WANDERERS GENERAL MEETING

January 24th, 2004
Country Choice Restaurant

ATTENDING: Rod and Rose Fleming; Seanna, Greg and Gregory Huber; Joe and Betsy Durham; Kent Saxton;
Mike Calderone; Leon Smeiska; Thomas Cassidy; Gary Steinweg; John Hartman; Gery Marcelino; Bill Edwards; Steve and Melinda Mitchell; Carole Helstrom; Debra Smith (new member); Rebecca Holecek; John Q. Lawrence; Fabian Gill; Tom Warren; Lucas and Laura Dabney; Guests, Skip and Cheryl Wilson, and Mike Mittleider.

Rod Fleming called the meeting to order at 10:00.

MINUTES: John Q. motioned that the minutes be accepted as posted; Greg seconded, and the motion carried.

TREASURER’S REPORT: Gary Steinweg reported that there had been no activity since last month, and that we have $542.69 in our treasury. Rebecca motioned that the report be accepted; John Q. seconded, and the motion carried.

OLD BUSINESS: The ride schedule was discussed and updated. See the section “Rides” at the end of this report.

NEW BUSINESS: The library needs to be refilled. Anyone with tapes or books belonging to the Wanderers is encouraged to return them. If members have any new tapes or books that they want to donate, please contact a board member, or give them to Rose. (I promise not to lose the list again.)

SPECIAL REPORT: Bill Edwards reported on his findings as to the recommended actions when a group of riders is confronted with faster riders wanting to pass. If a faster bike (or a group of bikes) is seen approaching our group from the rear, and if there is time, riders are encouraged to move cautiously to the right of the lane, and allow the other riders to pass. Several suggestions as to how to pass information forward from the back of the group were discussed. The general agreement was that the “sweeper” should lay on his horn until the next forward rider acknowledges, and lays on his horn, and so on. In case of a group of riders, who haven’t been noticed, and who want to pass, the most important thing to remember is to hold the line, and do not do anything unexpected that would endanger the group or the passing bikes. Be sure to check both mirrors frequently so as not to be taken off-guard by a rider who is illegally and dangerously passing on the right (it happened just last Saturday)
Also discussed was a signal to be used by the ride leader or someone near the front when we have radios front and rear. If the sweep rider reports another bike or group of bikes wishing to ride through, the frontmost radio will indicate this to the group with a rotating arm motion as though you are signaling the riders to pass. This signal from someone in front of our group will indicate everyone in our group should move to the right and allow others to pass safely.

Good report, Bill. Thank you.

RIDES:

Sea-To-Sea Ride February (date tbd) Originally was to be led by Joe Durham, John Q. will fill in as Ride Captain

Biker Jamboree Kent Saxton February 21

Borrego Springs Gary Steinweg March 20

Sunrise Ride John Q. April 10

Klub Kampout April 16, 17 & 18

Rock Store Rebecca Holecek July (date tbd)

WANDERERS: Check the website for further information on these and other rides.

SAFETY FIRST: Kent complimented Greg for his having a mini-meeting after the “Attack” by the group of sport bike riders last Sunday. Greg outlined the procedures and route, which would be followed for the balance of the ride. Good thinking, Greg. Kent then asked the question, “How many years experience do you have riding a bike…10…20…30?” He went on to say, that, according to an article he had found on the web, many of us have one year’s experience, that is repeated 20 or 30 times. This article was written by Jerry Palladino (Motorman), and he goes on to say this:

“…a rider gets to a certain level and then, never improves any further, but instead, keeps repeating the same mistakes over and over again.” (For the full text of this article, please go to www.ridemyown.com/articles/riding/BTB-experiencebestteacher.shtml

Carole Helstrom warned against developing “tunnel vision”, so that you are not aware of anything else around you. She illustrated this with a story about a test that was conducted with a gorilla in it. Ask her to share it with you. Skip Wilson, a guest who rides a Goldwing, offered this bit of wisdom: “When you put your leg over your bike, you are invisible.” Thank you Kent, and all who contributed to this portion of our meeting.

A REMINDER: Elections for officers will be held at the April meeting. A nomination form is posted in the 'members only' section of the website. If you feel strongly that a member would be suitable for one of the elected offices please contact that person directly before sending a nomination to be sure he/she will accept the nomination. Then (assuming the answer is yes) fill in and follow directions on the form.

April is also time to renew memberships. The renewal form is also in the 'members only' area. There is a change to this years form. It now includes a space for you to enter an emergency contact name and phone number. There is also a box to check if you give permission for your name and phone number to be added to a 'phone tree' we will create for a quick and efficient method of contacting members if necessary.

Someone called for adjournment (it looks like rain). Meeting adjourned to go riding, at 10:40.

Respectfully submitted,
Rose Fleming
Secretary