This month I write this newsletter in memory of Bruce Merrill. Bruce was 67 years old and retired from International Paper in 2001, with 38 years of service as a National Sales Manager. He leaves his wonderful wife Pat of 44 years, 2 sons, 2 brothers and 4 grandchildren. Bruce was a very proud member of GWRRA where he held offices on the District Level and Chapter Level. Bruce was a kind of guy that never met a stranger and was probably one of the best when it came to recruiting new GWRRA members. Anytime he saw someone on a bike, he found out if they were GWRRA members and if not, he always had an application for membership with him. Something else Bruce was quite fond of, and had a real passion for, was St. Jude Childrens Hospital. Every year he was always the first person to ask what W-2 was going to do as our chapter fund raiser. Along with all of his many friends in GWRRA and Chapter W-2 he will be greatly missed. When Jim and I became Chapter Directors we asked Bruce & Pat to be our couple of the year. They declined this opportunity so we made them the Chapter Ambassadors for W-2 so that we could always have their knowledge of the organization. Now that Bruce is gone to a better place with not so many things to have to fulfill, we will still have Pat to be our Ambassador of the chapter. Thank you Pat, for all of the things that you and your very best friend did, not only for Chapter W-2, but for GWRRA.

     Our annual Christmas Party will be December 6th at 6:00pm at the Eads Community Center in Eads. The cost of the party will be $25 per couple and $12.50 per single person. IF YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE CHRISTMAS PARTY YOU MUST PAY IN ADVANCE AT THE NOVEMBER MEETING!!!!!  We have to know in advance of how many people to plan for since the staff will be preparing all of the food. Also we will be playing Dirty Santa where the men will bring a gift for the men, and the ladies will bring a gift for the ladies.

     We are still looking for people to be staff members next year. We have a new Chapter Director for next year, but you are going to have to come to the meeting to find out WHO! There are still 3 very important positions that need to be filled for our Chapter to continue to function.  1. Asst. Chapter Director  2. Chapter Educator  3. Treasurer.  None of these positions require a lot of work that would not be fun in doing, If you are a new member to the group and think you might like to be on the staff please let Pat, Jim, Alan, or Glenda know. If you have never held a staff position you are really missing a great opportunity to learn all about GWRRA. After all, the motto for this great organization is "Fun for Safety and Knowledge." During the years that we have been on staff we have had the opportunity to meet some great friends from all over the state and other places. Please give some serious thought of what you might be able to do to help our GREAT CHAPTER continue. When you stop and really think about it we all have many gifts and talents that can be used if we will just make the effort.

 

We want to wish everyone a very happy and safe Thanksgiving.

 

See you soon

 

Pat & Jim

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A GOOD LEADER, WILLING FOLLOWERS

 

The street is not a racing environment, and it takes humility, self assurance and self control to keep it that way.  The leader sets the pace and monitors his mirrors for signs of raggedness in the ranks that follow, such as tucking in on straights, crossing over the yellow line and hanging off the motorcycle in corners.  If the leader pulls away, he simply slows his straightaway speed slightly but continues to enjoy the corners, thus closing the ranks but missing none of the fun.  The lead shifts occasionally with a quick hand sign, or CB communication, but there’s never a pass for the lead with an ego on the sleeve.  Make no mistake, the riding is spirited and quick - - in the corners.  Anyone with a right arm can hammer down the straights; it’s the proficiency in the corners that makes the pace come alive.  (See December’s article) 

 

Following distances are relatively lengthy, with the straightaways - - taken at more moderate speeds - - the perfect opportunity to adjust the gaps.  Keeping a good distance serves several purposes, besides being safer.  Rock chips are minimized and the highway patrol won’t suspect a race is in progress.  The pace’s style of not handing off in corners also reduces the appearance of pushing too hard and adds a degree of maturity and sensibility in the eyes of the public and the law.  There’s a definite challenge to cornering quickly while sitting sedately on your bike.

 

New rider indoctrination takes some time because the pace develops very high cornering speeds and newcomers want to hammer the throttle on exits to make up for what they lose at the entrances.  The group should slow drastically when a new rider joins the ranks because the technique of moderate straightaway speeds and no brakes can suck the unaware into a corner too fast, creating the most common single-bike accident.  With a new rider learning behind you, tap your brake lightly well before the turn to alert him and make sure he understands there’s no pressure to stay with the group.

 

There’s plenty of ongoing communication during the ride.  The left hand points at debris on the road, all slowing or turning intentions are signaled in advance, turn signals are used for direction changes and passing, with a wave of the left hand to thank the cars that move right and make it easy for the motorcyclists to get past.  Since you don’t have a death grip on the handlebar, your left hand is also free to wave to oncoming riders, a fading courtesy that we’d like to see return

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

November 2008

 

 

 

THANK YOU

 

I recently read an article written by a woman whose spouse had passed away.  Prior to his death, they were involved frequently with a group of friends (couples) in various activities.  Following his death, these friends stopped including her.  In fact, they avoided her.  I realized just how very lucky I am to have so many wonderful, caring, warm, and fun to be around friends such as all of you.  You always include me; never make me feel like a “fifth wheel”.  You all have helped make all this more bearable.  The trip to Biloxi we just took was somewhat easier that I expected, being my first rally without Donald.  We went to a lot of rallies together, lots of memories.  2004 was our last trip to Biloxi.  I could still see him sitting out under that big tree, watching the people.  That’s what he enjoyed most about rallies.  I don’t know what I would have done without all of you.  I can’t thank you enough.

 

I love all of you.

Ruth Bolden