A light dusting of snow fell around
I called a friend to see what the streets were in good shape further south. All clear is the word, but you will need to watch the bridges, both on top and underneath. It is 30 degrees outside and the high is supposed to be 37 degrees. What is the determination?
Time to Ride!
I need to dress for the cold. Hurtling down the highway at 70 miles per hour will cool your body temperature quickly and before you know it, you will be suffering from hypothermia. Thick winter socks on the inside and thermal waterproof boots on the outside. Two shirts are needed. A tight thermal T-shirt to wick away the moisture along with a thick warm sweater. Thermal lined jeans will keep my legs warm on the inside. Thick waterproof Thinsilated cold weather riding trousers will keep my legs warm on the outside. I put my jacket liner inside my leather jacket. I grab my full face helmet and my cold weather riding gloves. I am dressed for the ride.
I grab the two gifts, a game called Jenga and a small handbag. The gifts were bought for older children at the Hospital. Other riders will bring plenty of small children gifts. There should be few for some of the older children, which could be harder to find a gift that will meet their wants and needs.
The gifts are loaded on the bike. I mange to heft my leg over the seat on the second try. The first try was unsuccessful. I am bundled up so tight it is hard to lift my let. I have now worked up a sweat and I am just now sitting on the bike. I turn on the key, switch on the run button and wait for the Engine start light to go out. I push the start button, the bike comes to life and I am ready to roll.
I head east for 10 miles then south for 12 miles. I meet my friends and we ride south for another 40 miles. We ride into the parking lot with a thousand other bikers. We are flagged to our parking spot. We shut off the bikes and wait for the charity ride to begin.
Nobody is cold, the sun is out and we are all bundled up. I counted six Santa Clauses walking around. There were two Mrs. Clauses walking around and a couple of hundred folks in Santa hats. We walk around and look at other bikes and talk to fellow bikers.
I met a biker who now lives in
The parking lot flaggers start to wave their flags. A few bikes start up with a soft rumble. A few more bikes start up and the rumble grows. The bikes first in line follow the police escort on to the highway. More bikes start and the rumble continues to grow louder then before. Soon all of the bikes have started as the excitement to hit the road has grown along with the noise of the bikes.
We pull out and head down the road. On and Off ramps to the highway are shut down. Highway signs warn cars of motorcycles on the Highway. On the bridges above the highway Fire trucks are stopped in the middle of the bridge with their lights flashing Firemen are waving to the Bikers as they pass below.
Fifteen miles later the line of bikes is winding its way off the highway and into a neighborhood. A few minutes later we arrive at the Children’s Hospital where more crowds greet the Bikers and wave to us as we pull into the parking lot. We drop the toys and gifts off and head down the road to grab some lunch. Ten more miles on the road and we are back at the north end of
This days ride has taken six hours. It is time for our group of riders part ways, each heading a different direction toward home. I ride 16 more miles before reaching the garage.
I park the bike, shut off the engine and plug in the battery charger. In two months time the alarm system will drain the battery. The days continue to grow colder. Snow is in the forecast, so it looks like this was the last ride for 2007.
Spring is only a few months away with warmer days and dry roads ahead.
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