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News (VFWR)


Riding Safety Tips

posted Apr 6, 2010 12:04 PM by Brandon Trube   [ updated Apr 6, 2010 12:09 PM ]

Riding with a group of motorcyclists is one of the great thrills of the two-wheeled lifestyle, but it can also hold hidden dangers. If you decide to join a group of motorcyclists, you'll want to keep the following points in mind as you amble down the road:

Plan Ahead

Devise a plan for on-the-road communication; agreeing on arm signals to represent low fuel, road hazards, upcoming turns, etc. will make it easier to know who needs what when wind noise prevents verbal exchanges. Trade cell phone numbers in case the group separates. Also, plan your route in advance; for tips, check out our How to Plan a Motorcycle Road Trip article.

Ride in a Staggered Formation When Possible

When road width permits, ride on alternating sides of the lane. Doing so will enhance the visibility ahead, and help create a safe space around each bike. Single file riding might be necessary on tight roads, but try to maintain as much space around each bike as possible.

Look Ahead

Don't target fixate on the bike ahead of you; if that rider happens to go off the road or hit an obstacle, it's far too easy to simply follow in their path if you're staring at them. Maintaining a 2-second cushion from the bike ahead will give you more reaction time in case something goes wrong.

Pass One Bike at a Time

While it's important to maintain a cohesive group when you're riding together, it's also a good idea not to pass slow moving vehicles as a group; pass one by one, and each rider will have better visibility, quicker exit routes in case space suddenly gets compromised, and a less stressful passing experience.

Be Predictable

It's easiest (and safest) to follow riders who are smooth, logical, and predictable in their technique. Don't pull any surprise maneuvers, and the group will more likely arrive safely at their destination.

Ride Your Own Ride

Group riding can bring out our competitive streaks, and it's important not to get trapped in the game of trying to be the fastest rider. Public roads are not the place to practice high-performance riding techniques; to get your speed on, try exploring your bikes limits at atrack day.

Build Brigade for one of our own

posted Mar 24, 2010 6:13 AM by Kurt Oswald   [ updated Mar 25, 2010 6:34 AM by Brandon Trube ]

VFWR 3115 will be attending the Build Brigade for Ryan Newell in Marion Kansas April 16-18.

Homes for Our Troops is holding a 3 day build event on April 16, 17 & 18th. We will start from the foundation and the goal is to end the third day with a weather tight shell. Professional trades volunteers are encouraged to sign up to help build. If you are a general volunteer, we are going to need help procuring food for the event, tents, cook teams, and other items.

Build will start at 8:30 am each day and conclude at 5:00 pm 

Sign up NOW!

MLambert@homesforourtroops.org 

Army SGT Ryan Newell was deployed to Afghanistan when he was left a double amputee after an IED explosion blew him out of his vehicle’s gunner’s turret in January 2009. After being stabilized and with flight conditions improved, SGT Newell was airlifted to Landstuhl, Germany. He was later airlifted to Walter Reed, where he spent nearly a year undergoing treatment and rehabilitation. He has recently returned to Kansas to continue his therapies closer to home. http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=371683441858

We will be leaving VFW Post 3115 each day at 8:00 am and riding up to Marion to assist in the build, Ryan will be having a bon-fire "thank you" on Saturday night and VFW Riders are welcome to bring tents and camp out at the build site, or Ryan will make accommodations for those that "don't do ground sleeping"

Cassoday and Beaumont Breakfast Rides

posted Mar 15, 2010 7:10 AM by Kurt Oswald   [ updated Mar 15, 2010 9:50 AM by Brandon Trube ]

A few of the "hard core" riders from our group made it out the past couple of Sundays for the "Cold" Rides,

Cassoday Ride on the 7th had a chilly start, but ended up in the 50's for the afternoon, about 250 total made it up to Cassoday for the first Breakfast Run of the season, our guys included Tech, Reckless, Sarge, Old School, OZ, Lucky 76, Paul, Brenda and Herb. 
 
Speed and BFT attempted to make it up to Cassoday but got delayed by a 3 bike pile up near the lookout at Eldorado Lake.

Beaumont Ride on the 14th was a chilly ride all day, even after starting a hour later from the post, Tech, Paul, Brenda, G-Man, Spanky, OZ and Wicked Vic made the first Breakfast Ride with about 30 other bikes.  As usual we ended up at the post and Farkled the place to death.

March News and Events

posted Mar 2, 2010 9:05 AM by Kurt Oswald   [ updated Mar 2, 2010 9:25 AM by Brandon Trube ]

News and Events

 Thanks to everyone that came out to The Chill and helped in the VFW Riders Area (Hammer, Reckless, Old School, Chef, Big B, Lucky 76, Speed, Paul (aka TTTH), Brenda, Dark Cloud and Herb. 

Speed, Paul, Brenda, Reckless and Hammer all gave up their bikes for the show as well, it's probably the last time anyone will see those bikes that clean.  I know it's the last time you'll see my bike that clean unless you happen to see it after the detailing that I won.

Did I mention that if you didn't make it out you missed the Girls?

We sold 120 Raffle Tickets to THE JUDGE, which was a huge success, and raised over $500.00 for the Afghan that Hammer was taking care of for another post.

March welcomes the riding season (finally) although I hear from my buddy Mark Bogner that there's rain on the horizon, some of the rides that are coming up include'
  • Cassoday Breakfast Ride on the 7th
  • Beaumont Breakfast Ride on the 14th
  • Capital City Bike Show in Topeka on the 20th
  • ALR Post 136 All you can Eat Pancakes and Sausage on the 20th
  • Breakfast in the Valley on the 20th in Marquette
  • Cottonwood Falls Breakfast Ride on the 21st
  • Elk City Breakfast Ride on the 28th

If you want to get in on the rides just yell at one of the members, arrange to meet and get er done!

OZ

Pie In The Face

posted Jan 1, 2010 11:43 AM by Kurt Oswald   [ updated Jan 2, 2010 7:13 PM by Brandon Trube ]

Thanks to everyone that participated in the Pie In The Face Auction last night at the Post, The Riders Group raised $480.00 - People that took a pie were Scott, Brandon, Lee, Greg, Kurt, Doug, Bob, Brenda and a late entry - Lisa took one from Charlie.  Don't miss Doug playing his belly and Lisa's too.

Pictures are posted here http://picasaweb.google.com/rolleasymag/NYE2009?feat=directlink

Thanks again, it was a blast,

OZ

Meeting Minutes, December 22, 2009

posted Dec 29, 2009 4:34 PM by Brandon Trube   [ updated Dec 29, 2009 4:43 PM ]

Call to Order

  • Meeting Held: December 22, 2009
  • President Kurt Oswald opened meeting with 23 members and 1 guest present
  • Pledge of Allegiance

Membership

  • Currently have 34 members
  • New member applications
    • Ryan Newell - Post - Rider
    • Floyd Kelly - Post - Rider
  • Considering having membership cards for 2010

Officer Reports 

Secretary Report

Secretary read minutes from November meeting

Treasurer Report

  • Currently have $475.75 in our account
  • No outstanding bills to be paid

Old Business

  • Elections—passed out ballots
  • Did collections for 50/50 drawing (approved at Nov meeting)
  • Patches—most are here and were distributed. Remainder are available after Jan 4 at G.I. Rose.
  • We now have our own Riders Group bulletin board.

New Business

  • Greg Wood suggested we alter the bylaws to have all future members be limited to riders with a motorcycle license and drivable motorcycle, and that prospective members attend two rides and two meetings before they are voted on for acceptance. Current non-rider members would be grandfathered in. In special instances, this rule could be over-ridden with a majority vote. After some discussion, motion made, seconded and passed.
  • John Carpenter suggested that any rider could organize and propose a sactioned ride to the President. After some discussion, motion made, seconded and passed.
  • We were reminded that our bylaws state that a member must attend a minimum of 3 meetings a year to maintain their membership. There was a suggestion that we also add that any new member (beginning 2010) must attend at least 3 rides a year to maintain membership. After some discussion, motion made, seconded and passed.
  • President Kurt Oswald appointed Scott Berg as Veterans Affairs Officer—in charge of organizing presence at returning soldiers (dead or alive), notifying our membership about these events, and being a liaison between the Riders Group and the Post.
  • Dues for 2010 are due tonight.
  • Beginning stages of planning 2010 rides, including some overnight (2-day) rides. Send suggestions to Kurt Oswald.
  • Reminder that members of VFWMG are asked to wear official patch. Any members not wearing an official patch will be asked to ride in the back of our group at VFWRG sanctioned rides.
  • Brandon Trube has new website for the Post (http://www.vfw3115.org) and the Riders Group (http://www.vfw3115.org/vfwr).
  • See Bob Goodman for Men’s Auxiliary patches.
  • Pam Sawyer reminded us about the Christmas Day dinner.
  • No Men’s Auxiliary Pancake Feeds anymore, so support the monthly Ladies Brunch.
  • Cessna Riders Group meeting at the Post on the second Sunday of the month.
  • We should consider doing a regular (monthly) Burger Burn in 2010.

Good of the Order

  • Results of Elections—Kurt Oswald voted as President (20-3) Greg Wood voted as Senior Vice President (13-10); Bryan Clark voted as Secretary/Treasurer (23-0).
  • Results of 50/50 drawing—winner was Gerald Riley—he got $59.50, Riders Group got $59.50.
  • New Years Eve Pie in the Face fundraiser for Riders Group.
  • We have a GREAT patch!
  • Next meeting of the Motorcycle Group will be on Tuesday, January 26 at 7pm.

Meeting Adjourned

Sunday Rides Scaled Back for Winter

posted Dec 19, 2009 2:10 PM by Brandon Trube

The Sunday rides have been scaled back for the winter.  We will post events on a case-by-case basis.  Check the calendar for more info.

New Parking Available!

posted Nov 28, 2009 12:19 AM by Brandon Trube   [ updated Nov 28, 2009 12:27 AM ]

New parking is now available for bikes.  This parking space is in the south-east corner of the property.  You can come in to this directly from the road using the small drive way on the south border of the property.

Welcome!

posted Oct 22, 2009 1:50 PM by VFWR 3115   [ updated Dec 16, 2009 11:09 AM by Brandon Trube ]

Welcome to the new VFWR3115 site!  We will be posting news, updates, and photos in the upcoming months!

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