WingStuff.com Heads To GWRRA Wing Ding 31 -

WingStuff.com took it's Gold Wing show on the road and headed to Wing Ding 31 over July 4th holiday in Tulsa, Oklahoma. We loaded our show bike and Gold Wing Trikes, packed our truck full of Gold Wing accessory chrome, lighting and clothing, then headed to this years Wing Ding. We set our Wingstuff display inside Tulsa's Expo Square, while other Wingstuff staff members arrived at Tulsa international airport. Rick and crew drove our truck across the country and arrived at Wing Ding two days after departure..

Sunday Morning - Leaving California

It was early Sunday morning when we departed on our trip for Wing Ding. Crossing the California desert you realize how refreshing it is to get out on the open road. It was relaxing and peaceful watching desert scenery as we approached the Arizona border at Mohave Valley.

You realize some of the nicest places are right here in our own beautiful country. The desert was tranquil and majestic, red faced mountains lined both sides as we reached Kingman Arizona. Temperatures reached 114 degrees as we traveled up hills in the hot desert afternoon.

Sunday Evening - Flagstaff Arizona

Arizona was spectacular as the desert landscape changed from sand to pine trees as we drove higher in elevation towards Flagstaff. Temps dropped to 50 degrees with the fresh smell of pine trees as we pulled into Flagstaff.

One of our favorite things was browsing the roadside truck stop stores. They had it all, food, iPod adapters, bathing suits, shoes, lights, Indian jewelry and almost anything you needed. In most cases there were no stores for miles, making these truck stops an oasis for travelers.

Day Two: New Mexico

We reached New Mexico as we headed to Albuquerque and by afternoon the Texas border towards Amarillo. We met some of the nicest people and enjoyed western atmosphere along the way.

The Arizona and New Mexico landscape was spectacular, along the way we picked up some items in a few of these roadside stores as we continued on our trip towards Tulsa Oklahoma.

Oklahoma: Discovering The Jackalope

Just after midnight Monday we arrived in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Here's one of the funniest memories I will always have of Wing Ding that will give me laughs for the rest of my life.. We stopped at a trading post at the Texas and Oklahoma state line to fuel up and get food, while browsing the store I saw a rabbit with antlers mounted on a wooden plaque.

Now keep in mind not being from the mid-west, growing up in Rhode Island and later California. I pointed towards this Rabbit with antlers and asked the store clerk what the heck is that?? With a straight face the store worker told me it was a Jackalope, I said a what?, it's a Jackalope he replied..

Texas: Rick's Jackalope Mystery Solved

Well, while looking at multiple Jackalope rabbits with antlers mounted on the store walls, I didn't realize my staff were giving hand signals behind me to the store clerk. Over the next few days they had me thinking this crazy looking jack rabbit with antlers actually existed on our planet somewhere without me ever knowing about such a creature. My impression of the book I read as a child called Peter Rabbit was tarnished forever at this point.

Before I had a chance to Google info on this strange rabbit creature from another planet on my laptop, we stopped at another store selling yellow triangle signs showing "Jackalope Crossing" with a picture of my newest furry friend on the sign. At that point I really thought I missed something over the past 49 years of my life. I told my staff I often watch animal planet back home with my children, I thought I knew animals pretty well, until I arrived in Texas and Oklahoma.

After seeing them in another trading post store and being not shy by nature, I held up a Jackalope sign and asked if anyone in the store has ever heard of a Jackalope? That's when a man from Texas walked over to inform me my friends were pulling my leg all along. The good news is my mind is now at ease knowing rabbits and antelopes never had children together. If you ever drive across Texas and Oklahoma, watch out for these Jackalopes. :)

Our Destination: Arriving at Wing Ding

As we drove closer to Expo Square Honda Gold Wing motorcycles lined streets everywhere. Hotel parking were filled with rows of  GL1500 and GL1800 Gold Wings with hundreds of Gold Wing Trikes and matching motorcycle trailers.

We then arrived at Expo Square and saw the famous large oil driller man statue in front of this massive building. This giant facility was large enough to drive tractor trailer trucks inside. We drove into Expo Square and began setting up for opening day of Wing Ding.

WingStuff.com Display Emerges At Wing Ding 31

After arriving the hard work of building our display booth, Gold Wing Trike display and service installation started. Other WingStuff staff members who flew to the event were now arriving at the Tulsa Airport and joined us later that afternoon.

Back home our staff was working hard taking care of daily business as usual as the rest of us worked at Wing Ding creating an impressive shopping display for all our Gold Wing friends who were attending Wing Ding 31.

Our display offered a full range of GL1800 accessory items, GL1500 accessory parts and some vintage GL1200 accessories. Brands like Kuryakyn, Show Chrome, Add On, Rivco, AeroPeg, J&M Electronics, Firstgear, Superbrace, Cool Vest and more. Our Gold Wing Trike conversions from California Side Car and Champion were on display and handled by our Trike sales manager Hank inside our display area.

Bringing Technology With Us We always try to provide our customers with the best shopping experience possible. Whether visiting our California Retail & Service Facility, or on the road at Wing Ding, we take multiple high speed computers with us to better enhance the shopping experience we can offer our customers while on the road. During Wing Ding we provided customers with many high speed online computers inside our display. These computers were lined up on both sides of our long customer service table. Our computers allowed WingStuff staff members to better answer questions, while showing Gold Wing accessory options on large visible screens. This also provided customers with an easy way of shopping and allowing items to be shipped directly to their door before returning home.

WingStuff Gold Wing Trikes Displayed At Wing Ding 31

Our California Side Car "CSC" Trikes along with Champion Trikes were on display inside our display. Our Gold Wing Trike sales manager Hank Herrera was there explaining our Trike incentives program and answering questions regarding Wingstuff Gold Wing Trike conversions.

Our Trike Fly & Ride program was also popular for out of state residents. We arrange purchase of a brand new Gold Wing at low pricing, pick up your new bike and install your Trike conversion. We pick you up at the airport and you ride home with a big smile on your brand new Gold Wing Trike. 

Best Memories Of Wing Ding 31

The best thing that happened at Wing Ding was meeting so many of you face to face. The fact that we knew so many of you by user name made us feel like we were around friends and family. It was nice meeting so many of you there, Wing Ding gave us that opportunity to you meet so many of you face to face.

Wing Ding was is a great destination for many people around the world. All share the same passion and family feeling so many of us enjoy being involved in the Gold Wing community. I truly enjoyed watching so many of you exchange emails and telephone numbers after meeting each other and making new friends in our display area.

No motorcycle in history has ever created more friendships than the clubs and people who ride Honda Gold Wings.

On the last day of the show many goodbyes were exchanged, many took time to come back to say goodbye to us. Some Wingstuff customers from Odessa Texas hung out with us and kept us entertained the last day of the show. I tryed impressing them by saying I knew what Hush Puppies were in Texas and that they were NOT a pair of shoes.

Heading Home After Wing Ding 31

Our journey back we had the opportunity to stop in Amarillo Texas at the famous Big Texan Steak House, this is truly a Texas landmark. We saw local customers of ours there who were enjoying some of the best Texas food we had on our way back from Wing Ding.

This is a true Texas experience from games, gifts and yes, "Jackalopes" mounted on the walls. Now I know all about those furry creatures.. They also offer a Huge 72oz steak and if you can eat it all in less than one hour, your meal is Free!

Leaving Amarillo Texas the sky turned black, lightning flashed across the horizon. Sure enough, we headed into a huge lighting storm. The hot weather made conditions perfect for a Tornado. Luckily that didn't happen and later the storm was behind us.

We reached Arizona next and then California near the Colorado river. Our memories of Wing Ding will last forever, especially the Jackalopes..

If you didn't attend this years Wing Ding I hope you enjoyed reading some of our adventures and memories of that show that I enjoyed writing and sharing with all of you here..

We always appreciate your business and will continue to work hard to earn it in the future.

Ride Safe And See You On The Open Road!

Rick Arnoldo
President - WingStuff.com