Posted by Jim on December 11, 2000 at 04:43:03:
Well, it's Christmastime in Oklahoma, and if you don't like the weather, just give it 5 minutes....
Last week was in the 60s, next week it is supposed to be in the 20s.
The local ABATE chapter had its annual "Toy Ride" today. The toys collected go to the Salvation Army, and are distributed to poor kids in the local area. I was late getting out of church, so I called a friend of mine and told him to wait at our pre-arranged meeting spot. Due to 35-40 degree weather and on-and-off rain/mist/drizzle, I bundled up best I could and grabbed the full-face helmet. Jumped on the Piglet and headed out into the elements. Boy, I really need motorcycle chaps.... I wore hunting chaps just to keep the rain off, but it was still colder than a Nun's knuckles!
I ended up waiting for a half hour for my friend (his Harley wouldn't start!). We finally linked up, lashed our toys to our sissy bars (big teddy bear for him, a talking "Cookie Monster" for me) and headed to the start line. Since we were a bit late, we lined up towards the end of the bikes. I can't tell you how many, but there was at least a half mile of bikes (that's about 800-900m, I think) stacked 4-6 across. Everything from all model of Harley (the most widely represented) to crotch rockets. Even saw one moped.
We set off in 2 columns, so we stretched waaayyyyyy out.
The ride itself was relatively uneventful- alot of stops and starts, alot of Harleys off to the side doing maintenance. Very wet and cold, but all for a good cause. The ride took us all through the city of Tulsa, and along the whole way people lined up to cheer us on. The best part was that we road through some of the poorest parts of the city, and the folks there turned out in droves! It was nice to know that the folks who were going to end up with the toys appreciated our efforts.
Anyway, we wound up at a big warehouse, and everyone parked their bikes and filed inside. As you passed by the growing mountain of toys, you really got a feel for how big the ride was. The stack was at least 15 feet(4m) high, and about 4 times that across the bottom. Cookie Monster and the bear were tossed high on the mountain.
We headed back outside, grabbed some lukewarm coffee, and walked around looking at bikes. Some very neat stuff there. My favorite was a custom lowrider that was black and purple. It had an exposed primary drive, and a massive back tire. The pipes were completely blacked out, and the tailpipe was cut out to look like flames.
Anyway, very cold, very wet, but very fun.
-KTRSD
-Jim