April 21, 2012 Meeting Minutes and Ride Report

STAR TOURING AND RIDING ASSOCIATION
CHAPTER 224 – EL CAJON, CA

April 2012 Meeting Minutes & Ride Report

After the ride cancellation last month due to weather, it was good to get the group back together.  David got us started with several STAR related items of note.  Star Days in Reno this July, volunteers are needed.  Also, if you are able to provide/donate something for the raffle or auction, it would be much appreciated.

David provided an email to Chapter members on 4/16 containing information on the upcoming Star Knights Ride on 4/26.  Interested members should refer to the attachment provided.

The Laughlin River Run is this week.  Everyone interested in participating in what’s become an annual one day event dubbed the Laughlin Lunch Run should meet at the ARCO station on the west side of I-15 at the Hwy 79 east/Temecula Creek Inn exit just past the Border Patrol check point.  Kickstands are up at 7:30AM.  This is a full day or riding, but you will get several hours to look around.  We’ve typically arrived at about noon, and typically leave by 3:00.

I’ve posted information for a Full Moon ride on May 5th on the Chapter Forums.  Everyone is invited, and you are encouraged to invite your friends to participate as well.

David has invited everyone to join him over Memorial Day weekend for some local riding.  He’s meeting friends from Arizona in Amboy on Saturday and riding back to San Diego.  He’s also planning on riding in the area throughout the week while they are here.  Watch for information on the Forums for more details posted by David.

May ride destination is open to suggestions on the forum.  One suggestion that’s been submitted was for the Aerial Tram in Palm Springs.  The June ride is tentatively identified for participation in the 10th Annual Commotion By The Ocean Ride.  Full details and sign up can be found at http://www.sdfair.com/index.php?fuseaction=events.motorcycle_ride

David mentioned that September may involve a ride to the Full Metal Jousting event in Ramona.  Additional details will be provided as made available.

On to the ride.  It was a warm (OK, really warm) picture perfect Southern California day for our ride to the Desert View Tower.  10 riders made the trip that took us to the end of Hwy 94 and old Hwy 80 just before I-8 drops down to the desert floor.  A stop at Cameron Corner on the way out allowed us to grab some refreshment, gas, and sunscreen.  Arrived at the tower at noon and spent an hour exploring the grounds.  Some neat things there, including an old ‘50’s Chevy Nomad station wagon with current registration.  Good to see some of the old stuff still being maintained and operated, not just museum pieces.  From the Tower we rode another 20 something miles to the Golden Acorn Casino for a late lunch.  From there, most of the group returned to the El Cajon area on old Hwy 80, others took to the freeway to make other commitments.

MEMBERS ARE REMINDED TO RENEW THEIR STAR MEMBERSHIPS BY THE DUE DATE NOTED ON YOUR CARDS. 

Ride SAFE everyone!

John Neidert
Chapter Secretary

14’th Annual Southwest STAR-BQ, Tucson

STAR TOURING AND RIDING ASSOCIATION
CHAPTER 224 – EL CAJON, CA

March 2012 14’th Annual Southwest STAR-BQ, Tucson

Another Southwest STAR-BQ Ride has come and gone this year. We had a really nice turn-out for this event with the following members in attendance:

David Whitehead
Debra Melanson
Richard Woodward
Jeff Carpenter
Kathy Carpenter
Mike Mancini
Ken Moen
Kathy Moen
Kimberly Riley
Will Musacchia

We started off from the Motoworld parking lot at 8:00 AM with 9 bikes all together. Unfortunately Kimberly, her daughter and friend Mike were not able to ride out with us on Thursday but they did make the ride on Friday and met us the motel. The weather was perfect once we got up to the higher altitudes and down into the desert with only a mild tail-wind. The ride was broken up into four legs with the stops in Ocotillo, Yuma, Gila Bend and then into Tucson at around 5:00 PM, a fun but uneventful ride.

Friday morning started out with a sunny sky and warm temperatures and a good breakfast at the motel. We decided to meet up with several other chapters for a ride out to Tombstone and a look around but then broke off and headed on out to Bisbee for lunch at the Copper Queen Hotel and a short tour around the town. A really interesting place to see if you’ve never been there. We headed back to Tucson at about 3:30 PM where we met up with Kim and her group. The Meet-N-Greet kicked off at 6:00 PM Friday night where hamburgers and hotdogs were served and a lot of conversations and laughs were had by all. Kathy Carpenter was in rare form that evening and introduced us all to her more mischievous side.

Saturday was pretty much a “free-for-all” day with no real rides planned by our group. Instead, everyone sort of picked their own rides with Will and Richard heading back to Tombstone for a full tour of the town Richard had never been there before so he wanted a chances to take it all in. Debra, Mike and I decided to head over to Old Tucson but after an excellent ride to get there, discovered that the cover charge to get in was $16.95 per person. A little too rich for our blood so we just decided to head over to the Triple-T Truck Stop for lunch and then headed back to the motel to sit and visit.

Saturday night the real festivities began at 6:00 PM with the dinner, followed by the meeting and announcements. This year’s event was considerably different than any of the others and an explanation for this was given by Alan Cease. After much discussion by the STAR International Council it was decided to take the STAR-BQ back to its originally intended format. A big social gathering where all the chapters in the area just get together, meet, ride and eat. Alan pointed out that over the years they have become something of a “mini STAR-Days” which wasn’t really a bad thing at all, just not what it was intended to be. I must say that although I can’t speak for the entire group, I thought it worked rather well myself. I met a lot of folks from a lot of different chapters and had a wonderful time doing it.

Sunday morning started bright and early with one last breakfast at the motel. By 8:00 AM we were all packed up, engines running and heading off to top off the tanks before starting the long ride back to San Diego. We were expecting a fairly strong head-wind on the return trip but it turned out not to be quite as bad as we expected. We did end up making a couple of extra fuel stops along the way though as the wind seemed to be dragging us down just a little. I know that the mileage on the Stratoliner hauling the trailer dropped a bit from normal but overall it was a really pleasant ride back home. Once in San Diego we all pretty much broke off towards our respective destinations.

Remember that our next meeting / ride is scheduled for Saturday April 21’st. We NEED some ride destination suggestions so get them to me as soon as possible and then watch the web site and your e-mail for what we’ll be doing.

MEMBERS ARE REMINDED TO RENEW THEIR STAR MEMBERSHIPS BY THE DUE DATE NOTED ON YOUR CARDS. 

Ride SAFE everyone!

David Whitehead
Chapter President

February 2012 Meeting Minutes & Ride Report

STAR TOURING AND RIDING ASSOCIATION
CHAPTER 224 – EL CAJON, CA

This was the first month of the new year where we actually got to ride somewhere.  Chapter attendance was above 60% of active membership for this month, and David got us started right on time.  Upcoming events were reviewed, the first of which is the SW SBQ in Tucson next month.  There will be a group leaving the Motoworld parking lot on Thursday, David will confirm the departure time. To all members next month.  Rich Woodward is looking to share accommodations if anyone is interested, contact David by email if you’d like to keep cost low.  See the STAR web site for complete information.

Star Days was also discussed, and as it is in Reno this year, several members will be going.  Complete information and registration information is available on the STAR web site.

The members present agreed that the March Ride will be Chapter 224’s participation in the annual Skills Day hosted by Chapter 109.  Dave provided all members with the email information previously, and we’re thinking about meeting for Breakfast in Temecula.  Exact time and place to be determined, but we need to be at the location by 9:00AM.  That will mean an early start, but it will be well worth it.

Kimberly Riley has joined Star, and has been unanimously accepted as the newest member of Chapter 224.  In celebration of this event, she brought her daughter Cameron along for her inaugural ride as a chapter member.

Chapter funds at the end of February total $40.  Since we didn’t have a chance to ride anywhere in January due to weather, we used this ride to fund the lunch in Borrego Springs.

Ah, the ride…  It was a picture perfect Southern California winter day.  Clear skis, crisp clean air, snow in the mountains, and just warm enough not to be a problem.  Six bikes and eight riders made the trip from Motoworld to Borrego Springs.  The route took us through Ramona with a brief stop in Santa Ysabel.  From there we headed towards Warner Springs and turned off on S2.  Instead of taking the turn to Ranchita, we continued on S2 until we reached Scissors Crossing.  From there we headed into Borrego Springs for lunch at Pablito’s.  We were seated inside, and it was funny to notice that everyone else that came in after us were “asked” if they’d like to be seated on the patio.  We’re really not biker trash, honest we’re not!  Good Mexican food was enjoyed by all, and after lunch the ride was officially called complete.

MEMBERS ARE REMINDED TO RENEW THEIR STAR MEMBERSHIPS BY THE DUE DATE NOTED ON YOUR CARDS. 

Ride SAFE everyone!

John Neidert
Chapter Secretary

 

January 2012 Meeting Minutes & Ride Report

STAR TOURING AND RIDING ASSOCIATION
CHAPTER 224 – EL CAJON, CA

2012 marks the 10th Anniversary year for Chapter 224, and plans are to make it a great one.  With the election of Chapter officers completed last month, our 2012 President David Whitehead was looking to fill in the slots for the remainder of the Executive Board.  Here is the complete list of Chapter Officers for 2012.

President: David Whitehead, serving a second term for Chapter 224
Vice President: Terry Snow, serving his third term in this position
Sgt. At Arms: Ken Moen, who has served as past president of Chapter 224
Secretary: John Neidert, who’s held just about every position except LOS Rep the last 8 years
Treasurer: Kathy Carpenter, first time officer, and she volunteered!
Star Vets Rep: Guy Anastasia continues in this position.  Guy works to help disabled Vets in San Diego
LOS Rep: Debra Melanson, also continuing in this position for several years
Tin Star: Kathy Moen, Tin Star Rep for the past 10 years and we wouldn’t have it any other way

Congratulations are in order for Kathy Carpenter.  She obtained her MC endorsement and is the proud owner of the VStar 650 that started life in Chapter 224 as my first bike.  It’s spent the 7+ years in the possession of Donna Hughes, where it underwent a transformation from stock black Custom model to the white Celtic themed bike it is today.  Kathy has been part of the chapter for a few years, but as a passenger with Jeff.  Now she’ll be riding her own.

We had a guest join us for this meeting.  Kimberly Riley (friend of Dave and Debra) joined us for breakfast and the meeting at Motoworld.  Sad to say, but she is the only one that rode a bike in the rain.  The rest of us were in 4 wheeled vehicles.  Looking forward to Kim’s continued participation and future joining of the Chapter.

Other business discussed included:

David will talk to Glenn and Sean at Motoworld to see what can be done to add the chapter web site to the various Chapter banners located throughout Motoworld.  This will hopefully get more traffic to the site and potential members to the chapter.

John N. will make sure the stock of Chapter and Star Application Brochures are in stock on the counter by the cash registers.  There are currently Chapter brochures at this location, and Star applications will be made available next meeting.

Chapter funds heading into 2012 total $132.  The checking account at the Credit Union was closed at the end of 2011.  For some unexplained reason, John took the cash box with him even though he’s not Treasurer.  Old habits die hard I guess.  I’ll turn it over to Kathy next month.

David mentioned that he will be posting information related to riding opportunities on non-Chapter weekends for anyone interested in participating.  He’ll investigate how to properly handle these types of rides and how they may impact a members status.

Due to the rainy weather, there was no Chapter ride for the month of January.  A total of 13 people were available for the meeting, with 12 signing the new Charter documents.

MEMBERS ARE REMINDED TO RENEW THEIR STAR MEMBERSHIPS BY THE DUE DATE NOTED ON YOUR CARDS.  YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SIGN THE 2012 CHARTER WITHOUT A VALID MEMBERSHIP CARD.

Ride SAFE everyone!

John Neidert
Chapter Secretary