koala news - ca1k · level iv master tour rider/co-rider “safety by enhanced preparation and...

March 2012 Koala News

www.CA1K.org March2012 Page1

Words of Wisdom for our Chapter Director Nadine Galli

Live Long and Prosper As March marches in, visions of Goldwings begin to dance in our heads! Riding season is upon us. I’ve noticed that even cooler weather hasn’t deterred many of us from spending time with our Wingin’ friends.

As I think of the friends, places and times we’re enjoying, I’m reminded of an article that I came across recently. The article is entitled, “4 Ways to Live Longer, Beyond Diet and Exercise” (which seems not to be on many Goldwinger’s priority lists). Here are the four ways to live longer as stated in the article:

1. Let the Sunshine in – Folks who have a positive outlook end up living longer. Your positive attitude could add, on average, 7 more years to your life. Negative emotions like hostility and bitterness are bad for overall health, specifically the heart. Solution: Become an extrovert – join a community group, try new activities, strike up a conversation with a stranger.

2. Do Good Works – People who volunteer at two or more organizations have a 44% lower death rate than those who don’t do any charitable work. It’s comparable to exercising four times a week.

3. Say a Prayer – Have Faith - Regularly stepping through the doors of a house of worship may slow your progress toward the pearly gates by seven to fourteen years. In particular, older folks who attend religious services once a week are 46% less likely to die over six years than those attend less often. (Not that I’m insinuating any of us are old)

4. Socialize: People with strong social connections enjoy better health. Having good relationships matters more than just seeing friends or relatives often. The support of solid relationships boosts your immune function.

So, is GWRRA good for you? You bet it is! Not only are we having a great time when we get involved, we’re doing good for our physical health as well. I’m not sure these will counteract all those trips to the buffet bar and ice cream parlors...but they help!

Ride safe, let the sunshine in, do good works, have faith, and get out there to those chapter gatherings and rallies and socialize!


Stu’s 2 Cents Worth from Assistant Chapter Director -Stu Teichner

You’ve probably seen the TOP 10 REASONS TO JOIN GWRRA. If you haven’t, here’s a synopsis. Important is to be aware of how many benefits there are. It’s a great organization that, in my book, focuses on safety first (even though it’s listed as 2nd on this list).

1. Chapter Life: Meeting new friends and riding with them in groups to poker-run’s potlucks, charity rides, or many other activities available

2. Rider Education Program: As I’ve already said, this is the best part of GWRRA! Especially since we do group ride so often, there is a great focus on doing it properly. Our sport is not without it’s challenges, mostly having to do with other drivers. GW properly brings to our attention all of the distractions and concerns associated with safety.

3. Rescue Towing & Emergency Roadside Assistance: 24/7 towing up to 35 miles per disablement and roadside assistance. That’s a confidence builder!

4. Wing World Magazine: The largest Goldwing/Valkyrie targeted magazine for 32 years.

5. Loyalty Saving Coupons: Receive free coupons for new members & existing members who renew in 2012 brought to you from advertisers from Wing World and GWRRA.

6. Free classified ads in our magazine and on-line for members: Sell your motorcycle, trike, trailer, sidecar, parts and accessories in the classified section for members.

7. GWRRA “Exclusive” Advertisers discounts only available to members: Save hundreds of dollars on all your motorcycle needs!

8. Discount Hotel Programs: 20% discount at 11 different Wyndham chains and thousands of negotiated hotel rates at 1,200 vacation rental properties!

9. Gold Book: A personal favorite, right along side the Rescue Towing & Emergency Roadside Assistance…EVERYONE SHARES whatever they can do to help you in the event you need assistance, from overnight, towing, to tools…with members names, telephone numbers, and all of the resources available in 1 paperback book that stays with you in your bike.

10. Membership materials: When you join GWRRA, you get a 4” full color embroidered patch, two 1” full color decals, & new members get a 1” full color pin…and more!! Wew! Wew!

Remember, we’re all ambassadors! We ride the best motorcycles around. If you see someone else, even someone riding any other cruiser type bike, talk us up!


News and Views from Your Chapter Educator – Bob Finkelstein

RIDER EDUCATION PROGRAM LEVELS

At our February meeting we talked briefly about what it takes to obtain the 4 levels of safe ridership indicated on the N.7 Rider Education Programs Levels Application. To help understand the efforts required the levels are summarized below:

Level 1 “Safety By Commitment” You may sign up for the Rider Education Program’s Level I at any time. There are no prerequisites or minimums to meet. Simply bring your commitments to make riding safer for you and those with whom you ride.

Level II “Safety By Education” To progress to this level, you must have signed on at Level I, achieved at least 5,000 safe miles since becoming a GWRRA member and have taken an approved riding training course (riders) or an approved co-rider training course (seminar or 2-Up riding course) within the past three years.

Level III Certified Tour Rider/Co-Rider “Safety By Preparation” You must be current in Level II, have CPR or First Aid training certification and carry a First Aid kit on your bike.

Level IV Master Tour Rider/Co-Rider “Safety By Enhanced Preparation and Experience” You must be current and have a full year at level III, have ridden no less than 25,000 safe miles since joining GWRRA, and must be certified in both CPR and First Aid. Master Tour Riders and Co-riders sign a commitment to wear all the gear all the time (ATGATT).

Masters Recognition Program Beginning in 2002, this program provides recognition for dedicated members who have maintained their commitment to the Rider Education Program through their continued certification renewal as a Master Tour Rider:

Senior Master: Master Tour Riders who have maintained their active status by remaining certified for 5 consecutive years are eligible to be recognized as Senior Master.

Grand Master: Master Tour Riders who have maintained their active status by remaining certified for 10 consecutive years are eligible to be recognized as Grand Master

Life Grand Master: Master Tour Riders who have maintained their active status by remaining certified for 15 consecutive years are eligible to be recognized as Life Grand Master.

Co-riders wishing to obtain these levels must meet the same requirements, except for the MC license requirement, unless they are driving the bike. As Chapter Educator it is my job to keep youinformed of your ridership level, help find and arrange classes for advancement, review and submit the N.7 and N.9 forms to District leadership, and celebrate with all successful attainment of ridership levels. Let’s work together to ensure we are safe and committed by advancing through the ridership levels.

We have two great training opportunities coming up in March and April. On March 17th Chapter CA-1I is having a Parking Lot Practice Session as noted on the invitation and map. The session last about 2 hours and is a great way to brush up on riding skills. Please make every effort to attend this worthwhile session taught by Bud Budavari, the Tigers Chapter Educator.

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After our Chapter meeting on April 28th we will have a First Aid / CPR class starting at 10:30 AM at Hamer Toyota. The class will be taught by our Southwest Region F Medic First Aid instructors Marty and Joel Winkler. The class lasts about 3 hours and costs $20. We are requesting individuals register in advance by sending an E-mail to me at [email protected] or Nadine at [email protected].

For more information on the Rider Education Program you can always go to the Rider Education page of our website at http://www.ca1k.org/RiderEd.html

Sharing of ideas and better ways to do things is what this is all about. Please share you experiences and thoughts with me at [email protected]. Safe travels my friends! Bob.

Ken Freeland and The Avatar Trike on ”The Snake”


District Director Review

This month I thought I’d share some thoughts about a popular motorcycle myth I hear from members of the non-riding community, and that is that Motorcycles are dangerous. I see things a bit differently than most; I personally feel Motorcycles are extremely safe when you are well trained and properly dressed. In my opinion, it’s kinda like owning a gun. In the hands of someone that is well trained, they can be very safe, but in the hands of a novice, they can be deadly.

If you don't come from a motorcycle family and decide that you want to learn to ride a motorcycle you are sure to get lots of advice from your family. They'll call them murder-cycles or donor-cycles, or suggest, “You are going to kill yourself”. A certain amount of caution is OK as long as it's constructive, but what they fail to realize is that there are many riders on the road who have been riding 35-60 years and are still alive, and many who have never suffered a serious accident.

How is that you ask? The main reason is there have been some great advances in motorcycle safety in the last 20 years. Most newer bikes now have disc brakes, and some even have ABS brakes. Riders are getting trained to ride safely through programs taught by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF), and those of us that belong to GWRRA belong to a unique group of enthusiasts that are dedicated to safe riding.

If you come from a motorcycle family, you're still not home free. They may encourage you to just get out and ride, but they may give you bad advice or worse yet, try to teach you to ride and not be properly trained to do so. Don't ever let a loved one teach you to ride. Worst of all is learning to ride on your own. Take my advice. Level the odds by learning all you can about the proper way to ride a motorcycle from an expert. Take an MSF course for beginners, then as you progress, take an Advanced Riders Course or Trike Riders Course, and by all means attend every PLP you can.

Always wear protective gear “All the time”, and you CAN learn to be a safe rider and manage the risks of riding. OK, so now that you’re all revved up to take an ARC or TRC, how do you go about it? The easiest way is to talk to your Chapter Educator (CE). They will contact the District Educator to try to help locate a facility close to you. If nothing is available locally, your next best bet is to attend the District Convention (Aug 31 – Sep 2 in Mammoth Lakes, CA).

We are extremely fortunate that we have some very dedicated Chapter and District Educators and Assistants that devote a lot of time and effort to enhance our safe riding experience. Please take advantage of all they offer to help keep us safe, and be sure to thank them for all they do for the Chapter. Be sure to participate in the Rider Ed Level’s program, it’s set up to help encourage you to become more experienced at each level. If you have any questions, ask your Chapter Educator, they would love to help.

Until next time, “Hang on – we’re going for a ride”. Bill & Rene Johnson

GWRRA California District Directors“Hang on – we’re going for a ride”.

Bill & Rene Johnson CA District Directors


Upcoming Events Calendar

Date Chapter Location 21-Mar CA-1K Planning Meeting

Mar23– 25 CA-1R Palace Station Las Vegas, NV Mar.31 CA-1K Chapter Meeting and ride 14-Apr CA-1L San Luis Obispo 15-Apr CA-1Y Lompoc 18-Apr CA-1K Planning Meeting 21-Apr CA-1K Canoga Park 22-Apr CA-1A Lancaster 28-Apr CA-1K Chapter Meeting and ride 29-Apr CA-1Q Santa Ana 12-May CA-1M San Bernardino 16-May CA-1K Planning Meeting 19-May CA-2W Fresno 26-May CA-1K Chapter Meeting and ride

May25– 27 RegionF St. George, UT 2-Jun CA-1D Paramount 20-Jun CA-1K Planning Meeting

30-Jun CA-1K Chapter Meeting and ride July4- 7 WingDing Fort Wayne IN 28-Jul CA-1K Chapter Meeting and ride 15-Aug CA-1K Planning Meeting 25-Aug CA-1K Chapter Meeting and ride

Aug31– Sep2 CA- Dist. Rally Mammoth Mtn. 19-Sep CA-1K Planning Meeting 29-Sep CA-1K Chapter Meeting and ride 6-Oct CA-1V Victorville 20-Oct CA-1F San Diego 21-Oct CA-1Z Temecula 27-Oct CA-1K Chapter Meeting and ride 14-Nov CA-1K Planning Meeting 24-Nov CA-1K Chapter Meeting and ride

District and Chapter information is available on the California District Web Site

Go to http://www.ca1k.org/2011Cal.html for the latest info!


Greeting from your Newsletter Editor – Dave Gilman

Thank you for taking the time to check out our newsletter. Any thoughts or suggestions can be directed to [email protected].

As you may have noticed, this newsletter has not been delivered in a very prompt manner and I have to apologize again for not sticking to my own schedule in getting this important piece of communication out to you.

Due to a very impacted work and personal life right now, I feel that I can no longer do a good job on this project, so I am looking for a kind soul to relieve me of my duties as Newsletter Editor. Anyone interested please let Nadine or myself know. I would be forever in your dept.

Take care, ride safe and I hope to see you out on the road!

What is GWRRA Chapter CA-1K? We are a family oriented motorcycle organization sponsored by the Gold Wing Road Riders Association (GWRRA). Although most of our motorcycles are Goldwings, we welcome all makes and models - two or three wheeled.

Our Chapter area goes as far north as the San Fernando Valley, covers a large portion of the Southwestern area of Los Angeles, and includes the South Bay region. As GWRRA members, we are committed to the enjoyment of motorcycling, motorcycling safety, memorable rides throughout California and our beautiful country. Committed, happy, and involved members and their families is the cornerstone of our existence. We recently created a photo album on the website for member's to post pictures of their motorcycles, travels, and memorable events. We encourage you to take a look at them. Staying busy, traveling often is commonplace for members of the Gold Wing Road Riders Association, Chapter CA-1K.


CA-1K Chapter Store - Susan White

$5.00 $6.00 $7.00

$5.00 $5.00 each $10.00 each $3.00 each for the bar

We also have ... CA-1K Ink Pens, Stuffed Koala Bears, Koala Key Chains, as well as many other, GWRRA items.

If you need something, please contact Susan White (818) 231-5276 or at [email protected].


CA-1K Staff

Position Name Phone Chapter Director Nadine Galli 818-398-0763 Assistant Chapter Director Stu Teichner 818-624-0197 Chapter Educator Bob Finkelstein 818-383-4171 Treasurer Ken Freeland 818-370-3562 Chapter Store Susan White 818-231-5276 Web Master Dave Gilman 818-362-8925 Newsletter Editor Dave Gilman 818-362-8925 Advertising Stu Teichner 818-624-0197 Ride Coordinator Open

Monthly Gathering:

Email [email protected]@[email protected]@[email protected]@[email protected]@earthlink.net

HomeTown Buffet - 6705 North Fallbrook Ave, Canoga Park, CA 91307 (818) 713-1776 Last Saturday of the month at 8 AM - Breakfast Gathering and Ride -

Alternate ride meeting places:

#1 - Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf - Ventura & Topanga - 21851 Ventura Blvd. Woodland Hills, CA 91364 (818) 716-7981

#2 – Coco’s Restaurant - Sepulveda & 118 Freeway - 10841 Sepulveda Blvd. Mission Hills, CA 91345 (818) 365-3309

Newsletter Advertising Rates Per: Month Quarter Year

Business card $10 $20 $50 One half page $20 $35 $75 Full page, 4.5”X7” $40 $75 $150 Rates are based on camera ready artwork. Payment, in advance, by check payable to GWRRA CA1K, delivered to Chapter Treasurer, Ken Freeland, 13453 Fenton Ave, Sylmar, CA 91342 is required. New artwork must be received by month end for the following month. Member adds at no charge.

The CA-1K newsletter is distributed at no charge to GWRRA members who regularly attend chapter functions, our advertisers, and interested supporters. Our goal is to publish two weeks before the chapter meeting, which is normally the third Saturday of the month. Editorial contributions are gratefully accepted, and should reach the editor ([email protected]) no later than the first Friday of the month. Text only files via e-mail are preferred.

Intellectual property rights and responsibility for accuracy of published material remain with the author. The editor reserves the right to edit all submissions


Bike Spa

Relax and let Nadine handle the detail...

Basic Body Wash (Just need a little TLC)

Buff & Shine (Body Wash & Wax)

Full Spa Treatment (Body Wash, Wax, Leather Treatment, Chrome Detail, Your machine will be show ready!)

Let me customize your machines “Day at the Spa”

Mobile motorcycle detailing Call for estimate/appointment

(818) 398 0763 [email protected]

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