Flint Hills Chapter #1508 MARCH 2017

Director Dan Hammond danhammondsr@yahoo.com 913.240.3512

Assistant Director Sue G skgkick@hotmail.com 785.307.0157

Secretary Vonda C vonda@copeland.ks.coxmail.com 785.313.1544

Treasurer Karen C karenconnell232@yahoo.com 785.210.5864

Editor Wanda A 1973wallen@gmail.com 785.564.1271

Road Captain Kevin C kevinconnell232@hotmail.com 785.223.3203

Safety Orin A oauld@cox.net 785.761.6969

Activities Amber S amber21@cox.net 785.317.2942

Ladies of Harley Claudia P c_perryluv2ride@hotmail.com 785.717.8298

Membership Carol E carolebersole@yahoo.com 785.209.0544

Webmaster Ryan Y ksphatcop@gmail.com 785.466.0018

Historian Shirley J sadgjones.gmail.com 785.238.7628 Photographer Jenna J jenna.jamar@gmail.com 785.238.1236

Director’s Report Dan Hammond Greetings. My name is Dan and I’m a ride-aholic. I look for every excuse to get out and ride. I’m retired from the Army and work on Fort Riley now. I have really come to love Kansas and the Flint Hills area. I grew up in Wisconsin. I got my first real motorcycle while I was in college. It was a 1970 Honda CB350. It was old and beat up and I was constantly having to come up with creative ways to keep it running. I even used it to get back and forth to college about 100 miles away. That was quite a feat during the school year in Wisconsin. I had different motorcycles for a number of years after that, until I realized I wasn’t riding it at all because two kids wouldn’t fit on it. I took a break from riding. I even let my motorcycle endorsement lapse.(sad face) Then one day my darling wife, Lynn, announced she was going to take a basic rider course and get her motorcycle license. I was very happy to hear that. She completed the course with flying colors and got her endorsement. We didn’t own a motorcycle at the time, but I was very happy regardless. Then one evening she called me and said she was at the dealership and buying a motorcycle. You could have knocked me over with a feather when I asked her what she was getting and she told me, “A Harley.” We “shared” that motorcycle for much of that summer. Then she announced she would prefer I have my own so we could ride together (she doesn’t want to be a passenger). That resulted in me getting a new Heritage in September of 2013. I am proud to say that I have been out at least once in every single month that has followed, including the “winter” months. We have a great group of officers in our chapter, and they are all working hard to do very good things in the future. As always, we ask for your input on things you want to see the chapter do, and rides you want to take. I know that I am looking forward to a great year. I hope you are as well. One of the areas we want to focus on this year is more riding. We’re working on establishing a pattern of riding on a regular, or not-so-regular basis. The more times we can get out on two (or three) the better. After all, since I’m a ride-aholic, I look for every chance I get to get some #windtherapy.

2017 Calendar

March 14

HOG meeting

April 11

HOG meeting

May 9

HOG meeting

21

Run for the Wall

June 13

HOG meeting

July 11

HOG meeting

August 8

HOG meeting

September 12

HOG meeting

October 10

HOG meeting

November 14

HOG meeting

Let’s Talk Safety Orin A

You have all heard it before. When the biker was asked why do you ride a motorcycle? The biker replied, if I have to explain it to you, you will never understand. Whatever reason you ride, I'm sure it boils down to the feeling of freedom and enjoyment. Wearing safety apparel gets in the way of that feeling, doesn't it. I guess that depends on who you are and past experiences you have survived. I myself used to think that way, but because of a past experience I now enjoy the ride better all geared up. Wear the right gear. Shorts, a T-shirt, and sandals are recipes for a painful disaster on a bike. With today's technologies, gearing up is more comfortable than ever. You want gear that will protect you from wind, flying bugs and debris, and yes, lots of road rash, if you should slide out. For maximum protection, go for a leather or other reinforced jacket, gloves, full pants, and over-the-ankle footwear, even in summer. Specially designed jackets with rugged padding and breathable mesh material provide protection as well as ventilation for riding in warm weather. You’ll also want effective eye protection. Don’t rely on eyeglasses or a bike’s windscreen. Use a helmet with a visor or goggles. Also, keep in mind that car drivers who have hit a motorcycle rider often say they just didn't see them, so choose gear in bright colors. Until next time keep the shiny side up and the rubber side down.

HOG Chapter Manager Scott T—Asst. Manager & Marketing Manager If you have not heard, our Director Andy Williams has stepped down from the chapter for personal reasons. Normally, the assistant director would fill this position but Sue was unable to do so at this time. Dan Hammond, who ran in the last election for director, will become our new director for the Flint Hills Harley Owners Group. Dan has been around Harley Owners Groups for a while and was our road captain last year. Dan will do a great job this year as director. If you have some ideas on rides and what you would like to do, let one of the officers know and let’s get out there and ride. The chapter has a bus trip planned to Prairie Band Casino to help raise money for the Run for the Wall. Check out the enclosed flyer and if you have any questions, contact Karen Connell at 785-210-5864. Please pass the flyer out to your friends that might be interested. Another month has passed and we are out riding and enjoying the ride sooner than planned. We keep getting little teasers that tell us the riding season is here. Stop by City Cycle Sales and meet Bob our new parts and accessories associate. Bob is replacing Aaron, who left the area to be closer to his family. Ride Safe

jmadog Jeff M—City Cycle Sales general manager Posted on March 1, 2015. See more of Jeff’s blog at jmadog.wordpress.com/

The long old road of truth awaits those who ride motorcycles. We somehow find our way to places we think we’ve been only to find this time it’s different. It isn’t always about what we see, but more of what we find. Finding the truth about myself and giving validation to everything that goes on inside this pretty little head of mine is exactly what I need when the moment is right. Sure, sometimes those moments are few and oh, so far between. Winter can be longer and harder for a motorcyclist as we need the constant motion and the tilting of horizons to be plumb again. The less vertical we get our bikes, the more true we feel. It’s all about calibration. “The less vertical we get our bikes, the more true we feel. It’s all about calibration.” When we finally find answers to questions we never asked, it becomes apparent there is more to us than meets the eye. We ride to not only lose ourselves, but also to get an understanding of why we desire to get lost in the first place. Having ridden motorcycles for so many years it has proven itself as a vehicle for answers. What’s over the next hill and around the next curve? My motorcycle will answer that question. How cold is it and how hard is it raining two miles down the road? Yep, you got it. How far is the next gas station and will I make it? I’m confident my motorcycle will let me know the answer to that one. Not every answer is something we want to hear or see for that matter. Those answers to life’s questions come to me in the form of reflection and contemplation. I’ve often said my motorcycle is where I do my best thinking and this remains true. The longer the ride, the further I reflect. Reflection seems to put me on the road to find what I search for internally. I don’t know if we are designed to find all the answers to life’s questions as I think it is the search for these answers that keeps us moving. As long as I’m moving, I’m good. You have your own reasons for riding as I do. Our motorcycles provide us with the stimulation for all our senses and it’s hard to give just one reason. Transportation, recreation, motion and emotion is a lot to expect from our bikes but they handle it well. I can do my best thinking when I’m not thinking about much at all, and I often see more of my surroundings without even looking. An amazing machine for such a simple guy like me.

City Cycle Sales 1021 Goldenbelt Blvd.

Junction City, KS 66441

Hours:

Mon-Friday

8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

Saturday

8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

Closed Sundays

Owner Wayne General Manager Jeff Assistant Manager & Marketing Manager Scott Motorclothes Scott, Michaela, Elke Parts & Accessories Dennis: parts mgr. Collin: parts tech Aaron: parts tech

Finance Rick, Michaela Sales Jeff, Michaela, Rick Service Fred: service writer/mechanic Dean: mgr./lead mechanic DJ: mechanic Joel: mechanic Roger: mechanic

Bookkeeping Trudy Inventory Larry