North Alabama Vintage Riders Digest for Nov 10, 2018

[renchinrider]

 Hi, Everyone, and Happy Veterans Day!

To kick things off, here's a great selection of videos shared on Twitter by Warren Massey, showing how Soldiers trained and qualified for duty as motorcyclists in years (long!) past.  There are several of them at this link...Enjoy!

https://twitter.com/ijustwant2ride/status/1061955306517921792?s=01

I had no idea that the first American Soldier to enter Germany in 1918 was riding a Harley!  (I probably still wouldn't believe it, except that this photo and the Twitter caption that go with it were published by H-D Museum!)  Here's the link:  https://twitter.com/hdmuseum/status/1061966866111967232?s=01

Our Veterans Day event on Nov 10th was both meaningful and fun.  See CTAG's fantastic coverage of the event (including video footage of the motorcyclists' ride from the Blue Plate to the Veterans Home!) at this link:  https://www.motorcyclealabama.com/rides/index.php?topic=3225.msg29356#msg29356

I was privileged to assemble a tribute video showing many of our members, along with their family members and friends, at the times they wore uniforms and served their countries.  Then we followed up with an interesting and informative presentation by the Motor Maids' Alabama District Director, Genevieve Cooke.



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Her stories, anecdotes and information are an inspiration to all of us.  Not only has Genevieve grown the Alabama District's membership from just two in the mid-1990s to over 60 today (Wow!), but in the past year, she's ridden more than 8,000 miles, and 16,000 the year before that!  Go, Genevieve!  She and her husband also minister actively through their membership in the Christian Motorcyclists Association, making them a truly remarkable team within our community.   Leading ladies of motorcycling, including Genevieve, Shovelhead Liz, Jody Perewitz and Felicia Morgan bring so much to our sport!

Following Genevieve's presentation, we were off to Floyd E. "Tut" Fann Veterans Home for our annual day of serving lunch to the Home's residents.  Those who braved the cold and rode their motorcycles to the event were treated to a special benefit by ride leader Frank Conseglia.  He led them from the Blue Plate for a special stop at the Huntsville War Memorial, before heading on to the Veterans Home.  We reunited at the Home, took a commemorative photo, and then split into groups to serve diners throughout the facility.

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The personal rewards gained from this annual event are enough to sustain us well into the year.  We'll look in the coming year for other opportunities to spend time with our Veteran friends as well!

The winter season is upon us, and our selection of local events is dwindling.  However, there are still a number of special events available, and I'm looking across the country for activities that appeal to lovers of vintage motorcycles.

We also have our Christmas Season events coming up in the coming month.  Here's what I'm tracking:

Dec 1:  The Annual Eldridge Toy Run Classic Car and Bike Show.  I just learned about this event from MotorcycleAlabama's "merc16".  I read more about it on the event's Facebook site.  It looks like a really fun event, and the beneficiaries of the proceeds are absolutely deserving.  I'll be out of state that weekend, but here's where Eldridge is located for anyone who is nearby, or would like to ride there and take part, along with the event's website:


http://www.eldridgetoyrun.com


Dec 8:  NAVMC's annual Christmas Banquet, at the Blue Plate Cafe, from 11 am until 1 pm.  Events will include a slide show, and an auction to benefit a selected individual or family at the Holidays.

--  If you know of someone (need not be a veteran or motorcyclist) who has a bona-fide need that you wish to nominate for our gift, please either send their information to me via PM, or PM RJ Reynolds on Facebook.

--  If you have photos you would like to share for use in the slide show, please either save them onto a flash drive and give that flash drive to RJ at a Saturday breakfast, or contact me so we can arrange another form of transfer of your photos.  We want to include them!

--  If you would like to donate items for the auction, please either plan to bring them to our banquet on the 8th, or email me to let me know that you need to deliver them prior.  We'll arrange either pickup or dropoff so that your items help to add proceeds to our Christmas gift.

Dec 21st:  NAVMC's annual gift-packing get-together, to be held at the residence of Mike and Linda Robinson.  This year's gathering will include movies and pot luck!  Watch for additional details coming out in the near future.

Dec 22nd:  NAVMC's annual gift giving day.  All who have participated in this event have been touched by the outpouring of gratitude by recipients.  Make plans to take part this year!  PM Linda Robinson on Facebook to let her know you wish to participate!

Dec 30th:  Last Ride of the Year to the Stagecoach Cafe, 52860 AL-59, Stockton, AL 36579.  I'm planning to travel to Stockton this year.  If any of you wish to join me, please let me know.  Last year, Dauntless Iron Butt Extraordinaire Raymond Cox bundled up and rode to Stockton.  He had a great time there!  I vowed then that I'll make it this year, if at all possible!  I also received an open invitation from a MotorcycleAlabama forum member who lives ~20 miles from Stockton to spend the night at his place, where he has accommodations for up to six guests should any fellow riders express interest...
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Jan 26, 2019:  Dania Beach, FL 13th Annual Vintage Bike Show.  I'll be traveling to Florida to join NAVMC member and South Florida resident Bob Brandner for this exciting show.  I was joined last year by Raymond Cox, who rode his Triumph down for the show, and it was a real treat--all the more so considering the fantastic South Florida weather!

July 2019:  Now is the time to go ahead and block your calendars for Triumph Owners Motorcycle Club's Tri-Fest '19, to be held at Two Wheels of Suches during the week/end including July 13-14.  This year's inaugural event drew tremendous interest and applause, and there is no doubt that next year's gathering will be larger.  Go ahead and start working reservations and planning for a "Triumph-ant" weekend!

WEEKLY GATHERINGS:

--All of our weekly gatherings are open gatherings of motorcyclists and motorcycle enthusiasts.  These are NOT vintage-specific, and you need not own/ride a bike to participate.  Each presents great opportunities to share some food/drink and enjoy a great time in the company of a wide variety of people who enjoy the world of motorcycling.  Give 'em a try!

NOTE:  All of these gatherings continue throughout the winter season, whether participants ride or drive.

Sunday 12pm:  Alan Nicholson's Sunday Afternoon BBQ Rides, originating at noon at Barnes and Noble Booksellers, 2750 Carl T Jones Dr SE, Huntsville, AL 35802.  With the weather getting less predictable, be sure to watch Facebook for updates on these weekly rides.

Monday 5pm:  El Portal Restaurant in Hartselle, 1901 US-31, Hartselle, AL 35640

Tuesday 5pm:  Straight to Ale in Huntsville, Campus 805 at the intersection of Clinton Ave and Governors Drive.

Tuesday 5pm:  Champy's Fried Chicken, 120 2nd St, Muscle Shoals

Thursday 5pm:  Sam's Sports Grill, 1208 Beltline Rd SW, Decatur, AL 35601.

Saturday 8am:  Breakfast at the Blue Plate Cafe II, corner of S. Memorial Parkway and Byrd Spring Rd.

Please let me know what I've missed.  See you on the road!

Let's Ride!

Rench
MotorcycleAlabama:  renchinrider
Instagram:  renchinrider
Twitter:  @globalrider1966