From the President:

 

Hi everybody! Have a lot to cover in this letter, and Art is rushing me to get it done (like he does every month, but really means it this time). He and I are both about to go on vacation. Art and family to Connecticut, Me (and Eddie and another friend from Macon) to Alaska. So here goes nothing….

Text Box:

Attended the Ride for Kids earlier this month. 5 of our members showed up (in keeping with my long standing tradition, I never list who goes to a charity event as most of us do not do it for personal recognition. Ok, I do when I have a chance to embarrass somebody, like Art).  Have to give a huge attaboy to our esteemed newsletter editor. He met me at a rest area on I-475 at 5:15 in the AM to get to Atlanta to meet another member for breakfast before the ride. He got there first. Have any of you been to a rest area at 5AM lately? Lets just say that Art and I saw some truly interesting pieces of humanity there…I have to admit, I brow beat Art into going (FYI, it wasn’t that hard), think he was glad he did. Pretty sure he’ll have something to say about the ride elsewhere in Sidetracks. We got there around 8:00 and met the other sidecarists and motorcyclists. Very eclectic group of bikes. Sport bikes lined up next to chopped Harleys next to standards, next to European exotics, 60’s style VW trikes and BMWs. Everything was there, including a Rune and someone said a new Rocket 3 was there, I somehow didn’t see it though! The ride was short, just up to Dawsonville (the folks in Dawsonville felt they had arrived when the Ride decided to go there instead of Dahlonega this year. They were tickled to have all these bikers in town!). The ride to Dahlonega used to follow the pre Ga 400 route to Dahlonega, took over 2 hours last year, was a bit much for some of the kids. This year’s ride was short, uneventful and a lot of fun! Now (and you all know this is coming) as for the other 40 or so members, I would really like to have about 10 or 15 sidecars there next year. Two of us had families who for one reason or another didn’t make it, with kids this sick it happens (just so happened one of the Dads took ill). The Ride For Kids folks were afraid to set up back up riders as they don’t want to build the kids hopes up just to have the crash around them when it doesn’t work out. That to me is a crying shame! We were there and ready to haul patients, and none were available. How can we fix that you ask? Well, the more sidecars, the more kids that can be planned to haul. They could also possibly leave some sidecars empty in the event everybody shows up, then the backup passengers get to ride too! And I am fully aware, this is on a Sunday when many folks are at church, including yours truly. But I can’t think of a better way to serve God (and if you don’t believe, well you are available on the first Sunday in June next year, right?) than to serve his kids who are sick and need something to pick up their spirits, like a sidecar ride! Just the looks on the kids’ faces (and their parents) will make you wonder why you had not come up before! Ok, that’s the last I’ll say on that subject until let’s say next March when every letter will include something about the ride for kids until enough folks volunteer to go, then I’ll quit and only then!

Did you know that Coleman Tents are guaranteed not to leak? I found out at the Howdy Summer Rally this year. Per GT it rained at a rate of 2 inches an hour several times during the weekend. Funny thing, of our pre-registered folks, only 3 failed to show and one couple who shall remain nameless actually came all the way up, dropped off the club folks then drove home because the field was too soggy to handle their 3 part rig they tow around! Don’t know what happened to the other folks, but you know who you are and, unlike most clubs, that we carry over what you paid top the next year. And for Bob Heilman, who could not come last year but paid anyway and didn’t make it this year, you still are paid for in 2006 if you decide to come up! Same goes for Dion, Kenyon & Edith! Funny thing, had the same comment from almost everybody – even though we had to cancel rides and field events, they had a great time! Think it has something to do with the unstructured way of our rally and club. The rain may have actually helped the camaraderie part as we all pretty much stuck together. I mean there were some deep, deep discussions (notice I didn’t say what they were deep in) going on all weekend! Shoot, we even had a family from Ohio come down for the rally (Husband, wife, and 2 kids one is our youngest rider at 13 months, and don’t worry we’ll get Elija his trophy). Even tough it was not mentioned, we will in all likelihood be back at TWO next year, and hopefully it won’t rain. Had one or two folks suggest that we move the rally or the dates, I am open to suggestions, but I can’t think of any place in Georgia that could be more accommodating and the weather is the weather no matter where you go. So if you have any suggestions, let us know! I really want to thank all the folks who toughed out the weather and helped out in some pretty appalling conditions! Shoot, we even had the USCA pres (and the normal cast of volunteers) cooking Friday night! Several folks went above and beyond the call of duty in helping out, to all of you, thanks! The rally can’t be done without the help of many. And I still want to know how to play sidecar golf….maybe next year! And who knows, may be some sidecar soccer….er maybe not…

 

James

 

 

From the Vice President:

 

For those of you who don't make the campouts we miss
you and talk about you. Some good, some not so bad.
Our next campout will be September 15-17 at F D R State Park near Warm Springs and Calloway Gardens. Reservations can be made by at 1-800-864-7275. Some state parks have limited sites for camping and reservations are recommended.

Thank you -- E. George

 

 

From the Editor:

 

Sgt Rickey Spivey was home on leave from Iraq for 2 weeks in May. On the evening of May 28 we got together a group of 5 hacks to ride to Perry, GA to meet her. Eddie, James, Carl, Kathy, Katie and myself attended. We spent a couple of hours visiting and giving sidecar rides to Rickey and her family. Below is an email that Kathy received at school.

 

Rickie checking out Kathy’s rig

 

First and foremost I would like to say thank you for coming to the house, I truly enjoyed meeting you all and riding it was real fun...maybe next time I can learn to drive...but again I say thank you, you all truly know how to but a smile on my family's face...I am back in Iraq now and I do not want to be here, leaving my family is getting harder to do...talk to you later.

Rickie Y. Spivey

 

The 11th Annual Howdy Summer Rally is in the books, and it was a great time in spite of the weather. The weekend was topped off with a luau on Saturday evening, followed by a live bluegrass band. The folks at TWO know how to treat you right, and the food is always excellent. You’ll find a bunch rally photos in this issue of Sidetracks. I believe that they speak for themselves. We had people that traveled long distances to attend our event. Folks came from Ohio, Indiana, Florida, Kentucky, Alabama, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas. The long distance award went to Tim Smith from Wisconsin who traveled 900+ miles! We must be doing something right. Evidently our club has built a good reputation in the sidecar community. Why else would people ride hundreds of miles in the rain to spend a weekend with us (kicking tires and telling lies)?

Our membership is spread over a large geographical area, making email a great way to communicate in a timely manner. Please send me your email address at akrhoades@cox.net so that I can keep a current list.

Ride Safe, Art

 

 

 

 

Sidecars Needed To Give Veterans Ride:

 

The Buncombe County Concerned Bikers Association puts on a rally at the Veterans Hospital in August. Cliff and I take our sidecar there and give the vets a ride around the parking lot. They asked us to ask the club if they would be interested in joining them. The date is August 20th at the Asheville VA. For more information call 828-369-8060.

nosracing12000@yahoo.com or nacyphers@hotmail.com

Cliff and Noreen Cyphers

 

The Wheels Through Time Museum

By Katie Rhoades – Age 12

For the 2005 Howdy Summer Rally, my family and I arrived at Two Wheels Only Motorcycle Resort (T.W.O) about two days early. We arrived June 7 and were officially the first people there. On June 8 we did a day ride to the Wheels Through Time Museum in Maggie Valley, North Carolina. We had breakfast at the T.W.O lodge, and then headed out around 10:00 am. It took us three hours to get there since we took the mountain roads. We stopped for lunch at a local Maggie Valley restaurant called the Mountaineer Restaurant. The Mountaineer Restaurant had a “Million Dollar View” of gorgeous mountains and valleys. If the view wasn’t enough the food was also wonderful. After lunch we headed on down to the Wheels Through Time Museum.

 

There, before we even walked in, we saw a 1932 Indian Sidecar. We paid then walked into the museum where a guide immediately introduced himself and allowed me to sit on a 1950 Harley-Davidson accessorized sidecar for my Dad to take a picture of me on. Then my Mom sat in a 1962 convertible Corvette. After a few moments of looking at the motorcycles we heard a bike revving up outside, we saw the owner giving rides in that 1932 Indian sidecar! I thought it looked cool so he gave me a ride! It was tons of fun; he raced his dog and flew the chair with me. After that we continued to look around in the museum. After finishing the top level we came back downstairs and sat down, then the owner’s dog came over and I started to play with Miss Shiloh. The owner came over and asked if I wanted to ride in a 1946 army sidecar that Harley Davidson made for Europe so the sidecar was on the left side! I said yes and he said okay lets go, and his dog followed him, thinking that he was talking to her!

 

 

When I got in the sidecar we climbed a bumpy mountain in it, and then raced his dog Sidetracksagain, then he flew the chair again. That was also a load of fun!!  We looked around some more then he headed on back to the campsite. We ended being gone for about ten hours, but it was worth it!! If you are in that area I recommend going to the Mountaineer Restaurant and the Wheels Through Time Museum!  

 

 

Atlanta Ride For Kids - June 5, 2005:

By Art Rhoades

 

Several members of the Georgia Sidecar Club attend the Ride for Kids, held in Atlanta on the first Sunday in June each year. This year James “persuaded” me to go along. The organizers like to have sidecars available to haul the kids and their families on the ride. The kids like it too. When I told Carl that it was my first time, he smiled, and with a knowing look told me once you do it, you’ll be back again. I think he may be right…

It was out of bed at 4:00am, a quick cup of coffee, then ride north through the darkness to Macon to meet up with James. We rode in a dense fog most of the way to the starting point in Alpharetta (north of Atlanta). Georgia Sidecar Club members that participated included; James Allmond, Carl Schantz, Larry Doughty, John Klimbach, Brent Hoovestol, Pete Hefele, and Art Rhoades.

 

 

We rode home in the rain, enduring frequent traffic jams.

 

These kids and their families have had to endure hardships that most of us could not begin to comprehend.

I will not soon forget the faces of these brave individuals. And yeah, watching them smile as they as they sit in your sidecar……………………..…  Priceless

 

 

The Ride for Kids® is the motorcycling community's way of showing how much they care. Their mission is in support of the efforts of the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation of the United States, a non-profit charitable 501(c)(3) foundation that seeks to:

·               find the cause and cure of childhood brain tumors through the support of medical research

·               increase public awareness about the severity and prevalence of childhood brain tumors

·               aid in early detection and treatment of childhood brain tumors

·               support a national database on all primary brain tumors

·               provide hope and emotional support for the thousands of children and families affected by this life threatening disease.

The Ride For Kids began in 1984 in Atlanta. From its humble beginnings it has grown to a national event with 36 rides being scheduled across the country in 2005.

 

 

Text Box: This is your club and your newsletter. We will always welcome your input. A story about a trip that you took, tech tips, your opinions, and philosophies on sidecars are but a few of the topics you might submit. Send your photos as well. Submissions via e-mail are easy for me to work with, and would be my preferred medium. However, any method you choose to use would be appreciated. It can be typed, handwritten, or notes on a napkin. Just get it out to me. We need member input! Just remember that any opinions, technical advise, theories, philosophies, etc. in this newsletter, or any other Georgia Sidecar Club newsletter are to be credited to the individual that makes them. They do not necessarily reflect the views of the Georgia Sidecar Club. If there are ever any technical tips in Sidetracks that you would like to try, think it through for yourself, and your particular application before doing any actual work. We aren’t responsible for your actions! Don’t forget to check your address label for accuracy and for your expiration date. If it is due, send Carl a check for $18 to renew your membership. Our group was formed in 1994 to foster camaraderie among the sidecar fraternity and interested solo bikers. If someone seems interested in your rig, encourage him or her to become a member of “The Best Little Motorcycle Club In The South”.

7/15/05-7/17/05: There is no Middle Friday Campout scheduled for July

 

July 8 – 10, 2005 – 9th Annual Northeast 3-Wheeler – IBMC Campout – Travelers Woods of New England Campground, Bernardston, MA. Don Nolin 508-771-2261.

 

July 9 – 10, 2005 – Black Dog AMA/Suzuki National Dual sport Ride. Staged around Mt. Hood, Oregon.  http://www.blackdogdualsport.com/bd_events.htm , or The Red Menace at Vernon@gorge.net

 

July 15– 17, 2005 – Blue Ridge Ural Riders Party - Willville Bike Camp, Meadows of Dan, Virginia. Charlie Whittle at cwhitjr@swva.net

 

July 23, 2005 – Veteran’s Honor Ride 2005. Come help us support this ride. Meeting at Harley- Davidson Toronto, 578 Front Street W, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.  www.vhrf.com . Their contact person is Maralyn Randal at 416-399-8619 or e-mail at maralyn@randallsearch.com . CSOC information is available at www.csoc.20m.com . Brian Brama at 905-836-0095 or e-mail at brinette@sympatico.ca .

 

July 29 – August 1, 2005 – Canadian Sidecar Owner’s Annual Rally in Wyoming, Ontario, Canada.  www.csoc.20m.com , or Kevin and Lynn Vallinga, 161 S Christina Street, Sarnia, Ontario, Canada N7T 2M9. 519-383-0025. Fax number is 519-383-0593 or e-mail at Kevin.Vallinga@shell.com or roadkill@sympatico.ca .

August 5 - 7, 2005 – ISOK Sidecar Ron-Dee-Voo II – Union County Sportsman’s Club and Wildlife Sanctuary. Located near Weikert, PA in central Pennsylvania  http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/SCT, http://www.sidecar.com  or Claude Stanley, RD 1 Box 172s, Middleburg, PA 17842, PH. 570-837-5182,  cstanley@sunlink.net

 

August 5 – 7, 2005 – Sidecar Rally sponsored by North Country Cycles, Inc. Hirkimer Diamond Mines KOA along West Canada River on Rt. 28, north of Hirkimer, New York. www.kerkimerdiamond.com. Brad Vrooman, 315-768-4718 or www.northcountrycycles.com.                                     

 

August 18 - 21, 2005 - Keystone Sidecar Group Kampout - Kalyumet Campgrounds 814-744-9622, Cook Forest, PA. USA. Harry Walter at 412-963-8327 or June at 412-833-1393.

 

August 19-21, 2005 – VRRA Vintage Motorcycle Festival. www.vrra.ca . Mosport International Raceway in Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada. www.mosport.com , www.sidecarracers.com , www.csoc.20m.com Brian Brama, 2 Sunrise Street, Holland Landing, Ontario, Canada L9N 1H4. 905-836-0095 or e-mail at brinette@sympatico.ca .

 

August 21, 2005 – ScaredyCat Dualsport Rally, Detroit Lake, Oregon, just east of Salem. http://www.blackdogdualsport.com/sc_events.htm or the RedMenace at vernon@gorge.net

August 23rd-25th New England Moto Guzzi Rally Monson Mass.  Information: Millie Pease (860) 688-1579

 

August 26 – 28, 2005 – 1st Annual “3 For All” Sidecar Rally. Ann Arbor, MI. Al Bond at Crawfordsales@sbcglobal.net or call Crawford Sales at 248-437-8107.

 

August 28 , 2005  – Annual Asheville Ride for Kids – Biltmore Square Mall in Asheville, NC www.ride4kids.org. Jon Cheney at 1115 North Peak Drive, Kernersville, NC  27284, 336-996-0415, jcheney@triad.rr.com.

 

September 1 – 5, 2005 – Bigfoot Sidecar Club Kootney Kampout – Mirror Lake Campground, Box 540 Kaslo, B.C.  VoG 1MO, Canada, 250-353-7102, 3 miles south of Kaslo B.C., 50 miles north of Nelson B.C Jerry Kotanko, 6115 – 216th Street RR11, Langley, B.C. V2Y 2N6, Canada, 604-534-6473, after 6pm, Fax 604-534-5909, nancyboris@aol.com .

 

September 9 – 11, 2005 – Adirondack Sidecar Campout – Paradise Pines Campground, P.O. Box 180, 4035 Blue Ridge Road, North Hudson, NY  12855, USA . Millie Pease, New England Moto Guzzi Club, 809 Kennedy Road, Windsor, CT  06095, Phone 860-688-1579, or Dale Cochran, USCA Massachusetts State Representative, 751 Glendale Road, Wilbraham, MA 01095, Phone 413-596-8295.

September 9 - 11, 2005 - Hoosier Hacks 'So Long Summer Campout'  - Muscatatuck County Park, North Vernon, Indiana, USA. Fred Hunteman, 3331 East Daniel Street, Mooresville, IN  46158, 317-831-8105 or fhunteman@mw.net.

 

September 10, 2005 – The Rat Dog Dualsport Ride. Sidecars are welcome. http://www.blackdogdualsport.com/rd_events.htm or The RedMenace at vernon@gorge.net . Followed by the Lobos Horny Wolf Dualsport Ride on Sunday September 11th. Lobos at 503-656-5801.

 

September 16 – 18, 2005 - Our next campout will be September 15-17 at F D R State Park near Warm Springs and Calloway Gardens. Reservations can be made by at 1-800-864-7275

 

September 16 – 18, 2005 – Sidecars In The Flint Hills. Council Grove Lake, Santa Fe Trail Park Group Area S-1, Council Grove (www.councilgrove.com), Kansas. Joyce Canfield, 5201 Cook Road, St. Joseph, MO  64505, 816-232-2726, cell 816-390-4132, or, jhcn92@yahoo.com.

 

September 23 – 25, 2005 – NEMG (New England Moto Guzzi) Club Rally – Partridge Hollow Campground, Monson, MA. USA. Millie Pease, New England Moto Guzzi Club, 809 Kennedy Road, Windsor, CT  06095, Phone 860-688-1579. 

 

September 23 – 25, 2005 – 22nd Ears Across the Border Sidecar Rally – Timberline RV Park Resort, 736 Wilde Road, Concrete, WA  98237, USA, 360-826-3131. Jerry Kotanko, 6115 – 216th Street RR11, Langley, B.C. V2Y 2N6, Canada, 604-534-6473 after 6pm, Fax 604-534-5909, nancyboris@aol.com .

 

September 25, 2005 – Annual TOMA Ride for Burned Kids. Toronto, Ontario, Canada. www.fondtomafound.org/english/index.htm . www.csoc.20m.com or Marlene Verhoeven at 905-563-7378 or e-mail at marlenev@sympatico.ca .

 

October 1 - 2, 2005, HACK'd Reunion Buckhannon, N. Central WV.  hackdmag1@yahoo.com or 304-472-5507. Chris Dodson, P.O. Box 58, Buckhannon, WV 26201.

 

October 23, 2005 – 34th Griffith Park Sidecar Rally – Crystal Springs picnic area, Griffith Park, Los Angeles, CA. USA. Doug Bingham, 15838 Arminta Street, Unit 25, Van Nuys, CA  91406, 818-780-5542, Fax 818-780-1587 www.sidecar-industry.com .

 

December 16–18, 2005 Eddie’s Middle Friday – Site / details to be announced.