IT'S MAY AND GREAT RIDING IS JUST AHEAD...

May started off as a busy month for Bakersfield HOG Chapter 1580.  Hal and Tammi Onsum hosted the Fun Run with a great ride out through the country.  HOG stopped at Allensworth State Park for a "potty stop" where members took a break and talked to the Park Ranger on duty.  Allensworth State Park hosts some great history and deserves a visit anytime you're passing by.

Once we left Allensworth, Hal led us up the valley to Bravo Farms in Traver, California.  Hal and Tammi arranged for a great Mexican food buffet with a semi-private seating area in the middle of the complex.  We were treated to Steak Fajitia, beans and rice, homemade tortillas, salad, drinks and some great service.  All for only $12 each.  This was a great ride and will go down in HOG history as a fun place to visit.

We left Bravo Farms and some members traveled out through the hills east of Visalia while others went south to Visalia Harley Davidson for a brief water stop.  All-in-all, a great day for riding and a great event hosted by great HOG members.

HOG also helped our sponsor, Bakersfield Harley-Davidson set up a BBQ for the Vintage Drag Races held at Famoso Drag Strip over the weekend of May 3rd.  HOG cooked up a bunch of hamburgers and hot dogs but someone forgot to tell the racing participants so only 3 groups showed up.  HOG fed these folks and the members who came to work.  Even though no one came, HOG members had a great time talking and sharing stories.

Don't forget to come to our monthly HOG BBQ on the 2nd Saturday of each month.  HOG will be setting up the BBQ at about 11:00am and serving hamburgers and hot dogs.  We may try to get some hot links and see how they work out.  We always have a great time with this event and encourage all HOG members to come out and join us.

Plan on attending our General Meeting coming up on May 22nd.  HOG has some special "awards" planned for this meeting so you'll want to come and get in on the fun.  Remember, if you plan on eating dinner at our general meeting, you have to pay at Bakersfield Harley-Davidson ($12.00) before 4pm on Tuesday, May 20th.  Our American Legion brothers and sisters cook up a great meal for HOG so come out and join us for dinner.

Your HOG Officers will be attending Primary Officer's Training in May.  This year, POT will be held in Las Vegas and 5 HOG Officers will be attending on behalf of Bakersfield Harley Owners Group.  These members are Dave Fisher, Don Oldaker, Val Crawford, Gary Crawford and Hal Onsum.  Our Sponsors, Scott and Debbie Irvin, will also be attending.  All of these HOG members will be learning how to make Bakersfield HOG even better than it is.  POT is sponsored by National HOG with classes held over a two day period.

Remember, there are several HOG events every month.  We have a calendar posted on the HOG Wall at the Dealership and there is always a fresh HOGLOG and Calendar in the binder on the coffee table.  Don't forget our monthly BBQ held on the 2nd Saturday of each month with BBQ Master Reggie Smith at the helm.  Come out for lunch and enjoy some HOG company with fellow HOG members.

HOG is growing daily with new members and old members coming out of the woodwork to "rejoin" for some fun.  We have some great social hours on Saturday mornings and beyond that, come out and partake in one of our activities. 

Once again, don't hesitate to approach any of your HOG officers with new ideas.  None of us have a crystal ball and we aren't mind readers so let us know how to make your organization what you want it to be.  Remember, ride often and ride safe...

Our next general meeting will be on April 24th .  We continue to enjoy a great relationship with the American Legion and will be meeting there.  The address is 2020 H Street in downtown.  The American Legion serves a great dinner for us but they are not in the restaurant business.  Consequently, if you want to eat before the meeting, you must pay the $12 to our Activities Officer, Jolyn Cleveland, or the office at Bakersfield Harley-Davidson®  BEFORE 4PM ON THE TUESDAY BEFORE THE MEETING.  THERE CAN BE NO EXCEPTIONS AS THE AMERICAN LEGION MAKES ONLY THE NUMBER OF DINNERS WE ORDER TO KEEP THE COSTS TO US AND THEM DOWN.  WE APPRECIATE YOU COOPERATION IN REGARDS TO DINNER.

Bakersfield Chapter #1580 is open to all Harley-Davidson®owners who are currently members of the National H.O.G. organization.  Our monthly general membership meeting is currently held at  American Legion Hall - 2020 H. Street - the 4th Thursday of every month at 7pm (no General meetings in November and December).   You can check the calendar for all of the upcoming events times and places.  Send us your pictures from rides - we've started creating slide shows - see the first one - click here.

Have an idea for a ride - tell us and we'll try to make it happen.  You can e-mail your Director at Bakersfish@Gmail.com.  We look forward to hearing from you.