Road Captain Course, 3 Feb
Five Riders and Three Co-Riders came together on Super Bowl Sunday to attend the initial Chapter U seminar and course for new Road Captains. We met early in the afternoon to start the process with the classroom portion of the course.
Tom and Nancy Byrd, Ken and Connie Jordan, Mike and Eiko Mills, Brad and Jill Severe, and Dave Weaver gathered in Our Family room and talked about leading the Chapter Rides and how we can keep them safe and fun, by making the rides comfortable and fun for all participants. Having fun safely with good friends is the theme of all Chapter U activities. The discussions centered around techniques to make sure we are accommodating the needs of all participants in a safe fun manner and that our rides are attractive to all who come out to share the fellowship of riding our motorcycles through the scenic south central Texas countryside.
Bikes at Charlie and Candy's house. Charlie giving class!
Lots of questions and comments! Just out of the driveway!
Having a safe comfortable atmosphere to welcome new members and keep our present members coming back was the main thrust of the discussion, In the inaugural edition of our monthly training day we qualified 7 new Road Captains to give us a larger base of people qualified to lead and coordinate chapter rides. Leading a ride is fun but it is also a challenge and we thank the new Road Captains for stepping up to share the burden of those of us who have been leading the rides since the rebirth of the Chapter in February of 2006.
The discussion was lively and extended beyond the scheduled time for us to inspect the bikes, mount up and depart for a short ride where all participants had the opportunity to put into practice the items we discussed earlier. Charlie Brown evaluated from the rear and Brad Severe took pictures from the super drag position. The Challenge of US 281 was selected by the participants to test their understanding of leading a group of bikes through the minefields that make up our streets and highways. The group executed the road test portion of the course with finesse and panache. After two running lead changes we arrived at the obligatory Dairy Queen stop in Blanco. A brief discussion interrupted by ice cream preceded the return trip. Back on the road for the return trip to Stone Oak we gave the remaining three new Road Captains a chance to lead and sweep for the formation. Although traffic was abundant the formation was up to the challenge and we arrived back home safely and all had fun. Although we ran a little long I think everyone got back to watch the Super Bowl before the kick off.
Thanks to all that participated.
Great interval! Tom & Nancy were first to lead!
Required DQ Stop! Lots of discussion on what went on!
Always smiles at a DQ! Back on the road, Mike Mills in the lead!
Brad took the pictures from the rear! Jill in the lead now!
Quite a bit of traffic on 281 up to Blanco and back!
Dave Weaver in the lead! Finally back! All had a great time!
© Copyright 2008 Chapter U, Texas District, Gold Wing Road Riders Association, Inc.