Still Enjoying That Riviera
by Chip Aeppli #5913, President of Board of Trustees
It was on my wish list, my “I need to do this” list for many years.
I finally made it down to Tail of the Dragon. I drove my ’98 Riv. I’ve
been on many other fantastic, memorable drives with that car. But
this was great! It’s Route 129 in southeastern Tennessee and its claim
to fame is 318 turns in 11 miles. The last couple miles of The Dragon
crossed into North Carolina. It was freshly paved in the summer
of ’24, with white and yellow stripes that you will appreciate.
It’s a favorite of a lot of sporty cars: Corvettes, Porsches,
Mustangs, Miatas, and motorcycles in abundance. Everyone
gets along beautifully, just people out having a good time and
enjoying driving, the scenery, and like-minded souls.
I was there on a September weekday with lovely
temperatures and not bad for crowds at all.
The region is loaded with two-lane scenic drives,
just not as curvy as that one famous section. If
you can ever get there, do it, and in the vehicle
of your choice, whether on two wheels or four.
The Riviera performed like a champion. It’s
about 500 miles from my home, so the whole trip
was tremendous. Those Rivs just eat up the highway. And while they may
not corner like a Miata, the Miata doesn’t have that Buick ride.
I didn’t buy my Riviera brand new, but for more than two decades this Riviera
beckons me: “where to next?”
Alas, The Time Has Come
By Ray Knott #1, Director/Editor
ray@rivowners.org
Over the past several years, the ROA has seen a continuous increase in the cost of
printing the Riview, postage, and general operating expenses. We
have kept the membership dues unchanged as long as possible,
but we also are committed to providing the same quality
magazine, website, and service. For perspective, the last
domestic membership dues increase was in 2016, and before
that, in 2005.
The cost of printing the Riview has increased 62% since 2019,
much due to the cost of paper. Despite the recent delays by
the US postal service, their costs have increased 64% since 2021.
Foreign mail costs have soared as well: we now pay five times more
to mail outside of the US.
We compared our new dues with other national and international
clubs and find we are still below all the others.
Here are the new rates:
DOMESTIC MEMBERSHIP: $45–1 year, $80–2 years, $120–3 years
(currently: $35, $65, $95)
OUTSIDE OF THE US (FOREIGN): $65–1 year, $110–2 years,
$150 –3 years (currently: $45, $80, $120)
The new rates take effect on APRIL 15, 2025. If you’d like to get
a jump on the increase, renew in advance at the current rate
regardless of when your membership is due. Just as long as payment is received
by April 15th. You can mail, call or go to rivowners.com, hit the “Join/Renew” button
or scroll to the bottom, and follow the steps to renew your membership.
