Crashing sucks! Ok, I got that out of the way. As most of you know a lovely person on the connector in Atlanta changed lanes into the HOV lane in front of me, then made no attempt to get out of the way. Tried to lay the bike down in an orderly manner, well that didn’t work. Lost the front end on something, the white diamond in the middle of the lane I do believe, and down I went. Yes, I was on the 2003 Harley. If I had been on the BMW, with ABS, I am convinced there would not have been a wreck. If I had been on the rig, it would have been a spectacular accident as the car would have been nailed as well. As it is I am laid up with a broken (but now repaired) right kneecap. Been working from home sine the wreck and mighty, mighty tired of sitting around the house. It appears that since I did not hit this person, the only coverage that will pay is collision. It is what is considered a “Phantom Car” accident and Uninsured Motorists might not pay as a result. That’s right, you try to avoid a bad wreck where you know the injuries will be major and you get the screws put to by the state with a VERY well intentioned but flawed interpretation of the law. Still working on that with the insurance company….
Now to get on to the business of the club. I had an excuse for missing the last camp out (just got out of surgery), where were the rest of you? These are really fun and gives us all an excuse to get out and enjoy Georgia’s wonderful State Parks! There are no agendas, no plans. Just a reason or excuse to get together and have fun! So far only 4 some times 5 of us show up. Come on you all, drag those bikes out of the garage and come on down to the next camp out in April. If you don’t like to camp, get together with some other friends and rent a cabin. The cost for 4 people to rent a cabin is about the same as saying in a tent!!
Have offered to lead a ride to Barber’s Motorsports Park to see the bike museum. Got no responses! If you have not been to the new facility, you simply do not know what you are missing! If anyone is interested in going, let me know. Email address and phone numbers are on the top of Sidetracks. Have some other ideas, let someone know!!
Several club members who are also members of the prestigious HRAC will be heading to Mouton Cove, Louisiana in a few weeks. Not sure if I will be riding by then, but sure hope Carl or Eddie ride their rigs so I don’t have to be in a cage all week!
Was hoping to go to the Motorcycle Show in February, but Friday and Saturday I had to work (from home that is) and after doing all the stuff I do at Church on Sunday, my knee and wife convinced me that going up there was just not a good idea. For those of you who prefer non-vendor sponsored shows, the Macon Hog Chapter is putting on a bike show February 20-22 (I am assuming that this will be in Centerville, Ga). There are some amazing bikes in Central Georgia that are worth checking out! Unfortunately for the club the several of the previous winners of this for the last several years won’t be there this year. We will be in Louisiana, and I hope to be one of them.
Was hoping to go to the Motorcycle Show in February, but Friday and Saturday I had to work (from home that is) and after doing all the stuff I do at Church on Sunday, my knee and wife convinced me that going up there was just not a good idea. For those of you who prefer non-vendor sponsored shows, the Macon Hog Chapter is putting on a bike show February 20-22 (I am assuming that this will be in Centerville, Ga). There are some amazing bikes in Central Georgia that are worth checking out! Unfortunately for the club the several of the previous winners of this for the last several years won’t be there this year. We will be in Louisiana, and I hope to be one of them.
James
The weekend of January 16-18 found four members of the Georgia Sidecar Club gathering in Crooked River State Park for some winter camping. They were Art Rhoades, Carl Schantz, Frank Cabesa and Eddie George. They experienced temperatures in the 40's and 50's and they endured mostly sunny skies. A few sprinkles fell early Sunday but did nothing to dampen the weekend. More of you should try these campouts. We have nothing on the agenda except just getting together. You don't even have to tell lies, although if you heard some of Carl's you might try to top them. You would go down to defeat.
Our next campout is the weekend of April 16-18 at Mistletoe State Park near Augusta. To make reservations call: In Atlanta (770)389-7275 Outside Atlanta (800)864-7275.
Eddie
I attended Eddie’s ,Middle Friday Campout in January. If you want to see my report, and a copuple of photos on it, follow the previous link. This month's Sidetracks was a bit thin on material, so I included a section on some of my musings. You can read it by following the link to An Addict’s Confessions.
The Georgia Sidecar Club has some new members to welcome into our group. I hope that I didn’t miss anyone.
· Joe Semas of Ponce Inlet, FL
Ride Safe,
Art Rhoades