Sunday Gift Ride

Posted November 8, 2010


It was cold, I got up early. took my meds, water with each,at 8am I hit the road, it was 33 degrees, not bad standing around but a tad chilly on bike, I stopped off at the Equinox for coffee. I got to D&D at 8:55 for coffee, around 9:15 other menmbers started arriving and the chat began.
Once A/O/B arrived the Club hit the road, this was the first run with Steve N. as RC and Tom L as RGC. Not knowing the area being more of a western and mid-state kinda guy, Steve led with radio direction by Jim, the club rode to Stashes and had breakfast. Love Stashes, dimly lit bar, lots of great tasting food and all you can eat Sausage, Ham, home fries, french bread sticks, eggs and fruit. (A coffee and OJ here)
The Gift Run (Toy run) in truth, is boring, people ride to the Speedbowl in Waterford, they line up and wait. At 1pm they hit the road, right on 85, right on Cross road, left on 1, right at the Police station, straight across on Great neck, ride it to the shore, pull into Harkness. The Club doesn't take this ride, from Stashes we go on our own, sometimes out through Stonington, This year we went to Groton (exit 88) left onto North rd (117), cruised across 184 onto center Groton rd (117) and proceeded into Ledyard. After Ledyard Center we turned left on 214 and followed that to rte 12 in Gales Ferry. A right turn on 12 and up to 2A, across the Mohegan Pequot bridge and off on rte 32. 32 south to Montville and 163. West on 163 to Chesterfield rd which we followed till the end. At 85 we hooked a left, cruised past the Speedbowl and followed the Gift runs path to Harkness. Once at Harkness we dropped off the gifts, grabbed coffee and such then set up to direct the bikes into the parking area. There was a good turn out for the event even though the weather was cool. Then it was food, raffles and chewing the fat with other bikers.
The Club fielded 24 bikes and two trikes at Dunkin on Colman, we picked up a couple others at Stashes who arrived late, we had two drop out as we departed New London, one drop in Groton and one at the end of 214 in Gales Ferry, still a pretty go crew.





klay