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THE DRESSER NEWS www.harleydressers.com Volume 33, Issue 3 Published Since 1977 October 2011 Cumberland, MD Fall Rally September 20 th was a Tuesday. It must have been a good day, because about 74 Harley Dresser Riders showed up in LaVale, Mary- land for our Fall Rally. We all know that large attendance does not measure the success of the rally. Any number of Dresser Riders in the same place is a guaranteed success for sure. Accommodations at the Best Western were, I thought, very nice. The Harley Shop was directly across the street. Although they didn‟t have any discount on parts or clothes, their shop rates were considerably lower than most of us are used to. A few members had repairs done and seemed quite happy with the work and friendly service. It seemed funny that our week of activities started on a Wednesday, when usually this is when it‟s half over. Just a little adjusting and everything was fine. The building next to us was a nice eatery. Usually the first night everyone tries the closest restaurant and then quickly looks for alternatives. On the contrary, Geyhauf‟s was, I thought, excellent and we also had our banquet there on Friday evening. Wednesday a.m. after drivers‟ meeting we headed off for an adventure at Deep Creek and Swallow Falls State Park. Later lunch at Penn Alps Restaurant. Guess we will remember that one. Grey skies and rain threats didn‟t deter any from the ride. A hearty bunch f or sure. Thursday was more of the same and the resilient group pressed on. We headed to Flight 93 Memorial in Shanksville, PA. Hard to imagine what they may have been thinking in those final moments. God Bless them. Bedford Village was on the way back to the hotel for those who chose to see its‟ quaintness. Friday went to downtown Cumberland. Short Group ride. We had an entertaining guide to show us around this old History Town. Did I mention it was a little more than Grey Skies? We toured Churches, Museums and to much surprise a knitting shop, which seemed to capture the attention of quite a few members. Bobby was spotted there a couple of times, I really don‟t want to speculate. As I mentioned our entertaining Guide came to our banquet and serenaded us with Broadway Musical hits. We had no idea that our Friend Bill was a regular Siskel and Eibert on Broadway hits, and its‟ trivia. Weather reports were not what you would call “spot on”. They were predicting 1 – 3 inches of rain for the area on the weekend. We had a sched- uled ride to Seneca Rocks on Saturday. We decided to leave a little early. Mum and I made the six hundred mile trek on the Road Glide back to Boston unscathed in about 10 hours. It was lots of fun and sorry if you couldn‟t make the rally. Kudos to the “B-Team”! They handled the week‟s events and situations as though they have been doing it for years. It was nice to see Leonard, the years have not changed him. He adapts well. Next time at a rally, find Frank, he can enlighten you on the Nature habits of the Moth. We hope he is well. I am trying to fill in for Eileen on this Newsletter. I think Eileen and I have a little different writing approach. I think when you finish reading Eileen‟s you didn‟t miss any information and it was like you were there. Mine, on the other hand, likes to leave a lot of blanks, and hopefully makes you want to come back and see what you might have missed…either way, we want you back!!! CW (Charlie Hicks)
Transcript
Page 1: THE DRESSER NEWS - harleydressers.comharleydressers.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/OCT-2011.pdf · The Dresser News is published by The International Harley Dressers Touring Association,

THE DRESSER NEWS

www.harleydressers.com

Volume 33, Issue 3 Published Since 1977 October 2011

Cumberland, MD Fall Rally September 20th was a Tuesday. It must have been a good day, because about 74 Harley Dresser Riders showed up in LaVale, Mary-land for our Fall Rally. We all know that large attendance does not measure the success of the rally. Any number of Dresser Riders in the same place is a guaranteed success for sure. Accommodations at the Best Western were, I thought, very nice. The Harley Shop was directly across the street. Although they didn‟t have any discount on parts or clothes, their shop rates were considerably lower than most of us are used to. A few members had repairs done and seemed quite happy with the work and friendly service.

It seemed funny that our week of activities started on a Wednesday, when usually this is when it‟s half over. Just a little adjusting and everything was fine. The building next to us was a nice eatery. Usually the first night everyone tries the closest restaurant and

then quickly looks for alternatives. On the contrary, Geyhauf‟s was, I thought, excellent and we also had our banquet there on Friday evening.

Wednesday a.m. after drivers‟ meeting we headed off for an adventure at Deep Creek and Swallow Falls State Park. Later lunch at Penn Alps Restaurant. Guess we will remember that one. Grey skies and rain threats didn‟t deter any from the ride. A hearty bunch for sure.

Thursday was more of the same and the resilient group pressed on. We headed to Flight 93 Memorial in Shanksville, PA. Hard to imagine what they may have been thinking in those final moments. God Bless them.

Bedford Village was on the way back to the hotel for those who chose to see its‟ quaintness.

Friday – went to downtown Cumberland. Short Group ride. We had an entertaining guide to show us around this old History Town. Did I mention it was a little more than Grey Skies? We toured Churches, Museums and to much surprise a knitting shop, which seemed to capture the attention of quite a few members. Bobby was spotted there a couple of times, I really don‟t want to speculate.

As I mentioned our entertaining Guide came to our banquet and serenaded us with Broadway Musical hits. We had no idea that our Friend Bill was a regular Siskel and Eibert on Broadway hits, and its‟ trivia.

Weather reports were not what you would call “spot on”. They were predicting 1 – 3 inches of rain for the area on the weekend. We had a sched-uled ride to Seneca Rocks on Saturday. We decided to leave a little early. Mum and I made the six hundred mile trek on the Road Glide back to Boston unscathed in about 10 hours. It was lots of fun and sorry if you couldn‟t make the rally.

Kudos to the “B-Team”! They handled the week‟s events and situations as though they have been doing it for years.

It was nice to see Leonard, the years have not changed him. He adapts well.

Next time at a rally, find Frank, he can enlighten you on the Nature habits of the Moth. We hope he is well.

I am trying to fill in for Eileen on this Newsletter. I think Eileen and I have a little different writing approach. I think when you finish reading Eileen‟s you didn‟t miss any information and it was like you were there. Mine, on the other hand, likes to leave a lot of blanks, and hopefully makes you want to come back and see what you might have missed…either way, we want you back!!! CW (Charlie Hicks)

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STUFF FROM Jan & Eileen

If you do not get a dues notice with this newsletter

your dues were pre-paid for 2012.

Dues are due Dec. 31st and can be paid in advance

for as long as you want. $25 per year.

Separate checks are not required for rally fees, raf-

fle tickets & dues. You can use one check.

We thank those that brought door prizes.

Membership cards. You no longer receive a new

one each year. If you lose yours it can be replaced.

Replacement name tags are available for $8. If

yours needs repair please see Jan.

Please update email address & Phone #’s any time

you have a change. Glenn Massey was our first international mem-ber from France; He now lives in Thailand and still rides.

The Dresser News is published by The International Harley Dressers Touring Association, Inc. Advertising in the Dresser News is free to all members. Please mail / email articles, pictures and for sale/trade/wanted items in Microsoft Word format (if you don’t have Word any format is ok). Member contributions are encouraged. We reserve the right to edit all submissions as needed for formatting. Please send all contributions to Jan at the address listed below. Please notify Barbara about Sunshine & Sympathy info. Corporate Address Sunshine & Sympathy Trustees Harley Dressers Barbara Megee Joe & Jan Travis 865-607-1422 1549 Cherry Brook Drive P.O. Box 82 Joe & Eileen Rogers 845-623-4914 Dandridge, TN 37725 Colonial Beach, VA 22443 Rally Trustees 865 607-1422 804-224-0537 George & Ineke Pierpoint 914-693-6921 [email protected] [email protected] Andy Ramult & Nancy Wrede 302-736-1659 Webmaster Gaylord Coston Safety Officer Rich Feehan Jim & Jean Gagnon 440-796-3257 [email protected] [email protected]

From The Trustees

Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of you &

your families that are having medical problems or

have lost loved ones.

I really appreciated C.W.’s article on Eagles Wing. I felt he was writing to me. Ed and I missed so many won-derful people at the Rally’s for varied reasons, but with dying we know we will not see them at a rally, but hopefully one day again. I’m doing ok, miss my man very much, the house is empty, no one to come home to. My hours are filled with many memories of our fun times especially you our Dresser Family. I have en-closed my check for the raffle, hope one of my neph-ews win. I anxiously await the newsletters. Dorie Hartman

I often think of the friends I met over the years and the many good times, with lots of memories. I wish I was able to come to rallies I am still able to sell raffle tick-ets. Just be sure to let me know who won. Cassie Kochel

Thank you for the fruit basket and the sympathy cards. January 29

th, David went to the hospital with

angina, three days later they said he had leukemia and we went to the hospital in Nashville where he took a week of chemo. We had a lot of hope that he would get better, but it wasn’t meant to be. He died on March 3rd. We only attended 3 rallies, but we enjoyed meet-ing everybody, had a real good time and we enjoyed reading the Dresser News. David loved riding his Harley. You’re a great bunch of people! Sincerely, Alice Moles and Family.

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For Sale Jim Reiss’ 1994 FLHTCU Harley – black w/ Multi colored striping and and designs – 13,762 miles - excellent condition - flashing bar/shield lights, teakwood and rosewood on tank and dash - with Bike Cover. Black trailer - same color striping – hand painted Bald Eagle in oil - extra trailer tire. – $11,000 for both. Sally Reiss 610-264-0991

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Pikeville, KY – Are We There Yet ?

The Dressers like to visit new and different places during rallies, and we had not been to Kentucky since Bardstown. Why not visit hillbilly coun-try? Pikeville County is in the Appalachians in eastern Kentucky, with twisty roads, mountains and „hollers‟, country music and coal mines through-out the area. The terrain is similar to former rally sites in Helen, Ga and Marlinton, WV. Let‟s see, we will head south and west from New York through Cumberland, MD. Then due south through WV into Pikeville. That was the last of knowing what direction we were heading. Pikeville and the surrounding roads twist, a lot, and when a local person points south, you may have to go north first to get there. It took four days to get a sense of direction. But that‟s what makes a new place interesting.

Members arrived early, and settled in at the hotel to visit and catch up with friends. Registration was in Room 410, which was difficult to find, as the lady at the front desk with her Kentucky accent said to go to „four-teen‟ (four- ten). The rooms only went up to 412. The people couldn‟t be more friendly in Pikeville, and it was nice to talk to locals and learn about their hometown. The population is about 8,500. Pikeville had a 15-year cut-through project to reroute the river, railroad and 4-lane highway to control flooding. The main industry is coal mining throughout the area. Many well known country singers have called Pike County, KY home: Loretta Lynn, Patty Loveless, Dwight Yoakum, the Judds, Crystal Gayle, Billy Ray Cyrus, Keith Whitley, Gary Stewart and many more. One of our local acquaintances said that Eastern Kentucky‟s mountain music is a part of families here, and everyone plays musical instruments or sings at an early age. Sunday rained hard; members coming in got wet. Week was hot hot hot , and so was the rest of the East Coast. Monday was a ride lead by Gay-lord Coston to Breaks State Park on the border of Kentucky and Virginia. We had a picnic lunch of Quiznos and watermelon in a serene mountain forest setting. The threat of rain held off and the overcast kept it cool. Skip Megee and Dan Smith did a fine carving job on the watermelons. The Hoerr‟s, the Tennessee Snyder‟s and Dave Colbert had their own adventure that day, as they rode on their own relying on Dave‟s GPS. It doesn‟t work in the hills and hollers of KY and they got lost. Dead end road barking unfriendly dogs. Seriously lost! Tom gave up a small part of his leg fending off the dogs. They were so lost we are still not sure if they were Kentucky dogs or Virginia dogs.

Our Annual Membership Meeting was held Monday night. Thanks were given to our support team, Ed Lyons who designs our rally shirts, Bar-bara Megee, our Sunshine Lady, our rally trustees who assist at rallies, Jim & Jean Gagnon who also host our annual Christmas Party in Gettys-burg, Andy Ramult and Nancy Wrede & George & Ineke Pierpoint, our Safety Officer, Rich Feehan, our webmaster, Gaylord Coston, and Sandi Hicks who now makes our longevity award certificates. We currently have 311 members with 134 couples and 37 singles. New members were welcomed: Max & Nancy Coburn, Gar Arnett Jr. and his wife Julie Sharp, Julian & Harriet Cabaniss, Sandy & Wanda Cassarino, Jimmy Kinney & Glenda Rhea, Frank & Diane Maringo and Bill & Julia Spears. Members in the room were polled to see who recruited the most new members. Bruce Rudis & his NY team signed up the most with eight. He was rewarded with a HD $50 gift certificate. Gaylord Coston gave a briefing on the updated website with new pictures, links and information. Details of the upcoming rally in Cumberland were presented and the 2012 rally sites were announced. Our rallies will be in New Philadelphia, OH in July 2012, and in the Lake George area, NY in September 2012. The status of the raffle was discussed. Top raffle ticket sellers were Dick Adams with 9 books, and Phil Ruby with 6 books. We barely broke even in 2010 and again in 2011. The cost of the new bike has increased, and raffle ticket sales have decreased. If the raffle is not profitable it cannot be continued. Cash on hand $11,921.32 - Sales Inventory $1,714.00 - Harley Stock $45,510.85 - Asset Inventory $3,987.95 Net Worth $63,134.12

Rides during the week were „small group rides on your own‟ with mapped routes to places like Warfield, WV, Climbing Rock State Park, the Hatfield and McCoy Tour (with a CD to tell the story as you go) of where the ongoing feud took place near towns called, Tug River, Sprigg & McCarr. We visited Loretta Lynn‟s birthplace in Butcher Hollar (way back in!) Some tried to go on Sunday and got flooded out. Loretta‟s brother gave the tour of the family homestead. Staying on numbered roads still brought you into very rural little traveled areas. There were some very „difficult‟ driveways along the way, steeply dropping off the edge of the road, or jutting just as steeply upward. Do people get in and out of here? They must not have Harley dressers navigating these driveways. The curves kept your attention, especially with hairpin turns and steep drop-offs with no guardrails. The road to Interstate Breaks Park was a lot like the Dragon in Tennessee, Cell didn‟t work out of town, and neither did Dave Colbert‟s GPS.

Our rally banquet on Friday evening was held at the Landmark Hotel. The anticipation of the raffle drawing always makes for excitement during the dinner. Our guests of the evening were Dallas Layne, City Commissioner of Pikeville, who presented a key to the City to Joe and Jan; Melanie Stevens, Director of Economic Development, Pikeville; and Jimmy Kinney and Glenda Rhea. Jimmy organizes an annual motorcycle fundraiser ride to the Shriner‟s Hospital in Lexington, KY each year with proceeds going to the Hospital. We presented our $500. charity donation to the Pike-ville Childrens Park, by way of the Jimmy Kinney Pikeville Handicap Park Fund. This year‟s Trustee Awards were presented to Rich Feehan for his ride and leadership support, and to Charlie Hicks for his insight and support to our members. Skip and Dottie Megee ran the 50/50 with the help of Jimmy Kinney ( if you bought your tickets from Jimmy you got a lot more of them ) and Karyn Franklin won $470, with the second half donated to the Shriner‟s Hospital. After the 50/50 drawings, one more drawing of the tickets was pulled. It was for a beautiful handmade afghan donated by Ardeth and John Sollers. The winner was new member Gar Arnett from Pikeville,KY.

Soon it was time for the bike raffle drawing. The ticket was pulled by our guest, Melanie Stevens. Silence. Jan gave us a hint. It was a little person, and that person was in the room! (Let‟s see, I‟m not little so it isn‟t me). Next hint, the person lives in PA and has a little “critter”. That eliminated a few more „little‟ people. Finally, Jan announced the winner… Carol Wright. Congratulations to Carol and Squirrel (Earl). They are very lucky people, as Earl won the bike raffle in 2005. We look forward to seeing many of you in Cumberland in September & In Gettysburg in No-vember. Ride Safe. Joe & Eileen and Joe & Jan

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Cumberland Fall Rally

Andy and I left Dover to head for Cumberland on Saturday the 17th of September. We decided to go early and familiarize ourselves with the city and the hotel. We arrived there mid afternoon, unpacked and headed out to Ruby Tuesday‟s for dinner. We had a nice sized room with all the amenities on the first floor. Sunday we ventured to the Queen City and ended up on Baltimore St. at the center mall. On Sundays, they close it off and have “Bargains on the Bricks”, basically a flea market with assorted vendors strung throughout the street. I found a box of books for my daughter-in-law‟s kindergarten class. We saw a sign for Coney Island hot dogs, but the place was closed and we saved that idea for another day. We toured the shops that were open and told them we would be back on Friday with everyone in tow. Afterwards we rode the trike to Frostburg and visited the train station with the turn table there.

Monday was a work day, calling our contacts in the city and packing the rally bags. The Gagnons had arrived to help us and we worked most of the day organizing the rally room and getting the rally bags packed and even checking in a few early birds. The weather had us a little worried as rain was predicted for most of the week, but we plowed ahead hoping we would have some good riding days. Eileen and Joe Rogers and Jan and Joe Travis had done such a fantastic job planning this rally and I had copious notes on everything! The hotel staff couldn‟t have been more coop-erative and we gave Robin and her cousin who worked the night shift each a rally shirt which they wore on Friday.

Tuesday the members arrived and we spent the day checking them in. It was nice to see familiar faces and some more new members who were attending for the first time. I checked the names and collected the money and Jean stayed busy explaining the sign up sheets while Andy handed out the rally bags and Jim was not far away greeting everyone. I was glad they were there to help us!

Wednesday morning we checked a few more in before heading out for the driver‟s meeting and our trip to Deep Creek. We had our directions in hand and Rich Feehan started out heading the group but we knew we would eventually break up into smaller groups because of the traffic lights. It was a glorious day but rain was forecast for the afternoon. Jean, Jim, Andy and I left last and arrived at Deep Creek before all of the others, so there were some who made a wrong turn or two. All roads were beautiful. We stopped at the Nature Center and were disappointed that they were closed on Wednesdays. However a ranger was there and opened the doors for us so we were able to see the turtles, frogs, snakes, lizards, and other creatures that inhabit the forests. A young lady was feeding them and she allowed us to peruse her work. As we were leaving the larger group rode in and I am hoping they got the same consideration. It was an interesting place. On the way back we stopped at the Penn Alps Res-taurant for lunch and that was wonderful place with a lovely salad buffet, bread bar, soup and dessert bar. While there we visited the Artisan Village next door. Guess what? The rain stayed away while we were riding, although we felt threatened a time or two coming home.

Thursday was our ride to the Flight 93 site in Shanksville. We had not been there previously and it was a somber experience. We really felt like it was hallowed ground! Andy and I did this tour alone as we wanted to make sure everyone got away ok before we left. It turned quite warm in the afternoon and we were glad to get back to the hotel.

Friday Rich had us gather at 8:30 for the driver‟s meeting and our ride into Cumberland. Rich did a really good job for us al l week long. Ellen Weissler, our tour guide for this day, led the way in her car. It was a short trip and we stayed together as a group very well. We were scheduled to see the Allegany Museum, The Queen City Transportation Museum and the Canal Museum at the train station. It started sprinkling but this did not deter our group. Unfortunately the Allegany Museum was closed due to unforeseen circumstances, so we broke up early for lunch. Andy and I finally got our Coney Island hot dogs! After lunch a few diehards went with Ellen to the Emanuel Church with its stained glass windows and under-ground tunnels and forts, but Andy and I headed back to the hotel in the rain to prepare for the rally dinner at Geyhauf‟s next door to the hotel. We invited the three local men from the HOG chapter along with their wives to show our appreciation for their help in planning our routes. As always, our group showed up early and ready to partake of the planned buffet dinner. Everyone thought the food was as good as any rally dinner we had ever had. I introduced Roger & Cathy Moreland, Jim and Karen Silbaugh and Jim and Willi Barnes to the group and thanked them again for their help with the routes. I also introduced Louise Troup and Dennis Ortz, our newest members brought to the rally by Rick Dinger. When we see them again next summer for the International Rally, they will be married. Longevity certificates were given out to Fay and Bud Panik who have been members for 20 years and also to Donna and Jack Lacavalla for 25 years. Ellen Weissler then entertained us with songs from old Broadway musi-cals---she is really a multi-talented woman! She said she was losing her voice after about an hour, so she cut her act short, but we were ready to stretch our legs and get back to the hotel.

Rain was forecast for most of the day Saturday and people had a hard time making up their minds whether to do the group ride to Seneca Rocks, do something else, or go home. Andy and I decided to do the ride along with 36 others. Jim Barnes led us on this ride and we all stayed together for the entire time. It was a beautiful day with a touch of fall in the air and as we climbed up the mountain, I thought this might be the best group ride I had ever experienced. When we broke out from under the canopy of the trees into the sunlight, I knew it was. At that height the trees all had their fall colors and it was a beautiful sight. We had reservations at the Blackwater Brewing Co. and although we had a long wait for our lunch, the food was great, and one thing I can say about our group, we enjoy the gift of gab. The hamburgers were delicious and “ginormous” and others said the steak sandwiches and turkey reubens were equally good. We stopped for a brief time to view the rocks and then headed home to pack and get ready for leaving the next day. Lunch had been so filling that we only grabbed a light supper at the Dairy Queen along with the Littles and the Daniels. In fact my supper was a pumpkin blizzard, which was a great ending to a perfect day.

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The only person that had trouble with their bike that I was aware it was Ron Leard and he got good help from the Harley shop across the street from the hotel.

Sunday we left about 10:00 and headed home, hitting a spot of rain or two along the way, but nothing bad. We really lucked out with the weather for this rally. It was very good riding weather, not too hot and not too cold. The mountain side of Maryland surpassed our expectations! We would go back there again in a minute!

Nancy Wrede

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Hi Guys … we have been back from the International Rally at Pikeville, KY for a little while now. I am still doing that thinking thing that I do, and I really want to share these thoughts.

When we arrived I thought I had surely made the wrong decision on the bike we brought. We took Mums Springer Side Hack. It‟s Ed‟s fault I was sure. He put a look-alike machine on the rally Logo, so I just had to bring it. Once there I thought- OH BOY! These roads aren‟t conducive to Side Hack or Trike riding, and we probably should have brought the Road Glide.

Day one we missed out on leaving on time. No problemo. We have our Map Quest directions – RIGHT! I don‟t know, there was some kind of communication malfunction. But, we all made it back, lots of stories and regroup for Tuesday adventure.

Tuesday group ride as typical was set up for the main bike body up front and the sidecar-Trike group to the rear. Being back there, you see a whole new faction of the International Northeast Harley Davidson Dresser and Touring Association. By that statement, I mean we are changing our appearance of that “What was, no longer is.” Our physical age, and choice of Harley model is quite evident to us as “that infamous Group”

Please do not take these statements as derogatory or anything of the such. These are not meant to be belittling or mocking anyone in our lifelong family. We have made long strides over these years to make accommodations for any and all our members. Your choice, for your model to ride is as always for your pleasure to ride and be with us.

A nine hundred mile trip home in 95 degree weather in an air-conditioned pick-up truck gives you a lot of time to reflect on the rally and rally‟s past.

When we first became members back in the mid 80‟s, the young association was quite staunch in what was acceptable and what was not. If you trailered your bike to a rally jokes were made and you were kind of shunned for a few days. With 300 to 350 bikes and members you could blend in sooner or later and all was forgotten for awhile. Your reason for trailering was not important- It was… you go to a motorcycle rally on a motorcy-cle – end of story.

The next thing I remember was the FLT and it didn‟t look like the “What a Harley is supposed to look like issue”- back then there were lengthy meetings and member discussions as to whether it should be allowed in the group.. Seems all trivial now, it doesn‟t appear as it degraded our as-sociation at all.

In my recollection of thoughts, the memory of the infamous FXRD came in to play. This of course was the downfall of Harley Davidson Corp love affair with us, the group who showed the world that bikers come in all sizes and shapes and are really nice people who like to travel on Full Dress Baggers. The FXRD didn‟t fit our criteria. Much to Harley Corps threats and promises we would not allow it membership in our Association. Was this in hindsight our best decision? If we in retrospect looked at ourselves in time to see us older and thinking of a lighter bagger for us to handle, easier in traffic and taking to rally‟s…would our vote have been different? Hmmm…some thought there huh? When situations happen to you on a personal level, you don‟t want to be left out because you can‟t manage a Full Dress Bagger with your favorite passenger. This of course is bringing about my thoughts on Sidecars and Trikes. Historically, the Association has always had sidecars.. This bunch rode sidecars because this was their personal choice of transportation. They weren‟t old or physically not able to ride a Full Dresser. This was their choice of fun. It is a totally different motorcycling experience that you can‟t imagine. You don‟t ride, you drive. We know that we can ride what you ride, but you can‟t drive what we drive. The Trike appears to be a bit easier to handle. I am assuming because of driver position in the center, as off to one side with a hack.

In the early years, Sidecar rigs were always accepted in the “FLH Fraternity”. Now Trikes on the other hand were looked down on and had rigorous study on them individually before acceptance was made. A lot depended on the appearance as well as the FLH guidelines. I am pretty certain in the late 70‟s and early 80‟s if the Trike issue and large numbers of them had been brought up even with today‟s looks, they would have been turned down. Now, I only say that because of the image they chose to portray then, is different now. Some of you who drive Trikes or Sidecars today may have had those same feelings back then – we were pretty much the only exclusive Harley Dresser Touring Association of its kind, and were going to make sure it stayed that way. Trust me, this is getting closer to the point I want to make. We, as an association have evolved to meet the needs of our beloved family. Driving a hack at the rear of the group with six or seven Trikes, you see our traveling patterns are changing. I think we must make adjustments to our groups‟ moves. I am not in anyway suggesting that we with 3 wheels are not competent in staying up so to speak, with our fellow solo riders. What works for riding doesn‟t always work for driving. For an instance, what does a red light mean? It could mean that the person on the three wheeler may push the envelope and accelerate so as not to lose the main group. This essentially gives the feeling you can‟t keep up to maintain travel with the solos. You may find yourself overextending your 3 wheel ability to catch up at any cost. As I have mentioned in other articles, that peer pressure of your bike handling in front of them is strong. You are riding with the same people as always, but now you are a 3 wheeler, and you don‟t want to be any less the cavalier motorcyclist you have always been.

I would like to propose a group travel situation where the main solo bikes leave first group- their riders, marshals and follow-ups take care of Their Group Needs. We three wheelers could leave approximately 10 minutes later, our leaders, our marshals and follow-ups can take care of Our Safe Travel Needs…We in the rear could offer any assistance to group one in front of us. I think this could offer a safer solution to the already present rubber band affect that we can‟t seem to shed. If a 3 wheeler member feels uncomfortable because he is used to traveling with certain solo bike friends they can ride with us. I am in no way trying to make us separate, or make anyone feel like they are not in the same family. We are trying to move bikes in a group with multi tasking, uncaring auto and truck traffic people. They don‟t care! – Age of our members is not the only factor to consider. You are now driving a machine that corners different - it accelerates different, your lane position is totally different, your comfort zone from years of motorcycling driving is changed. You must change with it. Your natural instinctive reaction is going to be a bit off.

If we group ride together we can all learn from each other as we have in the past.

Sandi and I are 5 years in to Sidecarring and still learn from each others incidents. Sidecarring has changed a lot of our habits. I find having lunch

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at Dairy Queen is soothing and doesn‟t bother our conscience at all, maybe it didn‟t when we soloed either.

Sorry this note is so long…..I didn‟t really get in to our “Butcher Holler” and Hatfield and McCoy adventures, or helping those women with their bike loading on a trailer for the first time experience…another time.

I really miss “Scoop” She would always follow my jibber jabber and let you know what really happened at the Rally‟s.

So please, don‟t get upset with my thoughts on us 3 wheelers, I want us to continue having fun safely…remember…..think about it. CW (Charlie Hicks)

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SIGN UP & COME RIDE WITH US

Int’l Rally New Philadelphia, OH July, 16/20, 2012 Both Hotels Share Same Parking Lot

Holiday Express Inn 330-339-7731 (non smoking rooms only) 145 Bluebell Dr SW, New Philadelphia, OH 44663 - Continental Breakfast Ask for $89.99 Harley Dressers rate. Cut Off Date June 15, 2012 or Best Western Dutch Valley Inn 330-339-6500 (smoking rooms available) 161 Bluebell Dr SW, New Philadelphia, OH 44663 - Continental Breakfast Ask for $79.99 Harley Dressers rate. Cut Off Date June 15, 2012

Tall Timber Lake Resort CG 330-602-4000 cutoff date 12/31/2011 1921 Tall Timber Rd, New Philadelphia ,OH www.woodstalltimberlake.com 30 amp $160 wk 50 amp $175 wk. 6 mile to Rally Hotel

Fall Rally Bolton Landing (Lake George), NY September, 17/21, 2012 Melody Manor Resort 518-644-9750 Ask for $89 Harley Dressers rate 4610 Lakeshore Dr Cut Off Date August 15, 2012 Bolton Landing, NY 12814 Hearthstone Point CG (518) 668-5193 [email protected] $25+ 3298 Lake Shore Dr Lake George, NY 12845 Rally Fee: Int’l - $60 / Fall - $50 per person, children over 12 $10, guests + $5 Please fill out rally form or a note, and return with rally fee payable to (Harley Dressers) & shirt size to:

Jan Travis,1549 Cherry Brook Drive, Dandridge, TN 37725

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -c u t - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Int’l $60 single/$120 cpl ___Fall $50 single/$100 cpl ___

Names__________________________________________Shirt Sizes____________

Guest Names_____________________________________Guest Sizes____________

# Attending_______ Guests $5 Additional Total Enclosed _________

For additional Info contact Jan & Joe Travis 865 607-1422 [email protected] Please use form or note with above info


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