Minnesota Gold Wing Road Riders Association

From the Chapter Director

By:  John Wiggins

From Assistant Chapter Directors: Duane & Deb Gohmann

This was another busy month for our chapter.

Deb & I took a road trip to Durango Colorado to visit Debs sister & family, Deb did not have to use her parachute going through the mountains. All in all it was a great time managed to take in 9 states out and back.

Those who attended the district rally had a lot of fun. Everyone liked having a choice of color & design on the Rally shirts. Lots of fun colors.

July 24th Marsha & Jerry hosted a ride & B.B.Q. at their home. Also celebrated Grams 95th birthday (one of our senior Minnows) Jerry & Marsha took a week to go to Michigan to relax & spend time with their family.

John, Monte, & Jerry T are on a road trip to Glacier Natl. Park. I’m sure they will bring back some good stories.

Everyone is looking forward to Nancy & Montes Taco Feed on Aug. 21.

Aug 28 Chapter O will be going on the famous Kickapoo ride & Overnight.

Add the Thursday night rides & Chapter O is riding and having fun.

Jan & Dave are on the road to recovery & we are looking forward to when they can be back with us having fun.

  Educator’s Corner: 

By: Earl & Sandy Slack

Author John Steinbeck would have described this day as a “blue, green, and yellow day.” The sky was blue, the grass green and the sun was shining. It was on this day that two couples, good friends took advantage of the good weather and went for a ride on their Gold Wings down some beautiful Minnesota roads.  While the friends were riding on a highway at 55 mph, a pickup truck pulled out from a stop sign right in front them. The sign was clearly marked that cross traffic does not stop. Dave’s bike hit the truck near the rear axle, causing the truck to spin around, and the bike spinning with it. Jan flew quite a distance off the bike. She was badly bruised and aching all over. She fractured her hip on one side and broke bones in her foot on the other side. She had injuries to several fingers.

Dave also flew from the bike; however, he felt he was “more protected” by the bike and truck. He, too, had bruises all over and terrible pain. He sustained a bruised kidney.

Both of their helmets were badly damaged. They did not sustain any spinal cord or head injuries. They felt they were very fortunate. They probably would have died if they had not been wearing their helmets.

Jan and Dave’s riding friends, John and Jilayne saw the crash. They directed traffic until the police arrived. They also were the ones who found a cell phone lying on the road; the truck driver admitted she had been using it as her GPS.

There are many lessons to be learned. We cannot always prevent crashes and therefore need to do what we can to protect ourselves. Wear your helmet and protective gear, take the training classes when offered such as the ERC for riding and the Medic First Aid class in case someone is injured. Directing traffic? Yes, of course. It’d be awful for an injured person to be hit again by traffic on the road. Always be alert. The Star Tribune reported that very week that the major causes of all traffic crashes are inattentiveness and distractions. In this case the truck driver was not paying attention, was not looking. So, when you’re out riding remember to always be focused on your riding. And the same goes for when you’re driving your car or truck.

Dave is doing well.  Jan will be in a rehab facility for another month or two.

September Activity Calendar

General Info

Chapter Website
Log on to www.gwrramno.com for the latest info on where to meet.

Ride Point