A Word From Your Chapter Directors Lyle & Sheri Altes

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1 GWRRA Texas Chapter O - Capitol Wings Texas Gold Chapter of the Year / 2008 Texas Chapter of the Year / 2007 GWRRA Internat l. Chapter of the Year A Word From Your Chapter Directors Lyle & Sheri Altes We hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and now as we head into Christmas and another year, it seems like this last year has flown by. With all the really strange weather we have had from cold and rain and 100 degree temps and even more rain, it has really affected the amount of riding we have gotten to do. At least in the last couple of months, we have been able to partially make up for it by getting in a couple of large rides. As we move into the end of this year and on into 2019, I would like the chapter to plan more rides to places we haven t been before or ones we have not been to for some time. Most of these will be one-day rides, but we would like to plan a couple of overnight rides as well. Your input is important to us. We would like to know where you would like to go and what type of rides interest you. Please let us or Ken Burnett know your ideas so we can plan something that more of you would like to do. The last couple of rides have been great as we have had several riders participating and it is always more fun with more of you along. Also, as we are moving into the end of the year we still need help filling several staff positions. One of the most important ones is Ride Coordinator. We would prefer to get a couple of people to share this job to make it easier. None of the jobs that we have available are hard to do or take much time but are very important. Right now, someone else on the staff is doing these jobs on top of their present position which makes it harder on everyone. So, if you are interested and willing to help please let us know. We promise the jobs are not hard and we will show you what to do and we will be there if you need help. Important Dates: 1/1 Polar Bear Ride (see pg 2 for details) 1/15 Chapter O Monthly Gathering 1/26 TX Mid-Winter Round Up 4/6 Bluebonnet Rally 5/16-18 TX District Rally We hope you all enjoyed the Annual Christmas party on Dec. 1, 2018 at The Catfish Parlor South. As always there was great food and a lot of friends to visit with. Check out next month s newsletter for a recap and some photos of our Christmas celebration. We would like to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Hope to see you on a ride with us in First scheduled ride in January 1 see page 2 for details. Chapter Meeting: Our next meeting will be the 3rd Tuesday (Jan 15) at El Rincon (back room), 200 E. Pecan, Pflugerville. Join us at 6:00 pm to eat and visit followed by the 7:00. NOTE: It s 1/2 price enchilada night.

2 Kickstands Up! Additional rides will be announced via the website and Google Groups. For an up-to- date monthly list, visit the Chapter O web site at Date Chapter Event Location Contact/ /Web Phone 1/1 Polar Bear Ride Dead Fish Grill Belton, TX Lyle Altes /15 Chapter O Meeting El Rincon Pflugerville Lyle Altes /26 Texas District Mid-Winter Round Up 4/6 Bluebonnet Rally Paris TX Jim & Alvalin Woodul Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park Fredericksburg TX Lyle Altes /4 LA Chapter M Mud Bug Rally DeRidder, LA See flyer in this newsletter 5/16-18 Texas District Rally Paris TX Jim & Alvalin Woodul /30-6/1 Missouri District Rally Branson MO Ken Lueckenotte /27-31 Wing Ding 41 Nashville TN Feeding Fish to the Polar Bears Ride 2019 Ride Leader: Robby Winfield Let's get 2019 riding season going on Tuesday, January 1st with a ride to eat some Dead Fish... We're going to the Dead Fish Grill overlooking Lake Belton. Kickstands Up at 9:30 am. We will meet at 9:00 am at the H-E-B Grocery, 170 E Whitestone Blvd, Cedar Park, TX (Corner of Whitestone Blvd & 183 where we always meet up north) Let us know as soon as you can if you plan to attend. They need a preliminary head count.

3 Natchitoches Ride-In Ken & Teri Burnett Assistant Chapter Directors Thursday, November 1 st started out as a chilly, overcast day and for the most part it stayed that way all day except for a few occasions of clear and sunny skies. We had 9 riders and 2 dogs on 2 bikes, 3 trikes and a side car rig meet up at Rosa's Cafe on Hwy 79 in Round Rock. We took regular rest stops along the way partially due to the cooler weather and to make it a more comfortable ride. We rode mostly state highways up to Nacogdoches where we met up with Jim Dumas at Clear Springs Cafe for lunch. We had a delicious hot meal with lots of conversation, resting and relaxing. We rode through 2 National Forests and over 2 large lakes. We arrived at our hotel full of other wingers with time to rest before dinner. The hotel was very nice, the staff was very friendly and accommodating. The wingers took over most of the hotel. A lot more wingers showed up on Friday including 3 from Chapter O and 1 from Chapter T on 2 bikes and a trike. The planned rides were spread out over 3 days and left plenty of time for exploring, shopping and of course trying out the local foods. Natchitoches, which is pronounced Nack-A-Tish according to the local information pamphlet, is the oldest city in Louisiana. The city is full of old southern houses, a lot of history and a college. On Friday after lunch we had a ride to the visitor's center over-looking the river and learned about the local history. ( ) Then, we toured the city and ended up downtown on the shores of the river just in time to enjoy dinner. Due to the weather forecast for Sunday morning we had the planned ride for Sunday on Saturday to the plantations. We learned about the cotton plantations and their history. It was a beautiful day and so was the scenery. Sunday started out rainy as most of the group prepared to depart for home. A few of us from Chapter O were staying until Monday so we waited for the rain to pass and rode out with the Louisiana group and rode most of the last ride before splitting up and going our own way. We made our way to another town to try out the local shopping and dining as wingers often do. We decided to ride back to Natchitoches and visit the Fort St. John Baptiste. We decided to pay to tour the fort and learn about the history. It was very interesting and well worth it. On Monday we headed out early to get home and didn't make as many stops as before heading off on our own ways home. We all had a great time and hope you can join us next time.

4 Chapter Birthdays Dec 2 Polly B Dec 14 Jax S Anniversaries No anniversaries this month Dawn Sprague Chapter MEC OH YEAH CHAPTER O Dec 16 Lynn H It was GREAT seeing everyone at our Monthly Chapter Meeting on Nov. 13th!!! No GWRRA Numbers were claimed from the October Newsletter. Keep looking in this newsletter. If you see your GWRRA Number, contact Kathy or Sheri to claim your Prize. For the Progressive Drawing, Leland B's name was drawn. Alas, he wasn't there. The Drawing will now be for $20.00 at our Christmas Party on Dec. 1st. The Prestigious WING NUT Award went to Robby Winfield. He did deserve it!!! DON'T FORGET that our Annual Bluebonnet Rally is just around the corner. Silent Auction items are still needed. Contact John O or Tom S, if any questions. GWRRA Anniversaries 2007 Jim & Johnnie Faye Robby won the WingNut Award Sheri, Jim & Kathy all won door prizes. Ride Safe, Ride Often & Have Fun Judy won the Traveling Basket 50/50 Winners Kathy & Judy were the big winners.

5 Preparing for Toy Run Season Texas District Educators One activity that many motorcycle riders participate in this time of the year is Toy Runs for kids. Our chapter enjoys the comradery of a large mixture of motorcyclists and the excitement of the children as we roar up with our gifts. Because Toy Runs are a group riding experience, it is important to review some of our basic group riding guidelines to keep everyone safer. Here is what the Motorcycle Safety Foundation suggests: Arrive prepared. Arrive on time with a full gas tank. Hold a riders meeting. Discuss things like the route, rest and fuel stops, and hand. Assign a lead and sweep (tail) rider. Both should be experienced riders who are well-versed in group riding procedures. The leader should be aware of each rider's skill level before the ride and monitor the riders during the ride. Keep the group to a manageable size, ideally five to seven riders. If necessary, break the group into smaller subgroups, separated by a few seconds, each with a lead and sweep rider. Ride prepared. At least one rider in each group should have a first-aid kit and full tool kit, and all riders should carry a cell phone, so the group is prepared for any problem that they might encounter. Ride in formation. The staggered riding formation allows a proper space cushion between motorcycles so that each rider has enough time and space to maneuver and to react to hazards. The leader rides in the left third of the lane, while the next rider stays at least one second behind in the right third of the lane; the rest of the group follows the same pattern. A single-file formation with a minimum 2-second following distance is preferred on a curvy road, under conditions of poor visibility or poor road surfaces, entering/leaving highways, or other situations where an increased space cushion or maneuvering room is needed. Avoid side-by-side formations, as they reduce the space cushion. If you suddenly needed to swerve to avoid a hazard, you would not have room to do so. You don t want handlebars to get entangled. Periodically check the riders following using your rear view mirrors. If you see a rider falling behind, slow down so they may catch up. If all the riders in the group use this procedure, the group should be able to maintain a fairly steady speed without pressure to ride too fast to catch up. If you re separated from the group, don t panic. Your group should have a pre-planned procedure in place to regroup. Don t break the law or ride beyond your skills to catch up. For mechanical or medical problems, use a cell phone to call for assistance as the situation warrants. Please note: Some Toy Runs can involve up to several hundred motorcycles. This is inherently a dangerous situation. Consider smaller events or sponsor one with just one or two chapters. Gold Wingers are generally better trained and more skilled in group riding techniques. Have a very merry holiday season and remember to adjust your riding to the weather to keep safe!

6 INTERNATIONAL COUPLE OF THE YEAR Our Year in Review Randy & Kathy Reese International COY It s hard to believe our year as the GWRRA International Couple of the Year is ending. And to think... It all started right here at Chapter O. We have had a very eventful year since being selected as the International Couple and we have done a lot of traveling. In March, we went to Florida s Quacker Dynasty in Altamonte Springs, Florida. Then in May, we went to the Texas Wingin Back in History Rally in Brenham, Texas. The next week, we headed to the Hoot in the Ute in Midway, Utah. This was one of the last region rallies we were excite to get to attend this one. We went directly from Utah to Branson, Missouri for the Wingin the Ozarks Rally and then to Wing Ding in Grapevine TX where we became the International Couple of the Year. We attempted the 40 to Phoenix Ride this year but if you follow us on facebook, you know we had a few bike issues and had to abort that mission after a couple of days on the road. After Wing Ding, we attended the Cruisin on a Wing Rally in September in Lawton, Oklahoma and in October, the Monster Mash in Gulfport, Mississippi. We really enjoyed the Wingers and Waves cruise in October as there were several members from Chapter O in attendance and we had a wonderful time on the cruise. Our last event of the year was the Ride-In to Natchitoches, Louisiana in November and it was great fun with great weather, great food and great friends. At every event we attended this past year, we made new friends and witnessed hundreds of Gold Wingers having fun. We have done our best to be good ambassadors for this association and the Couple of the Year program. We encourage chapters to honor a couple in their chapter by participating in the Couple of the Year program. It has truly been our honor to represent GWRRA as the International Couple of the Year.

7 Kathy Reese Newsletter Editor Women's Favorite Tips for Cold Weather Motorcycle Riding Great gear, riding tips and more from WRN readers like you! By WRN Revved-Up Women Influencers 11/21/2018 Good Gear Doesn t Have to Break the Bank Lori Balcer, Shepherd Montana My tip for cold weather riding is buy good gear! You get what you pay for. Make sure you buy something that allows for flexibility by adding or removing layers, and should be waterproof. If cost is a restriction you still can get good gear, but look in different places: garage sales, Craigslist, ebay, and Amazon. I check motorcycle manufacturer's sites for items that are on clearance. You can save up to 60% in a lot of cases. Snowmobiling gear is a great option, as it s high-tech. If you invest in battery-operated heated gear, be advised this gear does not last long and with the cooler temperatures the batteries lose their power even faster. Gear that you can plug in will be more reliable, but you will have several cords winding through your clothes and you will be tethered to your bike. Do your homework before you buy. Read reviews and ask friends. Quick, Cheap Fix for Cold Hands Cyndi Brandt, Baltimore Maryland Riding during autumn always has me in a quandary for gloves. Too heavy you sweat. Too thin you freeze. The temperature starts warmer then drops during the day, so you go from comfortable to I can t feel my fingers. My simple solution is a pair of latex gloves. They provide a quick layer of warmth, wind protection, and they keep wet weather away from your hands. I never leave home without them on the bike and take them with me on every trip. I ve even been known to hand out a pair or two! Layer, Hydrate, and Eat Small Meals Elaine Thobe, Phoenix Arizona Gear is a must for cold-weather riding. On a budget? Layers and leathers. From undergarments to leathers and shells, this allows you to stay comfortable while being versatile enough to shed layers when things warm up. Hydration is also a necessity when riding in colder weather. (162898) You may not feel very thirsty, but dehydration can lead to fatigue or dizziness (alcohol and caffeine can make this worse). It is recommended to consume at least half your body weight in ounces of water. Metabolism also decreases during colder temperatures. The best way to stimulate your metabolism is to eat small balanced meals throughout the day. Your furnace will continue burning while keeping your mind and body awake and a bit warmer. Need a pit-stop? Whether you re feeling a bit tired or just too darn cold to continue riding, pull over, gather your faculties, and warm up a bit. Run some warm water on your hands or warm them up under a hand dryer. Otherwise take a brisk walk or perform repetitive movements to get the circulation going again.

8 Cuddl Duds and Lots of Wool Chris Gibbany, Harrison Arkansas First, make sure your tires are properly inflated. A hot, protein-packed breakfast helps your body and stopping as often as you need to for a warm cup of coffee or hot chocolate really helps. Since I run open belts on both of my bikes, I wear: Cuddl Duds (base layer garments), jeans, thin athletic zip-up sweatshirt, flannel shirt, and riding jacket. Handmade Portuguese gaiters that not only protect my legs, but provide additional warmth in the winter. Knee-high wool socks and 9 inch Wolverine boots. Thin pair of knitted gloves under Viking gloves. A wool hat over a bandana Living for the Moment and Experiencing Freedom Dorothy L. Gulla, Fort Myers Florida My go-to gear items for colder weather riding are: Gerbing heated jacket Gerbing heated gloves Gerbing controller (plugs into my motorcycle s battery charger unit) KLIM Artemis jacket (wear over my heated jacket) KLIM Artemis pants MotoChic women s base layer Forma women s motorcycle boots Rev it! Tour winter socks Schuberth full face helmet This past October I rode in North Carolina (Little Switzerland, Deal s Gap, etc.). Temperatures ranged from the low 30s (early morning) to the middle 60s (afternoon). I was in heaven, feeling the heat penetrate my upper body from the heated jacket and gloves. Wearing the MotoChic base layer was just enough to ensure I was toasty warm. Layers From Head to Toes Nancy Fithian, Lafayette Colorado Tips for cold weather riding: Full face helmet Neck gator Wind or rain suit over your regular clothes for insulation and visibility Boots big enough to accommodate thick socks Winter gloves, including heated gloves, will keep your hands toasty My current gear: HJC IS Max 2 full-face helmet Turtle Fur neck gator (from REI) Women s Joe Rocket two-piece rain suit Women s X Element Siren motorcycle boots Rukka lobster gloves with Seirus Heatwave glove liners

9 Watching for Woodland Creatures Siouxzanne Harris, Catskill Mountains of New York I try to ride whenever the roads are dry and the temperature is above 35. Here s how I ride: Electric jacket liner Gerbings with a thin windbreaker on top of it, then my Aerostich Roadcrafter. Smart wool socks and silk long johns. My bikes all have heated grips and I wear Held heavyweight gloves. Full face helme (modular) with a balaclava to keep my neck warm. Look Good, Ride Safely Stacey Sienkiewicz, Charlotte North Carolina Prep is key, especially when it comes to gear. Though I'm still learning and searching for things like the perfect gloves, I do have some absolute favorites. My helmet is the Bell Bullitt. After trying on dozens of helmets I have learned that they are kind of like women's clothing all sizes are not created equally. An extra small in one helmet may be a small in another. Some helmets are more oval shaped inside while others are on the rounder side. The Bullitt is easily my top pick. If the fit around your face isn't working for you, there is an option to change the cheek pads (purchase on the company's website) to create a customized and comfortable fit. For jeans, hands down the Knox Scarlett. They are high-waisted, which is great if you have a booty you don't want to share with the world while riding. They are also Kevlar-lined throughout, not just in high impact zones. I like this for the obvious safety, but also in the winter it serves as an extra layer for that cold wind on your legs. These jeans also come standard with comfortable high-quality knee armor. The best part? The armor is removable from the outside! And the zippers are discrete. There is no big ugly obvious "patch" where the armor is. WHAT WE DO... We organize and participate in, a world-wide women s motorbike relay, covering even the remote, the daring and the vast parts of our world. We aim to continue this event and more through global sponsorship. HOW WE DO IT We collaborate a global community of enthusiastic women bikers. Women world-wide are responding to our call and sharing our enthusiasm for the event. We reached a huge milestone of over 10k group members from more than 80 countries in just 4 weeks due to this spirit. Through our sheer masses, borderline bonkers aspirations, unity and determination, the women of WRWR can pull off the largest recorded world-wide motorbike relay. WRWR have a small team from numerous countries worldwide who are collaborating to organize the event. Stay tuned for for more information about this event.

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13 2019 Bluebonnet Rally & Campout Registration Form Texas Mid-Winter Round Up Saturday, January 26 Paris, Texas

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18 Chapter O Team Chapter Director Lyle & Sheri Altes Assistant Director Ken & Teri Burnett Secretary/Treasurer Tricia Winfield Membership Enhancement Dawn Sprague Ride Coordinator Ken Burnett Couple of the Year Tom & Dawn Sprague Newsletter Editor Kathy Reese Ways and Means John & Wanda Osborn Tom & Dawn Sprague Webmaster Lyle Altes Camping Coordinator Tom Sprague Seamstress Gayle Thomas Merchandise Coordinator John & Wanda Osborn Chapter of the Year Coordinator Kathy Reese Motorist Awareness Coordinator Randy Reese Texas District Team District Director Jim & Alvalin Woodul Assistant Director Dan & Donna Rymarz Assistant Director Tom & Dawn Sprague District Rider Educators Randy & Kathy Reese Ride Coordinator Butch & Marie Schmit Assistant Educator Chris Schoenthal Treasurer Tim Brooks District Trainer Open Assistant District Trainer Open MEC Coordinators Lyle and Sheri Altes COY Coordinators Dale & Carleen Garrett CHOY Coordinator Sheri Altes COY Sal & Phylis Pesta Vendor Coordinator Michael Pineda Newsletter Editor/Webmaster Tom Sprague Motorist Awareness Coordinator Scott & Judy Finnell GWRRA National Team President & Wingman Anita & JR Alkire aalkire@gwrra.org Director of Rider Education Susan Huttman snhuttman@gmail.com Director of Membership Enhancement Larry & Penny Anthony mepgwrra@gmail.com Director of GWRRA University Clara & Fred Boldt toledotriker@gmail.com Director of Finance Randall & Janet Drake financedirector@gwrra.org Director of Motorist Awareness Mike & Barri Critzman itsawingthing@hotmail.com Executive Director Overseas Dan & Rachel Sanderovich dan.sanderovich@gmail.com Chapter O Monthly Gathering Want to experience Friends for Fun, Safety and Knowledge first hand? Chapter O s next gathering will be Tuesday, January 15th at El Rincon Restaurant, 200 E. Pecan, Pflugerville TX. (we will meet in the back room). Come join us at 6:00 pm to eat and visit with your friends. The meeting will start at 7:00 pm. For more information, we encourage you to contact any of our team members or visit our websites (links to all are provided on this page). Wondering why you should join GWRRA? Check out the benefits you will enjoy!

19 OUR SPONSORS

20 OUR SPONSORS IH 10 West San Antonio, Texas (210) YAMAHA POLARIS SUZUKI KAWASAKI HONDA Friends For FUN SAFETY AND KNOWLEDGE