Snow Belt Riders Club idea

[Cliffy777]

Attention OldKarKook and the rest of you cold weather braving, baaaad-ass dudes and dudettes.
Got me an idea for a new motorcycle club.

Name: Rounders - a play on words. The members will agree (be forced??) to ride their bikes year 'round. Also the dictionary defines "Rounder" as "a dissolute person" which means "lacking in restraint, marked by indulgences in vices" so I figure what the hey, sounds like my kind of people.

Who Can Play: folks who live in states that get COLD in the winter with snow, ice, and the like. Don't have to ride a beemer, any ride is welcome - trikes, sidecar rigs, whatever as long as it is a motorcycle.

The Deal: This is where I would like some input in forming the official rules. I was thinking that members must put a minimum number of miles on their bikes in the cold months (no fair trucking it down to Bike Week or something). I don't envision regs that are too tough, mostly it would be an honor system thing.

What dost all thous think? Wanna play? Wanna help me come up with the ground rules and design a nifty decal or something?
Help me somebody - Can I get a witness?

[BradfordBenn]

In.

I would say a minimum of 100 miles a month between Vernal and Spring Equinox.

The logo of course should be a snow ball.

Each month at least one ride must take place on a day where the low temperature is below freezing.
:clap :clap :clap :brow

[YB in IN]

In!:D

[kbasa]

You get ten members with MOA numbers and you guys can form an MOA chartered club, ya know.

[lorazepam]

Make the logo two snowballs, and I am IN.....

[BradfordBenn]

But the sub plot is there

:idea :p :bliss :stick

[Fang]

TO: BradfordBenn:

A snowball you say? A snowball? How about a Stryker Frame?
(look it up....) No? OK, how about a wheelchair? Still no? OK,
how about one of them'air beds with all them trapezes and
stuff hangin' down over it? Shudder.........

Yep it's true, I cannot tell a lie - I'm just plain chicken! That's
right, I'm yellow to the core! That's why I had to join the Air
Farce instead of the Army. I just intuitively "sensed" that those
green Army uniforms would "clash" with the yellow stripe down
my back! But with USAF blue, see, it warn't near so bad. Trust
me..... :p ;) ;)

[Cliffy777]

I am pleased with the initial reaction to the test balloon.
Fang - we are NOT advocating a ride when the road has snow and/or ice ON IT, just around it. My PCR (personal coldest ride) came on a day when then temp in the morning was 19 degrees, but the roads were nice and dry.
My purpose is not to endanger anyone, but rather to challenge us all to ride in colder temps.
BB - I like the artwork. I like the 100 mile minimum.
BTW, uhhm having two snowballs as the logo just might imply a gender bias and frankly I am counting on some women riders actually wanting to get involved.
ps - another side benefit to inclusion in the Rounders is that you never have to "winterize" your bike. It just takes a little longer to give it a good spring cleaning....
Let us hear from some more Snow Belters......

[BradfordBenn]

Yea, I figured my political correctness of snow balls might not work, but thought the logo and slogan might do it.

That was just a quick sketch. I am thinking of perhaps the motoman with icicles.

The idea of the Rounders is not to be stupid, but to have fun. Each person has to decide what is safe for them and what they feel comfortable doing. I agree in discretion being the better part of safety; although it really sucked staying in on a 60 degree day. I figured that after 17 hours travelling and having jet lag, I should not be riding.

[Cliffy777]

Part of what I want to accomplish with Rounders is to encourage people to ride in all four seasons, not just when it is sunny and bright. Maybe it is 'cuz I ride in the cold too much, but I actually enjoy riding in the rain now. With the right gear to keep us dry, why the heck not. I prefer a nice sunny day, but a little falling water isn't going to keep me from doing something I really enjoy.
I think we can also go a long way in demonstrating that motorcycles are not JUST garage candy to get out on Sunday afternoon for a spin. Ride to work - Rain or shine or gray....

[manicmechanic]

'Twas drizzling this morning on the way in, with rain/snow showers predicted. Yet the bike is out in the parking lot. Not surprising is that it's the only one out there. At this place of employment, for 24 years running, my bike has been the last one parked for the weather, and the first one back. If the roads are clear and the bike starts, RIDE! A week or two ago there was a cold spell, 16F in the morining when I left for work. But the mid-40's on the way home certainly felt good.

[BMWRich58]

If workers here in Chicago's construction trade call you a "ROUNDER" what they really mean is, your a "d!#*head"... so ya better pick another "nick name". :uhoh

[Fang]

Cliffy/Brad:
Hey, guys, don't count me out! If my new job continues to be a
success, I'm accepted into the union, and achieve full career
status, then sometime this year I WILL spring for an R1200CLC;
at that point I will be most interested in Roundel membership.
Wish me luck! :bliss :p :brow

[Fang]

TO: BradfordBenn:

Above-referenced logo implies that club members ONLY RIDE
when there is snow on the ground. If no snow(balls), then
"we don't ride." That's a little too extreme, especially for the
ladies, not to mention the occasional craven coward (cringe.....).

So, you're gonna have to think up something a bit less "gonzo,"
methinks.

On the other hand, hey-what do I know?? :dunno

[lorazepam]

If a bike is your only transportation, you an get caught in some interesting and sometimes dangerous situations. I learned the reason riders wear gear a long time ago when that was the case.

I choose leathers, and until I see Pros go down in a stitch, I will stick with leathers. They really break the wind, and a heated garment feels great when it is really cold out combined with my jacket and pants. I have stuffed newspapers in the front of my jeans and in my coat to ride in the past, and I absolutely love heated grips and heated clothing.

I don't get a case of monkey butt nearly as fast with leathers vs Textiles. I have no idea why, maybe the weave of the fabric does it.

BB, what if the wheels of the bike were snowballs?

Fang, it is no biggie to ride when there is snow on the ground, just be careful for sand and patches of ice if the snow is melting.


By the way, I have approx 1400 miles since Jan 1.

[BradfordBenn]

Take Two

[Cliffy777]

As far as the Chi-town dudes using "rounder" as an insult, I consulted the dictionary (see my first post) so I want to stick with it.

BB - I really like what you did, however will using the roundel instead of motoman make us a Beemer Only group instead of being open to anyone riding a bike year round? I am trying to expand my vision!

Where are the folks from the East Coast on this? Wisconsin? The Dakotas and Minnesota?

[BradfordBenn]

Mongo got idea.

Will work on it tomorrow. Take the two and put together but subtle.

[Rich]

Damn, what am I getting myself into??

But count me it. There must be bonus points for someone this far north, huh?

:bliss

[Fang]

"Fang - it is no biggie to ride when there is snow on the ground......."

Hummph! Easy for you to say, whilst tranc'd out on valium! If
I had some of that good stuff, nuthin' would bother me neither!
(Joke....!)


No, but seriously, as I said before, don't count me out yet! If
the bike materializes, as I hope it will, then I'll be out there
on the coldest dry days. I'm gonna build up my skills to much
better than now, however, before riding in the freezing rain;
also gonna build up my wardrobe to handle that kind of weather
so my reflexes don't slow down from the cold. Let's hear it for
Widder, etc!:D :brow

[manicmechanic]

BAck when I was spending time in Uncle Sam's Yacht Club, a ship I was on mad a trip north of the Arctic Circle. With some ceremony, crewmembers were invested in the Royal Order of the Bluenose. Now, nearly everybody has a nose, I believe. Or, how about the Frigid Digits? Well, lemme think about that one.... And, yes, on the way home yesterday the sleet was freezing on the faceshield. Fortunately the roads were too warm for the precip to freeze. AAAh, springtime in Wisconsin!

[RobR80/RT]

hmmmmmmm

Ice balls? Goof balls?

Do we have to be medicated to join?

What about a rally? The first on the first?

The first of the first on the first to be held at Itasca State Park
in the center of Minnesota. The headwaters of the Mississippi.
On January 1, 2005.

Featuring ice fishing.
Don't use the big ice cubes for bait, as they are now illegal in Minnesota - you must use mini-cubes or chips.

I'll have to check to see if the park is open at that time, as our state budget shortfall has caused a lot of cut backs.

Ole drove past Swen's place and saw his tractor and manure spreader in the front yard. In front of them was a hand lettered sign reading "Boat fer sale."

The next time Ole saw Swen down at the Fetch 'N' Go, he asked,
"Say, Swen, I saw yer sign but I only saw yer tractor and spreader, what's up?" to which Swen replied "Vell, daer boat fer sale."

If you got a chuckle out of these, then you probably shouldn't show up on January 1.
If you didn't, and you want I should explain it to you, then I'll see you at Itasca on January 1.

robR80/RT

It's Itasca State Park -- check it out here: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/itasca/index.html

Itasca does not have any openings on the First. St. Croix does though, and they have a group lodge available.

Ride in on the 31st, party on the 1st (Saturday), and leave on Sunday (the 2nd.) for home.

And, the first of the First on the First doesn't have to be in Minnesota... I would prefer a Lodge, with indoor facilities, as it would be pushing the limit to both ride and camp in below freezing conditions. This shouldn't be a survival ordeal, just a challenge. We should NOT put ourselves or others in danger, but if we can make it, let's do it. You should have to earn braggin' rights to having attended the First BMW MOA rally on the First of the year.

Who knows, this could turn out to be like the Iron Butt run, but different - the Numb Butt Rally. Gotta be in the snow belt though.

[manicmechanic]

Hmmm, let's see what the weather brings then. I usually schedule a ride on 1/1. There's nothing so invigorating as riding along and looking into a cage full of people wondering what you're really doing on a bike this time of year. Standard reply, "Well people ride snowmobiles, don't they?"

Greetings to Ole und Sven.

[lorazepam]

Heck I will just consider myself a Rounder, and when we get together, just have a secret handshake, that is good enough for me.

[Cliffy777]

all figgered out. But if I share it then it would lose it's secretive value (or secretion).
Screw the club idea - just ride the dang bikes. (Who had the stupid idea in the first place anyway.....)

[oldcarkook]

I love the idea!

Snow balls...Snow Glory!

Know Snow....Know Glory.

Ride when your brass monkey won't!

Count me in Cliffy. Where do I sign up.

DANG! Gotta wait six months now to start. Sssssshhhhaaawww.

[YB in IN]

Originally posted by oldcarkook
I love the idea!
DANG! Gotta wait six months now to start. Sssssshhhhaaawww.

I can't say that I'm too sad with the waiting six months thing!

[sly]

Ya can count me in! I dont mind the cold at all and would love to ride with others that are just as crazy as me to ride when the temps are below 40. Here in michigan we have 2 seasons... winter and construction. winter is over :(

If any one wants some tips on gear that will keep ya warm just drop me a note. (we have riden our ski-doo's at -20 and still keep warm)

[dzimbric]

Where do I sign up, I just performed my first oil change this year. AND yes it did get changed when I put it away in the middle of December.

Let's hear it for the last bike out and the first bike in the parking lot.

I agree, Leather beats the heck out of textiles.