Volume VII Issue II

Hi Folks,

Well it’s February, that means Valentines Day, flowers, candy, romance, and all the fun stuff that comes with it. I think we should all do something for our significant other. I put some blue LED accent lights on my white one for the occasion. I think it likes them too because they shine real nice when they get turned on. I think the black one is jealous so I will probably put the extra ones I have on it to make it feel good before Easter.

But seriously we should do something nice for our significant other. We should all maintain our rides this time of year. So if that other person rides behind you they will feel better about it. Check your tires, change the oil, how old is that battery? Better safe than sorry. So do something nice for your significant other and maybe that night with the candlelight dinner, the fine bottle of your favorite beverage, a nice meal will lead to some of that other fun stuff.

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!!

Ride it Like You Stole It
Keep the Rubber Side Down
Dan

Trails End Minutes by Stan Viets

February 2008

We welcomed the following to the first meeting of 2008. Members in attendance were Don and Teresa Hester, Russell Higgins, Floyd
Nunnelee, Terry and MC Scott, Rick Tony, Charlie and Darnell Gibson, Dan and Linda Randall, Paul and Dian Talkington and yours truly. We had several visitors, Jerry and Margaret Medley, Melissa and Natalie Atkins, Jessica Hester and Norm Allen. Thanks folks you are welcome, come back anytime.

We will have 3 Birthdays in February; Larry Cole on the 6th, Bonnie Gamer on the 7th and Brenda Crawford on the 11th. We will have 1 anniversary in February, Jake and Melissa Atkins on the 20th. Our best wishes to all.

We don’t have a lot to discuss tonight other than our MTR Christmas Party at the TBCH and our January 1st Polar Bear Ride to Pig and Whistle. This year ending events are in the newsletter and already on the web page.

Recap for those that may not know: We had a total of 45 in attendance at the party including us, the boy’s, house parents and their families. The weather started out iffy but ended beautifully and we were able to offer the children motorcycle rides on the ranch paved roads. We had all the pizza, deserts and drinks anyone could ask for. Thanks to all the folks who furnished an abundance of pizza, door prizes, toys, gift certificates, clothes, smoked pork butts for each house, along with two really nice basket ball goals from MTR, in all we had a rewarding time. Also a big thanks to Dan’s company fellow employees donating $450 in Kroger gift certificates for the TBCH Bartlett Campus.

We are indeed happy to have a great group of caring individuals willing to give of themselves to provide a wonderful Christmas party and camaraderie for those less fortunate. Pictures are posted on our MTR web site.

The data on the Member’s web page has been updated. Our member’s page is now printer friendly; you can print both the Member’s addresses and birthday/anniversary list by clicking on the print button at the bottom of the page and print your own personal hard copy. If you find any errors please let me know.

We also appreciate and thank our Advertiser/Sponsors for continuing their ads in 2007; we value your contribution and support.

Please remember our ailing members in your thoughts and prayers. Prayers are priceless and they do work.

We concluded our 2007 rides, with 5599 miles of scheduled fun and festivities. We appreciate and thank Billy Max for his dedication and hard work in coming up with good rides every year. Trivia, in 2007 we had 26 scheduled and impromptu events with 398 members and guests in attendance, quite an accomplishment.

Has everyone read BJ’s blog for the 2007 riding Season recap on our web page. http://bjmaxonline.com/wordpress it’s an impressive
detailed log of MTR 2007 events and activities.

BJ expects to have our 2008 ride schedule by our March meeting. If you have any ride requests or thoughts, let BJ know ASAP. Billy will be sending out email notices, during the winter months, of our planned monthly dinner get together. We have had a good turnout even in the cold weather.

Reminder, the Long Ranger Mileage Challenge will end Sunday March 9th at midnight. Dan will announce the winner at our March 13th meeting, it’s your responsibility to let Dan know your odometer reading well before the meeting.

Another reminder, the MTR annual $24 membership dues will be due at the April meeting. We appreciate your support and dedication.

Thanks to Charlie and Darnell we had a guest speaker at our meeting, Norm Allen, District manager for Cycle Gear, Norm’s informative presentation detailed Cycle Gears back ground from 1974 when the business was started.

Our next meeting will be February 14. 2008, Valentine’s Day at Fox Ridge Pizza. Eat at 6:00 PM, Meet at 7:00 PM, gone by 8:00 PM.
Thanks to all that brought door prizes, win one bring one.

Safety starts with an S but in reality it begins with U.
Ride safe to-day and every day!
Adjourn 7:50 PM

Stan

Sometimes

it’s a little better to travel, then to arrive.

Phaedrus

Door Prizes
Win One Bring One
Donated by	Prize	Winner
Floyd Stan Terry and MC Charlie and Darnell Charlie and Darnell Charlie and Darnell Dan and Linda Paul and Dian	1800 Oil filter Bike Log book Chimes Tank Bag Protectall Plexus Candle Weather Radio	Stan Terry Floyd Floyd Rick Dan Teresa Don
50/50 Jackpot	$38.00	Floyd

An Update from Bob Branch and the crew from down south

We are three days here so could locate this CiberCafe. Crossed into Gautarnala Saturday. No problems at customs, just took time. Wind was really a pistol coming across the Isthmus of Tehuantepec but it was cool coming out of Oaxaca (7000’) and got hot (up to 96) when we got close to sea level on in to Tapachula. Hot when we crossed the border there and most of the way to Antigua.

Antigua is 5100’ so it is cool here. We stay here three nights, leave tomorrow morning for El Salvador. Good view of the nearby active volcano for our hotel and yesterday we went up to another one, at about 9000’ and to a market at Chichicastenango. Interesting ride, kinda scary at times, poor road, tough curves and much traffic... .but we all got back in one piece, had nice dinner and watched the Super Bowl at a sports bar. Had TV in room and watched first half there. Guatamalicos all seemed to be interested and rooting for the Giants (Giantes or Nueva York), yelled and cheered every play.

Today MotoDiscovery has organized a walking tour of Antigua and I will go on that. Weather is perfect, was yesterday also. Sent out my laundry, and got it back at 2PM as s promised. In Oxaca we sweated out getting it and they kept saying “later’ we were leaving early the next morning and I could visualize having to shop for underwear, shirt and jeans. But we were able to pick it up about 7PM (sign said they closed at 6PM).

At the market in Chichicastenango there was a big Catholic church at the highest point in town that was interesting. It was Sunday so I went in for a short prayer and found strange things inside as well as on the big steps outside. Seems the locals still worship in the Animus (Sp?) religion. Some time ago they rebelled against the Catholic church and took this one over. The priests reached an agreement with them that lets them both use this church. So the locals go the their Mass, then double up with afterward with the Shaman for whatever they want, like healing or better crop or fertility, etc. So you have these guys in colorful cloaks and headdress swing a can with smoking incense over whoever needs something. There was one inside and one out on the steps in front. They were very busy and had a long line waiting so the locals must think they are worth whatever they pay I noticed the Shaman inside stuffing a big wad of local money into his pockets.

I have an update drafted but cannot send it on this computer, no pictures either. But will when I get a chance.