Founders Day ride

Posted October 4,2010 NLMC blog
The Club met for the Normal 10am A.O.B. at Dunkin Donuts and headed out at the normal 10am departure time of 10:15am. The ride ran north on 395 to rte 2 to Hartford, there the club crossed the Connecticut River, picked up rte 91 north and one member of the mid-state counties. The ride continued north into the Great State of Massachusetts, where in Holyoke, the group dropped off the highway and picked up Mountain rd. crossing the ridge into Easthampton. Arriving at the Cemetery on Main street the Club parked the bikes on the east side dirt road and walked across to the graveside of the club's founders, Ralph and Ruth Strong. Both the Road Captain and The President spoke of the Club, it's heritage, it's history and the importance of knowing where we come from.
From the Graveside the Club headed back through Easthampton on rte 10 (Northampton st) and ran north about 5 miles before making a stop at Adamo's Pizza and restaurant for lunch. The waitress was a little overwhelmed dealing with the 5 tables that just filled up. the meals seemed to be cooked one at a time, with a couple members getting their food about the time others were standing to depart, one member never got his food, while one got two orders, and one meal was billed twice.
Leaving the restaurant Tom lead the group south on rte 10 through Easthampton, Southampton, Swanson Corners, and Westfield. where the club partook in some dirt biking. Local Construction had removed the pavement of a large stretch of this town's road in the heart of downtown. There was some complaining over the radio about this in regards to having to wash their bikes later. From Westfield the ride continued along rte 10 through Southwick before crossing the state line into the Granbys, passing through Five Points, Mechanicsville and Salmonbrook. Here two members broke off and continued south towards Simsbury while the majority broke left and headed along rte 20 passing Bradley international before regaining 91 south to Hartford and rte 2 home.

All in all a pretty good day, It would have been an whole lot better if I had been on bike, but at least I was with the Club (and I didn't have to wear a helmet).

The day turned out to be fairly comfortable, once the sun broke through the clouds but it was still a tad chilly. The "Founders" day name may have taken on a different meaning. Since Mister Adams informed his bike he was getting rid of it and getting a Harley the bike has been giving him annoyance, on rte 20 while crossing towards rte 91 the bike departed with a foot peg, Dave and Margo were just cruising along as the peg said "goodbye". Drew had issues with his tank console, seems a bolt that holds it on went missing and Drew spent the remainder of the ride holding it in place with one hand.

So anyone walking along the road may have "found" a couple motorcycle parts.



klay