Yep, I am the reason the Sidetracks is late, sorry. Family emergency had me out of town and out of touch for a while. Ended up having to drive to New England, in a car. So you know it was not something good. Will leave out the details, but what we had to deal with might have a bit to due with the tone of this letter, Not my normal bubbly self this month. Will leave it at that.
Trip was uneventful. Been a while since I’ve been up there and first time in a car since the early ‘80’s. Noticed lots of bikes on the road, including several sidecars. Harley rigs, Goldwings with cars I did not recognize. Several very interesting combinations that I never thought would have worked, but apparently did. Even saw SEVERAL Urals, on the interstate no less! Looked pretty new, probably those new fangled 750s. They were chuffing along at about 65 or 70. Mostly Deco looking machines. Were cool to look at, figured they had to be more fun than the Saturn I was driving! Got to drive through Pennsylvania and near my old haunts in West Virginia, where the motorcycle disease took hold. Nice to see these areas, just wish it were under better circumstances and when time could be taken to enjoy what we drove through. You all know how that goes.
Somewhere in Sidetracks there should be info about a campout this month, I plan on going in/on something. Red’s motor started making nasty sounds on the way home from our Rally in June. Don’t think it would be too prudent to go anywhere on her until I find out what that nasty noise is - coming from the engine. Might bring the clubs big white tent if enough folks show an interest in camping in September. That way, no matter what, we’ll have a dry/shady place to go! Since I have been out of touch, have no idea what (if any) Eddie’s plans are for the 3rd Friday campout. Know he mentioned it to me a few months ago, but I just can’t remember. CRS is a horrible thing…Thinking about selling the ’03 to finance restoration of Red (she was embarrassed by the trophy she “won” at the rally) and rejuvenation of the BMW. So if anyone wants a used Harley, get in touch with me!
Hmmm, what else is coming up…oh yeah, at TWO, the 24th Annual True Grits 50cc Fun Run will happen on October 29th. GT offered to let me ride one of his MB5s or some sort of 50cc bike for the event. Going to call him this week and see if the offer still stands. Will easily be the stupidest thing I’ve attempted in a long time. You all might want to come up and see what I can do to myself on a bike that probably weighs what I do!Hope some of you all get to go to the Hoosier Hacks So long Summer Rally in September. Should be a hoot. Planned on going, but life is getting in the way again…
Folks, that is all I have this month. Other things (like family and work, but mainly family) on my mind right now. Promise to be back to my old self by the next Sidetracks.
James
We had a good rally-great weather and attendance. The following weekend was our Middle Friday Campout. Again the weather was perfect but attendance was a little low (as expected). Anyway three people, myself, Carl Schantz and Joe Semas were there. We went to dinner Friday night in Lavonis, GA, and went to a biker bar in Canon afterward. We had a good ride on Saturday into South Carolina and Clemson where we watched the USA and Italy tie in the World Cup Soccer game. All in all we had a good weekend. Wish you had been there. The September campout will be at Ft. Yargo State Park on Sept 15-17. Reservations are highly recommended and should be made as soon as possible. Phone number is 1-800-864-7275 for reservations.
Eddie George
Kathy & I, with Scooter “The Sidecar Dog” in the chair, recently attended the American Patriots MC 1st Annual Poker Run for Ronald McDonald House. It started in Warner Robins, went to Fort Valley, and ended in Macon. Good weather, good food, and it raised more money than they had hoped for. At on of the stops, WMAZ News had a camera man-reporter. The reporter wanted to take some footage and ask questions of us. Before it was over he had a microphone on Kathy for an interview that was followed by a ride in the hack with Scooter for some rolling film. Kathy got her 60 seconds of fame on the evening news at 6 & 11. More importantly, the people of Middle GA got a glimpse of (normal?) folks enjoying their sidecar. It has been said that sidecars are like weeds. When you see one pop up, more are sure to follow. I think the best way to promote sidecars is to get out and ride ‘em.
Arthur Rhoades
New member James Dodmead’s rig (of Bluffton, SC)
I was contacted by these folks yesterday since I am the listed USCA Alabama rep. They are desperate for sidecars to haul kids from Birmingham to the Barbour Motorsports Museum on September 17. I know this is in the middle of one of Eddie's middle Friday campouts but I am trying to get as many sidecars to attend as possible. They have helmets for the kids, all we have to do is show up--pay the $35 registration fee/donation and drive a child to the event. There are special hotel rates ($55) for those needing to arrive early as registration/organization starts at 8:00 and the ride starts promptly at 10:00, rain or shine. The whole package can be found at: www.ride4kids.org
Thanks, Tony George
Reported by (and photos by) Allen Rhoades
This year, Allen Rhoades of Danielson, CT, along with his friend Wayne Boomer from New Baltimore, NY, attended the 6th Annual Informal Gathering of Sidecars at the Americade Tour & Rally, held at Lake George, NY. While this was not his first visit to Americade, it was his first time at the Sidecar Gathering. Bruce Stephens, Publicity Person for the United Sidecar Association, organizes this event. The general consensus I get from the people that have attended the event is that he does a good job with it. Allen guesstimated that there were 30 rigs in attendance. The weather contained much rain and drizzle, but it didn’t keep the intrepid sidecarists away. The police did however keep some of them off the field for a while. Seems they were worried about side stands sinking into the sodden earth. Well sidecars don’t need no stinkin’ side stands, with the exception perhaps of the leaner pictured above. Bruce soon had it sorted out, and the sidecar enthusiasts went about their business of kickin’ tires. There was a good assortment of rigs in attendance, including some performance rigs, the leaner rig, and the Hannigan display of their various sidecars.
Rig owned by Wayne & Linda Boomer of New Baltimore, NY
Harley / Leaner Rig
Not sure of sidecar (rare?) Goldwing Rig
Hannigan Display
Below are pictures of outfits at the Ohio Valley BSA Owners Club rally last weekend. Most of these are outfits shipped over from England for the rally. (Submitted by Eddie George)
