GWRRA TX Chapter H ALAMO CITY WINGS BILL STEIN, DISTRICT

GWRRA TX Chapter H
ALAMO CITY WINGS
February, 2015
Volume 35, Issue 2
BILL STEIN, DISTRICT EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR
IN THIS ISSUE
CD
ACD
TX MIDWEST ROUND-UP
MEMBER ENHANCEMENT
RIDER EDUCATION
HUMOR
2
3
4-6
7
8-9
10
GWRRA EVENTS
CHAPTER H & DISTRICT
CALENDAR
FLYERS
NEW MEMBERSHIP
11
12
13
14-18
19-20
Page 2
February, 2016
Sam “Brick” Reagle
[email protected]
Before I get to anything else, I have a Charles report.
Charles was released from the hospital (the 2nd time)
on January 19th and has been recovering from home.
However, his blood pressure dropped drastically on
the 27th so he went back to Methodist Hospital that
night. He is still there as I write this article.
We decided to ride to the Mid-Winter Roundup in
Temple, TX. Bob & Barb Smith, Mike and Pat Pineda,
Bill Stein and I enjoyed the 70 degree day on Friday for
the ride up. Mike Sykos had to work so Natalie drove
and met us there. We enjoyed our traditional Dynasty
Chinese Buffet dinner before returning to the hotel for
some chatting and sleeping.
Saturday morning, we rode to the Mayborn Center for
the Roundup. It’s great to reacquaint with members
of other chapters and receive some training in the
process. The highlights of the day were Mike & Pat
being sworn in as officers, Bob & Barb being
recognized as Chapter Couple of the Year, and Bill
Stein earning his first District Rider Educator of the
Year award.
Afterward, I was somewhat surprised that TX-H was
the only chapter that showed up on bikes. There were
130 members in attendance and only our 4 bikes and
one trike in the entire parking lot. Then I found out
why. The temperature plummeted during the day. By
the time we left Temple, it had turned arctic. It made
for a chilly ride home. It also didn’t help that they
closed I-35 for about 45 minutes because some guy
decided to jump out of his car at 70 MPH. We chatted
with an officer who said the car kept going so they had
a large crime scene to document.
We also announced the date of our 2016 Rally. It will
be on Saturday, October 15th, 2016 at Raymond
Russell Park. Mark your calendars. I would like to see
some vendors at it. If you have suggestions, please let
me know.
For us romantics in the chapter, our popular
Valentines Day ride will be on Saturday, February 13th.
It’s a lunch ride to Hermann Sons Steakhouse in
Hondo, TX. Those interested should meet at 10am at
the regular place.
Region H will be hosting their annual Rally in Marshall,
TX on March 17-19.
The District Rally is in Temple again this year on May
19-21st. Everyone should try to attend this strictly fun
event. This year, the project is to decorate a wooden
horse head on a stick. We need a volunteer to
transform it from a block of wood into Pegasus.
(Perhaps I shoot too high). Bill Stein did a great job
with last year’s Pyramid. I suspect it will be a part of
the many games played there. As you may remember,
we won the Chapter Family Feud and the Not-SoNewlywed games last year. Let’s make a good
showing so we can defend our titles.
I want to remind everyone again to take care of the
brake recall.
Simply call Alamo CyclePlex at
210.696.2000 to start the process even if you haven’t
received a notice.
We are still assessing destinations for our Spring Ride.
Your input is important. Current suggestions include
Carlsbad Caverns, Big Bend (again) and somewhere in
east Texas.
Lastly, after a multi-year stint at Logan’s Steakhouse,
we have decided to move our monthly gatherings to a
different restaurant. February will be our last
gathering at Logans. We plan to propose 2 locations
for your selection at the February gathering and hold
the March gathering at the winning location. Hope
you can attend so your voice is heard.
Ride safe,
Page 3
February, 2016
Brick
Assistant Chapter Director
Michael “Shrimpman” Pineda
[email protected]
I want to thank the members who attended
the TX DISTRICT MID WEST ROUND-UP in
Temple. We braved the cold weather and
getting lost with you guys was also fun (just
kidding).
Thanks to the staff and members who
attended the Alamo Cycle MEMBERSHIP
DRIVE. FYI, we will be doing this every
month. Watch the Monthly Newsletter and
the web site for days and times.
We will also be voting on a monthly
gathering location at Logans at the February
meeting. There will also be a guest speaker
on CPR.
I look forward on assisting our CD “Brick”
and Staff on matters to increase
membership fun and safety for our chapter
this year.
See Ya Soon!
Michael Pineda, ACD
Page 4
February, 2016
Barbara and Bob
Smith, TX-H MEC’s
Page 5
February, 2016
MICHAEL PINEDA, ACD
Pat Pineda, Newsletter Editor
ASSISTANT
CHAPTER
DIRECTOR
Page 6
February, 2016
Members Attending
“BRICK”
NATALIE
BOB BARBARA
BILL
MICHAEL
PAT
Page 7
February, 2016
Membership Enhancement
Barbara and Robert Smith
[email protected]
Seven members: Brick, Mike, Pat, Bill, Natalie,
Bob and Barb of TX-H attended the Mid-Winter
roundup in Temple, TX. Seminars on various staff
and officer positions were held to include,
Leadership, The Area Report List, You’re and
Officer, Now What? How to use the Rider
Education Database, and Newsletter & Website
info. Good time was had by all. We even visited our
favorite food spot “Dynasty” Chinese buffet in
Temple.
The drive home was interesting; we had planned to
get out early Saturday afternoon. That didn’t happen
instead it was about 5 PM before closing
ceremonies finished and we headed out to out
motorcycles. Oh did I mention that we along with a
couple of trikes from chapter U were the only
motorcycles in the parking lot. Getting out of
Temple wasn’t so easy. Some individual decided to
try and out run the police and dump their car on the
interstate and run. The police tool an hour getting
the crime scene cleared. Then we used a police
escort out of traffic and on our way around 6 PM.
Temperature was around 42 degrees and cold
brrrrrr. Luckily traffic thru Austin wasn’t too bad
and the one stop we did make at a Burger King
allowed us to warm up some. If nothing else pull
more gear out of bikes to put on and try to help keep
the cold out. We all made it home safe and ready
for hot chocolate and warming up.
Alamo Cycle Plex had their first open house 23
January and chapter H was there with six members
manning a GWRRA/Chapter recruiting table. We
had allot of people stop by and handed out allot of
flyers and information. Stay tuned another one will
be held in February and if possible at all the Alamo
Cycle Plex open houses.
We’ve had some really nice rides in January here’s
a short description of them.
10 January Barbara and I were thawing out from
Temple, but there was a ride. Three of our members
braved the cold weather and rode.
16 January we rode to Old Spanish Trail, Bandera
for breakfast then nice ride on 337 to Leaky, for a
stop at the Frio Canyon Motorcycle Stop. Then we
took 83 to loop 1120 around to 1050 to Utopia to
make our way back home.
24 January we took a scenic hundred mile ride for
breakfast to Blue Bonnet Café Marble Falls. After a
nice meal we headed to nice scenic ride on PR4
onto 29 to Llano, then Fredericksburg where we
took 290 onto 1376 passed by Luckenbach thru
Sisterdale to finish at Boerne.
30 January we have another breakfast ride
scheduled.
Check out the events page at our website: TX-H
Website Events Page
Page 8
February, 2016
Bill Stein
[email protected]
Rider E
Running Late
Take The Car
Yellow Is Red Or Green
By: James R. Davis
(I'd Rather Be Red Than Dead)
By: James R. Davis
City traffic lights you would think, are pretty simple
devices. They are, after all, only three different colored
lights with some switches and timers. An while red and
green are obvious, you'd think that the meaning of the
yellow light wouldn't take a rocket scientist to figure out.
I could be wrong, of course. (Most intersection accidents
Seem to happen in relation to that light).
I intend to help humanity with this rather simple article. I
would like to take any confusion regarding the yellow light
away with a concept so obvious that it probably is already
known to all:

Yellow is either Red or Green
In other words, the yellow light either means stop or go.
Now all we have to figure out is when it means stop and
when it means go. (grin)
When you notice that a light is yellow and if you are able
to stop before entering the intersection, yellow means
'stop'. At all other times yellow means 'go, but use
caution'. Please note that a yellow light NEVER means
'speed up'. Please also note that a green light ALSO
means
'go,
but
use
caution'!!!
So now YOU know the rules, but you should assume that
nobody else does. In other words, when you are waiting
for a light to turn green, after it does you should assume
that someone is going to be in the intersection trying to
stretch out the yellow as it turns red. A head check is
absolutely critical before entering an intersection when
your light turns green.
It's a beautiful day. Weather is perfect, traffic is light, you
are home and need to get someplace ... soon. You are
late.
The bike is agile and you're sure you can get there faster
on the bike than you can by taking the car.
Don't.
The last thing in the world you should consider doing is
taking the bike in this scenario. That would be a
prescription for minimizing the odds of arriving at all. This
is the kind of situation that, on the surface, appears to be
an ideal time to take a bike, yet it is a perfect example of
a situation that can get you in over your head and into an
accident
in
the
blink
of
an
eye.
When you are running late you will take chances that are
just plain stupid. (Been there. Done that.) You will tend
to drive a bit too fast. You will tend to try to make that
yellow light that you wouldn't dream of trying at a more
rational time. You will pass traffic that needn't be passed,
and probably follow too closely before you do so.
"I can make it" fills your mind - hope, rather than fact,
that
inspires
a
'little
more'
risk
taking.
T-boning a vehicle in an intersection or getting slammed
to the ground after overshooting a curve might inspire a
'Just my luck' thought - possibly your last one. It's
anything but luck if you put yourself into the situation.
Running
late?
Take
the
car.
Better, make it a practice to be a little bit early rather than
a little bit late. This is one habit that can save you grief big time.
Page 9
February, 2016
Your Motorcycle CANNOT Fall
Down
(At any speed greater than 10 MPH)
By: James R. Davis
I have recently received a number of E-mails from new riders
asking me to help them figure out how to deal with the fear
they feel while riding at highway speeds and having to lean
their bikes during turns. Invariably they tell me that they can't
take those turns as fast as other riders do because they are
afraid to lean the bikes enough to allow them to do so.
Despite the fact that their comments include all the
information they need to know about their problem, they
honestly don't get it. (That is, they know that if they do not go
as fast as others do they will not lean their bikes as far as those
others do either.)
So, here is a brief and possibly eye-opening response to those
people and to those of you who are experiencing the same
problem.
When you are moving at a speed in excess of about 10 MPH
on your motorcycle, so long as you keep your tires on the
ground (without losing traction), you CANNOT FALL
DOWN. It is IMPOSSIBLE!
Balance is only required by you as a rider at speeds so slow
that counter-steering doesn't work. Above that speed, not only
is steering virtually effortless, it is the only thing that you
CAN control about your motorcycle other than its speed. You
are along just for the ride when traveling at speeds in excess of
10 MPH.
Your motorcycle does not have a brain and it does not,
therefore, decide to do what you want it to, or not. Instead, it is
just a dumb machine that ALWAYS follows the laws (of
physics), even if you don't.
And, you do NOT decide what the bike's lean angle will be
when you are in a turn - the bike does that for you
automatically, as a result of following those laws of physics.
The amount of centrifugal force generated in a turn is
determined, exactly, and invariably, as a function of the square
of your speed and the radius of the turn you are in. The greater
the speed or the shorter that radius is, the steeper that lean
angle will be. When the amount of centrifugal force is exactly
equal to the force of gravity (discounting any effect that a side
wind might have), the bike will be leaned over at exactly 45
degrees. Less centrifugal force, because gravity is constant,
results in a smaller lean angle while if it is greater than gravity
the lean angle will be greater than 45 degrees. *YOU* control
the amount of centrifugal force by changing speed or by
changing the radius of the turn you are in.
So, for example, if when you are riding at 45 MPH on a
particular curve your lean angle might be 30 degrees and when
you speed up to 55 MPH on that same curve that lean angle
might be 35 degrees. That is the angle at which the force of
gravity which is trying to pull you down is exactly offset by
the centrifugal force being generated.
Why should that matter to you? Because not only is it
impossible for that lean angle to be less than the one
determined by the laws of physics as I just described, but
because it CANNOT BE GREATER THAN THAT - in other
words, IT CANNOT FALL OVER!
In order for the bike to fall over that lean angle would have to
increase to well over 45 degrees at which point your pegs
would scrape HARD and that, in turn, would lift your tires off
the ground (which is why, then, you fall down.) But we
already know that the lean angle CANNOT BE GREATER
than the angle at which the centrifugal force and gravity are
equally offsetting each other. In order to reach a 45 degree
angle or more you have to deliberately increase your speed or
shorten the radius of the turn.
Let me be very clear about the above. *YOU* can
decide only the direction and the speed of travel of your
motorcycle. Those things, in turn, determine what the lean
angle of your bike is - not you. Once you have reached a lean
angle of, say, 40 degrees, if you do not increase your speed or
shorten the radius of the turn, your motorcycle (and rider)
MUST maintain that lean angle - neither less than nor greater
than that angle. So it CANNOT FALL DOWN.
The same is true at any lean angle. So long as your tires
maintain traction and you are not dragging any parts of the
bike, you CANNOT FALL DOWN.
There is something to be said about following the law, no?
Copyright 1992 - 2016 by The Master Strategy Group, all
rights reserved.
http://www.msgroup.org
(James R. Davis is a recognized expert witness in the fields of
Motorcycle Safety/Dynamics.)
Page 10
February, 2016
HUMOR
Have you ever been guilty of looking at
others your own age and thinking, “Surely I
can’t look that old?” Well… You’ll love this
one!
I was sitting in the waiting room for my
first appointment with a new dentist. I
noticed his DDS Diploma, which bore his
full name.
Suddenly, I remembered a tall, handsome,
dark-haired boy with the same name had
been in my high school class some 40-odd
years ago.
Could he be the same guy that I had a
secret crush on, way back then???
Upon seeing him, however I quickly
discarded any such thought.
This balding, gray-haired man with the
deeply lined face was way too old to have
been my classmate! Hmm…or could he?
After he examined my teeth, I asked him if
he had attended Morgan Park High School.
“Yes, Yes, I did. I had a Mustang,” He
gleamed with pride. “When did you
graduate?” I asked. He answered, “In 1959.
Why do you ask?”
“You were in my class!” I exclaimed. He
looked at me closely.
Then, that ugly, old, wrinkled, worthless
asked, “What did you teach?”
-Anonymous
FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS
02/05
Michael Sykos
02/07
Sam Reagle
02/12
Patrick Hajek
02/17
Armando Ynostrosa
02/21
Kathy Vallejo
Page 11
February, 2016
Note: Unless otherwise indicated all Chapter "H" rides start at the parking lot behind the Exxon and Whataburger
located at Bandera Rd. & 1604 (Northwest San Antonio.) Rides are subject to change. Changes will be communicated via
the website, Newsletter, and/or e-mail. If there is a discrepancy between the newsletter and what is published on the
web site, the web site will take precedence.
Page 12
February, 2016
CHAPTER H OFFICERS
Chapter Director
Sam “Brick” Reagle 210-426-5617 [email protected]
Assistant Chapter Director Mike “Shrimpman” Pineda [email protected]
Chapter Educator William Stein 210-559-2113 [email protected]
Membership Coordinator Barbara & Bob Smith 210-867-7534 [email protected]
Secretary/Treasurer Charles Fleming 210-827-1894 [email protected]
CHAPTER H STAFF
Web Master/Photographer Dean Davis 830-612-2106 [email protected]
Newsletter Editor Pat Pineda 210-316-3975 [email protected]
Technical Advisor Len Ellis 210-695-4320 [email protected]
Activity/Ride Coordinator Charles Fleming 210-827-1894 [email protected]
DISRICT STAFF
District Directors
Mike & Robin Thacker
281-686-8862
Assistant District Directors
Tom & Dawn Spague
858-755-6071
District Treasurer
Diane Shults
713-562-3994
Member Enhancement Coordinator
Steve & Dona VanGilder
210-391-9495
COY Coordinator
Steve & Dona VanGilder
210-391-9495
Chapter Of the Year Coordinator
Gillian Allen
281-687-8548
District Trainer
Cliff & Gillian Allen
214-886-5721
District Educator
Randy & Kathy Reese
386-846-8521
Motor Awareness Coordinator
Open
Entertainment Coordinator
Kenny Shults
281-642-4619
Couple of the Year 2015-2016
Randy & Kathy Reese
214-886-5798
Activities Coordinator
Open
District Newsletter Editor
Tom Sprague
858-755-6071
District Vendor Coordinator
Kenny Shults
281-642-4619
District Webmaster
Tom Sprague
858-755-6071
Page 13
February, 2016
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
FEB 3 -Chapter Meeting
FEB 7 - 8:30-9:30 Breakfast at Jim’s #40 (11803 Bandera Rd
Helotes, TX 78023)
9:30-1400 Ride
FEB 13-Valentine’s Day Lunch Ride, Hermann Sons Steakhouse
(577 Hwy 90E, Hondo, TX)
We will meet at 10:00 for ride to Hill Country and way back
to lunch around 1-2 pm.
FEB 21- 8:30-1400 Breakfast Ride – pick a place and go
FEB 27- 8:30-1400 Breakfast Ride – pick a place and go
Page 14
February, 2016
http://www.gwrra-h.org/16rally/index.html
Page 15
February, 2016
http://www.goldwingaustin.org/index.html
Page 16
February, 2016
http://wing-ding.org/
Page 17
February, 2016
http://wing-ding.org/
Page 18
February, 2016
Page 19
February, 2016
GWRRA MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION
For any inquiry in to membership and joining GWRRA check out the following web links:
GWRRA Membership Home Page
About GWRRA
GWRRA Membership Join/Renew
GWRRA Rescue Plus Add/Renew
GWRRA Manage My Record
GWRRA Events
GWRRA Contact Info
GWRRA 800-843-9460 or (623) 581-2500
How do I become a member? Click GWRRA membership web link or mail in membership application.
How do I become a chapter H member if assigned wrong chapter? To change your Chapter affiliation,
contact Customer Service at 1-800-843-9460.
To Log In
To update your information online:
If you have never logged on to this sight, you will first need to obtain log-in information. This can be done by
clicking on the Welcome (Log-in) page where instructed.
After you complete this process you will receive an email with your user name and password.
After you have received your user name and password return to the Log-in page and on the left side of the
screen click on “Manage My Records”.
Click Continue. Enter your user Name and password.
Click Continue. At the Choose prompt, select the drop-down menu and choose “Modify My Record” and click
on the “Go” button.
After you have made your changes click the Submit Changes button. This will update your information. When
you have completed all the changes you need to make, be sure to log off.
Page 20
February, 2016
There are various types of memberships and costs. For more information and details check out the web
link above.
Individual Membership: $45 for 1 year, $85 for 2 year, and $120 for 3 years
Family Membership: $55 for 1 year, $105 for 2 year, and $150 for 3 years
Associate Membership for those who do not own Goldwing or Valkyrie: $45 for 1 year, $85 for 2 year, and
$120 for 3 years
Associate Family Membership for those who do not own Goldwing or Valkyrie: $55 for 1 year, $105 for 2 year,
and $150 for 3 years
Life Membership: For those individuals who have been a Member of GWRRA for twenty consecutive years and
pay a nominal annual membership fee of $20 per year.