The Monthly Newsletter of the Jerseypine Cruisers Motorcycle Touring Club

September

2013

Great Roads-Great Ride-Great Company-Great Week!

The Jerseypine Cruisers Motorcycle Touring Club, 20 members and 3 invited guests, on tour in the vicinity of

the Smoky Mountains the week of August 3rd to the 10th, 2013.

Some found companionship on the ride.

The The Smoky Mountain Trip

The smoke has settled on the S.M.O.K.Y. Mountain all

inclusive 7-day Back Road Ramble. 23 people on 19

bikes , riding 1756 miles with no break downs, no

accidents, no one lost, and only one 'U-ALL' turn, not

too shabby. The weather man tried to get us almost

every day but, except for a few miner sprinkles, we

managed to stay ahead of the rain . Everyone enjoyed

the back roads, which for some was their first time, and

for others, another notch on their belt. At each

evening's meal the laughter was lively and enjoyed by

everyone and all had something to contribute. As we

left each morning to head out on the new days ride, for

some strange reason there all ways seemed to be a few

people

from either the Hotel or Restaurant standing around

with a blank look in their eyes and mumbling to them

self while pointing at us. I do have a vivid memory of a

tour bus driver in Gatlinburg, banging his head on the

steering wheel and crying "why me Lord , why

me ". Over all I think the ride went very well , Everyone

had a good time, the roads were fun and, most

importantly, all made it home safe and

sound.

Refreshing swim after a challenging riding day.

One of many scenic roadside stops.

I would like to give a special THANK YOU to Arline for her help in understanding my easy going sparkling personally.

This group obviously went blind from the sun!

Also to my support group , Bill Lindwall, Steve Penczak, Joe Fiedler, Rick Tymczuk and Don Kreusch. Without their help, all day, every day , this ride would not have been possible. Most of all to everyone who participated in the ride, you done yourself and the club proud. Thank You .

Bob & Arline Graeff, Event Chairman (and the

women that did all the work)

P.S. No trees were killed in the posting of this message, but a large number of electrons were inconvenienced.

Receiving words of wisdom from Madam President.

Our leader showing that he is always willing to listen to construction criticism.

Some of us made new friends.

Some met up with old friends.

Some were just "In Their Glory".

Some may have discovered their true calling in life.

Mandatory scenic photo #1 as proof we were there.

Mandatory scenic photo #2 as more proof we were there.

Some of the lesser known, but still nice local scenery.

Cruisers' at the Deals Gap starting point.

Cruisers' after riding the "Tail of the Dragon" at Deals Gap.

Rare photo of Bob smiling.

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Comfort Stop.

Who woke Bob up?

Rare photo of Cruisers' eating.

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View From the Side

The “dragon slayers” are back with tales to

tell! The Smoky Mountain Trip was

extremely successful. Bob Graeff and Bill

Lindwall are to be commended for a job

well done and for ordering extremely good

weather! While we were in two riding

groups, we essentially traveled as one large

group throughout the week. We were able

to move through several large towns very

effectively as one group. Bob led the first

group with Rick Tymczuk in the middle

position and Bill sweeping that group.

Steve Penczak led the second group with

Dave Kreusch in the middle and Joe Fiedler

sweeping. There was very good

communication between the two groups.

Ken and I were positioned near the end of

the second group and it was awesome to

watch the group ride better and better

throughout the week as the group of

motorcycles flowed effortlessly through the

curves. This is one event that will be talked

about for years to come! If you were unable

to join the group, but find yourself in the

Smoky Mountain area in the future, talk to

Bob about what roads to travel – there

were some excellent roads. If you’re a

Facebook user, be sure to search for the

Jerseypine Cruisers page and watch the

videos that are on the page to experience

some of the roads.

A week after being back, Joe Fiedler led a

Trifecta of events. On Friday, August 16th,

the group headed to Burlington, WI for

lunch at the Charcoal Grill. On Saturday the

group left at noon for a dinner run to

Sunrise Restaurant in Loves Park. On

Sunday the group left early for breakfast in

Rochelle. Three days of some great back

road riding and eating. It just doesn’t get

better than that! Thank you Joe for

planning routes for these three days.

It wouldn’t be August without the Sunrise

Memorial run. As is the tradition, we left

Des Plaines at o’dark-thirty for the ride to

Montrose Harbor to witness the sunrise.

There was a large group of 26 bikes that

joined Mike O’Malley and Mike Lisciandrello

for the event at the lakefront.

The attendees were given a thorough

explanation of the Lakota Indian ceremony

and witnessed the swallowing of the

sardine by Mr. O’Malley. After the

ceremony, we had the reading of the names

to honor those Cruisers who have gone

before us. We remembered our friends and

celebrated their lives and influence on our

lives.

We had the planning meeting for our 2014

calendar at our August membership

meeting. While members volunteered to

chair several events on next year’s calendar,

there is room for more events. At this time,

no one volunteered to chair an event on

New Year’s Day or a party in December.

Please consider adding your name to the

calendar for one of these events so that

these long-standing traditions and

enjoyable events may continue in 2014. We

will be adding events to the calendar at the

September meeting. If you are not

attending, let a Board member know that

you have something to add and we'll get it

on the proposed calendar.

We start off the month of September with

the Surprise Weekend in Door County.

While they are keeping the “surprises” to

themselves, I am sure that George

Barrington and Bob Wagner will have more

than one surprise for the attendees. Door

County always has lots of great riding

opportunities, plenty of shopping and many

places to eat. Have a great time in Door!

The following weekend on September 14th,

there will be the Balltown lunch run, which

is a day ride being led by Ken McCall and Bill

Lindwall. The ride leaves the Marengo truck

stop at 8 a.m. for a scenic ride to Balltown,

Iowa to have a delicious lunch at

Breitbach’s. The ride will end in Hampshire

in late afternoon after a great day of back

road riding. All the details are on the JPC

website.

The month of September will end with

Ladies Game Night being held at the

Velazquez house. This one is only for the

ladies of the club whether they are

members or significant others of the

members. Shirlee and Lois Mendel have an

evening of games, food and prizes planned.

Come and bond with the ladies! The details

are on the website.

See you down the road…

Sandy

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Reports From the Board

Oakton Place Grandparent's Day Celebration Oakton Place 1660 Oakton Place Des Plaines, IL 60016 Sunday September 8th 2013 1:00pm-4:00pm Featuring: “What my Grandchildren should know. Military “Show and Tell” 9/11 Remembrance Event Des Plaines American Legion Post #36 Has been invited to participate with the City of Des Plaines at Des Plaines City Hall 1420 Miner St Des Plaines, IL 60016 Time 8:00am-8:30am Ride for Autism Speaks Chicago Sunday September 15 2013 Time 8:30am Fox River Harley Davidson St Charles, IL All Riders who register by Friday September 6th

will receive a commemorative 11th Annual Ride for Autism Speaks event T-Shirt. the after party

begins at 1:30 back at Fox River Harley Davidson

Linda Czyz, Community Relations VP

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Mike O'Malley and his trusty steed.

UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH MIKE O'MALLEY

Sergeant @ Arms

Q. When did you begin riding? A. 1975

Q. What was your first motorcycle? A. Five year old 1970 Honda 350 (won in a poker game)

Q. How many motorcycles have you owned? A. Five

Q. How many motorcycles do you currently own? A. One

Q. When and where was your first long distance motorcycle trip? A. 1985 Dallas to Chicago and back

Q. What was your favorite long distance motorcycle trip? A. Summer of 2011 Chicago - Montana - Yellowstone - Glacier Park - Sturgis...Chicago

Q. Where were you born? A. Elgin, IL.

Q. If you have a significant other or spouse, what is her name? A. Pat...married for 35 years

Q. Children (if any) and their ages A. Mike...31 and Chrissy...27

Q. Grandchildren (if any) and their ages A. Ali...11 months

Q. Where do you live (town only) and how long have you lived there? A. Elgin...off and on all of my life with time off in Dallas, Hartford and the US Marine Corps

Q. How did you become aware of the JPC? A. Chicago Motorcycle Events website

Q. Year you became a member of the JPC? A. Not sure. I was a brown card for about three years and then joined in maybe 2006?

Q. What is your favorite current JPC event? A. Sunday at McDonald's

Q. What is your favorite past JPC event? A. Midnight Tour

Q. How have you been active in the JPC? A. President, Chairman, Color Guard, Public Relations, Sergeant at Arms, Chairman - Annual Fund Raiser, Chairman - Sunrise Memorial Ride, Chairman - Mini Golf Tournament

Q. Explain why motorcycling is important to you. A. Remote destinations...risk and reward...solitude and camaraderie...service...memories.

Q. What do you like best about being a Jerseypine Cruiser? A. Being accepted by a family of riders and friends many of whom have far greater experience and skills than I.

Q. What is your favorite color? A. Harley Orange

Q. What is your favorite movie? A. Top Gun

Q. What is your favorite food? A. Anything within reach

Q. What is your least favorite food? A. There is no such thing.

Q. Please include any other "interesting" facts about yourself that are appropriate for printing in the Cruisin' Times.

I play tournament checkers, contract bridge and pinochle. I was a member of the 1967 Augustana College National Debate Team. My Spanish language book, Building Bridges, is registered with the Library of Congress. My sweet tenor voice is preserved for posterity on a recording of the 1965 State High School Choir. I failed Lutheran alter boy training in the sixth grade.

Respectfully submitted by

Lynn Vicker, Chapter Management VP

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Calling All JPCs! Take the Opportunity to Promote Your Club!

How’s that you may ask? One suggestion—remember to wear your vest on our

Sunday morning rides! It’s been great to see folks wearing their JPC vests on our Sunday morning rides. And, just in case someone at breakfast asks you why everyone in the group is wearing such a unique and snazzy vest, I’ve written up a small cheat sheet for you. So, here you go, this is my list of the top 5 reasons why you wear the JPC vest with pride:

REASON #5 You are an active member of the Jerseypine Motorcycle community and enjoy the camaraderie of riding with a great group of people. REASON #4 You enjoy riding with a group that welcomes riders of various skill levels and encourages them to become better riders. REASON #3 You appreciate the warm welcome riders receive from the Cruisers regardless of the make, model, color, or accessories they’ve chosen as their ride.

REASON #2 You like to hear about, and pass along to others, some great riding routes. The JPCs have traveled these routes far and wide half the fun is hearing their crazy stories of adventure, and/or misadventure, along the way. REASON #1 You know that those other riders in their JPC vests won’t leave you stuck on the side of the road if your bike, or you, needs some help getting back to home base. . . or heaven-forbid. . . to a hospital!

So. . . fellow Cruiser. . . just drop this cheat-sheet in your saddle-bag and give it to the next person who asks about your vest or who doesn’t know about the Jerseypine Cruisers but might want to ride with us!

GREAT JOB! THANKS!

Aug 16, 17, 18-Joe Fiedler's Trifecta-3 days and 3 rides Aug 18-Breakfast ride to Sycamore-Frank Wenzon Aug 25 -Memorial Run & Sunrise Breakfast-Mike O'Malley I'm not sure where Joe's rides all went to so I think Trifecta says it all. Thanks again,

Joyce Pavelko, Individual Involvement VP

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From the Eagle Feather of Iron Horse

The memorial sunrise run was blessed with pristine

weather and bleary eyed bikers who gathered at 0

Dark Thirty at McDonald’s for a run down the

Kennedy expressway, through Lower Wacker Drive,

up LSD and out to the point at Montrose Harbor.

We easily beat the sun to the spot and were

comfortably sipping coffee and munching on fresh

baked pastries…including I might add for the

record, blueberry scones prepared by Mrs. Iron

Horse.

As the sun rose over the edge of the lake and was

reflected off of the Chicago skyline, Iron Horse, the

self-proclaimed Shaman of the Lakota tribe

presided over a rare Indian ritual celebrating life,

liberty and the pursuit of raw fish. My able

assistant Michael was a great help in summoning

the spirits but was a little weak in the blood

sacrifice department.

After we concluded our rituals we moved on to the

more solemn portion of the morning and

remembered those of our friends who have passed

on ahead and are arranging parking for us who will

inevitably follow…hopefully later rather than

sooner. We wrapped things up at the lake front

and mounted up for the ride north. Counting those

who joined us at Montrose Harbor we had around

25 bikes.

The ride north followed the twists and turns of

Sheridan road. We enjoyed the still comfortable

morning temperatures and light breeze and made

sure we woke up all the rich folks along the way. I

do enjoy riding through the Loyola and

Northwestern campuses. The young ladies in their

jogging attire make one wish for their youth.

We ended the morning at the Full Moon

restaurant where we enjoyed a great breakfast,

visited, checked out all of the other bikes in the lot

and eventually all went our separate ways. I last

saw a small contingent headed north for

Wisconsin.

Thanks again,

Mike O'Malley, Event Chairman

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Handing over the check from The Ride for Autism Fundraiser

Cruisers' Chowing-down after the Sunrise Run

Sep 6-8 - Surprise Campout - Barrington/Wagner

Sep 14 - Balltown Lunch Run - McCall/Lindwall

Sep 19 - Old Farts Coffee - Funky Java - Villa Park

Sep 24 - JPC Board / Membership Meeting, 7:30 p.m. at Des Plaines Elks Club.

Oct 6 - Breakfast Ride - Joe Fiedler

Oct 12 & 13 -Color Tour - Bill Lindwall/Ken McCall

Oct 18 - Old Farts Coffee - Funky Java - Villa Park

Oct 23 - JPC Board / Membership Meeting, 7:30 p.m. at Des Plaines Elks Club.

Oct 26 - Mini Color Tour - Joe Fiedler

August Birthdays

Don Schenk 8/29

September Birthdays

Rick Tymczuk 9/01

Bob Crosson 9/13

September

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