Welcome to the Atlanta Chapter's Website. Harley-Davidson of Atlanta established the Atlanta Chapter on September 19, 1985. We are the oldest H.O.G. Chapter in Georgia. All of the officers hope you will take a look around and enjoy your stop here. Be sure to check out the Calendar. We try to keep a good variety of rides and events to fit into everyone's schedules. If you are a local or just passing through town and have any questions feel free to contact any of the Officers. If you are interested in joining the chapter, we have membership applications available here on the site. We are here to "Ride and Have Fun" and hope you will come out and join us soon. Atlanta Chapter Officers |
HOGWASH
Official Newsletter
Atlanta Chapter, Inc.
Chapter Number 0788
June 2009 Issue
May 25, 2009
Advertising
Advertising in the HOGWASH
Advertising Rates
Articles
Director's Article
Assistant Director's Article
Secretary/Treasurer's Article
Head Road Captain's Article
Safety Officer's Article
Activity Officer's Article
Membership Officer's Article
Head Photographer's Article
Historian's Article
Web Master's Article
Member Comment
Potpourri
Road Trip
Road Trip Recap
Charities We Support
MDA
Important Links
Harley-Davidson of Atlanta Web Page
GA State H.O.G. Rally Web Page
National H.O.G.Web Page
Important Stuff
Event Schedule
Tentative Event Schedule, 2009
Event Statement
Mission Statement
H.O.G. Chapter Online Privacy Statement
Member Benefit Change
Official Newsletter
Our Sponsor
Join the Group
Membership Application
Guestbook
Meet the Officers
Chapter Officers
Atlanta Chapter Picture Gallery
PhotoBucket
PhotoBucket Members ONLY
Picture Gallery
Members Only
HOGWASH Archives
HOGWASH Print as Mailed
Atlanta Chapter, 2009
Director
Chris Robey
770-367-1386
atlhogdirector@gmail.com
Assistant Director
Bobby Conway
678-384-0313
atlhogasstdirector@gmail.com
Secretary/Treasurer
Rene' Durham
770-944-1340
rene@hdatlanta.com
Head Road Captain
Diana Bodden
404-992-3548
harleybaby94@aol.com
Safety Officer
Jim Byrd
770-843-6700
atlhogsafety@gmail.com
Activity Officer
Erik Grandowski
404-580-6759
erik@grandowski.com
Membership Officer
Bret Graddy
678-567-5271
graddybr@comcast.net
Head Photographer
Chuck Fuller
404-402-4088
atlphoto@gmail.com
Newletter/Web/Historian
B.K. Ellis
770-471-0306
hog@bellsouth.net
Editor
Chris Houghton
770-944-1340
chris@hdatlanta.com
Road Captain
Andy Andresen
770-502-0847
viking@numail.org
Road Captain
Tom Arnold
770-313-3886
tomn2hd@bellsouth.net
Road Captain
Ed Chowning
770-505-9404
edchowning@bellsouth.net
Road Captain
Gary Easterwood
770-863-0906
easter_g@bellsouth.net
Road Captain
Mack Hall
770-445-2343
usachevy1@bellsouth.net
Road Captain
Steve Magel
678-354-3560
steve.magel@shawinc.com
Road Captain
Karen Mathiasen
770-354-4779
karen.mathiasen@gexpro.com
Road Captain
John Morgan
678-982-1589
roadcptn@yahoo.com
Road Captain
Andrea Oparnica
770-974-4332
andreaoparnica@gmail.com
Road Captain
John Provost
404-535-3447
jprov91301@yahoo.com
Road Captain
Gene Williams
404-805-8119
williamsmobilerepair@msn.com
A Sticky Ride
May 30, 2009
Ladies Only Garage Party
Ladies Only Ride
May 31, 2009
Bullock House
June 2, 2009
Atlanta Chapter Business Meeting
June 5, 2009
HOGWASH Articles Due
June 5-7, 2009
Retreat Ride
June 6, 2009
Chapter Work Day
June 9, 2009
Lazy Day Lunch Ride
June 13, 2009
Chapter Picnic
June 13, 2009
Ride to Chapter Picnic
June 14, 2009
Dillard House
June 15, 2009
Shane's Rib Shack Social
June 18, 2009
NO Atlanta Chapter Meeting
See you at the picnic!
June 20, 2009
State Market Grill
June 20, 2009
Movie Night
June 21, 2009
Father's Day Ride
June 24, 2009
Bug Run to Bike Night
June 27, 2009
Impromptu Ride
June 29, 2009
Million Mile Monday
Dragon Ride
June 29, 2009
Million Mile Monday
Shane's Rib Shack Social
June 29, 2009
Million Mile Monday
Shane's Rib Shack Social
Chapter activities are conducted primarily for the benefit of H.O.G. chapter members. There are three categories of activities, all activities are identified as follows:
If you are interested in becoming a H.O.G. member, contact Rene' Durham, or call 770-944-1340
NEW RIDER'S REWARDS PROGRAM
General Manager Harley-Davidson of Atlanta
I want to take a moment to let you all know that Harley-Davidson of Atlanta has launched a Rider's Rewards Program. This program is designed to reward those customers who are most deserving. Consequently, customers who do more business with Harley-Davidson of Atlanta will reap more benefits as a result of the program.
The Rider's Rewards Program will be available to our entire customer base, including our Chapter members. The Rider Rewards Program will be included FREE OF CHARGE as a part of active chapter membership. For non-chapter members there will be a cost to be a member of the Rider Rewards Program. Non-chapter members will have to acquire their Loyalty card for $9.95 annually or $29.95 for a lifetime membership.
The program is a way for Harley-Davidson of Atlanta customers to earn credit toward future purchases. Each time you make a purchase in MotorClothes, Parts and Accessories and the Service department you will earn a percentage back of every dollar spent. Moreover, points will be earned on qualifying merchandise only. Chapter members will also receive points for their participation in Chapter or dealership sanctioned events and functions (e.g., chapter meetings, chapter rides, socials, volunteer time, etc.).
I want to thank all of you who have taken time out of your busy schedule to volunteer and help the chapter. The Blind Dawg Poker Run was a great success, and it is mostly due to all the members who came out to support the chapter. The weather wasn't ideal but with everyone's hard work the event came off without a hitch. The chapter has also been grilling on Saturdays at the dealership and Chuck has done a great job putting together the calendar for who works when. However, if you didn't volunteer your time to help, Chuck would have no names to work with. The one thing that makes this chapter so great is that we all work together to accomplish our main goal, "Ride and Have Fun.” I'll admit that not everything we do involves a ride, but we always have a good time when we get together with our fellow chapter members, whether we are out on a ride or grilling up a burger. The Atlanta Chapter has the greatest group of people, and I am so proud to call this my chapter.
The summer is just getting started and there are lots of rides and events coming up. On Saturday, June 6 we will be having a Chapter Workday to take care of some overdue maintenance to the pavilion, we will be looking for members to come out and help. We will have a few professionals there to head things up but help from the membership will also be needed to get the job done.
I will be leading a Lazy Day Lunch Ride on Tuesday, June 9. We will meet at 10:00 a.m. and leave at 10:30 a.m. Keep an eye on the weekly update for more details.
The Multi Chapter Picnic is coming up so make sure you get your tickets. H.O.G. is once again holding Million Mile Monday on June 29, the chapter will have at least one ride and a few socials to encourage the membership to get out and help H.O.G. reach its goal of five million miles.
I hope to see you all out at the picnic on June 13. I’ll be there.
Shane’s Rib Shack Social
It's Gonna Get Messy but its Gonna be Good. Shane's Rib Shack in Carrollton is now hosting a weekly Monday night Bike Night. All bikers will get a 15% discount. The address is 1141 Bankhead Hwy. #H, Carrollton, GA 30116. The chapter will be having a social there on the 3rd Monday of every month this summer. This month we will have two socials, they will be on June 15 and also for Million Mile Monday, June 29, both will be from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.. I hope everyone in the Carrollton area will come out on Monday nights to support this bike night. Our own Joey Porter worked with the owners to set this up. I would especially like to see you all out on June 15 and 29 to show Carrollton what we are all about.
Celebrate Your Independence
The chapter will once again be attending the Villa Rica Fireworks on Friday, July 3 at the Vplex in Villa Rica, GA. The event will start at 6:00 p.m. Like last year there will be a live band, concessions and lots of activities. Mark your calendars and plan on attending this great family event.
Chris RobeyASSISTANT DIRECTOR’S ARTICLE
I will make this brief. Everything's going great with the chapter; you guys are great and make us as officers look good. I do have one question though, do you know any of the younger crowd that would be interested in riding with us. You know some of the folks who Twitter, Facebook, or Myspace, or that get together for "Rock Star" parties on their Wii? On the other hand, is what you just read "Greek" to you. Well, if you know some of the younger generation like this that rides a Harley, invite them to a ride or meeting or the picnic. Let's pass our love of riding and having fun with our HOG brothers and sisters down to the next generation. I think there's a lot we can learn from each other. Like the fact that you can pull a muscle bowling on the Wii. Besides I've learned that hanging around young folks keeps us young.
I just wanted to encourage you to preregister for the state rally the deadline for registration is coming up soon and there are at least a couple of three day, two nights stays up for grabs if you preregister. I would also like to put out a call for anyone who knows a good ride in that area to contact me and I can get a road captain to lead a group for it during the rally. There won't be a lack of something to do up there in Helen. The deadline for pre-registration is July 9 and as we've talked about in the meetings rooms are at a premium, so book now.
I want to thank you all for how you make this chapter work. It's my pleasure to be associated with such a great group of people.
A Million Reasons to Ride – Million Mile Monday
What if H.O.G.® members around the world committed themselves to all riding "together" on one particular day? How far could they go? We'll find out on Million Mile Monday – Monday, June 29, 2009 – as H.O.G. Members band together and attempt to ride a cumulative million miles in one day. Furthermore, we want you to be a part of it!
Ride alone. Ride with friends. Ride to work. Ride around the neighborhood. The point is, just ride (and have fun)! When you're done, log onto members.hog.com to register your Miles’ watch the "virtual odometer" as it spins toward 5,000,000 – and beyond! (Deadline: NOON CT, Tuesday, June 30.)
That's all there is to it. Details about registering your miles will be available on members.hog.com when you sign in. It's just for fun, just for H.O.G. Members, and just a great excuse to make Monday more exciting by sharing the road with fellow members around the world!
Bobby Conway
Assistant Director, Atlanta Chapter
2009 Georgia State HOG Rally
Mark your calendars for the 2009 Georgia State HOG Rally which will be in Helen, GA, August 27, 28 & 29. This year we have three Atlanta Chapter members on the rally committee, Bobby Conway (Security Coordinator), Erik Grandowski (Media/PR) and me, Rene' Durham (Treasurer). We are always looking for new ideas and events. If you have any suggestions, please contact us, we are here for you. Let's make this rally better than the last.
Please ride safe and responsible,
Rene' Durham
Secretary/Treasurer, Atlanta Chapter
Group Riding Tactics
Group riding can be fun, but also scary for those that have not ridden in a group setting before. Group riding is one of the best ways to improve your riding skills. You learn from others and learn to progress in your own riding zone. Make time to come out and join us for a group ride.
One of the most important skills in group riding is to not lose the group while on a ride. This can be done by simple techniques. One such technique is to pay attention to the riders behind you and when you come to a turn you should wait for the person behind you, so they know where the group turned if they were separated by lights or traffic. This goes up the line to the next rider and the next rider. Therefore, every time you turn look behind you to make sure the riders behind you are there. If they are not, wait in a safe place in the turn to let them know where the group went and so on and so on.
This relieves stress on riders that they have lost the group or do not know the route. Please talk to a road captain for more information on how to apply this to your day of riding.
Ride Safe and have fun,
Diana Bodden
Head Road Captain, Atlanta Chapter
Five Rules for Staying Safe
The Motorcycle Safety Foundation has five simple rules for motorcycles.
1. Get trained and licensed—take an MSF Rider Course.
2. Wear protective gear—most importantly—DOT approved helmet.
3. Ride unimpaired—never drink or use other drugs.
4. Ride within your limits—stay within your personal limits—never ride faster or farther than
abilities can handle.
5. Be a lifelong learner—regularly return for refresher riding courses.
Jim Byrd
Safety Officer, Atlanta Chapter
Erik Grandowski
Activity Officer, Atlanta Chapter
Chuck Fuller
Head Photographer, Atlanta Chapter
See you on the road,
Bret Graddy
Membership Officer, Atlanta Chapter
B.K. Ellis
Historian, Atlanta Chapter
Atlanta Chapter Web Page
Due to a review of our web page by national H.O.G., I have had to do some changing. I will no longer list chapter members’ birthdays on the web page. They will still be in the HOGWASH and on the web page in the HOGWASH Print as Mailed. I had to move the HOGWASH Archives and the HOGWASH Print as Mailed to a password-protected page. You will need a UserId and password to access these pages. I will print the UserId and password in the HOGWASH each month so you will have access to these pages. This is security protection for our members who names and email addresses appear in past and/or current publications. This does not apply to chapter officer/road captains per national H.O.G. This information is for Atlanta Chapter members ONLY and is not to be disseminated to NON-Chapter Members. These changes only apply to the web site. The HOGWASH publication will remain the same.
Keep Email Address Updated!
If you have updated your e-mail address, PLEASE send me your new address. I get several undeliverable e-mail messages each time I send a message updating members on up coming or changed events. Please, keep you e-mail address up to date and stay informed! E-mail me at hog@bellsouth.net. Thanks!!
B.K. Ellis
Web Master, Atlanta Chapter
Dillard House Ride -- June 14
Sunday, June 14, we will meet at 9:00 a.m. with tanks full of fuel, tires full of air, bladders full of nothing, and faces full of smiles. We will join up for an all day ride through the north Georgia Mountains. Dinner will be about 1:00 or 2:00 P.M. upon arrival at the Dillard House. A snack would be a good thing to carry in your pocket for the midmorning fuel stop (But not a Hershey Bar).
The route will traverse mountain roads with numerous twisties and despite appropriate fuel stops and butt breaks, there will be a lot of saddle time for one day of riding. At the Dillard House, you will feast on good old country cooking that has made them famous all over the South.
Diana Bodden, Road Captain
Bug Run to Bike Night -- June, 24
Well, I had so much fun doing it last year; I thought I'd do it again. We will not being having a monthly meeting in June due to the picnic, so I thought I would put together a Wednesday night Bug Run. We are going to do this to support the dealership in their bike nights at "Bonz" in Douglasville and to just have a little fun. Here's the way it will work on Wednesday, June 24 at 6:30 P.M. we will meet at the pavilion where you can buy a target for $5 and you can buy as many as you can fit on the front of your bike or even car if you'd like. I am going to hold the ride until 7:15 P.M., which is a little after our normal meetings start. Then we will take a scenic ride through Douglas County over to "Bonz" where our "Bug Judge" will be waiting. The winner will win ½ of the money, much like our 50/50 drawing. I know meeting at 6:30 P.M. is a little early, but I will not leave until 7:15 P.M. so we can allow everyone time to get there. If you can't meet at the pavilion at least join us at "Bonz" for a good time and fun with your HOG extended family.
Bobby Conway, Road Captain
Million Mile Monday “Dragon Ride” & “Shane’s Social” -- June, 29
To celebrate "Million Mile Monday,” I have decided to lead a ride up to the "Dragon's Tail.” On Monday, June 29 at 8:00 A.M., we will meet at the pavilion and leave at 8:30 A.M. to head up toward Cartersville and up toward the top end of the "Dragon" we will go down the "Dragon" then on to Robbinsville and back down through Blue Ridge and on to "Shane's Rib Shack" located at 3894 Due West Rd. Suite 280, Marietta, GA. Where we will meet up with anyone, who couldn't take off from work, but wants to add miles on their bikes for, "Million Mile Monday.” This will be a solid eight or more hours of five pig riding, so be prepared. We will definitely have plenty of stops and with it being on a Monday, we hopefully won't encounter many "Rockets" on the "Dragon.”
Bobby Conway, Road Captain
SADDLE & PADDLE -- July, 18-19
By the time you receive this article Fontana Lodge will have dropped the block on the rooms. I will be sure to put out plenty of email blast to remind everyone. Here are the particulars. On Saturday, July 18 at 8:00 A.M. we will meet at the Cracker Barrel at I-75 & Chastain Road (address 3389 Busbee Parkway, Kennesaw, GA 30144). If you would like to be there earlier for breakfast, I am planning on being there between 7:00 A.M. & 7:15 A.M.. The reason behind this meeting place is the dangers of trying to get a large group of bikes across Barrett Pkwy. From there we will proceed up to the Nantahala Gorge where we will have a 1:30 P.M. report time at Adventurous Fast Rivers Rafting. The rafting will cost $19 each, and again I will collect this in cash that morning and place it along with your adventurous Fast Rivers Waiver in an envelope to speed up the check in process once we arrive. They have again offered to feed us a BBQ sandwich, Chips and a soft drink for $6.50 so for those who wish to do that I will collect cash for that when you arrive. If you have notified me that you are going, please keep an eye on your email for the waiver and please, please, please have it completed the morning you arrive for the ride. It is approximately a 3-hour float down the river. I would like to have someone with rafting experience in each raft to guide the raft down, (and unlike me try to stay in your raft because it in stills more confidence in your guiding skills for everyone else in your boat). When we finish rafting, we will ride about 30 miles up to The Fontana Village and stay in the Fontana Lodge www.fontanavillage.com please call them as soon as possible to book your room for $99 a night plus tax (800-849-2258 ) please make sure you tell them you are with "Atlanta HOG" they are blocking 15 rooms until May 15. Their cancellation policy is: If you cancel prior to June 18 there is no cost, if you cancel within 30 days of our trip which is anytime after June 18 it cost you approximately ½ of your room cost which is approximately $55. They have three restaurants on their property, and I found out some great news, although the county is "dry" they are exempt and have a "general store" that you can buy your adult beverages and they have three restaurants and one that operates as a bar & grill. They just ask that you don't bring glass by the pool. I anticipate eating dinner there on their property and then gathering by the pool. One of their pools has a lazy river that runs around it. It really sounds like a great place to stay. We will get up the next morning and leave there around 9:00 A.M. and ride over the "Cherohala Skyway,” eat lunch in Tellico Plains, TN and then take US 411 down toward Cartersville and on home. If you are interested in going, please let me know email me at atlhogasstdirector@gmail.com or call me at 404-502-2380. Email will probably be better because I can save it and have a record of it. Anyway if you have any questions let me know or heck just ask someone who rode with us last year. It was a blast.
Bobby Conway, Road Captain
Ride to the Rallies Recap -- April, 24-26
What a great day for a ride, when we left out Friday morning the weather and the wind was with us. I think the bike count was 14 leaving out of the QT in Dallas but that number increased as the day progressed. We took back roads to near Ellijay, lunched at the Burger Basket in Andrews then mountain twisties. Thanks to Noel for the back road to Franklin. Friday night we went to Maggie to the Drive Inn, Ghost Rider on Big Big Screen TV with killer sound system. It put a movie in new prospective for some of us. On Saturday, we split into groups with Noel and partially nude Nancy for the Bad Guys Old Picture in Cherokee being the highlight of our group. Watch for proof in PhotoBucket. Many thanks to Noel and Nancy for providing the place, food and friendship to make our weekend complete.
Ed Chowning, Road Captain
Lil Sturgis Street Ride Recap -- April, 26
Once again, a BIG THANKS to Ron Cosby, Todd Graham, Tripp Northen and Joe and Joann Tesar for joining me on my ride to Warm Springs, GA. The weather was perfect. Shout out to Tripp, Ron and Joe for getting my chain unstuck from the picnic table or we would all still be there. It was 80 miles of fun, and we got to Lil Sturgis Street by noon. We seemed to have lost Tripp when we got there ( I hear that he wonders a lot ) so the rest of us ate lunch at Mac's BBQ House. Hugs and Kisses to Joe and Joann — you know why. We all enjoyed the museum, entertainment and all the vendors — lots of stuff going on. Another Big Shout out to Ron for then taking the lead so a few of us could enjoyed a great scenic ride through Pine Mountain pass Callaway Gardens and then to Columbus, GA. I see maybe another Road Captain in our future! What a great time I had — until next time.
Ride on,
Karen Mathiasen “Fashion”, Road Captain
Atlanta Chapter is accepting business and personal advertisements for the HOGWASH! What a great way to promote your business, organization, service or personal information to all Atlanta Chapter members each month!
For advertising rates please click HERE.
Please contact Rene' Durham at 770-944-1340 for more information or to place your ad today!
January 2009
February 2009
March 2009
April 2009
May 2009
June 2009
July 2009
August 2009
September 2009
October 2009
November 2009
December 2009
H.O.G. CHAPTER ONLINE PRIVACY STATEMENT
Personal privacy and security of information are mutual concerns of H.O.G., its members, and visitors to Atlanta Chapter web site. This Statement explains H.O.G.'s Internet policies and security measures relating to personal privacy and information security.
The Atlanta Chapter collects and stores the following information about you when you visit the Atlanta Chapter web site: the name of the domain from which you access the Internet (for example, aol.com, if you are connecting from an America Online account); the date and time you access the site; and the Internet address of the web site from which you linked directly to our site. The chapter uses this information to measure the number of visitors to the different sections of its site. This helps H.O.G. to make its site more responsive to its members and prospective members.
H.O.G. will not obtain personally identifying information about you when you visit our site unless you choose to provide such information. If you choose to send e-mail, registration, or other personal information over the Internet, you do so voluntarily.
The Atlanta Chapter will not disclose personal information provided to it except as follows:
At your request, which may be oral, in writing, by telephone, electronic or other means we recognize;
To assist H.O.G. in evaluating its programs and to continue to improve the quality of your on-line and membership experience;
When disclosure is required by law, such as pursuant to court order, subpoena, legal process or government agency examination or investigation, or to protect or enforce our rights;
To companies that perform services for H.O.G. in connection with your membership, such as data processing and financial transaction processing companies and agencies;
To Harley-Davidson affiliated companies and carefully selected third parties for their own use to provide products and services, or other opportunities to you, unless you have instructed us in writing not to do so; and
In connection with Harley-Davidson corporate due diligence and audits.
By your use of and connection to our web site, you understand and consent to this privacy statement. If for any reason you are concerned that the personal or member information maintained by H.O.G. is not correct or if for some reason you believe H.O.G. has not adhered to these privacy principles, please notify us by calling 1-800-CLUB-HOG.