Newsletter

April 2004

From the Director
Steve Stokes

I have been asking for warmer weather and my wish finally came true.  The last two or three rides have just been great.  The only problem is no one is showing up.  What's up with that!!??  A great day and a pretty good turn out of bikes for the ride to Gator's in Baker after our March meeting, but Ricky's ride (5 bikes) on the 13th, the flyer ride to Ft. Walton Beach (3 bikes) on the 20th, and the brunch ride to Mr. Manatees (4 bikes) on the 21st is just a little slim, don't you think?

It seems like the prettier it gets the less people want to ride.  I don't know what the answer is, but maybe someone can help me out.  Maybe we are trying to book too many rides.  If so, please let me know and we will adjust the schedule.  March is usually the time of year everyone is preparing their yards for the summer and that might be some of the problem.  If it's the places we are going, please let us know.

I apologize for the newsletter being so late getting on the internet and the reason is the articles are not getting to David and Kay in time.  We set a deadline at the last officers meeting of the 25th.  Please try to get your articles in by then.  If we can't get all the information for the upcoming month on the net by the 5th of each month, then we will go back to the newsletters only.

Beginning in April our Wednesday night gatherings will move back to Sonic on 9-Mile Road.  We can have a good ole Sonic burger and mingle for awhile, then ride over to Dairy Queen for some ice cream.

Don't forget the picnic is just around the corner and if you plan on attending, please let Mary Scandrol know as soon as you can.  It is on Saturday, May 8th, and I really believe it will be a great turnout since we moved it back to Claude Kelly State Park in Alabama.

We have made some changes in some of the officer positions, but I won't go into that now.  We will inform you of the changes at the April meeting.

Until then, ride safe,
Steve Stokes

Raymond Gambill
Assistant Director

After almost five years of riding with the Retreads I find myself as the Assistant Director!  Since that is my title I will attempt to assist the Director when and where he needs assisting. 

Since this is my first foray into Assistant Director article writing, I would like to make a notation of what I have observed in the last five years.

The Retreads

The Retreads are either a social club that likes to ride motorcycles or we are motorcycle riders that like to socialize.

The Retreads stop often when they ride.

The Retreads rarely leave at EXACTLY the appointed time.

The Retreads most often ride to locations that serve food.

The Retreads ride in staggered formation.

The Retreads have a road captain and a tail gunner on all rides.

The Retreads change lanes only when the road captain changes lanes.

The Retreads attempt to obey the posted speed limit.

The Retreads don't care what make of bike you ride.

The Retreads attempt to find the road less traveled.

The Retreads are safety conscious.

Ride carefully,
Raymond

Tom Scandrol
NW Florida Area Rep

I have decided to step down as Area Rep.  Bruce McCart, the Florida State Director of the Retreads, has appointed Bill Craig as our new Area Rep.  Bruce has also appointed Steve Stokes as the Director of the Pensacola Chapter.  Though we recently ahd leadership changes in this Chapter, this one will be a continuation of the positive direction the chapter has been heading under the able leadership of both Bill and Steve, and I know you all will be very supportive of this change as you have in the past.

I am looking forward to remaining active and participating in as many activities and rides as possible with the folks here and I want to thank everyone for their help and support during the past several years.

Tom Scandrol

The Tallassee Ride

On April 24th we have a special ride planned.  We are going to ride on Hwy. 31 (a lonely two land back road.  Don't you just love those kind of roads!)  We will stay on Hwy 31 until we reach Hwy 97.  From the intersection of Hwy 31 and 97 we will meander around until we get to Tallassee, Alabama.

Tallassee is an interesting little town.  It sits upon a hill overlooking the dam that starts Lake Martin.  In the center of town is the Tallassee Hotel.  The hotel doesn't seem to have changed much since the 1950's.   There is a scrumptious buffet and after you have eaten as much as you wish, you can take the stairs to checkout the huge assortment of antique furniture that dominates the sitting area in the spacious hallways that conjures up images of a bygone era.

This is a pleasant ride up and back, and a lunch will be delightful on this day long adventure.   Come enjoy a day of friends, fun, food, and motorcycles!

From the Activity Corner
Mary Scandrol

It's that time of year to start thinking about our annual Retread picnic scheduled for May 8th, at Claude Kelly State Park near Atmore, Alabama.

The group ride will depart from the 9-Mile Road K-Mart parking lot at a time to be announced later. 

As in the past, this is free to all members and a small donation of $5.00 will be charged for non-members.  This year we are asking you to bring something for a door prize.  I will have a signup sheet at the meetings in April and May.  This picnic will go on rain or shine, so plan to be there.

Till we ride again,
Mary

April Birthdays

More Biker Bylaws

Beware the biker whose ink peels off.

The twisties--not the superslabs--separate the bikers from the squid.

Keep your bike in good repair; motorcycle boots are NOT comfortable for walking.

Southern Signs

What's your "Southern Sign"?  Some of us, especially Southerners, are pretty skeptical of horoscopes, and it has become obvious that what we need are "Southern" symbols:

Moon Pie (March 21--April 20)  You're the type that spends a lot of time on the front porch.   It's a cinch to recognize the physical appearance of Moon Pies.  Big and round are the key words here.  You should marry anybody who you can get remotely interested in the idea.  It's not going to be easy.  This might be the year to think about aerobics.  Or, maybe not.

For Sale

2000 Yamana Royal Star Tour DeLuxe.  Warranty until October 5, 2004./  Showroom condition, lots of chrome, new tires and maintenance on February 2004.  Dealer maintained.  All records available.  $8.995.00.  Call Bill Lawson at 850-626-5919.

All views and opinions expressed by the author of articles in this newsletter are purely their own, and do not necessarily represent Retreads International, Emerald Coast Riders, Members or Officers, or Webmaster of this site.