WANDERERS GENERAL MEETING
November 22, 2003
Country Choice Restaurant
ATTENDING: Rod & Rose Fleming; Sean Brooks; Carole Helstrom; Steve Mitchell; Doc & Bonnie Cassidy;
Gary Steinweg; Gery Marcelino; Joe & Betsy Durham; John Q. Lawrence; Kent Saxton.
Rod Fleming called meeting to order at 10:00 AM.
MINUTES: Doc motioned that the minutes be accepted as posted; Joe Durham seconded. Minutes were approved.
TREASURERS REPORT: Gary Steinweg reported that there has been no activity in the last month, and that the
treasury has $462.69. John Q. motioned that the report be approved as presented; Rod seconded, and the motion
carried.
OLD BUSINESS: John Q. reported that the bumper stickers would cost $125.00, for a one time set up fee plus
the cost of the stickers themselves. In order to get the price down, we would have to order at least 500, and
the general feeling was that it wouldn’t be feasible. An alternative would be to investigate the cost for 200,
and then have them pre-paid by the members. A change in the wording (to read “Same Road Different Mode. Watch
for Motorcycles”) and format was suggested. John Q. will report back. The stickers, on the other hand, did not
have a set up fee and no minimum order, so it was decided to order 50, and pay for them from the treasury. Cost
of each sticker would be $1.50. Interestingly, John Q. had purchased 20 stickers out of his own pocket, and they
were all sold prior to the meeting. The membership thought that the club could easily sell these stickers.
CONGRATULATIONS: Another member, Doc Cassidy, has achieved the 3000 club miles goal. He was awarded his
gold pin, to much applause!
NEW BUSINESS: There will be no club meeting in the month of December. Carole Helstrom will host a dinner
at her house on December 28, at 2:30 PM. Everyone is welcome. Please RSVP to Carole at Womantriker@aol.com.
Once again, the subject of the LISTSERVE was brought up. There are two LISTs, one for announcements only and one
for general chatter. Members should already be subscribed to both LISTs. The announcement List is a “read only”,
and anyone wanting to post a ride or an announcement of interest to the entire club should contact an officer of
the club with the pertinent information. Rod will talk to Michael Wheeley about posting information to members.
Meanwhile, if the chatter gets to be too much for a member, for whatever reason, that member can easily unsubscribe
to the general LIST, and still remain on the other LIST.
Kent Saxton reminded us that we have a library of books and tapes available. Contact Rose at venture-rose@cox.net
for details.
Carole Helstrom reported that, as of the last Toy Run Committee meeting, the people who caused a problem at last
year’s event are no longer part of the organized motorcycle community. She also reminded us that Toy Run tee
shirts are available for $10.00 each. Please place your order with her. The Wanderers will gather at a place
(to be determined), and ride to the event as a group.
Motoworld is having a moving sale.
The SoCal Cruisers have invited us to their annual Christmas Party. As in the past, those who want to attend are
welcome to do so, stay over night, and join up with the rest of the Wanderers on Sunday morning to go to the Long
Beach Bike Show. The party will be held at Dave Everett’s home on December 13, and the show ride will be on December
14. John Q. will lead the Wanderers up to Long Beach on the 14th. Details will be posted as to location and time
for the party and the ride the next day.
RIDES:
23rd Annual Toy Run November 30
Christmas Lights (John Del Santo) December 20
Tom’s Farm (Rod Fleming) TBD
Sea-to-Sea (Joe Durham) February (date to be determined)
Borrego Springs Ride (Gary Steinweg) March (date to be determined)
ANNUAL RIDES:
Start the Year Off Right January 1, 2004
Freeze Out Ride (Don Presten) January 25, 2004
Santa Barbara Weekend March (Replaces the Joshua Tree Ride)
Club Campout #1 May (Moved from April)
Blue Knights Benefit Ride June
Blessing of the Bikes and Riders June
Club Picnic June (Moved from August)
Christmas in July Benefit July
Sea to Summit August
Club Campout #2 September
Moonlight Ride September
Palm Springs Weekend October
Julian Apple Festival November
Toy Run TBD
Christmas Lights Ride December
Kent Saxton proposed at least one “Ride Captain Training Ride”, to familiarize those who want to take the lead
position with the duties and techniques of a ride captain. John Q. pointed out that shorter rides on familiar
roads are excellent opportunities to learn how to lead a group.
SAFETY: Kent Saxton gave us a short lesson on group riding. A successful ride doesn’t only rest with the
leader, but with everyone in the group. Each rider should be aware of how many bikes are behind them and check
their mirrors frequently. If there appears to be a problem, it is more likely to be noticed right away. Proper
procedure is to pull over and stop, creating a “ripple effect” that will alert the leader. The start point for
any group ride should be from an area that doesn’t have a lot of stoplights. If this is unavoidable, then a secondary
assembly point should be set up in advance, where the group can easily re-assemble. Gary Steinweg gave an excellent
pointer on backing down an incline when applying the front brake alone is insufficient: Put the bike in first
gear, and use the clutch in conjunction with the front brake thus keeping both feet on the ground for balance.
Adjournment was called for and the meeting ended at 11:05.
Respectfully submitted,
Rose Fleming
Secretary