Volume IV Issue I

Small Club with Long Legs
bj max

Happy New Year Good People and so long 2004. Hard to believe ain't it Remember the millennium bug? That was five years ago. Five years! Time sure flies don't it and you can bet that before you can say Harley-Davidson FLHFI Ultra-Classic we'll be knee deep into the '05 riding season.

Speaking of the new season, rye been working on our '05 schedule and there will be a few changes made. Most of them will be minor but there is one major difference, one that will make a lot of you happy I think. For the past four years we have ridden to McMinnville and had dinner at the Foglight Foodhouse and because of the long ride we have always had to leave very early in the morning. In the fall that translates into a freezing pro-dawn start. Well, Fm happy to announce that will not be the case this year because we will be riding only as far as Fayetteville. That will eliminate sixty plus miles and allow us to leave at a more sane hour. We will also eat dinner in Fayetteville, spend the night there and attend the Jack Daniels Bar-B-Q Festival just up the road in Lynchburg on Sunday.

The rest of the schedule will be a variety of day trips spiced up with several short dinner rides. We will also bring back an old favorite, the seven states in one day ride. And back by popular demand is the Long Ranger high mileage rider that was won last year by Tim Hendrickson. But there will be a slight change to the rules. In the past you could only register one motorcycle and I really been catching some flack over this. So this year, If you own two or more motorcycles you can register any two of them you wish. I was petitioned by several members to allow this change and I'll admit that like last year, I was against it. I argued that all of us can't afford two bikes but the members argued back that it didn't matter because you can't ride more than one motorcycle at a time anyway. A good and valid point so the new rules limit you to two motorcycles instead of one. But, its up to you to figure out how to get both your motorcycles registered at a ride or meeting so either Stan or I can record the odometer. No exceptions here. Either Stan or myself must see the odometer for an official reading. The kickoff to the Long Ranger Contest will not be the Polar Bear Ride as was thought at first The reason is because the weather is so iffy there may not be anyone there. We decided to kick it off at a more popular event. Perhaps the Agricenter Motorcycle Show in March...I will let you know in plenty of time.

And on a final note...Last year The Memphis Tour Riders rode a total of 4992 organized miles. That includes the Mexico trip. That's not to bad for a small independent outfit like ours is it? Our Ride Schedule last January projected a total of 4,457 miles, but we managed to beat that by 535. Now, let's say we figure in the 80,000 miles accumulated by the Long Ranger participants, deduct the 4492 logged in our regular rides for each contestant, add the difference and one could argue that the Memphis Tour Riders rode a combined total of 40,000 plus organized miles. And, thank the Old Master, no serious accidents. Great job MTR. Even those big national motorcycle clubs would be hard pressed to top that. Great job MTR. The long legged motorcycle club.

It is a time of resolutions. I made one resolution many years ago and I have stuck to it. I resolved to no longer make resolutions. The following are some alternative affirmations for a new year.

Published by HumorMatterstm

I. As I let go of my feelings of guilt, I am In touch with my inner sociopath.

2.1 have the power to channel my imagination into ever-soaring levels of suspicion and paranoia.

3.1 assume full responsibility for my actions, except the ones that are someone else's fault.

4. In some cultures what I do would he considered normal.

5. My intuition nearly makes up for my lack of wisdom and judgment.

6.1 need not suffer in silence while I can still moan, whimper, and complain.

7.1 will strive to live each day as If it were my 50th birthday.

8. Today I will gladly share my experience and advice, for there are no sweeter words than "I told you so!"

9. A scapegoat is almost as good as a solution.

10. The complete lack of evidence is the surest proof that the conspiracy is working.

11. Before I criticize a man, I walk a mile in his shoes. That way, if he gets angry, he's a mile away and barefoot.

The full list can be found at the following address:
http://www.humormatters.com/holidays/newyears.html

Trails End Minutes by Stan Viets January 2005

Well folks the year 2004 has come and gone and we are all now anxiously looking forward to 2005. We ended up another great year with our annual Christmas Party for the boys at the Tennessee Baptist Children's Ranch.

Members attending were: Floyd Nunnelee, David Elston, Barry and Sharon Englander, Charles Gibson, Mike Hopper, Brenda Hamilton, Dan Randall, Billy Max, Tim Hendrickson, Terry and Mary Carole Scott, Margaret Rogers. Richard Oglesby, our newest members. Doug and Kim Pauley and Stan and Jean Viets. We had in excess of 45 in attendance, enjoying all the fun and fellowship. We had plenty of good food: courtesy of U.S. Foods all cooked to perfection by Tim Hendrickson in his new cooker, soft drinks courtesy of Kroger's at Trinity Commons along with cakes, pies and cookies furnished by the membership. This year MTR presented our Christmas gift of field hockey equipment for 20 players, consisting of goals, hockey sticks, pucks and kneepads.

We have also received a thank you letter of appreciation from Ray E. Moss, Vice President of the TBCH; West Region, thanking us for the gifts and Christmas party and indicating the boys are enjoying the equipment. We sincerely thank all that were able to attend the party and to all our members for their support.

MTR had plaques for Tim Hendrickson for winning the MTR Long Distance award for 2004. Terry Scott for his service as the outgoing Vice President and Billy Max for the excellent job as Editor and Publisher of our Newsletter, Happy Trails. We appreciate their service and dedication.

We also value Dan Randall's efforts to arrange for the food, liaison with TBCH and all the neat door prizes for the Christmas Party and our thanks to each and everyone that brought gifts, canned food and the desserts. We couldn't do it without your hard work.

Jean and I also delivered an assortment of goodies, showing MTR gratitude to Eddie and Bonnie Gamer for their work in keeping our Web Site current and the best. They expressed their appreciation to MTR.

We had 4 Birthdays in December. Mike Hopper on the 2nd, Woodie Hill on the 12th, and DeAnna Kilpatrick on the 24th and Buck Permenter on the 27th. There were 2 Anniversary this month, Eddie and Bonnie Garner on the 11th and Don and Marion Oller on the 26th, congratulations to all.

Patriotism...applies to true love of one 's country.

Howard Fast

Ongoing business:

Our tentative plans to consider moving our meeting location are still on hold until after the first of the year. As a reminder our Meeting will continue to be at Shoney's on Covington Pike until further notice.

Please continue to send your current nes or articles, stories, etc. to Dan Randall and get involved. Dan is doing an outstanding job on Happy Trails and we appreciate his efforts.

Our Road Commander, Billy Max, is planning the 2005 Ride Itinerary and will have it soon. However, our new scheduled events for the New Year will start with our Polar Bear Ride, January 1st. Details are on the web page.

We will continue to post rides/events as they come up in the newsletter, on the web page and at meetings. As aIways, if anyone has any suggestions for rides or events please let Billy Max know. David Elston has suggested we consider ways to show our appreciation and thanks to our Service Men and Women in Iraq. Please propose your ideas and thoughts for discussion at the January meeting.

As a reminder the MTR officers for 2005 are: President, Stan Viets, V-President, Floyd Nunnelee, Secretary, Darnell Gibson, Treasurer, Hildia Max, Road Commander, Billy Max, and Dan Randall as our Editor/Publisher of Happy Trails and Eddie Gamer as our Web master. MTR thanks to the outgoing officers for your contribution. Major 2005 Event: Wonders: “THE ART OF THE MOTORCYCLE” Exhibit will be at the Memphis Pyramid April 22-October 30, 2005. I am fortunate to have been asked to serve on the Wonders Advisory Board. MTR and the Motorcycling Community will also be presented the opportunity to volunteer for work at the exhibition. You will also have the unique opportunity to ride in an “Event Opening Parade”, limited to the first 2000 bikes to pre-register, being planned for April 23, 2005. You will want to participate in this exclusive one time only event. Details will follow.

Also Mary Carole Scott has prearranged a 30-45 minute presentation of this exhibit to be presented on January 8th,2005 at 11:00 AM, in one of the rooms at the Cherokee Branch library, 3300 Sharpe Ave. in Memphis. Make your plans to attend now. In 2004 MTR had 28 scheduled meetings, events and rides with a total of 453 members and guests attending, it was another good year.

Thanks to all that bring door prizes to our meetings, win one bring one.

See y’all next year for next years first meeting, January 13, 2005 at Shoney’ s, on Covington Pike. Eat at 6:00-meet at 7:00 PM Ride Safe and arrive alive in 005.

Happy New Year Stan and Jean

Bumpus Harley Davidson Named Title Sponsor of WONDERS Exhibit "The Art of the Motorcycle"

MEMPHIS, TN - Officials with WONDERS: The Memphis International Cultural Series announced today that Bumpus Harley-Davidson - a regional dealer of the world's most popular motorcycle - has signed on as title sponsor of the upcoming exhibit "The Art of the Motorcycle", scheduled to open in April at The Pyramid.

"We're obviously very excited and proud to be a part of what's going to be an amazing exhibit," said President Tim Bumpus. "The opportunity to see the evolution of the motorcycle is something that we, and really anyone who rides, can get excited about. We're honored to be able to help bring such a prestigious exhibit to Memphis and those who love motorcycles."

Based on the landmark exhibit that premiered at the Guggenheim Museum in New York to record crowds, the exhibit examines the motorcycle's history of industrial design and its role as a cultural icon. The exhibition includes nearly a hundred motorcycles from around the world - from the earliest steam-powered bikes (which pre-dated automobiles by 25 years) to contemporary models. Each was selected based on aesthetic and design excellence, technological innovation and social impact.

"Exhibitions such as 'The Art of the Motorcycle' would be S impossible without the support of our sponsors." said WONDERS COO Glen Campbell. "We're very pleased that Bumpus Harley-Davidson, which is just a natural for this exhibition, has graciously agreed to serve as title sponsor. I'd also like to recognize and extend our thanks to the Buckman family for sponsoring the educational programs associated with 'Motorcycles'. Additional support is being provided by a familiar cast of wonderful corporate citizens - the folks at AutoZone, The Peabody, Peabody Place and FedEx."

The exhibit will be unveiled April 22, 2005 and run through October 30.

WONDERS was established in 1989 and has since produced eleven blockbuster exhibitions including Catherine the Great, Napoleon, Imperial Tombs of China, TITANIC, Eternal Egypt, CZARS and most recently, Masters of Florence. Originally a division of the City of Memphis, WONDERS now operates as a not-for-profit organization.

Harley-Davidson Motor Company, the only major U.S.-based motorcycle manufacturer, produces heavyweight motorcycles and a complete line of motorcycle ports, accessories and general merchandise. Bumpus Harley-Davidson, which opened its first location on Summer Avenue in Memphis in 1986, is set to open its fourth this December in Collierville. Other locations include Jackson (TN) and Murfreesboro.

Here's an e-mail I'm thrilled to pass on..... "Loco" Joe

I'm very pleased to announce that VDT IV was able to raise (((drum roll please))) $12,200 for the Armed Forces Museum at Camp Shelby. I'm sure most of you who witnessed the Honor Ride from Bumpus to Bally's would agree that had more of the riders who participated registered, we would have raised much more. (unofficial bike count = 1014.... "Loco")

I take heart though that it continues to grow. (Last year was $10,060). Those of you who've participated (and helped us) over the past four years knows that Bally's donates 100% of all the rider registration, vendor fees, leftover T-shirt/pin sales and this year the slot tournament registration fees.

The money raised this year will help the museum to expand and improve their displays thereby preserving the heritage of our Veterans.

Thank you all for your help. See you next year ... November 4, 5 & 6, 2005

Kim

Does this bring back some memories?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

03 - Dana Totty
04 - Tim Hendrickson

05 - Lin Hill

09 - Hildia Max

17 - Charlie Gibson

18 - Myron D. Coney

22 - Ann Branch

30 - Dorothy Shipman

Many Happy Returns

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY
	22 - Bob & Ann Branch