Last year about this time...

August 17, 2011
Colorado, USA

Woo-Hoo! Can you say road trip!

We are riding out again to the Salute to American Veterans Rally in Cripple Creek, CO. This will be our third year at the Vet Rally. In 2009 we rode in the Winter Park POW-MIA Recognition Ride for the rally. Last year we rode with thousands of other motorcycles in the POW-MIA Recognition Ride from Woodland Park, CO to Cripple Creek, CO. This year we plan to ride again. It is one helluva experience riding with Veterans, members of our Armed Forces, and Patriots, engines roaring, flags flying and people cheering along the roadside.

The following is a slide show of last year's POW-MIA Recognition Ride.

2010 POW-MIA Recognition Ride Slide Show

FYI: Not all of the following pics are in focus (they are taken from the back of a motorcycle), but I included them anyway because those people standing on the side of the road cheering us on deserve as much recognition as we riders... they are patriots one-and-all. Here is a slide show of the POW-MIA Recognition Ride (100 photos):

Windy Weekend Riding

April 17, 2011
Colorado, USA

Well, we finally get decent temps but as has been the story so far this year - along with them came too much wind. So, we spent most of the weekend riding around like a couple of farts in a whirlwind.

SATURDAY found us rolling up Hwy 34 to the Beavers Den. We roamed around in the store, picked up a few items and visited with LeAnn, the owner. This is a great biker store situated in a beautiful area at the mouth of the canyon between Loveland and Estes Park. It is well stocked with leathers, patches and other needful biker things. Coming up next Saturday at the Beavers Den is a BBQ fund raiser that benefits the American Legion Riders fuel stop for The 2011 Run for the Wall in Limon, CO. We plan to make it back, rain or shine. Hope to see you there.

LIMON COLORADO RFTW FUEL STOP FUNDRAISER BBQ
SPONSORED BY BEAVERS DEN LEATHER
9019 W US HWY 34 - LOVELAND, CO
SATURDAY - APRIL 23RD. 2011 NOON - 4PM
ENTERTAINMENT BY S-H-E, HOURLY GIVEAWAYS
BRING YOUR BLANKET OR CHAIR & WALLET

We roamed around most of the afternoon, stopping by Johnson's Corner, the CB Shop next door (they both carry biker goods), found ourselves riding over the dam and then on home.

Squall over the foothills

Shadow Riders along for part of the ride

It was a windy dam ride

Looking behind us (north) as we ride around Horsetooth Reservoir

SUNDAY, we rolled out the drive despite the howling winds and a quickly approaching cloud. We chased a patch of blue sky and sun around for the better part of two hours without catching it. We finally had enough of wind and called it a day. We must have rode out from under that little cloud because the streets showed signs of having brief rain... how 'bout that - rain!

We rode out from under this little black cloud but after riding around for a couple of hours with the winds tearing our heads off we gave it up... 20-30 mph with gusts of 40-45 mph.

Our Motorcycle Rides 2010

December 31, 2010
Colorado, USA

OK - here are the totals for my numbers guy... 37,026 actual miles accumulated since the summer of 2008. According to HOG we have 36,277 miles (because of a glitch in the initial mileage reporting on the Heritage). 2974 miles between us and 40,000 miles. 3723 miles between us and the 40,000 mile patch. I can already hear Tim calculating in his noodle when we'll be able to sew on that 40,000 mile HOG patch - lol! It's gonna be fun getting there - that's for certain.

04/28/2010 Total 2008 Heritage Miles = 21168
12/28/2010 Total 2010 Ultra Classic Miles = 15858

Total Mileage 2010 = 17674 Woo-Hoo!
Total Ultra Classic Mileage 2010 = 15858
Total Heritage Mileage 2010 = 1816
12/28/2010 Today may be last ride of 2010 = 37 miles
12/26/2010 Total Mileage = 15821
12/26/2010 Might be the last ride of 2010 = 61 miles
12/25/2010 Christmas Day Dinner ride = 40 miles
12/24/2010 Christmas Eve Junk-tiquing ride = 26 miles
12/12/2010 Brrr... Chilly Sunday Ride = 60 miles
12/03/2010 Just a little lunch ride = 5 miles
11/28/2010 After Turkey Day Ride = 30 miles
11/07/2010 'Nother November Ride = 85 miles
11/06/2010 November Ride = 40 miles
11/01/2010 Total Mileage = 15340 miles
10/30/2010 Saturday before Hallowe'en Ride = 60 miles
10/24/2010 Breaking 15,000 ride = 100 miles
10/17/2010 Riding circles w/David for pie n coffee = 40 miles
10/16/2010 Great Fall Afternoon Ride = 60 miles
10/09/2010 Junktiquing on a Saturday Ride = 42 miles
10/5/2010 Dinner with Truckers Run = 28 miles
10/03/2010 Toy Run Sunday = 306 miles
09/26/2010 Likely the last Wyoming Ride = 178 miles
09/25/2010 Peak-to-Peak Color Ride = 191 miles
09/24/2010 BTGTW Dam Ride = 20 miles
09/19/2010 First Fall Color Ride 2010 = 164 miles
09/12/2010 Weekend Rides = about 60 miles
09/01-09/08/2010 Road Trip #3 - Texas HOG Rally = 2245 miles
08/25/2010 Total Mileage - 11077 miles
08/20-22/2010 Mini Road Trip = 679 miles
08/18/2010 Sunny and Hot BTGTWR = 30 miles
08/15/2010 Sunday Burgers & Ice Cream Ride = 91 miles
08/14/2010 Saturday Lookout Mountain Ride = 101 miles
08/08/2010 Mini Road Trip Day 2 = 458 miles
08/07/2010 Mini Road Trip Day 1 = 407 miles
08/03/2010 Total Mileage = 9144 miles
07/31/2010 Denver Passport & High Country Ride = 285 miles
07/25/2010 Sunday Passport Ride = 90 miles
07/15-07/20 Road Trip #2 - Five State Ride = 2438 miles
07/12/2010 Scootin' around weekend = 45 miles
07/11/2010 Just a short ride = 30 miles
07/10/2010 Scootin' around ride = 120 miles
07/06/2010 Total Mileage = 6065 miles
07/05/2010 High Country Ride = 275 miles
07/04/2010 Independence Day Ride = 110 miles
07/03/2010 Wyoming Passport Ride = 240 miles
06/28/2010 HOG Million Mile Monday High Country Ride = 207 miles
06/27/2010 Tejon Street Bike Fest w/Friends Ride = 312 miles
06/26/2010 - Got rain? Ride for beer! = 2 miles
06/25/2010 Friday Long Way Around to Lunch Ride = 50 miles
06/21/2010 Ride to work day = 4 miles (Ha!)
06/20/2010 Dad's Day White Water/Windy Ride = 360 miles
06/19/2010 New Friend & "Passport" Ride = 200 miles
06/14/2010 Flag Day Ride = 35 miles
06/03/2010 25,000 Miles in less than 2 years
06/03/2010 Total Mileage = 4096
05/27-06/02/2010 Road Trip #1 - Memorial Day = 2245 miles
05/23/2010 Sunday "Passport" Ride = 176 miles
05/22/2010 Saturday After Work "No Leathers" Ride = 93 miles
05/21/2010 Dam Ride = 25 miles
05/17/2010 BTGTWR - Lakes = 53 miles
05/16/2010 Sunday - testing the flags ride = 207 miles
05/14/2010 BTGTWR - TGIF = 65 miles
05/10/2010 1000 Maintenance Ride = 10 miles
05/09/2010 Breaking 1000 Mother's Day Ride = 300 miles
05/08/2010 Saturday getting closer to 1000 ride = 135 miles
05/07/2010 Long way to work ride = 65 miles
05/06/2010 33 Miles then rain ride = 33 miles
05/05/2010 Breaking 500 Ride = 91.5 miles
05/04/2010 Windy Ride to Thunder Mountain = 35 miles
05/03/2010 BTGTW Ride = 40 miles
05/02/2010 Windy and Cold Ride = 102 miles
05/01/2010 May Day Ride = 185 miles
04/28/2010 Honeymoon Ride on Ultra Classic = 107 miles
04/28/2010 Total 2008 Heritage Miles = 21168
04/28/2010 Say Bye Ride = 10 miles
04/27/2010 Tina gets a Dam Ride = 20 miles
04/24/2010 Burger ride = 10 miles
04/18/2010 Sunny Sunday Ride = 144 miles
04/11/2010 Fairplay Loop Ride = 383 miles
04/10/2010 Saturday ride = 75 miles
04/09/2010 BTGTWR Lunch Run = 20 miles
04/04/2010 In Search of the Easter Bunny Ride = 187 miles
04/01/2010 Total Mileage = 20195
03/31/2010 Chilly BTGTWR = 40 miles
03/30/2010 BTGTWR = 34 miles
03/28/2010 Finally - A great day to ride = 195 miles
03/22/2010 Signs of Spring Dam Ride = 20 miles
03/17/2010 Tim rides for corn beef and cabbage (solo) = 20 miles
03/16/2010 Long way in to work ride (solo) = 34 miles
03/13/2010 Vik's out of town - Tim's solo ride = 178 miles
03/03/2010 BTGTWR = 34 miles
03/02/2010 BTGTWR = 27 miles
02/28/2010 Fill 'er up before snow ride = 12.4 miles
02/27/2010 Vik gets first ride 2010 = 33.3 miles
01/30/2010 First Ride of the Year! = 19.4 miles
01/01/2010 Mileage = 19352
BTGTWR - Before Tim Goes To Work Ride

Correction: December 26 not last ride of 2010

December 28, 2010
Colorado, USA

Tim is on a rare week of day shift, so when he arrived in from work about mid-afternoon, we couldn't resist the idea that we might squeak in a short ride. We did. A short, cold ride. The afternoon sun was simply too weak to do much more than allow us to throw a shadow. We rode over to west of Loveland to check out a new leather shop we heard about. Beaver's Den Leather on Hwy 34. But, they were not open. We decided to take the route through Masonville and around the south end of Horsetooth Reservoir which is a great ride but darn cold in the shadows of the mountains.

The Ride is eight months old today - 15858 miles

It was pretty darn cold riding today

The sun didn't give us much more than a shadow today

Day after Christmas ride

December 26, 2010
Colorado, USA

Well, color us happy. We got a ride in for the third day in a row. We never saw the forecasted mid-50s but we have no complaints about riding in the mid-to-high 40s under mostly sunny skies. Better yet, we had little more than a breath of wind. Most of our Texas friends are stuck inside and did not get a ride in over the holiday so we are feeling pretty lucky.

View of the mountains from east side of I-25

We rode out of town and past all the hustle and bustle of the day-after at the shopping centers as quick as we could. We chose to ride at a leisurely pace up and down the country lanes and the farm roads east of busy and getting busier by the minute I-25, not breaking 45-50 mph most of the time. We managed to stretch about 60 miles out over nearly three hours, stopping once for coffee.

The mileage on The Ride clicked over 15,800 while we were out today. The Ride is two days shy of being eight months old. We finished out the day with the odometer reading 15,821 miles. This is likely the last ride of 2010 as we will see the New Year in with temps dipping into the single digits. Yikes!

What a great year this has been... stay tuned for the recap of 2010 and I'll finally get around to producing the videos of our adventures this year.

The Ride sporting new stubby antennas

Christmas Dinner Ride

December 25, 2010
Colorado, USA

Santa was good to the Harley-Kid this year

Santa was good to us and the Harley-Kid but I think the best gift was being able to leather up and ride warm enough to get to dinner and back. Again, we rode in the 40s, a couple of digits above yesterday's temp. Today we had sunshine so we took our time getting to our favorite truck stop on I-25 which is where we would have Christmas dinner.

Today is the first time in several days we had a decent glimpse of the mountains which have received snow measured in feet rather than inches this year.
Longs Peak/Peak-to-Peak Highway area on the left, Estes Park (Rocky Mountain National Park) on the right
Ice on the move on not quite frozen lake

Johnson's Corner is a great place to eat on I-25 in northern Colorado and the last decent place to eat before you get to Wyoming. The food is great, reasonably priced and the staff is always friendly and efficient. Even today. Our wait was about half an hour or so. The place was busy, apparently being one of the few restaurants open for a holiday dinner. Our Christmas dinner was served up in generous portions of thick-sliced turkey, gravy, dressing, mashed potatoes, green beans, whole baked stuffed apple and pumpkin pie. Yum!

The next couple of pics are of a fox we saw at an intersection in Fort Collins on the way home.
He came out of this shrubbery as we pulled up to an intersection near dowtown Fort Collins
Beautiful markings and long black stockings

Needless to say, we were a little better insulated for the leisurely ride home. Today's ride was over 40 chilly miles. By the time we arrived back at the house in time to pay a Christmas visit to our friends across the street, the shadows were long and temps were dropping quick into the 30s. We rode in high on the promise that tomorrow is supposed to be sunny and warm. We are looking forward to it.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve in Search of Santa Ride

December 24, 2010
Colorado, USA

Woo-Hoo! Yesterday, we finished shopping for the Harley-Kid in the garage and Tim finished his shopping, so this afternoon was open for a Christmas Eve Ride. The weather in northern Colorado does not normally cooperate with such activity so we're thinking Santa is thinking we have been really good this year. Ha!

We rode with temps hovering just over 40 degrees and a light cloud cover. Every year on Christmas Eve (if we are still in Colorado), we ride or drive to our favorite junk-tique store and usually add a few vintage Santa pieces to our rather large collection. This year, we got to ride over on the Harley.

It wasn't a long ride (about 26 miles). As we rode in about 3 pm with our Santa loot, the temp was dropping fast. So we parked the ride and hopped in the Tahoe and went in search of Christmas Eve dinner before the sidewalks cleared the way for Santa.

This is me in the middle of a HO! HO! HO! let's go find Santa!

We were happy to see the Shadow Riders - with temps in the 40s - we needed all the sun we could get!

Tim - ready for a Christmas Eve ride.

Vik - ready for a Christmas Eve ride.

Tim & Vik after the Christmas Eve ride

Brrrr.... Cold Sunday Ride

December 12, 2010
Colorado, USA

We count ourselves lucky if we get to ride at this time of year in northern Colorado. Last year we had icy, snow-packed streets for what seemed like f-o-r-e-v-e-r.

We could have hung around here and finished up the outside Christmas decorations. We could have spent the day in the Tahoe getting our Christmas shopping done. None of that sounded like fun...

Was it warm enough to ride today? Not really, but we layered up and leathered up and rode out of here anyway. At about 11 am, the temp was 37 degrees. It was cold riding all day, but we had sun. Temps were supposed to climb into the low 50s. It never made it past the low 40s.

A winter storm was raging in the high country. The Rockies usually visible along this route were socked in. We caught only an occasional view of a snow-covered peak throughout the afternoon.

We rode to one Harley dealership, stopped, shopped and warmed up. We took a leisurely route so we didn't have to travel over 60 mph. Most of the time we scooted along at 45-50 mph. Then we rode to another Harley dealership, stopped, shopped and warmed up. Then we rode to Johnson's Corner (our favorite truck stop on I-25) and stopped to warm up again. Going about 10 miles at 80 mph with temps near 39 degrees chapped our faces, our gloved hands and a few other places. We thought about having a bite to eat but the temps were dropping and the sun was soon to slide behind low clouds rolling over the foothills. We wussied out and brought the ride on in home. It was a good decision.

After dropping the leathers and warming up a bit, we hopped in the Tahoe and drove for a couple of beers and a pulled pork sandwich with cherry chipotle sauce at Serious Texas BBQ. Yum!

It was about 60 miles of damn chilly fun. No, we did not learn our lesson. We rode in with a smile and agreed - we would do it again and soon...

Post Turkey - Pre Snow Ride

November 28, 2010
Colorado, USA

Got the Thanksgiving company on the road early this morning, chilled (literally speaking as it was 23 degrees at 7am) for a while allowing the day to warm some, and enjoyed a late breakfast (oh, let's call it brunch). We finally leathered up and rolled out on a short, chilly run. It was only thirty or so miles. Riding at temps hovering between 38 and 42 degrees under cloud cover was a mite airish as Tim says. Still, it was a great way to end a busy weekend and shake off the post holiday blahs... hope everyone was lucky enough to squeeze in a ride.

Riding out where we could see the weather coming in...

Sunday shopping ride

November 7, 2010
Colorado, USA

Fort Collins, CO -- Today the skies were looking a bit iffy and the forecast didn't sound much better. The days are getting chilly and the weather temperamental. We wanted a longer ride than yesterday. So, we decided to roll out about mid-morning and see how far we could get. We took ourselves a couple of towns over to Aunt Alice's Restaurant in Longmont. This is one of our favorite places for breakfast. You can get a good ol' country-style breakfast served up in generous portions at a reasonable price and the coffee is good and hot.

As we rolled up on Aunt Alice's, the wind had kicked up good and it looked like a healthy storm was sliding over the mountains. A couple of flurries whizzed by our noses as we decided breakfast was likely as far as we would get today.

After breakfast, the clouds had indeed slid over the mountains but other than a little more wind they were not doing much more than spitting on us. We decided to ride a little further south and see what the skies looked like beyond the edge of town. We could see a patch of blue on the horizon toward Denver and nothing but ominous black toward home. We decided to make for Denver and maybe the storm would blow on through before we made the return trip this afternoon. As it turns out, that was a good decision.

Riding toward a patch of blue sky
Yikes! Glad we left that bit of business behind us.

The ride to the north end of a Denver suburb was windy and perhaps a bit colder than when we started out. We spent the afternoon roaming through a favorite Christmas craft show, picking up a couple of gifts. Funny. We bought a fairly large piece of seasonal art (with glass) and as the artist was wrapping it for us, it occurred to us almost simultaneously - we are on the Harley. Ha! The artist looked at us rather oddly (can't imagine why) and said her husband could deliver it next week in Fort Collins, if we couldn't get it home on the motorcycle. Of course, the art was too large for the saddle bags or the tour pack. I don't know what we were thinking - ha! We managed to cushion it with our rain gear and strapped it down with the cargo net on top of the tour pack rack. It made it home in perfect condition, despite rough railroad crossings and high winds. I would have a photo of it except I failed to get the camera out of the tour pack before we strapped it all down.

The weather had cleared out by the time we headed home. It was a chilly ride home, but not unbearable. Our riding days are numbered here in Northern Colorado so we count this one as a good day.

Saturday after work ride

November 6, 2010
Colorado, USA

Fort Collins, CO -- The day warmed into the 50s so we mounted up as soon as Tim got in from his Saturday shift work. It was a short ride on the country roads east of I-25, a stop for coffee and an ice cream and a couple of photos in front of the flag mural painted on the side of a VFW post in Johnstown, CO. The mural is usually blocked by vehicles. We got lucky today.

Our sun is getting weaker every day and the temps fall earlier in the afternoon now. We stopped for a cheap chinese buffet dinner before rolling back in just after dark.

This is as close as I'll get to a Vet Day shot of Tim as Veterans Day is a work day.
Ol' Glory and The Ride - Long may she wave. Long may it roll.

Saturday before Halloween ride

October 30, 2010
Colorado, USA

Fort Collins, CO -- Saturday ride... Tomorrow is Hallowe'en. We have guests coming so tomorrow will be spent in preparation for that, but today we ride. And a fine Fall day to ride it was.

As usual, we rode out with no agenda. We made a quick stop at the dollar store in the small town of Windsor for a couple of relish items. There, we found ourselves in the midst of hundreds of trick-or-treaters collecting candy from Main Street merchants. We watched the munchkins for a short while, then I snapped pictures as we rode out of town. We found ourselves winding our way up and down country roads for most of the afternoon. Some of the roads were familiar, some were not. We rode through some small towns we have not visited before, found a BBQ place in Mead and a museum in Platteville that will bear a second look sometime this winter while we are stuck flat-landing it.

Eventually we found ourselves in Lyons where we made our usual stop, then took the loonnngggg way home, riding in about dusk -- just in time to light the Hallowe'en display.

Slide show (25 photos):

Friday off ride

October 29, 2010
Colorado, USA

Fort Collins, CO -- Friday Off! And, despite the chilly start, it turned out to be a beautiful day. We rode out under high, thin clouds in our heavy jackets about noon. The munchkins at my friend's daycare across the street saw us off. By the time we got a couple of towns over, the day had warmed and we came out of our leathers. Today, we could see the mountains beyond the foothills glistening with fresh snow. Winter has arrived in the high country.

We took the long, lazy way over to the Borders book store I like a couple of towns over and spent some time and a few dollars there. Books - that's what I usually go for on my birthday. I guess I don't have much imagination. I made the book store run yesterday, but Tim was determined to extend the celebration. I have to mention I was wearing my new Harley-Davidson birthday hoodie and belt while we were out and about today. Tim surprised me later with a Jack Skeleton journal and bookmark he purchased while I was browsing. Afterwards, we roamed through a junktique store without buying anything.

By early afternoon, we were hungry so we finished the day off with an excellent meal at Ruby Tuesdays before moseying on home.

Slide show (8 photos):

Birthday ride...

October 28, 2010
Colorado, USA

Fort Collins, Co -- A fun birthday starts out with a surprise package from the Folks full of really nice things like a new Harley Davidson belt (with just the right amount of bling) and a new Harley-Davidson hoodie.

I loved hearing my 99 year old Grandma sing me the funny birthday song. Then there were cards and calls, emails and FB notes from family members and good friends.

Last year it snowed on my birthday so while it was chilly today, the sun was shining and I was happy to see it. The day finally warmed into the 40s. I got a Harley Ride to Vern's for lunch with Tim. Afterwards, I had the whole afternoon free to stroll through the book store... and that's exactly what I did. A couple of them even came home with me.

Later, I'll have a super-duper sized cupcake and ice cream when Tim gets home... add to that a three day Hallowe'en weekend with weather good enough to ride and I am all smiles...

Just a short slide show (8 photos):

Gray skies, Gray waters ride

October 24, 2010
Colorado, USA

Fort Collins, CO -- We waited seemingly forever this morning for the temps to break out of the 30s and then the low 40s... Finally, we just pulled on the leathers and rolled out intent on getting some sort of ride in today, no particular direction in mind.

We traveled familiar roads under a weak sun around a couple of the lakes. We still have some color in the trees along the northern front range but tomorrow's forecasted freeze and the high winds that are supposed to follow should finish them off. The mountains beyond the first hump (the foothills) were obscured by snow clouds. We had gray skies and gray waters.

We rolled over 15,000 miles on the Harley today just 4 days shy of six months.

BOO BREWS -- As usual, we polished the day off with a couple of beers in front of a fire on the patio.

Here is a slide show of today's ride (25 photos):

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):