What's the Buzzz

What’s The Buzzz – As Time Goes By

Where were you in 1984? What were you riding, motorcycle wise that is? Can you remember back that far? Where did you ride to when you were going on a “long ride?” Can you remember? It was a different time in the world. It was a different time here on the Gulf Coast. What did you do with your bike for fun?

Can you remember the groups that rode together, during that time? Don’t forget one of the longest running Clubs during that time, “The Gulf Coast Roadrunners Motorcycle Association”. They were independent of any major organization and were a prominent force here on the coast for many years. They have been gone a long time, now. In Houma, it was the “Bayou Bikers”, led by my friend, Andy Glynn. They also were a large club that arrived in force to any event they went to. Both Andy and the Club have passed on. In Chalmette, it was the “Buccaneer Road Riders”. Also gone now. In Pensacola, it was the “Sandollars”. Yes, ALL of these groups were strong, prominent organizations that evolved a bit, and then faded away. I was a member of an AMA (American Motorcyclist Association) chartered club, that was started by Keesler AFB as a base club, but eventually went independent of the base. It was known as “The Gulf Coast Coyotes”. We rode short rides all over the coast. I was a member and an officer of the club, when it disbanded. I was disappointed, because I had been given a taste of group riding and club interaction, as we traveled all over the Southeastern Gulf States, visiting other clubs, enjoying motorcycle events, traveling and making friends. About a year before this happened; we had a guest that rode a couple of times with us. Like most of us in the Coyotes, he was a G.I. stationed here, at Keesler AFB. His name was Guy Kleinheitz. His friends called him “K.Z.”.

Please read the beginning inscription to a historical archive that you all know well, “The Bee Chronicles”. It reads: “In the Beginning….Chapter B’s humble beginnings started when K.Z. Kleinheitz and Al Money shared a dream of gathering motorcyclists, to share similar interests and riding similar machines. Al had the same desires as K.Z., but didn’t have the time available to him to invest into such an undertaking. K.Z. was offered and took this particular “ball”, and ran with it. With tremendous investment of many energies, and support from many resources, this new group congealed together with a “kick-off” meeting on November 12th, 1985. As they say in so many other and different ways, ‘the rest of the story, my friends, is history.’”

In 1988, I was riding an ’87 Black (with charcoal trim) GL1200A Aspencade. I wanted to continue riding, and I sought out this other organization on the coast. Maybe it would be as much fun as the Coyotes had been. I went to their meeting place at the Western Sizzlin’ Steak House on Highway 90, somewhere about in August of that year (1988). I slowly met the different members of Chapter “B”, and found most of them were like me. The more I rode with them, the more I felt at home. Walter and Candy Amos, K.Z. and Terry Kleinheitz, and Ray and Donna Shields helped me with a protective wing. (No pun intended) During later years, I was asked to accept different offices within the Chapter, and it felt good to be on the “inside” of the organization, trying to make things work, and “go together” for everybody. Many of us within the chapter have been honored by being selected as the Chapter Couple of the Year. Several of us have gone on to become District Couples of the year. K.Z. and Terry have gone further to be selected as the National Couple for GWRRA.

I was hooked. I enjoyed riding, I enjoyed my bike, and I enjoyed traveling and enjoying life with these friends. Soon this Chapter became as family to me. And since I had very little family available, I did more with them. As with any family, we have had our ups and downs, our happy times and our sad times. But, you know what. We did it all, together. Member’s kids have grown up with us, and the family circle continues to expand.
We have been riding together for a long time. We’ve enjoyed each others company, and really enjoyed traveling the roads together to our Gold Wing friends and their events, for many years. We have been an enviable group that other Chapters often wonder, sometimes out loud, why can’t we have fun like Chapter “B”? After twenty years, we’re still together and we’re still fun. Some of us have been here most of this time. Some are Charter Members; some are very new to GWRRA. Others are here to enjoy the family atmosphere. But we are all members of this “Flagship Chapter” in Mississippi, known as “The Magnolia Bees.” How many Chapters or Clubs do you know of, that have endured this long of a time together? And get along with each other so well? What do you think is the secret to our longevity?

The date on the GWRRA Chapter “B” Charter reads, “June 10th, 1985.” To ALL of my Gold Wing friends, especially my Chapter “B” family, for all of these years, and all of these miles, and all of the love, you’re still the greatest. We love you. We’re so proud to be part of the “B”ee family.

Larry Wolfe