NORTHWIND RIDERS TANKBAG

 


March 2009

 

From the Director’s Chair

 

                                                             

Anyone who has been immune to the recent weather is a stronger person than me!  I have been itching to get out and got the chance on Sunday.  I road with Ginnie and Robin for about three hours and loved every minute.  I hope everyone who wanted to ride was able to get out.

 

While we were out, I saw a robin; I sure hope that means Spring is here to stay (it was only one, but I can still dream). 

 

It was a nice “shake down” ride, a little rough at first but my bike smoothed out and became the great bike I remember from last season.

 

Remember to check to be sure everything is still attached and in working order before you get out on the road (think TCLOCK).

 

Ride safe, ride often.

 

Cindy

Chapter Director

 

 

Minutes of Meeting – February 21, 2009

Cindy called the meeting to order at 9:30 am. We welcomed a new visitor, Mary Jo (“MJ”), to the meeting.  MJ learned about us at the WOW booth at the motorcycle show last month. She lives on  Romeoville/Plainfield border and has been riding with the Bolingbrook police and firemen on a Honda Shadow 750 since late 2007.

 

Secretary's Report:

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

 

Treasurer's Report:

In Treasurer Judy’s absence, Cindy read the report received from Judy. A motion was made and seconded to accept the report. The motion passed.

 

Ride Coordinators Report: 

Lunch after February’s meeting was at Eggman’s which is now Rosie’s on Rt 53.  The food was good and prices reasonable.

 

The Int’l Motorcycle Show at Stephen’s Convention Center was a hugh success with a record attendance on Saturday.  We had about 200 brochures left over which were divided and passed out to our members for distribution.  Rusty H., State Ambassador, was somewhat disappointed at the WOW booth location which was way back, second aisle from the back wall.  There was a “Women’s motorcycle rider” general information booth up front by the entrance which received a lot of traffic.  It would be nice if WOW’s booth were up front…maybe next year…  Our members who worked the WOW and the “Women Welcoming Booth” noted general disappointment at the lack of women’s apparel available.  Scheduling for workers at the WOW, welcoming (up front), and the women’s motorcyclist booth left room for improvement.  Luckily Judy and CJ arrived early Saturday and helped out with booth duty.  WOW was very successful with sign-ups by interested women.

 

Committee Reports:

CJ reported that she has been in contact with riders in the East Peoria area who will lead a ride on Saturday of the 2009 NWR Midwest Gathering (June 5-7).  She would like a preliminary head-count of those planning to attend from NWR and other chapters for planning activities for the three days.  You can email CJ direct at cjjeep23@hotmail.com and let her know if you are coming.

 

Old Business

 

Fox Valley Cycle is holding their Movie Madness March 7, Saturday, 2–6 pm with 3 motorcycle movies.

 

Motorcycle event at PhillipsPark, 900 Montgomery Rd, Aurora on Sunday, April 26, 9:30 am-4:00 pm. 60 mile ride at 1:00 pm.  To be a vendor or sponsor, contact Hal Bryan at HalBryan@prodigy.net or call 717-991-0804.

 

Motorcycle Blessing on May 16 at Mooseheart & Zylstra HD, St. Charles.  Donation is $15.  Blessing is at 11:00 am.  The guest of honor is Jean Davidson, granddaughter of Harley-Davidson’s founder. Contact Chris Ecker cecker@mooseintl.org for more info.

 

“Little Angles” 2009 Pledge Run is May 17th.

Registration: 10am - Noon

80-mile ride

Post-ride party: 1pm - 5pm

Contact: Denise 847-741-1609 ext 100.

 

Wounded Heroes Ride IV – May 20-25 (?)

www.woundedheroesfund.net

“Ride To Reed”

Chicago to Walter Reed Medical Center

Fee $250.  Registration ends April 30.

Contact: Skip Herman 773-759-4777 or

Soldier247@sbcglobal.net

 

New Business 

LaVerne will send an email to NWR members asking for volunteers to take new members in their area on a few local rides to help them get familiar with group riding and just stack up some miles.  We have many people who signed up at the motorcycle show who could use some help “becoming one with their machines.”

 

Pro Source Motorsports in Morris, IL has gone out-of-business.

 

Randy’s Cycle is relocating.

 

A motion was made and seconded to close the meeting.  Meeting was adjourned at 10:25 am.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Lynn L.

Acting Secretary

 

 

Tankbag Tidbits

 

Again, the flyer for the 2009 NWR Midwest Gathering in East Peoria, IL 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 their 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…

 

Next month I hope to have a tentative list of activities  for the three days.  Some activities include guided tours along the river and elsewhere, Wildlife Prairie Park, canoeing on the river, hopefully a campfire in the evenings, and of course food at the local eateries.  Some people will arrive Friday, and others on Saturday and we will try to accommodate everyone.

 

Birthday Announcements

We have two birthday girls for March: Pam (3/1) and Margo (3/28).  Happy Birthday, ladies.  

 

Happy cruising.

                                                  Editor


 

Rusty's Ramblings…

By Rusty H.

WOW Illinois State Ambassador

 

Our booth at the International Motorcycle Show was a great success!  Everyone had a great time and we collected over 150 names for Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Nebraska.  We had plenty of brochures, magazines, and nail files to pass out, and had a wonderful time talking to ladies about W.O.W.

            If a couple of our Directors get their way, next year the booth will sport electronic signup sheets, and a big screen TV for a slide show presentation.  I’ve sent an inquiry to the IMS Coordinator about electricity at our booth, but haven’t heard back yet.  There were two more shows after us, so I’m sure she’s still busy, and will get back to me when she can.  I’ll keep you posted.

            The Annual Mileage Contest starts at the end of this month, so don’t forget to send in your mileage as of April 1st, 2009.  You can get a form from the magazine, the website or you can send in your info by e-mail. 

            For the last two years I have been the recipient of my Chapters Low Mileage Award.  This year I’m gonna break that cycle and get some riding in.  Truthfully, I’ve done all the remodeling on my house that I can afford at this time, so might as well spend my weekends riding and not working. Since I won’t be going to Texas in July, I’m gonna spend my spare time riding around putting flyers and brochures in bike shops in Central Illinois.  I’ll be kicking off my campaign by setting up a table at Legacy HD in Effingham, IL.  March 28th they are having a Girls Gone Wild Biking event.  I don’t plan to do a lot of open house events, but if I can, I will.  We had a pretty good time at Randy’s Cycles last year and hope this one goes just as well. 

            I only have schedules for three Chapters this month.  I couldn’t get to the IL Red Hawk Riders website and the Shawnee Riders don’t have anything listed on the calendar of their website.  Maybe next month.

            The NCI Wild Roses have a pretty busy May schedule.  May 3rd is a Mystery Ride with Fox Valley Cycle in Aurora, or you can ride to WI and participate in the Slimy Crud Run.  On May 9th, they’ll be meeting at Poopy’s in Savanna with the Northwind Riders and I can tell you now that there will be some River Riders there

 

also.  May 23rd is their monthly meeting and afterwards they’ll be riding up to Kettle Moraine, WI.  May 23rd is also the Springfield Mile at the State Fairgrounds in Springfield.  Lastly, on May 30th they will be again spending time with Fox Valley Cycle at their Open House in Aurora.

            I’ll list the Northwind Riders schedule next since a few of the rides are the same as above.  May 3rd, the Mystery Ride with Fox Valley Cycle; May 9th, the ride to Poopy’s in Savanna; May 23rd, the Springfield Mile and on May 30th, the Open House at Fox Valley Cycle.  In the middle is scheduled the monthly meeting and that will be May 16.  I think they still go for a ride after their meeting, but I don’t have anything listed on my copy of the schedule.

            The River Riders Chapter is planning on going to T.C.’s in DeWitt, IA for their Ice Cream Dinner Ride on May 14th and on May 28th we’ll be riding up to Rockwood-Morrison State Park for our monthly meeting/cookout.  The first weekend of May is the Bi-State Motorcycle Awareness Ride and traditionally the River Riders volunteer to work the registration area.  The fate of the ride this year has not yet been determined, but if the show goes on, I’m sure the River Riders Chapter will be there. 

               

                                                Ride Safe,

                                                     Rusty