Reminder!

The Official Publication of Prairie Thunder Harley Owners Group
Chapter #1951, Wichita, Kansas
Volume 20, Issue 6
June 2011
inside this issue
FROM
THE
DIRECTOR:
Reminder!
ALL Friday
dinner runs,
WILL
LEAVE FROM
ALEFS.
-------------------------------
Remember, if you have anything to contribute to the newsletter, please send it to the Editor ([email protected]) by the
20th of the month previous to
allow ample time to get everything included and off to the
printer. Also, please remember
to keep your submissions, Grated.
Chuck G.
Editor/Webmaster
Hello Everyone,
Hope every one is enjoying the days
that are warm, and getting out for a ride.
We have a busy summer in front of all
of us, and I hope you can work it in to
your schedules to make as many club
functions as possible. You never know
what we have in store with the fun
group officers that are serving you, and
wanting to make every ride and meeting
a new adventure.
As always check your calendar monthly,
as some times things have to change
that were set last winter. So the
monthly calendar that comes out with
the newsletter is the one we will be going by.
Hope every one has enjoyed the rides
so far this year and will be looking forward to many more as summer progresses. If anyone has ideas for ride destinations or any other fun we can have
let myself or any of the officers know.
Last but not least anyone wanting to
ride to the Kansas State Rally as a group,
Sharon and I will be leaving Alefs a 9:30,
Thursday, June 2nd. Just meet us there
if you want to ride up as a group.
Ride safe, and ride often,
Marv
on this date
calendar
safety corner
cruise control, loh
waynoka snake hunt
p.2
p.3
p.4
p.5
p.6
Puddin’s
Corner
What movie is this from? “And I got a girlfriend. Punch that out of me, b!+@#es!”
Next month I will be happily married for 28
years. Who in the world would have believed
that one? That’s how we all feel about riding
our motorcycles don’t we. It’s the freedom,
wind (oh the Kansas wind) and solitude of
firing up the bike and just getting lost from
the entire world.
Me and maw have so much fun riding and
seeing different places and people. Mesa
was a great place to ride on xmas day last
year. We left town and went West to the
mountains and stopped when the temperature went from 75 to 35 degrees in Globe,
AZ. I stopped to put on my warmer gloves
while someone I was riding with just turned
her heated grips up to 3. We went south from
there and made a long loop back to Mesa
with our new headsets...remember them?
It’s raining out and all I want to do is go riding. Well I better get back to work or I may
not be able to buy fuel to go riding, and
Chuck already wants my newsletter.
...and he was still late with it... ;-)
So, AMF! (adios my friends) till next time,
LETS RIDE!
Darren Walck
Assistant Director
[email protected]
PRAIRIE FIRE
Volume 20, Issue 6
June 2011
Page 2
A C T I V I T I E S
Reminder!
ALL Friday
dinner runs,
WILL
LEAVE FROM
ALEFS
Time to ride! June will bring lots of riding opportunities. First is the state rally June 2,3,4. Hope everyone who is going has a safe and fun trip. We have dinner rides scheduled on June 10 to Hutch, June 17 to
El Dorado, and June 24 to Newton. If the weather is bad or you just need to drive and meet at the restaurant please call the person listed on the calendar page by 6 p.m. that evening. It is necessary for us to
have as close a count as possible for the restaurant to accommodate us. And remember, we leave Alef’s
HD at 6:30 so anywhere we go will be at least a half hour later.
We have a destination ride scheduled for June 12, the ride location will be determined that morning. If
you have suggestions for a good place to ride (not a restaurant) that is about 150 miles out (round trip
300) please convey your idea to Dave Johnson, or any other officer and we’ll pass it along.
And now for the FUN Activity for June….we will be hosting the Hays HOG chapter for a day of fun.
Be sure to save June 18 for a play day. We will meet at Alef’s HD about 1 pm for lunch, bike games, and
whatever else we think up between now and then and get to know our fellow Western Kansas members.
We have some more activities in the works for the evening. Please come and join in the fun as they are
planning to return the “favor” of inviting us to their place. More details will follow so watch your emails
and come to the June meeting for updates. Another FUN activity for those of you who like to RIDE…
RIDE… RIDE…Million Mile Monday is June 27. Take the day off from the usual grind and load up
some MILES! GET OUT AND RIDE! Remember the 50 point ride when you are out with a group or on
your own. Take a picture to document and have a great time earning a patch.
Kathryn Langrehr
Activities Officer
Good Day PT HOG members,
I can’t believe another month has gone by already. In case you missed it we had a great ride down to
Pittsburg, KS to visit the Vietnam War Memorial. The weather was a little cool, but so was the memorial.
If you get a chance I suggest that you go visit it.
I may need some volunteers on June 18th. I will know more the night of the meeting. Also looks like
there are going to be some great rides again this month, and don’t forget Million Mile Monday on the
27th . I know I’ll be out riding and hope to see you out also. In fact it would be a good time to work on the
50 Point Ride Spots.
Randy Booth
Volunteer Coordinator
On This Date...
I would like to thank those who have stepped up in my absence on some of the rides that took and submitted pictures!
21 years ago: One of the prizes for the MDA Rally was dinner with Willie Davidson (I wonder who won
that?). One of the weekly burger runs was to Bomber Burger.
15 years ago: It was reported that after a Friday night burger run that fifteen or so bikes were spotted at
an exclusive dress shop on E. Kellogg instead of going for ice cream! As it turns out Barbara Anderson
was modeling that evening at Ann's Fashions. The monthly ride was to Coldwater, KS. One of our members stated that if 25 bikes showed up that they would donate $500 to MDA.
9 years ago: Dinner runs included, Benton Antique Mall, Mr. Mike's Hamburgers, Gambino's Pizza and
El Rodeo Mexican Restaurant. Found an interesting tidbit from previous chapter officer looking for
memorabilia from "The Wichita Motorcycle Club." It is interesting to learn that our chapter has been
around for longer than some of us may know.
5 years ago: Riders participated in a white "X" run. A mystery ride that covered about 100 miles looking
for elusive white X's. A cook out was enjoyed by the participants at Lake Afton after the ride, and there
were prizes given away that were donated by Alefs. The winners of the ride were made up of a team
called the Smiley Clique. Team members included Dan and Becky Kennedy, Rick and Bev Smiley and
Hank Hoesli.
H-D History: The second model, in gray focused on driver's comfort and eliminated open exhaust. This
ride offered such comfort that it was baptized the "The Silent Gray Fellow". Despite material difficulties
due to the lack of money, they decided to double the workshop area. Eight of the Silent Gray Fellows
were manufactured in 1904. Walter Davidson Sr. quit his job with the railroad and joined the company. William S. Harley took a course in the field of combustion engines at the University of Wisconsin.
They decided to take a chance on expanding rather than disappearing. On September 17, 1907, four years
after the launch of it's first motorcycle, the Harley-Davidson Motor Company was officially registered at
the U. S. Trade and Company Register.
Mitch Garner
Historian/Photographer
Prairie Thunder H.O.G. Activity Calendar
June 2011
Sponsored by Alefs Harley-Davidson
ATTENTION: All Friday night dinner rides, LEAVE FROM ALEFS
1
2
KANSAS
5
6
7
8
3
STATE
9
13
14
Flag Day
15
16
20
21
10
RALLY
11
17
18
Playa Azul
2521 W. Central
El Dorado, KS
D. Schoemaker
316-518-5856
6:30 PM
Ride To Potwin
Alefs H-D
8:00 AM
19 Father’s Day
H.O.G.
Davill’s
11 Des Moines
Hutchinson, KS
Margaret Argo
316-253-3841
6:30PM
Officer/Chapter
Meetings
Best Western
53 N/I-135
5:30PM/7:00PM
12
4
22
23
24
25
Montana Mike’s
1109 E. 1st St.
Newton, KS
Nichole Everhart
405-206-4077
6:30PM
26
27
28
29
30
Biker Breakfast:
3rd Sat - Marquette
2nd Sun - Cassoday
3rd Sun - Cottonwood Falls
3rd Sun - Potwin
Biker Supper:
Each Tue, 7:00 pm
Bentley Corner - Bentley
PRAIRIE FIRE
Volume 20, Issue 6
June 2011
Page 4
Safety Corner
Sitting here trying to think about what to write to all of you, and be informative and not
boring, is getting tough. So sorry if I sound like a broken record.
Over the last few months wind has been a problem to bikers everywhere, and we have
had to call off rides because of it. The thing about wind is just when you think you have
it handled, a strong gust hits you and blows you off course into the ditch or a curb. I have
had it happen to me, but I was able to keep the bike upright, and only lost the kickstand
spring. The riders that went off the road down by Dexter were all experienced riders, and
have ridden that road before and one still lost his life. When the wind is gusting at 40 to
60 mph use extreme caution! Ride with in your limits, and don’t become a statistic.
Don’t forget if you need a chapter rider handbook get with one of the Road Captains or
me and get yours. It is also available on the web site. The handbook has a lot of good information in it.
Since spring is finally here...I think, it seems like thoughts of long trips are the only
thing that keeps us going during the week. With that in mind, don’t forget your
TCLOCS. Make sure your bike is in good running condition, which makes for a better
riding experience. Also, don’t forget to prepare yourselves for the trips. Remember to
hydrate stay away from the caffeine like coffee and pop. Best rule of thumb is drink until
you pee clear. If you are feeling fatigued during or after a ride, it means you didn’t drink
enough water.
In our chapter we don’t ride side by side, or race each other when riding in a group!
Yes, you should ride your own ride within the group. However, you are still in a group,
and group safety is number one priority.
Trikes are part of our group regardless of where they are in the group. We restart the
stagger after the trike with the first bike in the left track, and we don’t line up beside
them. They have the entire lane to themselves.
Anyone going to State Rally and want to ride together let me know and I will work to
get something together for routing.
As always lets all be safe out there, and keep the shiny side up.
Until next time,
David Hyle
Safety Officer
PRAIRIE FIRE
Volume 20, Issue 6
June 2011
Page 5
CRUISE CONTROL
Reminder!
ALL Friday
dinner runs,
WILL
LEAVE
FROM
ALEFS
-----------------------------
What a day! ...as everyone who went knows. It was unseasonably cool for a Sunday in
May, but it was still a good ride. The ride to Pittsburg is rather scenic, US400 to Fredonia, where we stopped and fueled up, and other necessary things, and then east on
KS47. I will admit I was a bit lost, because I had figured on coming into Pittsburg from
the south on 400, but when you take 47 you are on the north side of town. The group
got split up at the stop light through downtown, but we made it to the destination,
Pittsburg State University, and the Viet Nam War Memorial, there, on the SE end of the
campus. I wasn't expecting to see what I did there...it really is a great tribute to the US
service men & women.
After lunch, most of the group headed back to Wichita. For a few of us brave souls,
we went on search of "points" for the 50 Point ride. Our ride home took us south
through Baxter Springs, where we could catch US 166 and head west. A couple of stops
along that highway and then north on US75 toward Independence. US 160 was the
next turn and the last stop on the hunt for "points". Every time I go to Elk Falls it just
takes my breath away. Just so peaceful there at the river, and the falls, and yep, it's on
the list! So, I checked it off...lol. With all the extra stops and miles, it took us a bit
longer to get back home. I didn't roll into the garage till 7:40 pm, but what a ride.
I am sure the next destination ride will be as much fun, but this one has given me
some very good memories. We still have a few more destination rides as well as a lot
of chapter rides out of town. I hope everyone is enjoying their time on the road no
matter which way the road takes you.
Ride and Have Fun!
David Johnson
Head Road Captain
Ladies of Harley
HOG Girls Gone Wild
LOH will sponsor a girl’s ride to Adrian’s A-Z, in Buhler, on Saturday, July 16th. We
will leave Alefs at 9:30 AM. It doesn't matter if you ride, or drive, all are welcome.
Articles & Pics
Remember, anyone can submit articles, stories, pictures,
etc. to the newsletter.
Remember to keep it ‘G’
rated, and about the Chapter, and its members.
Send your submissions to:
[email protected]
The deadline is the 20th of
the month for the following
months newsletter.
Chuck Go ugh
Editor/Web master
We will (tentatively) have lunch at the Mustard Seed in Buhler (I still need to call
them). Final details will be presented at June’s meeting and the July newsletter.
Doreen Koch
LOH Officer
PRAIRIE FIRE
Volume 20, Issue 6
June 2011
Page 6
Waynoka Snake Hunt by Jeff Langley
The Waynoka Snake Hunt Ride (snake hunt, yikes) – April 30, 2011
Our morning started bright and early with breakfast at Alefs (our sponsoring dealer). Dan and Keith, appeared to have been slaving over the
stove/oven baking biscuits and stirring up sausage gravy, from an old family recipe, for our H.O.G. chapter. There were several non-members
in the waiting area, having service done, that wondered, if this was a every Saturday morning experience, and they were already scheduling
their next service, for a Saturday morning (imagine that). Easy, opened up a register, just in case, we needed some warmer clothes, or shopping (it is a HD dealership, you know), before the ride. Thanks Alefs Team!!!
We had a riders meeting at 9:00, found out we were indeed, attending the world
famous “Waynoka Rattlesnake Hunt” in Waynoka, Oklahoma (and not an April
fools joke).
First stop:
Harper, Kansas (an episode of Veronica’s Closet – Kirstie Alley, filmed here),
Harper Camperland (campers everywhere)
Second stop: Alva, Oklahoma (headquarters for Cherokee Land Run, 1893), Northwestern Oklahoma State University, 1897)
Third stop: Waynoka, Oklahoma- “Rattlesnake Hunt”,
Did you know the “Waynoka Rattlesnake Hunt” was started in 1946 (65 th year). The WRH has occurred the
first weekend after Easter, for the last 65 years, “as a gathering of area ranchers who came together for the purpose of thinning out a critter they saw as a threat to their cattle, the Oklahoma Prairie Rattlesnake.” In later
years it became a festival/celebration organized by the Waynoka Saddle Club, for boosting tourism in the city of
Waynoka, Oklahoma. There are still many of the original traditions, the bean dinner, awards for most pounds
caught, longest snake and most rattlers. There is a “Snake Pit” for those who dare to be near, to the “Oklahoma
Prairie Rattlesnake”. You can watch snake wranglers, milk the snake venom, and even watch a live snake being
butchered. The butchering is right out of the “Friday the 13 th” movie setting, with the staff dressed in bloodied
yellow aprons, and having mischievous smiles, especially the gentlemen that removed the snake’s head, with an
ax (which he appeared to enjoy, to way to much). Jack Fries likened the staff, to the “Swamp People”, without a swamp. You can purchase
snake meat for dinner, or have it cooked right in Waynoka (not for me). Most of us enjoyed a burger, corn dog, cheesy nachos, ice cream,
sodas or pizza. But we all just enjoyed “riding and having fun” with H.O.G. family. Oh (my bad), lessons learned, attach a string to your kickstand plate, and you won’t have to get on and off the bike, to use your kickstand plate (thanks Rocky). Does Alefs sell those (strings)?
What’s next? Some riders headed for home, but the remaining riders were treated to a little extra Oklahoma and Kansas scenery, by Rocky
and Pam (thanks Rocky and Pam).
Fourth stop:
Coldwater, Kansas- (named after C.D. Bickford from Coldwater, Michigan,
who traded land owner aspirations for naming rights)
Fifth stop:
Sun City, Kansas- (Buster’s Town) (many hunting outfitters stay here)
We had lunch at Buster’s Smokehouse and Bar, which was formerly owned by
C.A. “Buster” Hathaway, and formerly named “Buster’s and Alma’s Tavern”.
As you can see from photos on the (pthog.com) web site, “Buster’s” is alive
and well, and thriving. There were many smokehouse treats, brisket, pork,
ribs, links, beans, coleslaw, and much more! We actually arrived before the
rush, and were the only visitors, VIP treatment. I learned talking to others,
“Buster’s” is a happening place, on weekends, with a band and all, and located
just 20 miles from Medicine Lodge, on a two lane, blacktop road. What a
great adventure, through the beautiful Gypsum Hills, of western Kansas.
Buster’s would be a great ride for lunch from Wichita (100 miles), for a weekend adventure.
After lunch, headed for Wichita, cruised through historic Kansas towns, Medicine Lodge (Carrie Nation wasn’t home, but the gas pumps
dripped gas, real slow), Sharon (Martina McBride birthplace), Attica (F4 Tornado Documentary “Shockwave”), back through Harper, Suppesville, and onto Wichita.
Great Ride, Rocky and Pam… much appreciated!!
FROM THE DEALERSHIP:
Harley iPhone Map App features dealer locator
MAD Maps has developed a Harley-Davidson Map app for iPhone users, featuring 975 maps of the best scenic rides for motorcycles in
the United States along with a Harley dealer locator.
Examples of rides included in the app are the South Dakota Black Hills Canyon Tour and Highway 1 along California's Big Sur coastline.
The app will allow customers to quickly and easily find the nearest Harley-Davidson dealership along the routes, according to sources at
MAD Maps. It also has a Best Western Hotel locator so that riders can take advantage of the Motor Co.'s discounted room rate and RiderFriendly hospitality program that offers special amenities for motorcycle riders.
Users can download the Map app for a one-time charge of $4.99.