Greetings, Fellow Beemocks and Other Disreputable Disciples of the Prince of Darkness:

   
   And so 2009 is upon us, marking the ninth year to have passed since the much dreaded faux millennium was to have ended all life on Earth as we know it, but proved to be a bust, as well as the 50th year since Triumph introduced it's 46hp, 650cc T120 Bonneville, which was destined to become one of the most influential motorcycles in the history of the industry.
    1959 also brought the peak year of British motorcycle production, with 331,806 units rolling out of English shops, but also the beginning of the end, with Japanese scooter magnate H***a first entering the US market as well as fielding an entry in the Isle of Mann TT race for the first time.'Twas also allegedly the year that Triumph Engineering produced this film, offering a factory tour to watch Triumph motorcycles being assembled with what seems through the eyes of history some truly archaic techniques, but accompanied with some notably complimentary dialogue. (You might also want to peruse the offered topically related film clips, which include some interesting Britbike history and a BSA factory tour) But a brief twenty five years later, the Triumph Meriden factory was demolished to make room for a new housing development, which features street names such as Bonneville Close and Daytona Drive to commemorate the historical significance of the ground on which it rests.( Do you suppose that there's an Oil Spot Alley, Prince of Darkness Drive or Leaker Lane?)
    Sadly, the new year is also the tenth since the journalistic retirement of the now never seen Senior Humble Scribe, Skip Davidson, aka Captain Curmudgeon, who has gone into seclusion whilst his new stately manor house is constructed in that hotspot of Shelby County, Shelbyville. (He quit the club, sold his bikes and moved out of town. Must be a later life crisis of some sort)

    It proved to be a bad parking night for the BMOKs as the unruly hordes converged on West Main Street for the annual Bust the Bank Holiday Party, with competition stiff for the available slots between our intrepid partiers and Louisville's upper crust, who apparently were out in force for something going on at the Center for the Arts. (No, being a no-class, I wouldn't know)
    Turnout was notably high, with 37 attendees filling Luigi's Pizzeria's shotgun style Main Street facility to enjoy the treasury subsidized Italian cuisine and the company of their fellow Beemocks, all to the background music provided by Big John Schroeder, Mike O'Bryan and a few of their friends. I wouldn't even venture to put names to the proffered foodstuffs, but they were Luigi's typically delicious fare and in adequate quantities, if not quite as generous as those offered in our previous dealings with the establishment. If you simply must know what the dishes were, ask Ed, Helle or Jane. I'm sure that they'd know. (Or at least be able to baffle you with bull about it.)
    The evening followed a "simplified for 2008" itinerary, with no door prizes or trivia game, but live music and ample opportunity to shoot the breeze with the BMOKs, which would have been a wash financially except that 2/3 of the band costs were shouldered by Big John and Doctor Denny, their holiday gift to their Britbike brethren. As it was, we brought in $275.00 in admittance fees and paid out $695.00 in expenses, thus reducing the treasury balance by $420.00.
    One time honored tradition that could clearly never be changed is the annual passing of the Pink Pig Award from the currently reigning Grand Porker to his choice to serve as his replacement for the new year, an honor originated by Lord Parsch and Lady Marcia to acknowledge the recipient's contributions to the club during the preceding year. The original defecating pink pig squeeze toy was lost somewhere along the line and was replaced by the current trophy, which has considerably more sex appeal, a development that has been somewhat controversial given the reluctance of some winner's significant others to have such a thing displayed on the mantle.
    In any case, in the midst of all of the pomp and circumstance such an honor deserves, the 2008  Grand Porker, Jim Hibberd, nominated vintage Beemer magnate, Allan Atherton, to serve as his successor for 2009. Congratulations are in order to Allan for this acknowledgement of his service to the club, most notably for frequently welcoming us into his home for monthly meetings, as well as commiserations to his long suffering wife, Elsie, for being subjected to a year of not only (presumably) tolerating the Beemock's presence for yet another of the referenced meetings, but for also being forced to find a place to conceal the trophy for the upcoming 365 days. ;-)
    While making arrangements for this annual blast is traditionally the sole designated duty of the club's vice president, the function was voluntarily handled this year by our very own international scooter magnate, rocket scientist and resident Canadian fascist dictator, Ed "Il Duce" Staloff, whose contributions you d**n well better acknowledge if you know what's good for you. Thanks, Ed! Good job! Flawless planning! Couldn't have done it without you! (That ought to cover me, but you're on your own.)

    Although not the first paid member for 2009, (A distinction that fell to Crash Long this year), Doctor Denny has moved decisively to cement his place in Beemock lore by claiming the right to host the January meeting, taking place at 7:00PM on Wednesday, January 14th, at Castle Cornett. For the benefit of our new members, this secluded Anchorage retreat is located at 11311 Yandell Drive, which is in Nutwood off of Evergreen Road at Lakeland Road. With any luck we'll have another record breaking 71 degree winter day like the one we had just after Christmas.
    There are at least a couple of business items that have reached critical mass and pretty much have to be dealt with this month, with the conscription of officers for 2009 at the very top of the list. While Big John is duty bound to run this one last gathering, February is the responsibility of the new president, be it a different person or not. Up for contention are the offices of president, vice president, secretary/treasurer, sergeant at arms, ride captain (uh-huh) and anything else that might strike your fancy.
    We also need to do something to remove some of the red from our meeting schedule, so feel free to speak up and claim your month to play sugar-daddy to a bunch of freeloading biker scum, especially if you're game to take February. (Which must be settled at this meeting) The other months are also up for grabs on a first come, first served basis, so move now to claim your special time.
    You may also take the opportunity to welcome a new member to our midst, as September '08 meeting host, Gary Roggenkamp, joined nearly a dozen others in remitting their 2009 dues at the party, bringing our roster to date to a pitiful 15 members. Those not yet on this all too exclusive list and who have not already mailed a $15.00 check (Payable to me) to 8801 Brownsboro Road, Louisville 40241, can anticipate being warmly greeted at the door by collection agent, Sumsurlythug.

Opening Balance 1/1/2008.........	........................	.........$ 305.02
2008 Dues Income....................	........................	.........$ 360.00
2008 Party Income...................	........................	.........$ 275.00
Party Expense.........................	........................	.........$ 695.00
Closing Balance 12/31/2008......	........................	.........$ 245.02
2009 Dues Pre-Paid................	........................	.........$ 225.00
Balance 1/1/2009....................	........................	.........$ 470.02

     The knee draggers amongst us, as well as those who aspire to join them, will be interested in knowing that motorcycle track time organizers, Sportbike Track Time, has joined forces with the new state of the art track, Bluegrass Motorsports Park, in offering two wheeled track days at the facility, located adjacent to the Kentucky Speedway just off I-71 near Sparta, Ky.
    This 3.54 mile Derek Daly Design Signature Track is currently nearing completion and is scheduled to open in the spring of 2009. They are offering multiple membership levels as well as track rentals for private events, should you wish to experience it's "3200' straight, compound banked turns, over 100' of elevation change, multi apex radii, proper curbing and adequate run-off that offers an exquisite riding experience as they wind their way through a series of challenges that will test skills and mechanical preparation." ( Credit: Roadracingworld.com )
    Ed "Il Duce" Staloff reports that Commonwealth Motorcycles has already reserved time for track days in 2009 at this new facility, but the dates and other pertinent information have not yet been posted to their website. Check back later or corner Ed at the meeting for additional details. (Additional credit: Originally clued onto this by the LBMWR list)

    Should European travel be more to your liking, 'twould appear that you will soon have the opportunity to tour the British Isles on nothing less than a fully restored Vincent motorcycle, courtesy of a division of Discovery Travel Ltd., Discovery Bike Tours. The information on the website is somewhat sketchy, providing several examples of tours to be offered in 2010, but leaving the costs at TBA. The tour descriptions are complete and interesting, however, and there is contact information should you be interested in finding out more about the possibility.

   
   
    Should our current less than stellar economic situation make your long planned European tour somewhat unlikely, perhaps you could make it to the American left coast for a visit to the Solvang Vintage Motorcycle Museum in Solvang, Ca.
    The diverse array of well over 100 motorcycles featured are from the collection of museum owner Doctor Virgil Elings, which emphasizes racing machines and includes bikes from Britain, Europe, Japan and the United States, dating from 1900 until today.
    No mention is made of the admittance fee on the website, but you can find out when you get to Solvang, which appears to be about 150 miles north of Los Angeles or 2,200 miles west of Louisville. This is probably a bit far for a BMOK ride. (Hahahahahahahahahahaha)

    Well, I believe that with that wee bit of foolish frivolity I shall bid thee farewell. With any luck I will see y'all at Doctor Denny's on the 14th. If not, well, life is just full of little disappointments. Tootles!