John & Deborah Hardwicke
Assistant Chapter Directors
John got his first Gold Wing in 1978--a 1977 GL1000. We met at about the same time. We used to ride quite a bit back then, but as happens, life took over and the bike became a pleasure item only. We first saw Chapter U at a mall show in 2002 and started talking about GWRRA and riding again. In 2004 we had the '77 checked out by a mechanic and began riding again. That was the real start for us with GWRRA. John happened to meet Fred Mears, Sr. at Home Depot and the two began talking about GWRRA and we joined in 2007. I took the MSF basic riding course and purchased my own bike, a 2006 750 Honda Shadow Aero. We purchased a 1997 1500 in 2008. We both enjoy riding and the fellowship of GWRRA. John is currently 71 and I am a little younger; he keeps me straight and I keep him young. The home front is currently being run by Webster and Lady II, our mixed breed rescues. My mother Mary, 83, lives with us and attends many of Chapter U's events with us.
Jack Darden
Chapter Educator
Jack has been a Gold Wing
rider and GWRRA member since 1995, starting out with a 1983 GL 1100
Aspencade and now rides a 2000 1500 SE. Jack has participated in several
Virginia chapters over the years and served as Chapter Educator for
Chapter L in Chesapeake and has been a Rider Coach with the Virginia
Rider Training Program since 2003. He teaches the Beginner Rider Course
(BRC) and the Experienced Rider Course (ERC) at Paul D. Camp Community
College in Franklin, Virginia.
Leslie, while relatively new to the world
of Gold Wings and the GWRRA, fell quickly for both and can't get enough of the
road on two wheels, having reached her 10,000 miles as a co-rider in
just 18 months. Leslie has worked for the Commonwealth since 1986. She
has one awesomely sweet rescued American Pit Bull Terrier named Petey
and two mixed breed cats, Timber and Beast.
Virginia & Steve Wright
Treasurer & Storekeeper (Virginia)
We have been members of GWRRA since August 1992, and
Chapter Couple in 1994. We ride a 1995 SE “Magenta”, and 1986 Rebel, “Pink”.
We have been married 34 years and have two daughters--Stephanie, the oldest, and Jessica, our middle child.
We lost our son, Christopher, in 2003. Our “Gold Wing Family” was a great comfort to us at this emotional time.
I have worked for Richmond Alarm as a technician since 1976 and Virginia has worked for the Commonwealth
since 1977. Our favorite ride was to Montana in 1997.
Dave & Norma Miller
Dave and I were both born in
Utica
,New York
and relocated to
Hillsborough,
North Carolinain 1993.We attended our first GWRRA meeting in December of 1994
and joined in February of 1995. Together we held a number of officer
positions with chapters in Durham,
Burlington
and
Jacksonville, including MED Coordinator, Treasurer, Couple of the Year, Assistant
Chapter Directors and Chapter Directors.
In April 2004 we relocated to Mechanicsville, Virginiaand became members of VA-U, with which we have served as Treasurer,
Newsletter Editor, Email Coordinator, MED Coordinator,
Goodies/Storekeeper and Chapter Directors. We are currently the MAD
Coordinator for
VirginiaDistrict. Dave is also a Certified District Rider Ed Instructor and Certified
District Trainer.
When we met in 1973, we rode a 650 Benelli, and later a 1200
full-dressed Harley. We acquired a Honda 500 in 1979 and in 1988 bought
a 1200 Honda Gold Wing. We traded that in 1995 for a 1990 1500 Gold
Wing, and traded that for a 1999 1500 Gold Wing. In April 2008, we
purchased a Dark Red 1800 which we are enjoying tremendously. We have
five sons and four grandchildren.
Mike & Angie Mitchell
(Hey! Where's Angie???)
I joined GWRRA in 1993, Angie joined a year later when she wanted to know who all these women were calling the house to see if I wanted to go on the next ride.... We soon became Assistant Chapter Directors followed by Chapter Directors and then Senior Chapter Directors. In 1999 we were asked to serve as Assistant District Directors. After two years we became District Directors. In 2003 we were appointed as Region N Directors and in 2006, Senior Region Directors. We decided to take a break in 2007 after 13 years as Operations Officers, time we would not trade for anything. Currently, I am on National Staff in charge of Special Projects and am also on the Event Management Group for Wing Ding.
Angie and I knew early on that GWRRA was a special organization. We have made lifelong friends over the years all across the country because of our association with GWRRA, and you just can't put a price on that. We currently ride a 1999 SE dubbed the "Tiggermobile," and also enjoy a 2006 C90 Boulevard. During the summer months you will most likely see us in Angie's Miata with the top down.
Angie and I were married in 1995 at the KOA in Charlottesville, GWRRA style. We had an outdoor wedding with Gold Wings at the alter, complete with a covered dish social and an Ice Cream Ride! - Mike
