Can you believe it’s already Spring??? Seems like just yesterday, I took over as your Director and now my time is beginning to dwindle. I can only hope you have had as much fun as I have over the past year plus as this has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life. Sure, it’s a lot of work, but the rewards of meeting new friends and experiencing the great thrill of group riding is more “pay” than any one person can hope for.
Bakersfield HOG is blessed to have so many wonderful people willing to “step up” whenever something needs to be done. When I pass around a signup sheet for volunteers for one of our HOG events, it rarely comes back to me with empty spaces and many times, there are more people on the sheet then lines to write their names. This is just a testament to the type of organization you’ve built for this community. When I ask for help from our Road Captains on our group rides, more often than not, too many step up to help and some go without an assignment. I truly believe that Bakersfield HOG Chapter 1580 is the premier HOG group of the entire organization…all because of our members!
As you already know, your HOG officers are heading over to Las Vegas for Primary Officer’s Training. This is a two day “course” where HOG officers get the necessary training to make our HOG chapters run smoothly. This year, I’m fortunate to be accompanied by Assistant Director Don Oldaker, Secretary Randy Coats, Head Road Captain John Cleveland, Webmaster Owen Freeman, Webmaster Ralph Sanchez and Chapter Liaison Ben Patten. We’ll be taking different courses, some together but most not, to teach us what we need to know to improve Chapter 1580. I went last year and was surprised at the amount of information we received in two days. Just so you know, HOG does not pay one cent towards this training. All the officers attending are on their own and pay their own way.
Let’s talk about some upcoming events. Our Bike Nights in April, May and June are going to be held at some places that will donate back a percentage of what we spend to MDA in our name. In April, we’re going to Rubio’s Grill on Rosedale Hwy. In May, we’ll be having Bike Night at Sequoia Sandwich Shop near the Rubio’s Grill and in June, we’re headed to Baja Fresh on Calloway Drive just north of Hageman Road. There will be flyers in the HOGLOG and on the website. We’re also sending one to the e-mail addresses we have on file for our members. Print the flyer and bring it with you because that’s how they will know you’re with our group. Heck, print the flyer and give it to your family members because the money we’re raising is going to a great cause.
The May Fun Run is going to be a great ride. HOG is headed to the Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley. Your HOG Road Captains are going to have a “training ride” the weekend before and will pre-ride the course to make sure we all get there safely. We plan to use this ride to get our Road Captains all on the same page when it comes to HOG group rides. This Fun Run will cost $35 each but it will be worth the money as we’re having a catered lunch under the wings of Air Force One. HOG thanks to John and Jolyn Cleveland for setting this up.
The June Fun Run is shaping up to be a real blast too. We’re headed north to Casa De Fruta near Hollister for an overnighter that will include recreational vehicles. HOG thanks to Jeff Glover for finding this great little out of the way place with RV spots and a motel. Tent campers are welcome to join us too. Hal Onsum is planning a ride to Monterey’s Canary Row for “lunch on your own” and we’re thinking of a pot luck for Saturday night and maybe even an evening movie in the park. The route for those of you riding your bikes up there should be Hwy 58 over to Hwy 33, then north to Hwy 198. Take that west to Hwy 25 and that will take you right into the south side of Hollister. Continue north to the 156 and go east a mile or so and there’s Casa De Fruta. Its 211 miles from Bakersfield Harley Davidson but doable for most.
There’s a lot of work going on behind the scenes of HOG. HOG officers are working hard to make sure our members have some great events to participate in. That brings up participation…if you aren’t out riding with HOG, you’re missing out on a lot of fun. So, if you’ve missed the last few events, here’s a personal invitation to come out and join us. Better yet, bring a friend to a HOG event and see if it’s something they might like. We keep signing up new members and our club is growing with quality people who like to
live by our motto to “RIDE AND HAVE FUN.”
See you at the next HOG event and Ride Safe…