VTX Riders of Washington Site

[Hodad]

I was surprised by the posting that Indy was closing the site down. I probably shouldn't have been. Maintaining a site is a tough job. I've been thinking about a way to become more involved with our group and the only way I know of is by what I do for a living.

I want you to know, I have high hopes for another site for our group. I've wanted to set something up, but we had the old board and I wasn't too sure about how everyone would feel about it. I think it's important for us to have a place tailored to our liking where we can gather and share info on our passion. I've been a member on VTXOA for going on a year. I love the place and made alot of friends here, and manage to piss off a few but hopefully not too many. :wink: I love the format of this board, it's flexible and would meet our needs well into the future. I am in the process of setting up something offline. To see what the overhead in managing this software and what the costs of running it might be. I need to know what you all think about this?

I plan to talk this over with Chris our Coordinator and see what he thinks of all this. I'd like to talk with Indy and see how the current system is setup and all. I am willing to put my time and energy into getting this off the ground and I know I will need some help and backup. So, lets talk about it here and see where we want this to go.

Thanks, and Ride Safe!

Al

[Grinch]

Thanks, Al.
I've been involved with the group since the get-go (almost a year and a half... can you believe it???), and would love to help out. I cannot commit to anything that requires a major chunk of time on a regular basis due to my being a student... but I'll help if I can!
There was talk, about a year ago, about creating some kind of "vice-coordinator" position, to more evenly distribute the load that's currently on Chris. It would also help to balance things from east to west, a bit. This is still a viable issue, I think. The really big issue (IMHO) is getting folks to get on the board! Maybe this new(er) format will entice folks... I belong to another group that uses this same format, and it works quite well. Also, like Chris mentioned on Saturday, let's post up about ANY rides we hear about! They don't have to be sponsored by, thought up by or - in any other way - planned by a member of our group! Toy runs, charity runs... other groups (like the S.C.R.C.) have rides all the time! Perhaps there's a way to set up a mutual notification network, where groups that are riding can notify one of us or post up their rides to other group's forums??? (...just thinking out loud!)
The Grinch

[Hodad]

Thanks for all the info Grinch. Appreciate your time. I think you're right on the money. Content is everything. Build it and they will stop by, make it informative, have some nice interactive content and people will settle in. Doesn't happen overnight and without alot of effort. I work with these things all the time so I know what it will take. What would be nice is to have at least one other person to help keep tabs on things and a couple to help moderate and inform new people. Any help anyone would be willing to give will make it that much better.

Hope more people stop by and give some insight as to what they'd like to see.

Take care. Al

I just checked out the new VTXWA site on Delphi. It requires cookies to be enabled for one to participate. I won't do that; there is no need for cookies to make a site work and I value my privacy. I won't be participating in that forum, so I am doubly glad this chapter forum came along when it did - one stop shopping.

[Hodad]

I don't either Bill. I check in once in awhile at the VTX Forum but I don't like all the ads and stuff. I am going hang out here. I want to concentrate on riding this summer. Have the bike just the way I want it so it's ready to ride. If you have somewhere you'd like to ride Bill, let me know maybe we can actually ride together this time round. Might look at my proposed run to Neah bay.


Take care buddy, I will be posting some nice pics of the run. You might like those.

Al

[Grinch]

Thanks for all the info Grinch. Appreciate your time. I think you're right on the money. Content is everything. Build it and they will stop by, make it informative, have some nice interactive content and people will settle in. Doesn't happen overnight and without alot of effort. I work with these things all the time so I know what it will take. What would be nice is to have at least one other person to help keep tabs on things and a couple to help moderate and inform new people. Any help anyone would be willing to give will make it that much better.

Hope more people stop by and give some insight as to what they'd like to see.

Take care. Al
Let me know if there's something we (I) can do to help out.
A note on the Delphi forum Tony Meier is hosting...for about $15 a year, I'm ad free... I use several other Delphi forums, so it's well worth it, to me. Cookies or no, I have had zero security/privacy issues with Delphi. That said, I also think we need to go either there, or here. Having two choices makes for a split that we're too small to really benefit from. I think we need to consolidate, but I'm not sure, exactly, how to make that happen. Let me know...

[Hodad]

Thanks for all the info Grinch. Appreciate your time. I think you're right on the money. Content is everything. Build it and they will stop by, make it informative, have some nice interactive content and people will settle in. Doesn't happen overnight and without alot of effort. I work with these things all the time so I know what it will take. What would be nice is to have at least one other person to help keep tabs on things and a couple to help moderate and inform new people. Any help anyone would be willing to give will make it that much better.

Hope more people stop by and give some insight as to what they'd like to see.

Take care. Al
Let me know if there's something we (I) can do to help out.
A note on the Delphi forum Tony Meier is hosting...for about $15 a year, I'm ad free... I use several other Delphi forums, so it's well worth it, to me. Cookies or no, I have had zero security/privacy issues with Delphi. That said, I also think we need to go either there, or here. Having two choices makes for a split that we're too small to really benefit from. I think we need to consolidate, but I'm not sure, exactly, how to make that happen. Let me know...


I don't think I am going that route. Unless Lamont removes the forum, I will be here. I think I am bowing out of the big group club thing altogether some things bothered me about this whole transition. I don't care for that forum and won't pay to get rid of ads. I like choices no reason for us to have only one.

I understand your position Grinch, you have to do what's right for you.

Peaceful Riding my Friend.

[Grinch]

I don't think I am going that route. Unless Lamont removes the forum, I will be here. I think I am bowing out of the big group club thing altogether some things bothered me about this whole transition. I don't care for that forum and won't pay to get rid of ads. I like choices no reason for us to have only one.

I understand your position Grinch, you have to do what's right for you.

Peaceful Riding my Friend.
I appreciate your position, too. Frankly, I'm getting a little overwhelmed with the number of forums I'm monitoring. Choices are, indeed, good... but too many makes for indecision and loss of focus.
Because of the early (for lack of a better word) failure of this group to really gel, many (most) WAVTXers looked elsewhere. Many went to other riding groups (like the SCRC) and have paid little attention to the VTX group. Some hung on, checking in on the forum from time to time, but most sought other outlets and means of connecting with other riders... VTX or otherwise! Tony Meier even tried setting up a Puget Sound VTX rider's group. It didn't take off.
The reason behind my comments in the previous post was to try to point out that we are NOT a group! We're a bunch of stragglers that a few people have tried to keep from losing contact with each other. I set up a ride, last fall...there was interest on the forum, but when it came down to actually making a commitment to the group, and riding with fellow VTXers, only a handful showed up. There's a lot of work that goes in to setting up a major state-wide event... more than one person can reasonably be expected to do. knarF likened it to "trying to push start a Mack truck...by yourself". It's very discouraging to put that kind of effort into something, then having only 6 or 7 "core" people show up. Chris, his friend Rod, our buddy Jim (from Oregon), RODDO, knarF and myself have been this "core group". Getting more people involved makes a person feel like the effort was worth it. The ride/meet-up in Leavenworth was as close as we've gotten to getting a real group together... and it fizzled, badly.
Other states have had considerable success in gelling the VTX community into a cohesive unit that actually enjoys the company of other VTXers, and puts a priority on that group remaining intact. So far, this hasn't happened in this state... and we've been at it since very early 2003.
What's the answer??? I don't know! What I DO know is: too many choices makes making a decision harder, not easier. With all the choices people have outside the VTX community, until we have a clear path to follow within the VTX community, we're not going to form a cohesive riding group. This is not to say that we should require attendance or allegiance, or exclusivity... we just need a single path to follow. Right now, that path is still not available.
I've been dragged back to this group once, after deciding it wasn't worth the effort. If it fizzles again, I'm afraid I'll end up just letting it go - completely and forever. I belong to another group, and there's plenty to do with it. I'd like to see other VTXers get seriously involved, and offer some degree of commitment and energy toward making the WAVTXers fly. We enjoy each other's company (for the most part, I think! :lol: ), and we're diverse enough to make it interesting - if we can make it work!
As with all things in a free country, each individual has to make the choice. We all have to do what's right for us. There are at least 64 people who were on the roster on IndyJ's website. We had 25 bikes show up in Leavenworth. There've been - what... 5 or 6 people post to this site... 2 or 3 posted to Tony's "new" site... What I'm saying is without clear direction, this group is going to be like raindrops on a windshield. Come together briefly, then part and never see the other again.
Sorry for the diatribe... I think we're approaching the make-or-break point... and it ain't looking like "make" to me.
Ride your own ride...
The Grinch

[Hodad]

To be honest with you Grinch, I gave the org a shot. I went to the site, asked for patches and different other things and wasn't helped. There was no content at all. I like it here, the tech board, general board and all the others. One stop, all the content you would want. I can post pics and share them with whomever and I can't count how many people I've met and made friends with. I thought it would be cool to do this on the Leavenworth ride. You think it fizzled? I thought it was great. Finally met people I've only messaged with. A couple I know that I'll ride again with for sure.

People gotta do what they gotta do. I'm one of them. I have my own ideas as well. I said I didn't care for Delphi, I do check in there cause I know a few people that don't come here, but I prefer it here. I'm an addict I can't get enough of this site. Lamont keeps it up to date and it's fast and reliable thanks to Tapper who tweek and tuned it. Heck, he's even thinking about going further. I didn't have to beg to have a change made, just asked and got a hangout. So, I will stand by this if it sinks or swims. I will post some places I'd like to go, and hopefully someone will wanna run. Simple to me.

Your thoughts are welcome Grinch and you are welcome. I will not do anything to cause any grief to those you mentioned. I enjoyed meeting everyone.

Ride safe.

[Grinch]

the Leavenworth ride. You think it fizzled? I thought it was great. Finally met people I've only messaged with. A couple I know that I'll ride again with for sure.
By "fizzled", I guess what I meant was... where did it go? We had all these folks together and what happened? Everyone split up into different groups to hang out for a short while, then departed in small groups. It was successful, in that it got more Washington Xers together than we've ever had, before... but there was nothing planned to do with that gathering! No ride, no function, etc. It's hard to plan things, when your communications are convoluted or non-unified. That's my point!
Don't get me wrong! I like this place, and I like the format! By suggesting unification, I was not attacking or denegrating this site! I just think we need to be focused, and having two forums doesn't accomplish that.

[Hodad]

You make excellent points Grinch. No arguing that. I wish I could tell you my thoughts in a way that wouldn't harm the collective good. I can only tell you from my POV.

I wasn't expecting much, what I did expect, was met. So for me, mission accomplished. I don't know you and the others very well at all. Certainly not well enough to know what makes you all tick. My first impressions were that things were cool, people looked to be having fun, the ride was safe and everyone got there in one piece. Me, I love bikes, All Bikes and seeing them all made my day. Only one person I knew really well cause we commute together and we rode home together. I had a blast with that. Meeting Bill and Bob and several others really meant alot.

So, my question is, what would be the major point of a ride? Many head for brewskis after, I don't so I congregated with similiar thinking bros. I am not judging just observing. When Chris held the meeting he gave people an opportunity to address the group, noone did and he dismissed the group. A missed opportunity? I don't know, this was my first outting. I would likely ride with the group again and hope to meet others.

Alot of people ask me how I do all this chatting, I work all day with these things and it breaks up my day and I don't mind. I like helping others connect and find things. I go outta my way to help people find things they're looking for and to help fix their bikes. It completes my day.

So, great exchange Grinch, enjoy the convo. Keep it safe Bro! :)

[Grinch]

So, my question is, what would be the major point of a ride? Many head for brewskis after, I don't so I congregated with similiar thinking bros. I am not judging just observing. One possible answer: When I suggested we arrive earlier than the original time suggested, I specifically mentioned that it would give those of us who wished to have a beer, the opportunity to do so, and still have enough time to do a group ride before we parted ways. Everyone took the first suggestion, and ignored the second.
When Chris held the meeting he gave people an opportunity to address the group, noone did and he dismissed the group. A missed opportunity? I don't know, this was my first outting. I would likely ride with the group again and hope to meet others.
Yup! You're 100% right! It's pretty much always that way. I "ran" the second meeting we ever had... in that very same spot! There were 7 bikes at that one! Nothing was decided, because there were too few of us there to make binding decisions for the rest of the group (or so we thought).
I've tried, through private emails, the old forum and in our limited face-to-face interactions, to get this idea of a unified goal - including the neccessary evils of structure and planning - acknowledged and addressed. You can see where it's gotten us! I don't feel the "meeting" in Leavenworth was the time to plan a group ride for that day. It needed to be done before we got there.
There seems to be a general aversion to formal "organization", and most people are content to just let a few handle the details, then show up if - and when - they feel like it. I guess that's OK for those who just do the showing up... but it's pretty thankless and discouraging if you're one of the (other) few. I'm not the type to just let others do the planning for an event in which I could have a say, but just don't. For me, the group is only as strong as it's membership. I have tried to contribute, as have a few others.
If communications are more unified, there'd (likely) be more people to help organize these events... and fewer people would walk away disapointed or disillusioned. My suggestions/questions are intended to make this enjoyable for all... not just some!
Thanks for the repartee.
The Grinch

even as of the meeting, I wasnt aware of this happening otherwise I would have tackle this during Leavenworth.

[knarF]

Well heres my 14.5 cents worth,,, lets ride our motorcycles and those that want to participate will,,, those that don't wont. Washington State VTXers will probably never be as succesfull as other states not because of one peticular reason but thats just how it is. If we only get together 2 or 3 times a year so be it. This is a big state with lots of oppertunities to ride. I have enough "structured" crap in my life I don't want my motorcycling time hindered by endless meetings and making fliers and all the stuff that goes along with making something successful. Who cares if Joe Blow from Hicksville never participates,,,,,HIS LOSS. Lets just move on and have as much fun as we can before its all over.

your 100% correct!

[Hodad]

I know a few of us will continue to hang out here and that's cool with me. The host of this site only require a couple of us to regularly use the forum, I think we'll manage.

Good luck in the future guys.

[TrainWreck]

Well heres my 14.5 cents worth,,, lets ride our motorcycles and those that want to participate will,,, those that don't wont. Washington State VTXers will probably never be as succesfull as other states not because of one peticular reason but thats just how it is. If we only get together 2 or 3 times a year so be it. This is a big state with lots of oppertunities to ride. I have enough "structured" crap in my life I don't want my motorcycling time hindered by endless meetings and making fliers and all the stuff that goes along with making something successful. Who cares if Joe Blow from Hicksville never participates,,,,,HIS LOSS. Lets just move on and have as much fun as we can before its all over.
I totally agree with you Frank. I love riding with you folk, and plan on going as often as I can with thE Xers.

[farmguy/ Dale]

heres my $ .01 worth.
(Im from the east side so I only get to add a penny)

I like this forum, as was said above, one stop shopping, no ads, plus I have wireless here so whenever I logged on to Delphi, the fastest way was to close out my firewall.. :x , so my early vote is for here, I like this one a bunch. Now, as far as a group goes, being involved in other non-profit volunteer groups, the sad reality is that a few people get the bulk of the work and burn out fast. I would like to be involved in the group as much as possible, however from my position being a eastsider and a minority AND a farmer my riding time is up for grabs, whenever theres I break in my schedule I go, on weekends as long as when I wake up and nothings broke, I get out of dodge FAST. For group meetings I will change my schedule to make them if possible. I have met very few people on bikes I cant get along with. And if I cant, just more miles between fill ups.lol I will ride with any kind of bike, I have hooked up with singles/ groups on the freeway( when waved in :D ) rode 50 -100 miles turned off with a wave never said a word or we stop for lunch laughed, told all my lies to new people, then rode away never to see them again. I wasnt able to make Leavenworth (see above about breakdowns) but I would like to meet a few westsiders, just to see why you like all tha dang rain if nothing else LOL...suns on the EAST SIDE guys...and I will support the group however I can.

Ok, I will get off the soapbox, so I can put the "X" on it to be polished for a ride this weekend. Keep the rubber side down and smile thru the bugs.

ps on the old forum I was listed as Dale W... :beer3:

[Hodad]

heres my $ .01 worth.
(Im from the east side so I only get to add a penny)

I like this forum, as was said above, one stop shopping, no ads, plus I have wireless here so whenever I logged on to Delphi, the fastest way was to close out my firewall.. :x , so my early vote is for here, I like this one a bunch. Now, as far as a group goes, being involved in other non-profit volunteer groups, the sad reality is that a few people get the bulk of the work and burn out fast. I would like to be involved in the group as much as possible, however from my position being a eastsider and a minority AND a farmer my riding time is up for grabs, whenever theres I break in my schedule I go, on weekends as long as when I wake up and nothings broke, I get out of dodge FAST. For group meetings I will change my schedule to make them if possible. I have met very few people on bikes I cant get along with. And if I cant, just more miles between fill ups.lol I will ride with any kind of bike, I have hooked up with singles/ groups on the freeway( when waved in :D ) rode 50 -100 miles turned off with a wave never said a word or we stop for lunch laughed, told all my lies to new people, then rode away never to see them again. I wasnt able to make Leavenworth (see above about breakdowns) but I would like to meet a few westsiders, just to see why you like all tha dang rain if nothing else LOL...suns on the EAST SIDE guys...and I will support the group however I can.

Ok, I will get off the soapbox, so I can put the "X" on it to be polished for a ride this weekend. Keep the rubber side down and smile thru the bugs.

ps on the old forum I was listed as Dale W... :beer3:

Hey Welcome Farmguy!

Leavenworth was cool and so is your side of the state. I loved it and plan to ride somemore over that ways. I don't love the rain, I tolerate it, ride in it and play in it, cuz if ya don't ya won't never do anything. :lol:

Hey, know about that farm stuff. Worked for 3 different farmers in Texas at one time. You farm boyz got it goin on dude.

Well, you take care. Stay as long as ya like and if ya ever git lonely fir some rain, come on over. I ride in any weather. Be glad to be your wingman.

:P

[knarF]

You know Chris will put you to work if you keep talking like that :D . I'm looking forward to riding the "other" side of the state here soon. I hear you got some real nice riding out that way. Will you be going to the Manson Rally?

[Hoosier]

How about a little info on the Manson Rally. Am only 150 miles from there and havn't heard of this one. Not much info gets posted here in the Spokane area. We need to keep lines of communication open for people like me that don't know where to look. What ever we do it's more fun with like minded people. (I remember how polarized the 60's were.) Sorry, starting to ramble. Would like info on Manson??

[Pstlpete9]

Hey all,
I am a newbie to the site, but I have had tons of helpful advice and encouragement from the people on this site. One more thing I'm wondering is that I have my name on the Washington VTX Patch list, and I was #4 and we needed 25, has anyone see them, If not they look nice,, so order up, so I can get mine. Later

[knarF]

http://www.lakechelanrally.com/

Here ya go

I'll be staying here for a few simple reasons. One stop shopping is at the head of the list. My primary interest in the original VTXOA forum was for technical information and that is still true. This is the place where VTX owners the world over come to ask questions and help each other out.

When it comes to organizations and rides, I usually go on 3-4 rides per year and they are usually a mix of cruisers, not just VTX. I enjoyed the Leavenworth ride, came over in a group of three and went home in a group of six. Personally I was a little bothered by all the talk of beers on the forum before the ride and wasn't looking forward to sharing the road wih a bunch of tired people who had been drinking. I got to meet several folks I had exchanged info with on the forum and considered the ride a day well spent. I was also glad to see some other bikes that looked as if they actually work for a living instead of just being chrome showpieces, way to go guys! I wasn't looking for a club meeting in the first place, so I wasn't dissappointed.

I don't think that WA has the population base to have an active and long lasting VTX only group. That's OK by me, my interest is in enjoying my motorcycle. I can do that alone or with like minded people, and it doesn't take an organization. Just my two cents

[Grinch]

When it comes to organizations and rides, I usually go on 3-4 rides per year and they are usually a mix of cruisers, not just VTX. I enjoyed the Leavenworth ride, came over in a group of three and went home in a group of six. Personally I was a little bothered by all the talk of beers on the forum before the ride and wasn't looking forward to sharing the road wih a bunch of tired people who had been drinking.
I've been riding with this group since it was formed. I've put a whole lot of miles in alongside my buddy knarF. I have never, EVER known any of these guys to get back on their rides with too much alcohol in their systems! I care about them, and would take away keys and even risk a strained relationship, rather than scrape their remains up off the road. That has NEVER stopped me nor some of these other fine folk from having a beer (or two) while away from home. Part of the discussion that went on in the other forum was asking for an earlier arrival time so we could drink a beer, and have the appropriate amount of time for the alcohol to leave our systems before getting back on the bikes. Leavenworth is known for it's extensive variety of (especially German) beer, and I always try to sample some when the opportunity to be in that town presents itself.
That you were bothered by people trying to plan their time and behavior to appropriately allow time to take a drink of beer bothers me. If that's the kind of chatter that bothers you, and this forum ends up being the "official" forum for us, I'm sure you'll see that kind of talk again. While I would never force someone to partake in an activity that was dangerous, I DO respect their right to not involve themselves. I know there are many, many people who, for whatever reason, choose to not imbibe. I completely respect that! But the connotation your message profers is that you fear this group is less than consciencious when it comes to drinking safely. I was far from tired, and I had a beer with my lunch. At least two other individuals, from the group of six you rode home with, had consumed a beer. I'm sorry you were put on guard by our chatter, but we are careful, and we look out for each other.

[Hoosier]

Thanx narF for the Manson website, got to reading it and forgot to come back to the forum. If info is what this site is about I think it worked just fine. Saw BilDal Mention about VTX only groupe, I know we are all VTX Owners but my wife rode to Leavenworth on her V-star Classic. Rather conspicuous as the only non VTX in the line up but I thought the ride was open to all. Am I reading to much into this??

[knarF]

I'm gonna go on a limb here :wink: and say this group is open to anyone. If you want to follow along in a 73 Dodge pick up thats fine. This is an open group and all are welcome to participate.

[Hodad]

Hey, it wasn't only Bill, I felt the same way. I don't know if there is any such thing as safe drinking in my book. But that's my opinion. There were others the felt the same way we did.

I'm with you Bill, Couple rides a year, org or not, it don't matter to me. I am tiring of all the "official" site stuff already. You wanna ride Bill, just pm me and if I can I will. That's all the organization I need.

There ain't nothing wrong with people stating their opinion or their preferences.

Oh, head on down to the OrgVTX Forum and look at their new rule set. Sobering.

[farmguy/ Dale]

$ .01 yesterday...heres another $.01 today. We have a group in my area,
UMCI, United Motorcycle Club International, well it is all over the world really. The only requirement to join is you have to be over 40........after you reach that point you get to vote on where to stop for ice cream after a ride. They allow anyone to tag along, bike or not, no matter what the make, age color, sound etc etc. They do have a lot of ex GWRA members and the reason you hear for leaving the most....Too many rules......when they ride, they were all expected to wear the same color shirt :shock: Not sure if this is just the local chapters rules or what......but my thoughts any thing on 2 wheels is welcome...hell, if they want to tag along in a car, thats welcome too, just remember, we all used to ride something else before we grabbed the "X".

Also, anytime someone is on this side, if time allows I will give you a guided tour of all the sagebrush and jackrabbits that you want, even a nice scenic overlook of hanford :pepper1:

[knarF]

Hey, it wasn't only Bill, I felt the same way. I don't know if there is any such thing as safe drinking in my book. But that's my opinion. There were others the felt the same way we did.

I'm with you Bill, Couple rides a year, org or not, it don't matter to me. I am tiring of all the "official" site stuff already. You wanna ride Bill, just pm me and if I can I will. That's all the organization I need.

There ain't nothing wrong with people stating their opinion or their preferences.

Oh, head on down to the OrgVTX Forum and look at their new rule set. Sobering.

I hope Washington never does the whole rules thing. I dont really see a need for them. Thats the reason why I like the Washington VTXers is its loose. The only thing I would change is we would ride more :blkc:

[Hodad]

Not proposing rules, just go and see what happens when the pendulum swings the opposite way. They were pretty much the same way until that accident. You got guys with $$$$ tied up in their machines, going down cost them a ton to make it right. Some are still healing and just now getting their bikes back to normal. Apparently alcohol had nothing to do with it and they were all veteran riders. Don't know bout anyone else, but I start asking myself some serious questions if it couid happen to them with so much going for them???

Hmmm.....

[Hoosier]

Just came on line, Thanx for the reply knarF. About all could ride. Same as I heard from tchrislee when I filled out the application. Just wanted to make sure I heard right. My wife says sometimes I only hear what I want to. It's Donna's first year riding her own and at 5' she's not sure of the weight of a "1300" and likes to have both feet on the ground when she stops. (also our pocket book).

[Winter Lion]

Grinch, my compliments to you for your hard work and willingness to spend time trying to change peoples reasons for being here and their reasons for being in the wind. You were the only one that even responded to my questions at the Delphi site. Thank you! It has been a confusing week for many of us, and without your input, I would still be confused. After hearing from both sides of this issue in way too many threads.
You want more planning, more people willing to step in and make decisions for bros that are not even at the meeting, ect!
You will excel at that type of group riding and you should keep trying to get what you want in a riding groupl
i have ridden in a group like that and had to memorize the rules that are neccesary for such a large group of supervised riders. After that first ride , I swore off clubs like that for good. That isn't riding to me, most of the riders in that club would have been just as happy on a really cool greyhound bus, if they could still dress up like outlaws and stop at every dairy queen on the west coast along the way.
When you have fifty plus riders trying to ride together and the front runners are observing the speed limit, can you tell me how fast the final two are going. I can tell you because that's where I ended up on that ride, it was like being in that Monday morning crawl of cars into Seattle at the very worst time you could go.
Also because that was such a horrible way to spend your Summer weekends, club members will pull a lot of crap to not be at the back. Needless to say, politics and testerone ruled that column of fun in the sun. I saw this immediately and knew I could never ride that way again, unless it was a funeral or something neccesary. My dad and brother in law took about 3 additional weeks realize it wasn't gonna get any better for them either and they have never ridden with a group since. Matter of fact they hate the very idea of more two or three on a ride.

I will be hitching my retro to this forums star and hang where I am already happy with all of it. This is a great site and if I was asked to pay extra here, I would think it worthwhile. The Delphi site is nasty to work with and the advertisements had my head pounding in there. The final straw was the spybots that my bros private non profit site tried to sneak on to my computer. I value my privacy, even the anon spybots are insulting to me.
Why didn't Tony warn us of this when he wanted us to sign up over there?
I got two emails directing me there from him and he didn't give his club a chance to defend their computers from Delphi. I will have to cool on that one awhile, but my mouth is gonna be wide open until everybody is fairly warned about the your clubs breach of honor. If Tony didn't know about it and claims ignorance, then he should not be doing any admin work.
He isn't qualified if that got by him.

You are a nice guy Grinch and I wish you well, maybe we can ride together soon. you have your work cut out for ya, with the way its going now. See ya later, Bro!

[Grinch]

Grinch, my compliments to you for your hard work and willingness to spend time trying to change peoples reasons for being here and their reasons for being in the wind. You were the only one that even responded to my questions at the Delphi site. Thank you!
I appreciate your point of view. There's a lot of things that seem to be something they're not, and some things that are not as they seem. Twice, I have ridden in really big groups... 60 to 70 bikes. WAY too big! The biggest gathering of VTX bros I've seen in this state is about 25 (in Leavenworth) and that group didn't ride in a group!
Regardless, you have GOT to ride your own ride! If the group riding thing, like that, turns you off... there's nothing about it that will ever turn you on! It's that simple, and I realize that.
Delphi knows they are the forum of choice for a lot of groups... it's why they recently changed a bunch of rules... trying to get forum hosts to pay even more than they previously had to. Still, the format is easiest for many people, and the ads either pay for the "free" usage of those visiting the forums, or the folks pay them to turn them off. I choose the latter, because it costs me a little over a dollar a month to do so. That's ME! I can't speak to your discomfort... because I'm not you! We all have to choose our own path.
Al (wavtx) is over on the Delphi forum (and another one that I frequent), often enough, that if something is vitally (or otherwise) important, I'm sure he'll translate it over here. You're welcome at any function we put together... after all you DO ride a VTX. No one is going to twist your arm and tell you you can ONLY use the other forum. Many of our rides draw small groups of riders... please don't assume we're only about huge groups of riders trundeling along the interstate at 15 mph under the speed limit (depending on whose leading the group, it's unlikely the back guys will even be below the speed limit! Hehehehe!!!).
I hope to see you on the road, my friend!

[ajmeier]

If Tony didn't know about it and claims ignorance, then he should not be doing any admin work.
He isn't qualified if that got by him.

You are right, computers are not my living, helping people is. When Indy asked me 2 weeks ago to step up, I DID!

So far the only thing I have seen you step up and do is sling mud. :?

BTW... My spyware program (Norton) has not seen anything on Delphi. Maybe it just you?

Lastly... I am done responding to your posts here about me. Please do not post anything else with my name in it, you can contact me directly if you feel the need. Thank you!

[Hodad]

That is why we need to have this forum despite the progress. Members of the VTXOA who also by chance reside here in WA, have the right to express their opinion as does anyone else.

There are several of us here who like it here and feel more comfortable here, there are no titles, no job descriptions, just people who want to get together and chat, get together and maybe ride.

IMV, I've tried to stimulate some conversation there, but I don't think there is much interest. I've paid up for full membership and there are things that are pretty cool so the jury is still out. I'll continue to try for awhile longer, but IMHO, it still feels the same as it did before.

That said, let's take a step back and recompose. Please.

Thanks for your help.

[Winter Lion]

Good morning to all who still keep the faith thru even troubling threads.
This is a general tip for all who might use it and not intended for the guy who posted one before Als. I was upset and dealt with an issue in a honest and direct manner as men do in my culture. Our culture!
I would never throw mud for any reason and would not state facts I can't back up with facts or even a professionals published opinion on those facts. This is not about anger or bitc* style forum assaults, I am no longer even upset by what occured. I dumped it here and moved on to more enjoyable pursuits. Tit for tat on the posts, __________(name withheld on request of owner)stop posting publicly just to answer my harmless and well meant posts. It will get too deep to walk in boots around here, if you know what I mean.

Please do not take the comment in the aforementioned post about using an antivirus program as anti spyware seriously. This is not the tool to search for spy cookies or even trojans and we still don't know if the tips are meant as a joke, malicously or in ignorance of the web and its properties. I would not post again here, but it would be dishonorable to allow my fellow forum members to believe that norton will do anything but sit and look at you from its corner as malware, spyware and trojan variants march onto your computer, totally invisible to some it would appear. These are the three programs generally and honestly recommended by anti spys everywhere. They are free and have no strings attached. Honest!

Spybot Search and Destroy
Hijack this
Lava's Ad-Aware

All three have their intended targets and do their job quickly and with litlle time or effort required of you. A little knowledge would be helpful to your peace of mind and is also recommended by 9 out of 10 reformed hackers nationwide. These programs are supported by advice, tech and forums with regular updates to keep those expensive resources as your resources, not spy fuel. I run each once a day and have quarantine folders so full of malware, they would have choked off my bandwidth long ago if not dealt with, eyes wide open. No reason to pretend that the slowdowns, redirects, strange new home and search pages and loss off even anon. privacy is something you have to live with. I don't!