Took Baby our for a Ride on a Sunny but Cold Day!

Night Ride....

12:30 AM and Baby was still restless, unready to go home after a great day and many miles of unfettered riding. She motored past home toward God knows where. She roared past 18 wheels and 40 tons of kinetic energy as if it were a double dog dare. The nearing lightning and thunder rumble, evident even above Baby's Rythmic thump thump thump told me it was time to coax Baby home. I conned her onto a quiet country road with a promise of unfettered RPM's. She obliged more willing than I, and red-lined in the first 3 gears as the headlight's beam rose skyward in answer to natures siren call to play.

I could feel the energy in the air from natures uninterrupted light show and smell the ominous change. I forced the throttle back and shifted down, stopping Baby for a moment of silence - in memory of a better than usual day. Without warning I killed her powerplant. With Baby almost silenced, I could hear and feel the rumble of the oncoming storm and see the light show. Disobedient, Baby could not be silenced. Her hot chrome popped and tinkled a background chorus to Earth, Wind and Distant Sky Fire. I love storms and I love lighting. I love the smell of rushing rain. I gauged the speed of the not so distant storm to decide how long I could bask in it's play and enjoy it's impending arrival. Baby shared the moment with me, but longed to move. The lightning extended on the horizon from Due South to North North West. 120 degree's of a panoramic Mega-joule light show.

Then, the wind I had only moments ago felt in my face at 5000 RPM roared upon me as I stood almost alone in the dark of the night. The chill I felt was NOT from the sudden drop of temperature, but because I have in past times felt the wrath of such storms! I felt the sudden rise of fear from deep inside speak to me in unhushed tones of urgency to MOVE! Baby awoke with an eager roar, and safely carried me home before the storm that rumbles the ground even now had the speed to arrive.

This is why I ride. To smell the fresh turned Earth in the sometimes Rain riddled Wind, and feel the harnessed, and occasionally, untamed power of the Fire I ride, that we who share this passion know as The Harley-Davidson V-Twin.

Screw It! Let's Ride!

Polar Bear Ride @ Sandusky Roeder's H.D.! 22 deg. when I woke up!

This is about 10 a.m. About 125 Harley's firing up to warm up for the ride!

This is looking North on St.Rt. 250 at Mason Rd. in Avery. Bikes as far up the hill as the eye can see! That's Julie's Daughter Jessica Benfer leading the group!

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FINALLY! The riding season is officially open! I've been riding for a couple of weeks weather permitting, but Roeder's H.D. and the Huron River HOG club had the Polar Bear Ride and St. Patrick's Day Party which is the official start of this years events! I will add more pictures later, and tell a little about the ride! It was 19 Degrees when I got up, 22 when I headed for Sandusky at 8 am. And only about 40 at 10 am when the ride left Roeder's. BUT! We had over 100 rider's sign up for the ride, unofficial count about 125 to 140 bikes! More later.....

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My Two Favorite Roeder's Girls! Haley and Dana!

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This is Martina. She was there with the Blood Mobile.

CLICK HERE TO GO TO MY WEBSHOTS ALBUM FOR THE DAY!

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THE RIDE....
Started the day off at about 6:30 am. Coffied up, Temp outside 19 Freakin' Degrees! Checked auctions and email, showered and dressed.
Layered up, yea, felt like the little brother in Christmas Story! Almost took my Red Ryder BB gun along to finish off the effect!

Headed for Brother Mike's about 7:50 AM. Pulled in and all windows DARK! I was sure the Old Man was sleeping snug with a PUG!(A total different post!)
Walked in and he was upstairs gettin' dressed! Good Boy! The HOG people had told me to be there by 0830 to start forming up the riders. But ride doesn't start till 1000! So not too worried about being on time!
THEN! I hear the rumble of Harley's in the Street! Yep, 5 roll by in cold gear! All wave and I get that rush! TIME TO RIDE!
I tried not to pace too much while Mike get's the Bike ready, finds the gear and gets layered up. Mike had not prepped the gear or bike ahead of time, and this was his first ride of the year. I truly expected him to put the bike on the lift and change the oil before pulling it out of the garage! But I think he sensed my Feigned Patience and Burning Desire to RIDE! I knew he was thinking "My Brother's a FREAK and I COULD STILL BE IN A WARM BED IF NOT FOR HIM!" But as riding brothers do, he toughed it out and we were on the road by about 0845.

Got to Roeder's Harley-Davidson in Sandusky, and was surprised by how many bikes were already there! The rest of the day was a blur, but highlights were Leading out in front of the pack to help "Road Captain" which means blocking intersections while 100+ Bikes roll by!
IT'S A PARADE OF HARLEY'S MOMMY!
Had enough Road Captains to get all intersections out of Sandusky, and Mike and I wound up behind HOG Club Director Tom Billman and Will Roeder. They decided to Drag Race, er, I mean Accelerate Aggressively! Love the smell of Harley Exhaust in the AM! So when we caught up, Tom pulled off off to hold traffic at Kalahari Resort, which put me up Front with Will Roeder. Being Lead Bike with the Dealership's Owner and looking back and seeing all the headlights in the mirrors inspiring!
Just before Avery, Mike and I rode on each side of Will and went ahead to block Traffic, Mike getting Huron Avery Rd. and I Mason Road. I parked My "Baby" in front of traffic at intersection, Tom Billman got the other side, and I dismounted to get the Nikon out for some great Group shots! Can't ID too many because of the Cold Gear!
In short, I rode over 100 miles that fine day, met lots of Old Friends and made some New Friends!
It's official! Riding Year has Begun! Cold air on the forehead gives a whole new meaning to the term "Feel The Burn!"
See ya on the road!

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Ok, Events and Ride's Like this DO NOT HAPPEN WITHOUT VOLUNTEERS!
A big thanks to all the Roeder's Employee's and HOG Members for all the
Hard Work so that others could RIDE!
It would take double the space already used to recognize all those Dedicated Workers!
Ride Safe and Keep the Rubber Side Properly Aired Up and Down!

Harley's Back Time to Ride!

Picked the bike up from service. Salt on roads, but just had to take a ride! It was 60!