Busy weekend -- Toy Ride Sunday

October 3, 2010
Colorado, USA

Fort Collins, CO -- We had one of those fall down in your chair Sunday evening, can't move another muscle busy weekends - just the way we like it...

Saturday: We had a cold, gray start to the day so we lingered over our coffee. Just before we stepped out the door to tinker around (about noon), I decided to check my email. There was a note dated Friday evening late from our friend David. He said he had closed on his new house Friday afternoon. Sure 'nuf, when we called, he and his girl were trying to load a U-Haul truck by themselves. So! That's how we spent our Saturday.

Sunday: We rolled out of here this morning at 7:30 am, under clear skies with temps hovering around 40 degrees. Last night dipped into the 30s for the first time this year. It was a chilly ride, but we were dressed for it so it was OK. The most we suffered was cold faces and fingers. As we were riding through Denver, we passed under the overpass where Race for the Cure people were crossing over the interstate. I mentioned to Tim, my niece Kimberly is up there somewhere. She runs in memory of my aunt and her mother-in-law.

By the time we parked the bike in Colorado Springs, we were ready to start peeling off layers, counting ourselves lucky in the weather. Skies were clear. It was getting warm. Winds were light. Last year, we rode in a Toy Run out of Loveland, CO. this same weekend. Temps were in the 30s heading out. By the end of the run, temps had dropped into the mid 20s and we had snow/sleet on the way home. Brrrr....

The gathering for the 23rd Annual High Country Toy Run was large (we are estimating over 1000 bikes). We were immediately greeted by young Marines in full dress uniform, handing out USMC Toys for Tots ride pins. The Marines thanked us for attending. We thanked them for their service. This Toy Run will benefit children of soldiers stationed at Fort Carson and others who benefit from the Toys for Tots campaign in the area. On our way for a cup of coffee, we met Santa who stopped long enough to pose for a photo and asked the age old question. Have you been a good girl this year? What do you suppose was my answer? Actually, I said... Of course Santa! When he chuckled, I commented further... That's my story and I'm sticking to it. Opening ceremonies included the pre-ride information, presentation of the colors, the national anthem, a moment of silence for those in the service of the country, a prayer and recitation of the pledge of allegiance.


Just a proud moment for me as my guy saluted the flag... lots of Veterans were in the crowd today

This is Maggie May, decked out in her hoodie and wearing her ride pin. She rode in the Toy Run today.

The man who rode beside us (his name escapes me) rolled up on a scooter. He was talking before he got to a stand still. He asked what was the prerequisite to ride. I told him - you need a toy. He asked if I thought they would take cash instead. I said I reckon they might. After Santa got the man squared away with what looked like a sizable cash donation, we chatted with him for a good while. He said he had been riding motorcycles since 1951 (had plenty of fun stories to share) but finally just got so old and decrepit he couldn't get his leg over or lift a real motorcycle anymore. He said that scooter could go fast enough to get a speeding ticket so he figured he could keep up. He did. The man did not meet a stranger that day, either. He was having a great time. As it turns out, several scooters joined the lineup. I'd have to call this toy run a huge success. One rider showed up pulling a trailer filled to overflowing with toys. Others showed up with huge stuffed animals strapped on... some were purchasing raffle tickets by the hundred count.





Riders were very creative, bikes were decked out with tinsel and stuffed with toys. Riders wore Santa hats and other Christmas gear which made the affair festive and fun.

The ride itself was perhaps a bit slow (it ran about 20-25 mph), most never got in third gear. That's slow for air-cooled Harleys in warm weather but it wasn't a long ride so most of us managed well enough. We had motorcycle policeman stopping traffic - that sure helped. The Colorado Springs Police Department officers did an outstanding job. The ride took us from the parking lot of a Harley-Davidson dealership, out Garden of the Gods Road to 31st St aka Colorado Ave through Old Colorado City to downtown Colorado Springs. Lots of people gathered to cheer us on as we rode by. Others were a captive audience, stuck at lights, stop signs, street corners and trapped in shopping centers until we all rode by. I imagine some people were trapped for at least the better part of an hour. I am hoping most of them know how much we appreciate their patience. We delivered our toys downtown near a night club called Cowboys. Lunch at Cowboys was steak and chicken for $7 (which would also benefit Toys for Tots) but the line was long and the day was just too pretty to be standing around.

I do not have the official number on the turnout, we guessed over 1000 bikes showed up...

Rolling out down Garden of the Gods Road - Pikes Peak in the background

Bikes strung out behind us as we arrived in downtown Colorado Springs

We handed off our raffle tickets to a young person and rode to The Mason Jar and had lunch. Tim had chicken fried steak. I had catfish. It was good. Then we piddle-farted (that what Dad calls it) our way home, staying just ahead of storm clouds that looked like they could roll over the foothills any time (they never did) and rolled into the driveway about dusk.

We put a polish on the day and the weekend by building a fire in the chiminea and spent the rest of the evening on the patio with our feet up and a beer or two or three in hand, feeling fairly pleased with ourselves.

What a great day! Today's ride was 306 miles. Fall has come to Colorado so our riding days are numbered, especially for long rides. We are still keeping our fingers crossed for a looonnnngggg Indian Summer.

A slide show of today's Toy Run follows (78 photos):