FROM THE DESK OF YOUR CHAPTER DIRECTOR
This proved to be another wonderful time at the Midnight Run.  This is one of the major events that Andy and I look forward to each year.  If she had to pick one of the "do not miss rides", this would be at the top of her list.  Many thanks to Cheryl for choosing the new motel this year.  It was a very reasonably-priced motel, great location, on the beach. 
We had a bonfire both Friday and Saturday nights.  Friday night, many of us walked to Mackinac City and went shopping.  On Saturday, several of us went for rides to various different locations.  Of course, we had to make our annual trip to Paradise for the Blueberry Festival and Craft Extravaganza. 
Saturday evening, Cheryl had organized a huge pizza party, salad and breadsticks included.  Later we sat around the bonfire, reminisced about the rides we had gone on earlier that day, and many other stories were told.  We were delighted to have our old friends, Dave and Carol Boyers, join us for the weekend.         
Dave and Carol are former Chapter J members, who were our 1995 COY's, and later went on to be on State Staff.  In fact, they were the ones who use to coordinate the Midnight Run events for our chapter for several years before they asked us to take this over. 
This was Rudy's 10^th anniversary as leader of the group doing the actual ride to the bridge.  He has this down to a science.  He knows all the short-cuts in and out of the gas stations along the way so his group doesn't have to wait in line for the others.  He always pulls his trailer with extra warm clothes for those who might not realize how cold it actually gets at night.  He also keeps in contact throughout the night to make sure that everyone is alert (he's even been known to sing a few bars), staying warm, not having any problems, so all ride safe. 
We also want to thank Ron & Dianna, our new Region D Directors, for doing such an outstanding job with the Region D Rally this year.  They only took this position over about 3-4 months ago, and have already made a few positive, significant changes at the Rally.  One of the changes that I really like is that they held the judging for the light competition during the day in a dark barn, and then made the announcement after the light parade.  In this way, the rest of us didn't have to stay up until Midnight to see the awards presentation. 

Dale and Andy Duncan
Chapter J Directors

Many of you have taken an Advanced riders course(ARC) or an Experienced Rider Course (ERC) through GWRRA. We would like to focus this month on "Practicing the Skills" that you have learned in these courses whenever possible. Every year Chapter J has a parking lot practice and this is one of the most obvious places to practice.

Many of you have seen me riding around the parking lot and have asked yourselves why is he doing that?  He must be restless, or he must want the rest of us to hurry up. That's the furthest thing from the truth. I get ready first for a good reason PRACTICE.  I am riding around the parking lot working on skills like turning my head or seeing my exit. I may do a slow ride or work on my quick stop. I may just be working on my U turns. I am just trying to improve on what I have learned. 
Practice is what keeps the rust off! Practice is how we become better riders.  Practice makes everything that we have learned become automatic and instinctive.  Golfers practice their swing, Swimmers practice their stroke, Motorcycle riders should practice their skills.  So the next time you ask "why is he doing that?" you will know I am just getting some practice. You should try it sometime it can't hurt and it's a lot of fun.

Safety is for Life
Dan McClure and Linda Flavin
Senior Rider Ed Coordinators