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CATALOOCHEE CHEROHALA SKYWAY LITTLE RIVER PHOTO OF THE MONTH WHERE HAVE WE BEEN?
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Rides in 2003

Last Updated on 12/27/11 03:28 PM

December 20th - Today, we joined Twin Lakes H.O.G. and Colboch H.D. for a charity ride to the Youth Emergency Shelter in Morristown. Thanks to everyone that participated and to those that donated but could not attend. Toys, clothes and $160 cash was contributed by our club and was gratefully appreciated by the Shelter. It was a moving event for me and makes me think we ought to consider organizing something similar for our club to do in the future. I hope to get some pictures which I will post when received.

December 1st - What a Year! - The club has taken a few bad blows but we are all standing and probably a little stronger for the most part. Before I talk about the future, I want to acknowledge some folks who helped move us forward THIS YEAR.

Judy Morris was the most positive force this club had in 2003. Her efforts for P.R. and participation in club activities resulted in a lot of new members and it will be hard to match her positive work.

Johnny Cagle worked for two years as our Assistant Director. Johnny was a intricate part of the decision making this year. He led rides, recruited new members and worked hard for the club all the while he was working full time and going to school full time.

John Cornett is still our Treasurer. During most of the year, John also served the Secretary position and worked hard at his job until his health required him to cutback.
Mike and Marge Bryant are not only supportive members, but opened their house to our club for the first annual cookout. They absorbed the cost and cooked the food. What more could you ask for? Thanks guys!

There are a lot of unsung heroes in my book. Those of you that have handed out the club's business cards. Joined in as a volunteer and led a ride or two. (Do you know how nice it is for me to ride behind the leader and not worry about where we're going and where we are at?).

Thank you Terry Elmy and Bobby Smith for your efforts this year!
2004 promises to be the best year so far. We have a very aggressive ride schedule and a lot of folks are willing to pitch in and share some of the responsibilities. I am very impressed with the number of women signing our Guest Book. Apparently the word is spreading that most of are guys are pretty harmless so the women feel safe riding with us. (Wait a minute! Is that a compliment?)

Ride destinations in 2004 will include Myrtle Beach, Superbike Races, Sturgis (pending Dan getting his new Road King), Jack Daniel's Distillery, Nova Scotia, Stone Mountain, NASCAR RACES and who knows where else. Day rides will be held nearly every weekend and several weekends will have rides on Saturday and Sunday.
I am excited about next year and all it will bring!

November 1st - 2nd - Big Stone Gap, Virginia - Article and Photos posted on 11-14-03. Click on the beacon on the left to spawn a new window and display the article. Close the window to return to this page.

October 25th - Ducktown, Tennessee - Article and Photos posted on 10-26-03. Click on the beacon on the left to spawn a new window and display the article. Close the window to return to this page.

October 11th - 12th - Big Stone Gap, Virginia - Article and Photos posted on 10-26-03. Click on the beacon on the left to spawn a new window and display the article. Close the window to return to this page.

October 5th - Sparse schedule - As cooler weather takes hold, you will notice there are less rides listed on the schedule. The reason for that is weather related but it does not mean we quit riding, it's just that we ride more on a spur of the moment. If you want to hear about these rides, just sign our Guestbook and start receiving our weekly Newsletter. It will include info. about upcoming rides among a few other things.

October 2nd - 5th - Campout at Look Rock - Article and Photos posted on 10-26-03. Click on the beacon on the left to spawn a new window and display the article. Close the window to return to this page.

September 23rd - What the heck??? - I know, I know. A friend wrote to me today reminding me that I have not updated the Newsletter in awhile and wondered if the club was still riding. I am guilty of burnout on writing articles and that is all. The club is still riding although things do tend to slow down this time of year, being the start of football season. Attendance on rides depends a lot what kind of season the VOLS are having. You see, it's kinda like seats to the game. If the team is not having a good year, then everybody is offering you their tickets......but if they are undefeated, a ticket is not attainable. So instead of riding their bikes on Saturday, people watch the game.
    Actually, most of the rides of late have been day rides with pretty much the same people in attendance. I guess some folks get a little tired of riding when the air starts to get crisp. In my opinion, October is the best month to ride but alas, I think I am a minority in my opinion.
    What I need is some help writing articles when you attend a ride. A different perspective is always good for a Newsletter and adds variety that readers usually enjoy. People have told me my writing is not very good, but those same people never send me anything to add to the Newsletter. I suppose it is easier to call out criticism, then run and hide in the bushes than it would be to sit down at a keyboard for 30 minutes. Seriously, please consider writing about your experiences on our rides.
    There are rides that need your immediate attention if you are planning to attend. They are the October ride to Big Stone Gap Virginia and the ride to Florida during Thanksgiving. Contact me immediately if you are going on either of these rides.
BTW, since my last entry on June 28th, there have been three Dinner Rides, a trip to New England, six Day Rides, a Club Cookout and two Overnight Trips.

June 28th - Rugby and Big South Fork - Article and Photos posted on 07-06-03. Click on the beacon on the left to spawn a new window and display the article. Close the window to return to this page.

June 27th - July 6th - New England on a day by day basis. Check our progress on a daily basis as we ride to New England. We will upload the days events from our hotel room each night. Final posting of Article and Photos on July 6th.

May 22nd - May 26th - Blue Ridge Parkway on a day by day basis. Check our progress on a daily basis as we ride the Parkway. We will upload the days events from our hotel room each night. Final posting of Article and Photos on May 29th.

May 1st - May 6th - Dallas, Texas via the Natchez Trace - Article and Photos posted on 05-18-03. Click on the link on the left to spawn a new window and display the article. Close the window to return to this page.

April 27th - Cherohala Skyway - Article and Photos posted on 05-11-03. Click on the link on the left to spawn a new window and display the article. Close the window to return to this page.

April 26th - Middlesboro - Article and Photos posted on 05-13-03. Click on the link on the left to spawn a new window and display the article. Close the window to return to this page.

April 19th - Cumberland Falls - Article and Photos posted on 05-13-03. Click on the link on the left to spawn a new window and display the article. Close the window to return to this page.

April 13th - Cades Cove - Article and Photos posted on 04-24-03. Click on the link on the left to spawn a new window and display the article. Close the window to return to this page.

April 12th - Biltmore Estate - Article and Photos posted on 04-24-03. Click on the link on the left to spawn a new window and display the article. Close the window to return to this page.

March 4th - 9th - Florida - Article and Photos posted on 04-08-03. Click on the link on the left to spawn a new window and display the article. Close the window to return to this page.

February 24th - Here we go, the 2003 riding season is just around the corner! - Jeez Louise, do I gots it bad! My bike has been sitting since??? Forget it! Too long!
    Florida is just around the corner (fingers crossed) as I hope for a little window in the weather. Looks like March 4th or 5th will be departure dates and I hope to have time to cruise the panhandle which I have never visited.
    Two things. No, we are not trailering our bikes and no, we are not going to Daytona. At least not during Bike week. We are going to a very special place in Florida where crystal clear water rushes out of the ground at a rate of tens of thousands of gallons per minute. The water eventually makes it's way to the Crystal or Suwannee Rivers where very special wildlife lives.
    It's not too late to signup.

    Most of you that were not at the recent member's meeting have not received your membership card. They were mailed to you today. Thanks for your continued support.

February 19th - Annual Meeting and more... - What a wonderful success! Twenty-three people attended and some came from as far away as Richmond, VA., Concord, N.C. and Cookeville, TN. The meeting started on time, ran for two hours as scheduled and we kept the agenda as planned. A lot of ground was covered and the input from the members seemed to reflect that we are right on target with the club's direction.
    We did listen to requests for Saturday Dinner rides. As a result, four (4) Dinner Rides have been added to the schedule, all on Saturdays. Watch for more to be added.
    We did hear about a few glitches on the web site. The result is that these glitches have been fixed. Let us know if you find more.
    Door prizes were donated by Colboch Harley-Davidson, Knoxville Harley-Davidson, Good Times Kawasaki/Yamaha and Bill Horn. (Thanks folks! Everyone at the meeting knows you care.)
    Mike Bryant won the 50/50 drawing. His share was $102.50 and he elected to donate it back to the club. Thanks Mike!
    Our thanks go to Judy Morris who donated "Membership Cards" to everyone in the club. Judy researched and secured the software she needed, designed the cards, purchased a color ink cartridge and paper for the printer and then laminated the printed cards for durability. Your card will be mailed to you if you were not at the meeting. Thanks Judy!
    Johnny Cagle and Judy Morris have researched buying club patches. Look for them to be available to members in the near future.
    Thanks to everyone who attended the meeting. You helped make it a success! PHOTOS

January 10th - 1st Annual CR Meeting - To be held on February 15th at Best Western, Valley View Lodge, in Townsend, TN. Everyone is invited. There is not a formal agenda except for the meeting from 4 - 6 PM. We are also organizing Dinner for our attendees at one of the local restaurants from 6:30 - 8:00pm. Hopefully, we can get a room separate from the general customers.
    The Club's Officers will be available during the day on Saturday to listen to your individual suggestions that you would like to see implemented in the following months. Should we have fundraisers? Poker Runs? A Summer Picnic? How should future rides compare to those we have had in the past. Should this years schedule be similar? Or, should it include more local rides? Overnight rides? Dinner rides? I think you get the picture.
    Ok, now let me entice you to come another way. Click on the Link above and take a look at the property where we will be staying. Note it is on 15 acres and has rooms, suites, cabins and homes available for rent. Also note that the room prices are discounted if you tell them you are coming for the "Country Roads" meeting. A King room w/Microwave and Frig is just $40 a night. A Suite with Fireplace or Fireplace AND Jacuzzi is just $60 and $90 per night. (Note that suites are two room.) There is a heated pool, hiking trails, bike path and much much more. Of course, I am sure you already know that Friday is Valentine's Day. Why not come on Friday night for the romance with your sweet heart, Saturday for the Club Meeting and then checkout early enough on Sunday so you can get home for the Daytona 500! Sounds like a heckuva weekend to me.!
    Please RSVP to Dan by Email.