April 2005 Dinner Meeting at Bunky's

We had a pretty good turnout tonight for the dinner meeting at Bunky’s. If I counted right we had 19 people (13 motorcycles) in attendance including our friends from the C.M.A. We met Ryan for the first time, and a few others semi-new members plus a few of our seldom/ need a while members.

I’d like some feedback from those that couldn’t make it if the location or time was the reason. I know I’ll never please all 50 members, but if I can get a few more of you there by shifting the meeting time 30 minutes later we could probably do that.

The real point of the dinner meetings to get out on a weeknight and get together for a little while. A lot of times on the weekend rides its ride-ride with a few minutes of interaction here and there. Honestly, I could probably run this chapter and get all the information out via e-mail, but I think it’s good to try to meet every once in a while when “the ride” is not the focus for the day.

Okay, here’s what I’ll call minutes for this meeting with a few things thrown in “from what I meant to say.”

- 1^st, we have $40 in the chapter fund. I collected $30.00 from a 50/50 drawing at the last meeting and we got $10.00 from a member who wasn’t at that meeting and made a donation. We didn’t do a 50/50 drawing tonight because mainly because I forgot the tickets.

- I showed off some SCRC merchandise that Marty had ordered (for those that hadn’t seen them)

o If anyone would like to order something from the website let me know. I’ll try to find out if anyone else would like to go in on the $6.00 flat rate shipping cost with you. We’ve done at least three orders in the past.

- John Foisey told us we didn’t miss much at the Charleston Heritage Motorcycle Rally last weekend. I kind of already knew that – stick with us John.

- This weekend we’re going to have a free-for-all weekend. There’s a lot going on and I can’t commit a lot of time so I’m just going to let you what’s going on

o Extreme Sports Yamaha is having their annual Open House. http://www.extremesportsyamaha.com/

§ Free Dyno Runs, Free Hot Dogs, Big Sale

o If anyone would like to attend this event in Darlington let me know – I’ll put you together with the Pee Dee chapter for the day:
Event: Easter Seals Motorcycle Run Buck-A-Cup
Date: Saturday, April 23, 2005
Event Time: 11a.m.
Location: Darlington Raceway, 1301 Harry Byrd Highway, Darlington, SC 29532
Description: The 2nd Annual Darlington County Sheriff's Office Easter Seals Motorcycle Run Buck-A-Cup. This event will raise money for Easter Seals of South Carolina, in conjunction with the annual Buck-A-Cup to Brace a Child campaign. All bikes and riders are welcome! First Bike out at 11 a.m.; Last Bike out at 1 p.m.; Last Bike in at 3 p.m. Drawing & Bike Show from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. The run will start at the Darlington Raceway. Come ride around the track that is "too tough to tame." Prizes will be awarded for the following: best hand, worst hand, and best looking bike. A 50/50 raffle, along with door prizes, will also be offered. Free refreshments will be provided. Please come out and support your local law enforcement.

o Marty and Jeanine will be attending this event, but they’re camping in Greenwood so they’re not riding from Sumter. If you would like to meet them at the event let me know and put you guys together:
”Biker’s Against Diabetes” Poker Run – Starts at Jillian’s on Gervais in Columbia
http://www.diabetes.org/communityprograms-and-localevents/whatslocal-detail.jsp?id=LOCALINFOITEM_287463&zip=29601&title=

o Shawfest: http://www.shaw.af.mil/shawfest/welcome.asp

- April 30th & May 1st

o Sumter ABATE Poker Run - http://abatesc.com/events/motorcycle-rights/2005-04-30.htm

§ Sumter SCRC will likely support this event. More to follow.

o SC Motorcycle Awareness Rally - http://abatesc.com/events/motorcycle-rights/sc-motorcycle-awareness-rally.htm

§ I’ll put out a meeting time for this as well or maybe we can get together with some of the other Sumter groups that are riding to Columbia.

- May 7^th and 8^th – I think this is Mother’s Day weekend. No plans so far, but stay tuned.

- May 13^th – 15^th – the big Sumter SCRC mountain invasion. We’ve got at least eight bikes heading up, staying in Franklin N.C., some members for one night, others for two. Open to all, self-paced. Let me know if you need more information…we’d love to have a good group. We plan on having some fun in the evening too (hanging out, exchanging war stories, etc).

- May 22^nd – We’ll probably head over to the Myrtle Beach Spring Rally as its winding down and people are heading home. We’ll leave Sumter kind of early so we don’t miss it completely. The t-shirts will be on sale and the displays won’t be as crowded.

- Sometime during Memorial Day weekend – long day ride up to Wilmington to visit the Battleship North Carolina. More to come, but it’ll be about a 2.5 – 3 hour ride up. Might be able to get an N.C. chapter to meet us there or for lunch prior.

- Memorial Day weekend – if anyone is considering going to Rolling Thunder up in D.C. let me know.

- June 11^th and 12^th - Gary Ray and myself have talked about trying an Iron Butt ride from Ashville, NC. We haven’t decided for sure, but let me know if you might be interested if we go: http://www.mctourer.com/rides/2005SS1000/index.htm

- There’s talk about an SC SCRC camp out sometime this summer. Nothing firm yet, I’ll keep you posted if it happens.

- June 21^st – 25^th – Mike Worley told us he’s heading to the Honda Hoot - http://www.hondahoot.com/ - if anyone is going and wants to ride with him or get together while up there let me know and I’ll put you together with him. I’ve talked about going to this event at past dinner meetings, but I don’t think I’m going to make it this year.

- Possibly in June we might head back to the mountains to visit a ride idea submitted by Robert – http://www.shadyvalleycountrystore.com/ – more to come – probably a two day trip, more relaxed, possibly geared towards couples, relaxing, sightseeing, shopping, etc

- Sept 28^th to Oct 2^nd – Myrtle Beach Fall Rally. We’ll be staying overnight Friday + Saturday at least. It’s a good time…more to follow. Much more relaxed than the Spring Rally. I’d like to get a central hotel and possibly get other SCRC members (other chapters) to book with us.

- I went over a little safety – changing lanes on a highway.

o When we change lanes on a hwy (like 378) here’s how it should happen…

1) I signal using my blinker and hand signal.

2) I hold the signal as the members in the line start passing it back (I haven’t switched lanes yet)

3) The tail-gunner gets the signal and secures the lane I want to take (I haven’t switched lanes yet and no one else in the pack should have)

4) Once I see the tail-gunner has secured the lane by moving into that lane I will then switch and all should follow me (kind of like a snake would move)

- The only real exception is when a car in front of me is making a right and slowing down considerably. If I can, rather than breaking the pace of the group, I’ll look to see if the lane is clear all the way back to the tail-gunner. If I’m positive all can make the switch together I’ll signal and switch lanes almost simultaneously so we don’t have to slow down.

- I also talked a little about convenience stops. I will usually stop about every 50 miles unless it’s previously discussed that we’re going further. If I go too long and you need to get my attention the best thing to do is wait till we come to a town. About the time that we slow down to (usually as you enter a town in SC you’ll slow to 35 m.p.h.) I’m looking in my rearview to see if anyone is trying to get my attention. Use this as an opportunity to flash your lights or beep your horn

o Of course, if it’s safe to do so, pass some of the group and try to get up to me – that’s sure to get my attention.

That was about it…thanks to those that came out. Mileage for those interested – I always give a 50 mile credit for showing up to a dinner meeting (even in Sumter). Tonight I gave an additional 40 miles for those that rode a motorcycle to Bunky’s.