Journeys In July - Gruene Chapter Harley Owners Group

Newsletter
Sept / Oct
2011
Journeys In July
The month started out with the
Meeting on July 2nd. Michael Ray
made a presentation on keeping
cool while riding in the heat. He
recommended installing oil coolers,
taking off leg guards, and Oasis day
covers. Other members suggested
using camelback water carriers,
bead rider seats, freezing water
bottles and summer riding jackets.
Following the meeting we had
30+ members participate in the
Burger Run. We tasted burgers at
Longhorn Burgers, TJs, and Iron
Horse Grill.
Burger Run Winner
Iron Horse Grill
Ride Captain Recognition
Captain Bars:
• Ron Novak
• Matt Gardner
• Richard Marhofer
• Walter Vincent
• Joe Gonzalez
• Doug Stolz
• Paulie Panamarenko
• Walter Grier
• Marta Maley
• Rick Roberts
• Mike McFalls
• Mike Burcham
• Paul Hopson
Ride Captain Rocker:
• John Kohler
Member Recognition
Road Name Patch:
• Joe Gonzalez – Ice Breaker
• Matt Gardner – The Carpenter
Volunteer Patch:
• Terry Buck
Pacifier Recipients:
• Marta Maley
• Rick Matthews
• Mike McFalls
Need patches sewn on?
•
Ludwig’s Leather
830-629-0540
10% Disc. GHD Members
•
Amanda McGill
830-627-9036
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Adventures in August
August Meeting
The August Meeting included a
“guess those feet” game. Mike
Burcham had taken a picture of
rider’s feet and other members
had to guess which member
belonged to which boots. Not
such an easy task when all of the
boots are black!
“Everyone is Someone in
Luckenbach!” After the meeting
several folks braved the heat and
headed out to Luckenbach to
show that Gruene HOG members
are still riding this summer! All
who went had a great time even
with the heat!
HOG Orientation
Harley Credit Card Pays Off!
After the August meeting Richard and
Mike led an informative HOG
orientation. They shared lots of good
information and were able to meet
some more of the great people that
work at the Harley Dealership.
Mike McFalls used his Harley
Credit Card to pay for his gym
membership earlier this year.
When that gym went out of
business most people lost their
money – but that did not happen
to Mike.
New Addition to Service Team!
Our GHD Service Manager, Smitty,
became a proud father to
Charlee Sue Smith
7lbs 11oz
On August 25th
Congratulations Smitty!!
The Harley Credit Card
Company refunded the full gym
cost of $800 to Mike because they
were no long in business.
To learn more or apply for a
card, talk to Montana or Todd
Barrow at the Gruene Harley
Davidson Dealership.
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September Events
WHERE WE’RE GOING
October Events
November Events
October 1
November 5
Chapter Meeting & Ride
10% Member Discount at Dealer
AND
Chapter Ride – Pizza Hunt
4 Pizza Places in New Braunfels
** Vote for Best Pizza **
September 3
Chapter Meeting & Ride
10% Member Discount at Dealer
AND
Chapter Meeting & Ride
GHD Event – Labor Day Block Party
10% Member Discount at Dealer
September 9 - 11
NON-HOG EVENT
Ride to Corpus Christi
AND
9-11 Ride (See Flyer Attached)
AND
Chapter Ride to Waco, TX
Saturday – Dr. Pepper Museum
Sunday – Texas Ranger Museum
October 13 - 16
September 17
Non-HOG Event
Chapter Ride – Painted Churches
With Hill Country HOG Chapter
SPI Bikefest - South Padre Island
September 21
Chapter Ride – Lakehouse
Dinner Ride – La Tortillita
Restaurant
September 24
October 19
Chapter Ride – Bent Rim Grill
Dinner Ride – Adobe Cafe
September 25
October 21
Ride for a Reason (See Flyer Attached)
Rick and Marta’s
September 29
Dinner Ride – La Tortillita Mexican
Ghoulish Costume Wedding
Specific Ride Details
can be found on
Ride Schedule at
www.gruenehog.com
October 16
October 27
Dinner Ride – Adobe Cafe
October 29
Dealership Halloween Party
St. Jude’s Kids Motorcycle Rides
November 3 - 6
Loan Star Rally - Galveston
November 12
Bike Rodeo
AND
SWAP Meet Fundraiser
Contact Lynda Kohler
To Donate Motorcycle Items
lynda.kohler@att.net
November 12
Chapter Ride – King’s Inn
Restaurant
November 16
Dinner Ride – Pizza Hunt Winner
November 24
Happy Thanksgiving
Remembering Past Events
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Letter From Valerie Ledterman
Regional Manager, Harley Owners Group
Texas State Rally
Greetings all from Milwaukee! I hope
you’re taking good care in the extreme
heat but still getting in a ride every now
and then!
I wanted to bring you up to date with the
exciting rally plan shaping up for May 3-5,
2012 in Fort Worth!
The volunteer group headed up by Kim
Briggs is working hard to bring you another
fun-filled rally with great rides, activities,
motorcycle competition and entertainment-all with a true Fort Worth, TX flair! The
rally site will be located in the historic Fort
Worth Stockyards with registration being
in Stockyards Station and the rally
entertainment / activity areas taking place
in what’s called “The Back 40” and “Mule
Alley”. This is a bit different from other
rallies but what an awesome opportunity
we have to showcase Texas heritage!
We will continue working on this rally plan
(we’ve got a lot more work to do) and we’d
ask that you keep watch on
www.txstatehogrally.com for updates once
that website is launched for the 2012
event.
I know everyone will be asking about
hotels. You can watch for the listing when
it comes out on our website, however, you
can also visit any online booking service or
direct hotel reservation service for Fort
Worth area hotels.
Luckily, Fort Worth has a great
transportation system to get around
with should you wish to leave your bike
at the hotels in the evenings and make
your way to The Stockyards. Your
options are wide open!
Keep in mind that pre-registration
dollars are the key to everything we
do! So………PLEASE continue to
promote this rally and encourage your
members to help us out and preregister early! Remember, we can’t
plan a party if we don’t know you’re
coming to it! And if you’re planning to
attend the rally, why not volunteer for a
couple hours during the rally. I
guarantee you’ll have a great time and
meet more people than ever!
So go out and let folks know the party
will be in Fort Worth , TX in 2012 and
we’ll look forward to everyone being
there!!!! Yee Haw!!!!!
Thanks for your enthusiastic support of
the Harley Owners Group!
Valerie
Valerie Ledterman
Regional Manager
Harley Owners Group
414-688-4791 (c)
www.txstatehogrally.com
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Reviews and Tips from HOG Members
Spotlamps VS Headlamps
By HOG Members Mike McFalls and Lynda Kohler
Mike McFalls mentioned being frustrated when a New Braunfels officer in Landa Park stopped him. The officer told
Mike that having his spotlamps on was a violation of the motor vehicle traffic code section 547.801, which limits
motor vehicles to 2 headlamps.
Mike and I discussed our doubts that this particular police officer was interpreting the traffic code correctly, so I did
some more research. I called the Motorcycle division of the DPS as well as my brother in law who is a Houston Police
Officer. I then called and spoke to Officer Luna with the New Braunfels Police Department. All of the law
enforcement people I spoke with were very supportive of motorcycle riders having 3 lights on in order to make riders
more visible to other vehicles.
Together, we found two more sections of the traffic code that define headlamps as separate from spotlamps. (Traffic
Code Sections 547.321 & 547.327) Officer Luna did some additional research and pointed out yet another section of
the traffic code 547.302 which also supported the use of lights keeping motorcycles visible.
Overall, all of the law enforcement agencies I spoke with Officer were very supportive of Motorcycles being visible by
using both of their spotlamps and their front headlamp. It was determined that any ticket issued as a violation for
section 547.801 would be dismissed on the basis of the other sections.
No need to argue with the officer giving the violation, Officer Luna said to take the violation from the issuing officer
and then call the prosecutor prior to the court date and it would be dismissed.
Do you have a tip to share or a motorcycle product you really like?
Email Lynda at editor@gruenehog.com and it will be included in the next newsletter
Don’t worry about “writing” the article; Lynda will help you with that! We just need your tips and suggestions!
Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate
~ By HOG Member Lynda Kohler
In August, one of or members was overcome by the heat and fainted at the dinner ride
destination. She was lucky that it happened after she had arrived and not while she was still
driving her bike!
This heat can be a killer – literally. Don’t be a victim!
• Drink plenty of water before you start a ride.
• Make lots of stops on the way. Drink more water.
• Ride early and ride late. Consider staying indoors during the hottest part of the day –
2 to 5 pm.
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Gruene Harley Davidson
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Gruene Harley Davidson
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WE WANT YOUR INPUT!
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU
Please send any pictures, ride details,
product reviews, or articles suggestions to
Lynda Kohler, Editor/Newsletter
editor@gruenehog.com
The Gruene HOG Newsletter is published by the
Gruene Chapter of the Harley Owners Group #2062
a not-for-profit group of motorcycle owner enthusiasts.
This Newsletter may be reproduced in its entirety for personal use
only; content may not be used for any commercial purpose
without prior written consent of the author or photographer.
Got Activities?
•
Have a great restaurant idea for a Chapter
Dinner Ride?
•
Have you been somewhere FUN recently?
Know of a new band or venue?
Contact Lynda Kohler, Activities Director
Email: activities@gruenehog.com
Let’s Ride!
•
o If you have over 2 years of riding
experience and have attended an
experienced rider’s course – You
are ready to start on your path to
becoming a Road Captain!
Officers
Mike McFalls, Director
director@gruenehog.com
Marta Maley, Assistant
Director
asstdir@gruenehog.com
Paul Hopson, Head Road
Captain
roadcaptain@gruenehog.com
Joe Gonzales, Membership
Lynda Kohler,
Activities Director
activities@gruenehog.com
Lynda Kohler,
Editor/Newsletter
editor@gruenehog.com
Angie Krogstad,
Quartermaster
quartermaster@gruenehog.com
membership@gruenehog.com
Richard Marhofer,
Safety Officer
Delisa Gardner, Secretary
safety@gruenehog.com
secretary@gruenehog.com
Rick Roberts,
Sergeant at Arms
Walter Vincent, Treasurer
treasurer@gruenehog.com
Paul Panamarenko,
Webmaster
webmaster@gruenehog.com
•
historian@gruenehog.com
Have an idea for a scenic ride or fun festival
for Chapter Ride destination?
Contact Paul Hopson, Head Ride Captain
Email: ridecaptain@gruenehog.com
Invite Your Friends!
•
Your friends DON’T have to be chapter
members to ride with us! We always
welcome safe group riders to come along –
they simply sign a liability waiver and we are
ready to go. They can see why you like
riding with Gruene HOG and maybe even
join the group!
•
Need Membership Information?
sergeant@gruenehog.com
Matt Gardner,
Historian/Chaplin
Interested in being a Ride Captain?
Contact Joe Gonzales, Membership
Email: membership@gruenehog.com