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
April 2010 Issue
March 20, 2010PLEASE use your Back Button to return!
PLEASE use your Back Button to return!
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
Welcome Wagon
Chris Robey
770-367-1386
athogwelcome@gmail.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
Road Captain
Robert Sexton
770-634-1369
pirate40@numail.org
Event ScheduleAtlanta Chapter events are considered "CLOSED" unless otherwise noted!
Covered Bridge Ride
Concord Bridge
March 23, 2010
Birthday Ride
March 27, 2010
Cherry Blossom Festival
March 27, 2010
Garage Party
Women Only
April 2-3, 2010
Covered Bridge Ride -- 4 Bridges
April 6, 2010
Business Meeting
April 10, 2010
HOGWASH Articles Due
April 10, 2010
Little River Ride
April 15, 2010
Atlanta Chapter Meeting
April 17, 2010
Top Gun Ride
April 17, 2010
Faith #44 Chairty Ride
April 18, 2010
Iron Butt Pre Ride Meeting
April 19, 2010
Shane's Rib Shack Social
April 24, 2010
Police Memorial Ride
April 27, 2010
Birthday 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
Well, here we are in the middle of riding season. As I'm writing this article, I am about to leave on an epic trip on the bike with my Dad, Tandy Barrett and Rodney Still to Key West. I have eagerly anticipated this trip for a long time. I consider myself blessed to have my Dad and both of us in condition to take this trip. And to get to share this trip with such close friends, friends that were made by being a part of this chapter. I consider Tandy and Rodney both my brothers so this is basically a family trip. I consider all the members of this chapter my family, my extended HOG family. I'm very proud to be a part of this chapter and also proud with how active this chapter has become.
Back on February 20, which was a beautiful day we did a covered bridge ride with more than 30 bikes. To top that off there was a big event at the dealership that we provided volunteers to grill for (Thanks to the Schelhaas' and King's) and there were so many people who showed that they ran out of food. There were people everywhere when we returned to the dealership. Speaking of the dealership, in conversations with Jeff, he expressed his appreciation for the chapter and asked that we keep up the good work in helping promote the dealership. With the chapter being so active and just doing what we do, which is riding and having fun it is infectious and makes people want to come into the dealership to see what all the fuss is about.
Our former Director, Chris Robey has taken the lead along with our Membership Officer, Bret Graddy and held our first New Member Class which was attended by four new members who were very interested in riding with us. They gave great feed back as to how welcome they have felt at rides and events. I want to thank all our members for being so out going and welcoming.
Please mark your long term calendars with a couple of dates, one is June 12, which will be our poker run (to be named later). Half of the money raised will go to the chapter's "Breast Cancer 2 Day" walking team. In addition, July 17 & 18 which is the weekend for "Biker's for Boobs" poker run and in addition to the first annual, "Beth Barrett" memorial weekend. There will be some event at the dealership to be determined later. We've got a lot going on this year so hang on and enjoy the ride.
Bobby Conway
Erik Grandowski
Assistant Director, Atlanta Chapter
Attendance Jackpot
Congratulations to Guy Kirkwood who won the February Attendance Jackpot, $60 cash. We will start over at the March Chapter meeting, $50. Remember you must be at the meeting and a member in "Good Standing," a current member of national H.O.G. and Atlanta Chapter. If the member whose name is drawn is not at the meeting, we will add $10 and try again next meeting.
Please have your national H.O.G. card with you at the meeting. Hope to see everyone there.
Please ride safe and responsible,
Rene' Durham
Secretary/Treasurer, Atlanta Chapter
Getting to Know the Road Captains
Sometimes you want to know what you're getting yourself into, and sometimes you just don't care where you're going, you're going to go anyway!
I would like to introduce you some of the road captains to give you an idea of whom they are and how they like to ride. In this article, I will mention four of our Road Captains.
Steve Magel is one of our veteran RC's and loves to take the windy road to anywhere. He will take you on roads that you thought you knew but suddenly realize you have no idea where you are and how you got there, only to find you have arrived at the location you wanted all along.
Steve lives in the West Cobb area, but has extensive knowledge of the TN mountain roads, and all those between HDA and there.
Steve loves to do overnighters, but if you are ever on a ride and Steve and says follow me, just do it, you won't be sorry! He loves the long way too anywhere and always plans some great overnighters.
Steve has ridden since his teens and sometimes rides his bike like it's a dirt bike, so lay back just a bit to follow him.
Steve loves to serve and that's what drew him to be a Road Captain in the Atlanta Chapter. We thank GOD that his wife and four kids are so tolerant of his HOG Family and adventures.
Jack Parton is one of our Rookie RC's from Dallas, GA, but we have put him through the river, and he has passed the test (literally). Jack has become a great help on the rides and always offers a helping hand. He is somewhat new to riding, but has just bought a new Road King and is ready for the long rides. Jack loves to ride up to North GA and hit the twisties.
He loves the long scenic routes. He is not into the ride and eat, but he has assured us that he will stop and feed us along the way. (Thank Goodness, we would all waste away, or for most of us, just get right bitchy. He's married so he knows what that means!) We love ya Mandy!
We look forward to his first ride in 2010.
Robert Sexton is one of our newest RC's from Tyrone, GA, but has already lead two rides for 2010, not including his ride to Daytona Bike Week (he is still MIA, but word is he has planned a ride for June, so I know he'll be back by then.)
Robert joined the chapter in 2008 for the Boobs (That's Biker's for Boobs), he found out most of our boobs are officers of the chapter, but thank goodness he stayed on.
He has friends in both Atlanta Chapter, Great South and others around Atlanta, but we are glad he has joined the RC ranks and appreciate his riding spirit.
On one of his joint rides Robert rode in 30 degree rains to make sure if anyone else showed up to ride they would not be alone. What more can you say about this guy! (And sure enough Tom Essex showed up at HDA, crazy people ride motorcycles).
Robert loves to ride to a destination, a rally, a benefit, or just a fun ride to nowhere. He is easy going and is always ready to ride!
Thank you Robert for coming on board!
Melissa Folds is one of our very active RC's from Carroll County. Melissa and her husband are both RC's so it's all in the family. We will talk about him later, back to Melissa, she loves to ride and loves to find an adventure. She loves to ride in a group and always has great destinations in mind. She loves the long and short way but will always make sure the road is clear and the location a good one. She has many friends in the chapter and they all seem to hook up and ride whenever the weather permits. She is known for her spontaneity for rides and parties! (We love that!). You should always check the weekly blast or Facebook because Melissa will put a ride together at any given time, and they all seem to be very fun. Melissa loves to ride and clear out her head.
Melissa has several overnight trips scheduled, that promise to be fun, and productive for the Covered Bridge Patch. Including an Iron Butt Ride with one of our other RC's Luc Vermeer.
Never a dull moment with this RC!
I look forward to telling you about more of our Road Captains next month.
Ride Safe and have fun,
Diana Bodden
Head Road Captain, Atlanta Chapter
Motorcycle Rain Gear — No It’s Not a Plastic Poncho
When the rainstorm appears from nowhere, you need to be prepared when it starts raining. There are many different kinds of rain suits at department stores, but keep in mind they are not designed for riders.
Things to look for in rain gear are:
• Look for a suit made from nylon with a PVC coating and covered zippers. The neck should have Velcro so it seals off to prevent water from running down you're your helmet and inside the suit.
• Make sure the suit is vented to prevent being uncomfortable when it’s hot.
• Look for suits with heat resistant material on the inside of the legs to prevent them from melting on hot pipes.
• Look for suits that have reflective bands or are brightly colored to make yourself more visible when it's raining or dark.
• Look for a suit with zippers on the legs making the pants easier to take off after the rain stops.
• Check out the suit — some are very expensive, but you still get wet.
Jim Byrd
Safety Officer, Atlanta Chapter
Melissa Fuller
Activity Officer, Atlanta Chapter
Chuck Fuller
Vounteer Coordinator, Atlanta Chapter
|
|
|
Who’s Riding Next To Ya??
This month features two more chapter members as a way to help us get to know each other better. We’ve got lots of interesting members in our group and it’s fun to learn a little about who’s riding next to ya.
Name: Deborah Hoffmeister (goes by Deb or Debbie). Deb is a 29 year veteran of the United States Army and is currently active duty in the Army Reserve, stationed at Ft. McPherson. She is a Division Chief and equips units going overseas.
Road Name: Gray Knight – this was the name of the flight class she was in when learning how to fly helicopters (yes, helicopters) in the Army. She has flown UH1s (Huey’s) and Blackhawks.
What Do You Ride & Why? Deb rides a gray & black 2009 Nightster 1200. She got the riding bug while serving our country in Kuwait. Many of her fellow soldiers were motorcycle enthusiasts so she was exposed constantly to motorcycle stories. She decided she wanted to ride too and never thought about any other type of bike than a Harley.
Most Memorable Ride? Deb’s been riding for 1 year and her favorite ride so far has been with our group to the Euharlee Covered Bridge. We look forward to many more memorable rides with Deb flying, or should I say hovering, right beside us!
Name: Harold Leverette
Road Name: JAFO - Just Another Friendly Observer .
What Do You Ride & Why? JAFO rides a 2004 Electra Glide Classic that his wife found for him (what a woman!). Prior to that he rode both Harley’s and Hondas in the’70s. October 2009 got him back in the saddle again. After 37 years of working for the government, Harold is now retired which gives him plenty of riding time. He’s a member of the POW-MIA group and is the Senior Vice Commander of the Sons of the American Legion Post 160 in Smyrna.
Most Memorable Ride? Harold’s favorite ride has also been with our chapter and was the Euharlee Covered Bridge ride. JAFO, we look forward to getting to know you better and hope you’ll join us on more rides too!
Melissa Fuller, LOH Stand In
See you on the next ride,
Rick Parker
Head Photographer, Atlanta Chapter
New Member Orientation Recap
I just wanted to thank the officers and the four new members who attended the New Member Orientation on March 4. Brian Ball, Peter Frost, Harold Leverette and Michael McCravy, thank you all for the valuable information you gave to the officers. I think we all learned a lot. The new members learned more about H.O.G. and the Chapter and the officers learned more about what interest new members and what brings them to our chapter. I hope everyone will keep your eyes open for our next orientation in either May or June. If you are a new member please contact me and let me know what it was or would get you more involved with the chapter. For everyone else we were new members at one time, let me know what helped you to become more involved in the chapter.
Chris Robey
I have uploaded the first years 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 for Mailed. I had to move the HOGWASH Web Pages 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
Covered Bridge Overnighter
Join us in our quest for the coveted Covered Bridge patch. If you are a chapter member and are interested in the covered bridge patch see Rene at H-D to get your book and join us as we tour the covered bridges of Georgia. If you are not a chapter member... what a reason to join!
This particular leg of the tour will take us to five of the ten required bridges. These are all located in the Athens-Clarke County area. We will meet at the pavilion at Harley-Davidson of Atlanta on Friday, April 2, 2010. We will be staying overnight at the Best Western in Athens, a half mile from the University of Georgia. We will catch two bridges on Friday and three bridges on Saturday and have you home in time to enjoy Easter Sunday with the family!
~Rockdale County Covered Bridge
~Elder's Mill Covered Bridge
~Howard's Covered Bridge
~Watson Mill Covered Bridge
~Cromer’s Mill Covered Bridge
I have reserved a block of 10 rooms at Best Western at a great rate of $57 per night. To reserve your room please call the hotel @ (706) 546-7311. The rooms are reserved in my name (Melissa Folds) for the Harley Covered Bridges Ride (Harley Ride). There are five king NS rooms, and four NS doubles and one smoking double. These can be altered as needed. Just let them know what you need when you call to make your reservation.
Any rooms not reserved by 3/26/2010 will be dropped from the block of reserved rooms. However, if all rooms are reserved before that time, they will add five additional rooms if there are any available. So go ahead and make your reservation! You can cancel as late as 4:00 p.m. the day of the reservation.
FYI: if you cannot join us for the Friday leg of this two-day tour we will not be leaving until lunchtime on Saturday to begin the second leg. So, if you wanted to strike out early on Saturday, there will be plenty of time to catch the first two bridges on your way out, meet us for lunch and then head out with the rest of the group on Saturday to pick up the remaining three bridges. Just get in touch with one of the Road Captains for the route info for the first day.
We will meet at H-D of Atlanta on Friday, April 2, 2010 at 9:00 a.m. and kick stands up at 9:30 a.m.
Melissa Folds 770-832- 3332 – Glenn Folds 770-633-9128
See you guys soon! Ride safe!
Melissa Folds, Road Captain and member of the Covered Bridge Stalkers
Police Memorial Ride
Meet me at the dealership on Saturday, April 24, for a ride that means a lot to me. We'll meet at the pavilion at 9:00 A.M. and leave at 9:30 A.M. headed down to Turner Field to head out with what should be a large crowd of bikes for a well-escorted ride from there to Falcon Field in Peachtree City. At this time I don't know the cost of the guided ride. I have emailed the folks responsible for the ride but have not heard from them, and it's not posted. Please keep an eye on the weekly blast and I'll post it there. There is some interstate riding going to and during the guided ride but they block the traffic very well. It's a long ride for your typical charity ride and it is for a good cause. The money raised sends the families of officers in Georgia killed in the line of duty to a memorial held in Washington, D.C. So please come out and help me support this charity.
Bobby Conway, Road Captain
Iron Butt Pre-Ride Meeting
Join us on Sunday, April 18, 2010 for the Iron Butt pre-ride meeting. If you are even considering going on the Iron Butt ride please plan to attend this meeting. We will be reviewing the IBA rules as well as tips to surviving the ride. Meet 11:00 a.m. and leave 11:30 a.m. We will be riding to Taco Mac in Douglasville for lunch and have the meeting there.
Luc Vermeer: Ride Leader (630) 779-6278
Melissa Folds: Road Captain (770) 832-3332
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 2:30 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
Marietta Diner Ride Recap
It was a beautiful (but chilly) Saturday afternoon for the Marietta Diner Ride. Nineteen bikes and twenty-two brave souls set out on Glenn's first ride as Ride Leader. We had great fun and good food with good friends. Thanks to everyone who joined us in our efforts to make Glenn an official Road Captain for the Atlanta Chapter!
Melissa and Glenn Folds, Road Captain
Euharlee Covered Bridge Recap
The "Covered Bridge Tour" started out with a loud rumble of 30 plus bikes cruising to seek the sought after Covered Bridge Patch! We had a much needed and very much appreciated good weather day, so we also had a few bikers not seeking a patch that just came out to ride along with us, which was cool! It was also very nice to see a few of our new members and new riders join in on the action. We enjoyed the Euharlee Covered Bridge Museum and took individual pictures with the bridge in the background for anyone who wanted them. After a short break, we rode like the wind back to Harley-Davidson of Atlanta to join an in-process party complete with The Village Idiots Band. The band rocked and the crowd was big! Hope you didn't miss it!
See you on our next bridge ride. It's not too late to get in the action if you'd like!
Ride-On, Karen Mathiasen, Road Captain
Destination Unknown Ride Recap
When we discovered it was going to be a beautiful, relatively warm, day on Saturday 3/6/2010 Amanda Langley and I decided we wanted to ride. So after a few inquiries I asked our Assistant Director to post an impromptu ride in the e-mail blast. Ever the wise one he titled it the "Destination Unknown" ride. Well, we ended up in Cave Spring for lunch at the Cave Spring Café and some Martha Jane's fudge from the Peddler. Fourteen bikes joined in the adventure and at last reports everyone said they had fun, It was a beautiful ride with great company! Thanks so much to everyone who came out and made it a great day!
Melissa Folds, 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 2011
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.
