Newsletter  February 2007




  BMWRA #53                                                                                                     BMWMOA#216    
                                                                                                                                                                                 

ON THE AVENUE


Knob Mountain North Carolina Motorcycle Chapter
Official Newsletter #1 – February 2007
                                                                                                                                                                                          
2007 Officers:
President-Gene Smith 
V. President-David Kiziah  
Secretary-Crystal Gibson 
Treasurer-Sam  Aycock                                                                                                                       
Activities Directors-Daryl & Penny Carswell        
Newsletter Co-Editors-Patsy Smith & Sharon Wilson


WEEKLY SUNDAY RIDES – Meet at 9:00 a.m. at Timberwood Restaurant, Exit 106, Morganton, NC for breakfast
and a Sunday ride. Even if you can’t ride, come join us for breakfast and fellowship!
                       

NEWSLETTER UPDATE -- Here we are in 2007 – a new year, a fresh start, things to do and places to go.
With the election of our officers for the new year, there is excitement in the air!  There are also new co-
editors of your newsletter, Patsy Smith and Sharon Wilson.  We hope to make this newsletter one that will
keep you informed and that you will enjoy.  We will have the usual info on campouts, rally info, trip articles
and Sharon will continue her “chit chat.”  We are adding a few new features --- Street Smarts, Safety
Reminders, and You Know You’re A Biker When.  But please remember this one thing  . . . it is your
newsletter, and if we don’t know about it, we can’t print it!  So please send us articles, swap shop items,
trip stories, or any thing you would like to see printed. Patsy can be reached by phone at 828-439-9754 or
email psmith1951@charter.net.  Sharon at 828-397-6419 or sharondannywilson@charter.net.

If you have not sent in your membership renewal form in the past 2 years, your name will be deleted from
the newsletter mailing list.  This will be the last newsletter you receive unless you send in your renewal form. 
We need any updated information and if there are no changes, just write in your name and check
“renewal” and “no changes.” A copy of the form is enclosed if you haven’t renewed – and there are
quite a few of you!      So, until next time . . . have fun and ride safe!  Patsy & Sharon


MESSAGE FROM GENE -- I recently read a great article by Fred Rau in Motorcycle Consumers News about
attitude and I immediately thought of the Knobbies. Our attitude in the Knobbies is we are going to ride,
and despite bad weather, any problems, etc., we are going to have a good time doing it! If you don’t
believe that, ask anyone who came to our last camp out in September at Kickstand Lodge! Fred in his
article was describing only one woman who seemed to be doing her best to ruin everybody’s trip and
make life miserable for her husband, despite everyone else having a great time.

Attitude? I was thinking of all the times I have ridden through driving rain, through longer or hotter days
than I would like and lots of this with Patsy. Now there’s attitude -- her sticking it out during bad conditions.
Our recent trip to Vermont with Mike and Pan McSwain is a great example. It literally was pouring cats
and dogs when we left and Mike and I were pulling trailers. We were more than a little concerned
knowing we had to pull through a mud puddle about 6 – 8” deep and fully 8’ around. Our attitude was,
this will be an adventure when we get through this, and get through we did. I think Pan just closed her
eyes. Anybody that has ridden with me has heard me say more than once when conditions turned bad,
look at this as an adventure. Was that an adventure? You betcha; with the right attitude.

Attitude is what we Knobbies have an abundance of. Our attitude is we ride and we might complain, but
not out loud. We have been on trips when the whole group will stop if one of us needs help, breaks down,
etc. If anybody doubts this attitude of helping out, just ask Hal about his cross-country trip when his wheels
were literally falling off his trailer. How about any other time any of us had problems on the road and with
the right attitude turned that trip into an adventure. How often do you tell of the bad times such as going
across so & so and not being able to see the road?

The point of all this is, I like our Knobbie attitude and hope nothing ever spoils that. I’m very honored to
represent you all and if I don’t maintain that Knobbie attitude, will somebody please set me straight!!

To all of you Knobbies, I wish us the best and let’s keep up that great Attitude!! Oh and by the way, Fred
Rau will host breakfast each and every day of the Biltmore RA Rally, June 7-10, so please mark that on
your calendar. Fred is a very entertaining guy.


ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING – by Crystal Gibson. The annual business meeting of the Knob Mountain North
Carolina Motorcycle Chapter was held Sunday, January 7, 2007 at Timberwood Restaurant in Morganton,
NC.  The meeting was preceded with a buffet breakfast. 

Hal Smith, exiting president, started the meeting by thanking the existing officers for their work and
participation.  Hal then recognized and introduced the newly elected president, Gene Smith. Gene Smith
thanked every one for the opportunity to serve as president of the Knobbies. Introduction of the remaining
new officers then followed.  The newly elected officers are as follows:

* Vice President - Dave Kiziah       
* Secretary - Crystal Gibson
* Treasurer - Sam Aycock
* Activities Directors - Daryl and Penny Carswell

Short status of the Christmas party at Little Sienna in December 2006 was given by Crystal Gibson.

* There were 78 people present at the annual Christmas Party and all had a great time!
* Bobbi Smith won the 50/50 drawing.  She took home $122 and the club received $123.
* The infamous ‘horny toad’ made an appearance and hopefully will make it back next year.
* The staff from Little Sienna thanked us for coming. 

Gene Smith informed the group that Patsy Smith and Sharon Wilson would co-author the newsletter.  He
would like for all members to contribute articles.  Sam Aycock suggested that The Knobbies submit the
newsletter to the RA and MOA so others could become aware of the club and the excellent riding
opportunities in the area.

Mentioned was the need to update the membership roster. Sharon informed the club if a member had
not renewed their membership for 5 years; they were not sent a newsletter. 

Gene then moved onto new business.

Knobbies will have 2 annual campouts. The campouts will be held in the spring and fall, possibly May and
September.  A motion was made and passed to camp at Kickstand Lodge in Stecoah, NC for the fall
campout if the campground is available.  Daryl and Penny Carswell will check availability.  It was also
passed that the activities directors will pick the site and date for the spring campout.  It was brought to the
entire club’s attention that the owner of the Kickstand lodge had passed away the first week of January. 
A motion was easily passed to send his wife a sympathy card.  She is going to continue to keep open and
operate the campground.

Candy Richey talked about a ride called the “NC Four Corners Tour.” This ride consists of a rider riding a
motorcycle to the four corners of North Carolina and getting a picture of themselves with their bike. 
Candy has put tour packets together with the directions and the landmark that has to be in the picture. 
After a person completes all four corners, they will send in the required information to receive recognition
and a pin for completion.  The fee for the packet is $10 per person and covers the costs of the packet
and the pin. 

Sharon Wilson then gave the treasurer’s report. The group has $2,742.38 in the checking account.  Costs
that the club has acquired include:

* Printing of the newsletter    $ 375.39
* Postage            $ 256.04
* Memorials            $  65.00

After the treasurer’s report a motion was made and passed for those that would like to receive the
newsletter by email rather than regular mail to be possible. A sheet was sent around for those to denote if
they would prefer an emailed copy.  Also, it was agreed those that do not renew membership in 2 years
would not receive a copy of the newsletter via postal service.

It was mentioned that the website has not been updated in several years.  Daryl Carswell and Josh Smith
will look into getting a current website up and going.  It was noted that a professional webmaster may be
recruited for a nominal fee.

The BMW RA Rally will be held at the Biltmore house in Asheville, NC June 7 -10.  Bert Brumfield is over
registration, Dave Huey will work with the door prizes and Hank Rowland will be responsible for the
vendors.  Sam Aycock is treasurer. Everyone is very excited about the RA rally being held in such a
stunning location.  Sam Aycock stated that this will possibly be the largest RA rally due to the location. Bert
informed the group that there are new officers at the RA and most have never put on a rally.  He also
stated that he needs people to work with security and rally packets. A few notes to mention:  everyone
will have to pay registration fee, even volunteers.  Biltmore will possibly handle security and the beer
garden; also camping is still under discussion. Many volunteers are needed for this to be a success.  If you
are able to help with this event, please let someone know.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.

It was also passed that the Knobbies would do one fundraiser for the “Ride for Kids.”  Knobbies have
helped with the Pediatric Brain Tumor Association since 1996.  The “Ride for Kids” will be held the last
Sunday in August.  Knobbies have usually volunteered to help with parking and handing out lunches.  This
is a great organization to help with.  The children with brain tumors are wonderful children and every one
that has helped in the past has had their hearts touched by these courageous kids.

Danny Wilson presented mileage awards.  This year there were only 27 people to turn in mileage for the
year.  But those 27 people rode a total of 286, 457 miles.  This averaged out to 10, 609 miles each.
 The awards were as follows:

* Long Distant Male Rider    24,780 miles     Gary Clark
* Long Distant Female Rider    12,883 miles    Bobbi Smith
* Long Distant 2-up        18,500 miles    Cheryl & Dave Kiziah
* Average Rider (10,609)    11,100    miles    Sharon Wilson

Dave Kiziah also received an honorable mention because he had ridden 23,500 miles being the second
runner up to Gary Clark. Candy Richey had the second highest mileage for the females, 11,357.  The club
likes to see how many miles total has been ridden, so please keep up with your mileage for the year.  Not
just for a select few.

Bobbi Smith announced the “Knobbiest Knobbie” award. The award was given to Sam Chester, who was
not able to attend. 

Penny Carswell informed the group that there were T-shirts, pins, and caps available to purchase with the
Knob Mountain Motorcycle Chapter logo on them.  It was also pointed out that the club might need to
re-order shirts and other items.  Penny and Daryl will inform the club of any new information concerning
this.

Gene Smith thanked everyone for coming and the meeting then adjourned.


YOU KNOW YOU’RE A BIKER WHEN . . . all your cars and trucks are parked outside because the garage
is full of bikes and parts!


BMWRA AT BILTMORE ESTATE,  June 7-10, 2007 -- For the first time in Biltmore Estate history, they will
allow a group to hold a rally on the estate, camp and stay on the premises. The BMW Riders Association is
pleased to be that group of folks. Three wonderful days to tour the Biltmore House, the gardens, the winery
and so much more in addition to the normal rally fare. And then there’s the riding: western North
Carolina’s mountains and valleys, pavement and dirt roads and the Blue Ridge Parkway. The city of
Asheville also welcomes rally goers to their city. There is something for everyone and you will not get tired
or bored.  Mark your calendars now and spread the word to all your friends!

The Knobbies are pleased to be a part of this great event.  Bert Brumfield is Chairman of Registration along
with Gene Smith, Dave Huey is responsible for door prizes, Hank Roland is Vendor Co-ordinator and Sam
Aycock is Treasurer. Volunteers are needed! Contact Bert Brumfield if you are willing to help with
registration at 336-785-0224 or email bert-bmwra@hotmail.com. Dave Huey can be contacted to help
with door prizes at 828-874-7135 or email Quacker1a@hotmail.com . Hank Roland can be reached at 828-
201-7322 or email hankr@compascable.net.


FLORIDA’S COOLEST RALLY, Jan 12-14, – by Gene Smith. Sometime back in late November or early
December, Lamar Strickland called and said, HEY, let’s go to Florida this January. So Lamar twisted my
arm, we signed up with the BMWNEF (BMW Northeast Florida Riders) and off we go on the coldest morning
of the year, January 11th. We leave a little later than planned since it was twenty degrees after several
weeks of 70-degree weather and rode to the Florida line. Lamar and I immediately spotted a hotel with a
pub, so that was the place. I won’t go into any of the gory details of the Pub, so we get up the next day
and I get a call from what I thought was a whack job calling my cell phone. It turned out the whack job
was David Huey and he was breaking up so bad I literally thought I had a crazy on the line. I apologize
David?

So here we pull into an Army base that is gorgeous, nestled up against a beautiful lake and full of gators.
As Lamar and I pulled in our campers a lady remarked how crazy these tenters were for camping right on
the water. Too many gators she says! One about ate a guy last year.  Since she was a local I took her very
seriously.

Once there we found a number of other knobbies -- Fred Reece, David Huey, Ed Blackwelder, and Bud
Blume. Now I’ll tell you that Fred and David whimped out and drove Fred’s car down AND they all stayed
in a nice Quonset hut, including Ed and Bud!

Later that night another camper had set up beside us and as we introduced ourselves, to my surprise I find
out it was a couple that I had sold my K75 to over 3 years ago, James and Dorothy Costello. Talk about a
surprise, now they are apparently committed beemerphiles, her on an R1150S, him an R1150RT and pulling
a Leisure Lite camper. Just a super couple by the way.

Lamar and I went to a seminar, ate, rode a great big loop around central Florida, which I just love, and
ate. If I were a retiree, I sure would not want to retire on the coast, but inland near one of these gorgeous
Florida lakes. The NEF also puts on a great feedbag, as we had a large steak with all the fixings one night.
Our trip totaled a little over 1190 miles with absolutely perfect weather. The VP of the BMWNEF called this
an “anomaly” as most years it turns off cold during that week.

If anyone is thinking of going to this rally next year, it will be held starting January 12th and is limited to only
the first 400.  So, if you have plans to go, make sure you register early. By the way, THANKS LAMAR for a
great trip! 


2007 KNOBBIE CAMPOUTS -- Plans are underway for the Knobbie campouts. More details will follow in
the next newsletter.
   
May 18-20 – Blue Ridge Motorcycle Campground, Cruso, NC. Reservations can be made for cabins
starting March 1 – phone # 828-235-8350.  Be sure to call early as they get booked fast. Camping
reservations are not needed.

Sept – Date to be finalized. Location will be Kickstand Lodge, Hwy 28, Stecoah, NC.

DID YOU KNOW -- The National Park Service released visitor numbers for 2006 that showed 20.9 million
people drove the parkway in 2006 – a 6.5% increase over the 19.6 million visitors in 2005. 


NORTH CAROLINA FOUR CORNERS TOUR -- submitted by Bradley and Candy Richey  -- The tour is
designed as an open ended, photo-verification ride with a completion pin that is both beautiful and rare.
Providing an excuse to ride over some of the most scenic byways in the Eastern United States, the tour
offers levels of challenge and opportunity that can largely be determined by each participant. However,
the one constant factor – total mileage over 1,400 miles – should guarantee that tour finishers will be
members of an exclusive club.  Key elements of the North Carolina Four Corners Tour:

* How to receive a registration tour packet: Contact Candy or Bradley Richey at 828-495-4456 or
email bircdr@hotmail.com.
* Time-Frame: The tour time frame is open-ended. You and your friends may use the destinations to
complete a weekend “Iron-Butt” run, or fit the visits into vacations and club rides over the course of
the year. After the initial registration, send the verifications photo to:  NC 4 Corners Tour, Bradley &
Cathy Richey, 202 Icard Ridge Road Ext., Granite Falls, NC 28630. You can forward your photos in
two days, two months, or any time within one year after registration and you will receive your pin.
* Cost: Cost of the tour is $10.00 per rider/$10.00 for a co-rider. If you have friends accompanying
you on the tour who have not registered, have them send $10.00 per person for a registration tour
packet to the address above. T-shirts will be available to purchase.
* Challenges: You will determine the route taken to each destination. Only the final few miles
leading to each corner is pre-determined. These byways are paved, secondary roads that should
be suitable for all types of bikes.  Details will be in the tour packet.
* Liability:  Neither the KMMC nor any of its members is responsible or liable for any mishap that
occurs on this tour.  Details will be in the tour packet.
* Verification: You must take a picture of your bike at every location.  Details in the tour packet.


SAFETY REMINDER -- Tire Pressure In Colder Months. As we are now into the colder months of the year,
now is the time for a reminder about tire pressures and the effect of temperature. Stamped on the outside
of many of your tires is a recommended tire pressure range (at least an upper limit). For the longest tire life
it is recommended that you strive to keep them at the higher limit of those recommendations (regardless
of what your motorcycle owner’s manual might say). Further, this pressure should be determined while the
tires are cold – meaning, have not been used for a couple of hours. Time and outside temperature affect
the pressure within your tires. It is NORMAL for a tire to lose about 1 pound per square inch (psi) for every 10
degrees Fahrenheit of temperature change. As temperature goes, so goes pressure. For example, if a tire
is found to have 38 psi on an 80 degree mid-summer day, it could lose enough air to have an inflation
pressure of 26 psi on a 10 degree day six months later. This represents a loss of 6 psi over six months and an
additional loss of 6 psi due to the 60-degree temperature reduction. At 26 psi, your tire is severely under
inflated and dangerous! There is nothing wrong with your tire if it behaves like this, of course. What is being
illustrated here is that you MUST check your tire pressure on a regular basis (about once a week is
reasonable) and to be particularly aware of it on cold days.   msgroup.org


MOTORCYLE HELMET USE IN 2006 -- In June, 2006, 51% of motorcyclists in the US used DOT-compliant
helmets, a 3% point increase from the 2005 rate. This result is from the National Occupant Protection Use
Survey (NOPUS), which provides the only probability-based observed data on helmet use in the US. The
2006 survey also found the following:

* The use of helmets that are not compliant with Federal safety regulations stands at 14% in 2006,
statistically unchanged from the prior year. Such helmets generally have either an insufficient
coverage area or insufficient thickness to provide adequate protection in a crash.

* The use of DOT-compliant helmets increased by 22% points in the West to 72% in 2006. However,
use in rush hours nationwide dropped by 22 points to 42%. These changes are statistically
significant.


Use rates remain statistically lower in states that do not require all riders to use helmets. In 2006, 68% of
motorcyclists in States requiring helmet use wore DOT-compliant helmets, compared to 37% in States not
requiring all to use helmets.  MHTSA National Center for Statistics.


BIKER FRIENDS – email from Dave Huey
FRIENDS:  Will say “hello.”
BIKER FRIENDS:  Will give you a big hug and a kiss.

FRIENDS:  Call your parents Mr. And Mrs.
BIKER FRIENDS:  Call your parents mom and dad.

FRIENDS:  Have never seen you cry.
BIKER FRIENDS:  Cry with you.

FRIENDS:  Will eat at your dinner table and leave.
BIKER FRIENDS:  Will spend hours there, talking, laughing and just being together.

FRIENDS:  Borrow your stuff for a few days then give it back.
BIKER FRIENDS:  Keep your stuff so long they forget it’s yours.

FRIENDS:  Know a few things about you.
BIKER FRIENDS:  Could write a book with direct quotes from you.

FRIENDS:  Will leave you behind if that’s what the crowd is doing.
BIKER FRIENDS: Will kick the whole crowd’s ass that left you.

FRIENDS:  Would knock on your door.
BIKER FRIENDS:  Walk right in and say, “I’m home!”

FRIENDS:  Are for a while.
BIKER FRIENDS:  Are for life.


STREET SMARTS – I Didn’t See You.  If you allow another motorist to knock you down, you’ll hear some of
the same excuses -- I didn’t see you. You were coming so fast, and you were wearing black leather, and,
besides you didn’t have your headlights turned on.  Certainly there are occasions when the other driver
really couldn’t see the motorcyclist, but many veteran motorcyclists have a sneaking suspicion that the
excuses are mostly a cop-out. This repeated I didn’t see you has led some safety experts to believe that
the problem simply is that motorcycles are inconspicuous in traffic. The solution, theoretically, is to be more
conspicuous. However, conspicuity devices are based on the assumption that the other guy will get out of
the way of the motorcyclist if only he can see you. The veterans also know that avoiding collisions
depends on being prepared to get out of the way of the other guy, whether he sees you or not. We can’t
control every situation, though, and like it or not, we often depend upon other motorists not to run us over.
Motorcycles are narrower and more difficult to see in traffic. Other motorists don’t always comprehend
how rapidly a motorcycle is approaching because a size 7-inch diameter headlight doesn’t really give
them a clue about its approach speed.  So, a case can be made for motorcyclists to be a little more
visible for the benefit of those drivers on the road who are really trying to avoid collisions. Whatever your
experience level, you’ll have to arrive at a level of conspicuousness that meets your needs and fits your
limits of sensibility. If you think it might help to increase your conspicuity, here are a few suggestions:

* Consider light colored riding gear such as tan, silver, yellow, or bright blue. Add brightly colored
variety stripes to your darker colored leathers, or wear a bright reflective vest over your jacket.
* Choose a helmet in a lighter, brighter color, or a helmet design with bright stripes.
* When shopping for a new machine or repainting, give priority to a bright paint scheme.
* Use amber running lights on the front of your bike, as widely spaced as practical and legal.
* For nighttime rides, add reflective tape to the back end of your saddlebags, tour trunk, and
helmet. Add multiple red taillights, preferably spaced wide apart.     Proficient Motorcycling


UPDATED MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY -- The membership directory has been updated with mailing
addresses, phone #’s and email addresses. Please contact Patsy or Sharon for information on how to
receive one. We can also deliver to the weekly Sunday breakfast.


SHARON’S CHIT CHAT AND RIDES – by Sharon Wilson.  

***We received word that Shorty Greene had a heart attack on January 12. He got to go home on
January 16 and is doing well. Let’s keep Shorty in our prayers as well as all our other Knobbie friends who
have been under the weather.  *** Shane Curfman has gotten himself a motorcycle and has been
practicing.  He goes for his permit this week.  Good luck.  It will be nice to have a young person ride with
us. *** I was looking back thru some old papers back when we asked Knobbies to put their birth dates on
the applications and we have a few Knobbies that are celebrating some pretty exciting birthdays this
year  – you will have to ask the birthday person the year they are celebrating! We wish each of you a very
Special Happy Birthday!!!        Warren Brey - January 23rd
                 Haskell Shealy - February 5th
                Frank Goode - February 28th
                Jack Inman - March 11th
                Budd Blume - March 12th    
                Richard Brown - May 30th
                Bob Steele - August 7th
                Wayne McBride - November 14th
                David Powell - December 19th       

October 22, 2006 - Danny took us on a ride which put us near Highway 11 Grill for lunch for either a ½ lb.
hamburger that is stacked with onion rings, lettuce, tomatoes, bacon, onions or what ever you may think
of that ends up to be about 6 inches high.  Well that may be stretching it but is sure looks that big, and it
tastes just as good.  Or you can get a huge bowl of salad.  Riding was PO Wilson, Dave & Cheryl Kiziah,
Bobbi Smith, and I.
October 29, 2006 - several of us missed the breakfast and ride to help out with Unifour Trail Bike Club
Motorcycle Race. 
November 3, 2006 - The newsletter was printed and that evening while waiting on the Friday evening
crew, Danny and I started putting on labels, stamps, folding and taping then Jerry Rector and Crystal
Gibson arrived to help us out, then Bobbi Smith decided to help out as well.  It wasn’t long until we were
finished and they were ready to be taken to the post office.  It doesn’t take long, but it is always nice to
have help.  Thanks for everyone’s help. Knobbies, I’m sorry but I failed to write anything down for the
month of November.  But I feel that we rode a lot and had lots of fun.
December 10, 2006 - Ride went to Chesnee, SC where we almost always get gas in SC where it is cheaper
than NC.  We went over and ate at the Studebaker museum, where he also has his collection of old
cameras, and radios.  Food is great, whether you get a burger or a place lunch.  Riders were:  PO, Daryl
Carswell, Dave and Cheryl, Danny and I.
December 17, 2006 – Sorry, I chose not to ride, instead I went to pickup my brother at the airport.  The
group rode to Shady Valley not sure all that went but heard a few, PO leading, Bobbi, Cheryl and Dave
and Danny.
December 24, 2006 - The weather was good and PO Wilson led us to Sparta, where we had lunch.  Bobbi,
Dave & Cheryl, Dean, Gary Clark, Sara and Paul Phillips, Dave Huey and Danny and I was the followers.
December 30, 2006 -  Dean Curfman and Hal Smith, another of the Ironbutt Rides, this time it was the 1500
miles in 24 hours.  They had everything ready and rode to Daytona, Florida and made it back with 15
minutes to spare.
December 31, 2006 - It rained all day and no one got to ride.  But we had a good crew to show up for
breakfast.
January 6, 2007 - Saturday the weather was great so Dave, Cheryl and PO took off for a ride, because
they were calling for bad weather on Sunday.  Bradley and Candy Richie came by on their dirt bikes, so
Danny and took off with them and got in 150 miles. Dave Huey was also out riding and had a van to stop
in front of him without any tail lights and he laid his bike down to keep from hitting it and maybe getting
hurt worse.  But he is tough and showed up for our annual meeting on Sunday.
January 7, 2007 – This was our Annual meeting and, yes, it was a little wet out.  But after the meeting a few
of us headed out anyway. PO lead us to Jonas Ridge but the weather got really bad with snow and sleet
mixed in with the rain.  But it was the 1st Sunday of the month and we had to have our picnic.  We
purchased our food and the lady at the store in Jonas Ridge offered to let us eat inside, but we chose to
eat at the picnic tables on the porch. Right gang:  PO, Candy, Bradley, Bobbi, Pan and Mike McSwain,
Danny and I.  Needless to say we really didn’t waste a lot of time.  There was nothing laying on the roads
but the wind was starting to get pretty cold.  We all said our goodbyes and we headed down the
mountain.  Who ever said we were smart!!!
January 11, 2007 - Gene Smith and Lamar Strickland hitched up their trailers and headed to Florida for a
Rally.  They left out at 20 degrees but the further south they got the warmer it was.  Fred Reese and Dave
Huey met them down there in the car.  Remember, Dave really was stove up from his little slide down the
road. 
January 14, 2007 - The weather was “un-normally” warm and we took off to the mountains to get our
North West Corner, 1st of the four corners of North Carolina.  We got near Lansing at the church and there
was snow lying around.  Truman took off up the road about 25 yards to get a snowball and the rest of
started removing our coats and getting in line for our pictures.  It was 67 degrees and absolutely beautiful. 
We started out with 12 bikes and 14 Knobbies, Bradley lead us up to the church, PO, Bobbi and Hal Smith,
Mike Sloane, Cheryl and Dave, Crystal Gibson and Truman, Red Murray, Gary Clark, Danny and I.  Sam
Aycock turned back earlier.  As a normal short ride it was to be about 50 miles to the church and when
we arrived we had ridden over a 100 miles.  We ended up at Myra’s in Valdese for ice cream and a total
of 225 miles for the day.
January 21, 2007 - Calling for another day of a wintry mix, it was sleeting when Danny rode off on his bike. 
He said that Hank Rowland had also showed up on his bike, but after breakfast Hank went on back home. 
Danny rode on over to Candy and Bradley’s.
January 28, 2007 - It was a great day, the sun was shining, about 57 degrees down in SC.  Danny led the
group today and we were winding around back roads through Casar and we went by Cowpens and
stopped in at Highway 11 Grill. We then came back through Gaffney, SC, Cherryville, NC and onto
Highway 18 bringing us down Valdese Mountain and then to Myra’s for ice cream. We ran into Dave Huey
and Alabama.  Riders were Gary Clark, Dave and Cheryl, Bobbi, Sara and Paul Phillips, Mike Sloane,
Danny and I, and we rode about 235 miles.


BASIC RIDING INFORMATION – submitted by Dave Kiziah.   The basic group riding formation is familiar to
most riders. The lead rider rides to the left of the lane, with the second rider to the right and a few lengths
back. The third rider is a similar distance behind the second, and so on. This staggered formation leaves
room for each bike to swerve to the side and provides reaction time to brake. Riding side-by-side limits
escape routes when a threat arises. When overtaking and passing traffic, the second rider follows the first
and the third hangs back to let the second pull in to the left lane to make the pass.

When roads get twisty or narrow you should open up into a single file formation. When you come to a stop
at an intersection, tighten up into a two abreast configuration at the stop, but you should stay in a single
lane at intersections with two or more lanes each way, it gives the traffic behind you a chance to pass.
While it is tempting to block an intersection so your entire group can go through, it is against the law to
take up more than one lane. So is leaving in large bunches from a stop sign. More than two at a time
without stopping is a request for a citation.

One common problem with large groups is a failure to provide gaps for other traffic. On a two-lane road,
it may be impossible for overtaking traffic to safely pass a line of a dozen or more motorcycles. Some
members of the group may get run off the road if a driver tries to pass and has to pull back into the right
lane when oncoming traffic appears. On a multi lane road like an intersection, a long double column of
motorcycles may trap a car on one side of it, blocking it from reaching an exit. Some riders act as if
permitting a car to cross their column of bikes is a violation of their rights, but it could save your life with a
driver already in a panic about missing his exit.

It is better to ride in smaller groups of four to eight riders and if you have more riders, divide up into sub
groups. The second group should have at least four or more car lengths from the first group. These groups
can also be responsible for each other, taking care of other members of their group so that the entire fleet
of bikes doesn’t end up trying to squeeze onto the shoulder, which can create a real hazard.

If the group is stopping, make sure that everyone gets completely off the road. If you are arriving at a
destination with a large group, bikes at the front should keep moving to allow room for the one behind to
pull off the road.


SWAP SHOP – If you would like to submit items for sale, trade or if you’re looking for something in
particular, please give to Patsy or Sharon for the next newsletter.

Knobbie Store – Don’t forget club items for sale – baseball caps, short sleeve tee shirts, long sleeve   
tee shirts, sweat shirts, pins. Special items can also be ordered. Sizes run from M-XXL. Contact Daryl
or Penny Carswell at 828-437-8835 or email darylpenny@charter.net.

ADDENDUM TO NEWSLETTER  -- This is an email sent to Knobbie’s on1/28/07.

Knobbies,

Our officers, along with volunteers, met Sunday Feb. 28th for a conference call with the
upcoming RA Rally Chair. I wanted to pass on the GREAT news that we have a chance to
become the host club for the RA Rally being held June 7-10 at the Biltmore Estate.

What this would mean to our club is we have the chance to be "paid" for our efforts. If we
become the host club, RA will donate a percentage of the proceeds to our club, no strings
attached. All they have to do is make money for us to share.

I cannot see any down side to this since our chairs for the RA are already in place and we do
not need to do anything but let the RA Rally chair know we are willing to be the host club. AND
VOLUNTEERS. We're trying to make sure we have enough people to rotate shifts and also are
rounding up lots of other RA members to help.

I would like to hold a meeting before our Sunday ride on February 11th at our usual eating place,
Timberwood, to discuss this and/or any objections, comments etc. As I said earlier, there is a lot
to be gained with what we are already doing, so I hope to see as many there as possible.

Hope to see you on February 11th.

Gene