Volume II Issue Il

Trails End.......

The January 9, 2003 meeting of the Memphis Tour Riders was officially gaveled to order at 7:00PM. First order of business was to welcome all members.
Roll Call: Robert and Judy Crawford, Dan Randall, Mike Hopper, Dick Salveson, B.J. and Hildia Max, David Elston, Terry and Mary Carol Scott, Jimmy and Margaret Rogers, Gene Dennie, Bill Healy and yours truly Stan Viets. We didn't have any visitors but we were pleased to welcome Judy Crawford and Gene Dennie to their first meeting. Every one signed the attendance book and all received their January newsletter.
Dan Randall give us a follow up on our Tennessee Baptist Children's Home Christmas Party and passed out a thank you note signed by the house parents, Johnny and Bea Mayhan and children of the Davis Cottage. The note expressed their appreciation for all the gifts, gift certificates, food and making Christmas very special for the girls. I also want to thank the Charity Committee and all the members who were so generous with their gifts for the children as well as all the food and party items contributed to the successful party. Terry Scott presented a plaque, donated by Mr. and Mrs. Anonymous on behalf of the Memphis Tour Riders, to Dan Randall in appreciation for his efforts in coordinating the event. Thanks for a job well done. Dan Randall will also be coordinating an effort to rebuild the wooden playground at the Children's Home Campus, sometime this spring. Details will be forth coming.
Unfinished business: We had our 1st annual Arctic Polar Bear Run on New Years Day and it was well attended. MTR Members riding were: Jimmy and Margaret Rogers, Dan Randall, Robert Crawford, Mike and Brenda Hamilton, Tim Hendricks, Terry Scott, Hubert Gross came to Shoney's but did not go to the river and yours truly. We had several visitors Clay Kagel and friend Cami and Ken McCarver all riding to the river. Tim Jones with the Christian Motorcycle Association and several others did not ride but ate breakfast with us. The water skiing was an interesting event and surprisingly not all of the participants could water ski but for some reason were willing to make a spectacle of themselves and make an effort in the cold weather? There is talk of making this an annual event? Pictures are now on the MTR web site… mtrmc.com

Continued On Page 3

If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it!

``Even `BikerBoyz' Practice Rider Responsibility''

IRVINE, Calif.- Jan. 23, 2003--Motorcycles will roar across the big screen this year in a number of major motion pictures beginning with the nationwide release of DreamWorks' "BikerBoyz."
These fantastic images are sure to inspire moviegoers to experience the excitement of motorcycling for themselves by following the lead of a number of actors, including "BikerBoyz" cast members Brendan Fehr and Djimon Hounsou, who honed their riding skills by enrolling in a Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) RiderCourse(SM).
Get Trained!
The Motorcycle Safety Foundation believes that motorcycle rider training is the most effective way to learn basic riding skills and become a safer motorcyclist. Available nationwide is the MSF Basic RiderCourse(SM), a 15-hour hands-on rider training course (over two to four days) that offers five hours of classroom discussion on rider responsibility, risk management, street strategies and riding sober and ten riding hours in a controlled, off-street environment to practice basic riding skills and hazard avoidance.
For individuals interested in off-highway riding, there is the MSF DirtBike School(SM), a day-long program that integrates classroom instruction and basic techniques for riding off-highway motorcycles taught in a controlled riding environment with a focus on body positioning, being a Right Rider and environmental awareness.
To locate the MSF RiderCourse nearest you call toll free 800/446-9227; to locate the MSF DirtBike School nearest you call toll free 877/288-7093 or visit www.msf-usa.org.

Be a Responsible Rider!

The Motorcycle Safety Foundation believes that a motorcycle is only as safe as the person operating it.

-- A responsible rider knows what his skill level is and rides within it.
-- A responsible rider uses his RiderRadar to constantly scan for hazards and plan ahead.
-- A responsible rider slows down to give himself time and space to react whenever on an unfamiliar road.
-- A responsible rider makes sure he and his passenger wear the same protective gear:
-- A responsible rider lets his buddies with more experience ride ahead and wait for him at the next intersection.

The Motorcycle Safety Foundation is a national, not-for-profit organization promoting the safety of motorcyclists with programs in rider training, operator licensing and public information. For more comprehensive information about the MSF or to contact an MSF spokesperson, please call the MSF Media Relations Hotline, 949/727-3227, ext. 3131.

NOTICE
MEETING LOCATION CHANGE

The Memphis Tour Riders have changed meeting locations. As of February 13th Our new site will be:

SHONEY'S

(click here for map)

3081 Covington Pike
Directions: Take exit 10 off I-40 and go North on Covington Pike for 2.8 miles. Shoney's will be on your left exactly 924 feet after crossing Stage Road (Man I do love this GPS)
Eat at Six-Meet at Seven

Happy Birthday!

Larry Cole-February 6th
Bonnie Garner-Feb 7th
Brenda Crawford-Feb 10th
Kathy Dennie-February 12th
Jimmy Rogers-February 22nd

Many Happy Returns

Happy Anniversary!

Stan and Jean Viets
February 27th

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY

MOTORCYCLE SAFETY FOUNDATION
EXPERIENCED RIDER COURSE
FEBRUARY 23rd

The MSF Experienced Rider Course is being offered at Southwest Tennessee Community College on Macon Cove. (Old State Tech) Of the four dates available MTR decided on Sunday, February 23, 2003, the latest date offered. It's an all day, 8 AM to 5 PM course, classroom and range. The cost is $75 to be mailed with the registration or they will accept Visa or MasterCard only, plus $10 for insurance coverage due the day of the class. We must register individually. The deadline for the mail-in registration is past so you will have to go down to the Southwest Campus to register. You can pick up the Southwest Tennessee Community College Continuing Education booklet, complete with the registration form at any Memphis/Shelby County Library or pick it up at Southwest registration. If you are interested in taking the course on Sunday, February 23, 2003, you may want to pick up the form and register right away before the course fills up? The last report was there were only five vacancies left so you might want to hustle on down right away.
In addition to filling out the form and $75.00 you will need the following:

Course Number: 90-0016
Section S13

The course is subject to cancellation if not filled. Please remember Honda Riders Club will reimburse up to $75 to HRCA members that complete the course. Also the completion of the course makes you eligible for a 10% across the board discount on your motorcycle insurance. 10% off your insurance will most likely save you thirty to sixty bucks a year. That will almost pay for the course in itself. I've ridden with this bunch for ten years and from my observations, a refresher course wouldn't hurt any of us. In the words of Jethro Bodine "You cain't get to much learnin'." Jethro, if you remember, went all the way through the sixth grade so that's good advise coming from someone who knows.

UPDATE

The ERC course we were scheduled to take at the Southwest TN Community College has been canceled due to the instructors need for additional training. The ERC classes have been rescheduled for March 1st and 2nd. I don't know how many members have signed up but please call Teresa tomorrow, 333-4207 and reschedule if you can make either of the March dates. If not ask for a refund. We appreciate your patience, hopefully it will work out this time, if not we have other options.

“One for the Road” may be two for the cemetery.

Think about it…

Trails End…………………Continued From Page One
The membership has decided by a unanimous show of hands to move our meeting location, effective Thursday 13th of February, to Shoney's on 3081 Covington Pike. We have their private dining room reserved from 5:45 to 8:00 PM for the balance of this year. Covington Pike is exit 10 off I-40 and Shoney's is just past Stage Road on the west side. Our meetings will still be on the second Tuesday of the month. They serve an Italian buffet on Thursday nights or you can order from the menu. Shoney's offers a senior discount varying from .50 to $1.00, depending on what is ordered also a 15% gratuity will be added to your check. We will continue to eat at 6:00 and meet at 7:00 and adjourn by 8:00 PM. Our thanks to Jimmy C's Cafe for hosting our meetings this past year.
Several members will be taking the MSF Experienced Rider Course at Southwest Tennessee Community College on Macon Cove Sunday February 23rd. This is an all day course, 8:00AM to 5:00 PM classroom and range. The cost is $75 (in advance) plus $10 for insurance to be paid on site the day of the course. There is a maximum of twelve students per class. As of Tuesday, January 7th there were only six openings left so if you haven't signed up you might want to get in gear. The above date is subject to cancellation if not filled. Honda Riders Club will pay up to $75 to their members that complete the course. We need to fill up this course so they don't cancel it. Also the completion of the course makes you eligible for a 10% across the board discount on your motorcycle liability insurance.
Updates, news and comments:
Bill Jones has been moved to Methodist Health South for rehab and recovery, Room 311B. Jim Ashe is currently at Methodist Central but they moved him from the trauma unit to a regular room - 1105 Thomas Wing. An MRI on January 6th confirmed that Jim did not have a heart attack prior to the accident. That's all we know for now. Please remember to keep these old friends in our prayers.
Our MTR patches are available for $3.00/each. Also the rockers "WHERE WE GO ONE, WE GO ALL" are available at a cost of $2.00 per set. We need to sell them.
The February AMA NewsLetter noted the following: "Shanghai, China officials, in an effort to reduce air pollution, have proposed to ban all 789,000 motorcycles (55 percent of all traffic) from operating within the city". Wow, can you believe the number of motorcycles?
New Business:
B. J. Max is already planning Blazing Saddles Three and the date is set, October 18, 2003. If you have any suggestions for rides or events please let B.J. know. Santa brought B.J. a GPS (For those of you who have been living in a cave or Northern Mississippi for the past few years, GPS stands for Global Positioning System.) for Christmas so now, whenever he leads us astray, he can consult his new toy and get us back on the path to righteousness. At least that's what he says.
The bank that we have our account with has been bought by UP which will charge $10/month service fee. We will move our Non-Profit Corporation accounts to South Trust Bank and as long as we maintain a $500.00 balance we do not have to pay a service charge. Has everyone checked the member's only page on web site for the bank statement and balance? You can also use it to find out when your 2003 dues are payable. Check with the Webmaster for the password to access the member's only site

Our thanks to all that brought door prizes. Win one bring one.
Quotation of the month: "Laughing is the sensation of feeling good all over and showing it principally in one spot."…………………Josh Billings
Our next meeting will be Thursday February 13, 2003 at Shoney's at 3081 Covington Pike. Hope to see you then.
Ride Safe.
Stan and Jean
The meeting was officially adjourned at 7:55 PM

50-50

DONATED BY:	PRIZE:	WINNER:
Robert & Judy Crawford	Stretch Cords	Dick Salverson
Stan Viets	Cashews	Mary Carol Scott
Mike Hopper	Tee Wrenches	B. J. Max
Mike Hopper	Surprise Bag	Jimmy Rogers
B.J. & Hildia Max	Utility Tool	Robert Crawford
B.J. & Hildia Max	NASCAR Cards	Dick Salverson
David Elston	Spot Mirrors	Gene Dennie

Winner 50/50 Jackpot: Stan Viets-$32.00

REDNECK SUSHI

MOTORCYCLE RIDE

Saturday, March 15, 2003

The sixth annual Mid-South Motorcycle Show will be held March 14th 15th 16th at the Agricenter International building just off Germantown Road at Shelby Farms. Admission is six bucks. On Saturday, March 16th, The Memphis Tour Riders will converge on the Agricenter, kick some tires and maybe even buy some chrome. Arrival time for the bike show is up to each individual however, at three PM sharp, we will all gather at the rear of the building and depart for Taylor, Mississippi and the Taylor Grocery and Fish House (Weather Permitting). We must arrive in Taylor no later than four thirty otherwise we'll have to wait. For those of you who have never made this trip, Taylor Grocery serves some of the best steak and or catfish in this part of the country and the atmosphere is our favorite, pure Redneck. Author William Faulkner patronized this little southern eatery in his day and it is said that John Grisham still drops in now and then for a helping of this delicious southern cuisine. Round Trip Mileage: 156

Walk softly and carry a sawed off shotgun.

Teddy Roosevelt edited for the 21st Century ed.