NORTHWIND RIDERS TANKBAG

February 2009

From the Director’s Chair

I don’t know about the rest of you, but the recent spate of warm weather had me chomping at the bit; begging the weatherman to let it be warm and dry enough on a weekend day to let me get a short ride in. It didn’t happen…of course; tonight it’s snowing. There goes another fantasy. I know it will get warmer and I know I have to have patience; after all this is Illinois and the weather will change! In the meantime, I’ve been reading “Proficient Motorcycling”, trying to decipher how to be a better rider. Some of what I read makes perfect sense, some I have to think about, but there is also some information that I will have to be on my bike to fully appreciate. I hope we will be able to have a “practice ride” again this year. If anyone knows of a place that will let us set up cones and ride, let us know. If we can find a place, we’ll need volunteers to help set it up and run the ride – hey, this sounds like a reason for a committee!

I hope everyone is starting to get excited about planning your riding season. Lynn put a great ride schedule together and I’m sure everyone can think of a few more destinations (not to mention the spur-of-the-moment ice cream rides!).

Until the season really starts, be safe.

Cindy

Minutes of Meeting – January 17, 2009

Cindy called the meeting to order at 9:40 am. Sharon read the WOW Mission Statement.

Secretary's Report:

There were to no changes, deletions, or additions noted to the previous meeting minutes.

Treasurer's Report:

Judy read the current financial report. Kim moved to accept the report, LaVerne seconded, and the motion passed.

Ride Coordinators Report:

Lynn reported that after the December meeting, several went for lunch at the Crispy Waffle on Weber Road, Romeoville.

There was a get-together with Wild Roses Chapter at Timber Creek Inn in Sandwich, IL, on Saturday and Sunday, January 10 & 11, to plan and coordinate rides for the coming year. Four members from NWR chapter attended.

Our ride and event calendar for 2009 is complete. Lynn noted that it leaves room for flexibility and additions.

The 2009 brochure has been redesigned and greatly reduced in size. Lynn passed out samples of two different printing options – a combination of black and colored ink on white paper or all black ink on a colored paper. The new design received a very favorable response and after discussion, it was decided that since we already had a supply of colored paper, we would print the brochure with black ink on color. Thanks to Robin for volunteering to print the brochures and thanks to Pam for her work on the cover graphics. We will be folding the brochures at the Holiday Party.

Committee Reports:

None.

Old Business

The International Bike Show is coming up Feb 6-8. There has been some confusion regarding the IMS WOW booth sign-up sheet. It is recommended that you email Rusty H. directly to advise if you would be able to work a portion of any day at the booth.

You can go to the Show web site for discounted tickets. On Friday the 6^th, admission is half price for Women only. At 8:00 am on Saturday, several are meeting for breakfast at the Great Expoteria Restaurant at the Rosemont Stephens Convention Center (street entrance on north side of building on Bryn Mawr Ave.). At 8:30, the NA 40+ Riders will be selling discounted tickets.

New Business

Cindy received an application again from the State of Illinois for use of a rest area for Motorcycle Awareness Day 2009. After discussion, Sharon moved to table discussion of involvement in this until 2010. C.J. seconded and the motion passed.

At our December meeting, it was voted to name our all chapters gathering event scheduled in June the Midwest Ride-In. However, since that time, the chapter has received correspondence from WOW National requesting that we not use the term “Ride-In” stating that “Ride-In” identifies with the annual National WOW Ride-In. Many members voiced their opinion of National’s request. In favor of the National WOW stand, Lynn stated that any chapter using the term “Ride-In” takes away from the importance of their event. Arguments against sited that WOW has

no trademark hold on the term, and that the National organization has no organizational nor legal power to keep a chapter from using the term. After all views were spoken, JoAnne moved that we retain Midwest Ride-In as the name of our planned event, Kim seconded the motion. A vote was taken and the motion did not pass. Another motion was then made by Judy to change the name to NWR Midwest Gathering, Pam seconded that motion, and the motion was voted on and passed.

Kim reported on the 2009 events planned by Fox Valley Cycle. The first one is their sponsored bowling party coming up on Friday, January 30. A sign-up sheet was passed around or you can call the store to register. We have already received information on their Participation Challenge and Kim handed out point accumulation cards and explained more points on the contest. Contact Kim or Chell at the FVC store if you need more information.

Pam distributed information regarding the 2009 POI Contest and Mileage Contest. She covered the rules of each and clarified points. There will not be a Most Active Member Contest for 2009. All contests begin as of today’s meeting January 17, 2009.

Sharon demonstrated a new ICE device for carrying all personal and medical information with you. The information is downloaded to the small device from your computer and it can then be carried on your key ring or on a neck chain. The cost is $25; it can be obtained from www.utagice.com..

Kim reported that Eddie Fischer has put together a very nice collection of pictures of many of our past social events on a CD which are available for $12. Let him know and he will have a copy for you available at the Holiday Party.

There being no further business, the motion was made to adjourn; it was seconded and passed. The meeting was adjourned at 11:35 am.

Respectfully submitted,

Jan S.

Secretary

Tankbag Tidbits

A big THANK YOU goes to Jan and Tom for hosting our Seasonal Party in their new home on January 31. The turn-out was abundant, the food delicious, camaraderie intense, the gift bags special, the raffle fun…and what more could you want in one, short evening???

The updated flyer for the 2009 NWR Midwest Gathering is attached at the end of this newsletter. This newsletter goes to other Chapters and we encourage the Directors and Newsletter Editors to circulate it among your members. We are looking forward to a big turn-out to enjoy riding, eating (of course), and getting to know each other over the 3-day weekend, June 5-7. Mark your calendar, make your reservation at the Stoney Creek Inn or Spindler Campground (see flyer for contacts), and count the days…

Birthday Announcements

Again for March we have no Birthdays, happy or otherwise. Oh, well. Happy Unbirthday to all (again).

Happy cruising.

Editor

Rusty's Ramblings…

By Rusty H.

WOW Illinois State Ambassador

The weather here in the Quad Cities is supposed to be in the 40’s-50’s. It would be a great weekend to take down Christmas lights. Or I could go to the International Motorcycle Show in Chicago. Humm, let’s see, lights or bikes? Well, I guess since the IMS is once a year and the lights will still be up there when I get home, I’ll head to Chicago.

It’s going to be interesting to see if our current economic problems keep people away. Although to some of us, riding motorcycles is a way of life; to others - they’re just toys. I’ll let you know next month.

As I go into the part of my column that is about upcoming events, I’d like everyone to keep in mind that all scheduled activities are subject to change. If you read about a ride that you would like to attend, please contact the Chapter Director or Road Captain of the hostess Chapter to get details and get added to the mailing list in case of last minute changes. Bad weather and road construction are just a couple of things that can waylay even the best of plans.

The North Wind Riders are planning to have a monthly meeting on Feb. 21^st. It’s not listed on the schedule, but I think they still meet at the library in Romeoville around 9:30 am and then go for a lunch ride afterward. A monthly meeting is also slated for Mar. 21^st and again on Apr. 18^th. On Apr. 25^th or 26^th they are going on a Chapter Open Ride. No location is listed, so contact NWR for more details.

Our newest Chapter, the North Central Illinois Wild Roses, has plans on the 18^th to ride with NWR and they have the destination listed as Starved Rock State Park. The NCIWR chapter has double booked that weekend because they are also listing an overnight trip to Casey, IL for a

Moonshine Lunch Run. I can’t wait to see pics on their website of a “Moon Burger”. Hope it’s worth the ride. Apr. 25^th is a monthly meeting with a Tech Day seminar afterward. Their meeting place is the Winner’s Circle Bar and Grill in Maple Park. They are double booked again on Apr. 26^th with a ride planned to go to Fox Valley Cycle in Aurora or the option of attending the Pecatonica Swap Meet at the Winnebago County Fairgrounds.

Here in the Quad Cities, the River Riders Chapter will be going to Bloomer’s Pizza in Coal Valley for our first Ice Cream Dinner Ride of the season. That’ll be on Feb. 12^th. On the 26^th, we’ll get to see Brenda and David’s new house for our monthly meeting. Mar. 12^th is another Ice Cream Dinner Ride and this time it’s to Chili’s in Davenport, IA. Our newest member, Trudy, will be hostessing the March monthly meeting on Mar. 26^th and then on the 29^th, we’re off to Welton, IA for breakfast with the fire dept. Hope they have lots of pancakes! Apr. 9^th our Ice Cream Dinner Ride is to Mulky’s in Rock Island. They have a pretty good chicken dinner so even if we still can’t ride, it’ll be worth driving the car. Our final April activity is another monthly meeting, this time at MaryAnn’s in Davenport, IA. Weather permitting this will be a cookout before the meeting instead of pizza.

I hope to see many of you in Chicago this weekend at the motorcycle show. Even if it’s a bit too cold to ride, you can always spend an afternoon looking at motorcycles and motorcycle gear.

Ride Safe,

Rusty