First Ride of the Year

Our Local HOG chapter, Huron River, in conjunction with Roeder HD sponsored a "Polar Bear" ride on Saturday March 14, 2009. My brother Dave, aka riding freak! Talked me into going on the ride. Don't get me wrong, I wanted to do the ride, just not in 20 degree weather! I committed as all good riding buddies do, and started mentally preparing myself for the ride.

I have never been afraid of the cold, wet or other un-comforts, but as I get older it's harder to take them on. I know I have the gear to keep warm, but.... WILL IT STILL FIT!

I woke up at 7am and the temp was 24 degrees, got myself ready, secretly hoping Dave would not show up, but at 8am, right on cue, I hear the familiar sound of his bike headed towards the house. I had done nothing to get the bike ready so it took another 30 minutes to get it and me ready to ride. (I nearly had to lay down on the lawn and have Dave zip my leathers up as I think they shrunk over winter, but knew the neighbors were already talking about me!)

By the time we took off it was around 28, 29 degree's. The ride was great, road was friendly, and smiles were warm. Had a perfect day, and when I get the pictures from Dave I’ll post them. My camera took a crap on me.

Dave and I were extended the honor of helping out with road captain duties. These duties consist of riding at the head of the pack and blocking off intersections so the pack can pass with no stops! There were over 140 bikes on the ride so it was very cool stopping traffic for several cycles of the light. Everyone that had to wait for us were happy to see us out there enjoying our passion! I think….

I even donated blood for the first time in nearly 20 years! It was a great feeling knowing I was doing something fun and helping someone out. They were giving a cool tee shirt to the first 30 people that donated. I was close the to 30 number so had to push a sweet little old lady out of my way so I was in front of her. I don’t thinks she minded, as she gabbed my ear off the whole time we were in there. As a side note, by BB was 152 over 98! Not good been that high for around a year now, know what that means, off to the Dr.’s then more exercise and better diet! I’ll keep you posted on how that works out!

After donating we stopped in Shifters’ to see what was going on. They have remoddles it and will be open to the public in the next few weeks. On the menu was a 16 oz strip steake for $7.99! No brainer here! Dave and I both ordered one and they were cooked to perfection! BUT, when the bill came out the price had increased to $15.99! Regretted offering to buy lunch! Not really, Dave had fronted me $20.00 early in the day for coffee at the Shamrock so I owned him. Speaking of the Shamrock, when we were waling in this lady asked if Dave would take her picture with me! It was Mrs. Schnellinger, she taught my girls at St. Paul. All she asked was we not “post” the picture. Dave’s going to get me the picture so I can post it here!

After the heavy lunch I blasted off for home, left Dave behind to socialize, that boy need to brush up on his social skills! Never seen anyone talk to so many people as him! The ride was great, I even had a sweet young girl flirt with me at a stop light. Course it was my hair cutting gal Tonya! But she is so pretty that it made me blush, damn near fell off the bike! I wrote it down in my riding notes for memories later on!

Need to fix the Speedo, rear speakers, and get it over to my mechanic so he can check out the cam gears, oil pump and whatever else it needs. Then off to a good deep cleaning and ready for the season.

As they say.... Screw it! Let's Ride!