March 2017 Oregon Trail News Chartered in May of 1987 Our website location is: http://www.gwrraoregoni.org We are on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/oregonigwrra There will be a ride after the breakfast gathering on March 11th weather permitting. Chapter I meets for a Breakfast Gathering on the Second Saturday of every month at: Wichita Bar and Grill 19140 Molalla Ave. Oregon City, OR
Chapter I Staff Chapter Directors Alan & Cindy Neuburger alanneuburger@hotmail.com District Directors Shirley & David Ridley Chapter Newsletter Editor David Ridley drsr@teleport.com Chapter Treasurer & 50/50 Sandy Neuburger bubbasmom8@gmail.com Rider Educator Erv Reichert elr.sar@gmail.com Chapter Photographer Art Ashby e.buckshot@frontier.com Webmaster Greg Dawson greg@internetcafeusa.com Chapter Greeter Mark Brooks kendallcub@hotmail.com Sunshine Person Julia Bowcutt twotrikesrus@aol.com We have positions open on our staff. If you would like to know more about these positions and what you can do for your chapter contact the Staff. Asst. Chapter Director Position Open Membership Enhancement Officer Position Open Phone Tree Position Open Historian & Archives Position Open Chapter Store Position Open Ride Coordinator Position Open Dinner Rides Position Open
Chapter Directors Corner First of all, I want to thank Erv Reichert for running the Breakfast Gathering on February 11th. Cindy and I were out of town, and he stepped up to make sure that you all could have an informational meeting. Thanks again Erv. Well, the flyer is out for the District Rally this summer. It is included in the newsletter. Its going to be an awesome and different Rally. I am really looking forward to eating dinner at the Cowboy Dinner Tree! I have tried numerous times in the past to hookup with Chapter G when they have gone there and it seems that something always came up. This will be a real camping type of Rally, there are rooms available nearby, but we are hoping the chapter can camp together. More news as it becomes available. Coming up this month is our Annual Blarney Run! Once again we will be raising food and funds for the H.O.P.E. program. I know that Erv is putting together a great ride for all, so come on and lets ride! We are starting a little later than usual, as we will be waiting for Chapter G to come up from Salem to join us. Maybe this year, we can beat them out for the most pounds of donated food. On a more important note, our staff works very hard at putting together a great program for you to enjoy. It takes weeks of work by our Ride Educator to bring his articles and talks to you, all of our staff is involved in many other areas other than just what the title by their name may say. Its not an easy task being a Director, Treasurer or Educator. We also have many unseen or unrecognized individuals that contribute to your GWRRA experience. If you do not feel that you are getting what you want out of GWRRA, then please tell us. We cannot improve your experience without input from you. Because without you, the member, there is no Chapter. We need to have more folks step up and help out also. The same people doing the same things over and over create a stagnant group. New and fresh faces and ideas are always needed. So come to the chapter meetings and help us provide a great program for you. Congratulations go out to Sandy Neuburger, she is now officially trained as a Medic First Aid Instructor. She will be available in the future to put on classes for all the chapters in our area and district. In closing today, I really hope that this newsletter finds all of our members ready for a great riding season. Till next month! Ride safe and keep the rubberside down! Alan & Cindy
March Birthdays Richard Priest 1st Erv Reichert 4th Jack White 6th Pat Priest 11th Ard Pratt 12th Terry Mitchell 13th March Member Anniversaries 13 Years Randall Bateman 03/2004 12 years Willie Whitlock 03/2005 6 years McKinzie Parmelee 03/2011 3 years Charlie Hill 03/2014 1 year Duane Kaiser 03/2016 Interested in a weekend motorcycle matinee? Ask about it at the next breakfast meeting.
Events Calendar 2017 March 11 Chapter I Breakfast Gathering 18 Blarney Run OC Methodist Church April 2 Oregon 250 Rose City MC 8 Chapter I Breakfast Gathering 29 OR G Right Turn Ride May 13 Chapter I Breakfast Gathering 13 Oregon 500 Rose City MC 25 Chapter I 30th Birthday (Celebrate on 6/10) 26-29 Desert Spring Fling Kennewick, Wash. June 3-4 Oregon 1000 Rose City MC 10 Chapter I Breakfast Gathering 23-25 OREGON DISTRICT RALLY TBA July 9 End of the Trail Ride August 5 OR G Trivial Pursuit 12 Chapter I Breakfast Gathering 17-20 Buzzard Butt Buster TBA 29-2 Wing Ding 39 Grapevine, Texas September 9 Chapter I Breakfast Gathering 26-27 End of the Season Campout TBA October 5 OR G Chili Cook-Off 14 Chapter I Breakfast Gathering November 11 Chapter I Breakfast Gathering December 2 Shriner's Toy Run Fred Meyer Corp. Lot 9 Chapter I Christmas Party This calendar is a work in progress! Look for any changes each month!
THE ART OF GROUP RIDING How about that weather we been having? Hasn t it been something to remember? With what I hope is the worst of our weather behind us, we can all look forward to nicer days ahead. Who knows, maybe we can even sneak in a few decent riding days? Speaking of riding. At last month s breakfast gathering, we briefly touched on the subject of group riding. We had some great discussions on group riding formations and safe following distances for two and three wheel bikes. We even talked about the importance of hand signals and how much easier it is to ride in a group that all have ways of communication like our CB s. So the next chance you get, go riding, and if you can, ride with some friends. That s group riding at it s best. Until then, here is some refresher information on Group Riding curtesy of DMV, GWRRA and other chapters around the country. If you ride with others, do it in a way that promotes safety and doesn t interfere with the flow of traffic. Come prepared, arrive on time with a full fuel tank and an empty bladder. Hold a quick meeting and review the route, rider s abilities, fuel range of each bike, CB channel selected, hand signals, etc. Keep the group small. Three to five is ideal. A small group isn t separated as easily by traffic or red lights. Place inexperienced riders just behind the leader so they can keep pace without riding faster than it is safe. Base the length of the route and segments on the ability of the least experienced rider. The lead bike should be the only bike with a modulating headlight on. Ride prepared. At least one rider in the group should have a First-Aid kit and someone should have a tool kit. Take timely breaks to prevent loss of concentration and reduce fatigue. Adjust the pace through curves to the ability of the least experienced rider. If necessary, form two groups with different speeds. Don t tailgate or encourage the rider in front to speed. If you want to ride faster, ride ahead of the group. Keep adequate following distance and maintain a staggered formation. Remember the two second rule? Do not pass in the group, except in the case of emergency. When passing, be conscious of the traffic conditions and oncoming traffic. Even though the previous riders passed safely, it may not be safe for you. Pass one at a time. Maintain adequate time distance between riders, especially at intersections. This allows you to avoid hard braking. Check your mirrors frequently to ensure the group stays together. Have fun and enjoy the ride! By Ervin L. Reichert-GWRRA Chapter I Ride Educator
Chapter I Store Order Form Chapter Logo Patches available for only $5.00 NEW!! Chapter I Reflective Safety Vests w/logo $42.00 Only 5 left!
Oregon Dist. Chapter Gatherings Time to Ride For Friends, Fun & FOOD!! Chapter G Salem 3rd Saturday at 8:00 A.M. Lakeside Village Comm. Center 3110 Turner Rd. SE. Salem. Chapter I Oregon City 2nd Saturday at 8:30 A.M. Wichita Bar & Grill 19140 Molalla Av. Oregon City Chapter H Hermiston 4th Saturday at 8:30 A.M. Pheasant Cafe 149 East Main St. Hermiston Oregon District GWRRA www.gwrraoregondistrict.com www.gwrra.org www.bigskyregioni.org