Greetings! 

 

May is the month we honor our past heroes who have served in our Armed Forces. Memorial Day will be celebrated May 26th in the USA. We remember and honor ALL who have served and who are serving our country! Thank you for your service...!   

 

May in Phoenix also means we are pushing the century mark on the temperature gauge while the rest of the country is just heading into Spring. In reading all the newsletters I receive, it is fun to see how so many Chapters are preparing and offering their Members riding prep classes and courses. Everything from getting your bike or trike out of hibernation to PLP courses to rider education classes and group riding classes. Yes, I know some areas of the country have already been riding, some areas are still seeing cold weather and even snow. This has been a bad winter and the weather patterns are definitely changing. Hats off to all our Officers and Volunteers, especially our Rider Educators who are there to help us keep safe and enhance our skill levels. Please make sure as you prepare for the riding season you and your bike or trike are really ready for the upcoming riding season. If you are not exactly sure what may be required, ask one of GWRRA's Officers or Volunteers to assist. We are all here to help each other stay safe and have fun!

 

Speaking of asking for help, both I and our Wing World editor, Kevin Whipps, are in need of your assistance. Wingin' It, your free monthly e-newsletter and Wing World magazine are available due to your contributions. The magazine and e-newsletter are different formats, but both serve you, our Members. They are viable because of your support. We rely on the articles, stories, and information you send us. You will see an article from Kevin below and I also am requesting you send each of us your contributions to make each publication/newsletter better and continual. GWRRA has been around for 36 years due to its Members and your support. We thank each of you who have contributed in the past and who will continually support us. As I have mentioned previously, you don't need to be a great writer, just send in your stories, best rides, favorite places visited, Gold Book stories, travelogues, Chapter events, etc. We will do all the editing and make your contribution sound great. Thank you in advance for your support. See below to send your articles to Kevin at Wing World and to send me your articles for Wingin' It, just click here

 

The Home Office hosted the 40-to-Phoenix Ride, back in March and had more than 220 folks join us. According to Russ Schaeffer, the ride's leader and coordinator, all went fantastic. The ride started in North Carolina and ended in California with a great visit with all the staff at the GWRRA's Home Office. Everyone had time to tour the office, listen to some seminars given by our founder and co-founder, Paul Hildebrand and Shirley Stephens-Garcia, as well GWRRA's President Abel Gallardo. Melissa Eason and her Member Services staff, especially Danielle Rotger, helped Members buy Association Official Products and assist with their membership renewals, etc. Riding tours of some great places in Arizona were also available led by Arizona Chapters. Everyone had time to visit and share their ride stories of the trip across the country and pictures. We then went to dinner to share a great meal and give out some wonderfully deserved "THANK YOUS," especially to Russ Schaeffer.

You can view some of the shots we took at this link  https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ao24zfzf3omqfn7/X6pm9-1tN-.  Our thanks go out to Ray and Sandi Garris, GWRRA's Director, for being at this event and organizing all the Volunteers who showed up to assist with the logistics for the day, especially AZ-A. I also want to thank our Wing World Editor Kevin Whipps and his photographer for the great pictures.



Here is an update on the activities for those who are planning to attend GWRRA's Weekend at The Opry event in August. Many of you have visited the Opryland Resort Hotel & Convention Center before and know about their great restaurants and pubs. Well, GWRRA is planning a Pub Crawl on Sunday afternoon, August 31. The way it will work is you will receive a preprinted card in your registration packet. This card will have all the pubs/restaurants participating in the event and you will go to each venue and get it stamped/signed and return it to the Closing Event to be eligible for prizes. One of our VIPs will be at each location to visit with you and share some food and drink (Founder, Co-founder, President, Directors, etc.). We will also be taking a group picture this day to commemorate this fun event on the Grand Staircase. Remember, you must register for the event and have your card completely stamped/signed to be eligible for the drawing. You can do that  by clicking here to register or by calling our Member Services folks at 800-843-9460.

We also want to remind everyone attending GWRRA's Weekend at The Opry, some free seminars will be offered during the event. "Meet GWRRA's President and Directors" and "GWRRA's Benefits" are scheduled. For all events, seminars, tours and dinner/dance your armband will be required. This comes free with your paid registration fee of $15. You also receive a pin and T-shirt with your registration fee. Again as a reminder, please register for the event, book your hotel as we are 81percent sold-out and book your tours. Click here to register.

GWRRA is also very excited about Wing Ding 36, "Light Up the Lakes" in Madison, July 2-5. There are many new events being planned and as always, the city of Madison loves our Members! So, make sure you get registered for Wing Ding early  and save on preregistration. Check out the Wing Ding 36 site here and get registered now or call one of our friendly Member Services agents at 800-843-9460! 2014 is going to be a great year full of activities for all our Members including a "Big Wisconsin Welcome" on July 1 in conjunction with the City of Middleton, as well as "A Taste of Wisconsin" on July 2 at the Alliant Energy Center Coliseum, just to name a few!         

 

Our deep appreciation goes out to all the contributors to the May issue of Wingin' It. Thank you to Ray and Sandi Garris for their article on GWRRA, "... Having Your Back." We want to thank Joe and Gracie Mazza for their Rider Education articles, Gene Hanselman for his wonderful stories, and Tom Hendricks and Terry Dare for their continued supply of great jokes. There is a great article  from our Deputy Directors Bill and Dea Ann Gray, and a very interesting article about "Never Wrestle With a Pig." Harry and Joan Dollarhide also sent in a wonderful Rider Course Program article entitled "When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors." We also have a very intriguing article from a Life Member, Bill McIlrath, about using a car tire on his Gold Wing. I am sure this will create some conversation. Please send me your feedback here! Also, don't forget to read the coupon at the bottom of the Wingin' It to save 25 percent off a GWRRA Grey Scoop 3/4-sleeve T-Shirt!
 
Remember to check out GWRRA's website for all the latest news, benefits, updates and information. One more request, please forward this copy of Wingin' It to all your friends who ride! THANKS!!
  

Thanks for all your continued support! Ride safe and FIND-A-FRIEND!

 

Ed Price

GWRRA Events Manager | Wingin' It Editor

[email protected] 

 

Gold Wing Road Riders Association

GWRRA.org | Wing-Ding.org 

 

 

"Friends for FUN, Safety & Knowledge"

800-843-9460 | 623-581-2500 (in Phoenix) | Fax 877-348-9416

In This Issue
Joke of the Month
Wing Ding 36
Inspirational Quotes
Looking for YOUR Articles
GWRRA & Facebook
Nuances of the English Language
Chapter Article
Member Humor
Member Feedback
GWRRA Poll
WING WORLD magazine
Rescue Plus Reminder
Director's Article
Rider Education Article
Free Download
Article Headline
Deputy Director Article
Rider Course Program Article
Member Article
Another Member Story
The New Wingworldmag.com
Featured Member Benefit
GWRRA Discount Coupon
Quick Links
Join Our Mailing List
JOKE
OF THE
MONTH  

 

    

  SWISHING  

 

A woman goes to the doctor, worried about her husband's temper.

 

The doctor asks: "What's the problem?

 

The woman says: "Doctor, I don't know what to do. Every day my husband seems to lose his temper for no reason. It scares me."

 

The doctor says: "I have a cure for that. When it seems that your husband is
getting angry, just take a glass of water and start swishing it in your mouth. Just swish and swish but don't swallow it until he either leaves the room or calms down."

 

Two weeks later the woman comes back to the doctor looking fresh and reborn.

 

The woman says: "Doctor, that was a brilliant idea! Every time my husband started losing it, I swished with water. I swished and swished, and he calmed right down! How does a glass of water do that?"

 

The doctor says: "The water itself does nothing. It's keeping your mouth shut, that does the trick."

 

 

Sent in by
Terry Dare
WING DING 36
 

Inspirational

Quotes

 

 "Best friends are the siblings God forgot to give us!"   

 

-Unknown     

 

  

"Happiness always looks small while you hold it in your hands, but let it go, and you learn at once how big and precious it is."

-Maxim Gorky


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Looking for Articles

 

Remember, we are looking for articles for YOUR e-Newsletter! 

 

Travelogues, Member and Officer profiles, Chapter activities, your stories about how joining GWRRA has positively affected your life, etc.

 

And don't forget those great Gold Book stories.

 

Please send your stories to me here.

Have questions or privacy concerns about becoming socially connected with your GWRRA Facebook friends... 
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Nuances of the English Language:
Submitted by:
Tom Hendricks

TX-U

 

1) The bandage was wound around the wound.

   

2) The farm was used to produce produce.
 
3) The dump was so full that it had to refuse more refuse.

 

4) We must polish the Polish furniture..

5) He could lead if he would get the lead out.

6) The soldier decided to desert his dessert in the desert.

7) Since there is no time like the present, he thought it was time to present the present.

 

8) A bass was painted on the head of the bass drum.

9) When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes.

10) I did not object to the object.

 

Chapter Article

Motorcycling Truths  

 

(Article Submitted by Larry Meyers)

 

A motorcycle is not just a two-wheeled car. The difference between driving a car and climbing onto a motorcycle is the difference between watching TV and actually living your life. We spend all our time sealed in boxes, and cars are just the rolling boxes that shuffle us from home-box to work-box to store-box and back, the whole time, entombed in stale air, temperature regulated, sound-insulated, and smelling of carpets.

 

On a motorcycle, I know I am alive. When I ride, even the familiar seems strange and glorious. The air has weight and substance as I push through it, and its touch is as intimate as water to a swimmer. I feel the cool wells of air that pool under trees and the warm spokes of sun that fall through them. I can see everything in a sweeping 360 degrees, up, down and around, wider than Panavision and IMAX and unrestricted by ceiling or dashboard.

 

At 30 mph and up, smells become uncannily vivid. All the individual tree smells and flower smells and grass smells flit by like chemical notes in a great plant symphony. Sometimes the smells evoke memories so strongly that it's as though the past hangs invisibly in the air around me, wanting only the casual of rumbling time machines to unlock it.  

 

A ride on a summer afternoon can border on the rapturous. The sheer volume and variety of stimuli is like a bath for my nervous system, an electrical massage for my brain, a systems check for my soul. Transportation is only a secondary function. A motorcycle is a joy machine. It's a machine of wonders, a metal bird, a motorized prosthetic. Getting a motorcycle was one of the best things I've done.

 

 Author unknown

 


(This article was reprinted from CA-1S newsletter.)

  MEMBER  

HUMOR

    


HOW TO STOP CHURCH GOSSIP  

 

Mildred, the church gossip, and self-appointed monitor of the church's morals, kept sticking her nose into other people's business.

 

Several members did not approve of her extra-curricular activities, but
feared her enough to maintain their silence.

 

She made a mistake, however, when she accused Frank, a new member,
of being an alcoholic after she saw his old pickup parked in front of the
town's only bar one afternoon.

 

She emphatically told Frank (and several others) that everyone seeing it there would know what he was doing!

 

Frank, a man of few words, stared at her for a moment and just turned and walked away.  He didn't explain, defend, or deny.

 

He simply said nothing.

 

Later that evening, Frank quietly parked his pickup in front of Mildred's house, walked home ... and left it there all night.*

 

*(You gotta love Frank!)*

 

Sent in by Terry Dare  

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MEMBER FEEDBACK
Here are some Members' comments we received from last months Wingin' It
on the subject of theme songs for GWRRA in my editorial.

Please respond to me here with your thoughts on this idea
o
r any other subject you would like to chat about. 

>I think one of the better "riding" songs, expressing the way some of us feel at one time or the other, is "Ride Away" by Roy Orbison. May not be suited as our "theme song," but another good riding song to add to the repertoire!
 
Thanks, and as always, Ride On!!--Mike

>You know I have to go with B.J. and "Wings of Gold."  I have many fond memories of sitting around the fire somewhere in the Northwest, and she would be playing and singing songs but when she would start wings, everyone would join in and it would top off yet another wonderful weekend and evening.  I miss her.

 

Thanks, Mike Briggs

 

GWRRA POLL

Where have you found the best Motorcycle Touring Lodging?
  • Northeast---- 9%  (19) 
  • Northwest---10%  (22) 
  • Southwest--  8%   (18) 
  • Southeast--- 43% (92) 
  • Midwest-----14%  (29)
  • Europe------- 4%     (9) 
  • Don't know--11%  (23) 
 
Total Votes: 212     


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To view the magazine online or to sign up as a trial Member, please contact Member Services at 800-843-9460 or, in the Phoenix area, 623-581-2500.

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Director's Article
submitted by:
Ray & Sandi Garris
Directors-GWRRA 

By The Way ... "We have Your Back!"

 

As we visit our Members across the country in person, or receive emails and letters or read the many newsletters we receive each month, it is very clear to Sandi and me that GWRRA really does "Have Your Back!"

 

Whether it's the Chapter Educator reminding those in the process of taking their bike/trike out of "hibernation" to prepare for that first ride with a T-CLOC inspection of our machine and providing us a checklist for our mental readiness, reminding us that our "skills are perishable" and we need to  start off with easier, shorter rides or reminding us to watch for potholes caused by cold weather.

 

Or, our Chapter Director, who keeps us informed about all of the many activities they have planned for us, warm weather or cold, on the bike/trike or off the bike. They provide us with many different opportunities to enjoy our two, three or four wheels together. We can pick the items we like the best or that fit our schedule the best and know that we will be met by many Members of our extended family.

 

For many of us, it is the chance to take part in the many educational offerings, learning all about the operation of our machine, as well as learning how to provide our own maintenance. We can even learn life skills such as time management, how to remember names, public speaking or even stress management with no cost to our Members.

 

And, don't forget the obvious. How about our Gold Book and Rescue Plus. WOW, we really are "In good hands with GWRRA!"

 

Just for kicks, let's throw in all of the motel, hotel, rental car and travel discounts, Office Max discounts and many more ways to save money as a Member of GWRRA.

 

Perhaps, for many of us, the most important and most valuable part of GWRRA "having our back" are the friends we have in this Association, particularly in our own Chapters. These are the folks who are there for you in good times or bad times.

 

Aren't we glad that our Founder and Co-Founder brought us all together so that we could reap all of these rewards? GWRRA really does "have our back!"

 

Rider Education Article
by Joe & Gracie Mazza

Motorcycle Helmet Laws and Recovery for Injuries

 

While researching information for an upcoming seminar I will be teaching to my home Chapter, FL1-A Tampa, dealing with helmet myths, I came upon some interesting facts I don't think any of us take into consideration. On the website NOLO, a site pertaining to all things legal, I found the following facts about helmet use and financial recovery after a motorcycle accident.

 

Many states have laws requiring motorcycle riders to wear helmets. These laws can be a deciding factor in your ability to financially recover for head and neck injuries in a motorcycle accident. Recovery depends on your state's motorcycle helmet law, the nature of your injuries, and whether you were wearing a helmet during the accident.

 

Helmet Laws and Motorcycle Safety

 

Evidence overwhelmingly suggests that wearing a motorcycle helmet significantly reduces the incidence of head injuries in accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates, for every 100 motorcyclists killed in a crash while not wearing a helmet, 37 would have survived if they had been wearing a helmet. And that doesn't even count the enormous reduction in non-fatal injuries achieved by helmets.

 

For this reason, the vast majority of state's require at least some riders to wear helmets. In some states, all riders must wear helmets. In other states, only riders under a certain age must wear helmets. Only two states don't have any helmet laws: Illinois and Iowa.

 

Motorcycle Helmet Laws and Recovery for Injuries

 

If you are a motorcyclist in an accident, your state's helmet law may play a large role in what you can financially recover for any resulting head or neck injuries. Here are some possible scenarios and what your chances of recovery are in each one.

 

Wearing Helmet, No Head or Neck Injury

If you were wearing a motorcycle helmet but did not sustain head or neck injuries, the helmet is irrelevant to your injury claim. However, it doesn't hurt to mention the fact that you were wearing a helmet - it may help show that you are a responsible rider.

 

Not Wearing a Helmet, No Head or Neck Injury

Likewise, if you were not wearing a helmet but did not sustain head or neck injuries, the fact that you did not wear a helmet is legally irrelevant. This is true even if the law in your state requires you to wear a helmet.

 

Wearing a Helmet, Head or Neck Injuries

If you were wearing a helmet and still suffered head or neck injuries, the helmet is important to the claim. It shows your injuries were not made worse by your own carelessness. It also shows how much worse your injuries could have been and therefore how dangerous the other drivers actions were had you not been wearing a helmet.

 

Not Wearing a Helmet, No State Helmet Law, Head or Neck Injury

If you were not wearing a helmet and suffered head or neck injuries, it may be difficult to recover for your injuries -- even if your state does not require you to wear a helmet. If your failure to wear a helmet contributed to the severity of your injuries, you may be found to be "comparatively negligent" - meaning you might be found to be partially responsible for your own injuries. Insurance adjusters will likely produce an overwhelming array of documentation demonstrating that helmets usually significantly reduce head injuries. You must then persuade the insurance adjuster that you would have suffered head or neck injuries even if you were wearing a helmet. If the insurance adjuster believes a helmet would have reduced your injuries, then your compensation will be reduced accordingly.

 

Not Wearing a Helmet, State Helmet Law, Head or Neck Injury

If your state requires you to wear a helmet and you sustain a head injury while not wearing a helmet, it will be extremely difficult to recover damages to your head injury. You may still be able to recover for other injuries, however, the fact that your state has a helmet law automatically establishes your comparative negligence.  A motorcyclist in this situation might still be able to obtain some compensation by proving that the injury would have occurred even with a helmet. However, this is a tough task and-if possible at all - requires the services of an experienced personal injury lawyer. 

 

There are many myths having to do with wearing a motorcycle helmet that have been debunked time and again. Basically, they are excuses used by those who flat out refuse to wear one. Saying you can't see as well or hear as well or helmets cause neck or spinal cord injuries, have all been proved wrong by much research over the years. However, the information you just read about financial recovery alone should make everyone stop and think twice when deciding whether to wear a helmet or not. Through my own personal experience where the left side of my helmet was smashed and yet left me with no evident head injury (my wife from time to time disputes this), I can attest to the value of wearing a helmet.

 
   
It is Finally Here... And It's FREE! 
 
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Wing World Editor Article
submitted by: Kevin Whipps
Wing World Editor

Help!
 
When I first started working at Wing World, I received a letter from a Member about a story they had that sounded interesting. So I sent them an email response about how I needed images to go with the story, and then promptly forgot about it. A few weeks later I get another note, then another a month or two after that another, and we kept playing email tag back and forth. It turned out that there were a combination of reasons why I couldn't run this Member's particular article, and they all happened to hit at once. Once I explained the situation to her, she said she understood and we went on our way. But it gave me an idea.
 
How can we get the best stories from you, our Members? Although I don't have the ability to run every story that we get in, I do want to get more usable submissions in house so we can run them either online, in the magazine or both. We determined that the easiest way to explain to our Members what we're looking for is to do just that: explain. Check out the March and April copies of Wing World to find out more. 
 
And that brings up the next problem. I love surprising you with new topics every month, but now I need your help. We're doing a few special issues this year, and I need stories, pictures and interviews about three topics. 
 
First, older bikes. If you own a GL1200, GL1100 or GL1000, I want to know about it. We're doing a special issue on older Gold Wings later this year, and I need to find people to talk to about the Wing's roots. Drop me an email with the subject "Old School," and we can work it out from there.
 
Second, trikes and cars. This summer, we're going to talk about those rides that Gold Wing owners have that don't ride on two wheels, including trikes and cars. If you have a trike and want to participate, email me with the subject, "Trikes and WW," and we'll talk it out. And if you own a particularly unique car, truck, SUV or oddball toy (maybe a tank?), then email me with the subject, "On 4." 
 
The third is, well, anything goes. We want articles about your trips and experiences out on the road, both good and bad. Did you travel across the country last year? Let me know. Ever caught a nail in the middle of nowhere and wonder how you were going to fix the problem? Tell us your story. Whatever it is, we want to hear it. 

Thanks everyone for your help, we really appreciate it. 
 

 

Kevin Whipps
Editor in Chief
 
Deputy Director Article
submitted by:
Bill & Dea Ann Gray
GWRRA Deputy Director
-Central US  

 

NEVER WRESTLE WITH A PIG

 

Being more organized is one of the top 10 New Year's resolutions. How many of you resolved to become more organized this year? It's easy to make them, but keeping them is another story. Regardless, it never too late to review your goals. Setting goals is a great way to nurture growth! That's why it's important to set goals toward improvement or change.  

 

Many of us are still involved in a professional career and volunteer leadership. Goals and time management are critical in balancing work, family and our hobby (or hobbies). Even in retirement, the balancing act continues between family, hobbies, volunteering or maybe part-time work. In GWRRA, we have a year of opportunity ahead of us ... what would you like to accomplish?

 

We all know the big secrets of time management: being punctual, planning ahead, writing things down, making a to-do list, setting priorities, etc. As a leader, it is imperative that these organizational skills are practiced in order to be effective. Whether it is gatherings, rides, rallies, seminars or OPS meetings, planning ahead is the key to success. Mark McCormack, in his book, "Never Wrestle with a Pig," shares some of the following themes that may help manage your time:

 

1.       Always carry a pen.

2.       Note when people call you - try to call them back at about the same time.

3.       Don't double-check what doesn't need double-checking.

4.       Be an extra day ahead of the curve. (Example: try to plan for Friday on Wednesday rather than Thursday.)

5.       Tackle your tasks in order of descending importance!

6.       Never wrestle with a pig. You get dirty and only the pig enjoys it. In other words, don't waste time arguing with people who love to argue for the sake of argument.

Bad habits drive out good habits. Time management is a skill that can be learned and requires practice. The good news is that being persistent will pay off. After a while, being organized becomes habitual.

 

Now let's enjoy riding season and the opportunities ahead of us!

 


Rider Course Program Article
Submitted by--
Harry & Joan Dollarhide
TEAM GWRRA
Rider Course Program Directors 
 
When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors

 

While we entrust our GWRRA Rider Course Instructors to make the final decision on stopping range activity and moving participants to shelter, the safety of our Members and Rider Coaches is of utmost importance. Lightning is one of our greatest concerns on the Rider Course Range. We want everyone involved in GWRRA Rider Courses to understand the dangers of lightning so that they will take the appropriate action when thunderstorms threaten."

NOAA LIGHTNING SAFETY RULES

http://www.erh.noaa.gov/box/lightning.html

All thunderstorms produce lightning, by definition. If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to the storm to be struck. Move inside. It doesn't have to be raining yet since lightning can strike 10 to 15 miles away from the rain portion of the storm. These lightning strokes come out of the upper portions of the thunderstorm cloud, which extends 5 to 10 miles into the atmosphere.

In general, lightning will travel the easiest route from the cloud to ground, which means that it often strikes the tallest object. Therefore, a simple rule is to not make yourself the tallest object or stand near the tallest object in your immediate surroundings. If you are in a group of people, spread out keeping several yards apart from each other.

Stay away from metal objects such as fences, poles, equipment, pipes, etc. Get rid of metal objects on your body such as coins, money clips, hairpins, jewelry, etc. Stay away from water. Inside, stay away from electrical appliances, televisions and telephones. Only use the phone in an emergency.

If you feel your hair stand on end, you are in immediate danger of being struck. Unless you can instantly jump inside a shelter, drop to a crouching position, bending forward and keeping your feet close together with your hands on your knees. The object is to be as low to the ground as possible, but with as little of your body surface touching the ground.

Persons struck by lightning carry no electrical charge and can be handled safely. Lightning often has a paralyzing effect that is temporary. Even though a person appears dead, he or she may be resuscitated. If a victim is not breathing, immediately start mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. If a person is not breathing 

 

AND

 
there is no pulse, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR, must be administered. This is a combination of mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and external cardiac compression, and should only be undertaken by persons with proper training. Here are some fallacies and facts:

 

1. Fallacy, lightning never strikes twice in the same place,

Fact, there are numerous documented cases of multiple lightning strikes in the same place.

2. Fallacy: the rubber soles of your shoes or the rubber tires on a car will protect you from being injured by lightning.

Fact: rubber-soled shoes and rubber tires provide no protection from lightning. However the steel frame of a hard topped vehicle will protect you, if you are not touching metal. If your car is struck by lightning, you may suffer injuries and your car may be damaged, but you are enormously safer than if you are outside.

3. Fallacy: you can tell the distance to lightning by counting 1 second per mile after the thunder.

Fact: it takes sound five seconds for sound to travel one mile. So, count five seconds for one mile, 10 seconds for two miles, etc.

The bottom line is that if you hear thunder, you need to move Rider Course participants inside immediately. Lightning can strike up to 10 miles from a thunderstorm, which is about the distance that the sound of thunder can travel and be heard. All thunderstorms produce lightning, and each lightning strike is a potential killer."

Member Article
submitted by:
Bill McIlrath

Life Member, GWRRA & The American Motorcyclist Association.

Former Contributing Writer, Wing World magazine

 

MANAGING RISKS, CROSSING OVER TO THE DARKSIDE

 

Recently we crossed over to the Darkside. For the uninitiated, this has nothing to do with Star Wars or buying a Harley. We now have a car tire on the back of our Wing. To be more specific, a Michelin Primacy Alpin PA3 ZP. This is a high performance winter/snow run flat, zero pressure tire. The decision to make this change came only after many hours of studying darkside websites, including a very in-depth article explaining the differences between motorcycle and car tires along with their corresponding wheels.

 

One thing I enjoyed during my research was a lack of divisiveness, the kind you might come across discussing politics or religion. The Darkside sites I visited posted the negatives along with the positives so anyone can visit and learn without having the pros and cons pushed upon them ad nauseum. Instead of propaganda, one finds facts along with answers to questions. If you cannot find an answer, I have no doubt you could join the site and ask with numerous members waiting to help. Nowhere did I find someone trying to tell you to make the change or which tire to buy, only a plethora of first-hand experience waiting to be gleened. One answer I got was about insurance. Seems at least three companies are only concerned with the tire being approved by the DOT.

 

So now we have a tire on our wing that costs less and will last more miles. Nice, but I am concerned with safety not money.  Another positive is when Lyn and I hitch up the Bushtec and head off on vacation, this tire should soak up the bumps better due to the need for less air pressure. (For this specific tire, GL1800 riders seem to run from 28 solo to 32 two up).  The bottom line is prior to this, had our rear tire suffered a catastrophic loss of pressure at highway speeds, we likely would have ended up crashing. Now we have a tire that is designed not to go flat when it looses all its pressure.  Of course, with motorcycling there are always risks ... you need to do your best to manage them.

 

 

(Editor note: GWRRA and Wingin' It do not endorse this story. It is one Member's opinion and does not reflect the opinion of GWRRA or Wingin' It. Please send your comments to me here as we will run more about this subject in the next Member Feedback section of Wingin' It.)
 

 


 
Another Member Story:
submitted by: Gene A Hanselman
Member #135067, Chapter OH-D3
 
"Role Models"

           

My Sister Kay, eight years my senior, and I were the only children born to our mom and dad. I always wanted a brother to play with and I'm sure my sister would have enjoyed a sister. Being the only family living on Cow Path Lane during the late '40s and early '50s was very lonely for the two of us. The closest neighbor with children was more than two miles away, down at the end of that narrow gravel road and left towards Grafton Church.

 

As I grew into adolescence there were a number of cowboy movie stars, politicians and relatives that I idolized and considered as role models. In 1959 when my sister met and later married Victor Eugene Napier (Gene for short), he assumed that positive role model image to me, which all kids want and need. Gene was of average height and weight with a recessed hair line. He sometimes smoked a pipe and wore cowboy boots, slacks and button-up shirts, usually topped with a NASCAR cap. He was cool, real hip. He loved motorcycles, scooters, mini-bikes and anything that had a motor. He had a Cushman scooter that he bought in the '50s and he kept it in pristine condition. He drove an old convertible that he hopped up and enjoyed working on all kinds of cars and machinery. He was a NASCAR and Richard Petty fan as well as IROC & CART. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing, boating and camping. Anytime the family went anywhere with Gene, it was a gala event. When riding in dad's car on the way to any holiday or trip, we would watch for oncoming traffic and guess the year, make and model of the cars. Gene was into slot cars and would build his from scratch to run in big races all over the area.

 

He taught Shop at a local high school where he would instruct and assist the students in making cannons, crossbows, gun stocks and cabinets, all of which are forbidden now. All of his students enjoyed him as a teacher and respected him as a man. He was the golf coach and also taught driver's ed during the summer. Gene was truly an inspiration to everyone, including me and I idolized everything he did. His students, of all ages, reminisce about how cool of a teacher he was to this day.

 

Gene was a born and bred city boy. He wanted to learn about the country and farm life in order to be respected and accepted by mom and dad. He would stop by the farm and offer to help out in anyway possible. He helped to bale hay one time and came wearing shorts and no gloves or hat. We tried to explain the consequences he could suffer, but he insisted he would be alright. He worked for more than 4 hours in the 93-degree hot sun before he gave out with his legs scratched and bleeding, his hands cut to shreds and very close to a heat stroke. He never volunteered for baling again. Gene knew dad's passion for hunting raccoon and thought that might be the way to connect and be a great son-in-law. After tramping around at night, in the rain and mud, with a dog, a gun, two lights and falling over downed trees and briars, he decided coon hunting was not his thing either.

 

Gene finally gave up on pleasing his in-laws and was just himself, he was great at that. Whether we were cranking home made ice cream or arguing over NASCAR and the NFL, Gene and I had fun. Role models are not born, they are grown in our hearts and minds. I didn't care if my parents ever accepted him as family, he was the closest thing to a big brother to me. I enjoyed riding his mini-bike and go-cart around the yard, and listening to his stories about being in the Air Force Reserve and tooling around Cincinnati as a kid. To hear his talk of college days was as though you lived through it yourself. He gave me my first bicycle for Christmas, which my parents didn't want me to have. He taught me about cars, tools and how to have fun while working on any project or at any job, certainly role model traits and tendencies.

 

Gene was never at a loss for words or actions when needed. He always embellished his stories and made them sound much more dramatic and exciting than they were. Everyone knew that, but still loved to listen to him. I also craved to be the horse trader he was. Gene was always trading, swapping and bartering everything and anything with the grace and ease of falling off a log. Guns, knives, autos, bikes and any item of value was never off limits, only heirlooms were sacred to him. If someone had something that Gene wanted, he always had something that could be traded for it and he would have it in the end. He and I also would go partners in buying some items like old cars, motorcycles and items that we could make a fast buck on. Gene was funny, smart, loyal and a very good provider for my sister.

 

He was a great father to his two sons, becoming a scout leader and organizer. They were both awarded Eagle Scout degrees. Gene never wanted to grow up in his mind - he achieved love and honor from all who knew him and he knew a lot of people. He was active in the church and accepted the Lord as his Savior. When Gene lost a son to a motorcycle accident he was bitter, but kept strong for my sister and his other son and family. When he cut a finger off in the back yard with a chipper, he just said, "Oh Well, I still have nine left." When he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma, he continued to work, play and have fun until the day he died. His passing left a void in my heart. If not for him I might not enjoy motorcycles, like to work with tools, have a joyful personality or a competitive streak to strive to have more in life.

 
As a positive role model Victor Eugene Napier gave me all that I needed to be a happy, well-adjusted human in today's world. I wish all children had positive role models as he was for me.
        
The New Wingworldmag.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you went to Wingworldmag.com in the past year, you might've been disappointed. Although it was your source for an online version of the best Gold Wing magazine in the world, it wasn't searchable, was difficult to navigate and didn't have all the content you were looking for. We knew it, and for the past few months we've been working hard behind the scenes to figure out how to improve the site and take it to the next level. Today, we're happy to announce that it's here, it's live and it's awesome.

 

The new site is built on an entirely new foundation designed to work on any device and any platform you may have, from an iPhone to an HDTV in your living room and everything in between. We redesigned the fonts to work in harmony with the magazine, the site is searchable so you can find everything you want, and navigation is clear and simple.

 

But that's just the basics. Open up the site and you'll see how amazing each article looks, complete with big images that you won't find in the print version. We also have Web-only content to really showcase what we have to offer to the Gold Wing community, and all the Workbench content you can handle. It's amazing stuff.

 

And if you're one of those that enjoy looking at the online version of the print publication, we have you covered as well. We've got four years of back issues available today (and more on the way), with an easy-to-use interface that makes flipping through the pages easy and fun. Signing into the site is easier than ever as well, as is submitting an article online and posting your favorite articles to Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest. It all would be worth nothing, though, if it wasn't updated regularly, and we've got that covered as well.

 

Overall, the new Wingworldmag.com is a solid improvement on a great foundation and it's just going to keep getting better. We hope to see you there!

Member Benefits of the Month

 

Gold Wing Road Riders Association (GWRRA) is pleased to remind you of some of your Member Benefits.

  

  

 
  • OfficeMax Discounts - You as a Member can now receive great discounts with your Retail Connect sm Card. Whether you are purchasing for your Chapter or for your family, this card will provide you access on office supplies and printing services from OfficeMax ImPress™ at nearly 900 OfficeMax retail locations. Visit www.officemax.com and use the store finder.   

   

Click here to download. You will need to log in using your GWRRA assigned password (User: 6-digit membership number. Password: combination of the numeric portion of your mailing address followed by the 4-digit expiration of your membership. i.e. 0613)

 

 

 

  • Motel 6 - 10% discount on stays at all locations*  
    Motel 6 is proud to partner with GWRRA to offer a 10% discount on your next stay. Take advantage of the partnership by booking your reservation at Motel 6 where you'll find clean, comfortable rooms at the lowest price of any national chain. We'll leave the light on for you. �  
    Make reservations 1 of 3 different ways to make your Motel 6 reservations and receive your discount*.
  1. Online: Click here 
  2. Call: 800-4-MOTEL6 (800.466.8356)
  3. On-Site at any Motel 6 location. Mention Corporate Code: CP564470 to receive your discount!
  4. *Some Motel 6 locations & dates may be excluded.

 
GWRRA Member Benefit Discounts!
Save BIG
25%
 
GWRRA Grey Scoop 3/4-sleeve Bike Shirt   


Newly designed Rhinestone scoop T-shirt.  
Grey shirt with 3/4 sleeves.   

60/40 cotton/polyester blend. 

Available sizes are small thru 3xl.


Regular Price = $27.99,
May sale = $20.99

 

   

Click  here to view and order yours! 

 

   

May Wingin' It special sale prices, plus shipping! 



or call Member Services at 800-843-9460 or 623-581-2500 (in Phoenix).  
  
                             

 

Offer Expires: 5/30/14--mention Wingin' It

 

 

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