Schedule of Club Events

April - 2015
BMWMOA Club #353 & BMWRA Club #339
Schedule of Club Events
4/4
Saturday
9am Social Gathering
Asheville - Eurosport Asheville
30 Bryson Street, Asheville, NC 28803
5/16
Saturday 6:30 Blue Ridge High Pass
Boogie- Eurosport Asheville
See Pages 8, 9, and 10.
4/19
Sunday
9am Social Gathering
South Asheville – Atlanta Bread
484 Hendersonville Rd., Asheville, NC
5/17
Sunday
9am Social Gathering
South Asheville – (TBD)
4/21 Tuesday 7:00pm Club Meeting –
Jenny Kallista, details on page X
Asheville - Eurosport Asheville
30 Bryson Street, Asheville, NC 28803
5/19 Tuesday 7:00pm Club Meeting –
Program TBD
Asheville - Eurosport Asheville
30 Bryson Street, Asheville, NC 28803
6/6
5/2
Saturday
9am Social Gathering
Asheville - Eurosport Asheville
30 Bryson Street, Asheville, NC 28803
(Consignment Gear Sale !$!$!)
Saturday
9am Social Gathering
Asheville - Eurosport Asheville
30 Bryson Street, Asheville, NC 28803
6/16 Tuesday 7:00pm Club Meeting –
Program TBD
Asheville - Eurosport Asheville
30 Bryson Street, Asheville, NC 28803
The Blue Ridge Breeze
Mark Your Calendars
April 2015 Page | 2
March Meeting
By John Koenig
April 24-25, 2015
BMW MOA Weekend Getaway
Fontana, North Carolina
The hills of North Carolina are calling! This
popular Weekend Getaway sells out quickly.
May 2, 2015
Eurosport Spring Clearance Sale
Although we had to wait an extra month due to a
winter weather cancellation, our March meeting
presentation was worth the wait. Mark Brown,
owner and certified professional instructor for
MotoMark1, dazzled us with his talent of
communication. As he spoke of safe, fun “driving” of
a motorcycle, we were all riveted. His style and
humor was contagious; it left us all laughing and
learning at the same time!
Time to break open the piggy bank and spend
some CA$H! Browse a large selection of gently
or never used gear (Jackets, Pants, Gloves,
Boots and Helmets) at Eurosport’s first ever
Spring Cleaning motorcycle gear sale. At these
prices you won’t need a credit card!!
May 16, 2015
Blue Ridge High Pass Boogie
Asheville, NC (Starting and Ending Location)
Save the date and see the VP-Report for more
information. This event is a fundraiser for the
Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation, held in
conjunction with Eurosport Asheville.
July 23-26, 2015
43rd Annual BMW MOA International Rally
Billings, Montana
Billings, Montana will play host to BMW MOA
members July 23 - 25, 2015 at the MetraPark
Fairgrounds. Contact Sue Rihn, Events
Committee Chairperson for the BMW Motorcycle
Owners of America.
In addition to giving pointers on improving skills,
gaining confidence, and setting ourselves up
(defensively) for the road, he also gave us a
summary of the riding courses that his team offers.
As part of the club’s 50-50 drawing that evening,
Mark even threw in an extra “grand prize,” a free
one-day course at MotoMark1. For an investment of
a $1.00 ticket, lucky member David Clement went
home with the prize! !
On the heels of Mark’s presentation, many of us are
discussing a trip over to Burlington, NC to take one
of his courses. I’m going for sure, David obviously
is, and I’ve heard serious interest from 6 or 7 others
October 1-4, 2015
so far. Mark also instructs passengers at no
BMW Riders Association 2015 Rally
additional cost… two for the price of one. Thomas
Harrison, AR
The rally site is Boone County Fairgrounds. There has even discussed doing it as some type of
informal “shop outing.” If you couldn’t make the
are hotels nearby and the park has excellent
meeting, check Mark’s firm out at motomark1.com.
space for tent camping and RVs.
If you’re interested in scheduling with us, give
Ride the Serpent--in Arkansas. Save the Dates!
Thomas or myself a shout. Let’s do it.
The Blue Ridge Breeze A p r i l
President’s Message
By Jim McMains
April 2015
I am writing this in
advance for our
Newsletter editor since I
will still be on vacation
when his deadline arrives
and I wanted to have
something for the April
Newsletter.
2015 P a g e | 3
It lets us know you appreciate having this club to
belong to and gives us incentive to keep on
making it better. New people and ideas always
help to kick it up a notch, so step on up.
Thanks again to everyone who puts in their time
to keep this club going, Thomas and the gang at
Eurosport, The Officers and Board members, all
the volunteers for our events, plus the members
who attend. You know who you are and without
all of you, this wouldn’t be happening!
Can’t wait for the April meeting, as long as we
don’t stay in Bali ;-)
I have missed all the March activities, meetings
etc., but I am sure things went along just fine
without me. I bet some of you didn’t even realize I See you down the Road,
was gone. That is probably a good thing, because Jim
it shows the Club has grown to point where it has
its own life now and you all keep it going because
of your participation.
April and May will be important for us because we
are in the midst of putting on the second high
pass boogie in support of the Blue Ridge Parkway
Foundation, and it will be the start of planning for
the rest of the year’s events and other things we
hope to have in store for you. Our Secretary Chris
has established a great connection with a local
eatery that will probably see us having a few
functions a year with. Prices are great and what
they offer us is exceptional. We are all about
having fun and motorcycling and this place will
lend a great atmosphere for both. New club attire
should also be in the works soon and you
members will be the first to know what
we will have to offer.
As always, if there are any members out there
with an expertise, an idea, or suggestion to help
out with the club PLEASE come forward either in
person, email or by phone and let us know what it
is. We need you and want you to participate
however you can, even if all you want to do is
come out for a meeting or gathering. The more
we have show up the better we feel.
Welcome New Members
Ken Fussell – Arden, NC
Bruce Harris – Burlington, NC
Ruth Harris – Burlington, NC
Connie Jakubcin – Charlotte, NC
John Wozniak - Baton Rouge, LA
The Blue Ridge Breeze
This month our Eurosport Asheville feature will be on
a few of the new Spring 2015 products that we feel
are innovative and fresh! Each and every year
companies come out with their latest and greatest,
some fly and some die. These two new products we
feel are a great new take on an old idea.
April 2015 Page | 4
Our second feature product is Baja Designs and
their fabulous (Blair's voice) lighting systems. They
offer a very nice range of lighting from daytime
visibility all the way up to desert racing.
First, let me introduce you to the all-new Earth X
battery.
These lithium iron phosphate batteries are not only
powerful but very lightweight, compact, and unlike
some other lithium batteries, easy to charge. These
batteries are not affected by temperature extremes
and no special chargers are needed, you can use
your existing battery tenders just like lead acid
batteries. These batteries are up to 80% lighter than
your standard lead acid battery, 80%! Earth X
batteries have internal circuitry to protect from over
discharge therefore it won't leave you stranded. A
full two year replacement warranty is included with
no pro rating. Best of all, these batteries are
manufactured and made here in the US in their
Colorado facility. We purchase these batteries
directly from Earth X so please feel free to contact
us anytime with any and all questions.
These products are proudly manufactured in the US
and offer a no questions asked lifetime warranty. All
of their lights are waterproof, rainproof, and fully
submersible! The range of mounting options go from
a universal bar mount to bike specific mount for:
F800 and R1200GS. One of our favorite lighting
systems offers 3,600 lumens with only 2.8 amps of
draw. This system weighs a total of 20 ounces and
has incredible daytime visibility and impressive long
range coverage. Best of all, this is arguably one of
the highest quality lighting systems you can buy and
come in at just under $300. If you are looking for
BIGGER and Brighter Baja Designs also offers an
8,600 lumen, 7 amp system that obliterates
darkness! Come see
these in action on our
current BMW R1200GS
Demo.
Mention this newsletter
and receive an
additional 5% discount
on either of these new
innovative products
here at ESA. Thanks and
we hope to see you on
the road, RoLL on...
The Blue Ridge Breeze A p r i l
VP Report
By John Koenig
Hi Folks,
It’s April and time to put the
Blue Ridge High Pass
Boogie into high gear. It’s
also time to start using the
Blue Ridge Parkway more
often, noticing its many
wonderful attributes. We’re fortunate that the
finest sections of the BRP are right here in our
back yard. Here in Asheville it’s approaching the
time of year to take an early morning breakfast
ride to the Pisgah Inn, a mid-day ride up to Mt.
Mitchell to escape the heat, or even a casual
evening ride to Cherokee.
2015 P a g e | 5
Here’s another challenge. For each of you who
register for the May 16th ride, convince at least
one other rider to sign up. Invite your friends,
neighbors, riding buddies, or future riding
buddies. Any brand of bike or style of
motorcyclist. Reach out to anyone who rides, and
invite them to come along with you. It’s all for a
common and worthy cause. Hope to see you
participating.
As always, be safe, and enjoy…
John
Random Moto Photo
It’s also time to realize the importance of the
Parkway. It serves as an outlet for enjoyment.
Not just for us motorcyclists, but sports car,
classic car, and bicycle aficionados as well.
Not to mention the picnickers, photographers, and
hikers. We should be aware by now, due to
severe federal budget cuts, how important the
Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation is in providing
support to maintain and enhance our beloved
mother road.
Fast forward to our 2nd annual BRHP Boogie.
We have a tall challenge to live up to from last
year. We had some very generous donors in that
inaugural year, and we hope to do even better
this year. Although your support by signing up for
the Boogie is very helpful, that alone won’t reach
our goal. Please consider supporting our event
with additional donation funds… maybe even beg
your friends to give! Last year the additional
individual donations ranged from $40 to over
$2,000. Believe me, every dollar is appreciated.
Make checks payable to ABMWR (our club).
When we award the Foundation with proceeds,
you’ll each be credited with your pro-rata by them
for your tax purposes.
The ABMWR
Members of our club share many things
in common, including a love of riding,
being outdoors, a fondness for BMW
motorcycles regardless of type or age,
and the camaraderie of our sport. We
are a social club, focused on riding, and
take full advantage of our area’s
beautiful roads and scenery. Although
our club is based in North Carolina,
membership and participation from all
surrounding areas are encouraged.
For membership information, view our
website at www.abmwr.org or drop us a
line at ABMWR
PO Box 5103
Asheville, NC 28813
The Blue Ridge Breeze
April 2015 Page | 6
The Blue Ridge Breeze A p r i l
Editor’s Ramblings
By Gary Cox
ON ANY SUNDAY:
MY CHAPTER
2015 P a g e | 7
smoke house while none of the parents were
watching. But if we got too quiet outside, they
knew we were up to something.
Then one Sunday afternoon in the late summer
when I was 6, it all changed. One of my uncles
I recently had the
left to go get something at his house for all of us
pleasure of seeing “On
cousins to do. When he returned and opened the
Any Sunday, The Next
trunk of his Mercury Monterey (a huge car with an
Chapter,” which is a good
even larger trunk) he and my dad pulled out this
movie in its own right. The
Bronze colored two-wheeled marvel. Yes, it was
Next Chapter may not
the classic Mini-Bike powered by a 3-hp lawn
have quite the same magic as the original but it is
mower engine and could not have been more
still a very good documentary of motorcycling 43
fascinating to me. Then the fun started, well the
years later (hard to believe). While I say it doesn’t
fun started after much pulling the starter cord and
have the same magic, it might actually have the
my dad using words us kids were not supposed
same magic to someone much younger than me,
to, the little mini-bike coughed and sputtered to
say someone who is 9 or 10 years old which
life. It certainly didn’t growl or rumble like a
would have been the same age was I when I first
modern motorcycle, but that sound still makes me
saw “On Any Sunday.” Regardless of whether it is
smile every time I start my push mower.
the original or The Next Chapter, it reminds me of
the very Sunday on which I totally got hooked on Continued on next page….
motorcycles.
Even though the moment I got hooked was (more
than) 35 years ago, I’m 99.9% sure it was a
Sunday afternoon. Why? Well partly because
scientists say that strong memories are linked to
smells and can also be linked to the release of
endorphins during exciting events. And when I
was growing up I can tell you, for the first 15
years of my life, all the family always went to my
grandparents’ house every Sunday.
Picture the setting: a little white 3 bedroom, 1
bath house on a 2-acre lot. With grandparents,
uncles, aunts, cousins, my parents, my brother
and me could easily make 19 people in this little
tiny house. So everyone was thankful for warm
weather where all the children could be outside
playing. Even at that, we children would often get
bored because (let’s face it) there were only so
many games of hide and seek you could play
before running out of places to hide. Yeah , all of
us cousins would sneak into the garage or the old
Who’s Who
Board of Directors
Jim McMains, President
John Koenig, Vice President
Chris Stewart, Secretary
Dan Falkenstein, Treasurer
Gary Cox, News Letter Editor
Ursula Skoug, Merchandising Director
Phil Weinmann, Webmaster
Perry Hebard, Club Photographer
Stew Stewart, Special Events
Dan Thompson, Board Member
Sergeant at Arms
Adam Stewart
Ride Captains
Stew Stewart
Editor’s Ramblings Continued…
The Blue Ridge Breeze
Being 6, I was deemed too young and too small
(even though I begged unmercifully) to ride the
mini-bike myself. But I was happy to spend the
rest of the afternoon watching my older brother
and all the older cousins take turns riding it
around the yard. At the end of the day, as the sun
was setting, something miraculous happened.
Well, kind of. My dad, with hopes of getting me to
shut up, took me for a ride around the yard on IT.
I wish there were a picture of this glorious event,
because it had to be quite a sight. My dad was
nearly 6’7” and at 240 lbs. not a small person. In
fact he was a giant of a man, especially to be
sitting on a mini-bike with a small kid (me) sitting
between him and the gas tank. It would have
been a Kodak moment to be sure. I remember
those moments all so clearly: the smells of
leaking oil and gas, and the smell of the
centrifugal clutch burning, doing all it could to haul
us around the yard. I had my hands on the inside
of the hand grips and my feet resting on the
engine (one on the starter housing and one on
the clutch/chain guard). As the throttle grip
twisted I could feel the little bike surge (lug and
strain) forward, and that’s all it took! I was, and
have been, totally hooked ever since.
Keep the magic alive,
Gary
April 2015 Page | 8
Club News
April Meeting
Jenny Kallista is confirmed for the April meeting.
She will be presenting on her 2 week trip in Africa
with Charley Boorman (Long Way Down/ Long
Way Around) and his company.
www.motoadventures.com It will be a passionate
presentation on an EPIC adventure!
2015 Boogie Update
We’re down to the wire for planning the 2nd
annual Blue Ridge High Pass Boogie, scheduled
for Saturday, May 16th, 2015. The three
individual loops are developing well, and now our
biggest push is getting folks like you to sign up.
Please consider joining our cause. You may sign
up on-line at ABMWR.org, or just print the
registration form on page10 of this newsletter and
mail it in. You can also drop registration forms off
with check or cash, at Eurosport Asheville.
We also have beautiful 11x17 glossy posters
available for you to post anywhere and
everywhere. There’s a box of them at Eurosport.
Stop by for a few, and get them out during your
travels.
Please contact John Koenig, Event Director, at
828-606-1092 or holoholojohn@gmail.com if you
need any more information.
The Blue Ridge Breeze A p r i l
2015 P a g e | 9
2015 Blue Ridge High Pass Boogie
Promoted By: Asheville BMW Riders
In Conjunction With: Eurosport Asheville
To Benefit: Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation
May 16th, 2015
General Information: The Asheville BMW Riders in conjunction with Eurosport Asheville
will hold its second annual Blue Ridge High Pass Boogie, a single day fund raiser for the
Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation. Participants will enjoy scenic mountain vistas and the best
motorcycling roads the Blue Ridge Mountains have to offer. You’ll enjoy a choice of 3 different
routes. A long challenging 400+ mile pavement ride, plus the options of a shorter paved 200+
mile route, and a very interesting dual-sport loop for the adventure folks. Shortcuts will be
available to allow more leisurely-paced riders to select a route that reduces mileage and ride
time. This event will follow a loose rally format, although riders will receive directions for the
entire route (including short-cut options) up front at check-in. Riders will then depart at their own
pace and ride with others (if desired) in small groups according to their riding style or personal
preference. The all-paved-road 400+ mile loop will take about 10 hours, the 200+ mile loop will
take 4 to 6 hours, and the Dual-Sport (mixed pavement and gravel) will take 6 to 8 hours running
at posted speed limits and allowing for fuel stops. Allowing for stops along the way, riders should
have plenty of time to re-collect for a buffet dinner at (Wild Wings Cafe) Asheville . Participation
includes a commemorative ride t-shirt, bike sticker, A Friday night mixer with PIZZA and
BEVERAGES at (EUROSPORT ASHEVILLE), continental breakfast, catered dinner, and many
door prizes during dinner. Fuel, food, and rest facilities are readily available along the route.
Lunch will be on your own.
Eligibility: All riders and brands of motorcycles are welcome to participate in this
benefit event.
Benefit Info: All proceeds from this event, minus basic expenses, will be donated to
the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation. We couldn’t have found a more appropriate
beneficiary for our ride!
Date: Saturday, May 16, 2015, Rain or shine.
Registration and Cost: Riders must pre-register for this event by sending their
name, address, and email address, with the registration fee, or use the Pay Pal feature
on our website (www.abmwr.org). Registration form appears below and is also
available at Eurosport Asheville or our website. Registration is limited to 150
participants, and will be on a first-come, first-signed basis. IMPORTANT: The closing
date for registration will be Friday April 24th, 2015. Late registration after that date will
only be available if space permits, and will not guarantee an event t-shirt. The registration
fee is $85 per person, applies to all participants (i.e., 2-up requires two fees) and is
nonrefundable.
The Blue Ridge Breeze
A p r i l 2 0 1 5 P a g e | 10
The Blue Ridge Breeze A p r i l
2015 P a g e | 11
Club Merchandise
Spring is here!! Warm weather and bright sunny
days call for short sleeved T-shirts and ball caps!
So look sharp by adding the Asheville BMW
Riders logo to your wardrobe. Stand out from the
crowd at a social Gathering or Tuesday Night
Club Meeting by sporting your official Club
merchandise. We have decals, hats and short
and long sleeved T-shirts. Ursula Skoug has club
items at meetings or keep tabs on the Club
Website: http://www.abmwr.org/ (and purchase
using PayPal).
Shirts
Short Sleeve: $15.00
Long Sleeve: $18.00
Decals $1.00
Hats $15.00
Don’t forget to check out the club web site
http://www.abmwr.org/
There are many new photos and updates, including the calendar of events.
You can also join a Conversation Forum
The Blue Ridge Breeze
A p r i l 2 0 1 5 P a g e | 12