HOG MOVES ON...

I was talking to a member recently and he said, "HOG is moving along like a passenger train...get on or get left behind."  I'm afraid that's how it is right now.  We've been having some great events and the numbers are there to prove our members are upholding the HOG motto, "RIDE AND HAVE FUN."

Our August Fun Run was a little on the small side because of vacations.  The Director and Assistant Director were away and we still have 17 bikes show up for the ride.  Road Captain Steve Miller took the reins and ran the show.  A big thanks to Steve for stepping up.  Steve escorted the group up to Keene using the back roads.  Steve reports that everyone had a great time.

August Bike Night was something different.  Apparently, HOG is tired of going to Ethel's as we filled the room at Don Perico's Mexican Restaurant out in Shafter.  HOG had 52 members show up for Bike Night and they all enjoyed the air conditioned room and the reserved, paved parking.  This was such an overwhelming success that HOG will meet again at Don Perico's for the October Bike Night on October 9th.  This time, we'll have a bigger room and more wait staff to handle our crowd.  The food is very reasonable and the kitchen is bigger than a thimble so they can handle the larger groups.

Our August Breakfast ride turned into a great event also.  HOG graced the Iron Skillet with 42 bikes and about 58 members.  We, of course, took the back roads and never hit the freeway on the way to the Grapevine.  The Iron Skillet is very HOG friendly so they fed us a great "truckers breakfast" all for $8.00.  What a deal!!!  Once again, HOG filled the room and we even had some overflow into the next room.  The Iron Skillet is renovating the big room in the back so we made due with a smaller room in the main restaurant and filled it to capacity.  The ride was cut short so we could get back for the Bakersfield Harley-Davidson Open House to kick off the 105th Celebration back east.

Many HOG members came to BHD and volunteered their time on Sunday afternoon to help out with serving and setting up.  I specifically remember seeing Larry and Jill Borgsdorf, Richard West, Jimmer and others helping out.  Once again, HOG steps up and helps our sponsors hold a successful event.  That special relationship between HOG and Bakersfield Harley-Davidson is a tribute to the support that each gives the other.  HOG appreciates everything BHD does for our group and we show our gratitude by helping out whenever needed.

A discussion of August would not be complete without mentioning the Ladies of Harley Poker Run to the Kern River.  Katie O'neal, with some help from husband Scott and Anne Wade, put on a fantastic event for HOG.  Katie organized the ride and went out and gathered over $700 worth of donations for the lucky winners.  Katie put a lot of time and effort into this event and it showed.  HOG graced Katie with 21 bikes and a bunch of members for the ride through the canyon and around the back of Lake Isabella to Kernville.  We had a great lunch and more importantly, a great time.  Way to go Katie!!!

Don't forget, the HOG State Rally is coming up in September.  Plan on attending...our Victorville Chapter is hosting the rally this year and it's not too far away.  Make your reservations and I'm sure you'll see some fellow HOG members there.  I know you'll meet some new freinds at the State Rally and enjoy some great riding.

If you haven't been to a HOG event or General Meeting in the past few months, you don't know what you're missing.  HOG has changed for the better and you will now have a great time at any HOG event.  Come on out and check it out.  Ask any HOG member about the direction of our group and you'll be pleasantly surprised at what they say.

HOG is sending out a monthly calendar of events you can print up and keep.  Put it in a place that you'll be sure to check so you'll know when those great HOG events are going on.  Come out and enjoy the fun and you're sure to have a great time.

HOG enjoys 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. 

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.