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Roy W
Member
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Posted: Mon May 12th, 2008 07:57 pm | 1st Post |
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Hi all
Back in the late 80's , early 90's I was a member of GWOCGB. I used to get Wingspan every month and occasionally go to a Wing Ding. I was in the Army at the time and weekends were not always free.
Having had a period of enforced Winglessness and now back in possession of my old 1100, I was wondering what membership of the GWOCGB offers nowadays.
I see membership is up to £40 PA.
My wife is not into camping, so Wingdings are unlikely.
Is it worth paying £40 for a magazine and entry to members forums?
I am not decrying the club or raving about it either.
What I am wondering is, are forumites members and what do you get from the club?
Regards
Roy
Last edited on Mon May 12th, 2008 07:57 pm by Roy W
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Silverfox
Forum Diplomat
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Posted: Mon May 12th, 2008 08:13 pm | 2nd Post |
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If you are into the "Wing Scene" the Treffens, the Wing Dings and various local activities then it is probably worth it, as it gives comprehensive coverage of the events that can be done, including the International ones around Europe.
I was also a member in the early '80's and re newed my aquaintence with the club for the last two years, including joining the Surrey Wings. However, I decided this year not to renew as I found the magazine of little interest, and having aquired so many copies of the Wingspan mag, I have any useful advert that were in there.
Although I enjoy camping, Helen the Viking has limited interest in it and is not really up for going away much on Wingdings and Treffens and to be fair, neither am I.
We are happy to do our own thing and get our "kicks" from attending the Meet and Greets, that have come about due to the enthusiasm of site members here.
It is and always will be something that you will get whatever you choose to from it.
For us, it is a bit like bike shows, if you've seen one, then you've seen 'em all.
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Pete
2006 1800 comfort Metallic Silver
http://groups.msn.com/PetesWing
http://www.goldwing-riders.com
http://www.goldwing-riders.co.uk
http://www.rblr.co.uk
skype: Silverfox (under UK and peterticehurst)
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Roy W
Member
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Posted: Tue May 13th, 2008 07:22 am | 3rd Post |
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Thanks for your honesty, thats pretty much along the lines of my thinking. I think the WWW has opened up all sorts of opportunities that were otherwise unafforded during the 80's and 90's and clubs and magazines had a much higher importance in keeping people informed and in touch.
I remember desparately ringing dozns of dealers and scrap yards trying (unsuccessfully) to find parts, now all I do is open up Ebay................
Oh Happy Days
Roy
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Silverfox
Forum Diplomat
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Posted: Tue May 13th, 2008 09:17 am | 4th Post |
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There are quite a few members on here who do enjoy the GWOCGB and all it has to offer and I have enjoyed the Wing Dings and Treffens that I have been to, but I have to admit that I have enjoyed more the meetings with members from on this site, met directly through the forums here. Most of those are members of the GWOCGB, but I just prefer the informality of "non club" events.
At the risk of making Wexman and Wingnut's heads swell, the Meet and Greet in Ireland last year that they set up, was exactly how I envisage a good gathering should be. It was well orchestrated, with UK members being met from the ferries by Wexman and Wingnut and we were "herded together" in a most relaxed and informal manner.. For those that wanted to camp, Wexman sorted some nice sites but for those that wanted to use B&B or hotel accommodation, he sourced that too. Ride outs were organised, through some lovely countryside and at a pace that suited everyone.
Wannabe, one of our lady members, who didn't have a bike at the time, was picked up as a passenger, by Wexman and I believe she had a lovely time, passengering on various bikes with folks who were riding solo.
All the Irish members were very hospitible and entertaining..... who can forget Matt and his ability to fall off his bike for maximum effect, or his display of what happens when you try to run down a steep embankment, fast than his legs were able to move!! 
Then there was John, with his ultimate toy.... an electric trailer to house his Wing, which he drove around the camp site at Killarney, before hooking up to his magnificent tin tent. 
The fact that the site in Killarney was a public one made a difference too and we ended up interacting with some of the other camp site customers. This is of course, something that doesn't really happen on Wing Dings and Treffens, since just about everyone there is on a Wing.
Hopefully the Meet and Greet in North Walles this summer will be equally fun and relaxed and I can vouch for the fact that the location is very lovely and I am sure all who are coming will have a great and memorable weekend.
As I say, this site does provide some relaxed interaction and although there is the common thread of Goldwings running through it, if someone has a different bike then they are just as welcome to meet up or be on the forums. For those needing technical help this site is second to none and just about everyone will help if they can.
It is a big wide world and there is room for everyone and the choices are unlimited for riders to do as they please, for those who want to be in the GWOCGB it is probably as good a bike club as one can join and the events are pretty much endless. Me, I can get more than enough entertainment here with Wingers from across the world, so I have chosen not to join the GWOCGB any more.
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Pete
2006 1800 comfort Metallic Silver
http://groups.msn.com/PetesWing
http://www.goldwing-riders.com
http://www.goldwing-riders.co.uk
http://www.rblr.co.uk
skype: Silverfox (under UK and peterticehurst)
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82gl1100iwingman
Very Active Member
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Posted: Tue May 13th, 2008 05:12 pm | 5th Post |
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| If GWOCGB is anything like the the GWRRA, it is cool. I can't speak for GWOCGB (haven't figured it all out yet...Goldwing _____ ______ Great Britian??) In the GWRRA we have rescue plus. A free towing service (first 35 miles free) for the members. Right after I joined, my starter after 28 years, finally gave up and left me stranded. (The ONLY time my wing has ever left me stranded.) I was able to call the GWRRA and in about an hour a tow truck was there to carry my bike home. Membership cost me $55 a year. The tow service to carry the bike home would have been $75. Membership just paid for itself.
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Two Wheels Down, Shiny Side Up
GWRRA Member Region H, Chapter P
Join the Steve Saunders version of the GOLD BOOK.
SSGB Online Helper's Directory
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http://www.goldwingfacts.com/forums/forum4/48399.html
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Silverfox
Forum Diplomat
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Posted: Tue May 13th, 2008 06:45 pm | 6th Post |
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Gold Wing Owners Club of Great Britain is the full title Wingman. They do have the equivelent of the Gold book, with a comprehensive list of those memmers who are able to offer assistance of some sort if any member breaks down. They do not run a recovery service as far as I know, but prettymuch everyone in the UK has some sort of cover for that, either through their insurance company, or direct to a number of organisations that we have.
The GWOCGB has never been the large organisation that the GWRRA is over with you, but private individuals and companies advertise in the magazine which helps to offset the costs of the mag.
____________________
Pete
2006 1800 comfort Metallic Silver
http://groups.msn.com/PetesWing
http://www.goldwing-riders.com
http://www.goldwing-riders.co.uk
http://www.rblr.co.uk
skype: Silverfox (under UK and peterticehurst)
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Phil
Very Active Member
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Posted: Tue May 13th, 2008 09:06 pm | 7th Post |
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Used to be a member but my camping days are long gone - I let my membership lapse for a couple of years and then rejoined but sadly for me it didnt offer anything I wanted so I let it lapse again. Cant see me rejoining it either - the problem I have with the club is that it has found it niche and to my mind didnt really want to look outside its comfort zone.
Maybe its me but I think the club has become too insular and needs to start to look outside its niche market - if it doesnt I feel it will wither and die. There are other clubs out there that have a lot to offer - not necessary Goldwing clubs either.
Regards
Phil
____________________
Yellow GL1800 2003
Yellow Ducati 750SS 2001
skype; yellowing03
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siataukreg
Very Active Member
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Posted: Tue May 13th, 2008 10:11 pm | 8th Post |
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| I was also a member back in the mid eighties, i ran Alan fosters (Fozzy) old aspencade the one he droped, i bought it as repaired but with the radio missing alan kept it,only problem i had with it was a broken rear wheel casing broke where the wheel bearing fits and it was still rideable just got a slight shake on take off, i went to the tenth aniversary wing ding at shepton mallet rode with Pennine wings then are they still part of the club or have they been renamed ?
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tanygaer
Senior Moderator
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Posted: Thu May 15th, 2008 07:22 am | 9th Post |
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Having just spent a most enjoyable weekend in the Borders at the Border wing ding I have been considering joing the club as I think Lady Tan Y Gaer and I may plan to do one or two events next year, and although we can attend as none members there is a 50% surcharge on inscription, which is fair and I aint grumbling about it, so if we plan to do more than three events financially it would be rewarding, or at least breakeven.
A lot of the members on this forum are members, the fact they choose to be in both camps tells me that both camps are worthy.
The Meet N Greet in Ireland last year I did'nt attend but I have chewed the fat with enough members to know that any further Meet N Greet is going to have to be good, to be talked about for so long afterwards Ireland will always be the reference point, but hopefully the Meet N Greet being held in Wales this year will have some memorable moments aswell.
To of the stooges who are helping with the organisation of the Welsh Meet N Greet went to Ireland last year and have been passing on their recomendations for the successful running of the event.
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David
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