The Gulf Wings Newsletter. F ro m P h i l s f i l e s - F e b r u a ry Hello Chapter G and Friends

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1 T h e G u l f w i n g s N e w s l e t t e r F r i e n d s f o r F u n S a f e t y a n d K n o w l e d g e F ro m P h i l s f i l e s - F e b r u a ry Hello Chapter G and Friends Erin & I are looking forward to getting out and riding as the weather improves. I will lead one as soon as we get a Saturday that looks good. If you have a place in mind you would like to ride, let us know we can plan it. Also check the files section of our Facebook group page, Gulfwings. Some GPX routes are stored there and are compatible with Garmin. You can download them and use them to plan a ride. files/ One of our old members, Keith Engelke, got his 2018 Goldwing, Saturday 1/27/18. He said he will do his best to make it to the February meeting. Hopefully he will bring his new bike and we can get a look. Valentines day is the 14 th, don t forget about your sweetheart. If you are reading this at the meeting and forgot, UhOh! In the meantime, let s all get out and ride. Philip & Erin V o l u m e 3 0, I s s u e 2 F e b r u a r y In this issue: Chapter Information 2 Calendars 4-5 Rider Education 6-7 Membership Enhancement 8 Advertisements Special points of interest: Chapter G on the Web: Chapter G Facebook: GWRRA TX G Group Texas District Website: GWRRA Website: NOTE: Chapter Gathering February 22nd at 7:30 PM at The Valley Ranch BBQ located - Hwy 249 & Spring Cypress

2 2 Chapter G Safe Miles As of February 1, 2018 Safe Miles for the year 828 GWRRA Gulf Wings Chapter G Newsletter is published by Chapter G Members. Disclaimer: Articles, website addresses, maps, and cartoons express the opinions of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Chapter Staff members or the membership. Chapter G (Chapter) is not responsible for the accuracy of any facts stated in articles, website addresses or cartoons submitted. Chapter G assumes no responsibility for the advertising content within this publication. All warranties and representations made in articles, websites and advertising content are solely that of the advertiser and any claims regarding its content should be taken up with the author, webmaster, or advertiser. The Chapter assumes no liability with regard to its advertisers including errors of information, typographical errors, errors of omission, misprints or failure to place advertising in this publication except for the actual cost of such advertising or a correction/retraction. Under no circumstances shall the Chapter be held liable for incidental or consequential damages, loss of business or services, or any other liabilities unless otherwise stated above. We meet here for rides We meet here for monthly Gathering YOUR CHAPTER G OFFICERS & TEAM MEMBERS Officers: Chapter Director: Philip Blair & Erin Gilligan philipblair@outlook.com GWRRA # & Assistant Chapter Director: Tommy & Margie Nichols tommy1of10@sbcglobal.net GWRRA # & Chapter Ride Coordinator/Educator: Ray Willis GWRRA # Membership Enhancement: Jim & Teresa Cook jcool45@yahoo.com GWRRA # & Officers: Asst. Membership Enhancement: Larry & Sally Dresch larsal@sbcglobal.net GWRRA# & Secretary/Treasurer: Glenn & Pat Belunek phonehome5603@sbcglobal.net GWRRA # & Team Members: Couple of the Year: 2018 Glenn & Pat Belunek phonehome5603@sbcglobal.net GWRRA # & Team Members: Newsletter Editor & Chapter of the Year Coordinator: Margie Nichols tommy1of10@sbcglobal.net GWRRA # Webmaster: Sam Belinoski sam@samanita.com GWRRA #

3 3 Big Dates As of 2/1/2018 EVENT NAME Education Weekend LOCATION DATES CONTACT Texas A&M Campus March 10 & 11 Killeen, TX District Rally Washington on Brazos Brenham, TX May 17, 18, 19 Wing Ding Knoxville, TN August 28 September 1 PHONE Randy Reese txed@gwrra-tx.org txed@gwrra-tx.org Register online or call BuyLine: Now281 Chapter G Ride Wing Ding 37 Next Team Meeting Thursday, February 22nd at 6:30 PM Valley Ranch BBQ Prior to the Chapter Gathering For March planning Anyone is invited to join the Team Meeting, come give us your ideas for the Chapter... THIS MONTHS CHAPTER MEETING Thursday, February 22nd 7:30 PM at Valley Ranch BBQ

4 4 February 2018 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Chapter Gathering 7:30 PM Team Meeting 6:30 PM Pat Belunek 2/4 Bill Burgess 2/4 Linda Willis 2/8 Brenda Dillon 2/27 Birthdays Anniversary Mike & Tina Andries 2/12 Chris & Brenda Dillon 2/13 Ray & Linda Willis 2/14 Gene & Barb Mings 2/22 Sam & Anita Belinoski 2/24

5 5 March 2018 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Chapter Gathering 7:30 PM Team Meeting 6:30 PM Birthdays CB Burgess 3/14 Lee Scott 3/27 Terry Beavers 3/30 Anniversary Larry & Sally Dresch 3/2 Mike & Cindy Smith 3/21

6 6 TEXAS RIDER EDUCATION UPDATE February 2018 Randy and Kathy Reese Chris Schoenthal 1007 Parkcrest Ct., Pflugerville, Tx Greenwood Dr., Grand Prairie TX (512) (512) (972) February Education Weekend Being Planned (repeat) As the new District staff has started planning for our District Rally in May, we had a lot of discussion on how to make it more fun for everyone. Several of us agreed that many rallies are so filled with classes and seminars that there isn t much time to actually ride and enjoy the area. We have decided to offer statewide Education Weekends 1-2 times around Texas where we will have 2-3 riding courses, several education, leadership, and MEC seminars, Motorist Awareness courses and MFA/CPR classes. That way, our membership can get the training they need and can enjoy riding and participating in FUN activities at the rally. Of course, chapters can and should still hold training as their members need/request it and we will be happy to help facilitate with you. Our first weekend will be held March 10 & 11 in Killeen at the Texas A&M Central Texas Campus. Please poll your membership and if there is any specific course that you would like to see offered, please me or Chris Schoenthal with your ideas. Rider Education Resource Many of you know that Kathy is a skilled woman rider. She gets a lot of information to share from It has a lot of good ideas. Check it out!

7 7 That Motorcycle Vision Thing A visionary is someone who has the ability to evaluate current information, use it to project likely developments in the future, and take effective action today to manage future events and avoid having those events manage them. Former President George H.W. Bush famously referred to this ability as the Vision Thing. And the Vision Thing also can apply to riding a motorcycle. Anyone who has taken the Basic Rider Course knows a motorcycle goes where you look, and effective cornering depends on a rider looking through the curve. But in many ways, that only scratches the surface of the Motorcycle Vision Thing for riders. Focusing your sight on the proper primary and secondary targets is important both to achieving a smooth and effective riding technique and mitigating the dangers incumbent in riding a motorcycle on the street. Primary targets are those of the highest priority, and they demand a rider s immediate, primary focus. Secondary targets, on the other hand, should be monitored by a rider s secondary focus, or peripheral vision. For example, when a rider suddenly detects a pothole or other road hazard in his or her peripheral vision, that hazard should, immediately, become a primary target. But instead of fixating on that hazard, the rider should visualize and focus on the best path to avoid it. After the danger has passed, riders should then refocus their attention to the new primary target (i.e., the one with the highest priority). In the absence of an immediate threat, riders generally should focus as far down the road as their sightline allows, but also keep their eyes roving 360 degrees (by using their mirrors) to detect potential dangers. The farther ahead you focus, the easier it is for your brain to process what you are seeing. It s as if your bike s forward motion is progressing at a slower pace. Focusing closer to the front wheel makes the activity being processed by the brain seem to be happening much faster. This often results in jerky rider inputs through the handlebars, brakes, and throttle and less time to detect and avoid hazards. Let s consider another example of how this riding technique should work. When riding in a group, particularly if it s tightly packed, there s a tendency for riders to focus on the motorcycle directly in front of them, making it their primary target. Because the following rider is not focusing on the road ahead, he or she is constantly braking, accelerating, and erratically executing corners. If, instead, the road becomes the following rider s primary focus, and the other riders ahead are placed in peripheral vision, the following rider will be smoother and safer. A rider can practice sharpening up their peripheral vision even when they re not riding. For example, while walking down a sidewalk, try to pick out details in your surroundings without looking at them directly. With a little practice, riders can master the Motorcycle Vision Thing and improve their riding technique and safety.

8 8 Membership Enhancement By Jim & Teresa Cook / Hello Gulfwingers! It must be the nice weather we have been experiencing that has me excited about the coming year in Chapter G. I look forward with renewed optimism to the great rides we have planned and spending time with our Goldwing friends both old and new. Remember that this Chapter belongs to all and even if you personally do not wish to lead a ride, if you have a favorite place to visit or ride please let one of the ride leaders know and I ll bet we could arrange a ride there. I look forward to more Fun times this spring and summer. In the words of our Chapter Director...LET'S GO! Jim & Teresa Cook Membership Enhancement Coordinators January Chapter G Members 34 0 Guests/Visitors The winner of the 50/50 drawing! January Winner Ricky & Pam Hunt Each month, every person who attends the Chapter Gathering will get a yellow ticket. The lucky winner will receive a $10 gift certificate to the Valley Ranch BBQ. Birthdays Pat Belunek 2/4 Bill Burgess 2/4 Linda Willis 2/8 Brenda Dillon 2/27 February January Winner JJ Baker Anniversary Mike & Tina Andries 2/12 Chris & Brenda Dillon 2/13 Ray & Linda Willis 2/14 Gene & Barb Mings 2/22 Sam & Anita Belinoski 2/24 Every participant in Chapter G is important to us. Please let us know if you have suggestions or news you want to share with the Chapter. Just contact us at jcool45@yahoo.com. We welcome your input!

9 9 Assistant Director Tommy Nichols # Phil & Erin sent this information out in his weekly update, but in case you missed it, check it out. We all made it to the Mid Winter Round Up and here are some of the pictures and information. We currently don t have any rides planned for February, but as soon as we see a clear Saturday or Sunday, we will notify everyone of a potential ride. We had a great Gathering in January, sorry if you had to miss it. From Phil and Erin Saturday, January 15, a group of Chapter G folks went to the MidWinter RoundUp at Washington On the Brazos state park. Attending were Erin and myself, Tommy and Margie Nichols, Glenn and Pat Belunek, Ray Willis and Sam Belinoski. Erin and I were sworn in as your new Chapter Directors, and are looking forward to leading this wonderful group of friends for the next few years. Also at the meeting, Pat and Glenn were recognized as Chapter G's Couple of the Year, a very well-deserved honor. And Ray has graciously agreed to be our chapter's Ride Coordinator - he was sworn in as well. Polar Bear Ride Patches Are Here! If you ordered a patch, they are here. Cost is $6 for the patch and $1.50 for the year rocker. They will be available at the Chapter Gathering. Please bring exact change if possible! Ray Willis being sworn in as Chapter Ride Coordinator. Ray will also be handling our Educator affairs and updating the Members in the Levels Program

10 10 Texas District Mid-Winter Roudup in January 2018 Philip & Erin being sworn in as Chapter G Directors. We are so happy to welcome them in that position. Glenn & Pat Belunek were honored and received their certificate & medallion as our 2018 Couple of the Year. Congratulations Glenn & Pat!!

11 11 Submitted by Margie Nichols Newsletter Editor Don't have a name tag? You can order one from these fine folks. They are long time GWRRA members and very active in their Florida Chapter. This one is located on their website, under Custom Name Badges/Name Badge 4 Line Philip has updated our Banner stand to make it look a little nicer and easier to put up. Good Job! from Readers Digest One liners Why do dogs always race to the door when the doorbell rings? It s hardly ever for them. Bifocals are God s way of saying, Keep your chin up. My friends tell me that cooking is easy, but it s not easier than not cooking. I think a lot of the conflict that happened in the Wild West could ve been avoided had architects in those days just made their towns big enough for everyone. I d rather spend ten minutes rearranging the dishwasher to accommodate something than spend 30 seconds washing it by hand.

12 12 From Texas District Directors We are pleased to announce GWRRA Texas District is a proud sponsor of WINGERS-N-WAVES Caribbean cruise, said Jim Woodul Texas District Director. WINGERS-N-WAVES is largest Wingers cruise event in the world to the Caribbean, Alaska and Europe. The Texas District cruise event will depart Galveston, Texas on October 21, 2018 for 7 nights to the Exotic Caribbean. We encourage all Texas Chapters to attend this exciting Wingers cruise. We are lucky enough the cruise will depart our home state of Texas but Wingers from all over the country and Canada will join the fun! You ll enjoy private parties and special events planned for the group! You will have the opportunity to Win 7 days of WOW, all because of GWRRA Texas District. You could win a cruise for two that will sail from Galveston, Texas to Honduras, Belize City and Cozumel, Mexico! Please stay tuned for details of how you can win the grand prize at our District Rally May 17-19, 2018 in Brenham, TX. You do not need a passport to go on the WINGERS-N-WAVES Caribbean cruise if you are a US citizen. However, you will need an original Birth Certificate or a certified copy along with your driver s license or state ID. You re welcome to check out the WINGERS-N-WAVES annual event to Alaska and Viking River Cruise. For full event details please go to or call (386) to reserve your cabin. There is limited space so don t delay your reservation. Hope to see everyone on the cruise! Jim & Alvalin Woodul Texas District Directors

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14 14 To make a reservation, please call Do not call the hotels directly All reservations must be made through Visit Knoxville in order to receive the discounted group rates. Business hours are Monday Friday, 8:30 AM 5:00 PM EST. vkhousing@knoxville.org August 28 September 1, 2018 Register online or call Members: $40 Life Members: $20 Full Preregistration - Must be postmarked before July 23, day pass to indoor Trade Show 4-day pass to Demo Rides on all participating manufacturers' bikes (subject to availability) Wing Ding Welcome Party Access to Seminars and Parades Access to Opening and Closing Ceremonies Optional dinner and priority seating prior to free Entertainment Event Access to free Evening Entertainment Event Souvenir Event Pin and Pocket Guide Exclusive opportunities for tours, dinners and other ticketed events Numbered armband for chance at thousands of dollars in amazing prizes! Precision Drill Team Exhibitions and other performances Optional Rider Education Safety Courses, CPR

15 15 Please Note: Thanks to all those businesses advertising or contributing to the Newsletter. We are still looking for businesses wanting to put an ad here and it doesn t have to be a full page ad, so if you know anyone who would like to use our Newsletter to advertise, please contact one of the Chapter G Officers as noted on Page 2. We choose to print our Newsletter at: KwikKopy 1010 Spring-Cypress Road Spring, Texas 77373

16 West Rd Houston, TX Toll Free: (800) Phone: (281) Sales * Richard Rich McKelvey / Parts * Michael Mike Lopresti / Service * Steve N Helms FREE = 50 POINT ROAD READY INSPECTION CHECKLIST with any other service work up to 20% OFF = NEXT SCHEDULED MAINTANANCE SERVICE drop offs and Chapter G EMPLOYEE PRICING = ON ALL REMAINING GOLDWINGS on hand/in stock up to 15 % OFF = BOLT ON GOLDWING ACCESSORIES on hand/or special order