facebook page, and starts with Kent’s
Featured Member article from August 2012.
Kent Skoug
I was never really into motorcycles when I
was young (except for putting baseball cards
into the spokes of my bike.) All through high
school and college, two and four wheel
transportation was only a means of getting from
point A to point B. I had such great cars as a
used Buick Skylark and, while in the Navy, a
French Simca.
It wasn’t until I was approaching my midthirties
that a friend introduced me to motorcycles and I
thought to myself, “Self, this just might be fun!” So on
April 1st 1980 (yes, April Fool’s Day) I went out and
bought myself a Honda CM400E. Ursula looked at me
like, yes you are the fool! After riding this bike for a
year without killing myself she totally shocked me by
saying, “Let’s go around the block.” After that it
was around town and soon it was up to North
Carolina (we were just north of Atlanta at that
time).
I probably put between twenty and twenty five
thousand miles on that bike and within two years I
wanted something a little larger. The friend that
introduced me to riding knew someone in
Chattanooga, TN that had a 1980 Honda 750F for
sale. I went to look at it and thought this will be
perfect. I bought it and brought it back to Atlanta.
About a year later I got transferred to Seattle and took
the bike with me.
Within a couple of months Ursula had the
Atlanta house sold and I had decided on a new one in
the Seattle area.
Page |9
This bike was large enough for two up riding and
carrying some camping gear. I had mounted a fairing
and saddlebags with a travel trunk and we put about
50,000 miles on this one. One spring I needed
to burn up some vacation time or loose it so I threw a
tent, sleeping bag and air mattress on the back of the
bike and took off.
I went south to Olympia, WA where I picked up Hwy
101. I was going to stay on this for the next few days. I
went around the Olympic Peninsula, up Hurricane
Ridge into the Olympic National Park, finally setting up
my tent for the night in Forks, WA. Yes, this is the
same Forks as was the basis for the Twilight series of
books but in 1984 the concept probably hadn’t even
been thought of yet. The next day I continued down
the Washington coast, crossing the Columbia River to
Astoria, OR and setting up for the second night in
Florence, OR. The third day I finished up the Oregon
coast and crossed into California. I reached Crescent
City about noon and set up the tent then went
exploring the Redwoods National Park.
The following morning I decided this wasn’t as much
fun traveling by myself so I thought I would head back.
I packed up and took Hwy 199 north-east through the
mountains to Grants Pass, OR where I went east on
Hwy 62 to Crater Lake. It was a beautiful area but it
was still only about 1:00 PM so I headed north to
Bend, OR to spend the night. I arrived in Bend before
5:00 and though I could still get in a few more miles so
I continued north to Mount Hood and back to Portland,
then on the interstate back home. I reached Seattle
about 1:00 in the morning. At that point I knew, after
putting a total of 50,000 miles on the bike and a 850
mile day, there really is nothing you can do to a Honda
750F to make that seat into a touring saddle The next
day I was looking for a new bike.
I settled on a Suzuki Cavalcade and I believe that is
still probably Ursula’s favorite bike that I have owned.
During this time period I was the state director for
RMTC, Rider Motorcycle Touring Club, sponsored by
Rider magazine, later being renamed Rider Club. I
had set up nine chapters in the state and Ursula and I
attended almost every meeting every month. So within
five years I had put over 180,000 miles on the bike.
Suzuki, in its infinite wisdom, had decided that no one
would ever spend over $10,000 for a bike so they
stopped production of the touring bike class. It was
getting harder to get parts so I changed to a Honda
Gold Wing.
The Blue Ridge Breeze
A u g u s t 2 0 1 4 P a g e | 10
This was 1994 and I had left Rider Club
and started my own all brand club M.O.R.A.,
Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association. I was also
very active in promoting a positive image of
motorcycling so I was doing a lot of charity work on
the bike. We had Poker Runs for Lupus, and a 1,000
mile two day ride every summer to raise money for the
MS Society. Also, I was in charge of organizing and
providing the motorcycle support for the MS Society’s
two day bicycle event every July. I had been doing this
for over ten years but in 2000, while riding back to
check on three bikes still on the course, I went down
on some damp moss on the pavement that I didn’t
see. I totaled the Wing and busted up my ribs pretty
well so that ended the 2000 riding season for me as
well as the Wing. The bike only had a little over
50,000 miles on it.
The following spring I was looking for a new bike and I
happened to see a K1200 LT riding down the street. I
decided to check it out and the following Monday I
owned one. I also became active in the Washington
State BMW Riders. In 2005 BMW came out with the
new R1200 RT and I wanted one. I was able to get it
in 2006. I still kept the LT. In 2007 Ursula said to me,
“You’ve always wanted to ride in Europe,
do it!” So I signed up for one of the Edelweiss High
Alpine Tours. It was fantastic. In 2009 I retired and we
moved back to the east coast to be closer to our
children and grandchildren (and now great
grandchildren). However, after retiring and taking the
RT up to Alaska, I was riding it to our new home in
Arden when I had a disagreement with a coyote, while
in Kansas, about which part of the lane was mine. The
coyote lost the battle but he got in his licks. I totaled
the RT and had a right arm that could only flop
weakly. No more riding for the 2009 year.
In 2010 I purchased a used R1200 GS to replace the
RT. I was active in the Greenville BMW chapter and
am currently the assistant chapter director and road
master for them. When Jim started the Asheville
Chapter I also became active here as the co-road
master and the chapter secretary. In the last six
months I have also become a Regional Rep for the
BMW RA covering North Carolina, northern South
Carolina and eastern Tennessee. Anyone who says
you get to sleep in when you retire hasn’t tried it yet!
I still enjoy long rides and probably put between
30,000 to 35,000 miles on the bikes per year and will
probably hit my 200,000 BMW miles this year,
although Ursula doesn’t ride with me much anymore.
She was driving my car right behind me when I went
airborne in Kansas. (Kent)
Tribute Continued
As you can see from Kent’s own words he truly enjoyed
motorcycling and enjoyed being around other motorcyclists.
We will sorely miss the always smiling Kent Skoug.
Below are pictures and Facebook remembrances of
Kent at ABMWR Club activities.
Kent's passion was riding his motorcycle. He loved the
Western North Carolina area because, as he said,
"there is not a straight road". One of the attractions he
had for deciding to move to NC from Seattle was the
Blue Ridge Parkway. He enjoyed planning motorcycle
rides and encouraged people to ride. On his most
recent ride across the country to meet with other riding
enthusiasts, his travels led him through the Lolo Pass
in Idaho. It was there that he had an accident that
unfortunately proved to be his last ride.
What a wonderful guy he was. We will miss him badly.
The Blue Ridge Breeze August 2014
Kent was an inspiration to everyone. I hope I can
be more like him...
P a g e | 11
Kent you touched many lives all around this great
country and will be missed by many.
Those who wish may make donation in memory of
Kent Skoug to benefit works of the Blue Ridge
Parkway Foundation. Please send donations to:
Kent was a big 'ol teddy bear of a guy and will be
missed
Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation
717 South Marshall St. Suite 105B
Winston Salem, NC 27101-5865
(Please include " In memory of Kent Skoug" with your
donation for appropriate routing or call the Foundation
at 866-308-2773 if you have questions regarding
credit card donations.)
The Blue Ridge Breeze
A u g u s t 2 0 1 4 P a g e | 12