Newsletter for May, 2000

· Letter from the Prez…

Some VERY important Wanderers Meetings

On Wednesday, August 2, the Wanderers Executive Board met to discuss the continuing issue of the Wanderers association with the Virago Owner's Club. Present at this meeting were:

President:                     Ron Growel
V. President:                Larry Sammarco
Secretary:                     Bill Edwards
VOC Coordinator:            Rick Moyer
Appointed Member:            Don Presten

Absent from this meeting were:

Treasurer:                     Gary Steinweg
Appointed Member:            John Q. Lawrence (originally present but had to leave early).

As you all should be aware, the Wanderers have carried this topic as Old or Continued Business for approximately 18 months or more, and the Executive Board agrees that it is time we bring it to a conclusion. I am not going to go into the issues involved here, rather I am informing our members of the agenda that the Executive Board has agreed upon for the next three months. That agenda is as follows:

August 16 Wanderers Monthly Meeting:

Rick Moyer presented a synopsis of the current "State of the Association" with the Virago Owners Club.

September 20 Wanderers Monthly Meeting:

Don Presten and Rick Moyer will each present arguments and viewpoints relevant to our association with the VOC.    Rick will present the "pro" side of this discussion while Don will present the "con" side. I have asked that each limit themselves to 15 to 20 minutes. With the exception of some very brief routine business, the entire business meeting for September will be devoted to group discussions of the issues relating to whether we continue or withdraw as a chartered chapter of the Virago Owner's Club.

October 18 Wanderers Monthly Meeting:

No further discussion will be scheduled concerning this issue. A binding vote of the membership will take place to determine whether we withdraw as a VOC Chapter or continue our charter. A simple majority (51%) of the entire Membership Roster voting in agreement will be required to decide the issue. (Note: for purposes of clarification, "Members" include not only riders, but SO's whose names were initially included on the Wanderers Application Form...I believe at present the total number of Members stands at 37.) Proxy votes will be allowed from members who are not able to be present, provided they are delivered to the meeting by another member, AND provided that the Proxy vote is on a form which will be mailed to each member with October's newsletter. Voting will be conducted by the Club Secretary reading aloud the name of each member from the then current Membership Roster, and that member will indicate his/her vote on the issue. The Secretary will then record the response or lack thereof.   At the end of the roll call vote, the votes will be tallied to determine if 51% of the Membership is in favor of the vote.

I urge each and every one of you to attend these meetings, participate in the scheduled discussions, consider all of the arguments, then vote your belief as to what you feel is in the best interests of this club. This is your club, you have a voice, and you have a choice.

I also recommend using the Wanderers List-Serve to initiate some discussion on this issue. It can be a good tool to let everyone know how YOU feel about this.

Ron Growel - President, VOC Wanderers

· Steve Laszko Benefit Ride Update

My thanks to all who have chipped in – we have come a long way in the last 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

There is really nothing left for the membership at large to do other than be there on the 10^th. Rick and I have some loose ends to clear up, but all seems to be ready for the big event. My personal thanks to Rick for all he has done.

Special thanks also go to the all the Wanderers crew who attended motorcycle club meetings and made presentations. Also, thanks to the TFBnet/Aramel team who made follow up calls to every dealer on the list as well as mailed flyers to each. John and Fran Del Santo were also very busy delivering flyers, attending meetings and making the arrangements to man the 3 poker run stops. Ron and Rose are hard at work on the door prize boards and other construction items.

This is going to be a great event – one we all can be proud of. Way to go, Wanderers!!

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

· Wanderers Host So Cal Cruisers

By John Q - Here's a recap of Saturday's ride with the Cruisers for those who couldn't make it. This is also posted on the Wanderers Web Site.

Ride, walk, eat, ride, walk, eat more then ride again. It was a fairly typical Wanderers ride but with a twist. No freeway no how and today, Dick Usted proved you CAN get to Mexico traveling only on city streets.

The So Cal Cruisers, our sister club from the Orange County/L.A. area came south for the weekend landing in San Diego's historic Old Town where they hooked up with the Wanderers. That was the first "ride." Now we "walked" as everyone took independent tours of the area, peeking into shops but, to the shop keepers dismay, not buying a lot because, well, how the heck to you bungee a clay pot on a bike? When the dogs got tired it was sit time and the first "eat" of the day. Again everyone was on their own. Ron Growel, S.O. Lorn and I chose to sample the local cuisine.....Chinese. One plate of sweet and sour pork later it was time to "ride".

We had ten bikes, many two up as we pulled out of the Old Town Trolley parking area everyone following Dick Useted's back. Out to Pacific Coast highway we went, turn here, turn there and, voila we've magically, mystically reached Fiesta island where the group enjoyed a nearly traffic free loop around the island watching the jet ski's play "lets see how close to each other we can get without actually crashing" and dogs teaching their humans to throw Frisbee's properly.

From the Island good old Sea World drive provided passage which eventually led to Ocean Beach, Mission Beach, and San Diego's Harbor Drive. A small detour through a parking lot was thrown in on the fly so we could show off for the tourista's (ohhhh, look at all those bikers, we don't see that back home in Norway Argentina China Bermuda Bahamas Cummon Pretty Mama). Up over "the" bridge we went, skipping the one dollar entry free to Coronado because, well because we was a "car" pool dont'cha know.

An aside here. I'd sure like to know where they rent BMW 730I's and Volkswagen Jetta's with surfboards on top. Those are just a couple of examples of the "tourists" who obviously weren't aware they had to be in the right hand lane to take advantage of the freebie lane and were determined to cut into our motorcycle queue whether we were gonna give space or not.

These same sorts of vehicles, and I include small pickup trucks, also obviously driven by visitors unaware of approaching exit lanes pulled the same tricks getting into Ocean Beach. Idiots. Back to the subject at hand.

Coronado is sure an island of changeable scenery. We rode through residential areas that featured homes the like of which might have been in El Cajon. Except here it was 75 degrees. Other homes, especially some facing the ocean are out and out mansions. I'm guessing you have to be a little more than a retired Chief Petty Officer to afford these digs. The beach? Nicely populated including one young lass in a blue bit of dental floss that could have caused a ten bike pile up were it not for so many SWAMBO's making sure all helmets remained pointed in the same general direction the bike was traveling. I, however, had no such restriction and will probably be talking to a Chiropractor tomorrow as a result.

South we continued, over hill, over dale, our southerly direction confirmed by an ever increasing number of Border Patrol vehicles and then a surprise. Dick had found us a river to cross! Way to go Dick. One by one, so's not to splash the rider behind we picked our way through this small torrent. All right, it wasn't a torrent, it was maybe an inch or two deep but it was wide, baby, wide and full of rocks.

During the crossing I thought to myself...Self, I sure hope this isn't one of San Diego's infamous sewage spills making it's way to a South Bay beach. Nah, couldn't be, there's nothing floating in the stream.

I don't pretend to know how he did it...I'm guessing that GPS unit helped but Dick found the border where most of the Cruisers and a majority of the Wanderers parked for a few more hours of...yep, "walking" and "eating" in Tijuana. I had to head home where the job jar and a 21st birthday party awaited. No, unfortunately not mine but I know what you were thinking. "He looks so young to be 21". You were thinking that right?

I've asked Dick to provide a GPS track of the route since there were simply too many streets to list. He now informs me that the "river" quite likely was an outflow of the infamous T.J. sewage. I'd write more but have one more addition to the job jar. "WASH BIKE!!!!"

Nice ride Dick. Thanks for all the planning.

· Sandyeggo Cruisers Weekend Recap

By Ron - Whenever the SoCal Cruisers and the Wanderers get together you can bet there's going to be a good time, and this weekend was no exception.

Beginning with "the landing" of the Cruisers on Saturday morning, all the way thru Sunday afternoon, we had a very busy, but wonderful time. John Q. has furnished the ride report for Saturday, so I'll continue from there. Joining us from the SoCal Cruisers were Phil & Paula Widmer, Harold & Jan Jafke, Bob Guarino, Bill Keeling, Gil & Digna Fernando, and Bob & Pat Segesta in the cage. Also making the ride down To San Diego, but returning home after the Old Town tour were Dave & Grace Everett and CarolLyn Machado.

The Wanderers were represented by Dick Usted, John Q. Lawrence, Jacquelyn Walker, Rod & Rose Fleming, Jim (sorry..forgot the last name), Lorn and my own self .

Now where were we? Oh, yeah, Tijuana. Knowing there would be a lack of suitable restrooms in TJ, the ladies thought it would be a good idea to take advantage of the facilities in the border parking lot. Good idea, but bad logistics. How long does it take to get 13 people thru one restroom? Anywhere from 45 seconds to 4 minutes per person...we had the stop watch going!

We got a taste of TJ traffic as we boarded the bus to take us to Avenida de Revolucion, the main tourist spot in TJ. Whatta ride! After another 10 minute discussion on how we were going to get back across to the home side of the border, it was finally time to set off and do battle with the TJ vendors. As in Old Town, the vendors were sorely disappointed at our lack of spending. As John Q. pointed out, it's hard to strap clay pots onto luggage racks, and sombreros tend to pick up too much wind. Lorn and I did pick up our "usual groceries" whenever visiting Mexico, but lost the Cruisers in the process. Fortunately, they found their way back across to the bikes and were en route to their motel by the time we got back.

Evidently they had no problem with the Border Patrol inspection, but Lorn and I were slightly detained by a very serious commanding officer looking very impressive in his official uniform. I didn't get strip-searched and probed, but we did turn a lot of heads at two tourists standing there laughing and joking with a Border Patrol Officer! Thanks for coming down to see us safely across, Pete (Minor). Too bad you couldn't get away for awhile to ride the Harley with us.

Casa Guadalajara proved to be an excellent choice for dinner. They were set up and waiting for us when we arrived (all 19 of us), and the food and service were wonderful. SoCal Cruisers Phil and Paula Widmer, Harold and Jan Jafke, and Bob (Donut Man) Guarino were joined by Wanderers, Rick and Linda Moyer, Steve and Toni Moyer, Jeff Dodds with guests Yvette and sister Vivi, Larry and Pat Sammarco, Bill Edwards, Rod and Rose Fleming, Lorn and myself. (If I missed anyone here..my apologies).

After dragging Bill out of the bar, we sat down to a very enjoyable meal, highlighted with Yvette and Vivi accompanying the vocal section of the Mariachi Band. Following dinner, we had a little fun embarrassing Lorn and Paula as Phil presented each with a stuffed teddy-bear and the waiter produced a cake to celebrate their 40th birthdays. Unbeknownst to us until that evening, Jeff Dodds was celebrating his 44th birthday that same day, so Jeff had birthday greetings sung to him by jumping Mariachi Musicians. We finally called it a night, with the Wanderers driving to their respective homes in cars and the SoCal Cruisers rolling themselves down the sidewalk to their motel.

Sunday's ride was rather short as we wanted to take it a little easy on the folks who had to ride up north to Orange County. Led by Rod & Rose Fleming and joined by Dick Usted, Tommie Gilbertson, Lorn and myself, we headed out to the near East County along SR94 to Lyons Valley and Honey Springs Roads so we could introduce Phil, Paula, Harold, Jan, and Bob to Blackjack Lee.

Blackjack was in his usual good form this morning with a warm, loud greeting at the prospect of bikers feeding him licorice and put on quite a show of appreciation. We then headed out to Barrett Junction for lunch and said goodbye to the Cruisers as they began their journey home.

I'd just like to take a moment to thank Dick Usted, John Q., Rod & Rose Fleming, and Larry and Pat Sammarco for their roles and help in making this weekend go so smoothly. I've received many thanks and appreciation from the Cruisers who made it here to Sunny Sandyeggo and want to pass that along to you as well as to the rest of the Wanderers who joined in on the rides. I think everyone enjoyed themselves immensely. It was great playing host to the SoCal Cruisers and I think I speak for everyone is saying we look forward to riding with them again.

· Tuesday Ride (by Dick Usted and John Q)

“Tuesday” Ride - Had a great ride today with vacationing John Q. We joined up at Otay Lakes and hwy 94. Rode east to Cameron Corners were we had breakfast. With full bellies, we took La Posta to Old 80 to Kitchen Creek Rd. If you've never ridden this road, you are missing a treat. The picture is a view back down the road that we went up. There are several views like this, each one as fine as the others. Kitchen Creek ends at Sunrise Hwy where we turned right. Upon reaching Hwy 79 we turned left and followed that to Japatul Valley to Honey Springs. We parted company at Hwy 94, John to head for El Cajon and I to Otay Mesa via Otay Lakes Rd. These 7 day weekend are hell. <grin>

John Q adds: What a coincidence. Dick Useted is retired, I'm on vacation and we both had motorcycles that needed exercise.

The two of us hooked up at highway 94 and Otay Lakes Rd. destination, Cameron Corners and breakfast. We had the cheerful waitress and her bottomless coffee pot all to ourselves. Now, stuffed with vittles we motored across highway 94 to gas up and were wished a "safe ride" by the cashier. Wow, everyone's in a good mood today!

We decided to tour Sunrise Highway but Dick knew a shortcut. Sort of. Let me tell you about my first visit to Kitchen Creek Road. Kitchen Creek probably had a purpose decades ago. Heck, it may have been the "only" road into the hills for all I know but now obviously sees little use. The road looks like it has been rained on by small missiles, cratered everywhere and it's absolutely fabulous! There's a word I haven't used in a long time but the views are breathtaking. Dick and I stopped often looking over one side of the road then another at mountain scapes that change from scrub oak to pines to meadows. At one spot you swear, were it not for they layer of, er, "haze" sitting off to the west you could see the Pacific. We never got past second gear both because we were dodging craters and just making this one last.

This good thing didn't end there though. All the time we'd ridden, before breakfast and after, we hadn't had a single vehicle in front of us and the same held true on Sunrise Highway where the two of us took advantage of the one long straight bit of road all day to blow out some
carbon. Dick won.

We paid a visit via Japatul Valley (still no traffic) to the Lyons Valley store where the new owners have drastically reduced prices. Bottled water now 50 cents (down from .95) and licorice (hey, it's for the mule ok?) a couple of pennies.

Honey Springs road was equally traffic free as we twisted our way back to the 94 to go our separate ways. What a great place to live and ride...and with several vacation days left! JQ

· Note from our Webmaster

We may cruise slowly but we like to surf fast and you may have noticed our Wanderers Website, hosted free by Redrival has been anything but fast recently.

Apparently they’ve become a victim of their own successes with already marginal servers bogged down hosting thousands of individual sites. Now the good news. That’s about to change (hussah!) with new servers being installed, perhaps by the time you read this. In spite of the speed problems we’ve seen a lot of visitors recently. Or is that they’ve seen us? By the numbers:

Jul 3 - Jul 9: 36

Jul 10 - Jul 16: 97

Jul 17 - Jul 23: 76

Jul 24 - Jul 30: 39

Jul 31 - Aug 6: 79

Aug 7 - Aug 13: 67

Totaling more than 21 hundred visitors since March. Not too shabby for a little club site.

Adds this month:

New items in the links area including a hand drawn map of San Diego County Motorcycle roads. The map’s author is lost to the dust of history but it is my understanding this was originally posted on a BMW list. Also added to links is a list of the Webmasters “don’t leave home without em” camping supplies. All this stuff really does fit on a Virago but the extension cord for the Microwave takes up an awful lot of space. ;~)

A final item. I’ve been exchanging E-mails recently with a producer of Madmaps (http://www.madmaps.com) as they get ready to release a Southern California edition. They’re looking for interesting photo’s of local places and characters (thanks to Dick Useted they’ll probably use a photo of Blackjack) along with descriptions of “biker friendly” eateries and stops. Your contributions are encouraged! Send them to me (johnq@adnc.com) for forwarding. If I get a bunch maybe it’ll be an excuse for yet another page on the Website!

Cheers from Cyberspace

John Q. Lawrence

· Summary of August Members Meeting

The meeting was at Gaetano's, and was called to order at 7:06PM by Ron Growel. Present were myself, Gary Steinweg, Larry & Pat Sammarco, John Q. Lawrence, Rick Moyer, Steve and Toni Moyer, Rod and Rose Fleming, Jacquelyn Walker and Dick Usted. Later, Anthony Palmer also arrived.

Gary presented a brief Treasurer's report, which was approved.

Ride agenda was detailed by Ron Growel, who advised everyone that commitments will be needed soon if the upcoming Camping trip is to be successful.

There was a discussion of the upcoming Benefit Ride.

Those present were advised by the President that the "revised" amendment to the club charter had been approved by the board during the Officer's meeting August 2.

The main agenda for this meeting, as announced, was a "synopsis" of the pros and cons of remaining or withdrawing from the Virago Owners Club, which was presented by Rick Moyer. Afterwards, everyone present was encouraged to attend the September and October meetings, as this subject is the most important issue and decision the Club is likely to ever face.

Meeting adjourned at approximately 8:45PM.

· Treasury Report from Gary Steinweg

As of 8/16/2000

1. 7/19 Last reported balance = $438.92

2. 7/19 Dues (Jacquelyn Walker) = $ 11.25

3. 7/19 Dues (Sal & Teresa Orso) = $ 15.00

4. 8/16 Current treasury balance = $465.17

5. Anticipated expenses:

Postage = $ 77.00

Charity ride shirt set-aside = $300.00

6. Discretionary funds (line 4 - line 5): = $ 88.17

Two new memberships since last report.

· Wanderer Ride and Meeting Calendar

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

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.

Saturday, September 16 - Tecate Taco Ride. Join us for another of our famous (or maybe that's infamous) trips out highway 94 and south into Mexico for a plate full of tacos. The feast will be followed by a ride through San Diego County's back country. Departure time/place TBA.

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. This is an extremely important meeting. We will discuss our clubs future as an associate of the Virago Owners Club. Your input is needed. A Vote on this issue will be taken during the October meeting.

Thursday, September 21 - Hot Rod Night in La Mesa.

Sunday, September 24 - Anti Destination Ride. We will gather at Denny's Restaurant in Kearny Mesa for a 9am departure. Prior to leaving the parking lot, riders will draw numbers from a helmet. Numbers will determine the order each rider leads the group with absolutely no particular destination in mind. Leaders will be rotated periodically on a schedule to be determined dependent on the number of riders. At noon we will stop for lunch wherever we happen to be (could be interesting). Overall ride captain, John Q. Lawrence (just because it was his stupid idea!)

Friday, September 29 - Wanderers' Night at Packard’s in Ramona.

Saturday, October 7 - Del Mar Bike Show. John Q. will lead the San Diego south and east contingent on a ride that begins at the Burger King Restaurant in Lakeside, 8 am. We will ride up toward Ramona and back down to the Escondido area via Highland Valley Road. We will hook up with the North County riders at the Shell Gas Station across the street from North County Faire Shopping Center. At that point Bill Edwards will take the lead for a ride on Del Dio's Highway to the Del Mar Fairgrounds. Ride home will be on an individual basis.

October 13th, 14th and 15^th - We're finally doing the camping trip. Campground will probably be Burnt Rancheria off of Sunrise Highway. Other details TBA but this trip will include a full moon ride on Saturday the 14th which everyone is invited to join whether camping or not. RSVP's are "REQUIRED" for camping so we can plan food and camp spaces. In the past, riders with RV's have reserved their own spaces then joined us around the campfire and for rides but passed on the "sleep on the ground" part.

Wednesday, October 18- 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. One of the most important Wanderers meetings of the year if not THE most important. We will be voting whether or not to continue as a Virago Owners Club associate club. Be there and be counted!!!!

Friday, October 27 - The last "official" Packards run of the year. Daylight Saving Time ends Sunday morning the 29th.

Saturday, October 28 - Last Fall Run. This date could change. Rick Moyer is putting this one together. Details in the next newsletter.

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 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. A separate website is under construction.