The Fall Campout’s Coming Up!

By Mike Wingfield

 

The clubs fall campout is coming up next month so please mark your calendar for October 15-17 at Village Creek State Park.  Barry has reserved campsites 7-11, and he’s arranged for Tim Hendricson of the Memphis BMW club to do some barbeque for us! As is always the case for the club campout in the fall, there is no fee for the camping, and Saturday nights barbeque is paid for by the club.  To get to Village Creek State Park one should go to Forrest City on I-40, (unless you get there from some other way!) go north on Hwy. 284, which will take you right to the park.  I look forward to seeing you there.  If you need additional information, please feel free to contact me at 501-664-6016. 

 

 

 

 


BMW Motorcycles of Little Rock

1st Annual

Big Ass BMW Bash

 

 

When:  Saturday, October 30, 2004

Where:  BMW Motorcycles of Little Rock, 710 Jones Street

& The Oasis Renewal Center

Cooper Orbit Road

Little Rock

 

 

              

 

Dear Friends and BMW Family:

 

Believe it or not, one year has come and gone.  We’ve made a great start and look forward to a fantastic future ahead.  We have sent many BMW Motorcycles to new homes and made many new friends along the way.  Now we’re hoping to build on those friendships and celebrate our first year in business by having our 1st Annual Big Ass BMW Bash!  We would love to see all our friends for this special occasion.  We have a 50 acre campsite with 2 lakes reserved at The Oasis Renewal Center to serve as a rendezvous point during the day and cookout/camping site on Saturday night.  Camping is also available Friday night for those wanting to arrive early.  From this location there are plenty of good routes for rides during the day, or we would love to have you join us at the shop.  We will be providing food, fun, family, and many specials throughout the store.  This is our way of saying “Thank you” to our great customers and friends who have helped us get to where we are today.  Please join us in our 1st Annual Big Ass BMW Bash!

 

Your Friends at

BMW Motorcycles of Little Rock

 

 

Lessons Learned:

C. Michael Wingfield

 

Last week I celebrated my two year anniversary riding a BMW motorcycle.  Between my RT and the KLR, I’ve ridden just under 48,000 miles, with most of those miles out  across North America.  I’ve been caught in a snowstorm that was putting out so much snow that I had to ride with my visor open because the big wet flakes covered it up every couple of seconds, and as a result of having the visor up, the wet snow packed inside my helmet until all you could see were my eyes.  I’ve gone for 1500 miles across Canada where it never stopped raining for the entire trip.  I’ve had my mirror knocked off by a big hawk or eagle out in Nowhere Arizona and I’ve been hit in  Nebraska by a goofy pheasant flying out of nowhere and meeting his maker off they side of my head with me traveling 65 miles an hour.  I’ve gotten to know a few police officers ‘cause it’s so darn easy to let that RT fly down the highway, and I’ve made a few thousand mile days with the longest being 1287 miles in just under 22 hours.  The scenery has been beautiful and ugly, the weather cold, hot, rainy and snowy, and the traffic has been heavy and light, nice and mean and always unpredictable.  Most of all, the people I’ve met have been generally very nice with very few exceptions.  Coming back from Canada last summer, I stopped to get some gas in Eastern Kentucky and the guy working the station asked me when I stepped inside to pay, “you been down at Little Sturgis”?  To which I replied, “No, I’m just riding in from Toronto”.  “Where ‘bouts in Kentucky is Toronto?”, the guy asked.  I just signed and said, “it’s over near the middle”, and let it go at that.  Sometimes, people find it hard to understand why a person would ride so many miles, and it’s often easier to not say anything than try to explain.

 

 All in all, the nicest folks have been the Naturally Beemer group, and although there are many in the club that I’ve never met, I’ve felt supported all along the way by a core of riders that have helped me and made me feel welcome to the community and I’d like to offer a heartfelt thank you to all of you that have made my motorcycle habit as much fun as possible.  Along the way I’ve picked up a few pointers that most of you probably know anyway, but I’ll toss them out anyway just as a refresher:

 

I try to attend as many BMW rallies as possible, and I’ve learned that if you want to find the dry spot with the highest ground, pitch your tent next to Fred Counts.  When I was kid, I noticed that there was always one dog in the group that knew how to find the coolest place to lie down in the hot summer time.  Fred’s like that when it comes to picking campsites.  He’s the smartest dog by far!

 

Whatever motorcycle rally you attend, never set your tent up close to the “Port O Potty” so you’ll not have far to walk when the time comes.  I won’t go into complete detail, but Port O Pottys make some dramatic changes in the course of a few days at a rally, particularly in warmer weather.  While the smells that eminate from the plastic johns are well known, the noises that come from those places is beyond description, not to mention that all of them have springs on the doors so that they slam each time someone enters and departs the Port o Let.  Those doggone things are miserable.  Stay away from them.  Again, watch Fred….There ain’t no way he’s camping near one of the things…..

 

At rallies, always bring ear plugs.  Not only do they save your hearing when you’re riding your bike, but they will save your sanity when you’re trying to sleep in your tent at night.

Trust me on this one, some of the nicest people in our club can snore louder than a set of Screaming Eagle Harley Pipes, and they always go to sleep first.  At some rallies the band will  play until the early morning hours and those ear plugs will drown out the sound just enough to let you sleep, or at least let you retain your sanity enough to avoid killing the lead singer who’s on his third rendition of Hank Williams Jr. song, “All of My Rowdy Friends Have Settled Down”. And finally, the ear plugs will keep you from knowing that a big group of hungry Javalina’s are rooting up your tent at 2:00am in Big Bend National Park.  It’s better for your nerves if you don’t know such things…..

 

If you happen to carry a firearm with you as you travel, (and I would never encourage anyone to carry any type weapon) always be sure that the handle isn’t sticking out of your jacket pocket when you go inside to pay for gas at any establishment in Louisiana.  For this you will be very sorry, so don’t do it and don’t ask me how I know.

 

The old adage that if you get lost always ask a local for directions can sometimes backfire on you, so be careful. I’ve never been more lost than when I’ve asked directions from people that seem to know exactly what they’re talking about.  Really nice Grandmotherly looking people can get you in some terrible fixes, so be careful.  Ice covered dirt roads in northern Mexico that are supposed to be smooth with few bumps paved highways might be the result. Again, don’t ask me how I know this……

 

I’ve come to understand that there are many rules that apply when it comes to deer and motorcycles.  First of all deer are bad.  Even dead ones on the highway.  Dead ones are bad because eventually their relatives will be coming for the wake or the funeral, and they will want to crash into you or vise versa.  Another rule is, the farther north in the United States you go, the bigger the deer get.  If you could ride really far into northern Canada I believe the deer are the size of a Ford F-350 pickup with the only difference being, Ford pickups are smarter than deer.  It must be that onboard computer or something, but believe me, deer are dumb and dangerous.  I used to be opposed to all the deer hunting that goes on in the winter.  Now, I’m cheering for the hunters all the way.

 

I’m looking forward to many more years of riding across the highways and bi-ways, and I hope to see all you along the way!

 

 

 

 

From the Editor’s Desk

by Mike

 

2004 Dues

 

Please Pay Your Dues!  The rates are still the same bargain at $10 per individual and $15 per family.  Send to:

 

Jerry Reynolds

1200 Donaghey Ave

Conway, AR 73034

 

 

 

 


Wanted Newsletter Material: Always

 

We are always soliciting for newsletter articles.  Send that article you have always intended to write. Many thanks to those of you; who have submitted material already. You are allowed to send in more.  Send the materials to:  Mike Wingfield, 2402 S. Taylor, Little Rock, AR  72204, or e-mail to:  CMWINGFIELD@UALR.EDU.

 

 

 

Activities

 

The Hot Springs Rally at Gulpha Gorge is scheduled for November 5-7. 

 

The Swampscooters Rally, November 12-14. Breaux Bridge, Louisiana.

 

 

 


 FLEA MARKET

 

 

There is no charge for the ad; we only ask that you be honest and fair. Naturally Beemers is not responsible for the quality of the items or any transactions made because of the ad.  Ads will run for two issues of the newsletter unless extended.

 

Don’t forget the 10% Club Member Discount at Bentonville Cycle Sales

 

Don’t forget the 10% Club Member Discount at BMW Motorcycles of Little Rock

 

No ads for this newsletter.  Please submit the items you have for sale and I’ll be glad to post them.

 

 


Letter of Resignation            9/12/2004

By Rod Kilduff

 

This is my official letter of resignation of my status as a Naturally Beemers Club Officer, effectively immediately.

 

Most of you will notice that I have not been around this year.  A week after the Club Meeting, in March, I lost my job of 25 years.  The company said it was due to a ‘Restructuring’, but I have my own opinions. 

 

With finding and transitioning into a new job, and my new work schedule which includes weekends I have been unable to participate in any club activities.  Also the responsibilities of this new job, the travel out of town every week, and the responsibilities of home and family I can no longer perform any club officer duties.  I don’t even know what is currently going on in the club!  Besides that, I have been a club officer since the clubs founding in 1988, that’s long enough!

 

I will continue to support the club, be a member and attend any club functions that I can.  For the foreseeable future that won’t be much.

 

That being said I would present the following.

 

There are certain things that must be done to keep the club going and that I have done in the past.  A few that immediately come to mind are:

 

  1. The newsletter, it is the glue that keeps the club together.  It needs to go out to every member on a regular basis to keep them informed.

 

  1. The membership database.  This has to be kept up so we know who to send things to and who has paid their dues.

 

  1. The treasury, to finance the above newsletter and other club functions.

 

  1. BMWMOA and BMWRA affiliation.  These are renewed annually.  Information is sent to the club contact address.  MOA wants $15 per year and some membership, activity and contact information.  RA is free but requires the same type of information.  MOA sends out a questionnaire, RA just announces it in their magazine.

 

  1. Scheduling of the club annual meeting.  In the last few years this has been in March, here in Conway and I have set the date and made reservations.  In the past we had it in various other parts of the state but everyone said they liked the central location here.  It can be elsewhere and when.

 

  1. Rally announcements to the MOA and the RA to be placed in the magazines.  These have to go in around November or December to get posted in time in the Mags.  The two web sites have how to information.

 

  1. Contact the Corps of Engineers to reserve the Rally Site.  This has to done after Jan. 1st.  Last year there was some question as to weather the site would be available and alternate sites were discussed.  You may want to keep that idea open.

 

  1. Ordering Rally and Club t-Shirts.  They need the order about a month ahead of time.

 

My name and address have been the club contact forever, I think.  That will have to be changed.  I will be glad to assist anyone who assumes any of these duties with information, copies of documents used, timelines, etc. Just understand it may take me up a week to respond. 

 

I am sending a copy of the current membership database to Mike and to Jerry.  I am also sending a copy of this letter to each club officer and a copy to Mike to publish in the newsletter.

 

I have enjoyed working for the club in the past and hopefully at some time in the future I can be more active.

 

Respectively submitted;

 

Rod Kilduff.

 

 

 

 

 

 

           

 


           

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Naturally Beemers

The BMW M/C Club of Arkansas

 

http://www.pcfa.org/clubs/naturally_beemers/

 

BMWMOA CLUB #181  Chartered 2/88

BMWRA CLUB #74  Chartered 4/91

 

Steering Committee

 

Otto Ising…..........................President

Barry Phillips…..............Vice President

Elmer Sveda…......................Activities

Jerry Reynolds…...................Treasurer

Mike Wingfield………………Secretary

 

Annual Membership Dues:

$10.00 for Solo

$15.00 for Family

 

Send correspondence to:

C. Michael Wingfield

2402 S. Taylor

Little Rock, AR  72204

cmwingfield@ualr.edu

 

 

 

The New BMW 1200GS

 

     I know y’all have all been waiting, but no more than me! Well, it’s finally here. The yellow beauty she be. The bike and I were anxious to get to know one another. For I was the one that gave her the first light of day. As I opened the crate, I could tell she was excited as well as me. Naturally, our first step was to take a long ride.

      I took the back way to Hwy. 9 close to Lake Winona. We were both timid at first. As we got acquainted, the bike, the new Tom Simmons seat, and I settled in quite nicely. But the further up the road we went, the more we began to smile. Of course, we rode Hwy 123, at least 3 times. The more we rode, the more we realized this was meant to be. For we both enjoy the freedom of the open roads.

      She has told me how happy she is in her new home. She explained to me how lucky she and I both are to have the scenic, curvy roads that we here in Arkansas enjoy. Her ancestors have ridden the roads of the world, and these are as good as any. She warned me not to take such gifts for granted. Some unfortunate riders have only flat land nearby.

       Something with such wisdom and grace deserves a good name. At first I was gonna call her “Manta 2”. But because she is lighter and more agile than the “Manta”, I decided to name her “Mini Manta”.

        As “Mini Manta” and I were riding the roads of the beautiful Ozark Mountains, nature called. The bike didn’t want to stop, but I urgently explained. I coaxed her to a stop off the side of the road. I walked a short distance. As I was doing my business, there were buzzards gathering overhead, which made me really nervous. (They were quite numerous, and quite close, and I know they’ve been wanting my old hide for many a day.)

Maybe that’s what made me forget the T paper!! You can tell when you and the bike are gonna have a lasting relationship. Damned if she didn’t throw me some paper!!!

        I’M IN LOOOOVVVVEEE!!!! I’m in love.

 

 

Fred Counts

 

Northwest News
By Gwen Rakes
 The July BMW
ride from Bentonville BMW was led by Thad, he is back
riding again, and we had a good turn out, Thad led us
up into Missouri on back roads, we stopped in Monett
for breakfast, then returned home through Roaring
River.  We have a nice group of ladies in this area
and have formed a monthly riding group, also seems
like we have new members every ride, we took our
monthly ride the day before the BMW one and it seems
like I am the un-official leader, they say I know all
the roads!!!  We took E out of Pea Ridge, then A and
on to C, also B, D, E, F and H, I told them it was
going to be our yearly alphabet ride, even quizzed
them at lunch time to see how many actually knew where
we had been, was surprised several did.  What was
strange was the fact that Thad had picked out the
almost identical route, and we had not seen or talked
to each other in over a year, great minds think alike
- we will forget the rest of that little quote.  Not
only have the ladies been taking monthly rides, we
also went down to Hot Springs for a Women on Wheels
quad state rally in the late spring, the girls wanted
to take the most scenic ride down, so we took 23 and
then 309 up to Mt. Magazine, then 7 into Hot Springs,
on the Saturday, only one of the girls had ever been
up to Petite Jean, so we rode up there for the day and
had lunch at the lodge.  The route home was over into
Oklahoma on the Talamina Drive, did you know there is
a Viking Monument in Heavener, we stopped and toured
that also on the way home.  We are now planning a
weekend ride up into SE Missouri to ride some of the
twisty roads in that area, probably in Septemebr,
there is a chapter of Women on Wheels, called the
Arkansas Diamonds out of Little Rock, and we are
hoping to get together with some of their girls for a
ride later this month. Gwen
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