april 2004 - loebmwr.org
TRANSCRIPT
April 2004
The Season BeginsI’ve been told the new Sunday breakfast location has been getting rave reviews and record crowds of LOE members. You can read Robert Keen’s report inside. I personally haven’t been able to get my butt in gear early enough, but now that it’s not dark when I wake up maybe I can make a better effort.
Not that I’ve been sleeping my life away, just resting up for those canyon-carving afternoons. Well, it’s actually been more of straight-line blasts. There’s still a few feet of snow up at the Crest, making the squidly gig a little iffy.
The March trip to Las Cruces, how-ever, was an excellent example of how to make a long fl at ride interesting. We only rode about 30 miles of interstate on the whole trip, down and back. Thanks to RJ Mirabal for planning the excellent route. See inside this issue for a full pictorial.
We also had our business meeting at the vast new Sandia BMW car dealer-ship. We received a full rundown on the new R1200 GS (stay tuned for photos of the intro in South Africa attended by our own BMW-philes from Albuquerque) and critiqued the new 4-wheel machines from
our favorite marque.
Next up, Spring proper and a full rid-ing slate. Check out the well populated cal-endar inside. I hope to see you on the trip to the Trinity site, one of the most important holes in the ground in the whole world, and only open to the public for two days each year. I’ve been here for 10 years and never seen it. I’m gonna bring my hankie.
David Wilson, editor
Welcome New MembersPlease welcome Brian & Michele Leist of Albuquerque, and Tim Schaefer of Los Alamos. It’s great to have you with us!
News from
the Land of
Enchantment
BMW Riders
Top right: Yours truly and my “LOE Hankie” at the courthouse in Truth or Consequences. Just one of the scenic stops on our winding route to Las Cruces. The return trip was even more winding: Alamogordo, Carizozo and (nearly) Ruidoso.
Left: The business meeting at Sandia BMW. What a clean garage!
www.nmbmwmc.org
BMW MOA Charter #123
BMW RA Charter #81
2 The Legendary Shaft
Right and above: There are still people who haven’t played in the white sand. But there
are a couple fewer of those now.
Above: First stop Socorro and a
tour of the town in search of the courthouse. Left: Beautiful Elephant
Butte. I should say empty
Elephant Butte.
Above: Leasburg State Park just outside of Las Cruces. Curvy, empty roads, perfect weather – spring arrived just in time!
Cruces Ho!Text and photos by David Wilson. A group of intrepid LOE members headed lemming-like into the sunrise to officially inaugurate this year’s club competition. We made tracks south to the sunny city of Las Cruces, stopping along the way to document our trip of discovery and go for a chance at the fame and glory that comes with victory in our heady venture. Oh yeah, we had fun, too…
Above: Libby Colborg takes in scenic Elephant Butte. But where’s the lake?
Right: Ed Quarles takes his GS off road and onto the sidewalk in TorC to prove he was at the courthouse. The rest of us settled for the parking lot ‘round back. Below: Get out your “LOE Hankie” and get travelling. You’ve only got til Christmas to rack up a list of those far-flung destinations.
The Legendary Shaft 3
Above: The Salinas Missions near Mountainaire. There are three of them, but there’s only one Visitor’s Center, so does that count as 1 National Monument or 3? It doesn’t really matter – they’re all beautiful.
Below: The Quarai ruins, another one of the Missions (and my personal favorite). Great place for a picnic, a short walk, or just a breather from the amazing roads down toward Mountainaire.
Quantity/Size Total2003 Rally T-Shirt (blue)Short Sleeve $15 ea. ____________ ________Long Sleeve $20 ea. ____________ ________
Club T-Shirt (gray)Short Sleeve $15 ea. ____________ ________Long Sleeve $20 ea. ____________ ________
Prices are per item. Shirt sizes are S, M, L and XL. Contact Robert Keen for details at 883-4813.
Quantity/Size TotalRally Posters10x24 $20 ea. ________ ________7x17 $10 ea. ________ ________
Pins $5 ea. ________ ________Patches $5 ea. ________ ________
2002 Rally T-ShirtsShort Sleeve $5 ea. ____________ ________Long Sleeve $10 ea. ____________ ________
TOTAL ENCLOSED ________
Land of Enchantment Shop-A-Rama!Now’s your chance to stock up on all that Club Merchandise you’ve been lusting over. Rally shirts from the 2003 and 2002 rallies, Rally posters, LOE BMW R club t-shirts, pins and patches… what more could you need? Fill out the form below (cut it out or photocopy it), and send it in with a check made payable to:
LOE BMW R PO Box 92095, Albuquerque, NM 87199
Please Print
Name ___________________________________________________________________________________
Address _________________________________________________________________________________
City _________________________________________________________ State ______ Zip ____________
E-mail __________________________________________________________________________________
4 The Legendary Shaft
Join the LOE BMW RidersYearly dues are $15. For more information or to pay:
Land of Enchantment BMW RidersPO Box 92095Albuquerque, NM87199-2095
www.nmbmwmc.org
or call Michelle Williams at (505) 291-8396.
Friday-Saturday, April 2-3Ride to Trinity Atomic Bomb Test SiteOk, you’ve told yourself you’re going to go someday since the site is only open to the public two days a year. Well, that someday has come. We’ll spend the night at a motel in Socorro so we can be in line for the opening of the gate early Saturday morning. We may be forced to stop at the Owl or Mannie’s in San Antonio for hamburgers afterwards. Bill Koup will be our contact person and arrange motel accommodations.
Wednesday, April 7Rally Committee MeetingHelp plan the biggest club event of the year, and have a great dinner too. Meet at O’Neil’s Uptown at 6pm. Contact RJ Mirabal for information at 299-4916 or [email protected].
Saturday, April 17GS Day RideThis will be a reprise of the John Ephlin Memorial Ditch Jump (minus the actual jump of course!) and will leave the Chevron station at Central and Tramway at 9am. We will do the 4th of July Canyon loop and sev-eral other dirt excursions on our way to lunch in Mountainair. Call Robert Keen for more information at 883-4813.
Thursday, April 29Music by the Watermelon Mtn Jug BandOur own musical prodigy Gary Oleson and his band of international reknown will be playing at the Range in Bernalillo starting at 7pm.
Thursday, April 29Music by the Watermelon Mtn Jug BandThen on Friday the band will play
at the Colinas del Norte Elementary School in Rio Rancho. Go show those kids how BMW bikers can get down and dance. Show starts at 6:30pm.
Saturday-Sunday, May 1-2Sandia ClassicYou saw and heard it last year or wish you did, so it’s back with not only Vintage Racing (AHMRA), but motocross and a lot more. For your fi x of racing and gorgeous unmuffl ed moto sounds, set this weekend aside. LOE BMW R is planning to have a more visible presence in the form of some kind of chronological ride-in and display of BMW machinery owned and operated by our club members all the way from /2’s to the latest K bikes and oilheads (to say nothing of the chained and belted 650’s). Much more info to fol-low from Vintage junkie, Mark Winslow.
Wednesday, May 5Rally Committee MeetingHelp plan the biggest club event of the year, and have a great dinner too. Meet at O’Neil’s Uptown at 6pm. Contact RJ Mirabal for information at 299-4916 or [email protected].
Friday-Sunday, May 7-9Annual Ice Cream RideRobert Keen will be concocting yet another creamy delight for dirt and pave-ment (don’t use the excuse you’re an exclusive road rider to bow out of this weekend). Glenwood will once again be the home base for this weekend of calorie free (not!) frolic. Ask Robert for details.
Thursday, May 20Music by the Watermelon Mtn Jug BandGary Oleson once again burns up his washtub bass with his band at the
L O E BM W R On the RoadAPRIL MAY
SUNDAY MON TUES WED THURS FRI SATURDAY
1 2Trinity
3Ride
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17GS Ride
18Chick’s Ride
19 20 21 22 23 24Laughlin Rally, NV
25 26 27 28 29 30 1
SUNDAY MON TUES WED THURS FRI SATURDAY
2Sandia Classic
3 4 5 6 7 8
9Ice Cream Ride
10 11 12 13 14 15
16Chick’s Ride
17 18 19 20 21 22
23PITS Rally, AZ
24 25 26 27 28 29Red River Rally
30 31
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Range in Bernalillo starting at 7pm.
Friday-Sunday, May 21-23PITS Rally in HeberMany club members attend this annual rally in Arizona, so why not make it an official club event to provide opportunities to hook up with other riders making their way west with companions instead of going it alone. Mark Winslow will volunteer to serve as a clearing house for who’s going when, and if you want to link up.
& Beyond…
Saturday, June 5Bill’s CabinThe scenery of the mountains west of Las Vegas, NM, is not to be missed nor is a bowl of Bill Koup’s homemade chile. Great little twisty paved road with some very moderate dirt up to his cabin will keep it interesting. For the GS riders, a ride to a high overlook further west is worth the detour.
Sunday, June 13Res’ RideMany looked forward last year to this ride up to Cuba and west through the Navajo Reservation to Crownpoint/Grants, but, alas, foul weather forced postpone-ment. Well, it ‘s back on. Sharpen your braking skills avoiding the ubiquitous goat herds that take leisurely strolls across the highway. Gary Cade will still be the contact guy (maybe!).
Sunday, June 27Michelle’s Grape RideAll club rides are for everybody, but couples are particularly encouraged to join in after Sunday breakfast at Hurricane ‘s as we head for the Ponderosa Winery in the Jemez Mountains near Jemez Pueblo. Great wine tasting will add a touch of romance to this ride. Singles and solo riders: don ‘t be bash-ful and come along, too! Michelle Williams is the Grape Girl to contact.
National Events
Wednesday-Sunday, April 21-25Laughlin River Run Rally, Laughlin, NVwww.laughlinriverrun.com
Thursday-Sunday, May 20-23Aspen Cash Rally, Ruidoso, NMwww.motorcyclerally.com
Friday-Sunday, May 21-23Thunder Mountain Rendezvous, Cedaredge, COHeld at a beautiful campground on the south slope of the Grand Mesa. $25 pre-registration before May 1st, $30 afterwards. For more informa-tion go to bmwriders.net or call George Barnes at (970) 625-9450.
Friday-Sunday, May 28-31Red River Memorial Day Rally, Red River, NMwww.redrivernewmex.com
Friday-Monday, July 9-12Rally in PaoniaLocated 70 miles southwest of Glenwood Springs, CO on Hwy 133. $30 until 6/21, $35 at the gate, kids 8-15 $15, and under 8 are free. There is also an orga-nized ride leaving Paonia on for the MOA International Rally in Spokane. For more information go to colorado-beemers.com or contact Deb Lower at (719) 510-9452, [email protected]
Thursday-Sunday, July 15-18National MOA Rally in SpokaneThere will probably be some orga-nized LOE BMW R effort to ride to this rally if you want road compan-ions. More details TBA. Iron Butts may make these two major BMW rallies into a July Grand Tour!
Friday-Sunday, July 16-18Fire & Ice Bike Rally, Grants, NMwww.fireandicebikerally.com
Friday-Sunday, July 16-18Vintage Motorcycle Days, OHThe AMA’s VMD will feature BMW and promises to be the largest gathering of vintage BMW’s ever in the world. The Vintage BMW Motorcycle Owners, the world’s largest vintage BMW club, has made plans to hold their first rally at the VMD event. Look for future announce-ments in the AMA’s magazine, at www.ama-cycle.org or at vintagebmw.org
All stories © by the individual authors, used by permission.
Talk about knee dragging! I have it on good authority that despite the air between the rear tire and the pavement, the bike stayed afloat and did it a few more times!
6 The Legendary Shaft
Monday-Sunday, August 9-15Sturgis Rally, Sturgis, SDwww.sturgis.com
Thursday-Sunday, September 2-5Four Corners Iron Horse Rally, Durango, COwww.fourcornersrally.com
Chick’s Rides
Chick’s Harley-Davidson rides are open to all brands. BMW Cruisers especially. Ha!
Ladies Lunch RidesJoin other lady riders once a month for a great time. All ladies, all bikes, alright! Call Katie at 856-1600 for a schedule. (Lunch courtesy of Chick’s. All bikes welcome.) Sunday, April 18 – Breast Cancer Benefit Ride: Ride to raise $$$ and awareness for the American Cancer Society. Ride leaves Chick’s at 9am. Breakfast burritos at 8am.
Sunday, May 16 – Journey Back 700 Years at El Morro National Monument (125 miles). Spectacular views, historic petroglyphs & juicy Rex’s burgers! Ride leaves Chick’s at 10am. Lunch: $5.
Sunday, June 13 – Old West Run: Cerrillos, 44 miles. Cruise the Turquoise Trail and blast to the past in the former min-ing districtof Cerrillos. Ride leaves Chick’s at 12:30pm. Rex’s Burgers: $5.
July 2-5 – Three Nights in Telluride: Telluride, CO, 320 miles. Spend the weekend parading and gazing as Telluride celebrates the 4th of July! Ride leaves Chick’s at 7am on Friday. Call (800) 525-3455 for reservations.
Sunday, July, 11 – Summer Ski Run: Vadito, 118 miles. Fabulous ride into the Sangre de Cristo Mountains to the Sipapu Ski Resort. Ride leaves Chick’s at 9am.
Chick’s Annual BRAG® Regional Rally in Taos: August 13-15 – Get on your Buell® and join us for a weekend of fearless riding through the northern mountains of New Mexico. We’ll leave Chick’s at 3pm on Friday and head to Taos. Call Sagebrush Inn for reserva-tions at (800) 428-3626 by July 15 and
mention BRAG® Regional Rally.
All the News that Fits
Sunday Morning Weather Advisory (or) Good-bye Hurricane’s, Hello Twistersby Robert KeenChange happens and sometimes it is for the best. IMHO the situation at Hurricane’s had become untenable for both the club and the restaurant. We stressed both their cooking and wait staff as witnessed by those who attended the last breakfast when we were served both cold food and hot criticism by our waitress. If Hurricane’s manage-ment tolerates such situations then they deserve the consequences. We have a choice in where we spend our time and money and I believe Twisters offers a much more pleasant environment. Your comments are welcome. Robert Keen:[email protected], 883-4813, 280-2315.
National Motorcycle Racing Series returns to New Mexico by Mark WindslowAlbuquerque, NM- March 18, 2004- The Second Annual AHRMA (American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association) Sandia Classic vintage race weekend is slated for Apr. 30th through May 2nd in Albuquerque. Motorcycle rac-ers from across the nation will convene for 2 days of intense action. Vintage roadracing will be featured with the Battle of the Legends®, as well as the ever popular bike shows, swap meet, ven-dors and trials exhibition. Race bikes of the 50’s through the 80’s including BSA, Bultaco, Husquavarna, Triumph, Norton, Matchless, Honda, and BMW will compete along with hand-shift-ing 1930’s and 40’s Harley-Davidson and Indian racers. Vintage motocross, dirt track and modern supermoto races will complete the largest competitive motorcycling event in New Mexico.
At last year’s event, Jay Springsteen, 3-time AMA Grand National Champion, turned up the juice in the Formula 750 class. This year, Jay returns on his Harley XR750 TT and will be challenged by Reg Pridmore, 3-time AMA Superbike Champion on a CR750 Honda along with 2-time AMA Grand National Champion Gary Nixon on a Rob North framed
LOE BMW R OfficersPresident:
Robert Keen, 883-4813 [email protected]
Vice President: RJ Mirabal, 299-4916 rjmirabal@ centralpets.com
Secretary/Treasurer: Michelle Williams, 291-8396, alwaysontask@ yahoo.com
Activity Committee: RJ Mirabal, 299-4916 [email protected]
Newsletter: David Wilson, 232-0266 [email protected]
Newsletter Delivery: Lynn Coburn, 266-4449, nmmagnolia@ juno.com
Rally Chair: RJ Mirabal, 299-4916 rjmirabal@ centralpets.com
The Legendary Shaft 7
Triumph T150 Triple in the Battle of the Legends®. In motocross, Jeff Smith 2-time World 500cc Motocross Champion will be racing along with Jim Pomeroy, International Motocross Champion and Brad Lackey, AMA National and FIM World Motocross champion.. Attendees will also have an opportunity to meet 2 time AMA National Champion and 1970 Daytona 200 winner, Dick Mann. All are AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame inductees.
The 2004 Sandia Classic motorcycle races are bigger and better than ever with the addition of national points races for vintage and post-vintage motocross and vintage dirt track. A Supermoto cash purse race will also be featured running on a part dirt, part paved track. Modern racers will compete in the Sounds of Singles and Battle of Twins events. In the Battle of the Twins, fans will see newer race bikes from Aprilla, Ducati and Harley Davidson. A new rider roadracing school is scheduled for Friday, April 30th. Over 400 racers are expected to participate in this year’s 2 day event.
Motocross fans can enjoy the sights and sounds of vintage racing in 125, 250 and 500cc classes on the new Sandia Motocross Park track, adjacent to the Sandia Motor Speedway. Both tracks are located 4 miles west of I-40 exit 149, off of the south frontage road. The $10 daily ticket includes admission to road racing, motocross, pits, swap meet and bike shows. Both roadracing and motocross events will be held Saturday, May 1 and Sunday, May 2. Those interested in racing in the motocross events can register for Jim Pomeroy’s Motocross School that will be held Friday, April 30th, 2004.
Dirt track racing will be held Sunday, May 2nd at the 3/8th mile Hollywood Hills Speedway, start-ing at 11 am. Admission is only $10 for a full day of
wheel to wheel action. Hollywood Hills is located off I-25, exit 252 between Albuquerque and Santa Fe. For off-road riders, there’ll even be a back road, dual sport ride to the dirt track.
We’re kicking of the Sandia Classic race weekend with a “Meet the Racers” party Friday, April 30th from 6-8pm at Chick’s Harley-Davidson/Buell. This is a free event, open to the public. There, you can meet the legends of the past and see these history making machines up close.
For complete information visit our website at: sandiaclassic.net or con-tact Mark Winslow, [email protected], 291-8396
We’ll see you when the flag drops!
Write! Send in your stories, opinions, pictures, gripes… we publish anything! Send your contributions to:
David Wilson5700 Copper NE #B34Albuquerque, NM 87108
(505) [email protected]
Computer files are easiest for me, sent as the body of your email or an attachment saved as ascii (text). Or you can fax it, or scribble on a piece of paper and mail it. I don’t care! And don’t forget lots and lots of pictures.
(505) 546-2193(800) 626-3338
DEMING CYCLE CENTERHONDA - YAMAHA - BMW - POLARIS
www.demingcycle.com [email protected]
MARCI J. KEELER General Manager DEMING, NM 88030
FOR THE WORLD AHEAD.Scott Kuhns, General ManagerBill Morris, Parts and Accessories ManagerJanet Kovacik, Service Manager
MOTORSPORT®
LIFE IS ONE VICIOUS CYCLE AFTER ANOTHER.
1-800-750-9007 IN ALBUQUERQUE (505) 884-9000 ON MONTGOMERY JUST WEST OF LOUISIANA
Sales, Service, PartsBMW Riders Wear
2578 Camino EntradaSanta Fe, New Mexico 87505
(505) 474-00661-888-774-0066
Service•Sales•Parts•Accessories
www.santafebmw.com
Note: Classified ads run for 3 months, then are deleted unless I’m told to keep them running.
Land of Enchantment BMW RidersPO Box 92095Albuquerque, NM 87199-2905
R 25/3Another greatly successful postwar machine, the single-cylinder R 25/3 introduced several worthy innovations. Chief among them was its newly shaped gas tank, telescopic front forks, full-width hubs and 18-inch alloy rims. With its comfortable riding position and superior reliability, the durable and extremely reliable R 25/3 was an ideal commuter motorcycle, as evidenced by its outstanding fi gures of 47,700 model units sold. (A record which would stand for nearly fi fty years, until the F 650 and R 1100 RT models would break it in the 1990s.) Even though it has only 13hp, the model found in the Mobile Tradition Exhibit is capable of reaching a top speed of 73 mph.
T HE R E A R V I E WMotorcycle from the collection of Peter Nettsheim. Text from the BMW Motorrad USA Mobile Tradition Exhibition Catalogue.