The FEBRUARY 2018 NEWSletter of the: WEST MICHIGAN RIDERS CHARTERED CLUB: BMW MOA - 230 / BMW RA – 109 www.wmbmwr.org wmbmwriders@charter.net CLUB OFFICERS 2017: President: Ethan Powsner 616-965-1765 epowsner@gmail.com Vice President: Dave Winn 616-696-3864 dfwinn@charter.net Treasurer/Editor: Bill Dirkmaat 616-263-9110 wmbmwriders@charter.net Secretary: Tony Wolfer 616-874-1231 ajcjwolfer@chartermi.net Member at Large: Allan Dewey 616-647-8569 cdewey@aol.com _________________________________________________________________________________________________ PREMISE for the CLUB: Most of our members have busy lives and the club offers a chance for riders to get together and expand their riding horizons. The CLUB’S GOAL is to enhance the enjoyment and safety of riding our motorcycles. We aim to provide opportunities for area riders to get together to: share stories, ride together, improve riding skills, take care of our motorcycles and create great memories. We welcome all motorcycle enthusiasts from the casual rider to the world travelers. February 20, 2018 – The temperature is climbing again (just another tease), but the rain is non-stop. Glad for that it isn’t colder and snowing, can’t fathom how deep it would be. Not a lot going on this month, just waiting for the weather. It’s a good time to plan for the summer and get yourself and your motorcycle ready. We are still looking for volunteers to plan and lead a ride. Look at the NOTE below. Till next month, Bill Dirkmaat SEND AN EMAIL RESPONSE TO ME AT: wmbmwriders@charter.net or Mail to: West Michigan Riders 11801 Hoskins NE Cedar Springs, Mi. 49319 ------CLIP & SAVE------------------------------------------------------------------------CLIP & SAVE------------------------------------------------------ CLIP & SAVE------------------------------------------- BREAKFAST / MEETINGS / RIDES: Most are held on the THIRD Sunday of the month unless otherwise noted. We meet at 9:00 AM at: NEW BEGINNINGS RESTAURANT 4735 Lake Michigan Dr. (¼ mile west of Wilson Ave.) Standale, Mi. Their phone number is 616-735-4902. --- 2018 --- MARCH 18 Breakfast / Meeting (3RD SUNDAY) APRIL 15 Breakfast / Meeting / Ride (3RD SUNDAY) Spring Ride MAY 20 Breakfast / Meeting / Ride (3RD SUNDAY) JUNE 10 Breakfast / Meeting / Ride (2ND SUNDAY) Gilmore Museum ? JULY 15 Breakfast / Meeting / Ride (3RD SUNDAY) AUGUST 19 Breakfast / Meeting / Ride (3RD SUNDAY) Memorial Ride SEPTEMBER 16 Breakfast / Meeting / Ride (3RD SUNDAY) Observation Ride OCTOBER 21 Breakfast / Meeting / Ride (3RD SUNDAY) Color Tour NOVEMBER 18 Breakfast / Meeting (3RD SUNDAY) DECEMBER 16 Breakfast / Meeting (3RD SUNDAY) ------CLIP & SAVE--------------------------------------------------------------------CLIP & SAVE---------------------------------------------------------- CLIP & SAVE------------------------------------------- NOTE: As you can see we have our 2018 schedule with all but June on the 3rd Sunday. The Rides after the breakfasts are still in need of volunteers to plan and lead them. If you are interested in doing any of these, please let me know. Email me (Bill D.) at wmbmwriders@charter.net and I will be glad to answer any questions you may have as to what we require.

DISCLAIMER: We are just motorcycle enthusiasts that get together to eat, socialize, and ride. You are expected to ride within your limits. You are expected to wear appropriate safety gear, ride a safely maintained machine, and follow reasonable group riding etiquette. We welcome riders of all skill levels, ages, gender, and marques. You will likely find like-minded members who ride at your level of skill. The WEST MICHIGAN RIDERS assume no responsibility for your safety, state of mind, or degree of fun you’ll experience with us. You as an individual are responsible for your own actions and behavior.

CLUB BREAKFAST/MEETING - FEBRUARY 18, 2018 by Bill Dirkmaat It’s not like last month, but better than it could be. A little snowfall last night, the main roads are basically wet and decent enough to get me there again. No motorcycles this month. Today’s hearty souls; Al Dewey, Mike Hankinson, Gordy Hankinson, John and Diane Obermeyer, Ethan Powsner, Dave Winn, Lester Allen, Mikey Belcher and me. The table talk varies depending where you sat. It was all motorcycle related of course! Come on spring, we’re ready! Hope that March will bring us a chance to ride to the breakfast on Sunday the 18th.

Thought I would share our sunrise from yesterday (Feb. 16, 2018). All is well with both Joanne and I, full recovery seems to be the case. We have had nice weather since our arrival, one day that had a couple of rain showers but that's been it. Enjoying the sunshine and warm temps, in the high 80's during the day and high 60's to low 70's at night. It sounds like it has been mild a few times up there, both my brothers are qualifying for "rounder" status so far this year. "Hi" to everyone from us!! Bill & Joanne Hankinson

I did a 108 Mile ride, 1st West Michigan Riders member to get to the “New” Mini-Rally location. Hi Bill, I’m officially turning in my submission to the West MI BMW Riders for the “2018 1st Annual Award for 1st Club Member to arrive at the Mini Rally”. I arrived today just after noon to check out the new location. It is on a gravel road, suitable for all those wild GS Types and even one old K75 Rider. Didn’t appear to be anybody there today, one old car with Illinois plates on it and an old pickup blocking the main drive back in behind the house. Few picnic tables but hard to judge just how the rally will shake out. Should be interesting to see the changes from the old location. Didn’t see any close bye Wal-Marts etc. like at the Fawn River location. Many very neat roads to ride in that area, and I know of a couple small lakes for fishing near there as well. Total 108 miles for the day after a break in ride yesterday of just 36 miles later in the day.

January 26, 2018 Mike Hankinson

G310GS NEW MODEL INTRODUCTION Saturday - March 17, 2018

RALLIES FOR 2018:

BMW Club of Battle Creek hosts the 46th Annual Original Mini-Rally May 4th-6th, 2018

Have you heard the news??? Our Mini-Rally Is Moving to a New Location!!! We Have a Great New Venue for the 46th Annual Original Mini-Rally Circle Pines Center 8650 Mullen Rd. Delton, MI 49046 For more info, visit BMW Club of Battle Creek www.bcbmwclub.com Link to Circle Pines Center: www.circlepinescenter.org

BMW MOTORCYCLES OF GRAND RAPIDS SHOP WINTER HOURS: 5995 SOUTH DIVISION SUN / MON CLOSED GRAND RAPIDS, MI 49548 TUE -- FRI 10:00A – 6:00P 616.530.6900 SAT 10:00A – 3:00P GPS: LATITUDE: 42.85524 | LONGITUDE: 85.66399

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