1974 April

It was mid February when I wrote this article, and the weather was like Spring; sunny and quite mild. It was a far cry from the severe winter prediction I mentioned in February's article. In fact, prediction now has it that it should be mild from now on. More and more bikers are appearing on the scene as the weather turns better, and I predict a good year for our BMWMOA European community - let's hope so!

Not much to report in the way of up-coming rallies. Although the fuel crisis is easing somewhat here in Europe (except for lower speed limits and higher fuel prices), promoters are not too anxious to announce their rallies too far in advance. For example, the famous Schwartzpulver Rally, or Black Powder Rally, was announced in February and held on the ninth and tenth of March - too late to let you know about it in advance. Will give you an after-action report next month. Rumors are spreading though, of two BMW rallies to be held in Europe this year, but I've been unable to find out any particulars on them. If anyone has additional information on these rallies, please let me know so that I can pass it on to our readers.

We have only one departee for April, Dave Malcom 466, who is departing Araxon, Greece for Hawaii. Dave, a BMWMOA Ambassador, is toying with the idea of a listing for the Pacific BMW folks, similar to the European Listing. We wish you the best of luck, Dave.

Gains in February were, Fred Bergmann 618, who is now stationed in Belgium, and Bill Ringwald stationed in Germany, In April Jay Koster 3114, is being transferred from Denver, Colorado to Germany. 7/elcome! This brings our European membership to 20, and with the three known applicants in February, our membership will be up to 23.

Carol Plant has sent me eight BMWMOA tie bars and one key chain, and they are up for grabs at $4.75 each. I've converted one of the tie bars to a pin for my cap, and it does look sharp. Send your check to: Pat Thomas, DCSCOMPT, Hq TASOOM, APO II 09058.

One of our members is interested in obtaining some Steib sidecars from Europe. If you know of any for sale, please send me the particulars.

Now for some more tips on riding in Europe for the tourist. Road signs are standard throughout Europe, and a booklet describing these signs and the major rules of the roads, should be available to your local state motor vehicle office, or the AAA. All speed signs are marked in kilometers, and if your speedometer is calibrated in miles, just multiply the posted speed by 0.6 and as one or two miles to the result to obtain the same speed in mph. For example: 100 kph x 0.6 = 60 + 2 = 62 mph.

One rule to keep in mind, is that all merging traffic from the right has the right of way, unless otherwise posted. This applies, regardless from which angle the merging road enters yours, or its width. The only exception to this rule, is accesses on to the Autohbahns, which must yield the right of way.