I have met some great friends at our chapter, some others not so much but isnt that just life? We go on long distance trips with several of the people we met thru the chapter. SOme of the best motorcycle vacations I have taken have been with people we have met there.We are leaving San Diego for the Smokeys May 15th with 2 of our chapter friends. THe chapter is a very active one with about 500-600 members, but as was stated earlier only about 100 are all in. The dealership doesnt give you a free membership for buying a bike from them but with the 10% discount it is easily worth the 20 dollars to join.
There are usually 7-8 sponsored chapter rides on weekends for the month an a few sponsored rides during the week.
There are 7-8 long distance trips a year. Some we go on ,some we dont. I am not a patient man so when the group is traveliing, an we usually have 12 -15 bikes in a group, depends on how many road guards we have to work the rides, I can get pretty ancy at stops when we are still thre 45 minutes after getting gas as everyone chit chats. Our chapter rides usually have stops less han every 100 miles, the reason I am always given is some of the Sportsters need gas. It can take 9 hours to travel with the group when it should normally take 6 hours.
So if I am feeling like riding I usually meet the group at the destination and then start the visiting with the folks when we arrive.
So I am glad I joined the Chapter, it has something for us, should that be what we decide to do.