Saturday August 1st cruise, A number of members got together for a ride on Saturday which took them into Rhode Island where the men are men and the roads are more akin to goat trails. The ride started in Norwichtown at the Friendly's, proceeded to Plainfield and "Motorsport Nation" then across 165 into the Ocean State. After winding its way south and east along roads picked to avoid weekend beach traffic the members arrived in Point Judith for lunch. Leaving there and traveling north along Narragansett bay there was a distinct smell of Sun tan oil in the air as the local beaches were packed to over flowing.The sites along the beach had at least one seasoned biker riding like a rookie. The run did find one exceptional road in Rhode Island, Route 102 between Kingston (rte 4) and Exeter (rte 3). hills, curves and smooth pavement. With time running out the group jumped on I-95 to get to Groton, to visit Charlie. Here I must admit a slight deviation to the route since I took them off the highway and rolled past my own house, (wanted to show the neighbors there is more than one patch around). Finally in Groton we met up with a rider coming out of a PGR run and proceeded to Charlie's. At Charlie's all eight bikes and 10 riders got off their bikes to find there was no one home. Wasn't someone suppose to call from Nastygansett to let him know we were coming? The members ,minus one, then headed out towards Ice Cream and points north.
On August 2nd, The 7th annual Ahns run saw 31 club bikes line up at DD on rte 32 in Montville for the ride to the Cohanzie Fire Station for Poker run registration. One bike departed DD earlier than the rest to help another that was stranded in New London Ct., talk was of instituting a new Vest Pin,( "The Golden Gas Pump") to be worn upside down on the recipients vest. The item to be his (or her) honor to bear until someone else runs dry. Once all 32 bikes were gathered and registered they moved out With 4 non-member bikes joining the group. The ride ran from the Cohanzie FD to Nowhere Cafe in New London, Then it was 95 north to rte 117 in Groton, to 184 to rte 27 in Old Mystic. The route then ran down 27 thru the Touristo capital of Southern New England and rte 1 east to The HandleBar in Pawcatuck for the next stop. There a visit by the local Constabulary was in order when a difference of opinion arose regarding a red light, The person receiving the attention turned out to be a non-member scrambling along behind our tail gunner. From the Handlebar the ride took us back along rte 1 onto north Main street, then Taugwonk up 201 to 2 and 201 North to 165 and Voluntown, 49 to Oneco and Sterling, The column was halted just outside the 3rd stop as a line of motorcycles went by heading for two brothers in Voluntown, So lengthy was the line that it made sense to shut down our bikes on the main road for the column to pass. Leaving Stirling the weather was finally catching up with us as we headed down 49 to 165 and the VFW at Preston Ct. Not previously mentioned but club protection was handled by four road guards and all went perfectly as it should until they blocked the wrong lane of traffic as the club left the Preston VFW. As Tom is wont to say and the road guards are ready to use the line "It was a problem with a map" The plan was to roll down Rose Hill road to 117 to 184 and 184 west to New London, but a member with other worldly information predicted a car accident on I-95 so the club rolled out on 2A to 195 then 32 back to Cohanzie FD. there the Rides promoter supplied Fried Chicken, Hot Dogs, Clam Fritters, Beans and corn on the cob. (A welcome meal to finish up the last scheduled Poker run of the season). The Club President and his Aide de Camp did not follow to the rides end but instead rolled into New London and Stash's to make an appearance and a donation from the club to the Danielle Nicholson Mem. Poker Run since the club was committed to the Ahn's run and could not attend both. After finishing the meal a number of members also ran to Stash's and the Danielle Nicholson Mem. Poker Run party.
Two great days of riding and camaraderie and that 'is' what its all about.
How many other clubs ride as often and as far as this one, How many other clubs would alter a ride 14.5 miles out of its' way and reconfigure their route so that a member can get a part for their bike and continue the ride. It's the people that make a club what it is and we have a Great group of people.
08/03 Mondays practice went well, we had a good turnout and a lot of fun. The follow the leader runs through the cones was interesting with Craig demanding a nickle each for any cones knocked over or disturbed. Word has it Craig is still waiting to be paid. Nine bikes frequented the melee and no one fell over (while I was there anyway, left early). Other members had their rides on display at the car and bike show near the boardwalk and others just came by to watch.
My over sized saddlebags were a major hindrance to riding clean through the cones and I continually re designed the course by dragging the cones to places un-planned. (Craig, I should have your money at the next meeting and with it,lunch on Sundays ride shouldn't hurt your wallet.)
Video footage of both the Saturday ride and Monday practice was taken but the editing program needed to ad them to YouTube is down and has to be reconfigured before those videos will be on line.
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