august 2015 - co. district gwrra · august 2015 connecting colorado page 1 . region f. august 2015...

August 2015 Connecting Colorado

REGION F

August 2015

Table of Contents Wing’n The Rockies…Fantastic Journey 2015!2 Mirror Tips For Motorist Awareness ............... 3 Synopsis From The Rider Ed Perspective ....... 5 Mental Motorcycling - CYA ................................... 6 Wow! What a Rally! ............................................... 7 COY and IOY Selected ............................................. 8 2015 District Convention ..................................... 9 Colorado Chapter Directors ............................... 10 Colorado District Team ....................................... 10 Region F Team ........................................................ 11 District Sponsors ................................................... 12


Wing’n The Rockies…Fantastic Journey 2015! By Andrew & Sherry Smith, District Directors/District COY/Region IOY

What an experience... 286 in attendance... with

12 states, and one country, you know, “U.S.”, made this the best rally ever!!

We were blown away by

the awesome spaghetti dinner and the phenomenal Hat Competition (Cliff & Myra Childs). There were ARC/TRC and CPR classes (Mike & Dorie Werner our new “Senior” District Educators), the great leadership training courses

(Bob & Jan Wills), those amazing and super full-guided rides, and the

Couple of Year Program (Rich and Linda Fuller). Not to be forgotten, Nick & Ginny Hoppner (our Assistant District Directors - West) who worked tirelessly with the Montrose Visitor Center, the Montrose County Fairgrounds and set up the ride to Russell Stover.

Who else is there to

thank? Well, there are Tami & Steve Bender, who rarely left the registration table all weekend; Jim & Barb Griffin, our Assistant District Trainers; Christine Howland, our Assistant

Membership Enhancement Coordinator; Don Cruzan, King of Bike & Light Shows; and each of the Chapter Directors and Assistant Chapter Directors and the Chapter Members who helped out with the various events. To any other District Staff and to every volunteer who helped, please accept our most heartfelt Thanks! To Randall & Janet Drake: You Be Da Man!!... (For a couple that is…)

We extend a Big Congratulations to our new District Couple of the Year from Chapter I: Jim & Olga Wyman! And our new District Individual of the Year from Chapter E:

Christine Howland!

We

want to also congratulate Chapter J for winning the Newsletter Competition. They now move on to Region.

Congratulations to

Chapter L for winning the Hat Competition. Their 2016 Charter renewal fee will be paid by the District. Congratulations to Chapter L for also winning the Chapter Challenge competition!

On a sad note...

our Extraordinary District MEC Couple, Cliff & Myra Childs, have decided to end their tenure on a high note with the Best

District Rally in Colorado in 10 years! We do not want to

see them go (because we love all the amazing things that they do), but understand and very reluctantly say okay. They were the glue that held the rallies together, and we could not have done it without them. Did you


have a good time in Breckenridge or Montrose? Cliff and Myra were “key” to the success of both of these two rallies. Give them a high five or, better yet, a hug and tell them how much you enjoyed the games, challenges, the different competitions, and the themes that were the brain children of Cliff and Myra Childs. Their presence on the District Staff will be missed! They are both such very special people.

Our current AMEC, Christine Howland, has

agreed to be the Acting District MEC. She took very

good notes from Cliff & Myra, and will work diligently to uphold the high standards set for her by them.

There has now been set a very high bar for the District Convention

“Roar’n to Montrose” as Gold Wingers will be headed back to the Roar’n 20’s

for the 2016 gathering! Our goal will be to have 300+ in attendance. We will

have a hoot as we practice our “Charleston.”

Ride Safe – Have Fun!

Mirror Tips For Motorist Awareness By Nick Hoppner, Assistant Director/Motorist Awareness Coordinator – West

The mission of every Motorist Awareness

Coordinator in GWRRA is the same: If we can convince just one highway motorist to notice motorcycles so that he or she avoids a collision with a motorcyclist, we’ve done our job.

The most frequently heard complaint from

motorists? “I never saw you.” One reason many motorists don’t see motorcycles coming up behind them is that their rearview mirrors are adjusted wrong. Not surprisingly, very few vehicle salespeople teach motorists how to adjust the mirrors properly when delivering a new vehicle. And how many years ago did any of us take a driver’s education course or test?

Let’s take a look at the subject of rearview mirror adjustment as presented by a number of authorities online. Most modern vehicles are equipped with three rearview mirrors: One on each side of the vehicle and a rearview mirror mounted in the upper center section of the windshield. By knowing how to correctly adjust your car mirrors, you will be able experience the highest level of visibility from the driver's seat. (If you’ve got a camper top, a large trailer or fifth wheel blocking your central interior mirror, proper adjustment of your side mirrors takes on even greater importance.)

The interior rearview mirror (the one with

your pink fuzzy dice dangling from it) is designed to show the driver what is happening behind the


vehicle. It should be positioned only after the driver (you, your spouse or your kid who’s borrowed your keys) has adjusted their seat and steering wheel for driving comfort. The interior rearview mirror should be centered so as to display as much of the rear window as possible. (Hint: Do this before you get under way!)

A driver should use the rearview mirror to

monitor traffic behind his or her vehicle, including vehicles traveling at a distance in adjacent lanes. (Think freeway or city driving.) Unfortunately, however, the interior rearview mirror, even when properly adjusted, will not reveal fellow motorists that might be traveling in lanes immediately adjacent to your car or truck. These areas are known as "blind spots."

It may surprise many drivers to learn that

there is a better way to set the rearview mirrors on their cars! The quick test: If you look in your side mirrors and you see the side of your own car, then you're not using the mirror's capacity! Essentially, most people have a huge overlap between the center and side rearview mirrors, which is unnecessary. By spreading your side mirrors properly, you lose no information about what's behind you, but gain valuable insight into what's beside you. Here’s the way to get the most benefit by properly adjusting your mirrors: STEP 1. Adjust your center rearview mirror to

place it facing the center of the rear window.

STEP 2. From your normal position behind the

wheel (with your shoulder belt fastened), lean your head over until it almost touches your driver's side window, and then position the side mirror on the car's left side so you can just see the rear quarter panel (the rear end of your car) in the mirror. Note: This will have it positioned farther

out than you probably had it before. When positioned like this, the mirrors will show as much of the adjacent lanes as possible and you will best understand the orientation of the display.

STEP 3. Then, lean your head to the right to align it

with the center of the car (for example, just between the two front seats) at your normal height. From there, position the right side mirror so you can just see your vehicle’s rear quarter panel of the passenger side in the mirror.

While driving, notice that a car passing you

appears in the center of your rearview mirror. As it approaches you, it moves to the side of your center rear view mirror, and at the same time appears in your side mirror. This shows you that there is no rear blind spot, because there is an overlap between the mirrors.

Also notice that your side mirrors now

capture a tremendous additional amount of information about what is in the lanes adjacent to your car. Your side mirrors now can do a much better job of covering the blind spots on both sides of your car.

Even though you've adjusted your mirrors

to eliminate as much of your vehicle’s blind spots as possible, small, narrow vehicles (like motorcycles) may escape your notice. When changing lanes or turning, make sure to always lean forward and look in your side mirror to make sure that the lane next to you is clear.

Remember: Look twice—save a life.


Synopsis From The Rider Ed Perspective By Michael & Dorie Werner, District Educators

Now that the 2015 Colorado District

Convention has gone down as possibly the best in the past 10 years, we would like to give a short synopsis from the Rider Education perspective.

The TRC riding course was well received by all

11 who attended and honed their 3-wheel riding skills. Much thanks to our trainers, Bob Lake from Nebraska (NE-O), Gary Longhurst from New Mexico (NM-F), and our very own, Alan Gustafson (CO-A), who is now a GWRRA Certified Trike Course Instructor. Congratulations and a BIG Thank You to Alan for taking on this new training responsibility.

The ARC riding course was equally well

received by the 12 who honed their 2-wheel riding skills. Thanks to the TOG (Two Old Guys) Motorcycle Training out of Durango. There were many positive comments from the class attendees on this course and its trainers, Randy and Jim.

Ten members were trained and/or

renewed in the Medic First Aid/CPR Course. Thanks to Janet Longhurst (NM-F) and Dorie Werner (CO-A) for a vibrant review.

Deb Gustafson, CO-A, presented the

Motorist Awareness Seminar on Sharing the Road. Bill and Donna Shenberger from Oklahoma (OK-I) presented the Co-Rider Seminar. Bill and Donna are transferring their affiliation to CO-I. Welcome to the Colorado District!

Once all these courses were updated in the

Rider Ed Database, we were able to advance 10 folks up a level or two, and they were all acknowledged at closing ceremonies. This is what the GWRRA Rider Education Program is all about: The training, the safety, the FUN, and the recognition!

Chuck Shaw made a grand reappearance with the Honda SMART (Safe Motorcyclist Awareness and Recognition) Trainer. Many attendees took advantage of this real time training. This training tool continues to be well received; you can plan on seeing it again at future conventions.

Let’s not to fail to recognize all those

members who used the Werners’ number stamper to stamp their wristband number on all the 50/50 and door and grand prize tickets purchased. We requested a donation for the 2016 Ride for Kids Fundraiser for the use of the stamper, and $47.00 was raised. Thanks to all you Convention goers who like to buy tickets and get tired of writing that wristband number over and over! A donation to a great cause!

We also announced that David Michaels

will be taking over as Chapter Educator for CO-A, he has been in the Assistant role since February 2015.

Planning for the 2016 Convention is already

in place. TRC and ARC courses as well as MFA/CPR courses will be available at that time. Start planning ahead now!

The next training we have planned is on

Saturday, September 19, from 9-5. It will be a Parking Lot Facilitator Training class, to learn how to facilitate the PLP practices. The goal of the District is that all Chapters have at least one PLP Facilitator, so as to be able to meet the needs of their Chapter. See the attached flyer and let us know if you are interested.

Safety comes in Cans:

I Can, You Can, We all Can!


Mental Motorcycling - CYA By Peter Keppler, Motorist Awareness Coordinator - East

This is based in part on an article in the August

2015 issue of Motorcycle Consumer News written by Mark Barnes, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist who writes on “Mental Motorcycling” for the magazine. I thought his comments about joining in a group ride were pertinent to our group riding guidelines and training. I’ve added my own observations about experience with group riding and how this relates to motorist awareness.

Most of us when gathering for a group ride size

up the other riders and bikes, especially if we’re not well acquainted with all the other riders and are in a large group. We tend to make excuses in advance in case we find ourselves riding in the rear or holding up the other riders. This is more so where the group is made up of riders with different skill levels or experience and different machines, even more now that we likely have trikes and other machines (e.g. Spyders and Slingshots) riding with the group. As Dr. Barnes notes, each rider thinks that if he or she can convince the others in the group that they are not in shape to ride well today or their bike has problems, they can ride at their own pace without worrying about keeping up or looking like a beginner.

The more unfamiliar a rider is with his

companions, the more anxiety there is likely to be about how his skills will compare. When riding with a group we have ridden with many times before, we are much less inclined to “cover our ass” than when riding with strangers, including other Wingers from other

Chapters. We all like to think other GW members have had experience riding in a group and will stick with the GW group riding guidelines. I’ve found this isn’t always the case. Some group rides I’ve participated in are downright scary where the riders don’t keep spacing, don’t stay in the right or left track, don’t keep a tight group, don’t pass as a group, etc. Even GW members who should certainly know better sometimes have lapses into bad habits.

There are good reasons for following the

GWRRA Group Riding Guidelines that are in the Chapter Ride Guide and the Gold Book. It makes for safer travel and gains respect of other motorists on the road. When we ride in a group and use good riding practices (i.e. follow the Guidelines), we avoid a lot of problems and possibly serious accidents. How many times have we heard of a rider going down while in a group trying to keep-up riding beyond his skill/comfort level? As pointed out in the Guidelines, the group should adjust the ride to accommodate all riders, including novices and three-wheelers.

How does this relate to motorist awareness?

When we ride in a tight-knit group and use good road manners, we are more visible to other drivers and they will respect us and not come into our space. Riding in formation makes a good impression that goes a long way in shaping a driver’s attitude toward motorcyclists generally and will help all of us share the road safely.

“Ride Like Your Life Depends on It”


Wow! What a Rally! By Bob & Jan Wills, District Leadership Trainers/Region COY

WOW! What a rally! Hope everyone had a great time and enjoyed all the activities that were planned for your enjoyment. Along with the Rider Ed seminars, we had four Leadership seminars and two MEC seminars presented. A total of 75 members took at least one seminar. That’s fantastic! A big Thank You to all the seminar presenters: Barb Griffin (Chapter A & Asst. Dist. Trainer), Debbie Gustafson (Chapter A), Mike Werner (Chapter A & Dist. Educator), Joyce Elmore (Chapter G), Ginny Spaven-Hoppner (Chapter Q & Asst. Dist. Director), and Nick Hoppner (Chapter Q & Asst. Dist. Director). What a great job these people did.

Please watch your email as there will be

another training session in October. The date has

not been set yet, but it’s going to be in Windsor. If will cover the Life Skills module which includes Time Management, Stress Management, Managing Change, Listening & Communicating, Remembering Names, Public Speaking Basics, Self Esteem, Key to Success, and Smart Moves. What a great group of seminars to use in your personal lives. Watch your emails for the next training day in October!

Also, we would like to say a big

CONGRATULATIONS to your 2015-2016 District Couple of the Year Jim & Olga Wyman of Chapter I and District Individual of the Year Christine Howland of Chapter E.

WAY TO GO!!!


COY and IOY Selected By Rich & Linda Fuller, District COY/IOY Coordinators

Outstanding is the way we would put it. The 2015 Colorado District Convention was a huge success in all venues: Vendors, registration, games, dinners, and, of course, the COY/IOY Selection Program. The District staff is already gearing up to make 2016 even better for all attendees.

A huge congratulations to our new District

Couple of the Year, Jim & Olga Wyman, and our new District Individual of the Year, Christine Howland. All of the participants were very well prepared and

presented themselves in tremendous fashion. We were very proud of all of them. Jim & Olga and Christine will now be representing Colorado through the coming year and will be moving on to the 2016 Region COY/IOY Program next Memorial Day weekend, location TBD.

As this trio makes their way around the District,

we ask CDs to be sure to recognize them at your gatherings and members to welcome them and get acquainted. They are going to be great representatives of Colorado.

It won’t be long before we will all be thinking of

our new selections for our 2016 Chapter Couples and Individuals. It’s not too early for Chapter Directors to be thinking of their possible nominees and who your hard working and deserving members are.

We hope everyone had a wonderful time in

Montrose and we look forward to seeing you again next year, where it will be better and bigger.


2015 District Convention By Donald Redline, District Photographer

A super time was had by all who attended (286)

this year’s rally. (Did I say “rally”? Well, you know.) Those who didn’t make this year’s convention should try for next year. It will be in Montrose again.

Now, the big

question… WHO WON THE $500.00 DOOR PRIZE? It was Chapter I’s own Ralph Clayton. I’d smile like this too if I’d won $500.

The Thursday night dinner for everyone was spaghetti with 3 different sauces, rolls, salad, and ice cream for dessert.

The Friday night dinner was either pulled pork or pulled chicken. I had the pork (YUMM YUMM!). Those who had the chicken liked it also. To go with this were salad, rolls, and cake for desert.

A lot of classes were attended by those

keeping up with their rider levels, and I was even in one. Everyone who went on the rides was

awestruck by the scenery; they said they’d do it again. They all thought the rides should start earlier though to beat the heat. I heard from some it got really miserable out there.

Now, it’s time to meet our new INDIVIDUAL

and COUPLE of THE YEAR: Chapter E’s Christine Howland and Chapter I’s Jim & Olga Wyman.

.


Colorado Chapter Directors A – Littleton Jim & Barb Griffin [email protected] B – Grand Junction Charles & Gaylene Grimsley [email protected] E – Arvada Bob & Jan Wills [email protected] G – Ft. Collins Anita & Michael Benavidez [email protected] I – Colorado Springs Don Cruzan & Cathy Luce [email protected] J – Aurora Bryan & Emma Lape [email protected] L – Lakewood Fred & Linda Fisher [email protected] N – Pueblo Diana & Dave Bradley [email protected] Q – Montrose Rich & Linda Fuller [email protected] WY-B – Cheyenne Paul & Marla Muirbrook [email protected]

Colorado District Team District Directors Andrew & Sherry Smith [email protected] Assistant Directors Nick & Ginny Hoppner [email protected] Treasurer Steve & Tami Bender [email protected] Rider Educators Mike & Dorie Werner [email protected] Motorist Awareness Coordinators – West Nick & Ginny Hoppner [email protected] Motorist Awareness Coordinator – East Peter Keppler [email protected] Leadership Trainers Bob & Jan Wills [email protected]

Assistant Trainers Jim & Barb Griffin [email protected] Membership Enhancement Coordinator Vacant - TBA [email protected] Couple & Individual of the Year Coordinators Rich & Linda Fuller [email protected] Webmasters Jim & Janet Wohlford [email protected] Newsletter Editor April Hansen-Keppler [email protected] Photographer Donald Redline [email protected] Convention/Vendor Coordinators Randall & Janet Drake [email protected] 2015-2016 COY Jim & Olga Wyman [email protected] 2015-2016 IOY Christine Howland [email protected]


Region F Team Region Directors Keith & Teresa Morrison [email protected]

Assistant Region Directors Joyce & Rick Elmore [email protected] Cathy & George Diaz [email protected] Mark Davis [email protected] Treasurer Patti O’Neill-Esposito [email protected] Rider Educators Mike & Ruth Burke [email protected]

Assistant Educators Mike & Dorie Werner [email protected] Assistant Educators/Medic First Aid Training Coordinators

Joel & Marti Winkler [email protected] Assistant Educators/Motorists Awareness Coordinators

Cliff & Char Simpson [email protected] Region Trainer Garry Howland [email protected]

Assistant Trainers Harry & Amy Jenkins Membership Enhancement Coordinators Cindy & Ken Kelley [email protected] Public Relations Coordinators Dennis & Karen Long [email protected] Couple and Individual of the Year Coordinators Bob & Jan Wills [email protected]

Assistant Coordinator Rich Mason Webmasters Tom & Lisa Evans [email protected] Newsletter Editors Tom & Vicki Lorenz [email protected] Region Store Sallie & John Baldwin [email protected] Convention/Vendor Coordinator Donna Pickens [email protected] Assistant Coordinators Jan & Ken Pedder 2015-2016 Couple of the Year Andrew & Sherry Smith [email protected] 2015-2016 Individual of the Year Paul De Baca [email protected]


District Sponsors

www.apexsportsinc.com

www.accessorypitusa.com

www.interstatehonda.com

www.sunharleydavidson.com

GWRRA PLP (Parking Lot Practice) Facilitator Course The objective of the Parking Lot Facilitator Program is to give Members a structured program to build

confidence and reinforce basic riding abilities. It is intended solely for the use of GWRRA Members to enhance skill levels and as preparation toward other experienced rider courses. It is not meant for the beginning motorcycle rider, nor meant to take the place of professional motorcycle riding instruction.

The Facilitator Certification consists of two sections, a 3-4 hour classroom presentation and a range review.

The goal of the Colorado District Rider Education Department is to have a PLP Facilitator in each Chapter to be able to have parking lot practices throughout the year as the Chapter needs.

If Interested in taking this course contact Mike or Dorie Werner @ [email protected] OR call Mike’s cell 303-434-5242 by September 16th When: Saturday September 19 Time: 9:00am – 5:00pm Location: Classroom @ Rocky Mountain Drywall (Emma Lape’s office) 597 Olathe St.

Aurora, CO 80011 Lot Practice @ Picken’s Technical College 500 N Airport Blvd Aurora, CO 80011 *the lot behind the greenhouses right on the corner of 6th Ave & Airport Blvd

mailto:[email protected]

http://gwrra.org/regional/ridered/images/rider-images/Clipart/gl1800Red.jpg

http://gwrra.org/regional/ridered/images/rider-images/Clipart/gl1800Red.jpg

http://www.pickenstech.org/

*Facilities courtesy of John & Jodi Barber, Resort Managers ** Bring your own water guns; bathing suits or raingear recommended!

Discounted camping rates: onsite at Jellystone Park (970) 249-6382 Days Inn (1417 E. Main Street, Montrose) (970) 249-4507 (Mention “Chapter Q Fundraiser when making reservations.)

Saturday, September 26, 2015 10 a.m. till 2 p.m.

at

Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resorts* 22045 S. Highway 550

(just south of Montrose, Colorado)

$15 per person upon arrival (under 12 free) for a day of fun including:

• Lasagna Lunch • 50/50 • Swimming Pool • Games with team competitions:

o Hula Hoop

Chapter Q’s “Fall Colorful” Fundraiser Enjoy a great Colorado Color Ride in the picturesque

San Juan Mountains!

BLACK CANYON WINGS

Ping Pong Horseshoes Badminton Sack Races Hula Hoop

Egg Toss Dizzy Run Scavenger Hunt Super Soaker Match**

Handmade Kokopelli Quilt

ARVADA WINGS

GWRRA Colorado Chapter E

While in Albuquerque in 1996, Chapter E member Barbara Bunker fell in love with the Native American dancing, flute-playing icon, Kokopelli. The large border around the quilt has Kokopelli in different po-sitions dancing and playing his flute. After embroidering the blocks together, Barb quilted it, using several southwestern quilting designs from a Colorado designer. The binding is hand-sewn. This quilt should provide many years of enjoyment. Tickets cost $5.00 each. The drawing for the queen-size quilt will be at the Multi-Chapter Christmas Party on Saturday, December 5, 2015.

august 2015 - co. district gwrra · august 2015 connecting colorado page 1 . region f. august 2015...

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