Welcome to the Atlanta Chapter's Website. Harley-Davidson of Atlanta established the Atlanta Chapter on September 16, 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
February 2010 Issue
January 26, 2010
Atlanta Chapter, 2010
Director
Bobby Conway
678-384-0313
atlhogdirector@gmail.com
Assistant Director
Erik Grandowski
404-580-6759
Erik Grandowski.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
Melissa Fuller
404-226-1460
melissa.fuller.com
Membership Officer
Bret Graddy
678-567-5271
graddybr@comcast.net
LOH Officer
Karen Mathiasen
770-354-4779
kmathiasen@yahoo.com
LOH Officer
Valerie Daniel
404-538-0250
valdan528@att.net
LOH Officer
Holly Martin
404-421-2082
kmartrx24@bellsouth.net
Head Photographer
Rick Parker
404-402-4088
rick@galleryparker.com
Volunteer Coordinator
Chuck Fuller
404-402-4088
cful@bellsouth.net
Newletter/Web/Historian
B.K. Ellis
770-471-0306
bkellis@atlantahog.com
Editor
Chris Houghton
770-944-1340
chris@hdatlanta.com
Road Captain
Andy Andresen
770-502-0847
andyandresen@att.net
Road Captain
Tom Arnold
770-313-3886
tomn2hd@bellsouth.net
Road Captain
Ed Chowning
770-505-9404
edchowning@bellsouth.net
Road Captain
Melissa Folds
770-832-3332
dragonsinger@bellsouth.net
Road Captain
Mack Hall
770-445-2343
usachevy1@bellsouth.net
Road Captain
Steve Magel
678-237-7762
stevemagel@gmail.com
Road Captain
Andrea Oparnica
770-974-4332
andreaoparnica@gmail.com
Road Captain
Jack Parton
770-472-7994
jackparton@comcast.net
Road Captain
John Provost
404-535-3447
jprov91301@yahoo.com
Birthday Ride
January 30, 2010
Zorba's
January 31, 2010
Jim N Nick's
February 2, 2010
Business Meeting
February 6, 2010
Cabin Fever Ride
February 10, 2010
HOGWASH Articles Due
February 13, 2010
Mardi Gras Ride
February 14, 2010
Valentine Ride
February 15, 2010
Shane's Rib Shack Social
February 18, 2010
Atlanta Chapter Meeting
February 20, 2010
Covered Bridge Ride
February 23, 2010
Birthday Ride
February 27, 2010
Marietta Diner Ride
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
DIRECTOR’S ARTICLE
Well, we're off and running for our 25th year of existence. We had a chilly but a wonderful ride to start the year. I want to start the year thanking all the officers that have committed to serving this membership for this year that appears to fill with lots of rides and fun, which is exactly what we are all about. I also want to thank all the folks that have already renewed their membership, and if you know someone who has not, given them a call, tell them we have a lot to offer this year.
I know it hasn't seemed much like riding weather lately, but it's on the way. I look to have the "Blind Dawg Poker Run" in late April. That was one of the topics discussed in the January business meeting. Please, if any of you have any ideas for the chapter, whether it is a fund raiser, ride or just any idea, come to the business meeting and throw it out there. I was amazed at the January business meeting that we had to pull together three or more tables and people were lined up all around them. That is just a huge commitment from folks for this chapter. Simply, you guys are great. All of you make my job easy.
I'm kind of keeping it short but sweet, just wanted to tell you that you have a good group of folks as officers and this is going to be an awesome anniversary year.
Bobby ConwayDon’t Put That Bike Away for The Winter!
This morning I woke up to a balmy 17 degrees outside my house in downtown Atlanta. Yes, even the pollution that blankets the city does not provide enough warmth to stop Mother Nature's chill. My hands are a slight shade of blue as I type this article. Yes, winter is here and as a result, many people throw the cover on their bikes and count the days for warm weather to arrive. However, I beg you to reconsider! Yes, the temperature is horrid, but it often fluctuates from downright bone chilling cold to just…cold! Now, would I ride in 17-degree weather? Probably not. I like my nose on my face, instead of rattling around in my helmet from frostbite. Nevertheless, as each workday pass, my faith builds in hopes that the weather might change to a lighter shade of cold during the weekend. Warm enough for a lunch ride, or a quick trip somewhere, just the keep the battery juices flowing.
Think about the rides and events being planned by your chapter members. An event though it might be less-than optimal riding temperature, bundle up and come out and play anyway. My secrets to staying warm are flannel-lined jeans under my chaps, two pairs of heavy socks in my boots, thick gloves, and before the wonders of a heated jacket: layers of thick, long-sleeved shirts under my leather jacket. Now granted, I had to watch my food intake at the buffet to ensure my layers of clothes fit after lunch, but it's probably healthier for me anyway. It's a proven fact that buttons under intense pressure can dislodge, becoming a deadly projectile potentially killing a person in the line of fire!
If you really want to ride in style during the cold, get some heated gear! The most bang for your buck is a heated jacket; it will keep your core nice and toasty, therefore, warming the rest of your body. And justifying the expense is simple: it will extend your riding season by at least two months. And with proper care, the jacket should last for years!
Even though the weekend outlook is cold, I am looking forward to the lunch ride this weekend, and my upcoming Valentine's Day ride later this month. Your chapter friends are planning great rides and events for you all year-long, so here's some advice from Fuzzy G. Plan on attending (and riding to) the chapter rides and events in the winter months. If the weather proves too cold before you leave for the ride, there's always the 4-wheeled monster sitting in your driveway. Whichever way you choose to travel in the cold, get out and enjoy YOUR H.O.G. chapter!
Erik Grandowski
Assistant Director, Atlanta Chapter
Please ride safe and responsible,
Rene' Durham
Secretary/Treasurer, Atlanta Chapter
Ride Safe and have fun,
Diana Bodden
Head Road Captain, Atlanta Chapter
Group Parking
Knowing how to park in a group ride reduces the time getting off the road.
The ride leader always leads the group off the road and should ride all the way around the lot to allow riders to get off the road. If the stop is for fueling, the leader will pull all the way around and then up to the fuel tanks.
Riders should follow the leader to the selected parking area and establish the parking position. Each biker should pull ahead of the intended parking place and then back into the spot. If the last biker cannot get off the road, he should go around. If the parking space is up a hill, pull in, if downhill, back in. This makes it easier to get the motorcycle in and out of the space without struggling or getting help pushing.
P.S., A motorcycle is entitled to the same rights to parking as any other vehicle—the right to take an entire parking space if he chooses.
Jim Byrd
Safety Officer, Atlanta Chapter
Melissa Fuller
Activity Officer, Atlanta Chapter
The year is 2010 and the Atlanta Chapter, HOG is embarking on a very significant milestone, 25 years strong! This group would have never survived without the volunteers and participation of its great members. There are lots of events and rides planned for this historic year and with the help of our membership, we can make it the best year ever! Remember: the more involved you are in chapter events, the better your HOG extended family experience will be! Watch for opportunities in the HOGWASH and weekly email blasts.
Chuck Fuller
Vounteer Coordinator, Atlanta Chapter
2010 is going to be a great year! If you like the "F" word as in Fun, Festive, Fantastic and Fabulous then Fashion is looking for you. Come join me for some great rides and events. I am proud to be your Ladies of Harley Officer and one of your Road Captains. I have a few secrets up my leather jacket so stay tuned. If you have any Fun, Festive, Fantastic or Fabulous ideas, please let me know, and we can work on it together.
NAME: Kim Green
ROAD NAME: She does not have one at this time.
WHAT DO YOU RIDE & WHY? Kim rides a 883 Hugger and has been riding for five years. Joel (husband) and Kim road bikes as teenagers, so five years ago they decided to take the Riders Edge class together and get their motorcycle licence. They have been riding since.
MOST MEMORABLE RIDE: A few years back, the GA State HOG Rally was in Jekyll Island. Kim said while riding down to the island, there was a terrible storm (almost Monsoon like) the water was up to their ankles!
NAME: Jacob Redmon a.k.a. Jake
ROAD NAME: Jacob has no road name yet but maybe by this summer someone will change that.
WHAT DO YOU RIDE & WHY? Jacob finished the Riders Edge class in April 2007 and has been riding ever since. Jacob rides a 2003 (100-anniversary) 1200 custom Sportster, his grandfather bought for him. This bike is special to him for that reason, although he is saving for a bigger bike right now. Jacob is the son of Mark and Nancy Redmon who are chapter members as well. Jacob likes the freedom of the ride.
MOST MEMORABLE RIDE: Jacob says every day he is on his bike is memorable. The last long ride he went on was to Alabama to the Barber Motorcycle Museum. Jacob loves being with his Atlanta HOG. family.
Come join me on a ride soon,
Karen Mathiasen
LOH Officer, Atlanta Chapter
See you on the next ride,
Rick Parker
Head Photographer, Atlanta Chapter
See you on the road,
Bret Graddy
Membership Officer, Atlanta Chapter
I have uploaded the first months of the Atlanta Chapter's newsletters. You can find them in the link, HOGWASH as Printed for Mail on our web page (www.atlantahog.com). You will notice a considerable difference in the quality of the newsletter we have now in comparison to them back then, when we said "cut and paste" I mean laterally "cut and paste" with scissors and paste. I hope you take time to check out these historic newsletters. I will continue to upload our history as I have time, so check back often. Since this is our 25th Anniversary Year, I wanted to get the first newsletters loaded. You can check out the rides we had, and they are not too different to the rides we have today. Georgia has not added too many new roads and the terrain is the same. There are more restaurants and we still live up to the motto, “Live to Ride and Ride to Eat.”
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
And the Winner Is!
Congratulations to Chuck Fuller on winning the Harley-Davidson Grandfather Clock from Harley-Davidson of Atlanta, that was given away in December. Chuck how many of those tickets did you stuff the ballot box with?
Pig Ride LegendValentine’s Day Ride
Sunday, February 14, 2010Its cupid time again! I for one am not a huge fan of the chubby archer, (don't tell my wife) but the holiday is on the calendar, so we need to celebrate it! Please join me for a lunch ride to the Harvest Moon Café in Rome, or if the weather proves to be uncooperative, somewhere closer. If you missed my Valentine's ride last year, I typically bring a red velvet satchel full of small, fun gifts and chocolates to draw from for a fun way to pass the time before our meal is served.
Hope to see you on the ride, but don't invite the fat kid with the wings and arrows.
Erik Grandowski, Road Captain
Marietta Diner Lunch Ride
The Marietta Diner has been featured on the show Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives on the Food Network and written about in the Atlanta Journal. Family owned and operated, this diner features a large and varied menu, and a unique atmosphere. Join us, Saturday, February 27, 2010, for what promises to be a good time and good food. There is something for everyone at the Marietta Diner.
Meet at Harley-Davidson of Atlanta at 11:00 a.m. kick stands up at 11:30 a.m.
Glenn and Melissa Folds, Road Captains
Covered Bridge Tour
The "Covered Bridge Tour" will be revisited this year. The plans have been made to have enough qualifying rides to earn a Covered Bridge patch in 2010. In case you didn't know these are the details:
1. Purchase a Covered Bridge Tour book from Rene' at HDA. This $20 book includes maps, historic details, and after completion of required activities it covers the cost of your patch.
2. Ride to at least 10 of the 14-covered bridges in Georgia and take a picture of your bike, the bridge, and you. There is not a time limit to complete the mission.
3. Receive the sought after prize "Covered Bridge" patch.
See René at the dealership to get your book and be ready to roll! Watch the HOGWASH calendar and weekly email blast for ride dates and times if you would like to come along on this historic guided tour.
The first ride will be on February 20th to Euharlee, GA. Meet at the HDA pavilion 11:00 a.m. leave 11:30 a.m.
Chuck Fuller, Karen Mathiasen, Jim Byrd, Melissa Folds, Covered Bridge Stalking Road Captains
Cabin Fever Frenzy
America's Best Inn & Suites, Cartersville, GAPresented by LAWBIKE.COM. Admission is free. Live music featuring JB Walker & the Cheap Whiskey Band and the Psycho DeVilles. Vendors, bike games, & more. BYOB. Guest rooms from $45 for those who want to stay.
First stop Great South H-D Hog Pen. Meet at 9:45 a.m. KSU at 10:00 a.m. Next stop HDA pavilion. Meet at 11:00 a.m. KSU 11:15 a.m.
Robert Sexton, Road Captain
Iron Butt Ride – Baton Rouge, LA – May 15-16, 2010
Want to experience the ultimate in lunch rides? Luc Vermeer and Melissa Folds are co-captaining an Iron Butt ride from the dealership to Baton Rouge, LA and back in less than 24 hours. The Iron Butt Association (www.ironbutt.com) is a worldwide organization of long distance riders. One of the types of rides that they recognize (yeah, you get cool stuff if you finish one of their rides) is 1000 miles in 24 hours. And since we all "Love to Ride and Ride to Eat" what's better than riding for authentic Cajun Food! The ride will be happening on Saturday, May 15th. Tentative plan is to leave the dealership at about 2:00 a.m., arrive in Baton Rouge at around noon, and be home by 9:00 p.m.. Please note: This ride is a timed, interstate the whole way, an endurance event. It is not a lazy sightseeing ride. Please do not sign up for this event if you do not feel you can handle the distance or the stress of riding almost constantly for 18-20 hours. There will be a mandatory pre-ride meeting in March. If you are even considering going on this ride, you should really really come to the meeting. Please email Luc (ljvermeer@yahoo.com) if you are interested in going or have any questions.
Luc Vermeer, Melissa Folds, Road Captains
Tommy Tyner/Good Luck Ride Recap
On a cold New Year's Day 22 bikes with 26 riders took a familiar route to have some greens & peas but most of all, some wonderful yard bird. For anyone that doesn't know that's some good fried chicken. To me the jury is still out on which is better Buckner's or The Bulloch House, guess I'll have to keep leading rides to both to come to a final conclusion. I'd like to extend special thanks to Fashion and Bullet for riding middle and sweep. We made it there safely because of you guys. It was a great start to what is going to be a great year.
Bobby Conway, 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 2010
February 2010
March 2010
April 2010
May 2010
June 2010
July 2010
August 2010
September 2010
October 2010
November 2010
December 2010
January 2010
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.