Minutes - June 2, 2008
Riding Demonstration by OHP in Parking Lot
We had one Oklahoma Highway Patrol Motorcyclist come from OKC to give us a riding demonstration.
Clint Riddle showed the distance it takes to stop using the front brakes. Then he did it again using just the rear brakes. Big difference with the rear brakes stopping in a much shorter distance - about half the distance.
Clint answered a wide variety of questions to our group before doing a riding demo.
When finished with the two braking exercises, he stops to further explain braking is affected by the types of pavement or cement. Each will have a different braking result. He emphasized to learn to know where your maximum braking point is on your cycle before your tires start to loose their grim on the roadway.
Too bad we can’t have something like this every month!
The June Meeting Begins
Sam led us in the Pledge of Allegiance right at 7:31 pm. A total of thirty-one people were present.
The GWRRA Number
Grant yelled out, “Anyone find their number?” No one was jumping up and down. Everyone’s heads just kept turning left and then right looking for a winner. None were to be found. But the winners were there. Bill Patterson turns out to be the winner, even though he lost.
Bruni yells out “Everyone has given up looking for their number! It’s NOT fun anymore, Wes!” This coming from the voice of someone who lost two months in a row not too very long ago.
May Picnic
Grant spoke briefly about the picnic at his house where everyone had a good time.
Beaver’s Bend in May
Grant forgot to thank Doy and Darliene for their Saturday Ride to Beaver’s Bend. Seems Grant’s editor is away on some wild adventure to Europe for several weeks.
Volunteers Needed
Grant started to ask for some volunteers to come out to his house this Friday night. Then he had to set things straight by stating that he wants all the women to come out to his house Friday night to do a total housecleaning before Kathy comes back from Europe on Saturday. No takers tonight. Grant is stuck with his own housecleaning.
Introduction of Guests
Doy introduced Larry Parkinson. Never mind, Larry introduced himself. As new Chapter members of Chapter “A”, Grant asked Doug and Lezlie Wright how their business was going. Since Kathy was there, Grant has no clue where our list of T-shirt orders are located.
Beaver’s Bend Review
Doy spoke about the nice trip to Beaver’s Bend and how everyone had a good time. Darliene spoke about stopping at some of the small towns on the Tour Oklahoma ride including stopping at the Hugo cemetery to see all the famous rodeo and circus performers. She appreciated everyone who went along and looking forward to the next trip.
Intro for Clint Riddle, OHP
Grant wanted to introduce Clint Riddle, since not everyone was outside at the mini-demo about braking safety, etc. Clint will talk in a little bit.
Cherokee Nation Ride for June
Sam stood up to talk about our trip to Tahlequah and to Catoosa. He wanted to confirm that we would be leaving at 7:00 am. It is going to be a long ride to get there on the turnpike. At 1:00 pm, there will be a shuttle bus for us to board outside the Cherokee Resort hotel. This will take us to Tahlequah for the rest of the day to see the sights and to enjoy a theatre presentation. We’ll be back at the hotel around 10 pm or later.
The next day will be another full day starting early again! Sam wants us to eat at 7 am and be ready to ride at 8 am. Lots of groaning from one individual in the crowd. The ride back will be through the scenic back routes where we will pick up three towns on the Tour Oklahoma.
Sam gave us a second route to come home. He let the group decide which route they would like best. We picked the route which will bring us home a little quicker by two hours.
A reminder that the Cherokee Nation Tourism Department is paying for the shuttle bus, the Cherokee Nation Resort hotel rooms, entrance to all the Museums we go to, the evening dinner, the theatre and breakfast the next morning. Overall, this should be a very educational ride for us as we will learn so much about the Cherokee Nation.
Grant asked if we need to provide some type of gift to our contact that Angie has been corresponding back and forth. We should at least a letter of thanks and perhaps a letter to place in the Wing World magazine. Anything we can do to help promote this part of NE Oklahoma would be helpful.
Bug Targets
Wes explained how he got the idea of these Bug Targets. We could sell these for 50¢ or $1.00 each. The group was in favor of $1 a piece. The purpose would be to have the biggest bug smudge near the center or any other winning possibility. The winner will have their lunch paid for at the noon stop, or their movie admission would be paid for, etc. There would be no limit on the number of targets one could purchase. You need to use your own tape to attach the target to your cycle.
Membership Lists
Wes passed out the member lists in box format. This was supposed to be a final update, but… all of a sudden this was NOT the final edition. More changes - a never ending process.
Website Activity
Wes went into the details of activity for the past month. The first month was productive, but the past month of May things went downhill. With the few who did post a message, add a photo, or post comments, they will be receiving free 50/50 tickets at some future meeting since Rich Huling isn’t here tonight.
New Safety Director
Max Rowlett has agreed to take the reins as the Chapter “L” Safety Director. Round of applause! He’s going to try to get some training. Grant offered to help finance any of his fees he may encounter.
Guest Speaker
Clint Riddle, from the Oklahoma Highway Patrol Motorcycle Division out of OKC, spoke about safety on a motorcycle. He started out with comments about summer riding. It’s important to remember to wear your safety gear - gloves, helmet, some type of mesh clothing with Kevlar, and sunscreen. He stressed, “Don’t cheat on safety.” Always wear boots - something that covers your ankles. Always check your tires for the correct tire pressure every day before you go riding.
Clint answered several questions from our group.
He asked, “How many seconds do you look ahead as you travel and look down the road?” Two seconds, five seconds were a couple of the responses. All wrong! The answer: a full twelve seconds ahead. This allows you to have time to plan an escape route in case of trouble.
He talked about riding through a curve, the proper way to steer a cycle, the correct way to brake before maneuvering around an object and several other riding concerns.
Clint provided a couple of handouts and some doo-rags. Grant will try to get more in time to pass out for the July meeting.
Wildlife Refuge Tar Strips
Sam mentioned that the Refuge has recently done some tar work on their roads. Once the temperature gets warm enough, those tar strips are quite slippery.
Dinner Ride Selection
We picked two dinner ride destinations. July will be the Kiowa Casino near Randlett. The August Dinner Ride will be the Family Inn (now renamed to Horse Creek something or other) in Marlow.
Chapter “A” Meeting
The new meeting location for Chapter “A” will be the Friendship Inn in Altus. They will still meet on the first Friday of each month.
Meeting Adjourned
Members Attending
Andrew A1len
Dave and Pearl Brown
Grant 2yrns
Paula Clouse
Jim and Sharon Cl0wer
Doy and Darliene Coapland
Billy and Susie H0pe
Richard and Susan Mears
Bill and Rhea 5atterson
Jeannine Pike
Joe Quinton
Wes Rich
Max and Mary 4owlett
Dannie and Denise Smith
Bruni 9arren
Sam and Angie Wren
Doug and Lezlie 6right
Visitors / Guests
Clinton Riddle Oklahoma City
Terry and Renee Morgan Lawton
Larry Parkinson Lawton