Being a Member of Chapter L in Rome, Georgia, for almost a year now, my wife and I have developed many new friendships, been on many fun rides, and eaten many good meals with the group.  Under the exceptional direction of Mr. David Newby, our Chapter has seen amazing growth in numbers and many educational opportunities.  One challenge has been finding a meeting room large enough to accommodate the attendance of monthly Chapter meetings.

I have realized that the benefits of GWRRA membership far outweigh the small price of annual membership.  I have witnessed how easy the roadside assistance is to take advantage of when rides don’t go as planned.  The monthly Wing World magazine is loaded with invaluable information and well worth the price of membership in itself.  I also know from the experience of others how the Gold Book can be an insurance policy when an unplanned need arises out of town.  I have found that there is always somebody in GWRRA who can help with a problem with sincere interest.  It is great when you can easily find so many other people who share the passion for riding motorcycles.

I purchased my Gold Wing in 2003 and regret that I procrastinated joining GWRRA until 2008.  I realize now how true the old saying is, “There is safety in numbers” when riding.  The fact that all the Chapter Members don’t necessarily ride Hondas makes riding all the more interesting and fun.  All in all I think the relationships formed by being a GWRRA Member is the most important benefit.  It takes riding a bike to the highest level. 

I appreciate you asking my opinion, and thank you for all your hard work in making GWRRA a world-class organization.

Dick Taylor, Chapter L- GA

GWRRA is more than I had imagined­ ­- the magazine, the local Chapter support, and so many neat ideas.  I also saved on my motorcycle insurance!  I wonder why I didn’t join sooner.  The membership has exceeded my expectations.

Jay Owens, Chapter IA-I

The closeness of the family of riders is out of this world.  My brother died a couple of months ago and even though without most Members knowing us, they have responded like nothing I could ever imagine.  I have received sympathy cards from Athens, Augusta, Tifton, Dallas, and Albany, Georgia.  I even received a personal phone call from the District Director.

My wife and I have only been Members of GWRRA for about three months now, and you are costing me BIG BUCKS.  You have changed my wife’s entire way of reasoning.  We had a perfect 1998 SE Gold Wing.  It wasn’t enough. The wife who is not usually a money spender, has ordered a Trike kit.  I guess she didn’t want to fall over again.

Well, keep up the good work and please stay in touch.  Who knows, one of these summer days we may be pulling up in YOUR driveway.  Thanks for the GWRRA family, and if we can ever be of any use to any one of you, please look us up.

Frank & Linda Owens, Chapter GA-E2

On December 9, 2008, Chapter VA-W in a joint effort with the women’s auxiliary of the DAV surprised the veterans and their families at McGuire’s Medical Center with an early visit from Santa and his helpers. We passed out 136 goodie bags, 75 bags of candy, and a lot of HO HO HO’S.  We had a good time surprising the veterans in their rooms as well as in the food court. We had a hard time keeping up with Santa. Whenever it was time to move on, a group of people would surround him and, of course, we all know that with a heart as big as his, Santa could not walk away. It is amazing how a simple act of kindness can bring a smile to so many faces.  So if your Chapter is looking for something extra to do next year that is not only heartwarming, but that will also leave you feeling great, consider giving to those who gave of themselves for us.

Jennifer Knight, Chapter VA-W

The past four years Carol and I have "Participated" in the Windshield Wash at rest areas throughout Illinois. This is only done during the month of May on weekends and between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. We would take along material used to wash windshields, IDOT, and GWRRA fliers to hand out to the "Motoring Public". We presented ourselves in a positive way, not intimadating to the motoring public, our Wings looked great (all shinning) and open to the public to look at and ask questions. During this time, we were asked to keep numbers of the people we came in contact with and windshields we washed. Over 4,000 of the motoring public came in contact with GWRRA Members during May.

The success of this event we may never know; but we did give the public, who may never have been associated with motorcycles, a different side of motorcyclists.  We are just like them only we love to ride motorcycles.

This event is a simple way for Members to kick-off May as Motorcycle Awareness Month throughout Region E. This can be planned around a Dinner Ride or a ride before or after the event. This should be made FUN for our Members. Remember too that a great percentage of accidents with other motor vehicles are usually because the driver of the other vehicle has no association with a motorcyclist. This event should help the motoring public to be more aware of motorcycles and to share the roadways.

I hope that the Districts and Chapters will take on this "Challenge and Participate" in this simple awareness event. If you like, contact me for comments or questions about the Windshield Wash.

Region E MAD Coordinators
Toney and Carol Buzick
309-382-2588