The weather is changing  and I like it. This is a great time of year for rides. My  only problem is making that turn off at Exit 11 every mourning to go to work. My bikes wants to just keep going. Anyway, it is a good time to be out on the road. Your not so cold that you have to put on so much  you can’t hardly move, but, you do need a lite jacket. And even in the middle of the day, your not getting burned by the sun. It’s just a good time of year to take a ride.                And, as with any season change, there comes some new dangers you need to watch for. And I don’t really mean new dangers! They are always there, you just need to be a little more aware of them during the fall. Now I know that cars and trucks and drivers not paying attention to bikes is a problem we all deal with, but right now I’m talking about the   hunting season and the deer! Everyone who rides has seen deer out it seems all year long. With the population of Kentucky deer growing to a all time high, it seems that it doesn’t seem to matter what season it is anymore. They are out everywhere and all the time. But, it is hunting season! And with the hunters in the woods, this problem is going to get worse as we get into the cooler days.  And it also doesn’t seem to matter if your in the country, or in town. I’ve actually had a couple of deer run out in front of me out on Pines Rd. in town. That’s scary!                             Another problem you may see during this time of the year is leaves! Riding thru leaves is almost as bad as hitting a spot of ice. And it’s worse if they are wet. Going down a tree covered road may seem fun, but those leaves on the road from those tree’s can put you on your backside quick and hard!                                    And Black Ice is coming, may not be that cold yet, but it’s coming back soon so be careful!                                     It truly is a good time of year to go for a ride, but please be careful out there. Keep your bike in good shape, tire pressure at least once a week!     Until next month, Ride Safe and Have Fun!    

We’ve had105 years of Harley Davidson motorcycles and 25 years of the Harley Owners Group! Who would have ever guessed it would last that long.  It really hit me while standing in the museum in Milwaukee just a few short days ago.  I can’t even imagine what was going thru the founding fathers minds as they worked on the very first motorcycle. And the same thought comes to mind about the Harley Owners Group. Did those guys just decide to make a group up of just Harley owners, and did they have any ideal that it would last over 25 years and get to be over 1 million members strong and keeps growing every day.          There is a very short list of items that have been around 105 years, and Harley is close to the top of that list. And The Harley Owners Group is one of only a few groups that have been around 25 years.  So what does all this mean? To me, it say’s the company, and the group, must be doing something right. For the Harley’s to be just as popular today as they were years ago, and I don’t see any let up in sight.  And the Harley Owners Group is the same way. I don’t see any signs of a slow down in memberships any time soon.                        Now, with all that being said, don’t you think it’s neat to be a part of something that has been around that long! And only has one purpose, To Ride Safe and Have Fun.                                           With that said, let me fill you in on the 105th in Milwaukee. Most left Wednesday and road part of the way up, then went on in on Thursday. I had 6 bikes leave with me Thursday mourning. We went up 24 to 57 then over to 47 and up to Lake Geneva and over to Racine. We did hit some rain for about an hour but still made it about 3 in the afternoon. It would take several pages to tell you about what all went on in and around Milwaukee. What I will tell you is you need to see the museum! It is truly a work of art. And the plant tours are always interesting to see. If your looking for a good weekend trip, up on Friday, see it on Saturday, and back home Sunday. It’s worth the trip! 

We are off and running on what promises to be a very exciting next couple of months! There are several rides coming and everyone should be able to make at least one of them. Depending on there own style of riding. Now, I know this is the September newsletter, but if all goes as planned, you should get this right after the August meeting. At least that’s the plan! That gives us enough time to let you know about runs the last half of August, as well as September. If we do our job right, as you read this, Sturgis will be in full swing. Sturgis South Dakota. That’s the one rally that everyone should make at least once. Held the first week of August every year it’s the granddaddy of all rally’s, not meaning to put down Daytona, But Sturgis is a whole different experience! Anyway, The grand opening of the new Four Rivers HD shop is being held on August 15th.,16th., and 17th. On Saturday, August 16th., there will be a bike show, it will cost $5.00 per bike to enter the show and all the money raised will go to PCM. There will be 12 different classes, and for you guys out there who don’t like to clean your bike up, the “Rat Class” is back! Along with the live music and food, it should make for a fun full day of activities! And then on Sunday, we will play a few field events just for fun and get in a little practice for next years Ky. State Hog Rally and the JDSM Nurses Run coming up in September. And then Wednesday, on August the 27th., and Thursday the 28th., a large portion of our chapter will start to make there way to Milwaukee for the 105th. And HOG’s 25th. Birthday Bash! And then we move into September and the JDSM Nurses Run that is being held back at The INN By The Lake just past Calvert City, same place as last year! The place now has a new owner and he has made a lot of improvements since last year. And then on September 26th. & 27th. Is Bar B Q on the river downtown Paducah. Now I know there will be other events going on that I did not mention here, this is just the major events that most want to know about! The chapter’s Thursday night dinner rides are still going on every other Thursday night. August 14th., we are going to The Shawnee Grill Restaurant, then on the 28th we go to Parker’s Drive In in Lone Oak, or at least the ones who don’t head for Milwaukee will! Remember, we leave from the store at 6:00P.M. every other Thursday night and go some where to eat! Hope to see you there!

Well, it’s finally over. The move is complete and we, The Paducah Hog Chapter, now have a new home. Four Rivers HD at Exit 11 is now open and running full speed ahead. And I’ll be the first to tell you that I’m glad it’s over.        Now we have to get the chapter back on track and get back to doing what we do best. Riding our Harley’s and having some fun. But first, I need to apologize to the members, and to the other chapter officers for being, let’s call it distracted, over the last couple of months. The move to the new store has been hard on me. And not just me, the whole staff at the store has worked long hours and many days without a day off to get the new store up and running.    Unfortunately, the business of running our chapter had to take a back seat to this move. And I will take the blame for that. Over the last month or so, two things happened that have never been done before in the history of our chapter. The first was the MDA run being postponed! I’d like to put a stop to all those rumors I hear, and whoever started them to stop telling things you don’t know about! The MDA run was just postponed till a later date, not cancelled! The second, was missing a newsletter for July. All the machines, printers, copiers, and computers, that we use for the newsletters were took apart and moved just about the time the newsletter for July was ready for print. And this was not a job done in just a couple of days.         I can only ask that you, the members, be patient, and understand that we are working hard at getting back on track. And getting back to doing what we do best, Riding Safe and Having Fun!

 -Hooper

You know how people say let the games begin! Well, that’s about how we feel at the shop. The new store is almost complete and we start the move in another week. After almost 3 years of speculations and questions, it’s time. If you haven't been by Exit 11 and seen it, I would put that area on my next bike ride and ride by and take a look. It is a site to see. Now you know I’ve been all over the country and seen a lot of the new     “designer stores”, but I will have to say, this one is one-of-a-kind!      Just so everyone understands what’s about to happen. We close on Brown Street on Saturday, June 21st., at 5:30 as we normally do. We will open at the new store at Exit 11 on Wednesday, June 25th. At 9:00A.M. That gives us 3 days to complete the move. We are already starting to pack and get as much done as we can. It should be a busy 3 days. I’ve already been going thru the chapters awards and all our gear that we have picked up over the years and getting it ready to move and display in our new Hog Room/lounge. It’s funny that I was always proud of this chapter for winning so many awards at rally’s, but after going thru them all and counting them, I had no ideal we had so many. We’ve done pretty good over the years. No wonder every other chapter knows our passion for field events. We are the state champions in field events, and have the flag to prove it! Another item to hang in our display.                          Another date to put on your calendar, the official grand opening will be held August 15th., 16th., & 17th. 3-days of food, music, and games. And even a bike show on Saturday. Mark your calendar, you will not want to miss this party!!