The information for the ride on September 1, 2012 follows:

The ride starts at 8:00AM from the QT on route 109, south of I-44.

Joe Henderson, our Ride Captain, and Giorgio Tortora did a pre-ride and amended the route.  Here’s the revised route for September. Joe shortened it due to a pea gravel covered state hwy and it just seemed to take them awhile. The ride will be 62 miles each way, about 80-90 min each direction. Destination is Gerald, MO. We can plan a stop mid-way if the guys want.

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?vps=53&hl=en&ie=UTF8&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=217378808863132038012.0004c7df0f18b38cf5593

Hi Folks,

The month of July is coming to a close with a day of welcome rain (29^th), MotoGP at Laguna Seca, and somewhat cooler temperatures than the dangerously hot weather we have been experiencing.  Around the St. Louis area, the heat has made motorcycling uncomfortable, if not dangerous.

Believe it or not, the member kits from DOC arrived at my house during the first week of July.  In order to receive your member kit, especially if you are a non-dues paying individual, you need to show up at our bike night on August 7 at Triumph Grill.  The night should be very interesting with lots of information regarding touring on Ducatis, the direction of the factory and the clubs, and the relationship between the clubs and dealers.  I look forward to seeing you on the 7^th.

Looking forward into August, we have two planned events:

           

            August 4- Group Ride- destination to be determined.  Leaving the QT at

8:15AM to avoid the heat.

August 7- Bike Night at Triumph Grill.  The presentation is by Jeff Pittinger, Ryan Harrison, and Gary Kwawer on touring on Ducati Motorcycles.  Also, important information regarding the direction of the Ducati Owners Groups, as presented by the factory, will be discussed.

  

The remaining I-70 MCRA Series dates are as follows:

§  Gateway Motorsports Park - Aug 4-5

§  Putnam Park – Sept 8-9

§  Heartland Park Topeka - Sept 29-30

§  Gateway Motorsports Park – Oct 13-14

The July bike night on the 3^rd was cancelled due to the proximity of July 4.  On July 7, 4 riders braved the heat, humidity, and cars to ride to Bourbon and back.  Joe Henderson led the ride.  On the outward leg, we had cool temperatures, many curves, and shade.  On the way back, we had hot temperatures, many curves, no shade, and lots of cars in the way to make the ride more interesting.  All riders returned safely on the vehicles they started on.

The last days of July, with the exception of the 29^th, are ending with very hot temperatures. The forecast for the beginning of August is for very hot temperatures as well.  In order to avoid most of the heat, the August group ride will leave from the QT on MO109, south of I-44 at 8:15AM.  The ride will not be an all day ride due to the projected high temperatures. 

For those of you who are MotoGP fans, Vito Sicola and Andrew Quinn are arranging the ride to Indy for this year’s event.  Vito can be reached at vicepresident@gatewayducati.com for more information.

Please ride safely.  I shall see you at the events.

Sincerely,

Gary Kwawer

Chief Contact Person and President

Gateway Ducati Owners Group

Monthly Message for June 2012

Hi Folks,

The month of June is coming to a close with dangerously hot weather in the St. Louis area.  As I reflect back on the first half of the year, I would like to bring some thoughts to the attention of the members of Gateway Ducati Owners Group:

1-    Paid membership continues to expand thank to the help of our membership and sponsoring dealership, MotoEuropa.

2-    The experiment of having a second bike night has not gained much traction as of yet.  Due to my travel schedule, we will not have a second bike night in July. 

3-    The members of the Gateway Ducati Owners Group seem to prefer riding rather than going to bike nights, at least during the summer months.  This I understand.  I will be speaking with our ride captain about a second ride for the month, which may be the same route as the first ride, just a different leader.  Please advise via email if you like the idea: president@gatewayducati.com

Monthly Message for May 2012

Hi Folks,

As I am riding this message, members of our owners group are on the June ride to Bixby.  Obviously, I am a couple of days late with the message.

May was a month full of activities for the Gateway Ducati Owners Group.  Before we get into the past events, get out your calendar so you can plan for the following upcoming events:

  

June 2- Monthly Group Ride should be completed by the time you read this note.

June 5- Bike Night at Triumph Grill 6:30PM- Members of MCRA will be discussing track day preparation, process, procedures, and etiquette.

                       

June 15-17- Arkansas Ride led by Joe Henderson

May 17th Bike Night

Hi Folks,

Important information for the upcoming Gateway Ducati Owners Group Bike Night to be held on May 17, 2012 at 6:30PM.  Weather permitting, we will be holding the bike night at the fire pit area just outside the door of Cafe Pintxos.  If the weather is not so good, we shall be eating inside.  Vito Sicola will be arriving before the meeting to obtain street parking on Olive Blvd so our beautiful motorcycles can be displayed.  Please arrive as soon as you can as parking may be difficult.

Monthly Message for April 2012

Hi Folks,

This is a long message, with lots of information, so please read to the end.

April was a month full of activities for the Gateway Ducati Owners Group.  Before we get into the past events, get out your calendar so you can plan for the following upcoming events:

Panagale Debut

The Ducati Panigale debuts in St. Louis at MotorEuropa on Friday, April 27, 2012 starting at 6:30PM.  The staff at MotoEuropa are asking all Ducati Superbike owners to arrive early, with their superbike as there will be a special parking place for the precursors of this new Ducati Superbike.  This should be a great event for all who can attend!