As 2006 comes to a close and 2007 dawns on the
horizon I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the closing year
and look ahead into the new year. As I look back, I remember
what brought me to my extended family of Chapter 111.
It was about two and a half years ago that I made my first
ride with Chapter 111. I had always pretty much been a loner. I
had my family and my work. I never tried to develop many
friendships. I worked but didn’t socialize. I disliked groups
and hated crowds. My bike had been sitting in my garage for
several years. Then Gary II bought him a bike. I started riding
with him. I traded my Virago for a Road Star and was really
enjoying the rides. I wanted to ride more and more. One day
while browsing on the Internet, I came across STAR’s web site. I
saw Chapter 111 listed in Atlanta and decided to contact them. I
emailed Doug and he replied, inviting me to ride with the group.
He sent a few follow-up emails about some upcoming rides. I
still wasn’t sure about the group thing…especially BIKERS. One
day I got an email about the group being in a July 4th
parade. That sounded pretty safe and Gary agreed to come with
me. So we showed up… and to make a long story short….my life has
never been the same.
I said all that, to say this. I am so glad that I made that
first ride. I now have the best group of friends anyone could
possibly want. Chapter 111 has become my extended family and I
am all about family. From the beginning, I never really felt too
out of place. I felt accepted. Gary and I didn’t do lunch with
the chapter that July 4th. I guess I needed to take baby steps.
It was a couple months later before I got to ride with 111
again, but since that second ride, I haven’t missed many. With
each ride or get-together the family ties grow stronger and the
family gets larger.
If you have been in the chapter a while, I am sure you know
exactly what I mean. If you are new, hopefully, you are finding
out what I mean. I just wanted someone to ride with. It never
crossed my mind that I would become an officer or be managing
the web site, or one day writing a newsletter. If you are
reading this, it is because you have ridden with us. You have
experienced the life changing event called Chapter 111. Maybe it
seemed a little awkward. Maybe you felt a little out of place.
Maybe you thought we were all weird. But hopefully you felt
welcome. I think this is a great bunch of people. We have fun.
It’s all about riding, friends, fun, and of course food (we eat
A LOT). As we roll into 2007 make it one of your resolutions to
ride with us as much as you can.
Our first event of 2007 is the Annual Polar Bear ride. Not
that we’ve had much polar bear weather lately, but start the
year right. If it’s dry make the ride, whether its t-shirt
weather or icy-cold. If it’s raining, come in the 4 wheel
cage….just be there.
2007 looks to be better than ever. Already we have plans for
the International Motorcycle Show in February, the annual
Andersonville Memorial Day event in May, Star Days in
Chattanooga in July and the Trail of Tears in September. And
that’s just a sampling.
2006 kicked it up a notch. We did everything from a ride down
the street for lunch to a two weeks trip to Star Days. Every
event was FUN. Every event was a memory. We’ve eaten at some of
the best places in Georgia. We’ve ridden some of the best roads
in the country…right here in Georgia. We watched motorcycle
races and explored a cave in Alabama, got soaked in South
Carolina, paid respects to our veterans in Andersonville,
picnicked at Red Top, attended a new chapter signing, had dinner
on a train in Dillsboro, conquered the Dragon, lunched lakeside
in Harwell, SC, seen the highest point at Brasstown Bald, been
to the canyon, followed the Trail of Tears across Tennessee and
Alabama, rode the Skyway, and saw things we shouldn’t see in
Daytona. And some of us were fortunate enough to ride across the
country to Star Days in Colorado.
Man….what a year it has been. What did you miss? It’s
understood that everyone cannot do everything. That’s why we
have events on Saturdays and Sundays. That’s why we have some
"unofficial" get-togethers and rides. We want everyone to have
as many opportunities as possible to ride. Make a pledge to
yourself to make as many rides as possible in the coming year.
We promise you good roads, good times, good friends and good
food.
Hope to see you next time...On The Road...with Chapter 111
Gary V Kohl
Vice President
Chapter 111
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