Another busy month! Crosswinds

Another busy month!
Crosswinds
By Tom Denny Chapter WA-L Rider Educator
I can’t believe it’s the end of July already!
July has been a very busy one for me. The District
Rally (convention) was a lot of fun!! Those who
missed this, really missed out of a lot of FUN!
Thursday night, Chuck Hull won the 50/50, I don’t
know how much it was but I bet it paid for the
weekend. On Saturday night, I won the 50/50. It did
pay for the weekend in my book, plus paid a repair
on my Ranger pickup, when we got home. That
made it even more fun!
I’m going to Chapter WA “O”s Whale of a
Picnic on August 11th, so I won’t be at the meeting
that Sat., so you people that don’t go, Phil & Mike
will be doing the meeting. If anyone wants to go,
I’ll leave Friday afternoon and return Sunday.
Sounds like August is going to be busy also.
Remember our annual campout, so far is going to be
Chapter WA “P”s Oyster Feed in September. So,
let’s make some plans, and I’m still open to
suggestions.
Have a great day & ride safe.
Lloyd Finley, Ch.WA “L” CD
PS. I’d like to add a note: The people who went
fishing down in Ilwaco a few times with my
Uncle Frank…he passed away this last Tuesday
afternoon. He will be greatly missed by many.
Thanks. Georgia
http://www.gwrra-wa-l.org/
At one time or another most of us have ridden our
motorcycles when the wind was blowing and if you
ride much at all in this area, it is almost a forgone
conclusion, that you will ride during windy weather.
Many of us have experienced riding in some
extremely high winds and lived to tell the tale.
Getting caught in a windstorm can be a frightening
ordeal but as with most things it is the unknown that
scares us the most. With practice and a little
knowledge, riding in blustery winds becomes much
less intimidating.
The first thing most of us do when faced with
uncertain circumstances while riding is to tense up.
We get a death grip on the handlebars and lock our
arms and shoulders. If a wind gust suddenly,
unexpectedly causes you to swerve, that is probably
exactly what you will do, tighten up. Unfortunately
it is the wrong thing to do. Instead of rigidly
contracting our muscles in an effort to keep the bike
traveling in a straight line against the wind's wishes,
we should relax instead. Relax our upper body at
least. While sitting on our bike with good posture
we should maintain a good squeeze on the tank with
our knees and keep our arms relaxed, slightly bent
at the elbows while maintaining a comfortable grip
on the handlebars. When the wind gusts strike the
bike you should allow it to move around under you.
Really strong gusts can move the bike over but
lesser strength gusts will actually cause the bike to
lean into them due to physics and the bike's steering
geometry. Some riders have reported it's easier to
stay on track in the wind while riding with only one
hand instead of two. That is definitely not
Page 1 of 8
something I recommend but it illustrates how a
more relaxed grip can actually help stability.
When you try to force the bike to stay in a straight
line in gusty crosswinds you will actually make the
swerving worse. When the wind gives you a little
push, the locked arms and tight grip will invariably
cause you to over correct for each gust. The end
result is an exaggerated reaction to the wind. If you
maintain good posture, a positive connection to the
bike and a comfortable grip then the bike is free to
compensate for the wind and the effect of a
sidewise push from the wind is dampened.
Imagine a long iron rod hanging loosely from one
end and a rope the same length hanging beside it.
Lets imagine that the iron bar is a small diameter so
it weighs exactly the same amount as the rope does.
Give the end of the iron bar a push and it swings
out, then back past center then repeats, swinging
back and forth freely for some time. Now give the
end of the rope the same push and while the end of
the rope moves the rest of the rope initially does
not. The energy of your push will travel through the
rope causing some movement while that energy is
absorbed but that motion will quickly die out
leaving the rope hanging a lot closer to straight and
center than the swinging rigid bar. Maintaining
relaxed control basically accomplishes the same
thing.
While riding in cross wind conditions you should
pay attention to the terrain alongside the road. Be on
the look out for buildings, steep hillsides, fences,
waist high concrete barriers and stands of trees or
gaps in the trees if you are in forested areas as well
as open bodies of water or open tracts of land along
your route of travel. All these things will have an
effect on the wind over the road. Keep in mind the
wind will push you twice, once when it hits you and
again when it quits. Anticipate what the wind might
do and you will be better prepared to deal with it. If
you are in a protected area and will soon pass into
an open environment you can expect the wind to
give you a sudden push. If you are ready to countersteer into it by pushing on the handlebar on the
http://www.gwrra-wa-l.org/
same side the wind is coming from, you will
experience a greater sense of control. Conversely if
you suddenly ride into a wind shadow from a stand
of trees or from a large building next the road, the
wind you were compensating for will suddenly be
gone and you will need to counter-steer by pushing
on the handlebar away from the wind. Be extra
wary while passing large trucks. Large trucks have
considerable turbulence around them when
traveling at highway speeds, turbulence made worse
by crosswinds, they can also effectively mask a side
wind while you pass them, then just as you clear the
front of the truck you can get hit with a surprisingly
vigorous side blast. Anticipate it and counter-steer
to compensate. Just because you're riding with
"loose reins" doesn't mean you can't steer your bike.
It means that if you let the bike do its best to
compensate you'll just have less steering to do.
When you do steer, counter-steering is the not only
the best, fastest, easiest, most positive way to
control the direction of your motorcycle, it is the
only direct way to control the direction of your
motorcycle.
If you find yourself riding in a fairly steady
crosswind you can move your butt over on the seat
to counter weight the motorcycle so that it leans
into the wind. This will reduce the steering effort a
surprising amount, taking that load directly off your
arms. Just move your butt to the side of the seat
opposite the wind. For instance, if you have a
steady wind coming from your right just move your
butt to the left side of the seat and allow the bike to
naturally lean right, move to the right for a left side
wind. Try it; it works so well I promise you will
grin a little. Unfortunately for trike riders, countersteering and counter-weighting are not options. You
will just have to strong-arm it until the wind dies
down. Consider it the price you pay for that extra
stability trikes provide under other conditions.
Eye protection is always important while riding but
in crosswind situations good, tight fitting eye
protection is doubly important. Those eyeglasses
you've been wearing may not cut it when a big blast
catches you from the side. Keep in mind that wind
Page 2 of 8
gusts pick up and hurl all sorts of debris through the
air. You don't need any of it in your eyes. Wraparound eye protection is mandatory when facing
gusty conditions and highly recommended at all
other times. This is a situation when a full-face
helmet comes into its own. Flip down the face
shield and just that quick your face and eyes are
protected from the elements.
The extra wind you experience while riding on
those blustery days will also cause you to dehydrate
more quickly so plan to increase the frequency of
rest stops. That will not only give you a respite from
the wind but will allow you to take in more fluids,
more often. Dehydration is insidious; it can sneak
up and hit you with no warning what so ever. If you
are not urinating at least every two hours then you
are already dehydrated. Drink something but stay
away from coffees, teas, alcoholic beverages,
sugary and caffeinated drinks, they are diuretics and
will actually increase your dehydration.
Riding in the wind is physically a lot of work and
can be an anxiety producing experience. Take steps
to mitigate its effects, steps like extra fluid intake,
extra rest stops, anticipating the wind's effects,
counter steering, counter weighting and perhaps
most importantly, relaxing. Doing these things will
mean that when you park your bike for the evening
it was just another day on the road and not a tight
lipped, white knuckled adventure through the
unknown.
Ride Safe.
Domas Vacation
Diana and I had planned our summer vacation to
Missouri to visit relatives and take in the Wyoming
District Convention for quite a while. About a
month before we left I figured I had better get our
bikes ready. Changed the oil on both bikes and
http://www.gwrra-wa-l.org/
checked all fluids. I needed a new rear tire so I
removed the wheel and took it to Full Throttle to get
the new tire mounted. After I got the new tire back
on the bike I thought to check the brake pads.
Guess what they were non-existent. Back to Full
Throttle with the wing. Talking to Dave he was
able to squeeze me in that morning and replace the
rear brakes. I want to thank Full Throttle and the
service dept. for all they did helping me. When
Dave got done he called me to come take a look at
what else he found. He informed me I had a leaking
front fork
seal. What
else is going
to happen?
Unfortunately,
they couldn’t
work me into
their schedule.
After a few
phone calls I
was able to get
my wing into USA Honda in Walla Walla. Eric and
his crew did a great job. Diana’s trike needed the
brakes bled so they did that one week before we
were to leave. Ok we are ready to go. WRONG.
The day we planned to leave the rain started and the
wind blew for 2 days. I told Diana we will just take
the car. We left the next day in the car. Guess
what? The weather turned off clear and was fine all
the way to Missouri. Go figure. Diana would keep
reminding me, see we should have taken the bikes.
We spent the first night in Ogden Utah and second
night in North Platt Nebraska. The next day we
arrived at my cousins in Kansas City. Danny also
rides a 1800 Goldwing. He took us over to a place
called Bikes 2 Trikes, they install Motor Trike kits.
They have a nice facility and Diana got to talk to
the mechanic. The next day Danny took us to a
motorcycle accessory shop in Independence. I got a
Page 3 of 8
Also in
attendance were
Mark Crane from
Chapter R, and
Dale & Shirley
Dufner from
Spokane.
brand new Arai helmet just like my old one. They
had it on close out for $200 off.
After Danny’s we went South to Joplin MO. The
damage there from the tornado was unbelievable.
They are gradually rebuilding but it’s a slow
process. One of the places I wanted to go see was
Gene’s Gallery in Springfield. I had hopes of
getting the new Joe Rocket Goldwing mesh jacket
they had advertised in Wing World. Of course they
didn’t even have it in stock yet. Still in customs.
So I ordered one to be delivered home. Diana got
more lights and chrome for her trike. While we
were in Springfield we had to take in the Bass Pro
Shop. That is one big place.
Next home sweet home and our own bed.
Gary & Diana Domas
The next thing I always do when I go to Missouri is
get some chicken at Chicken Mary’s. Mmm good.
By now the weather isn’t as nice, getting over a 100
degrees just about every day. Now we are thinking
the car maybe was a good idea after all. Back to
Kansas City. Weather to hot to do much.
After
leaving
Kansas City
we are on
our way to
Sheridan
Wyoming
and their
district
convention.
The weather is still HOT. On top of that the air is
full of smoke from all the forest fires in Colorado,
Wyoming, and South Dakota. No doubt about it,
we are glad we drove the car. While we were there
we met an old friend from Nebraska. We just call
him Nebraska Tom. First met Tom in Weiser Idaho
3 years ago. He camped next to us at the Region I
Rally. At the time he was 82 years old riding a trike
and pulling his tent trailer. Now he is 85 and still
riding. Way to go Tom. The attendance was good
considering there isn’t a lot of people in Wyoming.
http://www.gwrra-wa-l.org/
Page 4 of 8
Calendar of Events
August
8/3-5 ID-H River Run Coeur d’Alene
8/8 Wed Staff Meeting 6:30
4131 W Hood, Kennewick
8/11 WA-O Whale of a Picnic – Port Orchard -Ken Smith
Phone: (360)-876-6737 for info.
8/11 Sat Regular Meeting 8/11
City Grill (Old Country Gentleman)*
8:00 Breakfast,
9:00 Meeting....
Scheduled Ride after the meeting, Come ready to go.
Needs a ride leader and a place of destination.
8/9-Thurs – ICE CREAM
8/15-18 – Region I Rally – Pendleton OR. We support this
Rally
http://www.gwrrawa.org/Flyers/2012/2012_RegionI_Rally_Registration.pdf
8/18 – Fair Parade – We work this activity. Confirmation
to come.
8/19 Sun – DAY RIDE
Need a ride leader and a place to ride, a place to meet for the
ride etc…
Scheduled Ride after the meeting, Come ready to go.
Needs a ride leader and a place of destination.
9/8 – Sat – ICE CREAM
9/14-16 WA-P Oyster Feed
9/17 - Mon - DINNER GATHERING
9/22 – DAY RIDE
Need a ride leader and a place to ride, a place to meet for the
ride etc…….
October
10/9 – Tue – ICE CREAM
10/10 Wed Staff Meeting 6:30
4131 W Hood, Kennewick
10/13 Regular Meeting
City Grill (Old Country Gentleman)*
8:00 Breakfast,
9:00 Meeting....
Scheduled Ride after the meeting, Come ready to go.
Needs a ride leader and a place of destination.
10/23 - Tues - DINNER GATHERING
10/27 – WA-Q Halloween Dance
10/28 – DAY RIDE
Need a ride leader and a place to ride, a place to meet for the
ride etc…….
8/25 WA-Z Chicken Run (Fundraiser)….
8/26 - Sun - DINNER GATHERING
November
8/31-9/4 ID Dist. Rally continued -
11/2 – Fri – ICE CREAM
September
11/7 Wed Staff Meeting 6:30
4131 W Hood, Kennewick
9/2-4 Kamiah ID Idaho District Convention continues
11/ 7 - Wed- DINNER GATHERING
9/5 Wed Staff Meeting 6:30
4131 W Hood, Kennewick
9/8 – WA-Y Riddler Run
9/8 Sat Regular Meeting April 14th
City Grill (Old Country Gentleman)*
8:00 Breakfast,
9:00 Meeting....
http://www.gwrra-wa-l.org/
Veterans Day Parade – West Richland WA participate in
this parade.
$5.00 all you can eat breakfast at the WR VFW Hall
11/10 Regular Meeting /
City Grill (Old Country Gentleman)*
1200 Noon
Scheduled Ride after the meeting, Come ready to go.
Needs a ride leader and a place of destination.
Page 5 of 8
Sale items are listed for three months. If you sell your
item sooner, please email the newsletter editor. If you
need your item listed longer, you need to email and
request an extension.
[email protected]
FOR SALE
2002 Goldwing.
·
·
·
Valve adjustment performed @RMC @ 33K
36K Miles
Clymer’s manual
Bruce Davies
GWRRA
Month: 1/3
Complete rider backrest setup, as new---clean and used very
little. It came on the used Goldwing that I have bought, I wish
to pass it on to someone who needs one.
Please see manufacturer website for more info.
http://www.kuryakyn.com/Products/287/Rider-Backrest
Part number 8990 MSRP $299.99
Please call Don at 509-585-3756 Local Kennewick phone.
Month 2/3
36,500+ miles on the clock
Interested parties can call me on my cell at 206 850-6178.
Features·
Heated grips
·
Super brace
·
Upgraded brake pads
·
Lighter socket
·
Driver adjustable backrest
·
J&M rear speakers
·
Kuryakyn Luggage rack
·
Honda Spoiler w/ brake light
·
Saddlebag/top case luggage bags w/ rain cover
·
Luggage rack bag
·
Saddlebag/top case carpet
·
Tires- New Elite III’s installed 31K(Crazy Larry’s)
·
Kuryakyn highway pegs/extensions
·
Comes with helmet headsets
·
Honda Fog lights
·
Headlight/fog light protective coating
·
Half and full bike covers
·
Driver/passenger outlets for heated gear
·
Garage stored
Mechanical/service·
Brakes- New pads, brake and clutch full flush/K&N air
filter/cooling system flush @ 23K. (Larry Maulding)
·
New sparkplugs @ 33K
·
Amsoil used in crankcase & differential (Crankcase oil
changed every 5K miles)
http://www.gwrra-wa-l.org/
Aug 3
Aug 11
Aug 16
Aug 19
Aug 21
Aug 25
Aug 26
Aug 27
Aug 27
Aug 29
Stephaine Tyutyunnik
Russ & Chris Akers
Hand & Marilyn Smith
Marcell Masheck
Pat Shook
Spencer Royer
Marty Zakrajsek
Christine Eide
Chris Akers
Marty & MaryAnne Zakrajsek
AWARDS AND DRAWINGS
Breakfast Ticket
50/50 Drawing
Show for the
Dough
Oops Award
Good Guy Award
Puzzle
Door Prizes
Joyce Didway
Terry Morris
Person not in attendance – absent
next meeting prize up to $40.00
Janent Turner
Phil LoParco
Joyce LoParco
Hank Smith
Chuck Hall
Mark Crane (from Walla Walla)
Joyce Hall
Lloyd Finley
Page 6 of 8
USA States
Find and circle all of the USA States that are hidden in the grid.
The remaining letters spell a secret message - an Adlai Stevenson quotation.
Note: VIRGINIA and WEST VIRGINIA do not overlap. The same goes for KANSAS and ARKANSAS
ALABAMA
ALASKA
ARIZONA
ARKANSAS
CALIFORNIA
COLORADO
CONNECTICUT
DELAWARE
FLORIDA
GEORGIA
HAWAII
IDAHO
ILLINOIS
http://www.gwrra-wa-l.org/
INDIANA
IOWA
KANSAS
KENTUCKY
LOUISIANA
MAINE
MARYLAND
MASSACHUSETTS
MICHIGAN
MINNESOTA
MISSISSIPPI
MISSOURI
MONTANA
NEBRASKA
NEVADA
NEW HAMPSHIRE
NEW JERSEY
NEW MEXICO
NEW YORK
NORTH CAROLINA
NORTH DAKOTA
OHIO
OKLAHOMA
OREGON
PENNSYLVANIA
RHODE ISLAND
SOUTH CAROLINA
SOUTH DAKOTA
TENNESSEE
TEXAS
UTAH
VERMONT
VIRGINIA
WASHINGTON
WEST VIRGINIA
WISCONSIN
WYOMING
Page 7 of 8
Washington Chapter “L”
Friends for Fun, Safety and Knowledge
http://www.gwrra-wa-l.org/
Lloyd & Georgia Finley
Chapter Director
509-948-2063 / 509-783-9789 h.
Mike & Janet Turner
Assist Ch. Director
509-845-1069 c.
Phil & Joyce LoParco
Assist Ch. Director
509-546-1166 c./ 509-582-6994 h.
Tom Denny
Chapter Educator
509-582-8779 h.
Joyce Hull
Treasurer
509-586-0350 h.
Christine Eide
Secretary
509-539-6509 c.
Don Eide
Membership
509-531-7849. h
POSITION OPEN
Couple of the Year
--POSITION OPEN
Individual of the Year
--Tyler Denny
Newsletter Editor
509-582-8779 h.
Donna Whiteside
Sunshine Person
509-943-9828 h.
Bob Goodman
Ride Coordinator
509-967-8986 c.
Terri Watson
Special Events
509-545-9286 h.
Joyce LoParco
Phone Tree
509-531-9939 c./509-582-6994 h.
Georgia Finley
Historian
509-94802965 c./ 509-783-9789 h.
Mike Messinger
Web Master
509-582-4560
Joyce LoParco
Public Relations
509-531-9939 c./509-582-699 h.
http://www.gwrra-wa-l.org/
Gold Wing Road Rider Association
Friends for Fun, Safety and Knowledge
http://www.gwrra.org
Region “I” Staff
http://www.bigskyregioni.org/
Region Directors
Assistant Directors
Assistant Directors
Assistant Directors
Rider Educators
Instructor Coordinators
Motorist Awareness
Treasurer
Membership Enhancement
Coordinator
Leadership Trainers
Region I Ambassadors
Region I Ambassadors
Couple of the Year Coordinators
Couple of the Year
Webmaster
Newsletter Editor
Mike & Peggy Hudnell
Dale & Shirley Dufner
Terry & Cheri Huffman
Russ Laurie Parpart
Bob & Becky Minor
Tim & Martie Mitchell
Dave & Sheila Chavez
Erv & Phyllis Granahan
Dan & Carmen Weakland
John & Dianne Kester
Tom & Mozelle Edwards
Hank & Marilyn Smith
Dan & Carmen Weakland
Larry & Barbara Kuzma
Scott Bowman
Shirley Duffner
Washington District Staff
http://www.gwrra-wa.org/
District Directors
Assistant Directors
Assistant Directors
District Treasurer
Membership Coordinator
Rider Educator
Asst. Rider Educator
Asst. Rider Educator
District Leadership Trainer
District Stores
District Webmaster
District Coy Coordinator
Couple of the Year
District Ambassador
District Newsletter editor
Susie & Frank Hutchinson
Reggie Baumer & Chuck Porter
Wally & Anna Wallingford
Susan Remer
Gerry Alexander
Bob Minor
Randy & Debbie Reid
Tom Denny
TBD
TBD
Rebecca Minor
TBD
Mike & Janet Turner
Jerry and Judy Thompson
Brad and Dee Kane
Page 8 of 8