October, 2004
October’s Featured Riders
Chuck & Ellen Sherman
“Ask not what the MMR can do for you, ask what you can do for the MMR” - JFK
Our incumbent President has been riding for 36 years, owning about 100 motorcycles in his lifetime. His first bike was a Honda SL1 75 and he currently drives a Harley Ultra. At one point, Chuck had 27, yes 27! bikes in his garage. He bought them dead and fixed them up to drive around. When he’s out of our Oval Office, Chuck makes his living as a Regional Manager for Draeger Medical.
Ellen’s ridden with Chuck for 7 years and also has been driving her own ‘95 Honda Shadow for the past 2 years. The First Lady’s professional skills as an administrator for SSWC, has made her a vital part to this administration. Opening her home and hospitality to the E-board meetings each month, coordinating the food & supplies for functions, updating the hotline, shopping for and arranging the Thanksgiving baskets for charity keep her busy. Ellen just enjoys contributing to the club whether she’s the 1st Lady or not.
As a couple, Chuck and Ellen celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary by going to Nova Scotia. Their experience was fantastic, the open space and beauty were almost indescribable. They drove (300 miles a day, 1,800 in total) from Yarmouth to Yarmouth taking the coast road counterclockwise to always be on the ocean side. They say it is truly a motorcycle vacation. For future vacationers to Nova Scotia, they suggest taking a 9 day minimum trip through a travel agency who will make the reservations at biker friendly locations. Take the CAT (a few hours ride) instead of the Princess which involves a long overnight travel.
Chuck’s the 5th President for the Manomet Mystery Riders and has held the office for two one-year terms. In his presidency, he has enjoyed meeting really nice people, sharing his motorcycle passion with others and helping the needy through our charitable contributions. Overall, his experience as the President has been one of the highlights of his life. His advise to aspiring candidates would be to listen to your members, don’t filibuster, it’s not a one man show. Try to get others involved and involve yourself as much as you can.
The Sturgis Experience
Leo Dubreuil and Rob Staines, were two very fortunate Manomet Mystery Riders, who journeyed to Sturgis, South Dakota for the 64th Annual Biker's Rally held from August 9 to 15 this year.
Our boys heard of an event called "No Pants Wednesday" in the small town (about a 1/4 mile long) of Hulett, Wyoming. Most bikers are aware that women bare their breasts in Laconia and Harley Rendezvous but did you know that if you encourage a woman to flash in Hulett, you can expect to receive a $750 fine or up to 1 year in jail? Luckily there's a small loop hole in the town ordinance where they failed to mention the baring of one's bottom. Hence, the two hour traffic jam entering Hulett on Wednesday even if you were innocently passing through on your way to Devils Tower, Wyoming.
"It's some of the best riding in the world" according to Rob. They didn't need to use the same road twice except to do the Needles Highway, a scenic road of granite spires in Custer National Forest, backward to get the amazing view from the opposite direction. Leo estimated they rode their bikes from breakfast until 6 or 8 p.m. each day when they’d pull into Sturgis. Some of the spectacular sites they saw included Iron Mountain Road, Spearfish Canyon and Mt. Rushmore. But the wildest thing they witnessed on their journey were the buffalo.
Their advice to fellow members thinking of taking this trip in the future, "you have to dress for it". They experienced days in the 70's but mornings or late evenings were down in the 40's. Make sure to pick up a booklet on events and times, they're given out at many convenience stores. Some final impressions, The people of S. Dakota are very friendly and the roads don't have any potholes! Enjoy the ride.
Paulatics
by Paula McCallum
I am not cute. Moped? Hardly. Feel like you’re on a Tonka toy sitting on me? No. I hear comments like, “You have very nice posture” now come on, that doesn’t make anybody feel cool. I may be rice but this Honda Rebel sure as heck ain' t nice. Hear me roar, gosh dang it, I’m the Rebel Yell! Well, O. K. maybe not so much a Yell as the hum of buzzing bees. But cut me some slack, just as Rodney Dangerfield quips, “I get no respect, I tell ya, no respect”.
I am a machine with 5 gears, 250 CCs, a black glistening beauty. I sport leather tassels and my Batman doll rides bitch. Hey, I’m just as cool as you American made, loud piped, some might say obnoxious (wouldn’t hear it from me), shiny chromed, custom jobbers. I’m not as big or as fast but have you seen how sweet I can corner without scraping Fat Boy floorboards? Let’s meet on the field for the next slow race, buddy.
I don’t mean to get personal here but let’s just say my parts don’t vibrate off every other week. I can’t even remember the last time I needed service. You want to talk gas mileage? Let’s just say I know why they call you a HOG.
So the next time you see this Rebel Yell, give me my deserved props. The gal riding me may have trouble getting out of first and takes a few wide turns but she’s the starter, not me. She’s not getting any bigger and neither am I. Well, unless I get a windshield, studded saddlebags, possibly some tricked out highway pegs and a new fancy air horn. Ahhh... One can only dream. In my next life I’m coming back as a Honda Goldwing. Then I’ll definitely earn your respect, won’t I?
Hitting the G-Spot
by Jennifer Staines
Rob & I had the opportunity this year to go whitewater rafting with the MMR. This was the first time either of us has been and we can't wait to go back! After a 6-hour ride up, which wasn't all bad, we arrived at the Northern Outdoors Lodge and were immediately excited. The whole place looked like fun. We got our site # and settled ourselves into the cabin tents. The rest of the gang rolled in and we had a great night with them by the campfire.
In the morning, we met at the lodge for sign ups and a quick meeting. We were so fortunate to get the best guide on the river in our boat - Go Shannon! Once we learned the terminology and instructions she would be using, we packed ourselves, with paddles, life jackets and helmets onto a bus. We all had a good laugh, right along with the river guides which made the bus trip entertaining. Before we knew it we were on the river. What a beautiful day we had, it was in the 80's and sunny the whole day. At first, I was a little nervous after hearing from Shannon all the things that could go wrong, but within minutes I was totally comfortable. I was lucky enough to be in the boat that was carrying the Manomet Mystery Riders banner borrowed from Deane and it was flying high!
Then Shannon started preparing us for the "mother of all rapids”. As we were nearing this mother, Shannon told us she wanted to hit this one sideways and really "smack this bitch", she wanted us to "find the G-Spot" as she so sweetly put it, on this rapid. We hit it so hard, our boat was bent right in half. What a blast!
After a couple hours on the river, we pulled the rafts over onto a sandy beach and had a lunch of steak, chicken or salmon with river rice and iced tea. After lunch we put the rafts back in the water with "duckies" (the inflatable kayaks) tied to them for the second half of the trip. We each got our turn in them and they were so cool. Once we spotted Hawk and Jane in their ducky, the chase was on. We all got our shot at them, but none of us could catch them - we just wanted was to tip them over. You go Hawk!!!
All in all an awesome experience and a great adventure. We can't wait to go back next year.
Our Weekend in Vermont
by Paula McCallum
Riding our bikes into the Sun is how I begin my tale,
Of how we bumped across the Mohawk Trail.
Stopping for a bite to eat on Route Sixty-Two,
It was just too dark for us to enjoy this view.
Early to rise, began our Saturday,
Along Route 100 we snaked our way.
Pulling up in Jamaica for a cup of joe,
Never saw a moose, fawn or one stinkin' doe!
When gassing up we did come upon a bear,
Just the wooden kind, so we didn't scare.
Lunching in Bristol on scenic Route Seventeen,
Down Mad River Glen where more sights were seen.
Just snapped some group photos at Glen Moss Falls,
Jumping in would have required a lot of umm, galls!
We arrived in Shelburne Falls for dinner at Mother's,
While town folk stared at us clad in our leathers.
Sunday at the Sugar House we ate our breakfast,
Wishing the weekend wasn't going by so damn fast.
Berlin Orchards made our final destination,
Heck, we've already booked next year's reservation! |