GOLD WING ROAD RIDERS

ASSOCIATION
Region H Louisiana District

CHAPTER E
EAGLES

Wings Over Cenla

August 2016

Monthly Newsletter
CHAPTER DIRECTOR

Hi Guys,

JAKE FOWLER

Whats Inside
Chapter Directors Article
Pages 1-2
Assistant CDs Article
Page 3 & 5
Rider Education Article
When Youre Hot, Youre
Hot!
Pages 4-5
District Directors Article
Pages 6-7
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Page 7
Upcoming Events
Page 8
District MECs Article
Page 9
Region Directors Article
Page 10

We have had some really nice rides this month

and have some good rides yet to come if Mother
Nature does not get in the mix. This reminds me
to say that we should always have a backup plan
while riding and that everyone should have foul
weather gear. I used to carry a tarpaulin for
emergency cover and will start doing so again for
future rides. I caution you about underpasses.
While watching Fox News I saw a report where a
semi-truck hit some people parked under an
overpass, unfortunately, the motorcyclists were
killed instantly. Don't forget if you can't see
people they can't see you!
We have had a lot of GWRRA members who have
been flooded out and lost everything. I thought
that I would volunteer the items I was going to
put in our garage sale for free to anyone who
wants these items. I also thought that we could
do a canned goods drive to help get food items
for our friends. Please let me know if you have
Continued on Page 2

Monthly
gatherings are
are held
held on
on the
the second
second Tuesday
Tuesday of
of each
each month
month at
at Red
Red River
River
Monthly gatherings
Seafood
and Steakhouse,
Steakhouse, 3200
3200 Monroe
Monroe Highway,
Highway, Pineville,
Pineville, LA
LA (318-640-3888).
(318-640-3888).
Seafood and
Come
around
6:00
PM
and
visit
before
our
meeting
starts
at
7:00
PM.
Come around 6:00 pm and visit before our meeting starts at 7:00 pm.

Chapter E Team
CHAPTER DIRECTOR:
Jake Fowler
jfowlergwrra@gmail.com

(318) 308-1494

ASSISTANT CHAPTER DIRECTORS:

Gil & Bev Harding
(318) 466-5926
bevjazz@suddenlink.net
CHAPTER TREASURER:
Rusty Lachney
Rusty3304@aol.com

(318) 729-1239

CHAPTER EDUCATORS:
Leon & Sharon Keel
lkeel@centurytel.net

(318) 992-6297

MEMBERSHIP ENHANCEMENT
COORDINATORS: TBD
Temporarily - Jake Fowler
(318) 308-1494
jfowlergwrra@gmail.com
WEBMASTER:
Jake Fowler
jfowlergwrra@gmail.com

(318) 308-1494

NEWSLETTER EDITOR:
Bev Harding
bevjazz@suddenlink.net

(318) 466-5926

RIDE COORDINATOR/ROAD CAPTAIN:

TBD
CHAPTER COUPLE 2015-2016:
Gil & Bev Harding
(318) 466-5926
bevjazz@suddenlink.net

VISIT OUR WEB SITE:

www.gwrralae.weebly.com
.

Friends for Fun, Safety and Knowledge

Chapter Directors Article Continued from Page 1

any other or better ideas. I'm sure that everyone in Chapter E has good hearts and will help any way they
can.
Please let us know if you need help!
Remember ride safe, have fun and enjoy life.

Jake Fowler
Chapter Director, LAE

MAKE PLANS TO ATTEND WING DING 38 IN BILLINGS, MONTANA THIS YEAR!

CLASSIFIED ADS
If you have items for sale such as a bike, trike, or trailer that you would like to advertise in our newsletter, please
email all pertinent information to the newsletter editor at bevjazz@suddenlink.net by the newsletter article
deadline date listed on our calendar. The ad will run at no cost to you for three consecutive months.
ANNOUNCEMENT: From Roger Bennett, Wayne Schultz has a family member who has cancer and they are raffling off an AR-15
Rifle to raise funds. The drawing will be in the first part of September and tickets cost $5 each. For further information please contact
Roger Bennett at Roger.Bennett@va.gov.

FROM THE EDITOR

If you have any information you would like to publish in the newsletter in the future please send it to me by email at
bevjazz@suddenlink.net and I will try to put it in our next issue. I welcome any articles on rides you have taken or items of
interest, photos, classified ads if you have an item for sale, and just any items of importance that you would like to share with
the Chapter such as marriages, births, purchase of a new bike or trike, retirement, etc.

Bev Harding
Chapter Newsletter Editor

Page 2

ASSISTANT CHAPTER DIRECTORS

&
CHAPTER COUPLE OF THE YEAR 2015-2016
Gil & Bev Harding
Hey Everybody!
First of all let me say please keep our southern Louisiana folks in your prayers during this very difficult time. A major
portion of southern Louisiana is either flooded or under warnings for possible flooding as I write this article. My heart
goes out to all those effected. I literally cant imagine what it must be like. I have a friend whose family member had
15 inches of water inside their home in the Lafayette area. This, by the way, is the second time their home has flooded
in the last 15 years. Luckily they learned some things the first time around and have a good plan of what needs to be
done, and there is no shortage of volunteers to help start the process of ripping out old carpet, flooring, drywall,
moving furniture, and setting up fans to dry out everything inside as quickly as possible. Im told it makes a big
difference in the amount of mold that forms. In times like these you get to witness that there are good people out
there who still give of themselves in times of need.
Closer to home, I dont know of anyone in our Chapter who has been displaced by flooding. The Alexandria area was
lucky and not nearly as hard-hit as other areas of the state. That does not mean that we didnt get lots of rain. We got
plenty and I am truly ready for this weather to move out! If anyone did experience flooding and needs help, please let
us know and we will do as much for you as we can.
As most of you know, I had foot and ankle surgery on August 9th so I am at home recovering. It will be a slow process
and I wont be able to put any weight on one foot for at least six weeks. So, at present I am hopping around the house
on one foot with the help of a walker when I am up. Let me say you get tired really quickly doing everything on one
foot, so I limit my number of trips and carry as much as I can in a basket I have attached to the walker. A brief image
of shopping cart lady flits through my mind, but what can I say? Trust me, laying on the couch all day with my foot
propped up has gotten old very quickly! I have managed to get my computer set up at the couch, so at least I am able
to get some things accomplished. Gil, bless his heart, has been taking care of me as well as he can. He took off work
for a few days to take care of me full time, but has gone back to work this week. We are managing and thank all those
who have called to check on us.
Before all this happened the Chapter did have several rides during the previous month. Gil and I got to make two of
them, the Saturday ride to the Deridder area with lunch at Steamboat Bills on July 30th and the Burger Run to the
Lakeside Diner at Cotile on August 4th. We enjoyed both very much and have a few photos to share with you. By the
way, I heard on the news the other day that Steamboat Bills will be opening a restaurant in the old Alexandria Ryans
location in the near future. If you havent been to Steamboat Bills let me say that they do have excellent food so it will
be a good addition to our local area restaurants. Well have to make a dinner ride there after they open so everyone
can enjoy themselves.

Continued on Page 5.

Page 3

CHAPTER EDUCATORS

LEON & SHARON KEEL

I know the first thing that comes to your mind when you see this article is "we just had a Dehydration article last month!
You are exactly right but July and August are typically our hottest months for riding and just as this article states we
cannot emphasize too much on keeping hydrated! Whether you are riding your motorcycle, on your job, or at home
you have to keep yourself hydrated and there are tips for your motorcycle as well.

WHEN YOURE HOT, YOURE HOT!

TIPS FOR YOURSELF AND YOUR MOTORCYCLE WHEN THE THERMOMETER SOARS
(From Wing World)
I know you may be thinking "Oh no! Not another article on riding in hot weather!" I feel we cannot emphasize too
much on keeping hydrated and wearing the proper riding clothes during the hottest time of the summer and
sometimes we may forget that our motorcycles have extra needs riding during the high temperatures. Here are tips
for you as well as your motorcycle for a safe trip.

Ten Tips For Riders & Co-Riders

1. Carry and drink plenty of water. Start drinking before you ride, keep drinking as you ride. If you don't need to
void liquid every few hours, you're dehydrating. Sip, sip, sip all day long.
2. Avoid diuretics (caffeine drinks like coffee and cola hasten water loss.) If your mouth is dry, you're already
dehydrated.
3. Wear vented, full-coverage clothing. (Exposed skin wicks away vital moisture.)
4. When possible, use evaporative cooling (damp collars, spray bottles, etc.).
5. Wear light reflective colors.
6. Time your riding. When possible, avoid riding during the hottest hours.
7. Enter air-conditioned spaces to give yourself breaks.
8. Wear a well-ventilated helmet. Newer helmets have much more efficient venting. Use it.
9. Increase airflow (Air Wings, windshield vents).
10. When possible, ride back roads (more agriculture, more shade).

Continued on Page 5.

Page 4

Chapter Educators Article WHEN YOURE HOT, YOURE HOT! Continued from Page 4.
Ten Tips For Your Machine
1. Make sure your bike's coolant is A-OK. Check your owner's manual and shop manual for the type of coolant
your bike requires, how often it should be replaced, and how to replace it.
2. Make sure all liquids and filters are ready for extreme temperatures. Ask your mechanic if you need to change
your oil viscosity in preparation for hours of high speed touring in higher temperatures. Filters may need to be
cleaned or replaced, too.
3. Start your trip with a healthy, fully charged battery and charging system. High temperatures actually cause a
battery to discharge more rapidly than moderate ones. Have your service technician check everything before
you begin a long-distance tour.
4. Give serious consideration to replacing worn or marginal tires before you begin a long tour. Tires wear faster
when pavement is scorching, and you lose more critical tread faster at the end of a tire's life than at its
beginning.
5. Check your tire pressures daily before riding. Internal tire pressures can increase 20 percent when hot, so
accurate readings must be taken when tires are cold. Running tires under-inflated can lead to pre-mature and
(sometimes catastrophic) failure.
6. Consider replacing scratched or gouged windshields and helmet visors. Having to see through scratched or
hazed plastic adds to your fatigue, especially when you're already stressed by heat.
7. Consider installing some form of drink holder for Rider and Co-Rider that can be safely used while underway.
Water reservoirs like the Camelback* brand readily available in sports stores with tubing and bite valves can
be a boost to solo riders and full-faced helmet wearers.
8. Reserve space for a frozen bottle of water or two. Wrap the bottles in a towel. Sip at every fuel stop.
9. Adjust your suspension properly if you're hauling a cooler full of ice and drinks. If your cooler rides on the
tongue of your trailer, include its (filled) weight when you measure tongue weight.
10. Load liquids low. "A pint's a pound the world around," so strapping on a couple of gallons above the bike's
center of gravity can make it top-heavy by 16 pounds and make maneuvering unpredictable.
We have already had "Excessive Heat Warnings" this summer so keep these tips in mind no matter what your activity
is!

Remember, Friends for Fun, Safety and Knowledge.

Leon and Sharon Keel

Chapter Educators, LAE
Asst. Chapter Directors Article Continued from Page 3.
Wing Ding is literally right around the corner. Hope some of you will be able to go for this fun event. If anyone is able
to go, please take some photos to share with the Chapter and I would love to have an article for the newsletter too if
possible.
We were visited at our last Chapter meeting by our District Director, Red Roussel, and we would like to thank him for
spending the time and making the effort to come visit with us. Red truly does care about the chapters in the state and
does everything he can to help when we need him.
I guess thats about it for this issue folks. Hope to see you all at our next monthly Chapter meeting on September 13th.
Im hoping by then my foot will be able to tolerate being out and about for a few hours. Until then, keep the shiny side
up, a smile on your face, and love in your heart.

Gil & Bev Harding

Assistant Chapter Directors, LAE

Page 5

LOUISIANA DISRICT
DIRECTORS

Red and Brenda Roussel

Stepping up to replace them will be Jim and Carol Rogers, our District
Couple. The District Team and the Chapter members would like to give
you a big welcome; we know you will do a great job.

D
I
S
T
R
I
C
T

Chapter K has had a busy month, they put on a training day on June 20th.
Eighteen members attended including a surprise visitor, our Region
Director Jim Berry. Jim agreed to put on one of the four Seminars and
I think had a good time with Chapter K members. On July 23rd, Chapter
K put on a Bike Show in the local mall. We had 11 members putting their
bikes in the show and had a Motor Awareness Day at the same time. The
show was to raise money for Camp Pelican, which is the Chapters local
charity. It turned out to be a really good day; this is also a good way to
recruit new members.

T
E
A
M

504-512-1212
dd@gwrra-la.org

Hello Wingers
Another month has come and gone; man the time is flying by. Brenda and
I would like to thank Jere and Maurine Pyburn for their dedication and
time they have given to Chapter D and the Louisiana District over the
past 18 years. They have decided to step down as Chapter D Directors;
they have served GWRRA well and again thank you.

Wing Ding is now looking us in the face; we need members to volunteer

for the Bike Show, Crash Scene and to help Region F in the GWRRA
Store. If you can help in the Bike Show or GWRRA Store please contact
Jim Berry and for the Crash Scene either me or Rodd Polk.
Brenda and I will be out of pocket from Aug. 13th to the 20th. If you
need me please feel free to call. We will be in Maryland visiting our
daughter and grandchildren.
Continued on Page 7

Page 6

LA District Directors Article Continued from Page 6

So until next time have fun, attend seminars and ride safe.

Red and Brenda Roussel

La. District Directors

Editors Note: Please see the Louisiana District website www.gwrra-la.org

In the News for other informative articles from the District Team.

BIRTHDAYS
AND
ANNIVERSARIES

Birthdays

Anniversaries

Kurry Stewart
August 10th

Terry & Sharon Hunley

August 11th

Pat Mitchell
August 22nd
Page 7

2016
WING DING 38

August 31st Sep 3rd

Billings, MT

OKLAHOMA DISTRICT RALLY

Sep 29th Oct 1st

Muskogee, OK

MISSISSIPPI DISTRICT RALLY

Oct 13 15th

Gulfport, MS

MARK YOUR CALENDARS AND MAKE PLANS TO ATTEND SOME OF THESE FUN EVENTS!!!

Ladies & Gentlemen,

Youre invited to the 3rd annual WINGERS-N-WAVES event at sea. The event will depart January 22, 2017 on Royal
Caribbeans Oasis of the Seas, 7 nights of WOW!
We are pleased that Region A is a sponsor of WINGERS-N-WAVES said Jim Jackson GWRRA Region A Director. Join
Wingers from Louisiana and meet Wingers from all over the country. The Wingers cruise departs Port Canaveral,
Florida and sails to St. Thomas, St. Maarten & Nassau (largest ship in the world at 225,000 tons).
There is a special group rate of $882.95 per person (including ALL port taxes. Please visit www.wingersnwaves.com
for full event details and to reserve your cabin. (LIMITED SPACE RESERVE TODAY LIMITED SPACE AT THE special
group rate.)
Please see the event info in this months WING WORLD Magazine.
Hope you will join the FUN! Family & Friends can join at the special group rate! Call 386-299-7535
www.wingersnwaves.com
Check out WINGERS-N-WAVES Alaska Cruise tour, Hawaii & Europe 2017!
This event is not affiliated with GWRRA National.
Page 8

Hello Louisiana

Louisiana District
Membership
Enhancement
Coordinators
Fritz & Johnette
Beter

This month we are going to start with the same thing everyone else is talking about. IS IT HOT
OR WHAT? Okay, on to another subject.
Are you having trouble reading the names of the members who signed your sign-in sheets at the
gathering or a ride? Recently, we sent out a new sign-in sheet we would like to see all Chapters
begin to use. It is a simple format that once you type in your members names and their GWRRA
numbers, all the members have to do is sign by their name and you know who attended. If your
Chapter is working on the Chapter of the Year (CHOY) program, this sign-in sheet will help you.
Remember, you should have a sign-in sheet for ALL Chapter events anyway, regardless of whether
or not you are participating in the Chapter of the Year program.
Do you know there is a GWRRA MEP Facebook page? If you are a member of the Facebook
community, all you have to do is search for GWRRA MEP and ask to join. Someone will approve
your request and you will be able to see what other MECs are doing and get the latest news.
Are you going to Wing Ding? There will be plenty of old friends to see again. The Louisiana District
will be participating in their annual parade through the vendor area again. If you would like to
parade with Louisiana, please get in touch with Red & Brenda Roussel for the date, time and place
to meet.
Do you know you can get text updates on Wing Ding? Just text WingDing to 555-888 and you will
receive text updates on your phone. (Dont forget data rates may apply.) Also at Wing Ding this
year, they will be streaming the COY selection on their Facebook page. Just like the Wing Ding
GWRRA page and when the streaming starts, you can watch it there.
Chapter Directors, do we have your Team Members correct names and contact information on the
District website? Please take a look by going to gwrra-la.org and clicking on the Officers/Team
tab. The Louisiana website is only as good as the information on it. PLEASE help us keep our
website up-to-date.
Riding On A Wing And A Prayer

Fritz & Johnette Beter

Louisiana District MECs
med@gwrra-la.org
504-469-3178

Page 9

From the Region Director

Jim & Reba Berry
Wing Ding is almost here and you need to know Reba and I are extremely jealous! We have heard all these
great plans for rides to and from Billings and due to the old JOB, we will be unable to travel via the old
Gold Wing. Here is what we need for you to do for us: Take pictures. Lots and lots of pictures of the ride to
Wing Ding and the ride home. Take pictures at the rally of the things that impress you or you enjoyed the
most. Later, we will ask you to email us about 10 of your best shots which we will compile into a video to
be shown at our next Region Rally in Marshall. We know we have some great shutter bugs out there.
While at Wing Ding, please help us out by volunteering to help with the bike show. There will be an
organizational meeting on Wednesday afternoon. Check the event schedule for details. Dont forget to wear
your hi-vis green/yellow to support Carolyn and Steve Cotton in the Couple of the Year selection on Tuesday
morning.
Be there to support our Region Talent entries in the GWRRA Has Talent evening entertainment. We will
be represented by the KS District Team in their special rendition of Home on the Range and by Alvalin and
Jim Woodul signing God Bless the USA. This is an especially appropriate song in that Thursday is patriotic
day at Wing Ding. Rodd Polk is working hard on the Crash Scene. If you are going to be there Wednesday
and on your Gold Wing, we ask you to make yourselves available to strategically place your bikes among
the crowd so that all can hear the CB radio chatter. If you can help in the GWRRA Store (formerly known as
the Goody Booth), please do so.
Here is another thing to plan for: The October Region H Ride-In. Check out the info at the end of this
newsletter. Steve and Billie Fleming are doing an awesome job putting this ride together. There will be no
registration fees. There will be 50/50 tickets sales but hey, thats just natural. There will be door prizes,
splendid scenery, good food and wonderful fellowship. Make your reservations now!
We are looking forward to seeing you all soon!

Region H Fall Foliage Ride October 21st 23rd

Come join us for a good time in Arkansas.

Reba and Jim

www.gwrra-h.org

Ride the Ouachita Mountains with its sweeping

curves, twisties, and beautiful fall foliage.
See Region H website for more details!
Page 10