Welcome to all you new members who have just recently joined Rose City Motorcycle Club. We hope you will feel welcome and join in on the activities and fun we schedule for you throughout the year. We encourage you to come to our monthly breakfast meetings on the third Saturday of each month at HomeTown Buffet 13500 Sw Pacific Hwy Tigard, Oregon at 8 a.m. There is usually at least a half-day ride after breakfast for those who want to ride with some friends.

Wow, this is promising to be a great year. (if you can ignore the wet weather). The next big thing is the Oregon 500 in May and the WS1000 in June. In between is the Memorial Day Campout (our social director will cover this for you). Telephone directories will be out by the May breakfast meeting. Like I said, "Wow". What a great time to be here. See you all on May 10th.

Re: Rose City Oregon 500 Saturday - May 10th, 2008.

2008 RCMC Event Volunteers & Course Ambassadors for the Oregon 500 & WS 1000.

Once again in 2008 we will operate our RCMC Course Ambassador (CA) program at our events.

For the benefit of our new members, the RCMC Course Ambassador (CA) program sends out RCMC riders during our hosted riding events every 30 minutes from the start of sign-in as goodwill ambassadors. They are a communications link for both our event participants and Road Captain for everything of significance that happens out on the course up until cut-off time. It is good support for our participants and great PR for RCMC.

In the past so many people wanted to be a 'CA' that we seemed to be in danger of not having enough people to assist Char with Sign-in and the rest of the Start/Finish staffing issues. This is less of a problem at the 250 and more of a challenge at the 500. I am attempting to assemble the list of RCMC members who would like to volunteer to be Course Ambassadors for the 500 and WS 1000.

Note: I will provide the orientation briefing information individually prior to the event by E-mail (or phone as necessary). And you will do a simple check-in with me prior to your departure. You just need to be there and ready to go before your assigned departure time.

On the morning of May 10th, 2008, our highest priority is to assist Char with operation of the event. The Equipment Set-up, Sign-in, Start/Finish, (and in the case of the 500) the manned checkpoints, and the Equipment Take-down needs our people first. Please contact Char about your availability for any of our up-coming events. Half-day volunteers (morning or afternoon) at the 500 are sometimes just as important as those who can do the whole day. After those needs are addressed, then we can assemble the Course Ambassadors (CA's) schedule for each event. Working in the morning and riding the 500 as a CA is a question of judgment about your rider safety versus your individual endurance. Some can, and do manage this "ok", but some should not attempt it. Enthusiasm is one thing, but please do not put yourself at risk of a riding accident because of fatigue or lack of sleep.

For those of you not familiar with our RCMC Course Ambassador (CA) program, let me explain. I am both the Road Captain and the AMA Event Referee. This 'traps' me at the Start/Finish while the event is underway. The way we have organized the CA's, they are an extension of the Road Captain out on the course, literally his eyes & ears. (Simply put: CA's are #1) Goodwill ambassadors checking on our participants well being and offering assistance when needed, and #2) they report back to the Road Captain about the progress of the event as it happens. During sign-in they are scheduled to leave every 30 minutes.

So, think about it. To everyone who has done it before, please consider being a CA again. To those of you who have not done this before, but would like to, please let me know. If you have a time preference, please let me know. (It's on a first come, first served basis). And please remember that I also need riders who are time 'flexible' in order to complete the schedule. Only riders are needed, but couples are welcome.

OREGON 500 Course Ambassador Departure Schedule: Saturday, May 10, 2008

5:30 a.m., 6:00 a.m., 6:30 a.m., 7:00 a.m., 7:30 a.m. Event Sweep will leave at 8:15 a.m. (or so, we'll see.)

I prefer a minimum of 2 riders per departure time whenever that is possible. So, please let me know, ASAP!

Annual Sun River Pajama Party - June 27, 28, 29, 2008

MS 150 Bike Tour. - Volunteers needed July 19-20, 2008 for the 2008 ...

Multiple Sclerosis is a chronic, often disabling disease that randomly attacks the central nervous system. The progress, severity and specific symptoms can't be predicted, and symptoms range from numbness to paralysis and blindness, among others. Most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50.

The MS 150 is the Multiple Sclerosis Oregon Chapters' big annual fundraiser. Trust me on this, this charity event cannot happen without help. I will need 10 volunteers each day for the 2008 Oregon MS 150 Bike Tour. Volunteer for one day or the other, or both. This year's tour is a two-day journey through Oregon's wine country and woodlands with the Start / Finish again at Sankey Park in Sweet Home, Oregon.

For every one who has helped with this before, I want to encourage you to make every effort to do that again. Your experience is valued.

Doing this for the MS 150 is pretty much an all day commitment each day, so plan accordingly. You get the same meals on the course and at the Start / Finish as the MS 150 bicyclists do and a T-shirt. So please include your T-shirt size and cell phone number when you reply. Please consider this one and let me hear from you.

27th Annual Hood to Coast (HTC) August 22, 2008

Countdown to August - Plus all of our other Summer time activities in between.

May! And barely 4 months 'til the 27th Annual Hood to Coast (HTC) relay event and the time that RCMC needs to ready the field of 42 riders Friday evening, August 22nd, 2008.

To everyone who has already stepped up and volunteered for the Hood to Coast (HTC), I want to say: "Thank you!", BUT!, we are still a long way from the total number of riders that Don Snyder and I will need on August 22nd. And that, of course, is the challenge. In addition to everything else, I have one dual-sport rider for the gravel road section and I still need one more. If you can help us patrol the HTC, but have not contacted me as yet,

PLEASE let me hear from you ASAP!

RCMC's part in the Hood to Coast (HTC) is to deter and prevent disruption and harm (assaults, or potentially worse) to the HTC walkers and runners. Our responsibility is in the "dark of night" from sunset to sunrise on the 127 mile portion of the event course from Portland to Seaside. And we are able to do that, if we have at least 42 riders. It is hard to accurately communicate this in text message, just how dynamic an event this is.

The beauty of what we do is all that is needed to be an effective deterrent to those inappropriate behaviors, is a recurring, random presence on the HTC course and a little light. We have learned that it does not matter what the inappropriate behavior is, if you bring eye-witnesses to the scene and shine a light on them, the perps disappear for fear that their identity will be revealed.

For those of you who are familiar with this now annual RCMC activity, no further explanation is needed. For those of you who are not familiar with the history of RCMC's involvement in the Hood to Coast (HTC) relay event, please read the following:

Over 12 years ago now, 3 women were assaulted, at night, along OR Hwy 202 in the canyons of the HTC course on the way to Seaside. In response to this, the first motorcycling course observers were recruited (only 6 bikes that first year). This first volunteer group was comprised of NIKE employees and their spouses. It was limited to just the area where the assaults had occurred the year before. And no inappropriate behavior occurred. But the response of the HTC participants to having someone out there watching out for them was phenomenal! The HTC office was flooded with over 1400 emails in praise of the peace of mind that motorcyclists accorded the walkers and the runners.

The next year the motorcycling course observers patrol was taken over by RCMC and expanded. Now due to some assaults on walkers and runners that occurred in the Portland area, the patrol has been increased to its current size - 127 miles from Portland to Seaside.

Even in a club the size of RCMC, the likelihood of getting 42 riders to commit to the HTC in August taxes our resources. Just because we have done it once before (achieved 42 riders for the HTC) is not a guarantee that we can get 42 every year. So I will feel the pressure again this year. Basically, this means that virtually every RCMC member who "might" be willing to consider doing this, and thinks that they "might" have that calendar space clear and available, needs to step-up and volunteer. Otherwise, I fear (again) we will not get the numbers we need. Remember, this is for Friday evening through Saturday sunrise.

So - PLEASE!!! If you can, please sign-up! Notify your RCMC Road Captain (me) by e-mail or phone, so I can get you on my list for the 2008 HTC. Remember, the pocket expense money is $35.00 per motorcycle. (How often do you get paid to ride your bike and help keep people safe at the same time?)

For anyone with any questions about this year's HTC, or anything else please contact me directly. Let's talk about it.

home 503-641-4734

Cell 503-351-1650

jg@teleport.com

20th Annual Western States 1000 - June 7 & 8, 2008 Details below.

The 2008 annual Breakfast, to Lunch, to Dinner, to Pie day. Sunday, August 17th - Details next issue of this Newsletter.

The Western States 1000 is a rally for motorcycles of approximately 1000 miles in length.

Sign in is between 4 a.m. & 6 a.m. at Beaverton Honda-Suzuki, Tigard on June 7th.

Overnight stay (1/2 way point) is at Red Lion Hotel, Pendleton, OR.

Members may participate (ride) in this one.

Cost is $25.00 Pre-entry (postmarked by 5/31/08) $30.00 Post Entry

Ending on Sunday: Dinner & awards at H.G. Mason Armory in Tigard. Directions will be provided.

Memorial Day Campout - This will be held at Seaquest State Park in Castle Rock, Washington. The entrance to the park is across the road from the Mt. St. Helen's Visitor's Center. From I-5 take Exit 49, and travel east on SR 504 six miles to the park entrance which will be on your left. The dates are May 23-26, 2008. Our site numbers are 15, 17, and 18 and 19. I will have a sign-up sheet at the breakfast in May. Don't forget there is a $10.00 non-refundable deposit per person. I still need this from some of you folks. See you at breakfast, if not before, at the 500.

Labor Day Campout- For this campout we will be traveling west and camping at the Wandering Spirit RV Park and Tent Camping Park. The dates are August 29-September 1, 2008. The address is 28800 Salmon River Highway ( which is Highway 18), Grande Ronde, Oregon. The campground is 1.5 miles from the Spirit Mountain Casino. There is a free shuttle from the campground to the casino. They have a small grocery store, propane, restrooms and showers, laundry room, recreation room. There is a spring-fed creek running behind the tent area, but the manager assured me they don't get mosquitoes. They charge by the number of tents, not by the number of individual campers. The charge is $16.00 per night per tent, and $21.00 per night for an RV site, so it will be a little cheaper. Also we can park the bikes and cargo trailers on the grass. See you there, Virginia

Remember to show your current RCMC membership card before making purchases at Beaverton Honda for 20% off most parts, or at St. Johns Honda for 10% off most parts. Other area dealers have discount programs, so just ask. Also watch for your new 2008 Member Directory coming out in time for the May Breakfast meeting on May 17th.

We will deliver the Vernonia Cares food donation after the May Breakfast meeting, so bring some food and join us for the ride to Vernonia! Den

Many of us, including Goldwingers, side-carists and others find the need of an accessory auxiliary fuse panel. There is more than one available out there, but this is new product (new to me) that offers a convenient way to set-up any of its 6 circuits as "constant on" or slaved to the ignition switch that will shut "off" when you turn off the key. Looks to be a nicely conceived unit. Worth a mention in this newsletter. John G.

Be sure to see Tom Mehren's Packing Light Packing Right Seminar at Factory Motor Sports, Oregon City, Saturday May 3rd, 2008 @ 9 a.m. This is a very informative and valuable seminar about motorcycle camping and touring. The seminar & pancake breakfast are free, don't miss it.

June 14th, 2008

At Historic Baker City, Ore.

180 Kilometers

All Dual Sports Welcome

Signup online at www.hellscanyonrally.com

8th Annual Chapter 'I' Fund Raiser

All Bikes Welcome!

Poker Run - Raffle

Sunday, July 27th

First Bike Out - 8:30 am

Last Bike Out - 9:30 am

$10.00 per person

Donuts and Coffee

Compliments Wingman

-----------------Ride Starts----------------

Wingman Enterprises

5663A NE 105th

Portland, Oregon

Door Prizes

50/50

Mileage

Den, thanks for the Ramblin Rose news letter.

Being both a member of Rose City and a Team Oregon instructor I am always pleased when Rose City promotes the RSP and ART classes.

On clarification for next months printing of the Ramblin Rose. Don kept making reference to MSF (Motorcycle Safety Foundation).

Team Oregon split away from MSF three years ago and improved the program and now has the number one rated motorcycle training school in the nation. All of the Team Oregon instructors (and several belong to RCMC) get a really bad taste in our mouths when someone still lumps us in with MSF. We split away because we knew Oregonians deserved better and we delivered.

Thanks,

A biker is riding by the zoo, when he sees a little girl leaning into the lion's cage. Suddenly, the lion grabs her by the cuff of her jacket and tries to pull her inside to slaughter her, under the eyes of her screaming parents. The biker jumps off his bike, runs to the cage and hits the lion square on the nose with a powerful punch. Whimpering from the pain the lion jumps back letting go of the girl, and the biker brings her to her terrified parents, who thank him endlessly.

A reporter has seen the whole scene, and addressing the biker, says, " Sir, this was the most gallant and brave thing I saw a man do in my whole life. "

"Why, it was nothing, really, the lion was behind bars. I just saw this little kid in danger, and acted as I felt right. "

"Well, I'll make sure this won't go unnoticed. I'm a journalist, you know, and tomorrow's papers will have this on the first page. What motorcycle do you ride?

"A Harley Davidson."

The journalist leaves. The following morning the biker buys the paper to see if it indeed brings news of his actions, and reads, on first page:

BIKER GANG MEMBER ASSAULTS AFRICAN IMMIGRANT AND STEALS HIS LUNCH.