| Multi-Chapter Ride 8-29-09 |
Multi-Chapter Ride - Ride Synopsis |
| By - JohnG It was one of those mornings where you are just not sure how the weather may be throughout the day. As I started out from Bellingham it was sunny, but as I approached Burlington for the first stop the skies grew darker. I topped off on fuel and motored over to Bob's Burger & Brew for the first rendezvous. According to the plan, I had 10 minutes before departure. I pulled out my camera and tripod to prepare for the group photo. I set the timer and captured the first group photo at the first stop. Sure, it was just me, but I was there. I packed up and hit the road to do the 50 miles down to the Lynnwood Park N Ride at exit #183. The skies looked dark but it was not raining. While rolling down the off ramp I spied a group wearing STAR vests and waiving madly. Happiness. There, I hooked up with Bobby & Karen, Peter & Penny and Perry. We exchanged greetings and smiles. The group was beginning to form. I asked everyone if they desired to participate in the 50/50. Half the cash was to be donated to Skagit PowerSports for our end of the road feast in Burlington much later with the other half going to the winner. I asked Bobby if he could help me by taking care of the 50/50 during our stops and he agreed. Thanks Bobby. I pulled out the tripod and camera for our group photo. We collected the shot and packed up to hit the road to Tacoma. I asked if anyone had the desire to cover the Road Captain or Tail Gunner roles. I assumed the Road Captain role while Bobby covered Tail Gunner. We left the lot and headed down the on ramp to I-5. Just as we are coming up to speed Perry pulls along side me to share the information that my saddle bag is open. What was that hand signal for mechanical failure? Oh, right, slap your helmet on the left side with an open left hand. We stopped. I closed the bag and we continued on. The roads were wet along the way to Tacoma, but it was not raining. It looked like we just missed the rain. We found our exit and snaked through a few downtown Tacoma streets before arriving at the Park N Ride. Wow! There were a lot of members and bikes there. Our 6 was added to the 16 ready to go in Tacoma for a group of 22. I can't remember everyone's names so I'll share the ones I can remember. In Tacoma we picked up Pam & Jim, Pete & Sue, Marty, Linda, Lyle, Danny, Jerry & wife Carter, Red. plus 5 more. We exchanged hugs and handshakes, collected for 50/50 and assembled for the group photo. Now that we had 22 members and 19 bikes we needed to be split into two groups. I asked for volunteers to cover Road Captain and Tail Gunner. I needed for the Road Captains to know how to get to RMC in Renton. Pam led group #1 with Pete & Sue and Tail Gunner. Jerry led group #2 with Red as Tail Gunner. By now the sun was out and everyone who wore rain gear to Tacoma changed out of it. We arrived in Renton to find Richard and Jim finishing up their coffee. Now we were 24. We formed up for the group photo. Some of the group needed fuel. After a quick poll we split the group into those who needed fuel, led by Jerry with Red as TG and those who did not, led by Richard with Pete as TG. We headed off to Woodinville. Traffic was light on Northbound 405 while Southbound resembled a parking lot. We arrived at Woodinville and were met by Neil. His seat was causing him intense pain so he could not join us for the ride. We took the group photo and headed off to Lynnwood. We were met in Lynnwood by Ron. By now, the sun was out and is was getting quite warm. They provided bottled water on ice plus some tasty Costco cookies. Yum. We all needed some liquid and sugar by this point. Jim Jr came out to join us for the group photo. Prior to departure we discussed the potential for traffic in Monroe with the State Fair in progress. John G called Linda to ask if she knew of any Monroe members who planned to join the ride there. The Monroe members were already with us. The group decided to skip the Monroe stop and go directly to Skagit PowerSports in Burlington. The group also requested that we take Highway 9 to reduce our freeway time. John G called SPS to inform them of our current count, change of plans and potential for arrival about 4:30 PM. We formed up our two groups with Richard leading group #1 and Pete as TG. John G would now lead group #2 with Red as TG. We headed around the block at Lynnwood Motoplex. Ron joined group #2 to help lead us to the turn at Highway 9. We rode up Highway 9 to lake Stevens where Jim pulled off for fuel. A little further up the road we saw Linda and Marty pull off for fuel as well. Red went with them. The two groups stopped on the shoulder since Linda, Marty and Red may not have been able to find Skagit PowerSports from Highway 9. Group #1 went for fuel and then took I-5 to SPS. Group #2 went on to SPS after being rejoined by Linda, Marty and Red. We arrived at Skagit PowerSports at about 5:30 PM. We had some cold drinks and pretzels upon arrival. Edie was hard at work cooking marinated chicken on the BBQ. We counted up our 50/50 for a total of $117. Lyle of Olympia won the draw and we presented Edie with the other half as a contribution for the wonderful feast. We formed up for the final group photo. Edie served marinated, BBQ'd chicken, Caesar salad, cole slaw, black olives, wheat rolls and condiments. For dessert we were treated to Healthy Choice fudgesicles. Yum. Afterwards we were all ready to head for home. We exchanged hugs and handshakes. The sun was shining to the west. It was a great day with friends and our thanks go to Edie and SPS for providing a fine BBQ to end the day. |
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