Sept. Meeting Minutes
The new covered patio at Rochester Inn Hardwood Grill was deemed a good outdoor location. Joe M. welcomed all present and the called meeting to order at 12:50 PM. 13 members and guests attended, arriving on 8 bikes.
The first item of business was a recap of the 55th Annual Four Winds BMW Riders rally in August. 115 were registered and a few additional dinners were sold for Saturday. Discussion followed with the consensus that the event was well organized and sufficiently attended during difficult times. All are encouraged to visit the website or the Facebook page for photos. Thank you’s were extended to Joe B., Gene, Ed, Diane, and JoAnn for all of the planning together with the detail work during the rally to make this year’s event go so smoothly.
Joe M. voiced his concern that . . . Cont'd. on Newsletters page.
Four Winds 2021 Rally Photos are up!
Enjoy this year's photo album here! To paraphrase Dennis: "Four Winds rally Number 55 is in the History Books! I would like to thank everyone that helped out! Joe B, Diane, Ed T, Ed S, Gene, Jo Ann, Joe M., Don, (field events), and all the others that pitched in to make this another successful rally ... AND THE WEATHER!! First time in years - no rain all 3 days. A Huge Thanks to Kissell Motorsports for bringing the BMW Bikes for Test Rides! The Safety talk, "Coffe with Eric Trow" was entertaining and funny all while covering important riding issues! Sean's tire plugging demo is always an important topic! The Saturday dinner by a new caterer, Daddy's Main Street catering in Clarion was a big hit. Many door prizes, Restless Ray's music and the bonfire under a huge full moon were great! So THANKS ALL! If you haven't made it to one of our 55 Rallies ... You're missing OUT! Plan for next year, 56!"
Photos from BMW RA rally in Waynesville, NC
Check out our photo album here! Approximately 15 club members made their way to the BMW Riders Association "Game of Roads" national rally at the Smoky Mountain Event Center (fairgrounds) in Waynesville, North Carolina which is 30 minutes west of Asheville in the heart of some of the best riding in the country. The Blue Ridge Parkway, The Tail of the Dragon, The Rattler, Moonshiners, Cherohala Skyway, Wheels Through Time museum and more were all within striking distance of the rally. In fact, due to the ideal location, it was announced that the RA national rally will be held the same place next year in late September 2022.
A few moteled but most camped in our 4 Winds chartered club reserved area and entertained a steady stream of visitors under the much-appreciated tent Denny had the forethought to arrange. The Wunderlich headquarters in Henderson NC hosted an open house with an authentic German food truck provided by nearby Haus Heidelberg restaurant which we promptly found to sit inside. Another gem was Haywood Smokehouse - a very popular BBQ in Waynesville. Sat. night's entertainment was fellow rider and comedian Alonzo Bodden who worked the crowd like the pro he is - what a hoot! The BMW US Rider Academy worked hard all weekend staffing their booth and providing rider training as well as leading free tour rides on both pavement and off-road. This area is their home turf and they know the best roads. Tim and Diane got a private tour led by chief instructor Aaron culminating on a road more intense than The Dragon! David D., one of our Florida members, took their GS training. Syphoon, Jay and Vince found a couple local guys who generously spent two days wearing them out on the twisties.
A rainy, wet and interesting trip it was. Fortunately, most attendees departed just before the flooding. Denny and his friend Dennis stayed Sun. night at the Blue Ridge Motorcycle Campground in Canton, NC, 12 miles from the rally site. The next day the campground and buildings were destroyed including the entrance bridge. Many friends are making donations and offering to help re-build.
July Club Meeting Photos from Narcissi Winery
A great turnout of about 30 people enjoyed an Italian lunch and wine under the grape arbors at Narcissi Winery for the July meeting before the rain started. Minutes will be forthcoming. Additional photos here, courtesy of Denny M.
MOA National Rally Photos from Great Falls, MT June Trip
BethAnn added more new ones!
A half dozen or so 4 Winds members and some Dog Nation friends had a good adventure out to the MOA National Rally in Great Falls, MT in June. Check out some of their photos in our SmugMug photo gallery here. Thanks to Dennis Mickanin and Bob Mihelics for most of the pictues. If anyone else has any, please contact the webmaster for an upload link.
International Motorcycle Shows moving Outdoors!
The Progressive International Motorcycle Show indoor convention center series, as we’ve known it for nearly 40 years, is ending. In 2021 the shows are moving outdoors to larger open-air venues as the culmination of a five-year restructuring effort to take the show to the next level.
IMS Outdoors will take more of a “festival” approach that welcomes new riders, the moto-curious, and non-riders.. This will include everything from stunt shows to live entertainment from local artisans, bands and locally crafted food and drinks. Rather than a wild west atmosphere like Sturgis, IMS Outdoors promises to be family-friendly with full COVID-19 protective measures in place.
The new larger venues will feature more dirt and street demo rides to test the latest motorcycles, ATVs, scooters, skateboards, SxS, electric mobility products (eBikes, eMotorcycles), and overland RV products for adventurer lifestyles.
Interesting Forbes article The Motorcycle Industry Was At A Crossroads, Then COIVD-19 Changed Up The Map 
Welcome to the Four Winds BMW Riders club, founded in the early 60's by a small group of BMW enthusiasts in western PA. The first Four Winds Rally was held in 1967. We host the longest consecutively running BMW rally in the country, predating the existence of any national BMW club. We're located in the Pittsburgh metro area and enjoy excellent riding here and in Ohio, West Virginia and Maryland.
Nationwide "When and Where" lists to plan your adventures for the year and try keep up with which events might be re-scheduled.
