DragonRider

You said it, way to many members having issues of one kind or another, but for the most part,most of us recover, I guess its because of our age that plays a part in that because most member are of an advanced age.

Nothing short of death could hold me back, but then ya'll could turn it into a nice memorial for me........................LOL

So Eck will be safe from having his GW all decorated with Guardian Bells this year.....................LOL

So everybody goes to MD to get help doing maintenance on their bike, but you did yours already, so why go.........................I know, ice cream................................LOL

Wow, didnt want to hear or see this, Dan, prayers offered up, hope your recovery is swift.

Spent the last two nights visiting the ER, Wed. nite for a really bad case of hives, got that under control and thur. nite had worst chest pains ever so I go a full on lights and sirens ride back to a different ER and ended up having 99% blockage in one artery and 50% in another, ended up undergoing heart cath and getting one stint. Home now little tired but feeling much better. Been a rough week, and to add insult to injury Charlene was involved in an accident on way to hospital, tore her Mountaineer up pretty bad, it only has three wheels now! No injuries to her or our two grandsons.

St. Jude auctions will be ending in about 29 hours, so if you havent gotten around to bidding there are still some auctions that have 0 bids on them. This isnt about me getting rid of shirts or pins or hats or whatever I post, its about helping the "Kids" at St. Jude Children's Hospital. If you are new to VR here is a little info about our efforts to help St Jude. We first started doing this is 2005 at the first Tail of the Dragon/Vogel We raised $500.00 In 2006 we raised over $1500.00 In 2007 we raised over $1700.00 In 2009 we raised over $3000.00 In 2010 we raised over $3800.00 In 2011 we raised over 4400.00 (NARR also helped out with $6000.00) This was a joint effort as they have some VR members and a challenge was put forth. In 2012 we raised over $3200.00 In 2013 we raised over $4400.00 In 2014 we raised over $5300.00. This total does not reflect any cash donations collected in Memphis prior to the donation. These totals reflect what I had cashiers checks made out already. I would estimate you could add another 4000.00-5000.00 to that total. The co-ordinator at St. Jude already had us over $35,000.00 last time I heard from them. The totals also reflect donations from other members that had functions and passed the bucket for St. Jude, there are too many to name, you know who you are and you have our heartfelt thanks for all you guys do for us. We have also been recognized at St. Jude with a plaque(pic attached) so we are not un-noticed by them. Also check out the pic at the very bottom, its a picture of some of us with a very young Brayden Shields age 1 1/2. He wanted his pic taken with us. Thanks Brayden you touched us all. There you have what Vogel means to VR members. It's all about the"Kids"

Response to Tail of the Dragon/Vogel has been minimal. In order for me to order shirts and food I need to get an idea of how many are coming. I only have 3-4 RSVP on the calendar.

Won't be making it again this year, Charlene has a school reunion in N.O. that she doesnt want to miss. So, looks like I have to wait another year before I can go. Hope everyone has a great time, I was looking forward to seeing everyone and meeting new faces.

BUMP

Only 10 days left on the current St. Jude auctions.

Congrats, I have been retired since last Aug. and I am not bored yet, and I dont miss the work!!!!!!!!!!

Well I guess we ought to add New Model RSV's to the list of no-no's, politics and religion.

It would greatly help with my planning if everyone who plans on coming would RSVP as soon as possible.

Cruisin' for St. Jude Auctions are once again active and awaiting your bids. Need a t-shirt, we got it. Need a hat, we got it. Need a pin, we got it. All you need to do is be the high bidder, so bid high and bid often. You can begin by clicking this link. http://www.venturerider.org/forum/photopost/showcat.php?cat=27

When I posted Vogel to the calendar I forgot to allow members to RSVP to the event. I have now changed that and you can now RSVP.

I have firmed up all the details I need to put the registration form out. These details are also on the form. Registration fee for Vogel will be $50.00 per person. Each person registered will receive a T-shirt, patch, and catered meal on Sat. We will open registration at 12:00 noon on Wed. Aug, 12, 2015. Registration will be in front of the office/conv. store, parking lot. On Wed. evening we will have a ride into Blairsville, Ga. for an evening of dining at Fatz. (This is not included in registration) Thurs. plans not firmed up yet, but that might change from a free day to do as you please or a group lunch ride. Friday will be our title ride. We will be going to ride the Dragon, and get there via the Cherahola Skyway. This will be an all day affair, so we will be starting out early, around 8:00 am for this ride. Saturday will be our catered meal at shelter #3, schedule to be announced. I will be adding more details as I get them firmed up. We will have some door prizes to give away, and a 50/50 raffle. Stay tuned for more info. Click on the attachment below for the registration form. Tail of the Dragon VII.docx

I am stunned, I saw a post earlier this year where Eddie mentioned he was going to try to make it to Vogel. I missed this post, and only found out while talking to Skid a little while ago.

Here are a few of the details I am in the process of completing for this years Vogel. I am trying to arrange catering for our Sat. function with Shanes Rib Shack, they have done the last 3 events we had there and hoping they can accommodate us again. Planning on BBQ pulled pork, with several sides, drinks and deserts. I have reserved Shelter #3 again for our Sat. event. There are still cabins available if you plan on staying in the park and tons of camping space available at this time. For those that want more modern quarters there are a couple of Motels downtown that give us very good rates. I will be calling and setting those rates. They are the Seasons Inn, and the Best Western in Blairsville, which is just 11 miles away. Of course there will be the obligatory ride on the Cherahola Skywand and the Tail of the Dragon on Fri. the 14th. As soon as I have all the costs locked I will be posting a registration form. I am hoping to keep the registration fee around the $50.00 give or take a couple of dollars. If you have any questions about this event please feel free to pm me and I will answer all your questions. The dates for this are Aug. 12-16, 2015. Vogel State Park, Blairsville, Ga. Hope to see a lot of old faces and new ones. And remember, all this is for the "Kids" at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

They had a lithium battery and like you said not cheap, $229.00!

She is also a WWII veteran, U.S. Coast Guard. She is also a Senior Miss Mississippi winner. Still acts in local theater. She was a great teacher when I had was in her class in school. She brought the best our of all of us.

I wanted an interstate battery but could not find a dealer here that had one for m/c.

Here is a picture of my 12th grade journalism teacher, she is now 94 years old and is much more active at her age than I am at mine. Its not her trike, but just to see her riding on one is special.

Peter Egan of Cycle World and Road and Track mag. talks about that run all the time. Sounds like a great time, too bad its way too far for me to attend.

On my third battery since I bought the trike. The last 2 were AGM batteries, and only had 90 day warranties, not impressed with them. Went looking for a regular acid battery and they are harder to find than hens teeth. Finally found one for 89.00 with a 6 month warranty at Batteries and Bulbs. They also had a couple of different AGM, one was a Duracell with a 2 year warranty, so I decided to get that one. Has anyone had any experience with the Duracell line of motorcycle batteries, they are fairly new on the market, at least if it goes out before 2 years its covered.