Volume 25, Issue 2
Editor’s Notes
I attended my first BMWMOCM
meeting in October of 1995. Seems like
a long time ago, though for some of you members I’m still a newcomer. For me, one pillar of our club was always
Ray Nielsen. Long time club secretary
(and other offices, I’m sure), activities coordinator and a Honda rider, Ray
has the proper attitude, I’ve always thought.
Doesn’t matter what you ride, we’re all doing what we love, just being
motorcyclists. I’ve followed Ray to
Grand Rapids, MN, for a fantastic Snowflake Run, and also to Pecatonica, IL,
for the swap meet. He graciously offered
his garage, time and expertise to set up the ScottOiler on my Triumph. Before this starts to sound any more like an
obituary, let me point out that Ray ain’t dead, but has simply decided not to
continue his membership. And that makes
me sad. He continues with his Saturday
morning breakfast get-togethers, and many of us still see him regularly. Still, the club just isn’t the same without
him. Tell Ray we miss him.
I seem to recall doing some riding
about this time last year. This year,
the urge is intensified, as I’ve got a new bike! Well, a used Honda anyway.
Bob (the Agitator) Cox sold me an ’85 XL350R, a clean dual-sport that
will free me from foolish attempts at riding that monstrous Tiger off
road. Boy, does a 350cc single feel
light after that thing! Can you say
hill climbing? My mom owns a 40 acre
gravel pit in southwestern MN, which is where I’m headed this summer to do some
riding where falling off doesn’t hurt as much, and my ten year old boy can
start to ride as well. I’m even
thinking of a bigger fuel tank, and then riding this thing to the Black Hills
alongside the missus on her own ’85 Honda CB450. It might take us two days to get there, but slowing down is
looking good right now. (Must be the
weather…)
Next club
meeting is March 8th, 7:30 p.m. at Motor Oil Café!
March, 2001
President’s Column
Well, it’s only been a month
or so as your new president, and I have learned a few new things about the BMW
Club. Probably the most important is
the incredible group of people making up this club. I walked into this position with some dread (yes, I realize it’s
premature to have that dread take a back seat) and was incredibly relieved to
find that we have an extremely competent Board that you have elected to take
care of the Club’s business. Everyone
really cares about the Club’s well-being, and this has come through loud and
clear in both our Board Meetings as well as the Club Meetings thus far.
We have Nate Birkholz working hard
on firming up the Money Creek Rally (June 1 - 3) for us, and we are in need of
volunteers, and some two-way radios. If you have any or know where we can
borrow some from, please let myself (m.gilbert@ssm.pvt.k12.mn.us) or
Nate know. Feel free to ambush him at
the next meeting (or any other time) and let him know if you’d like to be
involved in any way at the Rally (birkholz@visi.com). It’s a tremendous responsibility for the
organizers, and with all of our help, it might even be an enjoyable experience for Nate!
Let’s hear it for the Generation X’er pickin’ up the slack!!
Michelle Moe has stepped up to the
plate in a big way and has volunteered on many levels above and beyond the call
of duty. She is arranging a kid-care
for the rally, and is getting all sorts of lists set up for us so we can be
updated on how to contact each other for rides, etc. She can be contacted at sandmmoe@webtv.net.
She is also forming a group to plan a “rides” calendar for the upcoming riding
season - and we’ve instituted a plan so that every board member will host a
ride. (If anyone would like to take
over my particular responsibility on that one, well, you can just feel very
free...) Our first planning meeting will take place after the next Board
Meeting on Thurs., March 1 at 7:30 at Motor Oil.
Steffan Fay has turned out to be an
extremely valuable resource for the Club - and in fact, if he doesn’t show up
at the next Club meeting, I’m afraid we won’t have anything to talk about
(kidding)! Not to say these things
haven’t been in place all along - these wonderful resources and people willing
to volunteer their time and energies; it’s just that this is my first real opportunity
to see everyone step up and take action.
It’s a great feeling knowing you’re surrounded by competent individuals
who are willing to jump in and take some responsibility if needed. (I’d like to be able to say that about my
PAID position!) We are lucky, folks,
that we have such a dedicated group of riders who are enthusiastic about this
club. My thanks go out to past
presidents Dale Peterson and Bob Cox, and of course Karol Patzer, for all their
help and advice (and prodding) along the way.
We all need each other to make this club the best it can be.
Feel guilty yet? Volunteer!!
We have the Aerostich Bus Trip to
Duluth coming up soon: Sat., March 24th the bus leaves at 8:30 sharp
from Motor Oil. We’ll be bringing
volunteer signup sheets for the Hiawatha Rally then, so get your pens out! In short, you have motivated me to be the
best communicator I can be, and to encourage and create further channels of
communication. I pledge to glad-hand
and spread info. as best I can, so let’s keep it coming, and by all means,
let’s spread the word about our meetings!
The more members, the merrier!
Molly
Gilbert, President
Secretary’s Minutes
The BMWMOCM meeting
was called to order at 7:35 p.m. by our new president, Molly Gilbert. The meeting began with a Pretenders’ song
and then the new board members were introduced. Welcome all new and prospective members : Adam Taylor, Brooklyn Park 1987 K100RS; Gary
Thom, ’75 R90S and a ’72 R65/5; John Deininger, R1200C; Tom Lupica, ’85 K100RT
and soon to acquire a ’73 R60/5; Tom Compo, Brooklyn Center, an ’82 R65LS
(Molly will trade with you). Tom was a Hiawatha Co-Chair from the 6th
and 7th annual (welcome back!); Jim, an ’82 R100RS and a continuous
member since 1977 (!); and Jeff Feldmeier had a ’78 R100/7 and is looking for a
K-triple or an Airhead.
The
treasurer’s report found the rally fund at $4,034.12 and our operating fund at
852.88. Thanks, Jeff Oden. Our Winter Banquet had 80 people in
attendance, and the cake and hors d’oeuvres were contributed by the club. Thank you Karol and Jerry for all the hard
work – it was very enjoyable.
At the
swap table Bob Cox (what a surprise) has an ’84 R80ST for sale with 19K miles,
asking $3,495. It’s “the best handling
Airhead” and “the cleanest bike Bob has ever tried to sell.” Dave Porter has a new K75S windshield
(stock) for sale, so clean Bob could have owned it. Tom Compo is looking for a tank bag. Jerry Dubrall brought in some old MOA mags (free) and old
catalogs. Adam Taylor is looking for an
owner’s manual for his ’87 K100RS.
At the
last board meeting it was decided to keep an updated roster, available to
members, so that they can contact one another.
Please check the roster to make sure all of your information is current. If you do not wish to be included, please
indicate this on the new roster. There
is a plea for renewal of membership – there are 40-50 people who need to
renew. Welcome packets, including a
current newsletter, application and welcome letter from the president will be
sent to all prospective members. Dale Peterson
has agreed to take on this task. The
March 1st board meeting will be the first annual ride planning
meeting. All members are encouraged to
pick a date and a meeting place to host a ride for club members. The list will be made available to all members,
and we will also reinstate the “Meet to Eat” rides once a week. Just pick a favorite restaurant and a date
and people will show up. This is a
wonderful way to meet people, says Dale Peterson. Sheldon Moe will put reach week’s destination on the club
hotline.
The
Rally at Money Creek is fast approaching.
Contracts with Bud at Money Creek Haven have beent taken care of, the
band City Mouse is expected to play again, and Dave Porter has agreed to be the
Master of Ceremonies. There will be a
women’s ride, kiddie games and all of the usual fanfare. Volunteers are encouraged to sign up for a
shift.
A trip
to the Aerostich factory has been organized.
Same as last year, a bus wo;; take everyone, and places fill up fast so
get your money in. The date is March 24th,
departing at 8:30 a.m., with a stop for eats each way, with 2-3 hours at
Aerostich. Departure is from Motor Oil
Café, the cost is $20, and remember – 10% discount on all purchases when there.
New from
other clubs : the Norton Owner’s Club
meets every first Thursday at Dulono’s at Lyndale and Lake Streets, for all
bike enthusiasts. The Two-Stroke
Owner’s Club meets the 2nd Thursday of each month at the Triple Rock
Club, Cedar Ave at I-94. [See inside
for info about the Rolling Thunder ride as well.]
The
Motorcycle Show, according to Adam Taylor, was very cool. The Roadster is now cheaper and the R1100RS
is in limited production. Nate talked
with a Yamaha rep who says the FJR1300 will be coming to the US.
You can
now download current and previous newsletters.
Postage is one of our biggest expenses so if you choose to download only
you can save us some money. At our web
site the password is BOXER (non-cap sensitive). Bart reminded us that the newsletter deadline is the 21st
of the month, and offered his job to anyone willing to take over.
Motor
Oil Café personnel were introduced, Rick, Mark and Zach – thank you for
everything. Tom Roe has volunteered to
coordinate the mileage contest this year – thanks, Tom. A new category was added last year, closest
to goal, which will be continued.
Mileage is accumulated through the riding season on BMW motorcycles.
Kevin Kocur proposed a MN State Parks contest similar to the Team Strange “I’ve
Been Everywhere” contest of last year.
A Rally
planning meeting will be held on March 15th at 8 p.m. at Motor Oil –
please join us. If you are going to the
National Rally (July 19-22) and do not wish to ride that far, you can load your
bike on the train in Chicago and go from there. More info available on the BMWMOA web site. The BMWRA Rally will be September 20-23 in
Morganton, NC. The Internet BMW Riders
gathering is April 15th in Branson, MO.
Michelle Moe, Secretary
RALLY REPORT
As
of February 20th, the Hiawatha Rally is coming along swimmingly! We will once
again be at Money Creek Haven, of course, and Leo's South has once again
graciously offered to provide demo rides for us to get our greedy hands on!
City Mouse will be the band once more, and things are shaping up to be a grand
old time.
Dave
Porter has agreed to be the master of ceremonies at Saturday's awards, so we
know everyone will laugh till the beer comes out their noses. Darrell Penning
has agreed to be head of security for the rally, and I'm sure he'd appreciate a
little assistance making sure things don't get out of hand. Speaking of getting
out of hand, club secretary Michelle Moe and her assistant Mallory are going to
be in charge of the kids' activities
this year, but Michelle sure could use a hand; anyone who likes to work with
kids would be welcome, even if it's only a suggestion for some activities to
keep the kids entertained.
Bob
Cox and his lovely assistant Mike Lipke will be leading a dual-sport ride
through the surrounding area, and we will once again have the ever-popular
Poker run. We also are working on other rides to show off the natural beauty of
Minnesota and the man-made beauty of twisty roads!
While
we have a bunch of stuff in hand, we could really use help with some more
chairpersons! We need someone to run the field events, someone to head up the
coffee committee (involving lots of wrestling matches to get folks to work the
coffee machine), a Door Prizes leader, and, of course, we'll need plenty of
volunteers to work the registration table!
Please
give me a call at 612.825.0612 to volunteer. I can't believe it's already
February, so June ain't far off!
Nate Birkholz, Rally Co-Chair
OTHER RALLIES
In
addition to our upcoming rally, there are going to be lots of fun rallies
starting in April! If you are going to a rally, let me know and I'll get you a
flier to post at other rallies announcing our upcoming shindig!
IOWA RALLY
- Thursday through Sunday, 7-10 June, pre-registration is $27 & $30 at the
gate. Rally fee includes hog roast on
Thursday, chili feed on Friday and steak dinner on Saturday; "traditional
Iowa Rally beverages" 24 hrs. a day;
field events, bands on Friday and
Saturday nights; Award Ceremony
Saturday - and more to come. The Iowa folks are good neighbors and they put on
one heck of a rally, so be sure to join them!
Club Rides
We all ride, we all
know of places we like to ride to. Why
not share? Your opportunity will start
at the march 1st board meeting (or at the March 8th
general meeting if you can’t make that).
You need not be a board member to plan a ride – you do not even have to
be particularly organized yet. Pick a
date and a meeting place for now – it’s that easy! Then begin the planning.
Not sure what to do? Ask a
friend. Maybe a full ride is not what
you are comfortable leading. We all
eat, we all know of places we like to eat, so let’s share them. A
“Meet to Eat” is a very easy way to start. Let’s make this a fun riding season with many opportunities to
get together – that’s what we’re all about.
If you cannot make either meeting, call Michelle Moe at 763.323.4932 and
get your name on the calendar. Happy
planning!
Rolling Thunder Ride for Freedom XIV
I was
asked to promote the annual Ride for Freedom, honoring our POW-MIA’s. The event takes place Memorial Day Weekend
in Washington, D.C. (May 27th), with a ride at noon through
Washington to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, to pay respects to our brothers
and sisters, and for the full accounting of all POW-MIA’s. There will be speeches and music at the
Reflecting Pool as well. Last year,
over 250,000 bikes and hundreds of
thousands of people attended.
All veterans organizations and citizens are welcome. If you don’t ride be at the Vietnam Veterans
Memorial at noon. Everyone must wear a
helmet (“no attitudes”) and no alcoholic beverages allowed in the North
Pentagon parking lot.
Also,
the MMRA Vets Charity Ride is Sunday, June 10, meeting at the Elk River VFW on
Hwy 101 between 169 and I-94. The ride
starts at noon sharp, please bring your flags.
