Newsletter for May, 2000

· Letter from the Prez…

Where do we go from here? I’m not speaking of our legendary propensity for getting lost on a ride, but rather this question comes as the result of our vote at last month’s meeting to withdraw our charter from the Virago Owner’s Club. During our discussions on the issue, it became very evident that there were strong feelings on both sides. But what’s done is done, and it’s time to move forward. Regardless of how you came to know about the Wanderers, I feel very strongly that the primary catalyst for enabling us to grow as a club is the relationships developed between our members. True, we all love to ride, we all love to eat, and we all love the “cruiser” style of riding. But more than that, this club has truly adopted the “Family of Riders” motto of the VOC. I see it every time we get together whether it’s at a ride, a meeting, or at an event we’re helping to sponsor. I’ve seen support from members to other members when a helping hand was needed, when illness has struck, or maybe when somebody just needed a friend. I’ve seen it every time we welcome a new member. And what I have not seen, is a lot of politics, infighting, or select groups within our membership. This is not something we can write into our by-laws as a rule, or make a condition of becoming a member.

We have a lot work of ahead of us. Re-writing the charter, changing the web site, continuing preparations for the San Diego Toy Run, obtaining club patches, organizing a riders’ safety course, just to name a few. And let’s not forget riding, and having fun, and finding new places to eat! But the real challenge, and the one I feel has the greatest benefit, is to focus on and maintain the friendships and spirit of camaraderie that made this club what it is and what it will continue to be. So let’s get on with it! It’s not the name we go by, or the affiliation with any organization, it’s the people that count.

· Note to ALL Wanderers Members

Don’t forget to mark your calendars for Sunday, November 26 – as an official sponsor of the San Diego Toy Run, this is a “working” event for us and we need all the help we can get. Rick Moyer will be sending out details of what we need in the very near future via email.

· Del Mar Motorcycle Show October 7th, 2000

Recap by Jim Hunt - Bill said that I had to make a ride report. This is difficult because I don't remember everyone’s names, but I do recall their bikes. So here goes...

I arrived at the Shell Station just across from N County Faire at about 8:50 having spied John Qs familiar Virago cozied up to the curb in the station. I gassed up and pulled over to his and we waited. Shortly thereafter a great looking Harley pulled up to join us, soon followed by Bill on his BMW, a Road Star, A V-star and with my Vulcan that made 6 bikes (7 riders - including 1 pillion).

Off we went with mighty Bill in the lead up Via Rancho Parkway to the Del Dios where we made a surprising right turn North towards Harmony Grove and the Elfin Forrest. This was fine by me as I do not recall making that particular jaunt before today. It was a nice somewhat brisk, but cruiser-paced ride with nice sweepers. The Beamer occasionally pulling ahead of the pack.

The Harley and my Vulcan with its drag pipes did a fairly decent job of keeping the pace and echoing our whereabouts with a twist of the throttle just to let people know we were around. We lost John Q and the V-star a time or two but only for a few seconds while pulling away from traffic stops.

Somehow or other, we went through "The Ranch" and again I was surprised at instead of following the road that clearly stated "Del Mar" we went the opposite direction towards Encinitas. Upon reaching Encinitas, we went under the underpass and headed due west and in true "Fukawi" fashion, had to make an unexpected U-turn. I say unexpected cause I did not expect that, but upon retrospect, I figured we had no other recourse.

In any event, we found ourselves approaching the Del Mar Fair grounds. Traffic was a bit congested, and I was a little confused at trying to follow Bills lead at time (lane splitting, you know), but somehow, we found our way to the gate keepers domain. Bill immediately cut off aF-250 pickup who was making some sort of gesture at him whilst slamming on his brakes. I think he might have been giving Bill the "thumbs up" signal, except he wasn't using his thumb at all. Parking was $4.00 but not bad considering that we got a "ring-side" seat at m/c only parking right next to the entrance. One of the "gang" had provided us with comp tickets which were good for Sunday meaning that we had to walk all the way back to purchase tickets that were valid for today. But What the Hay...they were free! Who's to complain?

Once inside, we immediately lost sight of each other and I did not see anybody again for at least an hour. This gave me plenty of time to visit the vendors spending $350.00 in the meantime and having an entire new intake system installed by Thunder Manufacturing while I visited the other vendors. A lot of fine looking ladies in tight pants, blouses, chaps, sweaters, (some bra-less), selling their wares. (Got my attention, though). A great variety of vendors (mostly Harleyesque) with trinkets, patches, leathers, chrome, chrome and more. A couple of "Big Brute" (Chevy 350's), a couple of V-Triples. Mufflers, Exhausts, Heads, Fins, and you name it for performance products. Then once inside the "Paddock" area, a fine display of vintage bikes ranging from Royal Enfields, Triumphs, BSA, Ducatis, Motoguzzi, Harleys from every era including a transverse (Boxer-like) Army Harley, Indians, Whizzers, Sears, thumpers, bumpers and more. I think a couple of the guys went in to view the time trials etc. I didn't though, having a good time being "mesmerized" by the displays outside.

I never did see anybody the rest of the time, and when I decided to leave, I noticed that Bill had also called it quits. So I headed South hugging the Pacific Ocean all the way to UTC where I turned left to Rancho Bernardo and home.

All in all, a satisfying albeit "expensive" day.

· Midweek Madness

Recap by Jim Hunt - A couple of days ago, Bill Edwards announced he was going to take a ride on Wednesday. The plan was to head out Otay Lakes, to 94, and hit the normal trails i.e. Honey Springs, Lyons Valley, Japatul Valley and on to Pine Valley up the Sunrise to Julian and Santa Ysabel e.t.c. I decided to join him and we were to meet at Pomerado and the Ted Williams at the Mobil station. So I did. Bill pulled in at 9 O'clock which was time we agreed upon. I had my coffee and Bill had his water and we discussed a plan. We will hook up with Ron Growel and John Q at 2 P.M. at H street and ??? Starbucks?...Since that would be several hours later, we decided to rely upon the FUKAWI system and immediately proceeded in the opposite direction (North).

So off we went, Bill in the lead, up Pomerado to I-15 exiting at North County Faire to head towards highway 78 and Ramona. Bill led a brisk pace up through San Pasqual Valley via Old San Pasqual Road. This is a really nice little stretch of road at that hour in the morning. We passed a large field where I spied some humungous chickens...these birds were every bit of 5 feet tall and there were hundreds of them! I must remember to ask Bill if he happened to notice them. Its a good thing they can't fly, can you imagine what that would be like?

Anyway, we ventured on, found highway 78 to be empty and the weather was quite comfortable. We breezed through Ramona without a thought of a stop as we were going to stop and have breakfast at Santa Ysabel anyway. Which we did. During our brief respite, I asked Bill if he saw the big chickens. He said "Jim, them chickens was Ostriches"...Oh, I said...Kinda reminded me of the story of the German aeroplanes a friend of mine told me once... he said: "Them Fokkers, aint Fokkers, them Fokkers wus Meserschmitzes" - Oh, I said.

Pressing on...we headed up 78 to Julian and decided to go down the Sunrise. Bill kept the lead and I was pretty much right with him except for the downhill parts where he got about a trillion miles ahead of me at one spot. My excuse was that my fingers were asleep and I had to keep taking my hand off the throttle to bang it on the handlebars. (Later it was revealed, that I was really a "wus"). Once off the mountain, we headed out old highway 80 to the original routes we planned i.e. Honey Springs, Japatul, Lyons Valley, 94, Otay Lakes e.t.c. where we eventually did meet up with Ron and John and H street and ??? where the Starbucks was???

We talked a bit, then did a u-turn and headed back the way we came. I kept up this time, except for one spot where I fell behind about a trillion miles. My excuse this time was "I was fatigued". (Later on it was revealed that I was really a "wus"). We stopped at the underpass at Japatul Valley and I-8 where the two latecomers donned chaps, and jackets. We talked for a bit and decided to head West on the freeway. So we did. As we took off, I got cut off by a couple of cagers and had to catch up. In so doing, I did another first being that I did my first "triple digit" without a windscreen. (this is a no-shitter). Anyway, we pressed on with Bill and I exiting at Lake Jennings, up the 67 to Poway where we split off. At one point, Bill left me about a trillion miles behind. My excuse was that I made a poor lane change, and got stuck behind a Winnebago. (it was later revealed that , "you know")

The next thing that happened was - I got home.

This was mid week madness.

· Ride Your Own Ride AND Respect The Others By James R. Davis

When you ride in a group it is unquestionably your first priority to take care of yourself - to ride within your limits and the limits of your bike, regardless of what the rest of the group does. That's often been described as 'Riding your own ride'.

But you ARE in a group and that means some new responsibilities and behaviors apply. You ride at the speed the group rides, you stay in the lanes chosen by the lead bike, You stop when and where the group stops. Sounds a lot like you are riding THEIR ride as much as your own, doesn't it?

In business, management has recently come to realize that 'team work' is not always the best way to get things done. Sometimes it is better to work as a group of collaborators than as a team. A motorcycle drill team is a clear example of team work - everybody is expected to do no more nor less than what is required by the boss to get the job done. Independent thought is valued, but only to the extent that it contributes to the team doing its job.

When riding in a group there is certainly some team work going on, but each and every person in that group is expected to 'ride their own ride'. Doesn't that sound just a little bit different to you than each person being expected to do whatever it takes to make the team effort successful?

In collaborative efforts the assumption is that each individual is expert/proficient in some specialty while generally being able to function in team efforts. That is a very subtle difference in attitude. For example, in a collaborative effort, it is not unusual to find debate about what should be done next as each individual contributes based on their expertise. What IS unusual in a collaborative effort is that there is any rancor in these debates [well, there are sometimes rather harsh arguments, but the point is that each member is heard and contributes based on their specialty.] Each member RESPECTS the expertise of the other members and will generally defer gracefully to that expertise. Further, in a collaborative effort the group will do what the boss (lead bike) tells them to do unless there is a good reason not to.

The result is that almost invariably you have the best of the best from the best, though it looks like team work.

Back to motorcycling in a group ... some in the group have more stamina, some have better night vision, some have better navigation skills, some have better familiarity with the surroundings, some have better emergency preparedness or EMS training, some are better diplomats. You get the picture.

Respecting the skills and uniqueness of each of the rest of the team results in getting the best of the best from the best. Respecting yourself is riding your own ride. Respecting the others is collaborative group riding. The group leader/road Captain in a well functioning collaborative effort has certain responsibilities, each of the rest have theirs, and with respect, together they all decide on the best way to do things for the group.

Rather than the lead bike making all the decisions for the group, in a collaborative effort, he/she will consult with the others and give serious consideration to the expertise therein. Strategic decisions (destination) remain the leader's responsibility while tactical decisions (how) might well come from the members. Dictatorship it's not. Nor is it a drill team. Rather, it is a group of 'professionals' engaged in a cooperative effort designed for the benefit of all. Safe arrival and a good time with maximum contribution and participation by each may look like team work, but is more.

This is merely a proposed way to organize and function in a group. I wrote it to invite you to think about it and, possibly, to create a new dynamic in how we all function when riding as a group.

Ride smart.

· Riding – Safety or Comfort Zone

By Jim Hunt - For no particular reason, (well, actually there are probably at least 2 reasons), I have given some thought to motorcycle riding in relation to skill level, confidence, and ability.

We all ride for many reasons, be they for tranquility seeking, spiritual uplifting, comradery, adrenaline rush or whatever. Many articles have been written on the subject.

One thing that all to often is easy to fall into is peer pressure. You know - a friend makes an off hand comment that "You sure didn't challenge yourself in that last turn" or "I don't see any scrape marks on your foot pegs" e.t.c. These things can be quite dangerous (obviously). While there is certainly nothing wrong with improving your skills through practice, and in fact, this improvement can in many ways increase your margin of safety, going beyond your threshold of confidence i.e. in how you "feel" is downright stupid! It takes a lot more character to admit to your self of what your limitations are (real or imagined) . Sure, you might have to put up with a little ridicule and wise-cracking, but then "who is really the wiser?"

As for me, I am approaching 60 years of age, my reflexes are not what they once were, my motorcycle weighs in at nearly 700 pounds, and in spite of my outward appearance of being a little "wild", I am basically a cautious rider. I have found that if I am in the middle of the pack, that I ride a little more aggressively. This might have something to do with my subconscious nothing that "if the person in front can do it, then so can I" (depending of course, on who that person in front is). More often than not, I find myself "feeling" that I can even be a little more aggressive than those I am riding with. At the same time, I find that if I am the last rider in a group, I sometimes lag a little behind. My favorite position is number 3. (don’t know why)

So, what it boils down to is this: "Ride your own ride, and enjoy the experience". (This is certainly not a new outlook, or comment, but I think it bears repeating some times).

Warm regards, sorry for the "soap box". but I felt like it......

· Note from our Webmaster

October has been an exciting month for the Wanderer’s Website.

We added several group rides to the “past rides” archive thanks to the scribesmanship of Bill Edwards and Jim Hunt. Several additional “future rides” are now posted as well for your scheduling pleasure.

Look carefully at the list of links and you’ll notice “Pillion Tales” has been replaced by a San Diego Traffic button. (Thanks to Pat Sammarco for her contribution which, by now, hopefully everyone had read.) This new link will take you to the CHP/Caltrans website used by most radio and television traffic reporters in San Diego and around the state for information they later broadcast. Check it out on a rainy day!

Our biggest news involves some brand new buttons at the bottom of the main page. The Wanderer’s Website has been accepted for inclusion in the “Motorcycle Clubs” Webring. By clicking on the various choices at the bottom of the main page you’ll be taken to more than 700 other clubs, organizations and motorcycle oriented vendors sites. If you click enough, you’ll eventually tour the entire ring and come back home.

Our latest visitor stats are pretty amazing thanks, in large part, to the major speed increase made possible by Redrivals upgraded system. More than 3000 visits have been recorded since the site went up in March of this year.

Cheers from Cyber Space

John Q. Lawrence

Webmaster

· Summary of October’s Members Meeting

Meeting called to order at 7:00PM by President Ron Growel. Present were Bill Edwards, Rod & Rose Fleming, John Hamm and his guest Ken Veach, Ronn Kilby, John Q. Lawrence, Gery Marcelino & Virginia, Rick Moyer, Steve Moyer, Sal Orso, Anthony Palmer, Don Presten, Robert & Tera Salo, Larry & Pat Sammarco, and Gary Steinweg.

Reading of September minutes waived, accepted as published in Newsletter.

Treasurer gave brief report, current balance is $398.17.

Don Presten gave a status report on the Club patches: he will obtain new quotes, and proposes to then pre-sell them before placing orders. Details later. He also advised he has all graphics necessary available if anyone wanted to assume the task of getting tee-shirts done. Tera Salo accepted this task.

Rick Moyer gave a status report on the Toy Run, advising the details have pretty much been worked out, and that this year will be bigger than ever. It will be in a different format this year therefore, with the same starting point in Mission Bay, but with a new destination in Ramona at the RoadHouse, and that this will not be a group/parade type ride, but a free form ride.

There were brief ride recaps given by John Q. (Anti-destination ride, Del Mar Days)) and Ron Growel (Moonlight ride).

The vote concerning continued participation as a Chartered Club of the VOC was then taken by roll call, including all proxies received, by the Club Secretary, and the votes were then counted twice, once by the Secretary and again by the Treasurer. The results were:

Yes: 22

No: 9

Abstentions: 12

The "Yes" thus carried, and the Club is now independent and no longer part of the VOC.

An Officers meeting was then scheduled for November 1st, 2000, in order for the Board to go over details regarding our withdrawal from the VOC.

New business:

An update on Dick Usested, who recently had open heart surgery, given by John Hamm.

John Q. Lawrence advised details on our participation in the Mad Maps internet project, which is a source for motorcycle touring info.

The Fall Ride Schedule was then updated, with rides updated or confirmed. New additions included a suggestion by Anthony Palmer to attend the "Thunder in the Back Country" November 5th, The Oak Glen ride with the SoCal Cruisers November 4th (Ron Growel), the Julian Apple Days Ride November 19 (Don Presten), a New Years Day Ride (Gary Steinweg), and the 2nd annual Freeze Out Ride January 14 (Don Presten). Also Tera Salo advised she will try and arrange an Experienced Rider Motorcycle training course on either January 21st or February 4.

Meeting adjourned at 8:22PM

· Treasury Report from Gary Steinweg

As of 10/18/2000

1.    9/20 Last reported balance = $465.17
2.    9/24 Jim & Evlyn Hotz mbrshp = $ 10.00
3. 10/18 Current treasury balance = $475.17

4. Anticipated expenses:
- Postage = $ 77.00
- Charity ride shirt set-aside = $    0.00

5. Current discretionary funds = $398.17

· Summary of October’s Board of Directors Meeting

Meeting called to order at 6:10PM by President Ron Growel. Present were Bill Edwards, Rick Moyer, Don Presten, John Q. Lawrence, and Gary Steinweg.

The reason for this special meeting was to discuss what steps to take in order to implement and complete the withdrawal of The Wanderer's as a Chartered Club of the VOC, and there were three main items.

1. The official notice to the VOC board, as drafted in a letter by Rick Moyer. A draft of this letter was presented to the board by Rick, and was approved. A copy of this letter will be available to members at the November meeting.

2. Changes to the Club Charter. Several changes will be made to this document, in general omitting references to the VOC, and also simplifying the document and correcting its language. A copy of the revised Charter shall be presented to the membership for their approval according to the general by-laws amendment (Changes to the Club Charter or Bylaws).

3. Information presented to potential new members along with membership applications, both on the Club Website, and on paper documents, were edited to reflect the change. This refers to the "Welcome to the Wanderers" letter.

There was much discussion regarding all three of these items by all present, with everyone agreed to try and make these documents both up to date, reflecting our recent change, and also with the goal of making future changes hopefully unnecessary.

The meeting adjourned at approximately 8:10PM.

· Wanderer Ride and Meeting Calendar

More information on these rides and meetings can be found by visiting the Wanderers Web Site.

Wednesday, November 15 - 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.

Sunday, November 19^th - Julian Apple Days Ride. Led by Don Presten. The Wanderers will depart from Denny's, junction of SR163 and Clairemont Mesa Blvd. at 9:00AM SHARP with full tanks.

Sunday, November 26 - Wanderer's Annual St. Vincent Toy Run. All members are encouraged to volunteer to help with setup, teardown, traffic control and many other facets of this huge undertaking. Check with Rick Moyer to see how you can help. For information, visit http://www.sdtoyrun.com/

Saturday & Sunday December 9th & 10^th - This is a combo ride that, for some, will begin Saturday with a ride into Laguna Hills. The So. Cal. Cruisers have invited us to attend their annual holiday party here. Some will stay the night and will ride with the Cruisers to the Long Beach Motorcycle Show Sunday. Those choosing not to attend the party or spend the night will gather Sunday morning at our usual Denny's departure spot in Kearny Mesa for the trip to Long Beach.

Monday, January 1, 2001 - New Years Day Ride. IF RAIN IS NOT PREDICTED, meet at Packards Coffee Shop in Ramona at 09:30 with full gas tanks. Spend 30 minutes having coffee de jur. Depart Packards promptly at 10:00 heading east on 78 toward Julian. Pass thru Julian and head south on 79 to Old 80. East on Old 80, thru Pine Valley, under I-8 to arrive at Live Oak Springs Restaurant between 11:30 and 12:00 for lunch. Following lunch, we'll ride west on 94 back to El Cajon. End of full group ride. North County group will head north via 67 to Poway. Everyone should be back home 15:00 - 16:00. Those living in south and east Sandy Eggo County will start from Burger King in Lakeside at 8:45 AM and ride to Ramona via Wildcat Canyon Road. Those living in north Sandy Eggo County will start from just east of I-15 and south of Lake Hodges on Highland Valley Road (across from Nursery) at 08:45 and ride to Ramona via Highland Valley Road. Riding directly to Packards individually is always an option. Alternate route via Sunrise Hwy if higher elevation temperature permits.

Sunday, January 14^th - Don Presten’s 2nd Annual "Freeze Out" Ride. Wanderers and guests will ride to the highest point in the county that can be reached without snow chains. Dress warmly and in layers. If last year is any guide, you'll need them. The Wanderers will depart from Denny's, junction of SR163 and Clairemont Mesa Blvd. at 9:00AM SHARP with full tanks.

January 21st or February 4^th - Watch this space. We'll finally be taking the "Experienced Riders" motorcycle course that's been long in the talking/planning stages. Early sign up's will be taken as soon as the date is firmed up.

Wanderers Newsletter

· Ride Your Own Ride AND Respect The Others By James R. Davis