If you’ve been asleep for several months, then you probably don’t know that Bakersfield HOG Chapter 1580 is doing some things that are new and exciting for our local riding aficionados.
In May, Jolyn and John Cleveland took 97 HOG members on 67 motorcycles to the Reagan Library in Simi Valley. The HOG Road Captains made the pre-run for this event the first ever HOG Road Captain training ride and the HOG ride the following weekend was flawless.
The Reagan Library was ready for HOG and about 8 docents took our groups through the grounds on their very own guided tour. During the tour, HOG was treated to a buffet lunch under the wings of Air Force One in the hangar.
Of course, the response has been overwhelming. Several HOG members have asked to do a return trip to the Library so they could see some of the things we didn’t get to see and spend some more time there.
If that wasn’t enough, the dinner ride for May was hosted by the Cobles who set up a “Hawaiian Dinner Cruise.” The weather didn’t cooperate (very hot) so the ride was cut in half and HOG ended up at Coconut Joe’s for dinner. The staff at Coconut Joe’s was more than ready for our group of 45+ members and got the food our hot and fast. What a great evening.
HOG members are coming up with some very creative rides and events for our members and the response has been very positive. When you miss a HOG event, you miss some great memories of riding, friends and fellowship.
Safety day was a great success too. Assistant Director Don Oldaker set up some challenges for our riders to practice their slow speed handling skills. Since the parking lot at Bakersfield Harley Davidson was torn up due to construction, we moved the Safety Day events to an area about a mile or so west of the store. Don set the challenges up in several empty cul-de-sacs and riders got to spend time practicing to improve their skills. Again, the response from our members was overwhelmingly positive. Just another great HOG event.
I missed Safety Day due to my trip to the Nevada State HOG rally. I left on Wednesday evening and rolled over to Lone Pine so I could cross Death Valley early in the morning and beat the heat. I’d never been to Death Valley and was awed by the sheer size of this area. Put it this way, now I understand what my teachers were telling me during History classes!
The Nevada State Rally was not what I expected. I guess I’m spoiled by California State Rallies where there are several escorted rides to see the area. There were none of these at the Nevada Rally.
Attending the rally did get me thinking that maybe it’s time for Bakersfield to petition for the California State Rally to be held here. When I returned, I spoke to our HOG officers and we now have a committee forming to determine the feasibility of holding a state rally here in 2010. We’ll be meeting and planning as there is a lot to discuss and many guidelines in the HOG Charter about state rallies and what should be done. If you are interested in helping plan for this major event, please let me know and I’ll get you on the list. We need people who are “in the know” when it comes to the amenities in Kern County.
Our May General Meeting was attended very well despite being a week early. HOG pretty much filled the room at the American Legion and we passed along a lot of valuable information. Our “Toad Award” was given to Dale Pearce for his great stunt while on vacation.
Dale runs a video camera on his bike during some of his rides to capture the moment…so to say. Dale was touring in Utah with Bert and some other riders when Dale had the need to use the rest room. Since there wasn’t much around, Dale just hopped off the bike and took care of business right there. Unfortunately, Dale stood right in front of his bike and forgot to turn the camera off. Nice vacation video Dale!!!
We’ll be looking for another Toad Award recipient for next month so keep your ears open and let me know if you have someone to nominate.
We have a lot of new members in HOG so I’m going to put together an article to explain some of our programs. Hopefully, Ralph will have room in this edition of the HOGLOG to put it in and let everyone know what’s going on in HOG.
Hope to see you all in June at Casa De Fruta. For those of you who are staying behind, there will be a Fun Run leaving Bakersfield Harley-Davidson at the regular time of 9:00am. Road Captain Mike Angelo will be taking the group out through the country and back around to Kelly’s Restaurant for lunch.
For now, keep the rubber side down and ride safe…
DAVE FISHER
DIRECTOR