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3 January 2009 Ride Coordination Meeting Pictures by Charlie Brown Nineteen Chapter U participants met for the first 2009 Ride Planning Meeting on Saturday, January 3. We had lots of Road Captains interested in planning and leading rides, and we had lots of participants who wanted to contribute their ideas for rides. Funny thing is that we had more four wheels (including 2 Smart car!) than 2 wheels on a beautiful riding day…people had lots of errands and things to do but they made time to come to a meeting to plan rides! On Co-Rider talked her Rider into putting a glass cake plate and chocolates in their Wing’s trunk! Thanks Melissa and Gary, and I would have to say that is one of the classiest things I have seen stowed away in the upper trunk of a Gold Wing in the years I have been riding. Meanwhile lots of travel magazines, books, and maps made their way to the meeting, and occasionally books were passed, maps were perused, and magazines were opened and flipped through. Thanks to everyone who came so well-prepared to contribute to the meeting!
Martha Gover & Candy Brown Chela & Duke Thompson I was impressed that everyone wanted to get down to business first and eat dessert later. Brad started the Ride Planning Meeting by explaining the duties of a Chapter Ride Coordinator, and then we discussed things to be considered when planning a ride planning (hours of daylight, expected temperature, road construction, fuel and pit stops, types of restaurants, etc). This seemed to warm everyone up as from then on, the list of possible destinations, restaurants, sights and activities grew longer and longer. Everyone seemed to have great ideas ranging from short rides to a “top 10” café to a 3 day, 2 night trip! We also wanted to make sure there was a range of activities including historic sites, parks, sights to see and shopping along with great roads and restaurants! What a lot of wonderful things there are to do in south-central Texas. One of my favorite suggestions came from Gary Skorman…the Toilet Seat Museum here in San Antonio. I’m sure that will be part of a very informative and fun ride!
Jack, Ken & Connie Jordan & Martha Skip, Court & Diane VanSickler & Linda Brackeen After about 75 minutes, we decided we needed to stop and refuel ourselves prior to the last push…we adjourned to the “make your own sundae bar” complete with 2 kinds of ice cream (oops…almost forgot the whipped cream!) and lots of different toppings, and a kitchen table full of cookies, brownies and chocolates. Candy Brown had come over the day before the meeting and we had spent the morning baking up a tableful of goodies. (Thanks Candy for your help!) Everyone seemed to find something to eat and drink, and lots of people to talk about great rides and catch up on plans for the New Year! There also seemed to be a lot of discussion about planning an Experienced Riders Course (ERC) on a date in February to coincide with a Co-Riders Seminar which counts as an ERC for a Co-Rider for the levels program. A request was put in to Charlie Brown to run another Road Captain’s Course so more people can get in on the fun of planning and leading rides.
Linda, Steve Ochs and Jack Michelle Fairey, her mom and Gary & Melissa We returned from the break to announce that Gary and Melissa Skorman, and Skip and Beth Surrey had volunteered to become the Chapter Ride Coordinators, and that Jack Dowda and Linda Brackeen had volunteered to be our Chapter’s first Friday Night Ride Contacts. These announcements were met with a round of applause as these good folks have volunteered to help coordinate the chapter fun for 2009! More good ideas about planning rides appeared with Gary Skorman recommending that a sort of planning guide be used by Ride Captains planning a ride, and more discussion all around to capture a few more “must rides” for 2009! Needless to say, we compiled a list of lots of GREAT destinations of interest, shopping and eating (at least 3 sub-categories here with best desserts, cafes, and BBQ!)! This chapter sure knows how to eat, have fun and get business done all at the same time!
Almost half of the group! Thanks to everyone who was able to make it to the Ride Planning Meeting. We are going to have a lot of great rides in 2009 due to “U.” Thanks for making this contribution to Chapter “U’s” fUn! We look forward to lots of great rides this year, and special thanks to Gary, Melissa, Skip, Beth (has Skip told you yet he volunteered you?), Jack and Linda for volunteering to handle ride coordination for us this year. Special thanks also to Mike and Ako Mills who were our Ride Coordinators for the past 15 months, taking over the responsibility from Brad and I. We appreciated you pitching in just when we needed help the most! Jill Severe
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