Each time the chapter sets a date for a ride it declares whether the mileage accumulated will count toward the chapter's "In-the-Wind" program. 
This is a voluntary program set-up a long time ago to encourage rider participation in a friendly, competitive atmosphere.
Miles ridden by participants are tallied for both chapter members and non, then for every thousand miles a patch is earned. The first 1,000 mile patch is the largest and the subsequent mileage patches are smaller. A final patch for "20,000 Mile Veterans" marks the end of the program for an individual rider. Purchasing every mileage patch is not required for participation - get only those you want.
The rules for the program are posted below along with the prices for patches. There is a nominal fee for each patch to cover the cost of having them produced. While the rules might seem kinda "Official" they exist to keep a level playing field. Remember - the object of the program is to enjoy sharing the road with fellow riders. Showing how much you share it is just a bonus. 
For more on the program contact "In-the-Wind" Chairman, Windy Blum (pictured right).
The purpose of this program is to encourage riding with Tacoma Chapter, and to give those who do a means of demonstrating it by displaying the mileage patches they have earned.
Riders of motorcycles and trikes and their passengers may participate, whether members or not. The driver and one passenger of a breakdown vehicle are also eligible to earn miles if they accompany at least one motorcycle or trike. More than one breakdown vehicle may participate and receive miles on any particular run.
“In-the-Wind” miles must be authorized in advance by a majority vote of members present at a business meeting. The chapter may approve more than one event on any given day.
Anyone joining a run after the starting point, or leaving before the ending point will earn only the miles they completed on the run.
If an “In-the-Wind” approved run has a pre-determined destination (such as a particular party or event) the miles earned will be round trip from the designated starting point. In such cases, participants may arrive at the event separately, but must actually participate in the event. Out of state destinations may only be MRO events, and not more than 400 miles away (800 miles round trip).
Persons unable to ride because they must transport equipment needed for an “In-the-Wind” event are eligible for the same miles as everyone else. Chapter officers and designees who are on official ABATE business at the same time an “In-the-Wind” run is taking place will receive the same miles that they would if they were on the run.
The Road Captain (or an officer or designee) will determine the miles earned and issue mileage slips to participants. If mileage slips are not available at the time, a list of participants will be compiled and the slips passed out later.
Participants are responsible for their own mileage slips. No replacements will be issued for lost slips. When a person has accumulated 1,000 miles or more, the slips are submitted to the Road Captain who will verify the total and issue the appropriate patch and a slip for the excess miles over the thousand. The fee for the first 1,000 mile patch is $5.00 and $2.50 for each succeeding thousand mile patch. The highest attainable patch is “Veteran 20,000+” and is $3.50.
Any changes to this program will be by majority vote of Tacoma Chapter members at a regular business meeting.
Return to Top of PageTacoma Chapter authorized 14 In-the-Wind events for the year 2007 for a total of 2,350 miles! In 2008 there should be even more miles to earn with the addition of the Beaver Creek Run in SW Oregon at 550 miles. This run is sponsored by ABATE of Oregon's Beaver Creek Chapter.
-- Windy Blum, Chairman
Eligible In-the-Wind Miles Rides may be added during the year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Event | Date | Miles |
| Start the Year Right Ride | JAN 1 | 104 |
| Rat City's Freeze Yer Butt Off | FEB 10 | 107 |
| Spring Swap Meet, Monroe | FEB 17 | 120 |
| EPCC Bunny Run | MAR 8 | 95 |
| Dice Throw | MAY 10 | 111 |
| Tattered Flag Run - Spring | MAY 17 | 142 |
| Fossil, ABATE of Oregon | MAY 25 | 700 |
| Spring Opener, Toppenish | JUN 14 | 300 |
| Sun & Surf, Ocean Shores | JUL 26 | 220 |
| Beaver Creek, ABATE of Oregon | AUG 9 | 650 |
| Memorial Run | AUG 16 | 140 |
| EPCC's Teddy Bear Run | AUG 30 | 120 |
| Fall Swap Meet, Enumclaw | SEP 7 | 25 |
| Oyster Run, Anacortes | SEP 28 | 250 |
| Tattered Flag Run - Fall | NOV 8 | TBD |
| Olympia Toy Run | DEC 6 | 52 |
| Tacoma Toy Run | DEC 13 | TBD |
Sub-Total through Sep 28th = | 3,084 | |
In-the-Wind StatisticsThe more recent updates appear in bold text | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,000 | |||
| Jimmy Holland Gertie Holland Tinman Lisa T Vern Charm Lisa P Reddog Roland Scott Tammy Myron | Notso Randy Greg D Cousin Joe Debi Goodale Davey Goodale Duke Frazier Joan Reed Ed Swisher Bubbles Doc DD Dunn | Little Bear Sue B JT Bubba Terry Wee Willie Cort Don H Rockin Robin Pauli Barney Ted Bjork | Red Beard Inga C Keith Ohm Tim Wilkins Flagpole Tammy Holm Red Evanson Cathy Steiner Bill Julian Jamie Julian Boris Stefanoff |
| 2,000 | 3,000 | 4,000 | |
| Tina Holland Skyke Blindman Dirt Bike Mike Carey White Travis Lil Leslie James J | Mike M Gene McNew Treena Arthur Randy Webb James Kirkpatrick Lisa Weidencamp Debi Bloss Tracy Roe | Jan Heckathorn Phoneman Jake Silly Frank Dave Hale Wally Weidencamp Debra Meier Lori Rigney Tracy Roe | Slammer Karolyn Robbyn Noni Kruse Craig T Marty Horn |
| 5,000 | 6,000 | 7,000 | 8,000 |
| Jan Varden Big Doug BA Big Red Bill Bloss Mike Rigney | Wolfman Broke Bob Doug Olsen | General Lee Dale Kruse | Jim Allison Wolf Ray Cooper Pam Otto Pam Frazier Lesta Campbell |
| 9,000 | 10,000 | 11,000 | 12,000 |
| Vickie Houk Linda Hanna | Windy Blum Patty Frye Mike Beckler Debbie Beckler Sonny Boy Jay Frazier | Sue Lee | |
| 13,000 | 14,000 | 15,000 | 16,000 |
| Mike Coski | Helen Wolfe Bruce Ramsey | Jerry Otto Otter Birdman | |
| 17,000 | 18,000 | 19,000 | 20,000 Veteran |
| Mike Campbell | Mailman Monty McKeehan Sylvia McKeehan Marty Lee Astro Blue Ben Wittick Lyle Coyle Debby Coyle Donna Lee Fors | ||
To turn in mileage slips, buy patches, suggest or inquire about upcoming runs, request updates to the statistics, or anything about being "In-the-Wind" with Tacoma Chapter, contact Windy Blum, Program Chairman
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