THE RUMBLINGS         

NEWSLETTER FOR STAR RIDERS COLUMBIA, SC

CHAPTER #124 - April 15th, 2002

WOW, OH MY GOSH, SUPER, FANTASTIC, OUTSTANDING, I guess words are not going to be able to describe the great attendance at the meeting.  54 Members, 4 Star Kids, and 6 Guest from Greenville, Laurens, Gilbert, Gaston, St. Andrews, and Sumter.  What a great meeting.  We are definitely going to fill the room and soon take over the restaurant.  It would be great to see everyone bring a friend every month, some day we will just go ahead and fill the football stadium.  I know, I know, but it is good to have a dream once in a while.  Riding season is here and in full swing.  There are so many events that the Starriders are going to be involved in, you can pretty much pick and choose.  There seems to be at least two events every weekend, so we hope everyone has their schedules free and can join in on some of the activities.   Our annual membership drive was a great success but in order for us to grow and make a difference in the community, we need members that want to make a difference.  Membership is the voice of where this organization is heading and if you are not a member, you have no voice to vote on activities.  Make your vote count and join Star Touring & Riding Association.   We will continue to accept applications throughout the year to join the Star Touring & Riding Association, and if you have any questions, Contact Jim Wood or Terry Jones.

The April ride has been planned and is going to be here real soon, so if you plan on attending the Deals Gap trip and ride, contact Betty Jones to get your room reserved by the end of the month.  Ride rules were passed out at this months meeting, and it is in everyone's best interest that everyone read them on occasion to make sure we are providing a safe ride environment.  Especially, keep in mind the hand and arm signals during the rides, to identify and hazards in the road or the direction the formation is heading.  If you keep you distance intervals and watch the formation in from of you, we will have yet another safe riding season, and of course it will be LOADS OF FUN.  

There was a website vote and a show of hands that identified we will schedule an evening ride and dinner-boat cruise at Monks Corner.  More information will be provided sometime in Jun/July.

There are only 5 rooms left for the Deals Gap Trip, so if you need a room and haven't contacted Betty, you better hurry!

Note from Betty!

Please send me your Deals Gap room reservations via E-Mail to bjjones@sc.rr.com or bjjones@sc-starriders.com .  I need your reservation information and all conformations by the end of March.  If you have special requirements or a preference like a Smoking Room, please let me know that as well.  Right now we have 19 rooms reserved and there are only 5 left. 

The details of the ride for those that can plan on attending are:

DEAL'S GAP TRIP

APRIL 18, 19, 20, AND 21, 2002

LEAVE 12:00 NOON ON THURSDAY 18 APRIL FROM THE K-MART PARKING LOT BEHIND THE UNION 76 STATION IN LEXINGTON

MOTEL

ROOM RATE:

$50.00 per night.  All rooms are clean and nice (recent remodeling) on the ground floor but they have only four (4) smoking rooms.  Plan on three days for the hotel stay.

FOOD:

Restaurant at the Motel – Breakfast Buffet is $4.25 plus drink and tax.  Lunch and Dinner Buffet is $6.25 plus drink and tax.

There are also other restaurants in the area within riding distance.

The T-shirt order was delayed until April due to a problem at the printers, but they will be distributed in April, so if you ordered a T-Shirt, make sure you bring your money in April and collect your T-Shirt (s).  If there are any T-shirts left, they will be available after everyone has had an opportunity to pick them up at the April and May meeting.  The cost for the T-shirts is $12 for Short Sleeve and $20 for Long Sleeve.  

Everyone that rides with the Star Touring & Riding Association Charter #124 was asked to complete a Motorcycle Waiver and Release Form and bring it to the next meeting.  Not all ride waivers were turned in at the meeting and there is one major rule strictly enforced in order to ride with the Star Touring & Riding Association Chapter #124 Columbia Starriders, and that is the Motorcycle Waiver.  The waiver must be completed and given to a club officer before you can participate in a riding event.  It is a standard waiver that must be executed by each and every member of the organization and protects the parties involved to include the rider.  This is an annual requirement of the Association.  We noticed there were a few regular members that couldn't make it to the meeting, but remember there is always next month.  If you would like to have the waiver sent to your E-Mail address, so you can print it out and bring it with you to the next meeting, contact Terry Jones.  The next meeting is on April 15th, please make sure your waiver is completed and you are ready to ride.  The ride book needs to be finished before we are in full swing of the riding season. 

The monthly 50/50 drawing the club uses in lieu of creating club dues was won this month by Zack Smathers (AGAIN).  Wonder what kind of bike Zack is going to buy, at this rate it will be paid off by his 16th birthday by showing up to the monthly meetings. The 50/50 share this month was $97.50.  

Don't forget, if you would like to sponsor a ride contact Lowell Thomas to let him know you want a turn to lead us on your favorite roads, or a great route you have traveled.   Remember all rides will use the 50/50 rule. In other words, > 50 degrees and < 50% chance of rain.   Please use The Weather Channel as your guide. (SAFETY FIRST)

CLUB MEMBERS SHOULD NOT BE THE ONLY PEOPLE ALLOWED TO HAVE FUN—So, please join us at our next monthly meeting held at Captain George's in Cayce on February 18th, 2002. It will start promptly at 7pm.   In the meantime, if you wish to learn more about our club and become a member please contact Jim Wood @ 782-4449 or Terry Jones @ 356-9883.  Stop by to learn more about our great club and join in on the FUN.