THE RUMBLINGS          


NEWSLETTER FOR STAR RIDERS COLUMBIA, SC

CHAPTER #124 - February 18th, 2002

February is here and the season for riding is about to open full swing.  Hope everyone had a few great riding days over the winter season.  We had yet another meeting with guest and new members.  The membership drive is doing very well in helping us to grow and strengthen this organization.  Eight new membership cards are going to have to be made by Star Touring & Riding.  As our group numbers grow and I see the great people that make this association fun, it reminds me of the close family of friends feeling I had while in the Marine Corps.  It was called Band of Brothers in the Marine Corps and here we have the same concepts and could call it the Band of Family.  Our annual membership drive has been a great success and everyone is reminded that to be a member of Star Touring & Riding Association you don't have to ride only a Yamaha to be a member.  We can now laughingly say the only thing we are missing in the group now is a BMW, so if anyone knows of an owner with a BMW, bring them with you to the meeting.  All are welcome in our group, even if you don't own a motorcycle and just like the fellowship.  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.

Next month we will pass out ride rules and plan on having the club by-laws available for everyone to read and have a copy of your own.  We are entering full swing of the riding season and hope that everyone didn't have to suffer too much without being able to ride during the cold months.  It was mentioned through the web site vote counter to have more group rides this year and we will now have an opportunity to ride twice a month.  Lowell Thomas is our Ride Coordinator, and if you would like to lead us on a ride contact Lowell so he can schedule it.  There was a show of hands vote for a night ride and dinner-boat cruise at Monks Corner that will be scheduled for our warmer month nights in June/July timeframe. 

If you have not signed up for the Deal's Gap ride in April, you need to contact Betty Jones real soon.  There are only 9 rooms left and they have gone very fast, so get them while they're HOT!  The Deals Gap trip is going to be a lot of fun and there is currently about 28 Starriders going on the trip.  

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 15 rooms reserved and there are only 9 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:

$55.00 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.

This trip is shaping up to be as much fun as our trip to the Blueridge Parkway we had in August last year, so make plans on attending and contact Betty as soon as you know you can attend.

The T-shirt order sign up sheet that was at the meeting will be tallied and turned in for the T-Shirts to be made in time for the next meeting in March.  Please bring the money with you in March for your T-Shirt.  The T-shirts come in all sizes and several different colors, but if you were not able to attend the meeting to place your order this month, you will still be able to place your order next month.  Please keep in mind that when T-Shirt orders are placed, we must have a minimum order for you to receive your order the next month, so it may take two months to get the T-Shirt you order.  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.  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.  We missed all of you that could not make it to the meeting.   For those of you who brought the waivers (BIG THANKS), for those of you who forgot, please bring it with you to the next meeting.  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 Cedric Trice (AGAIN), hey Ced how about a loan. The 50/50 share this month was $67.50.  

One of our members Judy Frick took the Riding Course at the College and found out the hard way that bikes need constant maintenance.  Judy was slightly injured on Saturday and still tried to complete the course on Sunday, NOW THAT IS TRUE SPIRIT!  Also, Gerri Wood and her daughter Whitney completed the course.  CONGRATULATIONS!  Gerri has now completed the course twice.   She just qualified to ride twice as long, which if you know Gerri, she is heartbroken (YEA RIGHT).  

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.