ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING HELD

The Knob Mountain Annual Business Meeting was held January 26, 2002, at the Timberwood Restaurant, exit 106 off I-40. President Terry Murray welcomed all members and guests and introduced the officers. He then turned the meeting over to Tim Hudspeth, Vice President, who conducted the rest of the meeting.

Sharon Wilson gave the treasurer's report, giving a balance of $894.74. The 2001 Ride for Kids was next discussed, with Tim giving the highlights. Lydia Sweatt announced that the Asheville 2002 RFK will be held August 26, and Dave Huey was voted as the Fundraiser Chairman. Tim mentioned that some donations had already been received: $51 from Randy Foster, $50 from Freddie Powell, and $40 from Dana Wilson. Lydia Sweatt also displayed a beautiful afghan to be raffled off. The afghan was created and donated by Bonnie Bell, one of Lydia's Florida friends.

In other news, Bill Clayton polled the audience and found that Knobby Fred Reese had ridden the most miles last year with 31,880. Several members had ridden around 28,000 miles apiece.

The Knobbiest Knobby Award, presented by Bobbi Smith, was given to Norman Lowman. Norman graciously accepted the award and gave a nice appreciation speech.

After very little discussion, the Annual Knobby Campout was set at Blue Ridge Motorcycle Camping Resort at Cruso, NC. The date, which members hope will be in September, will be determined when the owners can be reached in May.

In other business, the club agreed to make the Timberwood Restaurant the every Sunday morning meeting place rather than the BP gas station at exit 113 off I-40. At Sharon Wilson's suggestion, the club agreed that the club would meet at the Timberwood Restaurant for breakfast at 9:00 AM during the months of January, February, and March and at 8:00 AM all other months.

Club WebMaster Bob McDonald asked if members would rather receive the club newsletter via the club website as opposed to the printed version. Many agreed that they would, so editor Shelba Murray decided that the publication would be produced in MS Word rather than MS Publisher so Bob can more readily convert it to his website needs. The website can be found at the following address: http://home.att.net/~knobmtn/index.html

Tanya Brumfield thanked the club for her father's memorial. Her father recently passed away as a result of a heart attack.

Beverly Nichols asked whether club members would like to ride in the Burke County Christmas parades held each year in Hildebrand and Valdese, and several club members agreed that they would. Activities Director Danny Wilson agreed to check the dates for the parades and get the information back to the club.

Bert Brumfield then spoke to the members about the need for more Motorcle Safety Foundation (MSF) instructors. He said that 19 community colleges offer the MSF course, and more than 6,000 people were trained in motorcycle safety last year. There are currently about 190 instructors, but more are needed. People wishing to become MSF instructors would need to be willing to give up 4 weekends for the training, but they would be paid through the community college system once they began teaching the course. The next instructor training will be in April. Any one wishing to become an MSF instructor should contact Bert Brumfield or the MSF for more details.

Haskell Shealy suggested that club members try to ride all 44 roads listed as Scenic Byways in NC before the next January Business Meeting. A map depicting NC Scenic Byways can be found at the NC Welcome Centers. The member who rides the most of the 44 Scenic Byways would receive an award.

Ron Lancaster spoke of the Trail of Tears Ride that he and Norman Lowman took last year and asked club members to consider participating in the ride this year. Ron said that the ride is worth the time, is free to riders, and the money donated goes into a college fund to educate Native American Children.

Ron also asked that club members write to the NC State Insurance Commissioner and NC State Legislators in an effort to have motorcycle insurance lowered for those who take the MSF Safe Riders Course. He agreed to write a form letter which club members can fill in and send to their respective legislators and the Commissioner of Insurance. The form letter is on p. 4 of this publication.

John Laughter of Hendersonville has agreed to give club members a 10% discount on jewelry purchased in his shop.

Hank Rowland won $73 in the 50-50 drawing, and the meeting was adjourned.

* * *

2002 RIDE FOR KIDS

by Dave Huey

This past year, Hal Smith and Hank Rowland were having a discussion when Hal turned to me and said to Hank, pointing his finger at me, "Here is your man". After trying to get out of it, I became the Door Prize Chairman for the upcoming 2001 BMW RA Rally in Morganton. This past Sunday, the finger was once again pointed my way, only this time it was on the hand of Danny Wilson. Unlike the first time, I immediately said "Okay" because this was for the kids (RFK). I also knew that this would be an easy job to fill because of the generosity of the Knobbies and the feeling that they and other motorcyclists have for the children receiving help from the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation of the United States.

Just to recap, the Knobbies this past year were credited with a donation of $2,315 at the Asheville Ride for Kids. This does not include the time, effort, and cost of items donated by members. I believe that everything we do in life should have a goal and a reason. When we turn in our money at the Asheville ride on August 26th of this year, I see no reason why we can't double last year's money. The Knob Mountain Motorcycle Chapter has a total of 248 people. If each member can help generate $20 for the kids, we would have a donation of $4,960 to turn in at Asheville. How do I propose doing this, you ask? With your help, I feel that we can once again raffle off some nice items. First, we need to get people, manufacturers and businesses to donate items useable for a raffle. This is NOT an easy task. Perhaps one of you has an employer that can donate an item that they manufacture or sell. It does not have to be a perfect item; possibly they would donate an item that they feel is a second in quality to their line of merchandise. This past year, two of our Knobbies donated beautiful stained glass items that they made, and a local manufacturer donated a lamp table that was no longer in his line. People like to win things. Most of the time, what the item is has little meaning; it is just the fact that they won it.

A raffle is only one idea of how to gather money for the kids. Perhaps you have an idea that is useable, and if so, let me know. I can store items here at my home, and I also have been advised of additional places that could be used for storage. As for picking up the item(s), I can and will make pick-ups within a reasonable distance.

I can be contacted by phone at (828) 874-7135, by e-mail on the computer at Quacker1a@hotmail.com and by mail at: Dave Huey, 107 Old Colony Drive, Valdese, NC 28690. Please note that, if you e-mail me, put something that I would recognize in the "subject" line as I do not open any mail from a sender that I do not know.

Only with your help can the Knobbies achieve another successful fund drive for these wonderful children and young adults who have brain tumors.

* * *

SWAP SHOP

FOR SALE: Bike Jack, 1200 pound lift. Bought new by owner. Sale $150. Ron Lancaster (828) 438-3979.

FOR SALE: 1991 blue R100RT BMW, 55K miles, excellent condition, 2 new tires, new battery, and Corbin seat. Asking $6,000. Bobbi Smith (828) 874-1400.

* * *

WHAT WE RIDE

by Susan Hudspeth

"The surest thing there is we are riders, and though none too successful at it, guiders, through everything presented, land and now the very air, of what we ride." Robert Frost wrote that a few years back, and it has always gone through my mind every time Tim cranks up Old Faithful. The Sunday morning breakfast rides with the rest of the Knobby bunch is something that Tim and I look forward to after those cold, icy months where all it would take is one ice patch and all would break loose.

That wasn't the case last year on Sunday, April 8th. The low 80s temperature brought out quite a few two-wheeled warriors to frolic along the curves of the byways. We took over the Mr. Omelet in Morganton pretty much like ants on a sugar cube, we ate everything there, we stood around discussing our destination. Where are we going? Dillsboro? Mount Mitchell? No! Let's go to Damascus! Why? Must get those lottery tickets! And it is a nice ride, too. Who's going to lead? No, I led last time; you lead! Do we go too fast for some or too slow for others? The pressure is on, but, alas, that's part of the responsibility.

We are not out of the parking lot, and Gene Smith has already lost his bottoms, as in belly pan. Nearly 20 bikes turned around to assist, and three waited patiently by the side of the road in the hot, gruelling sun. Apparently, the bottoms were apprehended, as they were nowhere to be seen at the regrouping. Soon we are roaring up 181, or at least Norman Lowman was roaring on his bright blue Sportster crotch rocket. He's passing in the right lane! Every time we would go into a curve, Stormin' Norman would have already been there, done that. At the straight-away, there he was, waiting for the rest of the trembling souls to catch up. At the gas station, he was smiling like the Cheshire Cat. Thus, we cast him into the back of the pack.

Tim and I leading again, we soon came to Cook's Cafeteria in Mountain City, TN, and took over there like it was Hollister, CA. We were all going through the food line with our trays and silverware and noticed that one of the employees there behind the counter looked a lot like Haskell Shealy. It WAS Haskell! Get out from.........! How did you get....?!? Haskell!!

Much too soon it was time to head back home. This is the part we don't like. Parting from good friends and knowing that a week is in the way of getting to see them so we can do this again.....it is just too much.

It was another good day of "what we ride", and neither Haskell nor I spilled a glass of iced water on the other.

* * *

RALLIES ATTENDED IN 2001

by Bill Nicholson and Ed Blackwelder

1 Left Statesville on Jan. 11, 2001. Went on to Winter Rally at Camp Blanding, Florida. Returned to Statesville on Jan. 14th. Nice weather, but cold at night.

2 Left Statesville on Mar. 2nd for Daytona Bike Week at Daytona, Florida. Very nice weather. Warm days. Enjoyed all the vendors and Demo bikes and 1200 race on Sunday, Mar. 11th. Came back to Statesville on Mar. 12th.

3 Left Statesville on Mar. 28th for April Fool's Rally at Clarmont, Florida. Had a nice rally, but a little stormy weather. Have been going to this rally for years.

4 Left Statesville for Georgia Mountain Rally at Hiawassee, Georgia, on May 3rd. Had a very good time. My friend, Jerry Sullivan, rode from Vacavill, California, to this rally. Enjoyed seeing him again.

5 Left Statesville on May 23rd for Huntsville, Alabama, Rocket City Rally. You will never have to worry about getting hungry at this rally. The Great Chicken Rally. Returned home on May 27th.

6 Left Statesville on July 7th, to Paonia, Colorado, to Top 'o the Rockies Rally. Very nice rally and campground in downtown city park. Nice riding in Rocky Mountains.

7 Left Paonia, Colorado, on July 15th. Rode on to Redmond, Oregon, to BMW MOA National Rally. Nice location and a nice ride across country. Big crowd at this rally.

8 Left Redmond, Oregon, on July 22nd. Rode through Glacier National Park on way to High River, Alberta, Canada, to Lunatic Fringe Rally. We have been going to this rally for years and really enjoy the people up in Alberta. Butch and Terry Buechler put this rally on and do a great job.

9 Left High River, Alberta, Canada, on July 29th and started toward home. Arrived home Aug. 2nd. Rode 7,000 miles to and from these three rallies. Wonderful time and will go back there in 2002.

10 Left Statesville on Sept. 5th on the way to Lyndon Station, Wisconsin, to Wisconsin Dells Rally. Very nice location on Wisconsin River. Rode for several days after rally and arrived home on Sept. 11th.

11 Left Statesville on Sept. 20th, on way to Morganton, NC, to BMW RA National Rally. Very nice rally and nice location. Enjoyed helping at Registration with Knobbies.

12 Left Statesville on Oct. 4th on way to Savannah, Tennessee, for Return to Shilo Rally. Nice campground on Tennessee River. Enjoyed going to the Civil War Battlegrounds.

13 Left Statesville on Oct. 18th on way to Biketoberfest at Daytona Beach, Florida. The crowds are getting bigger all the time in October. Nice weather. Arrived back home on Sunday, Oct. 21st.

14 Left Statesville on Oct. 31st on way to Gator Rally in Marathon, Florida. Stopped in Avon park, FL, and my brother-in-law who lives there said, "Don't go there. Hurricane's coming." We went home. Glad we came home because those who went were asked to leave Saturday AM. Arrived home on Friday, Nov. 2nd.

15 Left Statesville on Nov. 14th on way to Sun Your Buns Rally at Vienna, Florida. Nice place and very nice weather. Nice rally. Have been going there for years.

Also went to Knobby Campout at Hot Springs, NC, and to the ROK On Rally in Tennessee in 2001. Will do all these again in 2002 and probably add more rallies to the list. Would like to do them all.

Editors Note: It's my guess that neither of these guys' wives send them out for a loaf of bread and expect to get it the same week or even the same month.

* * *

KNOBBIES CHIT CHAT #2

by Sharon Wilson

What has been going on with our Knobbies? Let me start with our Christmas Party. It was another success with 72 people in attendance. Hope everyone enjoyed it as much as I did. Bobbi Smith was presented her 100,000 BMW Mileage Award, and Bill Clayton was presented his 400,000 BMW Mileage Award. Congratulations to both of these Knobbies for accomplishing their goals. Thanks to Gene Newcombe of Extreme Cycles in Hickory for getting in touch with Danny Wilson so the presentation was made possible. Gene had planned to come and do the presentation himself, but something came up. Thanks to Freddie Powell for getting up our 50/50 drawing, and thanks to those who participated. Other BMW Mileage Awards went to Ed Blackwelder (200,000), Larry McKinney (200,000), and Danny Wilson (300,000).

Freddie Powell had a fall and broke her hip before Christmas. She only spent a couple of days in the hospital and is home with husband, David, her private nurse. She says he is doing a great job. She was able to come to the Annual Business Meeting with her walker. After a doctor's visit the last week in January, she is on her own without the walker.

Several Knobbies attended the Winter Rally: Ed Blackwelder, Fred Reese, Bill Nicholson, Haskell and Pauline Shealy, Tim and Susan Hudspeth, Ronnie Adams, and Wayne McBride. Hal and Bobbi Smith rode the Tobacco Road Ride put on by the Iron Butt Riders, and they finished 9th.

The Chatty Morons announced the Endurance Rider of the Year Awards and Runners-up:

Endurance Rider of the Year was Scott Davis, the winner of the MD20/20; 1st runner-up was Don Angell, winner of the Waltz Across Texas Rally; 2nd runner-up was Don Arthur; and 3rd runners-up were Harold Brook and Hal Smith (a Moronic tie), Winners of the Tarbutt.

Haskell Shealy has just acquired a Kawasaki Dual-Sport bike, and Bobby and Teresa Pearson are keeping the roads hot enjoying their new place in Caswell County, NC.

Let's all keep up with our mileage just to see how many total miles the Knob Mountain Motorcycle Chapter can ride in a year. Remember to keep the mileage on all of your bikes, not just your BMWs. Then we will add all the miles together at next January's Annual Business Meeting and see how many miles our club has ridden on two wheels for 2002.

I'd like to keep doing this little Chit Chat column, so please send me a little note or e-mail me with any news and I'll try to remember to add it in the next one. You can reach me at sharonzwilson@peoplepc.com * * *

Jim Long

Commissioner

Department of Insurance

P O Box 26387

Raleigh, NC 27611

RE: Motorcycle Insurance Rates

Dear Commissioner Long:

This letter is in regard to the rates charged by insurance companies doing business in North Carolina for motorcycle insurance. As a motorcycle owner/rider, I support your department in seeking a reduction of at least twenty percent in said rates. As a citizen of North Carolina and an owner of a motorcycle, it appears that the rates in our state should be investigated as being excessive.

Thank you for your assistance and many years of service to our state and its citizens.

Sincerely,

KNOB MOUNTAIN NC MOTORCYCLE CHAPTER MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION/RENEWAL

(A one-time fee of $10 is required for new members. This includes the cost of a name badge and the club newsletter. All members must renew membership yearly (no additional cost) to remain active members and to receive the club newsletter. Only one newsletter will be mailed per address.)

Renewal for Self:

Name: ________________________________________________________ Date: _________________

Mailing Address: ______________________________________________________________________

City: ______________________________________ State: _________________ Zip: _______________

E-mail: ______________________________________________________________________________

Phone: Home: _______________________________ Work: ___________________________________

Renewal for Spouse:

Name: ___________________________________________ Work Phone: _______________________

E-mail: _____________________________________________________________________________

Renewal for Other Members at Same Address:

Name(s): ___________________________________________________________________________

NEW MEMBERS ONLY:

Name of Knobby sponsoring you: ________________________________________________________

Your Name: _________________________________________________________________________

Your Mailing Address: ________________________________________________________________

City: _______________________________________ State: __________________ Zip: ____________

E-mail: ______________________________________________________________________________

Phone: Home: ________________________________ Work: __________________________________

Names of New Members at same address: __________________________________________________

Print Nmes you want on badges: ________________________________

________________________________

________________________________

AMOUNT ENCLOSED: $ ______________________________

WAIVER OF LIABILITY:

All members and guests of Knob Mountain NC Motorcycle Chapter shall acknowledge by signature on either this Membership Application/Renewal Form or appropriate form that they and/or their families will participate in all club sponsored activities at their own risk. Minors may participate with the express written consent of a parent or legal guardian. All participants in a KMMC activity agree to release and hold harmless KMMC and its officers and members for any accident or injury sustained during travel or other participation in any KMMC sponsored activity.

SIGNATURE(S): ______________________________________ DATE: _________________

(required) ______________________________________ DATE: _________________

______________________________________ DATE: _________________

Please indicate membership in all other Motorcycle Clubs/Organizations:

Member's Name: _______________________ Member's Name: ___________________________

AMA ___________ MEMBER # _________ AMA ___________ MEMBER # _______________

BMWMOA ______ MEMBER # __________ BMWMOA ______ MEMBER # _______________

BMWRA ________ MEMBER # __________ BMWRA ________ MEMBER # _______________

OTHER _________ MEMBER # __________ OTHER _________ MEMBER # _______________

OTHER _________ MEMBER # __________ OTHER _________ MEMBER # _______________

The above information is necessary to keep our membership list current and accurate. Please return this form to any club officer or mail to Terry Murray, 5110 Old Linville Road, Marion, NC 28752.

The following information is optional and may be supplied if desired.

MEMBER SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

Number of motorcycles owned: (Including year and model)

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Occupation: (Regular member and additional members)

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Special hobbies, activities, or other interests:

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

KNOBBY STORE

QUANTITY SIZE PRICE TOTAL

_____Baseball Cap (net back) (one size) $ 6.00 ________

_____Baseball Cap (solid back) (one size) $ 7.00 ________

_____"T" Shirt (short sleeve) M L XL XXL $10.00 ________

_____"T" Shirt (long sleeve) M L XL XXL $12.00 ________

_____Sweat Shirt M L XL XXL XXXL $20.00 ________

_____Name Badge $ 6.00 ________

Name for Badge: _____________________________________________

(Prices of all items subject to change) TOTAL PRICE: ________

Add $1.00 for mailing: ________

Total Enclosed: ________

Your Name _________________________________________________

Address ____________________________________________________

City _____________________________State__________Zip_________

CLUB MERCHANDISE FROM THE KNOBBY STORE CAN BE PURCHASED FROM THE FOLLOWING:

Danny Wilson, Activity Director or Bobbi Smith, Secretary

3474 Icard Dairy Barn Road P.O. Box 128

Connelly Springs, NC 28612 Rutherford College, NC 28671

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

March 8-9 Bike Week, Daytona, FL

April 12-13 K11OG - Peaks of Otter Lodge, VA

26-28 22nd Trail of Tears Rally, Caston River Campgrounds, 15 miles west of Marble Hill, MO, jamasaur@prodigy.net

May 4-5 Georgia Mountain Rally, Hiawassee, GA

24-25 Cass Rally, Boyer Station, WV

June 19-22 Honda Hoot, Knoxville, TN

July 5-6 Sport Bike Rally, Parry Sound, Ontario, Canada

10-14 BMW MOA National Rally, Trenton, Ontario, Canada

August 11-14 Boone Rally, Boone, NC

15-18 BMW RA National Rally, Red River, New Mexic

Terry L. Murray, President stamp

5110 Old Linville Road

Marion, NC 28752

tlm@worldlink.com

KNOB MOUNTAIN NC MOTORCYCLE CHAPTER

OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER

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