Editor:
Don Presten
Ó2000 San Diego Wanderers Motorcycle Club
Letter
from the Prez…
Wanderers and Steve
Laszko – Often throughout our
lives we hear about what “Friendship” means and what it is to be a friend.
You can find cute little sayings
on refrigerator magnets, cartoon clips, greeting cards, etc., etc.
Most of us casually refer to people
we know fairly well as “friends” and may even place a significant importance on the number of “friends” we have. I’m
sure we all have our own definition of what a friend is.
I consider many of the Wanderers as my friends,
among them being Don Presten. Steve Laszko is not among my list of friends as I have never met him. But
he is a very close friend of Don’s.
As you probably have heard by now, Steve suffered very severe
injuries in May of this year as a result of an accident while racing motorcycles at Sears Point Raceway. Steve
will probably never
fully recover from his extensive injuries, and whatever recovery he does realize will result from a long time of
very expensive physical rehabilitation.
Being a friend, Don wants to help, and what better
way to help than to utilize the joy of riding motorcycles shared by both Steve and Don in order to help raise funds
to offset some of Steve’s rehabilitation expenses.
Don has thrown himself into a huge and daunting task of organizing
a motorcycle benefit ride to raise money for Steve and his family.
And to me, that’s what real friendship is about…being there when
you’re needed.
But this missive is not intended to be a tribute
to Don or even to Steve. It’s about you.
One of the things that attracts people to the VOC and to the Wanderers
is that we promote being a Family of Riders.
Don has been a friend to all of us in one way or another. Friends
and Family take care of each other.
His efforts at helping to organize this club and keep it going,
as well as his contributions to the motorcycle community of San Diego in general have not gone unnoticed.
The Wanderers as a club have voted to support Don
with his extraordinary effort, which he has vowed to do with or without our help.
Some of you have already come forth and volunteered your services. But
much more is needed and there is a lot of work that needs to be done.
This is an opportunity for each of us to do something worthwhile. Something
we can be proud of, both as an organization and as individuals.
God forbid that anything like this ever happen to
any of us. But
if it did, wouldn’t you want to have a friend that would help?
Ron Growel
President, VOC Wanderers of San Diego
PS - For further information on Steve Laszko, either
on his current condition or how to contribute to his fund for medical expenses, please go the following website: http://www.aramel.com/
·
Steve Laszko Benefit Ride Update
By Don and Bobbie - We are making progress on the
ride arrangements!! You
never know how hard it is to put one of these things together, until you have to spearhead one yourself. I
have a great deal of respect for the other clubs that do this on a regular basis.
My thanks to all who have chipped in – we have come
a long way in a month! Just a reminder…everything you ever wanted to know about our efforts and where
we currently are can be found on our “secret” website at http://www.tfb.com/sdmc/steveride.html
I have also created (but have not used much) a “Wanderers-List”
listserv that everyone is subscribed to.
My plan is to use this to maintain communications with the club
members in a method that is like a meeting – everyone sees everyone else’s comments like we are all in the same
room discussing this. This listserv will become more active as the date draws closer. If
you are not receiving messages, you can subscribe by sending an Email message to:
listserv@tfb.com
Leave the subject field blank and in the first line
of the message body, type:
subscribe wanderers-list <first name> <last
name>
You should get an almost immediate confirmation
message from the server – if you do not, you missed something.
To send messages to everyone on the list, the email address is
wanderers-list@tfb.com (Note,
you will not get a copy of your message back, but you will be able to see any replies.)
We have a long way to go – if you have not already,
now is the time to join in – we can use your help!
The To-Do list is on the website at the above address – read it
and volunteer for something (or two).
I also want to note that Bobbie and I will be on
vacation (London/Paris) from August 6 through August 18th – I will not have access to email, so if you have questions or the like, please
post it to the “wanderers-list” email address.
I am leaving Rick Moyer in charge (he doesn’t know that yet) in
my absence and he is reachable on the listserv or at moyer@pacbell.net
We currently need people to attend club meetings
to give a short presentation and hand out flyers – refer to the To-Do list for meetings that have not yet been
volunteered for. Pick
one or two and go (let us know you’re going, so we can mark it off the list!).
Also, we need people to deliver flyers to the local
dealers – the “mailing list” on the web site lists the dealers we have covered so far and the ones we have not. Grab
the flyer off the web, makes some copies, jump on your bike and have some fun!
If you need me to send you flyers in the mail, I am only an email
away and will be happy to do so.
There are other items on the list…we need your help!! Well,
enough rambling…onward and upward.
Oh ya – a final note.
I have been asked once more to relay my thanks to all of you from
Steve and the rest of the Laszko family…not a day goes by where I don’t get some sort of “thank you” from one member
of the family or another. Consider yourselves thanked (again!)
Don and Bobbie
·
Sunday/Monday/Tuesday Ride
Recap By Dick Usted - My plans for the holiday were
to ride to Rialto on Monday, ride with my niece on Tuesday and return to San Diego on Wednesday. That all
happened but: Did a few errands on the bike Monday morning and everything was great. When I was ready to
head north the battery decided it had started the Virago enough times and refused to do it one more time.
I ended up jumping it from my truck battery and went to South Bay Motor Sports and had them stick in a new battery.
The
trip up to Rialto went OK, stopped in Rainbow for lunch and then continued.
Once I arrived at my niece's home we decided to go to Chaparral
and have a new rear tire put on the bike. It was kinda late in the afternoon so I went to the service department
to be sure that they could mount the tire before quitting time.
They said sure, bring the bike inside and then go
into the store and get the tire. Did that and the guy that rang up the tire asked me if I wanted it mounted
and balanced. He didn't ask me if the wheel was on the bike or not and I didn't think to tell him.
I figured he knew what he was doing. Wrong. He didn't figure in the labor cost.
Took the tire to the service department and then
browsed in the store until I figured the job would be done. Wrong again. Service said that I only paid for
mount and balance but not removing the wheel from the bike. I told them that I understood that but the store
made the mistake and should stand by it. You guessed it, wrong once more.
After I anted up some more moola I was told to come back in half an hour and the bike would be ready.
Browsed the store some more then returned to service.
The tire mount area is in full view of the customer waiting area and I saw a young man busily mounting my tire.
He then put it on the balancing machine and disappeared to show up a little later with a new chain in his hand
and proceeded to work at a grinder, taking out some links. Once done, he stood around shooting the bull with
the service manager and then took the chain into the store.
He finally returned to my tire and when I asked
him why the wheel had been sitting on the balancer for 15 minutes with no one working on it he told me that he
did the chain job because a customer was waiting for it.
They knew that I was already upset by them and then
to tell me that a customer waiting in the store got
preference over a customer waiting for service really pissed me
off. At that point I got hold of the service manager and let them know just what I thought of Chaparral and
their service department. By the way, prices weren't any better than they are here in San Diego County.
That was Monday. Tuesday was much better.
Rode from Rialto to Idyllwild and back and then returned to San Diego Wednesday.
Excuse me if this is too verbose but I wanted to
share my experience at Chaparral with the group. We are better off in San Diego.
·
Wanderer’s Ride to Julian – July 8, 2000
Recap by Don – Bobbie and I had the pleasure of
leading a small group of Wanderers and guests on a late morning, early afternoon ride to the ever popular Julian
– we had not “officially” been there in a while and it was good to go back.
At 9ish, Bobbie and I along with James Hunt, Dick
Usted and John Q Lawrence met up with first timers Bill & Theresa Bishop (Virago 1100) and Darin Koenig (Yamaha
R6) at the Lakeside Burger King. We got to know the new folks and departed at 10am sharp.
The route lead us out of Lakeside, to Wildcat Canyon
road. From
there we headed into downtown Ramona for a stop over at Packard’s.
We were met at Packard’s by Bill Edwards and another first timer,
Jim Hotz (V-Star 1000). After a quick cup of coffee, we remounted for the trip into Julian. The
route took us out of Ramona, onto the “Old Julian Highway” before joining back up with Hwy 78 into Santa Isabelle
and then into Julian.
The group pulled into a remarkably empty parking
lot at the Rongbranch for a well deserved lunch.
The weather was picture perfect and the lunch was even better. After
lunch, Bill and James headed back down the 78 while the rest of the crew took a quick walk around the town.
Bobbie and I decided the weather was just too nice
to “just turn back” and suggested a side trip over the Sunrise Highway.
Bill, Theresa, John, Jim, Dick and Darin readily agreed and we
were off.
The wind was unusually light and we had a beautiful
ride over Mt Laguna (with the traditional stop at the hang glider lookout) and we then dropped in for fuel and
a break in Pine Valley. From there it was the freeway and home (except for Jim Hotz – he head back
to Cuyamaca – the day was still young, ya know!)
The pace was nice and slow and every had the opportunity
to view the scenery and enjoy the perfect riding conditions.
A great ride!
·
Sunday Ride (Friday and Saturday too!)
By Bill Edwards - I had a fine weekend, great time
at Packard’s Friday evening, great ride with the Wanderer's to Julian on Saturday (thanks Don & Bobbie!), and
an interesting, fun ride today.
I met my friend Pete Swanson in Poway for breakfast at 8:30, and then we headed out Highland Valley Road to Ramona.
It was cool and cloudy along Highland Valley, didn't see any sun until we reached Archie Moore Rd.
Pete was leading, and he took me through some of
the back streets of Ramona, a bit of a tour, which included stopping and doing some practice maneuvers in the High
School parking lot. Then out 78 and doubling back on Old Julian Hwy, where we stopped and watched some MC
racing on SpeedVision at Pete's house.
Then we headed down 78 to San Pasqual Valley, and
up Bandy Cnyn Rd to Highland Valley Rd. again, and on through Rancho Bernardo and into Penasquitos, where we stopped
at Borders and perused the MC magazines.
What was different about this? Well, I was riding my trusty old Honda Hawk, and Pete was riding his just
purchased 1989 GB500TT! What a cool little bike that is. He let me take a turn on it on Highland Valley
too!
He bought it on consignment at Rocket Motorcycles, it only had 3200 miles on it, still has the original tires and
is in pristine condition. Honda should reintroduce this one, what a hoot. And it was fun to take the
old Hawk out in some real twisties, I'd only used it for commuting in the past.
So we were two old guys on two old Hondas!
·
North County Ride – July 15
Recap by Bill Edwards - The Wanderer's took a great
ride today, led by Gary Steinweg, which began and ended at Packard's in Ramona.
I was the first to arrive, there being nothing to eat at home this morning. So I left pretty early and rode
up through the rising fog in the mountains above Poway, and found the sun shining in Ramona. Soon John Q.
Lawrence, Dick Usted, Bill Bishop, Rod Fleming, and our wandering President Ron Growel had arrived, as well as
our fearless leader Gary. Ron provided us with excellent tales of his recent journey to Ohio and shared lots
of great photos of the trip as well, as we sat and sipped in the morning sun. Just before we mounted up Don
Presten arrived as well, so we departed with 8 bikes.
Our ride took us down 78 through San Pasqual Valley towards Escondido, and up Citrus Ave. to re-intersect with
Bear Valley, and then we swung up past Lake Wohlford and back down to Woods Valley Rd., where we took a brief restroom
break at Bates Nut Farm. Unfortunately the announced route didn't include Citrus Ave, and poor Jeff Dodd’s
and his young son had been waiting down at 78 and Bear Valley Pkwy. for us! Ooops.
Then we were off towards Lilac Road, Couser Canyon, and Hwy 76 (where Jeff finally did catch us), and up to the
Hideout for lunch. All of this riding was done at a fine pace in great weather and little traffic, and we
arrived just before noon at the Hideout, right on time. Hey, that could be a first.
After lunch it was noticeably warmer outside, but we had a nice ride over Mesa Grande and down into Santa Ysabel.
A few of the riders had to break off here, and go home, but we still had five bikes heading up over the Sunrise
Highway and down into Pine Valley. However only Gary and I made the ride back up through the Cuyamaca and
back through Julian towards Ramona and Packard's. Gary asked me to lead leaving Pine Valley, and my only
regret is NOT turning off on Old Julian Hwy. Bunch of slow cars on 78.
But it was all in all another great ride with the
Wanderer's, even if Rose (get well soon!), Bobbie, and Lorna couldn't make it today.
To sorta make up for the lack of female balance today, a small group of 3 women riders did pull into Packard's
on their cruisers this afternoon, and Gary & I of course chatted it up with them and gave them some info on
the Wanderer's and of course next Friday's Packard’s run.
Good job Gary!
·
Angeles Crest Ride w/ the SoCal Cruisers
Bill Edwards - Today I met up with Wanderer's Ron
Growel & Lorn, and Jim Hunt at 7:15 AM in Oceanside and we rode up to join Phil Widmer and the SoCal Cruisers,
who led us on a great ride over the Angeles Crest Hwy and lunch in
Wrightwood...what a kick-ass road! I haven't been up there since I was a kid. It was worth all the
freeway pounding fer sure. Muchos gracias to Phil and the rest of the SoCal Cruisers for a great day.
Got home at 6:30PM...time for a shower and some ales. That road was so kick-ass I'm tempted to go do it again
tomorrow! Well, maybe not...
Jim Hunt - For
those who missed out...great ride...the views were some of the best I have ever seen, good road surface, plenty
of somewhat "tame" twisties. Weather was a little on the "blast furnace" side.
My arms ache from the constant pulling back on the h'bars with no windscreen. Its kinda like "banging
your head on the wall" It feels soooo good when you stop! It will be like that when I put on the
new screen.
·
Summary of July Members Meeting
Recap by Bill Edwards - Meeting called to order
at 7:00PM by President Ron Growel.
Attending were Officers and Members Don & Bobbie Presten,
Bill E., Gary Steinweg, Dick Usted, Rod & Rose Fleming, Larry & Pat Sammarco, John Q. Lawrence, PA Davis,
Anthony Palmer, and new members Sal Orso & Jacquelin Walker.
Ron in his opening remarks thanked Larry for conducting
the June meeting in his absence, and informed everyone of some very sad news:
Dick Usted's wife had recently passed away.
And that Rick and Steve Moyer's mother is gravely ill. No one
had to call for a "moment of silent prayer" to either of these announcements.
The minutes for the June meeting were read by Bill
Edwards and approved.
Gary Steinweg gave a brief Treasury report, advising
that based on current estimates, 100 club patches would cost $438.00, leaving $362.00 balance, of which $300.00
must be held in reserve for the Toy Run.
(note: a complete treasury report is available online, as well
as an updated membership list)
Old Business:
VOC name change issue.
Ron presented his proposal that we shelve the issue of whether
to remain a part of the VOC indefinitely, and wait and see what direction the new VOC Board takes, advising that
so far the new board seems to be more proactive than the past board, but that if we keep the issue open it may
force the Club to a vote. There was much discussion on what benefits the Wanderer's actually receive,
both as Club and as individual members.
It was agreed that these
benefits are mainly intangible, and Don Presten presented a convincing
argument that the issue should remain open, saying he doesn't see the VOC helping with local needs.
Gary Steinweg advised the membership is split 50-50
as far as membership in VOC. Larry Sammarco advised that the SoCal Cruisers, when polled, only 50% said
they'd choose to remain in the VOC.
A vote was then called for and taken.
(Added by Don)
A “Yes” vote signified that the issue would be
shelved indefinitely (until it was re-opened as New Business – Jan 2000) and that the Wanderers would remain a
charter of the VOC – if the Yes vote prevailed, current Wanderer’s
members not currently in the VOC would be required to update
their membership.
A “No” vote signified that the issue would remain
on the agenda for the next and future meetings and the decision to require VOC membership to remain current in
the Wanderer’s would also remain “to be decided” until final resolution to the issue was agreed upon.
(Back to Bill)
A vote was then called for and taken, and was decided
by 5 yes, 9 no, to keep this issue on the table as Old Business.
Wanderer's Club Patches:
Don advised us the patches are "camera ready", and
that he needs someone to carry this forward.
Larry advised that Rain Neitzel (sp?) of the VOC does patches
at a very reasonable price, and Bobbie said she'd contact her via Email.
Steve Laszko Benefit Ride:
A wonderful letter written by Ron Growel entitled "Wanderer's
and Friends" was read aloud by Rose Fleming.
Don Presten then gave an update on the "To Do list",
and it was decided to hand out assignments regarding attending local Club meetings, since there were only 45 days
left to get this done.
New Business:
Ron Growel presented a brief summary on behalf
of Rick Moyer as to why the recent Amendment to the Club Charter should be amended, and it was agreed to pass this
issue along for an Officer's meeting, to be called soon.
(this has since been scheduled for Aug 2)
Upcoming rides were discussed next, as well as
the next meeting on August 16. It was agreed by all present that the new meeting location, Gaetano's, was
preferable over the old meeting location.
The meeting adjourned at 8:45PM.
·
Note from our Webmaster
Greetings Cyber Wanderers,
If you’ve checked out the website this month you’ve probably noticed
a major addition in the top left corner.
That would be the brand new club patch in all it’s glory. Um,
sure, but it’s so tiny you can’t quite make out the details right?
Not a problem.
Just click on the image and a full page sized patch will open
for you.
While I’m on the subject, have you seen all the
semi hidden pages? There’s
one to be found by clicking the line of Virago’s under the Wanderers banner, another if you click on the Virago Owners Club
logo in the upper right. Need a full San Diego area weather forecast for tomorrow’s ride? Click
on the temperature and condition report.
Sweet tooth acting up?
Find Homer Simpson and click on him for a website full of donut
recipes. (super
helpful hint, look under links and follow the donut crumbs officer)
Several new members and in some cases their photo’s
have been added to the members directory this month.
Last month’s edition of this very newsletter is posted in case
your paper copy was eaten by the dog.
Two links have been added this month, one to the Dunlop Tire Company
web site. This
particular page provides a lot of good tire care information handy no matter what brand of tire you’re using. The
other is a cooperative link to the Paladin’s of North County.
The Paladins are another “all bikes” club like the Wanderers,
active for more than 25 years.
We want to hear from you!
As always, the club officers E-mail links are available to you
if you have ride or other suggestions.
Cheers from behind the keyboard.
John Q. Lawrence
·
Treasury Report from Gary Steinweg
6/21 Last reported balance = $539.25
7/01 Patch artwork expense, D. Presten -$100.33
7/19 Current treasury balance = $438.92
Notes:
1. Factoring in Newsletter postage for year and no new memberships, there's $362.25 available for other expenses
prior to year 2001 membership renewals.
·
Wanderers New Members
The Wanderers would like to welcome the following
new members:
Jacquelyn Walker
Sal Orso
More information on these rides and meetings can be found by visiting the Wanderers Web Site.
Friday, August 4
- Wanderers' Night at Packard’s in Ramona.
Thursday, August 10
- Hot Rod Night in La Mesa.
Saturday/Sunday, August 12-13 – The SoCal Cruisers will be coming to San Diego for an over-nighter. Ron
will post the specifics on this event to the Wanderers ListServ shortly.
Wednesday, August 16 - Wanderers
Monthly Meeting. Gaetanno's which is located at 10615 Tierrasanta Blvd, Suite H
… 1 mile east of I-15.
Dinner at 6:00pm, Meeting starts at 7:00pm
Friday, August 18
- Wanderers' Night at Packard’s in Ramona.
Thursday, August 24
- Hot Rod Night in La Mesa.
Sunday, August 27
– Wanderer’s all day ride to Idyllwild – Bill Edwards will lead us on a all day ride.
Details will be posted on the Wanderers ListServ shortly.
Friday, September 1
- Wanderers' Night at Packard’s in Ramona.
Thursday, September 7
- Hot Rod Night in La Mesa.
Sunday, Sept 10 – Steve
Laszko Benefit Ride – All Hand Effort on this one!!
Friday, September 15
- Wanderers' Night at Packard’s in Ramona.
Wednesday, September 20 -
Wanderers Monthly Meeting.
Gaetanno's which
is located at 10615 Tierrasanta Blvd, Suite H … 1 mile east of I-15. Dinner at 6:00pm, Meeting starts at 7:00pm
Thursday, September 21
- Hot Rod Night in La Mesa.