Volume II Issue IV

Trails End.......

We welcomed our members to the March, 2003 meeting of the Memphis Tour Riders.
ROLL CALL: Terry and Mary Carole Scott, Larry Cole, Floyd Nunnelee, Mike Hopper, Brenda Hamilton, Robert and Judy Crawford, Charles and Darnell Gibson, Dan Randall, Don and Marion Oller, B. J. and Hildia Max, Bill Healy, Bonnie Miller, Dick Salveson, Tim Hendrickson and yours truly Stan Viets. We also had two first time visitors, Myron and Beverly Coney; hopefully they will be back next month. Thanks for coming. Everyone reported they received his or her newsletter this month.
This was our second meeting at Shoney's and everyone seemed satisfied with the food, service, and commented there was more room the way the tables were set up. I reminded all that a 15% gratuity would be added to your check at the cash register
Unfinished Business:
We have renewed Memphis Tour Riders annual web site hosting and The Domain name registration that was due March 7th. We reimbursed Eddie Garner for the $114.40 cost. The members expressed favorable comments on the "New Metallic Look" look on the MTR web page. Hildia Max took the opening photo of David Elston and Brenda Crawford by twisting in the saddle and shooting from the passenger seat of a speeding motorcycle. The photo was snapped on the Little River Road in the Great Smokey Mountains National Park. Good job.
We closed our old bank account and moved the funds to the AmSouth Bank. The quarterly statement will be on the Members only page, for your review.
Memphis Tour Riders first year is almost over and by the time you are reading this you should have an e-mail with the amount of your specific renewal dues, based on the month you joined, payable at our April meeting. Thus enabling all current memberships to have the same April anniversary date, simplifying our record keeping.
Memberships are $24.00 per year starting each April with a $2.00 per month deduction up to six months depending on the month they join. Example: Join in June and the dues would be $20.00, join in September the dues would be $12.00. However later than six months the membership dues will be $2.00 per month plus one year. Example: Joining in October the dues would be

Continued On Page 3

"Never Argue With A GPS."

B.J. Max

Ride Schedule 2003

April 26th---World's Biggest Fish Fry-Paris Tennessee
May 3rd---Tupelo Honda Open House/Auto Museum/Chapman's Resturuant
May 17th---Bikers for Barbara Rally and Flea Market-Southaven, MS Exit 291 off I-55
June 7th-AGWA Mousetail Park Cookout on the banks of the Tennessee River-This ride is organized by Don and Marion Oller and is always a huge hit. Don't miss this one.
June 21st-Son of Burnt Burger Cookout-Chickasaw State Park (Notice: The Son of Burnt Burger cookout at Chickasaw was changed after it was pointed out to me that the original date, May 24th, was Memorial Day weekend. We hope this does not inconvenience anyone.)
July 19th-Phillips Grocery-Holly Springs, Mississippi-Great Hamburgers/Atmosphere
July 26th-Tennessee River Catfish Ride-River Heights café- No rain this year though. Sorry.
August 16th-Flippin's Resturuant, Reelfoot Lake-Catfish and Hushhpuppies
Sept. 6th---Beacon Light Café, Bon Aqua, Tennessee-Home cooking-Fried Chicken-Gravy and Biscuits.
September 20th-Trail of Tears-Waterloo, Alabama-World's labiggest organized motorcycle ride
October 4th-Buns of Steel Ride-Seven states in one day
October 18th-"Blazing Saddles Three-Fall Foliage Tour- Overnighter-McMinnville, Tennessee.

Look for details each month in this publication and flyers will be available at monthly meetings….

Humility is the understanding that the obstacles in front of you aren't going to go away.

NOTICE-NOTICE-NOTICE

MONTHLY MEETING:
Thursday, April 10th

SHONEY'S

3081 Covington Pike

(click here for map)

Eat at Six-Meet at Seven

Happy Birthday!

Sandy Stroud-April 11th
Terry Scott-April 18th
Fran Salverson-April 19th
Bill Franklin-April 25th.

World's Biggest Fish Fry

Paris, Tennessee
Saturday, April 27th

We will meet at Shoney's, Sycamore View and Summer Ave. at 7:00AM and Depart at 8:00AM Sharp. Our route will be U.S. 70 and 79 going up. Return trip is rider's choice. Flyers will be available at the April Meeting. And please, arrive gassed up and ready to roll so we can all stay in sync on our rest stops.
Mileage: 125 Route:U.S. 70/79 Saddle Time: 3:06

CONGRATULATIONS
TO
TIM HENDRICKSON
During this year's BikeWeek at Daytona, Tim was presented a plaque by the president of BMW International for having the best "Oil Head Boxer" at Bikeweek. Considering the number of BMW's at Daytona, this was quite an honor. Three big wheelie's to Tim. Way to go.

NEW AMA CLUB

I know that the Memphis Tour Riders have several members who are affiliated with the GWRRA. I'm one of 'em myself and have been for several years. Well, according to American Motorcyclist Magazine, (April '03 page 46) official publication of the AMA, the GWRRA recently received an AMA charter and has now joined the ranks of other great motorcycle clubs around the world. Like the Memphis Tour Riders for instance. Congratulations GWRRA. You have arrived.

DONATED BY:	PRIZE:	WINNER:
Dan Randall	Candle	Dick Salverson
Stan Viets	Peanut Btr Clstrs	Floyd Nunnelee
Don & Marion Oller	Wind Chimes	Floyd Nunnelee
Mike Hopper	Cut Glass Bowl	Charley Gibson
B.J. & Hildia Max	Screwdriver	Mike Hopper
Mike Hopper	Knife Set	Floyd Nunnelee
Larry Cole	Blue Coral Cleaner	Dick Salverson
Robert & Judy Crawford	Tire Flys	Terry Scott
Floyd Nunnelee	Bike Wax	Marion Oller
Terry & Mary C. Scott	Photo Album	Floyd Nunnelee
Mike Hopper	U.S. Flag	Larry Cole

Winner 50/50 Jackpot: Dan Randall-$45.00

Mid South Motorcycle Show
Red Neck Sushi Ride a Success

We had a good turnout for the second annual (and possibly our last) Red Neck Sushi Ride to Taylor Mississippi. And even though we had a good time, there was something wrong. In the past, there has always been folks waiting on the Taylor Grocery front porch for a table but not this year. It's as if some over eager opportunist bought Taylor Grocery, expanded it and now desperately seeks cost cutting ways to make up expenses. I heard several complaints about the quality of the food. Some thought the fish batter had been changed (read that ruined) And those pea size hushpuppies, what was that all about? Plus all those bright lights have diluted the atmosphere as well. I heard one member say that he would never come back.
Like last year, we kicked this ride off from the 6th annual Mid South Motorcycle Show, which seems to be dying faster than Taylor Grocery. It draws less and less visitors and vendors every year and I personally don't think it can last much longer. I hope I'm wrong but the handwriting seems to be on the wall. Two years ago this was a great show but not anymore. Too bad. Maybe if I hadn't of been such a tightwad………………..

AMA WORKING WITH SENATE TO END HEALTH CARE DISCRIMINATION AGAINST MOTORCYCLISTS

From American Motorcyclist Magazine-April '03 Issue---Senator's Russ Fiengold (D-Wisconsin) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) Have introduced an insurance equality bill into the U.S. Senate that would promote health care coverage parity for individuals participating in legal recreational activities or legal transportation activities. This is a landmark bill written with the direct involvement of the AMA. It has huge implications for anyone who rides a motorcycle. "The threat of loosing health care benefits is enormous." says Ed Moreland, AMA vice president for government relations. What we've found most amazing over the years is that employers who cut off health insurance for motorcyclists often continue coverage for other truly risky activities. Like Drunk driving! Its only motorcyclist and those engaged in a handful of other types of recreation who are singled out.
To find out the current status of the bill log on to the AMA Rapid Response Center at www.AMADirectlink.com..You can find out the latest information about the bill and you'll have a chance to send a message in favor of it to your legislator's just by pushing a button. We need to take advantage of this opportunity. I don't know about you but if I had to ride without health coverage, I would probably consider giving up motorcycling. So Log on and send your message today.

Trails End…………………Continued From Page One
$12.00 plus $24.00 or $36.00 per membership. In December they would be $8.00 plus $24.00 or $32.00 per membership. Please clarify this to all potential members.
And please note the addition of "renewal" to our Membership application on the new forms as well as on the web page. Just circle "renewal" and make any corrections when you pay your dues. I have new applications or you can print them off the web page. If no corrections are necessary just print your name, state everything is the same, sign and date the form.
Terry Scott and I along with seven other motorcyclists completed the MSF Experienced Rider Course at Southwest Tennessee Community College on Macon Cove, Sunday March 2nd. Terry mentioned that our class was one of the first under the new Tennessee Experienced Riders Curriculum and well worth the cost. It ran long but future courses will hopefully be condensed. Our visitor tonight, Myron Coney, was one of the riders taking the class with Terry and I. Unfortunately, he will experience first hand just what the extra $10.00 for insurance covers. During one of the more diffucult parts of the course Myron fell over on his bike and broke his leg. Additional Experienced Rider Courses this year are scheduled for May 10, August 16, November 01 and November 02. Call Theresa at 901-333-4510 or Ron 333-4490 to sign up or for information.
UPDATES, NEWS & COMMENTS:
Bill Jones is at home but had to have laser surgery on his left eye on March 6th. He has a physical therapist three times a week and an occupational therapist two times a week. He is slowly making progress and will probably start outpatient therapy at HealthSouth April 1st.
Jim Ashe is now out of the Methodist HealthSouth Hospital. Jim has to go back for outpatient therapy three times a week so he and Judy will be staying with Judy's mother in Memphis for the time being.
Reminder our MTR patches are available for $3.00/each. Also the rockers "WHERE WE GO ONE, WE GO ALL" are in and they are available at a cost of $2.00 per set. We need to sell them.
Floyd, B.J. and his GPS and I attended the annual Iron Butt Party at Palm Coast, Florida during this year's Bikeweek. We left on Thursday morning and rode in the heavy rain to Pensacola then even heavier rain from Pensacola to St Augustine. It was not raining when went to the party. Over 300 folks there. We got up Saturday morning and found it had rained over night and rain was forecast for the rest of the day and also for Sunday. We had a dry window between St Augustine and Memphis so we decided to go home and rode straight through. 730 miles in 15 hours and 15 minutes. One IBA member rode from San Diego, California to St. Augustine in 38 hours.. Incidentally the Aria 200 was rained out and postponed till Monday the 10th. So we made the right decision. B.J. put his new GPS to the test down and back. He coined a new phrase, "Never argue with a GPS". Tim Hendrickson was at Daytona all week plus a few days. Like us, He enjoyed the trip even though at one time his tent was floating in six inches of water. But despite the rain, Tim he did manages to get in a round of Golf . And Congratulations to Tim for being awarded the "Best Oil Head Boxer" in Daytona BMW by the President of the BMW Riders International. Way to go Tim. Sorry we missed out on the Bar-B-Q. Maybe next time.

Continued

New Business:

Our friendly neighborhood Road Commander, B.J. Max, reviewed an impressive ride schedule for 2003. The slate was lengthy and covered many rides, events and rallies. The schedule will be posted in the newsletter and listed on the MTR web page. Please check often as there may be an occasional revision and/or updates. We realize everyone can’t make all the rides but if able you will take pleasure in the ones you can participate in. We have a lot of fun and camaraderie; see a lot of the country always with safety a prime requisite. Thanks B.J. for a job well done.

News and Notes from the April 2003 American Motorcyclists Association newsletter:

Tennessee House Bill 952 and Senate Bill 861 sponsored by Rep. Tidwell in the House and Sen. Burchett in the Senate, would allow adults 21 years of age or older to choose whether to wear a helmet or not.

House Bill 1045 and Senate Bill 1200 would allow motorcyclists to treat ”non-functioning” traffic-control signals as stop signs. If you come to a red light, which won’t change and allow you to pass through it due to your motorcycle not “tripping” the magnetic-field sensor you could proceed with caution. Rep. McCord in the House and Sen. Clabough in the Senate sponsor these bills.

Miscellaneous:

Italian Speed Limits are being raised to improve road safety according to transport minister Pietro Lunardi. Lunardi believes higher speeds will improve traffic flow, and encourage motorists to pay attention. The change will effect six-lane highways after January 1, 2004, raising the limit to 150km/h (93mph), Lunardi went on to say that psychologists and doctors say people who drive faster drive better and are more careful, and that only 9 percent of fatal accidents were caused by speeding.

Again thanks to all that brought door prizes, win one bring one.

Quotation of the month: “The reward for work well done is the opportunity to do more.”……………..……..Jonas Salk, MD

Our next meeting will be Thursday April 10, 2003.

Thanks for coming, see y’all next month and remember Daylight savings begins Sunday April 6^th. Ride Safe.

Stan and Jean

The meeting was officially adjourned 7:55 PM.

The first Harley-Davidson Carburetor was made out of a tomato can!