Perusing vintage publications at a Four Winds picnic meeting.
In the Press
Here's where we celebrate with our members and friends who have had articles printed in publications, something was published about Four Winds, or a memorable article was submitted to our own Newsletter. Browsing through them, you may even feel the urge to pick up a pen and camera and find your inner moto-journalist . . .
Gene Pollock is a long-time BMW rider and 4 Winds member who currently divides his retirement time between Pittsburgh and Florida. He was recognized with an award from the BMW Motorcycle Owners of America for 100,000 miles on his distinctively painted 1978 R100/7, which he bought new and this is his story.
MOA Owners News, November 2020, Page 78: "Congratulations High Mileage Riders - "My interest in BMW motorcycles began when my father brought home a 1969 R69US in about 1971. Oh, what a beautiful machine . . . "
Molly Cover was 6 months old when she attended her first 4 Winds Rally and fondly recalls memories of early mornings snug in a sleeping bag listening to voices, footsteps on gravel paths and Beemer engines starting. Jennerstown was her favorite location and she won the Youngest Rider Award in 2001. The Park & Mary Cover family has now grown into three generations enjoying the annual rally together with their grandsons also making their debuts at only a few months old. She is currently the Marketing Coordinator for Eagle Rider Pittsburgh and has been instrumental in bringing Eagle Rider on as one of our major rally sponsors the last few years.
Thunder Roads Magazine Pennsylvania, September 2016:
Thunder_Roads_50th_Anniv_Reese_Article.pdf371.3 KB
Glenn Kidd is a current 4 Winds Board member and a long-time motorcyclist. He poured himself into researching and assembling as much of the club's history as could be found for our 50th Anniversary year culminating in boxes of donated memorabelia, a huge spreadsheet and this article published in the MOA ON magazine and also printed in the 2016 souvenier rally program.
MOA Owners news, July 2016, Page 92:
50 Years of 4 Winds Rally - with colored photos in program1.4 MB
Rick Gzesh is a past 4 Winds President, aka "Ranger Rick", who currently resides in Cleveland, Ohio. He is a rider and disc golf player by summer and avid skier by winter.
MOA Owners News, June 2009: "Fathers's Day: When You Ride Beemers, It's All Relative!"
Mitch Kehn was a past 4 Winds President, webmaster, and founder of the Scootin' Yinzers club in Pittsburgh. He was also a real-world tester for the self-inflating Hit-Air Jackets at high speed on a freeway and lived to tell about it with hardly a scratch.
MOA Owners News, April 2008: "For Those About to GS . . . We Salute You"
View complete article660.79 KB
Jurgen Brune was a 4 Winds member from Germany who worked for the mining department of OSHA in Pittsburgh, transferred to Spokane, WA, and is now working for the Colorado School of Mines, in Golden, CO. This article was written just prior to the MOA National rally held in Gillette, WY.
MOA Owners News, April 2008: "BMW Motorcycles in Coal Country, Wyoming" View complete article688.68 KB
"Jurgen's 2009 Alps Tour" (picture journal) View complete article5.24 MB
Eric Trow is author of the "Riding Well" column in Rider magazine, and owner of Stayin' Safe Advanced Rider Training based in Pittsburgh, conducting personalized on-the-street training sessions nationwide. He and his team are continuing the mission of Rider magazine's late Stayin' Safe columnist, Lawrence Grodsky. Eric was an MSF Rider Coach for years and has been riding since he was five years old, when his grandfather owned a motorcycle shop. His step-father is long time 4 Winds member, Sonny Robison.
Article in Rider magazine from a course participant's perspective Stayin’ Safe Advanced Rider Training580.79 KB
"Keeping it Alive" -- Stayin' Safe Motorcycle Training Rolls On" Stayin' Safe Motorcycle Training Rolls On202.92 KB
Garry Nelson is an attorney in Pittsburgh where he and his 6'10" twin brother, Barry, were known as the "Twin Towers" during their basketball years at Duquesne University. His interests are old BMW's, fishing, and freelance writing. Check out his blog.
August 26, 2010: "Pittsburgh Rides: To the Four Winds" View complete article163.02 KB
February 12, 2009: "Pittsburgh Rides: No, I ride old BMWs" View complete article165.63 KB
July 1, 2010: "Pittsburgh Rides: The Biker's Camping List" View complete article215.86 KB
November 4, 2010: "Pittsburgh Rides: Put on your boots" View complete article512.91 KB
November 18, 2010: "Pittsburgh Rides -- Destination: Harpers Ferry" View complete article193.92 KB
Four Winds BMW Riders Rally 2011 View article1.17 MB
Laurel Highlands 2012 Camp-out View article1.86 MB
Our First Bike View article2.45 MB
Basket Case Boxer BMW View article1.14 MB
Basin Motorcycle Works (Dealer Profile) View article1018.86 KB
Wooden Hotel Weekend View article2.36 MB