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March 7th Captain Report
April Newsletter
Lets Keep Riding Safe and Fun
March 7th Captain Report
By Pete Aker
Chaparral Riders Club is growing every month, last count we have 70 members. That makes our club ride
on Sunday’s very large. March 7th was the biggest club ride so far, there were 40 bikes and 48
riders and co-riders. We line up in front of Chaparral Motorsports and it was the first day of the year that
was gorgeous, a perfect day for a ride. We did start off with a problem; Wyly’s bike shifter came off.
John Wilson and John Tolle franticly were trying to get it fix before we left, but no luck. So we had to
leave them, it was getting hot sitting on the bikes in the sun.
First through San Bernadino to San Timoteo Canyon to Live Oak, as a big group we all were doing
good. At the 10 freeway we waited for Wyly and both Johns, it was getting hot so off again. Linda my
better half, thought it would be a good ride thru Wildwood Canyon to hook up with the 10 to Palm
Springs, but with this large group there was way too many stop signs. Linda says SORRY. David
McDaniel and John Hodge were helping to keep the group together, as they were doing stop sign duty.
Which was a big help but still illegal. We got on the 10 to Cabazon for a short potty break, then heading
to the 111 thru Palm Spring. The traffic light gods were with us, we hit most of them green to our first
schedule stop at the 111 and 74.
We are now a smaller group, (as a few bikes had to head home), we headed for the twist and turns on
the 74 going to 341. Where the challenge and testing of our skills were put to the test and everyone did
an excellent job. It was cooler up in the hills about 4000 feet. The country side is gorgeous with the snow
cap mountains in the distance. Now on the 341, our next turn is Wilson Valley. Before we got there some
riders smelled casino, we lost them to Cahuilla casino. A few missed the right turn to Wilson Valley and
David McDaniel rounded them up, thanks David. Next stop was Hemet for lunch, we were all starving.
Over all everyone did very well and thanks to all. I would like to thank the following riders for helping
me with the ride: Connie V., David Mc., John H., Eddie H., and Jonh T for taking the pictures.
A Special Thank You
As Road Captain we ask for aTail Gunner, on this trip I had Connie Vaughn. I wish I had an award for
outstanding Tail Gunner because Connie gets it. Let me tell you what happen. Terry's bike was acting up
when we pull away from our rest stop, two riders stop and miss understood what Terry had said. So off
they drove to catch up with the group. When Connie saw Terry, she pull over to find out what was
wrong. His bike quit running but had restarted. He was going to try to make it home. Connie would not
let him stay by himself. His bike dies again and they left it at Sears. They both decide that the Honda
wasn't going any where, (No I said Honda not Harley) now Connie had a co-rider back to Corona.
Thanks to Connie; A great Tail Gunner
I would also like to make another very important note, a club member Daniel Hoeft, E-Mail me after
viewing the pictures, and this is his observation and first hand experience in the emergency room....â
€œLooked at the pictures of the March 7th ride, and they were very nice. Even though it was warm, I
was a little disappointed is seeing riders in T-Shirts, with no long sleeve jacket protection. I know how
difficult it is to force yourself to put on a jacket in warm and hot weather, but just go down once with a T-
Shirt on, and the heat of the day will be no match for the heat and damage caused by road rash. Sit in an
emergency room, and have some nurse brush out dirt and gravel with no numbing agent on an open
wound, and I think some riders would change their minds about jackets. I really believe wearing proper
safety gear should be stressed to all riders all the times, even though they might not agree or choose to
take the advice. It's sort of is a disclaimer. Then they are on their own to suffer if it happens.�.