Copyright @ 2005 Rainy City HDC

Thought we'd have a page to update you on things going on in and around the club, particularly things mentioned at the club meetings, just in case you weren't there.

We thought as more riders are coming out on ride-outs, it would be a good idea to remind members, both old and new, how we ride in groups on these rides. Please read the article and lets make sure we keep our excellent safety record!

The February meeting was a little sparsely attended, not only were Manchester United playing at home, very inconsiderate of them, but there was a major hold-up on the M62 resulting in several members turning back after waiting in traffic for over 90 minutes. Still, undaunted we carried on with the quiz and the the run through some of the future events and showed some examples of the new 2010 TOUR T-SHIRTS and the M.A.S.H. shirt for the Cider Rally (military theme this year). Welcome to a couple of AIRE VALLEY HOG members who have relocated to the Warrington area and are looking for a new home. Hope we made you welcome and you'll come and join us!

Post meeting note...The Chalet rally was great apparently and we won the BEST HARLEY CLUB award! Unfortunately, during some 'high jinks' it got slightly broken! They just don't make trophy winners like they used to!

The January meeting was very well attended there were even some motorcycles (and Ken's Vespa) in the car park.

A few presentations were overdue. Helen was presented with her Secretary rocker and partner Steve with his 'without portfolio' rocker. Got to do things properly! Welcome to you both. Ken also was presented with a special 'VFM KEN' rocker, apparently that's Value For Money for reasons which escaped me!

Mal requested that we make sure we have a good turnout at Howling 10 (2-4th July) as these guys are great supporters of Rainy Daze. Mal needs your balances for the Cider Rally ASAP (contact her to find out what your balance is if you are not sure). Those of you going to the Southport Chalet Rally...note that Mal will have all the chalet keys to give out but you can't go into the chalets before 4pm.

The Normandy battlefields trip 16-20 June is going ahead. You should receive all the details with the magazine or at the meeting. If you want further information give Paul Richard a call on 07734 038397.

The quiz on 'Where on Earth?' and a 'Funny Guy' picture set was won by our own Stephen Fry, Nitro and Stuart's team. Thanks to Bob Taylor for his music quiz on the 'Where on Earth theme', come on, be fair... he only had to explain the idea of the quiz three times! Nobody won the special prize for guessing the singer of a piece of music from one of Busby Berkeley's 1935 musical 'Gold Diggers of 1935'. No, it wasn't Lady GaGa! It was Winifred Shaw, in case it ever comes up in another quiz! Thank again Bob.

The 2010 events list has been updated so get your year's rallies planned now. There's over 50 events for you to attend. Should keep you occupied!

There was no December meeting as its the Christmas party around that time and too near New Year

The November meeting was absolutely FANTASTIC - I know we all had a great laugh and I'm sure the HATTERS did as well. The room was packed to the gunnels with a cracking atmosphere.

I took the lecturn - and the piss - for most of the evening, whilst Eric told them a gag or two.

The quiz itself was in 3 parts - 'DODGY DIVAS' spot the celeb picture quiz; 'END OF THE YEAR' section and a MUSIC part produced very professionally by Bob Taylor.

Mal had even dug out the infamous HOG'n'BOG pig trophy that caused the rift between the two clubs. I explained its symbolism and how we laughed! Barry had also retrieved a SAND SAILING trophy from a skip at work, which we also used. In the end it was a dead heat in the quiz with a team from each club tying on 36 points out of a possible 48, so it went to the tie-break which Rainy City won - the QUIZ TEAM AGUILERA (geddit?). Anyway, we still gave the HATTERS the HOG'n'BOG gilt pig and we got the yachting trophy!

The buffet - paid for by the Hatters - was devoured in about 30 seconds!

Both clubs agreed to do it all again - same time, same place - next year.

I think we raised about £175 which we are putting towards a scanner appeal by orchestrated by HARLEYWORLD for Sheffield Hallam Children' s Hospital - the top prize being a brand new H-D Sportster!

Barry presented Gary Firth with a framed print of Kath's montage which appeared in the last HOGWASH.

*************

The October meeting was the AGM with lots of free food. Maybe that's what's attracting them Barry!

Barry, the President, gave the introduction and thanked the out-going committee for their efforts throughout 08/09.

Ian the Road Captain, gave his report (via Barry). Rainy City had attended 15 rallies, held 46 ride-outs and had ridden a total of 98,623 rider/miles! Our best attendance was at the Cider Rally with 37 (we've already got 39 booked for next year)

Mal, Events Officer has produced 53 flyers with the help of her able assistant (whoever that was) and has booked 8 venues, made 238 individual bookings for 478 nights accommodation and, if that wasn't enough, she's looked after £15,372 of our money to pay for all these things. Well done Mal!

Kevin, the Editor of Hogwash, reported that he'd produced 6 issues which had 20 pages in each, sometimes 24, with 1008 photos, 72,954 words, and no spellong mistakes! He thanked the 27 contriutors for their efforts and requested more contributors to step forward to keep up the superb standard. As an ex-editor may I add my own congratulations to what must surely be the best H-D magazine in the country.

Norman (that's me) the Webmaster, reported that we were now up to over 9500 hits on the site. Sorry I was wrong, it is over 11,000! So somebody's looking at the site and I hope you continue to find it useful.

Chris, the Safety Officer, reported he'd done 712 miles this year but had observed safety from a distance. We had had several falling offs, falling overs and several rear-endings (nothing personal) but there were no significant injuries. So, all in all a typical year but we could do better.

Jon, the Finance Officer, reported that as a non-profit making club, we'd achieved our objective and made a small loss! But we did have a lot of fun. Rainy Daze 6 did make a slight profit but we have bought lots of scaffolding and fencing so they will be an asset for future events. Oh, no does this mean we have to do another Rainy Daze just to use the scaffolding? What a good idea!

The Ride-out winner, who attended most ride-outs, was Ken who won a tube or Preparation H and a bottle of Jack Daniels

Member of the Year was Barry and was presented with the Laurence Millett trophy. Well done! I'd have given him the award for his organisation of the Sturgis trip alone!

And finally....Gary wished to thank everyone who turned up for Kath's funeral and sent condolences. The gestures were greatly appreciated by him and Kath's family. A card signed by all the club was given to Gary.

The September meeting was, how can I put it?...full! Could it be all the friends of Ken gathering around to celebrate his 60th birthday (yes, I know he doesn't look it and Margaret must have been a child bride) or was it the thought of free food and BEER? I like to think it was the former. Nice to see lots of old friends and some Hatter friends turning up to wish the old guy Happy Birthday. David gave a warming tribute to his friend. It must have been good the room was quiet for 5 minutes!

We're back from Sturgis! What an amazing trip organised by Dunnett's Tours. See the photos in the photos section.

Rainy City 2009 World Tour T-shirts are available. See the Merchandise section

With all these long distance riding plans, you want a riding club? You know where to come.

Check the Diary Dates page for the latest events news. New flyers get added almost weekly.

Lord, bless all riders that we may live long and happy lives, especially bless our leaders for they are all powerful.

Yea, as they lead us through the wilderness of the country lanes, though they know not where they are going.

Yea, though they lead us down the motorways and over the hills we shall feel no pain in our hearts

Grant them the knowledge to know their north from their south and their east from their west

And Lord, let the sun shine so as we may have the faintest idea in which direction we are travelling.

Give them the ability to count, so as at the end of the ride none shall have gone astray.

Spare us from breakdowns, punctures and the usual Harley failings and lead us not down dead ends.

Finally, Lord, let us arrive back home safe and sound for we are but riders in the storm,

Yea, though we are shattered, give us the strength to turn up for the next ride-out

Lord we ask this with tongue in cheek, ever conscious that many a true word is spoken in jest.


Copyright @ 2005 Rainy City HDC All rights reserved. Last Updated 28/02/2010		Club Update

		Thought we'd have a page to update you on things going on in and around the club, particularly things mentioned at the club meetings, just in case you weren't there. Latest information in white Lots to tell you...... We thought as more riders are coming out on ride-outs, it would be a good idea to remind members, both old and new, how we ride in groups on these rides. Please read the article and lets make sure we keep our excellent safety record! Now you've read the Safe Riding article how about some tips on Better Riding? ************ The February meeting was a little sparsely attended, not only were Manchester United playing at home, very inconsiderate of them, but there was a major hold-up on the M62 resulting in several members turning back after waiting in traffic for over 90 minutes. Still, undaunted we carried on with the quiz and the the run through some of the future events and showed some examples of the new 2010 TOUR T-SHIRTS and the M.A.S.H. shirt for the Cider Rally (military theme this year). Welcome to a couple of AIRE VALLEY HOG members who have relocated to the Warrington area and are looking for a new home. Hope we made you welcome and you'll come and join us! Post meeting note...The Chalet rally was great apparently and we won the BEST HARLEY CLUB award! Unfortunately, during some 'high jinks' it got slightly broken! They just don't make trophy winners like they used to! *************** The January meeting was very well attended there were even some motorcycles (and Ken's Vespa) in the car park. A few presentations were overdue. Helen was presented with her Secretary rocker and partner Steve with his 'without portfolio' rocker. Got to do things properly! Welcome to you both. Ken also was presented with a special 'VFM KEN' rocker, apparently that's Value For Money for reasons which escaped me! Mal requested that we make sure we have a good turnout at Howling 10 (2-4th July) as these guys are great supporters of Rainy Daze. Mal needs your balances for the Cider Rally ASAP (contact her to find out what your balance is if you are not sure). Those of you going to the Southport Chalet Rally...note that Mal will have all the chalet keys to give out but you can't go into the chalets before 4pm. The Normandy battlefields trip 16-20 June is going ahead. You should receive all the details with the magazine or at the meeting. If you want further information give Paul Richard a call on 07734 038397. The quiz on 'Where on Earth?' and a 'Funny Guy' picture set was won by our own Stephen Fry, Nitro and Stuart's team. Thanks to Bob Taylor for his music quiz on the 'Where on Earth theme', come on, be fair... he only had to explain the idea of the quiz three times! Nobody won the special prize for guessing the singer of a piece of music from one of Busby Berkeley's 1935 musical 'Gold Diggers of 1935'. No, it wasn't Lady GaGa! It was Winifred Shaw, in case it ever comes up in another quiz! Thank again Bob. The 2010 events list has been updated so get your year's rallies planned now. There's over 50 events for you to attend. Should keep you occupied! ************** There was no December meeting as its the Christmas party around that time and too near New Year ************** The November meeting was absolutely FANTASTIC - I know we all had a great laugh and I'm sure the HATTERS did as well. The room was packed to the gunnels with a cracking atmosphere. I took the lecturn - and the piss - for most of the evening, whilst Eric told them a gag or two. The quiz itself was in 3 parts - 'DODGY DIVAS' spot the celeb picture quiz; 'END OF THE YEAR' section and a MUSIC part produced very professionally by Bob Taylor. Mal had even dug out the infamous HOG'n'BOG pig trophy that caused the rift between the two clubs. I explained its symbolism and how we laughed! Barry had also retrieved a SAND SAILING trophy from a skip at work, which we also used. In the end it was a dead heat in the quiz with a team from each club tying on 36 points out of a possible 48, so it went to the tie-break which Rainy City won - the QUIZ TEAM AGUILERA (geddit?). Anyway, we still gave the HATTERS the HOG'n'BOG gilt pig and we got the yachting trophy! The buffet - paid for by the Hatters - was devoured in about 30 seconds! Both clubs agreed to do it all again - same time, same place - next year. I think we raised about £175 which we are putting towards a scanner appeal by orchestrated by HARLEYWORLD for Sheffield Hallam Children' s Hospital - the top prize being a brand new H-D Sportster! Barry presented Gary Firth with a framed print of Kath's montage which appeared in the last HOGWASH. ********* The October meeting was the AGM with lots of free food. Maybe that's what's attracting them Barry! The committee gave their reports: Barry, the President, gave the introduction and thanked the out-going committee for their efforts throughout 08/09. Ian the Road Captain, gave his report (via Barry). Rainy City had attended 15 rallies, held 46 ride-outs and had ridden a total of 98,623 rider/miles! Our best attendance was at the Cider Rally with 37 (we've already got 39 booked for next year) Mal, Events Officer has produced 53 flyers with the help of her able assistant (whoever that was) and has booked 8 venues, made 238 individual bookings for 478 nights accommodation and, if that wasn't enough, she's looked after £15,372 of our money to pay for all these things. Well done Mal! Kevin, the Editor of Hogwash, reported that he'd produced 6 issues which had 20 pages in each, sometimes 24, with 1008 photos, 72,954 words, and no spellong mistakes! He thanked the 27 contriutors for their efforts and requested more contributors to step forward to keep up the superb standard. As an ex-editor may I add my own congratulations to what must surely be the best H-D magazine in the country. Norman (that's me) the Webmaster, reported that we were now up to over 9500 hits on the site. Sorry I was wrong, it is over 11,000! So somebody's looking at the site and I hope you continue to find it useful. Chris, the Safety Officer, reported he'd done 712 miles this year but had observed safety from a distance. We had had several falling offs, falling overs and several rear-endings (nothing personal) but there were no significant injuries. So, all in all a typical year but we could do better. Jon, the Finance Officer, reported that as a non-profit making club, we'd achieved our objective and made a small loss! But we did have a lot of fun. Rainy Daze 6 did make a slight profit but we have bought lots of scaffolding and fencing so they will be an asset for future events. Oh, no does this mean we have to do another Rainy Daze just to use the scaffolding? What a good idea! Ken, the Photographer reported he'd taken hundreds of photos of thumbs The committee were re-elected with the following changes: Steve Cannavan, Committee Member Helen Moran, Committee Member and arm-twisted Secretary Gary has resigned. Road Captain position is vacant The Ride-out winner, who attended most ride-outs, was Ken who won a tube or Preparation H and a bottle of Jack Daniels Member of the Year was Barry and was presented with the Laurence Millett trophy. Well done! I'd have given him the award for his organisation of the Sturgis trip alone! The Member's club Raffle was won by Margaret Vicary. Well done! And finally....Gary wished to thank everyone who turned up for Kath's funeral and sent condolences. The gestures were greatly appreciated by him and Kath's family. A card signed by all the club was given to Gary. ******** The September meeting was, how can I put it?...full! Could it be all the friends of Ken gathering around to celebrate his 60th birthday (yes, I know he doesn't look it and Margaret must have been a child bride) or was it the thought of free food and BEER? I like to think it was the former. Nice to see lots of old friends and some Hatter friends turning up to wish the old guy Happy Birthday. David gave a warming tribute to his friend. It must have been good the room was quiet for 5 minutes! Other business: We're back from Sturgis! What an amazing trip organised by Dunnett's Tours. See the photos in the photos section. *********** Rainy City 2009 World Tour T-shirts are available. See the Merchandise section With all these long distance riding plans, you want a riding club? You know where to come. Check the Diary Dates page for the latest events news. New flyers get added almost weekly. Rainy City Rider's prayer...... Lord, bless all riders that we may live long and happy lives, especially bless our leaders for they are all powerful. Yea, as they lead us through the wilderness of the country lanes, though they know not where they are going. Yea, though they lead us down the motorways and over the hills we shall feel no pain in our hearts though our minds and arses are numb. Grant them the knowledge to know their north from their south and their east from their west despite what the GPS may say. And Lord, let the sun shine so as we may have the faintest idea in which direction we are travelling. Give them the ability to count, so as at the end of the ride none shall have gone astray. Grant, O Lord, sunshine at all times but not too hot, with cooling breezes but not strong winds, shade when needed and incomparable views when we stop. Spare us from breakdowns, punctures and the usual Harley failings and lead us not down dead ends. Finally, Lord, let us arrive back home safe and sound for we are but riders in the storm, the blind led by the blind. Yea, though we are shattered, give us the strength to turn up for the next ride-out for we are of the tribe stupid and know no better. Lord we ask this with tongue in cheek, ever conscious that many a true word is spoken in jest. So, if you want an active club you know where to come!! Any interesting odds and ends, (sorry, no sales and wants), please advise the Web Master.** webmaster@rainycityhdc.com