THE BEEMER
BMW Hotline 595-6203 FEBRUARY 2009
President – Danny Wiley – 463-2427 Treasurer: David Sparkman -799-6249
Vice President: Andy Valentine 771-1683 Newsletter Editors: Polly Wright - 794-4280 & Mike Gillespie – 830-5033
Secretary: Larry Dreaden – 356-4681 Activities Dir: Lee Waggoner: 931-209-6612
PRESIDENT’S CORNER I am looking forward to a fun, exciting and safe year. Please
let me know if you have any suggestions for a ride, an event,
Danny Wiley a program for a club meeting, etc. And if you bump into
Polly, Ron, or Mark, make sure you give them a special
Wow!! We started off 2009 with a real bang. It was thanks.
awesome to see so many members turn out on New Years
Day. Despite temperatures around 20 degrees, Puckett’s
was filled with the smiling faces of BMW riders. Even more NEXT MEETING
impressive was the fact that half the people who came
actually rode to the meeting! I am looking forward to an FEBRUARY 3, 2009
even bigger crowd for the Chili cook-off in February. Mark 6:30 PM
it on your calendar and bring your favorite concoction.
CHILI COOKOFF
Polly will always be our unofficial “Den Mother,” but after BLOODWORTH
two years as club president she has stepped down, and you
are stuck with me for a while. In fact, much of the
MOTORSPORTS
leadership team for 2009 is new. I think you will see some WHITE BRIDGE RD
old traditions maintained, and some new ones created. We NASHVILLE, TN
are looking forward to a great year.
PLEASE EMAIL ME TO LET ME
Also stepping down are Ron Brant and Mark King. Ron has KNOW IF YOU WILL BE
served double duty as Activities Director and Rally Chair.
Mark has been the Treasurer and doer of many other things
THERE OR NOT.
for several years. Few really know how much time they Pw630@aol.com
have spent trying to make sure the rest of us can have a good
time. Thanks, Ron and Mark.
My challenge to you for 2009 is to make this club your own.
HAPPY FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS
Like most things in life, you will get out of it whatever you
put into it. One of the goals of the leadership team is to
make sure that every club member has the opportunity to get CONNIE REAVES 2/11
involved. So, be on the lookout for a phone call or an email LARRY DREADEN 2/14
asking you to “volunteer” PAT BURNS 2/17
For the first half of the year the leadership team will have
one additional meeting per month to plan the rally and to
discuss other club business. These meetings are open to
anyone that wants to attend. Be warned, if you show up we I would like to thank all of you for the gift cards you
will ask you to provide input. Also, if you do want to attend gave me at the Polar Bear Ride/breakfast. I wasn’t
please let us know ahead of time. We move the meeting expecting it so it was a great surprise to me. I will
locations around, and sometimes seating is limited. use it wisely.
Feel free to contact me anytime regarding anything. I am a Thanks again to all of you who helped me make it
certified Crackberry addict, so the best way to reach me is through the past two years as President of this
by email – dannywiley@wileygroup.net. If I am on the Great Club. You are like family to me and I
other side of the world (which is not that uncommon) it may appreciate all of you.
take me a day or two to get back to you, but I will get back
to you. Sincerely,
Polly
WEBSITES
KERMIT CHAIR COMPANY
Call us toll-free at 1-(888)-729-9836 BMW Club email: pw630@aol.com
BMWMCON.org
or visit us at www.kermitchair.com
ALABAMA CLUB: www.bmwmoal.org
Bloodworth Motorsports: bloodmotor.com
BMW Motorrad USA
Knoxville: www.tailofthedragon.com
Carolina Beemers www.carolinasbmwmoa.org
www.coloradobeemers.com
www.bmwmoa.org
www.bmwra.org
www.barbermuseum.org
www.hondahoot.com
www.bmwrams.com Houston BMW Club:
www.bmwclub.org
www.29Dreams.com
www.bmwmoga.info Georgia Mountain Rally
www.curvecowboyreunion.com
www.bmwrok.org/rok_on_rally.htm
www.tdot.state.tn.us/tdotsmartway
FOR SALE
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For Sale 2003 100th Anniversary, Harley Davidson
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tour pack, new tires front and rear, 1550 Sreamin AMA BMW National Adventure Riding Series
Eagle engine, scrape on outer fairing but new HD 2009 Schedule
fairing comes with sale....priced thousands below
dealer pricing. 21,000+ miles....beat the gas crisis,
The AMA NARS is a new yearly riding series of
Please call or e-mail today 615 668-4135
sjacobsarc@aol.com . $11,500.00 approximately 15 multi-day events designed
specifically for adventure / dual sport
PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHEN YOUR motorcycle enthusiasts that takes place all
ITEMS HAVE SOLD. over the United States.
_________________________________
The AMA NARS is a truly national series with
New location at the Georgia Mountain events from coast to coast. Please click below
Fairgrounds, 1311 Music Hall Road, to the see the current 2009 NARS schedule.
Hiawassee, Georgia 30546. There will be additional events and we are
working with the AMA to hold events in areas
More next month. that do not currently have a ride scheduled.
February 3rd Club Meeting April 7 – Club Meeting – TBA
April 11 – Club Ride
& Chili Cookoff April 18 -19 Sport Bike Track Time – Nashville
Superspeedway
April 18-19 GNCC at Loretta Lynns, Hurricane
Mills, TN
April 18 -19 AMA BMW National Adventure Riding
Series
April 24 – Ed Bargey Track Day at the Nashville
Superspeedway
The Tuesday February 3rd meeting of the April 25-26 WERA Regional Race, Nashville
BMW Motorcycle Club of Nashville will be our Superspeedway, Nashville, TN
annual Chili Cookoff and will be held at MAY
Bloodworth Motorcycles starting at 6:30pm.
Those who are entering their prized chili May 1 - 3 Georgia Mountain Rally Hiawassee, GA
should show up just after 6pm so they can get May 1 – 3 AMA Superbike Races at Barbers
their crock pots plugged in and chili Motorsports
presentation staged. May 2 – 3 GNCC The Titan at Lafayette, TN
May 5 – Club Meeting – Bloodworth’s
The Chili Cookoff has always been a fun May 9 – Club Ride
meeting that helps everyone shake off the May 15 - 17 European Rider’s Rally – Burkesville,
cabin fever and lets them start looking KY
forward to the riding season which is just May 21 - 24 Rocket City Rally – Huntsville, AL
around the corner. Speaking of riding season, JUNE
our president Danny Wiley and Activities
Director Lee Wagoner will be sharing with the June 12 -14 Lynchburg Motorcycle Rally at Jack
crowd their plans for the coming year and Daniels
how we can all participate. June 13 – Club Picnic – Andy Valentine’s
June 13 -14 Howdy Summer Sidecar Rally, TWO,
Cash prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, and GA
3rd place winners but more importantly, the June 15 – National Ride to Work Day
winner has bragging rights until next year’s June 27 – 28 AMA/NATC National Trials Series -
event. So mark your calendar and get your Sequatchie, TN
taste buds ready!
JULY
BMW 2009 BMW Motorcycle Club July 3 - 5 Moto GP Monterey, California
Of Nashville July 7 – Club Meeting – TBA
July 16 - 19 BMWMOA International Rally in
Calendar of Events Johnson City, TN
July 23 – 26 BMW RA International Rally Canaan
FEBRUARY Valley, WV
July 24 -26 AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days at Mid
Feb3 –Chili cook off at Bloodworth Motorcycles
Feb 21 – Supercross in Atlanta Ohio
MARCH Key
Blue - official BMWMCON Events
Feb 27 –Mar 8 Daytona Bike Week Black – General Information
March 3 – Club Meeting – TBA
March 7 – Club Ride
APRIL
April 3 – 5 AMA SuperBike Races at Road Atlanta
April 3 - 5 Dogwood Trail Rally Mississippi
BMW Retail Sales Up in 2008 Bloodworth Motorcycles Pre-owned
Motorcycles
Despite a weakened motorcycle market, BMW
Motorrad USA reported today that its dealers retailed Bloodworth Motorcycles has a nice selection of
0.6 percent more bikes in 2008 than they did in 2007. quality pro-owned motorcycles. We are also
Noting that customers registered 11,839 new BMWs actively seeking pre-owned BMW motorcycles to
during the year, the company credits popular new buy. If you or someone you know would like to sell
models and readily available credit through its finance outright or even trade their bike, please get in
arm. touch with the sales staff at the dealership. If you
know of something you would like to inquire
BMW claims it had strong sales during each of the last about, please call or come by. As always, check
six months of the year, and says that both retail and the Bloodworth web site at www.bloodmotor.com
wholesale sales during October broke records. “Our for details on these bikes and other information.
sustained success during these very difficult economic
times speaks volumes about the strength of our brand, Pre-owned BMW Motorcycles
our new model initiatives and the quality of our
dealers,” said Pieter de Waal, VP of BMW Motorrad 1968 R69 Black 23,154mi $5,500.00
USA.
1992 K75 Red 20,000mi $4,600.00
Consumer interest in several new adventure/sport-
1997 F650ST Orange 1,900mi Low kit $3,000.00
oriented models — the upgraded BMW R 1200 GS and
GS Adventure and the all-new BMW F 650 GS and F 2005 K1200S blue, bags 2,463mi $1,990.00
800 GS enduro motorcycles; the G 450 X sport enduro;
and the HP2 Sport — reportedly drove sales. 2006 K1200R silver 4,650mi $10,990.00
“The popularity of these new models demonstrates that 2007 F800S yellow 900mi $8,990.00
more motorcyclists are embracing an adventure-sport 2007 R1200S black, bags 2,900mi $10,990.00
lifestyle and seeking a modern combination of on- and
off-road capabilities to explore roads less traveled,” de 2007 G650 X Moto Red 2,800mi $5,700.00
Waal said. “We have just the right motorcycles for
these riders. We also have a great partner in BMW 2008 G650 X Country Black 4mi $8,185.00
Financial Services, which has allowed us to continue to
2008 F800S Yellow 39mi $9,625.00
finance consumers’ motorcycle purchases during these
difficult financial times.” 2008 F800ST Blue 27mi, low frame $11,240.00
This year, BMW will introduce several new models to 2008 R1200GS Orange 120mi $15,060.00
the U.S. market: the 2009 BMW K 1300 S (BMW’s
most powerful street-legal bike), the 2009 K 1300 GT, 2008 K1200GT Grey 171mi $17,210.00
and BMW’s 2009 World Superbike contender, the S
1000 RR. Pre-owned Ducati Motorcycles
Worldwide, BMW Motorrad almost broke even with 2001 MH 900E Red/silver 1,600mi
its record sales of the previous year. The company says $14,990.00
it delivered 101,685 motorcycles to customers, a drop
2001 M900 S4 Red 2,196mi $6,700.00
of only 0.8 percent.
2002 748 Yellow 5,222 $6,390.00
In Husqvarna’s first year with the BMW Group, it
reportedly delivered 13,511 motorcycles to customers 2003 999S red 535mi
worldwide, a 31 percent increase over the previous $12,500.00
year
2004 Multistrada DS1000 red 2,951 mi $
6,900.00
2007 Monster S4RS Pearl 1,539mi
$12,500.00
2007 Monster S2R Silver 2,786 $8,690.00
2009 Polar Bear Ride
009 president. Danny then recognized the new
club officers for 2009. Danny has some big
Review plans for the coming year for the club and will
be asking the board members as well as each
individual club member to contribute in some
fashion this year.
oncluded
The meeting concluded with the meeting door
prize drawing and the winner was Charlie
Holt. Talk about your lucky day. Charlie
arrived late and was just taking off his Jackie
when Polly called his name out. Charlie said
“I’m here, but what did I win?” Polly tells him
he has just won $200. Well, you can see
Charlie’s reaction.
January 1st, 2009 was a beautiful, but crisp
temperature day. But the cool temperatures
(29 degrees at 9am) did not affect the many
diehard BMW Motorcycle Club members who
showed up in force at 9am on New Years Day
at Puckett’s Grocery in Franklin. They all
showed up for breakfast and to partake in the
28th Annual Polar Bear Ride.
Puckett’s had their usual wonderful breakfast
buffet and hot coffee. It is believed that plenty
was had by all. Once everyone was through
eating our retiring Club President, Polly
Wright, addressed the crowd to thank This just goes to show that coming to the
everyone for their support of her over the past BMW Motorcycle Club meetings can really
two years and to ask everyone to give their pay off. After the meeting concluded,
support to Danny Wiley, the 2009 Club pre-pair for the
everyone headed outside to pre
President. Polar Bear Ride that was being headed up by
Lee Wagoner and Ben Bailey. There were
about 20 bikes that participated in the ride.
Danny took over and presented Polly with a
gift of gratitude for her service as club
Increased Tariffs on 47.226, W85 22.139. The Rally site is the beautiful
Burkesville City Park with level grass camping sites
European Motorcycles Not and bath rooms with showers. (bring your own towel
and soap) There are great local restaurants and
To Be Imposed wonderful hospitality to be enjoyed.
up
As a follow-up to our story on a potential tariff increase
on European imports, the United S States Trade
Representative (USTR) has elected not to include
motorcycles on the list of European products that will
face increased tariffs in connection with a dispute
regarding the European Union ban on imports of
fed
hormone-fed beef and beef products. Motor Motorcycles
(including mopeds) over 50cc but not over 500cc from
member States of the European Union were initially
considered among other products for imposition of
retaliatory tariffs.
MIC senior vice president for government relations,
uded
Kathy Van Kleeck applauded the USTR decision
noting, "The MIC and the motorcycling community at
large thank the USTR for making the appropriate pre-registered by May
Rally fee - $30 per person if pre
decision not to levy increased tariffs on European 11th or $35 at the gate. Rally registration includes -
beef-
motorcycles in connection with a very specific beef shirt
camping, Rally T-shirt & Rally Pin for the first 250
so
related dispute." Van Kleeck also pointed out that, registered, Friday night at the movies, Saturday
"With climate change, energy conservation and traffic breakfast, Saturday lunch provided by Bloodworth
congestion being among the most pressing issues Motorcycles, Saturday night steak & baked potato
facing our nation today, use of motorcycles should be dinner, Saturday night live entertainment, Sunday
encouraged rather than discouraged. Many of the morning breakfast, guided & self guided street & dual
sideration
motorcycles that were under consideration for tariff sport rides, door prizes including a GPS Grand Prize
imposition are the most fuel efficient available in the nd
and coffee & lemonade. We also have a 50/50 drawing
marketplace, while at the same time easing traffic held Saturday night. Day passes are $15 and includes
congestion and parking capacity issues." Saturday lunch and rides (no dinner or door prizes).
For those that don't camp there two nearby motels.
The Rally is hosted by the BMW Motorcycle Club of
2009 European Riders Rally Nashville with help from the Music City Desmo Owners
Club and the Nashville Riders Association of Triumph.
May 15-17th For more information and a registration form visit the
European Riders Rally web site at
European Motorcyclist from all over the cou country www.bmwmcon.org/rally.html or contact Polly Wright -
converge to enjoy some of the best riding in the 4280,
Registration (615) 794-4280, email pw630@aol.com or
southeast on well maintained roads through the Ron Wade - Rally Chairman (615) 885 885-0768 email
foothills of Kentucky and Tennessee. Location - rallychair@bmwmcon.org.
Burkesville, KY (south central KY) on the banks of the
Cumberland River at the intersection of Hwy 61 and
wy
Hwy 90. The coordinate points for the rally are: N36
June 13 -14 NESBA Track Days - Putnam Park
June 13 - 14 Sport Bike Track Time – Barbers
Motorsports
June 20 - 21 Sport Bike Track Time – Bluegrass
Motorsports Park
June 22 Sport Bike Track Time – Road Atlanta
2009 Provisional MotoGP Calendar June 27 – 28 NESBA Track Days – Barbers
Motorsports
April 12th – Qatar, Losail (Evening Race)
April 26th – Japan, Motegi July 4 – 5 NESBA Track Days - Barbers Motorsports
May 3rd – Spain, Jerez July 4 – 5 Sport Bike Track Time – Talladega GP
May 17th – France, Le Mans July 11 – 12 Sport Bike Track Time – Barbers
May 31st – Italy, Mugello Motorsports
June 14th – Catalunya, Catalunya July 11 - 12 Sport Bike Track Time – Bluegrass
June 27th – Netherlands, Assen (Sat. Race) Motorsports Park
July 5th – United States, Laguna Seca July 24 – 26 NESBA Track Days - Road Atlanta
July 19th – Germany, Sachsenring July 25 - 26 Sport Bike Track Time – Putnam Park
July 26th – Great Britain, Donington Park Raceway
Aug. 16th– Czech Republic, Brno
Aug. 30th– Indianapolis, Indianapolis Aug 7 - 8 Sport Bike Track Time - Nashville
Sept. 13th – San Marino, Misano Superspeedway – at night
Sept. 20th – Hungary, Balaton Aug 8 – 9 NESBA Track Days - Barbers Motorsports
Oct. 4th – Portugal, Estoril Aug 15 - 16 Sport Bike Track Time – Bluegrass
Oct. 18th – Australia, Phillip Island Motorsports Park
th
Oct. 25 - Malaysia, Sepang Aug 29 - 30 Sport Bike Track Time – Barbers
Nov. 8th – Valencia, Ricardo Tormo Valencia Motorsports
Sept 5 – 7 Sport Bike Track Time – Road Atlanta
2009 Track Day Calendar Sept 5 – 6 NESBA Track Days - Putnam Park
Feb 28 NESBA Track Days - Barbers Motorsports Sept 7 – 8 Sport Bike Track Time – Bluegrass
Feb 28 Elite Sportbike Track Time – Talladega GP Motorsports Park
Sept 12 – 13 Sport Bike Track Time – Talladega GP
Mar 1 Elite Sportbike Track Time – Talladega GP Sept 19 – 20 Elite Sportbike Track Time Talladega GP
Mar 1 NESBA Track Days - Barbers Motorsports Sept 25 - Ed Bargey Track Day - the Nashville
Mar 14 – 15 Sport Bike Track Time - Barbers Superspeedway
Motorsports
Mar 21 – 22 Elite Sportbike Track Time – Talladega Oct 3 -4 Sport Bike Track Time - Nashville
GP Superspeedway
Oct 3 – 4 Sport Bike Track Time – Bluegrass
April 4 - 5 Sport Bike Track Time - Talladega GP Motorsports Park
April 10 – 12 NESBA Track Days - Road Atlanta Oct 10 – 11 Minnie Challenge – Nashville
April 11 – 12 Sport Bike Track Time – Bluegrass Superspeedway
Motorsports Park Oct 17 – 18 Elite Sportbike Track Time – Talladega GP
April 18 -19 Sport Bike Track Time – Nashville Oct 24 – 25 Sport Bike Track Time – Barbers
Superspeedway Motorsports
April 24 - Ed Bargey Track Day - the Nashville
Superspeedway Nov 7 – 8 Sport Bike Track Time – Talladega GP
April 25 – 26 NESBA Track Days - Barbers Nov 11 – 12 NESBA Track Days at Barbers
Motorsports Motorsports
April 25 – 26 Elite Sportbike Track Time – Talladega Nov 21 -22 Elite Sportbike Track Time – Barbers
GP Motorsport Park
May 2 - 3 NESBA Track Days - Putnam Park
May 8 – 9 Sport Bike Track Time – Barbers Track Day Web Sites
Motorsports http://www.nesba.com/ Northeast Sportbike Association
May 16 – 17 Elite Sportbike Track Time – Talladega http://www.edbargyracingschool.com/ Ed Bargy Racing
GP School
May 23 - 24 Sport Bike Track Time – Talladega GP http://www.wera.com/ WERA Motorcycle Roadracing
May 23 -24 NESBA Track Days - Road Atlanta http://www.sportbiketracktime.com/ Sportbike Track
May 30 - 31 Sport Bike Track Time – Bluegrass Time
Motorsports Park http://www.elitesportbike.com/ Elite Sportbike
June 6 – 7 Elite Sportbike Track Time – Talladega GP
optional courses for the bigger bikes,
2009 GNCC Schedule and that's all.
Locations
When it's all said and done, the AMA
Racer Productions, producers of the Can-Am National Adventure Riding Series is
Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) Series, ideal for putting your GS through the
have announced the final schedule and locations paces, challenging yourself, hanging
for the 2009 Can-Am GNCC tour. The 2009 GNCC
dates were originally announced in July 2008, but with your fellow off-road maniacs, and
underwent changes twice to accommodate a shift tearing it up.
in the 2009 International Six-Days Enduro
schedule. Included in the official locations for the Each adventure ride is referenced by
13-round 2009 tour are two new tracks.
different keys so you know what to
Round six also features a new location, with the expect on each specific route:
Titan GNCC in Lafayette, Tennessee, which sits
just outside of Bowling Green, Kentucky. The * F — forest service roads
facility managers plan to build brand-new trails for * G — gravel roads
the race, and the land provides plenty of room for
the expanding GNCC tour. * D — dirt roads
* S — sandy sections
* R — rocky sections
* W — water crossings
World–Class Adventure * K — knobby tires suggested
Rides for You and Your GS!
If you're the kind of GS rider who gets
If you're not a member of the AMA, you bummed out when the dirt ends and the
should consider joining for a lot of pavement begins, the AMA 2008 BMW
reasons, including supporting National Adventure Riding Series is in
motorcycle causes in general, receiving your sweet spot. So get your dirt on and
a great monthly magazine, and being we'll see your out on the trail!
able to do some awesome riding — like
the AMA 2008 BMW National
Adventure Riding Series.
The National Adventure Riding Series—
sponsored by BMW Motorrad—is
geared specifically for large enduro
bikes. By "large," we're talking anything
650 cc's and over, so GSs definitely
qualify. The routes are tailored for
heavier adventure motorcycles, which
means anything from graded gravel to
sand to even the occasional singletrack
trail. A few of the rides—which take
place all around North America—are
also part of the AMA National Dual–
Sport Series, but they'll offer different
7th
Annual BMW RA International Rally 2009
The BMW Riders Association 2009 Rally is going to be in the same locale as 2004. That is
Canaan Valley, WV. The dates are July 23 to July 26, 2009.
They have picked this date in conjunction with BMW MOA. Their rallies will be on
consecutive weekends, and they will give some sort of recognition to those that attend both.
The RA picked the location because it is close to the East Coast (an easy and inexpensive trip
for many), yet offers great riding and facilities.
The RA estimates, based on pre-registrations, that in 2004 they would have had around 3000
attendees. Then they were hit by Hurricane Ivan. Homes were destroyed in FL and the south.
Roads were closed in NC. Rivers went 9 feet over flood stage in Pittsburgh and Charleston,
WV. Buckets of rain fell on the entire rally.
Anyway, they felt the rally would have been the best one, and best attended, the RA ever had
to that point if they hadn't been snake bitten by the weather. So they thought it was worth
trying again at the same place. The BMW RA is working hard to make this the best RA rally
ever.
They are renting the entire State Park, resort, ski lift, etc. The resort has upgraded its facilities
and built a new pavilion. The local chamber of commerce has working on activities for the
RA.
They are hoping to expand our off-road activities since that seems to be a direction BMW is
going. They expect to have a dirt bike school, as well as both MSF classes and a Lee Parks
"Total Control School."
BMW Classic (formerly BMW Mobile Tradition) has said they will send someone to our rally.
Jeff Yost of the BMW Vintage Club is trying to get together a vintage exhibit.
More as the planning progresses. For further information, go to http://www.bmwra.org/rally.
Big Ride 2008
O Canada!
By Mark ‘Buck’ King
The Great Lakes route had been floated by us for several years as a Big Ride itinerary. It was always sunk like the
over 4,700 ships lost on the lakes over the years by forces beyond our control. But this year the combination of the
a
Great Lakes and Canada was unsinkable. We charted our course and set sail on June 20, 2008.
This year’s Big
Ride crew
included salty
veterans like me,
Stinky, Smokey,
and Pokey. We
also recruited Bob
and Jim for their
maiden Big Ride
voyage.
Nicknames are a
Big Ride tradition
and we were
experimenting
with Jim
‘Whistlebritches’
Gilliland and Bob
‘General’ Lee.
Those nicknames
were self ascribed
by the rookies and were subject to the review and final approval of the veterans. As you will see, we used our veteran
y
authority to make some adjustments before the ride was over.
day
We actually left Nashville about mid-day on Friday, June 20, 2008. We had been able to get tickets to a Cubs verses
us
White Sox game at Wrigley Field on Saturday at noon. That departure time would get us up the slab to Champaign, IL
on Friday night, then into Chicago on Saturday in time for the game.
We pounded the slab to Champaign and checked into a not not-so-luxurious La Quinta motel
after about 370 miles. It was about 7:00 pm when we got there so we went to dinner
right away. The motel staff recommended the steak house walking distance down the
road so Alexander’s Steak House was the obvious choice for dinner. At Alexander’s you
either cook your steak yourself or pay them $2.50 to cook it for you. Stinky and I are
both a little on the tight side so we cooked our own. The others whimped out and paid to
have their food cooked. For me, a rare steak lover, the cooking only involved tossing
the steak on the grill, counting to ten, and then flipping it to the other side for a another ten
count.
Back at the motel later we congregated to talk about the next day, check our tire pressure, and a few of us may have
pattern
smoked cigars. Whistlebritches was running a front tire that was exhibiting a weird wear pattern and we agreed that
we needed to keep an eye on it. We tried to slide the fake oil puddle under Whistlebritches’ bike while we were
checking the air pressure but he was onto us and didn’t take the bait. Oh well, we’ll keep it handy for the next
unsuspecting Big Ride Rookie. But the puddle wasn’t the only practical joke pulled. Actually I think that Big Ride
and practical joke are synonymous. It never takes too long before the fake bird crap, rubber chickens, and teddy bears
come out.
From Champaign we took IL47 north to I-55 so we could ride into downtown Chicago tracing the path of Old Route
66. Not long after we left Champaign we hit some pretty hard rain and pulled into a gas station to put on the rain gear.
It took the six of us a little time to get the rain gear out and installed for the first time. I suppose the clerk inside felt as
though we were taking up too much space so he asked us to leave on his public address system. We thought that rather
rude and I believe then we made absolutely no attempt to hurry. There were no other customers in this entire station
and we couldn’t believe this guy had the nerve to try and run us off. It was just another case of an over zealous,
Barney Fife-type who was dead set on following the rules to the letter. These are the kind of people we are trying to
get away from on a Big Ride – not attract!!
Our 165 mile ride into Chicago was punctuated by more rain, closed streets, and traffic
that was unusually heavy downtown. I was almost certain that the ball game would be a
rain-out. We finally did make our way to a great little motel named the Heart O Chicago
on the north side of town. By the time we got there and checked in, the weather had
broken and the sun began to shine brightly. We took a bus from the motel down to
Wrigley Field, and arrived at the game at the top of the second inning.
When six country boys from the south get on a city bus in
Chicago you can bet on a few surprises. We were
obviously inexperienced in mass transit but found that
anytime our request for help or assistance started with our
twangy southern admission of, “Hey ya’ll we ain’t from around here and wus a
wonder’n…” we almost always got some friendly help. I think Smokey had a crush on
this cutie by the time we got off the bus at Wrigley Field.
It is an absolutely wonderful experience to watch any game at Wrigley, but this one that matched the cross town rivals
was even better. We wound up with an extra ticket and had invited Rich Maas, a local vendor that we work with to
meet us there. Rich is a real baseball fan and an expert on the local teams, the history of the stadium, and so many
other Chicago facts that we were mesmerized by his stories. It was an exciting game with the Cubs coming from
behind and, with the help of a nine run inning, won the game with an 11-7 final score.
Wrigley Field was built in 1914 at a cost of $250,000. Charlie Weeghman
originally built the park to house
his baseball team, the Chicago
Federals. In 1918 chewing gum
magnate William Wrigley, Jr.,
purchased the Cubs of the
National League. Wrigley took over
Weeghman's share of the team
and by 1919 had bought out the
shares of the other members of the
syndicate. The name of the
stadium was changed to Cubs Park in time for opening day, 1920. It was
renamed Wrigley Field in his honor in 1926.
The BMW Motorcycle Club of Nashville Date Pd________
2009 Membership Application Check__________
Cash_________
Name: _____________________________Spouse: _______________________________
Address: ________________________ City: _______________ State: ___ Zip:
___________
Occupation: _______________________________________Birthdate_________________
Phone: Home ( ) ____________Work ( ) ______________Fax ( ) ____________
E Mail _____________________________Cell ( ) ____________________________
Year & Model of Your BMW(s): ____________________________________________
Year, Make & Model of Your Brand X: _______________________________________
Membership in other Motorcycle Organizations: (Please include Membership Number)
BMWMOA____________ BMWRA ___________ AMA __________ EMC Y or N Other _________
DUES:
____ Regular Member - $20 Annually BMW Motorcycle Club of Nashville
____ Associate Member - $8 Annually P O Box 158265
____ New Member Initiation Fee - $5 Nashville, TN 37215
Dues are prorated for new members only.
Release and Indemnity Agreement
You have voluntarily joined the BMW MOTORCYCLE CLUB OF NASHVILLE (hereafter referred to
as the Club). On various occasions, the Club will sponsor road-riding events. This does not indicate that the facilities or
course have been inspected or approved by the Club, nor does it indicate that Club members or officers have not been
trained or accredited by the Club, nor does it indicate that your safety has been warranted by any Club authority.
To some extent, all motor vehicles are inherently dangerous. You should take part in any of the Club events based
on your own assessment of your abilities. Club events may traverse public highways and the Club is not responsible for
their condition or the actions of other individuals using the public highways.
The Club urges you to wear a helmet and other appropriate safety apparel. The Club also urges you to receive
professional instruction before operation a motorcycle and to carry proper insurance coverage.
The Club does not provide medical insurance. The Club urges you not to operate a motorcycle without personal
medical coverage.
If you have any doubts at this time about your personal ability to participate in Club events, if you have not
adequately prepared yourself and your equipment, if you question the condition and safety of local public highways, or if
you believe your personal insurance coverage’s are not adequate to compensate you for any loss that might occur, we urge
you to notify the Club officers who will immediately refund your membership fee.
By signing this document, the undersigned Club member hereby agrees to reimburse all costs to those persons or
organizations connected to Club events for damages incurred as a result of negligence on the part of the undersigned Club
member.
Fill out and Mail to:
BMWMCON
P O BOX 158265
NASHVILLE, TN 37215
Executed this the________ day of _______________, 2009. _____________________________________
Club Members Signature
Club Members Name Printed: __________________________________________________________
Spouse’s Name Printed: _____________________________ _____________________________________
Spouse’s Signature
NEXT MEETING
FEBRUARY 3, 2009
PRESIDENTS CORNER: 6:30 PM
Danny Wiley CHILI COOKOFF
Articles: Mike Gillespie, Mark King BLOODWORTH MOTORSPORTS
Calendar of Events WHITE BRIDGE RD
Meeting Dates NASHVILLE, TN
Classifieds
PLEASE RSVP
Websites
pw630@aol.com
BMW MCON
P O Box 158265
Nashville, TN 37215