The day started with a 10am AOB, well...not really, this year our A.O.B.s have been a tad flexible, as usual for this year we left Dunkin after A.O.B. time. The turn out for the ride was rather light, which was rather strange considering the weather which was sunny and warm (in Montville). Tom lead us down 395 to 95 for the ride to West Haven. Passing Troop F, (State Police barracks) in Westbrook, we picked up one more bike, Vinny was sitting in the entrance way to the Cop shop for us to pass by. We continued down the interstate on a smooth yet mundane ride until we hit the Guilford area where the State Workers had been busy. With nothing else to do, someone had decided to put them to work removing the pavement for about a 5 or 6 mile stretch. Luckily for us, the work was already done and it was just a matter of cruising along on what felt like hover bikes. This, in my opinion was a lot more enjoyable to the pavement we encountered after crossing the bridge over the Quinnipiac River.
We pulled in to the commuter lot off Greta street at the Econo Lodge to meet up with the New Haven County contingent. Once together we headed down Saw Mill to Railroad avenue and Frontage road past Cycle Salvage to Allings Crossing road, to Shingle Hill to Chase Lane and the "West Haven Italian American Club" for the Annual Renegade Knights Bike Blessing.
Once there we paid our entrance fee, (a good way for a single up rider to have cash ready is to tuck the bills between the throttle and the throttle rocker), we registered for the ride and walked around the leather vendor ( ???) and had coffee and donuts. The weather had warmed up considerably and many of us decided to shed the jackets in favor of shirts and vests. (I was not one of these). After a word from the Sponsoring Club, a moment of silence and the "Star Spangled Banner" the ride began. The Knights kicked us out of the lot in columns of twos.
The ride was really enjoyable, a nice distance, people out to see the bikes pass, and a couple of accidents, what more could a person need?
We headed left out of the Club and turned right on Jones Hill rd, which we took to the rotary by the sea and picked up Ocean Avenue.We rolled through Savin Rock, and onto Captain Thomas Boulevard. Then Washington Ave to Beach street. We cruised along 1st Avenue to Campbell Avenue, then Forest rd to rte 34. The Renegade Knights and area Police did a masterful job of sealing off the route. We continued up 34 to Racebrook road and pulled into the Church of the Good Shepard for a drive through blessing. After the Blessing the bikes continued up Racebrook and should have turned left onto Prindle Hill, but this was the location where the only glitch in the ride occurred, the Police officer that was suppose to be at that intersection wasn't in position, so a few of the riders had a longer ride than was planned. Vinny was called up front to get us back on track. All in all a fun ride. I love messing up traffic flows.
Once back at the Club we had Ziti and sauce with salad, and sat around a while talking, I had a conversation regarding ape hangers with a few members of the Renegade Knights and most agreed that while the tall ones looked cool, having your arms up over your head can;'t be comfortable. Of course the their members with the tall apes weren't there to defend their sleds.
For the ride back it was decided to head up I-95 to 91, with a few bikes continuing on the Interstate, the rest off us headed up 91 to route 80 across to deep River with the New Haven and Branford riders breaking off as the ride continued. In deep River the Road Captain and Prez picked up route 9 while five bikes and six members rolled up route 154 to 82. At 82 we found traffic parked so we opted for the empty on coming traffic lane, cruised up the small hill and turned into Dunkin for a break and to let traffic dissipate. Once we were done and the road clear Danny lead us across the river and down 82. I jumped off at 434 (Mount Parnassus) and cruised through The Hopyard, then made a right on 82 to 156 and Beaver Brook to Grassy Hill into Chesterfield and dinner at Davids Place.
An absolutely great day, one of those days where you just don't want to get off the bike...ever.
Photos to follow.
klay
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