RainMaker
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Posts: 6626
VRCC#24130 - VRCCDS#0117 - IBA#48473
Arlington, TX
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« on: January 09, 2009, 06:16:20 AM » |
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Our meeting at Joe's was very good. We had 6 total attendees, which is a little light, but the discussion was lively and we had a nice time.
We discussed upcoming rides and everyone there has indicated they will post rides to the calendar and lead those rides in the upcoming weeks and months, so keep your eye on the calendar and plan accordingly. RainMaker handed out information regarding the upcoming MS-160 160 mile Bicycle ride for charity that Walmart puts on in this area - they are looking for volunteers to do motorcycle escort. This will be in May.
We also talked about the need for new members.
Our sponsor, Al Lamb's Honda, contributed door prizes and we all certainly appreciate Al Lamb for doing this.
Start thinking about club elections coming up in July. Start thinking about who you would like to see as President, Vice-President, Secretary and Ride Coordinator. These officers will be in charge of meeting locations, times, etc. plus keeping the chapter informed via email and the forum.
Thanks
RainMaker
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« Last Edit: January 09, 2009, 01:15:52 PM by RainMaker »
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 2005 BMW R1200 GS 2000 Valkyrie Interstate 1998 Valkyrie Tourer 1981 GL1100I GoldWing 1972 CB500K1
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Doc809
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« Reply #1 on: January 09, 2009, 07:32:28 AM » |
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Sorry I couldn't make the meeting last night. Right back in the thick of things with lectures, research, rotations, etc. Since I couldn't make my suggestion at the meeting, I'll do it here. I think we should consider a format change that would encourage additional participation. I would suggest soliciting volunteers to assume responsibility for a month. That responsibility would include selecting a meeting site (keeping it central), providing an actual program for the meeting (relative to the mc world), promoting that program through email and the forum, and planning at least one ride that month. With just a little effort the volunteers would only have to do this once per year per person. It would add variety and encourage involvement. This is not intended to reflect on any individual, only an observation concerning the current membership involvement. I just think we should be honest about the future of the club. Six at a meeting, four on a ride, etc. might indicate a little reevaluation of what we are doing. I am not trying to stir up anything or criticize anyone, just promote a little membership discussion. Just my humble opinion and, yes I know, opinions are like #$%%^s. Everybody's got one and they all stink. OK, I am ready to take my beating now for suggesting this radical thing.
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How much fun can I have before I have to go to hell?
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Wanderer
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« Reply #2 on: January 09, 2009, 09:06:41 AM » |
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Very creative, Doc! It would mean amending the constitution or doing away with it, but I will support such a modification. Maybe even make the meeting a destination ride on a weekend day? I would be glad to take a couple of dates over the next year.
I am sure everyone will join me in giving Mark and Ron a big ole cyber atta boy for hanging in there for these two years however this works out!
And, if we "need" a person to be head of coordination, I have a Terrell Valk rider in mind. ~Jeff
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More Valk Pics...had a couple of Valks once upon a time 2004 DRZ400S 2005 GS1200 1978 CB550K 1977 CB550F
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Doc809
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« Reply #3 on: January 09, 2009, 11:20:00 AM » |
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I have nothing but respect and admiration for both Ron and Mark. This is NOT intended to reflect on them but to increase membership participation and take some of the load OFF of them. I appreciate all that our leadership has done and is doing. Just think it's time for other folks to assist in making the DFW VRCC something special. Trying to kick off some discussion of how to improve. Certainly don't have all the answers, nor do I claim to. But working together we might surprise ourselves at how good this could be. Respectfully submitted. L
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How much fun can I have before I have to go to hell?
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RainMaker
Member
    
Posts: 6626
VRCC#24130 - VRCCDS#0117 - IBA#48473
Arlington, TX
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« Reply #4 on: January 09, 2009, 01:00:10 PM » |
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Speaking for myself, I don't feel as if Doc's ideas are anything but a positive and creative spin on how to change the way we do things and hopefully improve involvement of the membership. We've had some really good rides over the last 4 years including rides of 18 to 30 bikes just in 2008. I know that I enjoy riding with all of you, even if there are only 1, 2 or 3 on a ride. The polar bear run a few days ago was fun for me even if it was a smaller ride than previous polar bear runs, mostly because Stan was leading the ride and I wasn't. It’s still fun to ride with other Valks. So, the desire is still there within me and I think within the membership to have a Valkyrie club, to do wrench parties and ride together to show off the Fat Lady to the V-Twinkies everywhere. But I also think that Ron and I have gotten stale as we have been the primary ride coordinators and ride leaders for too long. We tend to go to the same spots and that becomes boring for the membership. We also get tired of being the ride leaders infinitum. We appreciate it when Doc and Patron lead the rides and then we can simply enjoy the ride versus being accountable for the route, keeping the formation, tailgunning, etc. The rides become a job if you are always planning and leading them. And if it’s not fun to us, it probably shows.
So, new ideas, new thinking and a new format may be the answer.
The constitution/bylaws were written at a time when membership was growing and the Valkyrie was a production bike. Neither condition exists today. So we need to change with the times.
The biggest fly in the ointment that I see is that someone has to volunteer to plan the meeting and plan the ride each month. Honestly, I am not optimistic that we will be able to find 12 volunteers among the members to lead one ride per month. I also wonder if moving the meeting place to somewhere different each month will lead to increased participation. Alone, I don't think it will. My opinion is that the meetings have to offer more than they do now in order for people to attend. Guest speakers, special events and rides to dinner meetings could cause some excitement where none exists today. There are a lot of great places to eat in the DFW area but they are not weekend ride destinations as they are too close for what would be considered a “ride”. No twisties, less than an hour to get there, etc. But as an evening dinner ride to go to a meeting, they would work. Going to Joe T. Garcias, Catfish King, Babe’s, Edelweiss or other places where there is a meeting room and sampling different foods would be great. (Caveat – we would need people to RSVP and actually show up for any place where we reserved a room to avoid room charges).
The question of why we even need a meeting monthly is also germane, as we reach more people with email and the forum than we do at the meetings. I do enjoy seeing everyone, but I can do that at the rides. We could also have the door prizes at the rides instead of the meeting.
Don't worry about stepping on toes or egos in this discussion string. If you don’t like the way Ron or I do things, then state how it could be done better and attract more members. If it's because of the bylaws, then vote to burn them (I'll provide the matches!). Just say what you really think would be a better way to keep this club viable.
RainMaker
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 2005 BMW R1200 GS 2000 Valkyrie Interstate 1998 Valkyrie Tourer 1981 GL1100I GoldWing 1972 CB500K1
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Disco
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Posts: 4895
Armed Man=Citizen; Unarmed Man=Subject
Republic of Texas
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« Reply #5 on: January 09, 2009, 04:09:39 PM » |
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One of the discussion points last night was the possibility of adding non-riding / non-eating activities to rides. For example, the Antique Aircraft Associaton has a fly-in from 10:00am til 2:00pm at the Propwash Airport in Justin next Saturday 17 January. Visitors Welcome. http://www.flyincalendar.com/event_detail.cfm?e=8249&m=1&y=2009Or, for those who have always been curious about the Airventure in Oshkosh, we could dip our toes into that water with a Veekend Valkyrie Voyage to View the Volants in Hondo, TX (near San Antonio) at the Experimental Aircraft Fly-In 5, 6, and 7 June http://www.airshowscalendar.com/event_detail.cfm?i=3&e=2674&m=6&y=2009&s=&p=. This would have to be a weekender, but would put us in close proximity to lots of fun things to do including some really good Texas riding. (If Hondo is fun, there is another in Lakeland, FL, and of course, Oshkosh (that starts about 1,100 hundred miles from and one day after InZane 9 ends - Iron Butt, anyone?)) Another idea could be a Bikes, Bullets, and Burgers ride to a gun range somewhere. This could be an afternoon/evening dinner ride, all-day affair, or incorporated into a weekend. We also still have a few "Everywhere in Texas" pictures yet to be taken. Rocketman built a great map for planning these excursions http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=102498708026098334905.00044d4a9b52fa8caa231&ll=32.157012,-98.701172&spn=16.594671,29.882813&z=5, but cross-reference with the pictures page http://www.valkyrieriders.com/tx/video2008.html to make sure the picture is still needed. (John got Lorena - or rather took a picture there. Deb, Pat, and I got Redwater. I got Texarkana. There may be more.) Kim, the town not too far off the path to College Station is Post Oak. Millcreek is not too far south of B/CS, if you have the time. Maybe some of us could ride down with you and either get Angelina or Liberty Hill on the way back. http://www.thefreedictionary.com/volant
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2000 Bumblebee "Tourer", 98 Yellow & Cream Tourer, 97 Rescue blower bike 22 CRF450RL, 19 BMW R1250RT 78 CB550K 71 Suzuki MT50 Trailhopper .jpg) VRCC 27,916 IBA 44,783
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LemonDrop
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« Reply #6 on: January 09, 2009, 08:55:36 PM » |
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I think everyone knows how I feel about the meetings, so I won't waste your time repeating it. I would like to thank Ron and Mark for all their hard work. I have been hearing a lot of good things about this stern wheeler on Texoma. Many, many years ago there was one here, and now they have started another. Just go for a 1 1/2 hour ride around the lake, or have cold plates or BBQ. Might be something different to do -- ride or drive or ride and significant other drive. I haven't tred it, but hear it is good http://www.texomabelle.com/There are several websites for motorcycle events throughout the state or all 50 states if interested, and if I can find it again, things like the peach festival, straberry festival, etc. We can make this fun again...
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Houdini
Member
    
Posts: 1975
VRCC #28458 - VRCCDS#144
Allen, TX
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« Reply #7 on: January 09, 2009, 09:11:34 PM » |
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Hmmm.... I am having fun! I guess I haven't been in the group long enough to be bored with the rides.
The monthly meeting in Grapevine doesn't work out for me.
Chuck
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"A Camera And A Bike....What More Do I Need? 
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Flyboy
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« Reply #8 on: January 10, 2009, 09:26:46 AM » |
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I think that due to the LARGE geographical area that the DFW VRCC covers is one reason that the meetings are not getting the numbers. Yes, the meeting is being held in CENTRAL LOCATION, but only in a geographical sence. The vast majority of the DFW VRCC is on the D side of the map, and in the North D side to be more specific.
After working all day I really don't feel that I have the allertness and energy to ride half way thru the metromess to make a meeting and then not get home untill 10:30-11:00pm. So maybe we have a D side meeting and a FW side meeting. We can still ride together and enjoy each others company, but to bring the meeting closer to the largest concentration of VRCC members may just help boost attendance at the meetings, and build excitement for the rides.
Being the past VP of this club, I want to tell the officers that I do appreciate what they have done in the past 18 months. I did not realize that the office was for 2 years when I did it, and looking back now on it, it was a tough position to be in. The officers feel that they are carring the club instead of leading the club, when they have to be at everything. I will admit that I have not participated in club events much in the past 18 months, since leaving my office as VP, but I was BURNED OUT. Take a look at who has led this group and ask yourself one thing, "Where are they now"?
I LOVE THIS CLUB AND ALL ITS MEMBERS, OLD AND NEW! I will make more of an effort to be a part of this club and support it in every way possible.
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YOU NEVER SEE A MOTORCYCLE PARKED OUTSIDE OF A PSYCHITRIST'S OFFICE.
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LemonDrop
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« Reply #9 on: January 11, 2009, 06:58:58 AM » |
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I think that due to the LARGE geographical area that the DFW VRCC covers is one reason that the meetings are not getting the numbers. Yes, the meeting is being held in CENTRAL LOCATION, but only in a geographical sence. The vast majority of the DFW VRCC is on the D side of the map, and in the North D side to be more specific.
After working all day I really don't feel that I have the allertness and energy to ride half way thru the metromess to make a meeting and then not get home untill 10:30-11:00pm. So maybe we have a D side meeting and a FW side meeting. We can still ride together and enjoy each others company, but to bring the meeting closer to the largest concentration of VRCC members may just help boost attendance at the meetings, and build excitement for the rides.
I LOVE THIS CLUB AND ALL ITS MEMBERS, OLD AND NEW!
My sentiments exactly. I have not attended the meetings in forever because of location. However, I was told that the reason for keeping it on the FW side was because the FW side said they would not attend on the D side. If this is so, my question is, are they attending on the FW side? I have not been there, so I don't know. I do know that as long as the meeting is approximately 95 miles (1.5 hours on the best traffic days) each way for me, I will not be attending the meetings. I would also suggest that the bylaws be posted for all to see. Most of the riders we have now, have never seen them, and some may not have known they even existed. Then a board discussion should be encouraged, followed by a meeting on a day that most members can attend. (If it is to be at the current location, maybe a Sat or Sun so those of us in the North Dallas area can attend, instead of a weeknight) to abolish or ammend the bylaws. I think maybe the Southern Cruisers way (or a combination of theirs and our current bylaws) might be the way to go. They apparently have several ride leaders who plan rides... there is no official meeting (anything needing to be discussed is handled on the ride or on the board) After riding a Harley for four years, I was so happy when I bought my Valk, and found the VRCC! I found this to be the most caring, helpful, friendly group of riders I have had the privilege to know/ride with. If this were not so: 1. I would have quit riding a long time ago 2. There would not still be a Valk in my carport 3. I would be riding with people in my immediate area, instead of doing 60+ miles just getting to the starting point of the ride With the economy the way it is, the meetings need to be moved where the majority of the participating members are. Participating members=those of us who will attend the meetings, and ride with the group if they start closer. I think the posts generated so far speak to the location of the participating members. There are 2-3 Valks here in Denison who do not participate, there are 3 in Muenster who do not participate because of the meeting location. Sorry, I said in my earlier post I would not repost what I have said over and over in the past, but I AM a participating member (as much as geographic location will let me). I think all of you know that I am only 5 miles from the Oklahoma border. I do not like riding (or driving, for that matter in the DFW trffic after dark). I make all the rides I can, but admit I have not attended some rides because of the destination. I told a friend of mine not too long ago, that I was not enjoying riding as much as I was. Getting off my soapbox now
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RainMaker
Member
    
Posts: 6626
VRCC#24130 - VRCCDS#0117 - IBA#48473
Arlington, TX
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« Reply #10 on: January 11, 2009, 02:58:55 PM » |
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Jean: The bylaws are posted for all to see. You go to the Dallas/Fort Worth chapter page and there is a link. To make it easier, here's the link directly to the bylaws http://www.valkyrieriders.com/tx/dfwbylaws.pdfMeeting locations: We've had the meetings in Dallas and in Fort Worth as recently as a year ago. The experiment shows that we get more participation in Grapevine than in Dallas. Our last Dallas location was Pappa's BBQ on Northwest Highway. Raise your hands if you remember these meetings. The Fort Worth meetings did not draw out the Fort Worth people. As I said earlier, I think location is only one part of the meeting participation equation - we need to do something more at a meeting to make it something people want to attend. By mileage, Grapevine is 24 miles from Fort Worth and 22 miles from Dallas. So we are actually closer to Dallas than we are to Fort Worth. I agree with Flyboy, that we'll find the majority of members are actually in northeast Dallas and Collin county, so why not move the meeting to 75 and the George Bush, or 75 and 635? I don't mind riding the extra distance. I am not in favor of having two meetings a month with one in FW and one in Dallas. That is asking too much from the officers. Meeting locations are determined by the officers of the club. New officers in July are welcome to move it to Plano, Frisco, Allen, Dennison - wherever it makes sense. No vote is required to move a meeting per the bylaws. For now, we have a free place in Grapevine for the next 5 months. If we can find a new place around 635 and 75, would anyone want us to change the meeting location sooner? Who doesn't want us to change it? Who would just rather we don't have meetings anymore? As for a weekend meeting to discuss changing or abolishing the bylaws, we'd need a quorum or a vote to suspend the quorum rule. Suggest a weekend and let's do the deed. Ten Bears, you need to be in attendance since your handwriting is all over the bylaws. Riding an hour into the metromess at night can't be a fun ride for you or even a very safe one, so understand why you are not at meetings. Under those conditions, I wouldn't be there, either. Mark
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 2005 BMW R1200 GS 2000 Valkyrie Interstate 1998 Valkyrie Tourer 1981 GL1100I GoldWing 1972 CB500K1
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Houdini
Member
    
Posts: 1975
VRCC #28458 - VRCCDS#144
Allen, TX
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« Reply #11 on: January 11, 2009, 07:53:25 PM » |
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The same reason that Jean doesn't make the meetings goes for me; to make the meeting I would have to leave almost as soon as I get home from work and then not get home until long after my girls are in bed. I don't live as far as Jean but I still don't have the time to go. Guest speakers or door prizes will make no difference to me. I would vote (again) for a rotating meeting if it would help. I would make a meeting, even if it was only every few months, if it was in N. Dallas.
Why is a meeting room necessary for 6 - 10 people? None of the other clubs I have been in ever had formal meeting rooms; we show up at a restaurant and pull up some tables. The yearly Southern Cruisers meeting is the only other club meeting I can think of in a room to themselves.
Non-dinner rides sound great or the riverboat ride LD suggested. Unfortunately with my wife’s illness and two small girls at home I cannot guarantee my attendance to anything.
Chuck
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"A Camera And A Bike....What More Do I Need? 
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LemonDrop
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« Reply #12 on: January 11, 2009, 08:34:14 PM » |
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Those who were around when this club started will remember that the original plan was to have alternating meeting places rotating between Allen (I think...I don't know where the boundaries are...just north of where Maxim is now), and Grapevine. The first meeting was in Allen, the next one in Grapevine, and it never came back. If such a plan was put back in place, we would know by whether the month is odd or even where the meeting is going to be, and yet, everyone would have an opportunity to attend. Not two meetings in a month, just two places alternating months.
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BnB Tom
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Posts: 1708
Where'd old times go?
Frisco, TX
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« Reply #13 on: January 12, 2009, 05:59:44 AM » |
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How about mixing it up.
During the better weather months have a combo meeting/ride. During the harsher weather months have a floating meeting each month whose location is drawn from a hat at the previous meeting and would include restaurants suggested in the Ft. Worth, N. Dallas and Frisco areas OR from areas where the majority of the current members live.
Very few clubs get 100% attendance. But this club is so unique and the members have such a strong interest in the core that I think with just a little tweaking the attendance AND membership could grow.
I also have a difficult time making the 'during the week' meetings. And being an early bird, how about a BREAKFAST meeting on a Saturday morning somewhere and if a member has plans for the week-end they may still be able to make an early meeting then go on their way... and if that Saturday is beautimous the rest of us can go for a short/long ride afterwards.
Just a thought...
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RainMaker
Member
    
Posts: 6626
VRCC#24130 - VRCCDS#0117 - IBA#48473
Arlington, TX
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« Reply #14 on: January 12, 2009, 10:27:06 AM » |
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Some really innovative and good ideas coming out in this discussion. The trick will be to put it all down in a format so that we, as a club, can make some decisions. Usually, that means a lot of polls, but note that the polls are usually only voted on by the members we currently have attending, not the members who we'd like to have back but are not in communication.
Any great ideas on how to easily get some consensus via any other method except votes on a poll on the forum?
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 2005 BMW R1200 GS 2000 Valkyrie Interstate 1998 Valkyrie Tourer 1981 GL1100I GoldWing 1972 CB500K1
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john
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« Reply #15 on: January 12, 2009, 02:39:54 PM » |
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hi people location not a concern ... it is the weekday and time of day a weekend luncheon ... i'm there the metromess after dark ... winter tempratures bananas ... boat rides , air shows , train rides , group rides its all good
2 cents
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vrcc # 19002
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godfire
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Posts: 1321
Republic of Texas
Living the dream in Sharonville, OH - with Sharon!
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« Reply #16 on: January 13, 2009, 07:30:06 PM » |
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First, I want to say that I'm sorry, but I suck as a member of this group. It's not intentional but life happens. Between being a newlywed, work, school, five fish, four kids, three dogs, two grand kids, new house, and relaxation I just never seem to have time for the beloved VRCC. It doesn't mean that I don't love y' all or miss y' all.
It really pains me that we always seem to come to this point….you know….what's wrong with us….maybe we're just are too busy….maybe we live to far apart…maybe everything is OK and we come together when we can.
From my perspective it's great to know that you are all out there if I need you….and I know that you are….and I'm here for you….but sometimes life just happens.
Do whatever you feel you need to do. Just know that I feel that this group is the greatest. Hats off to Speedo and Rainmaker for doing a fine job. I miss most meetings and most rides but right now this is all I have to offer, so lead and I will follow, maybe from afar, but I will follow. Love you all!
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« Last Edit: January 14, 2009, 07:50:50 PM by godfire »
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Ride Safe Ride Often
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Thalas'shaya
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« Reply #17 on: January 14, 2009, 10:38:39 AM » |
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i spend so much time traveling, for work and for personal stuff, that i don't make a lot of meetings or rides, either. that said, i like the idea of having rides with the business covered before the ride or during a meal stop on the ride. or just covering business here and riding when we get together. those all seem do-able to me. my (intermittent) 2 cents... 
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Thanks to the Interstate Highway System, it is now possible to travel from coast to coast without seeing anything. - Charles Kuralt  (for my records- VRCC#26048)
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volvobob
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« Reply #18 on: January 17, 2009, 08:30:01 AM » |
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One web site for state rides and US rides is www.Lets ride.com......... volvobob
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