The Spyder: The Spyder: - Wing World Magazine Archives

In this department, we include some of the many photos we receive each month that do not necessarily fall into the other departments we’ve established over
the years.We understand that, as one large family, we often have more to brag about than just our bikes. So here’s your opportunity to share those accomplishments
(and just plain fun anecdotes) with the entire Association! Send photos and text to “Bragging Rights,” Wing World, P.O. Box 42450, Phoenix,AZ 85080-2450
or by email to editor@gwrra.org.
Ride Small, Ride Consecutive
Jim Snider, GWRRA #153143, of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, found the
smallest rideable Gold Wing around—a coin-operated GL1500 at a
Wal-Mart in Mobile, Alabama. Says Jim, “Because it was stationary, I
don’t feel my short pants and shirt were unsafe in any way, and for 50
cents, it’s one heck of a deal.”
About six months ago, he snapped a photo of his 1989 Wing’s
odometer as it hit the unique milestone of 123,456 miles.
Going The Distance
Chapter TN-O’s Senior
Chapter Educator,
Tom Angsten, flipped.Well,
actually, as we all know, he
flipped years ago, but his
motorcycle finally caught
up with him when the
odometer flipped 100,000
miles. It happened on the
way to work on the morning
of March 7, 2007, in
rush hour traffic. He was so excited about the event he pulled over on
the side of the expressway and photographed the milestone event.
When he got to work, several people asked him if he was okay because
they saw him on the side of the road.When Tom explained what he was
doing, his friends broke out laughing.
Tom plans to keep the bike at least another year.When he bought
his 1996 GL1500 seven years ago, it had 4,000 miles. So at this point he
has only put 96,000 miles on it.Tom stated he has to put another 4,000
on it to be able to say he’s ridden the bike 100,000 miles.
Tom says it’s taken him so long because he has not retired yet. He
credits a lot of this accomplishment to two main things: first, the Honda
Gold Wing is one of the finest motorcycles on the road and will go the
distance, and second, the Rider Education Program. During Tom’s five
years as Chapter Educator, two years as District Educator and regular
renewals of the Experienced Rider Courses,Tom states he has picked
up a lot of helpful techniques in managing traffic’s little obstacles. He
hopes the next 100,000 will be as much fun as the first half has been.
With This Wing I Thee Wed
Andrew Smith, GWRRA #254317, of Lebanon, Tennessee, sent us
this close-up photo of the top tier of his wedding cake and another
showing him and his new bride, Debbie, cutting the cake. Debbie
holds black belt status in Tae Kwon Do. The Smiths wanted to show
two of their passionate interests
to their guests. As both
Andrew & Debbie were bike
riders when they met, they
decided to search for a Gold
Wing trike model, too. They
found both figurines on eBay
and felt they were sized perfectly
to fit. They even had a
wedding registry listing with
their local Honda shop for
gift contributions toward
their next Wing purchase!
Rubies By Night
Ron
Washington,
GWRRA #180596, of
Spring, Texas, owns this
2002 Metallic Silver Gold
Wing GL1800 that just
turned over 41,000
(mostly weekend) miles.
Recently he had installed
a brand new set of
“rubies” (LEDs). He says,
“As GWRRA Members,
my wife Chris & I have
witnessed several light
parades/contests at Wing
Ding and other rallies
and always wanted to
take part. Well, now we
can and will!”
The photograph was
taken with a Sony DSC-
P200 digital camera.
Continued on page 20.
18 Wing World