|
Starved Rock Ride, Sunday April 18 |
It's here!
The 2010 riding season has begun and there's no better way to welcome
it than the club's annual trek to Starved Rock State Park.
Ride there on your own, or better yet, ride with
fellow club members from one of the three departure points below. We
expect to arrive at the park at about 12 noon, and then gather for 1
p.m. brunch at Hank's Farm Restaurant, 2973 N. Ill. Routee 71, Ottawa
(north of Ottawa and south of I-80, just south of Morris Road. The
cost including tip is $17.50 for Hank's brunch buffet including coffee
or ice tea.
Meet at either of three locations with a full
tank of gas at 9 a.m., or earlier if you need time for breakfast,
coffee, restroom stop, etc.
Here are the three locations:
McDonalds, Route 59, Aurora, west side of Route 59,
south of Aurora Ave/New York St., north of Ogden Ave., on the east side
of the Fox Valley mall. Hank and Cindy Barta lead the ride, and will
use GMRS channel 15 for bike-to-bike communication. Contact Hank for GPS
route.
Panera's, 7165 Kingery Hwy. (Route 83), Willowbrook, on the east side of the highway, just south of Plainfield Road. Jerry Sjostrom leads the ride.
Petro Truck Stop, at the Manhattan Road exit from I-57 (exit
335, also called Monee Manhattan Road on Google Maps. Petro is on the
east side of the Interstate. Tim Colburn leads the ride.
|
|
|
Welcome to the Chicago Region BMW Motorcycle Owner's Association! That's a mouthful so I'll just abbreviate it as CR. I have written a "welcome to the club" letter that goes in the new member packets. I've tried to describe what we are about and to list some of the resources they need to know about. I'd like to share that information with present members as well so that you know what I'm trying to convey to new members. I also hope to update existing members on the club resources you should be aware of. Please read on (click 'Read More...' below) for the text of the message.
|
|
Read more...
|
|
|
In order to better serve, the board has formalized some existing committees and formed some new ones. We are seeking association members who are not already on the board to help. This is your opportunity to step forward and make the Chicago Region just that much better. The level of formality in committee organization will vary and it is up to respective chairs to decide if and when they meet and how to communicate to best meet committee goals. Click on 'Read More...' below for a list
of committees. |
|
Read more...
|
|
|
March 11 2010 Meeting Program - Appreciation Dinner |
|
At our March meeting we will recognize those who have gone above and beyond to make the Chicago Region a better club. We will do this after enjoying a catered dinner provided by the same restaurant that provided pizza for our December holiday party. We are encouraging members to bring a dessert as that has worked well in the past. Please feel free to bring loved ones along to share the celebration. You may have heard discussion of a weekend banquet in March, but that plan was not implemented, and the March meeting and Appreciation Dinner is on the regular day and place, but a half-hour earlier, for the March meeting. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience that this change in plans has caused.
In addition to looking back, we will look forward by installing our new board. This will be the first meeting chaired by your new president!
Entertainment will be provided by ... You! I am collecting pictures of events through the year and will put together a slide show that we will run throughout the evening. This will not be a formal presentation, but if you hang out around the screen I'm sure you'll hear some stories about the events at which the pictures were taken. But, we won't have a show if you don't get pictures to me, so please take a moment and send me what you have. I did this last year for a presentation on the MOA rally and was really happy with the pictures I got. Now I need your help with the rest of the year.
I'm sure this is going to be a great evening and I hope that all of you can make it. Once again, the details are:
Time: 7:00 PM (earlier to chat and help.)
Date: Thursday March 11
Place:Elks Club, 711 W. St. Charles Rd, Elmhurst
RSVP:(708) 445-1420 or
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Be there and help get the coming year of to a great start!
Hank Barta,
President-Elect
|
|
|
February 2010 Meeting Program |
|
Today - late January - the streets are salted against the possibility of freezing rain. That makes it a great time to start planning for your upcoming riding season. Your board has planned the February meeting to meet your needs in this area.
- Carey Caldwell is pleased to announce that Teiz Motor Sports will be our guest vendor for the February general meeting offering a demonstration of their innovative riding suits and adventure apparel. Numerous positive comments on many forums have propelled this vendor into the spotlight due to their high quality and extremely competitive pricing. Owner Ghazi Farooq has listened to many riders’ opinions on what makes a successful riding suit or jacket and has implemented these ideas into the line. Learn why the line was created, what makes it different and why it costs 30-50% less than comparative products from other established industry names. You will be able to try on many articles and place orders for product if desired. For a sneak preview of products, visit www.teizms.com.
- Art Laschober has Bob Ritter, MSF Chief Instructor - NIU MC Safety Project Coordinator, coming in to talk about the MSF program.
- A group of movers and shakers has gotten together to plan activities for the year and I'm sure you will want to hear what is in store.
- We are organizing an appreciation banquet for our March meeting and will provide more information at the February meeting.
- We will open officer nominations again and then elect the board that will serve for the rest of the year. (Not to worry if you do not wish to run for office. We appreciate volunteer help as well!)
- Mike Peterson will be delighted to collect your annual dues. Pay now to insure uninterrupted delivery of your newsletter.
This is a meeting not to miss. And who knows but that we might have riding weather by then.
Your Program Director and candidate for President,
Hank Barta |
|
|
January 2010 Meeting Program |
Tempted by the far south? Then
the January meeting is for you.
Prepare to hear myths about Mexico busted at the January 14th club meeting.
For instance, The roads are bad. Not true!
It's dangerous there. Not true.
The food is great! Okay, that one you can believe; it's totally true.
Johnny Scheff, club member and owner of Motoworks Chicago, 1901 S.
Western Ave., Chicago, brings to the January club meeting a dozen or so
slides and a report on his experience of many weeks' and thousands of
miles' riding, on and off road, in Mexico. In sum, he Johnny
finds Mexican travel an experience of challenges and great rewards, and
at relatively little cost.
He will give us an overview of what it's like to ride in Mexico, what
you can expect in terms of the scenery, the society, the roads, the
drivers and the people. He'll also talk about how preparation of
oneself and one's motorcycle, and arrangement of backup systems such as
documents and insurance.
"I'll go over the myths that I've heard people repeat, for instance
that the roads are bad, that it's dangerous, that you're going to die
if you ride a motorycle in Mexico.
"In fact, Mexico is not that dangerous outside of the major cities. The
roads are fantastic, the toll roads are as good an any you'll find in
Europe or the United States.
"And people treat your differently in Mexico. In the United States
motorcycles are considered a nuisance by a lot of people, but in
Mexico, motorcycles and motorcyclists are treated with respect and
courtesy.
"And the roads are fantastic for motorcycling. One day it tooks us 6
hours to ride 200 miles. The road was smooth, and the curves were like
Deals Gap. That's what you get in Mexico--rides like Deals Gap that
last all day."
Johnny will also talk about logistics, supplies you'll need, expectations of other drivers, and expenses.
"I
love the people, I love the food, and I love how affordable it is,"
Johnny said. "I'll spend as much money staying a first class hotels and
eating the best food in Mexico as I do tent camping in the United
States."
The key is to have a working knowledge of good areas to travel, away from the well-traveled tourist zones, Johnny said.
He'll share his knowledge of those subject at the club meeting on January 14.
Sounds like a good meeting to bring a friend, don't you think?
|
|
|
Recent News 
