What's
Been "H"appening 10/10/04
by Dick Scalpone, AGWA-Illinois Chapter H
Hi
everyone,
Sunday's
weather was what the doctor ordered for the annual 'Fall
colors run'. This is as good as it gets. A true
motorcyclist's delight. The good Lord and the weatherman sure did
cooperate with us today. How sweet it is!! The temps in the
a.m. were a nippy eye opener, teeth chattering 48 degrees.
As the day continued, it would reach into the mid 60's with bright blue
skies and a jubilant sun shine.
Today,
we members from chapter H, D, & G gather at 'Old Country Buffet",
in Streamwood, ILL off of Barrington road, for breakfast and
for some great socializing. The chit chat was absolutely at its
finest. There was several members present from all three chapters
for this annual event. Wayne Aten from chapter D had several
members attend, Ron Schmitt from chapter G, also had many of his
members attend. And of course, Cary Levin from chapter H had a
good crowd present.
State
director Russ Densmore and his wife Wanda were a gracious host and
hostess for putting on this event. The membership who attended
from H were; sergeant Russ Prichard riding RED DEVIL, jumpin Joe Hughes
riding ROSEBUD, (GL1500), gentleman George Riebesehl riding SILVER
STREAK, ole country Joel Gyurnek riding B-B EYES (H-D Ultra Classic),
crusty Gregg French riding SLOW POKE, lucky Larry Greco riding BLACK
BEAUTY, thundering Mark and sweet Paulette Brenton riding BUMBLE
BEE, Fritz & Carol Goins riding ORANGE PEEL, dancin Dick &
Betty Sieple riding RED MAJESTIC, doctor Cary & Miss Kitty riding
BLUE ANGEL (GL1500), Jimbo Garner riding MAROON BALLOON, Tony Guptaitis
riding CAST-A-WAY, our special guest Tom Sarnowski from chapter
D, and yours truly with wife JoAnn riding HUMPTY-DUMPTY.
The
state director Russ Densmore held a pre- drivers meeting before the
first bike out. He informed everyone that he specifically order
this beautiful and gorgeous weather. He indicated that we should
all go out and enjoy this great day of riding. See, I told
everyone, that Russ has magical powers, that only a state director
could possess. I was informed by Wanda that there was at least 31
bikes with several double ups. Great crowd!!
All
in all, the route would cover and take us through many north and
northwest suburbs. What a beautiful route as it showed the colors
of the trees and scrubs. The vegetation was gorgeous and lush, as
it had just rained a few days before this event. The route took
us through out some of the most affluent suburbs and demonstrates how
the wealthy live. The average speed was about 40 mph. Some
of the suburbs that we traveled through was Hanover Park, Streamwood,
Elgin, Barrington Hills, Hoffman Estates, Barrington, Algonquin, Lake
in the Hills, Cary, Crystal Lake, Bull Valley, McHenry and
Woodstock. Also, the counties that we covered were Cook, Lake and
McHenry and to say the least, the scenery was terrific.
Today,
we all gave our ponies a great work out with much needed
exercise. Our ponies were smelling the Roses after being cooped
up in their corrals all week. The route would cover approximately
65 miles of curvy and twisting roads. We all left in small
groups of six so there would be no traffic jams or traffic mishaps with
our ponies.
Our
ending point was at 'Culver's restaurant's in Woodstock off of U.S. 14
just east of Illinois route 47. Alas, the state director did have
a pleasant surprise for us who finished the fall colors run, Russ's
treat. What else--ICE CREAM our favorite dish of Goldwing
Riders. The kibitzing and the shenanigans commenced all over
again. I tell ya, when these AGWA members get together, there is
no telling what might occur. Afterwards, the crowds started to
disperse and headed for the wild blue yonder.
Our
small group from chapter H did decide that more back road riding would
become necessary, because the day was just too beautiful to go
home. The group consisted of Fritz & Carol, doctor Cary,
Jimbo Garner, our special guest Tom Snarnowski and yours truly with
wife JoAnn. So it's off we go, hi ho, hi ho, ahoy matey lets
ride.
Fritz
took the lead, Jimbo assumed the duties of sweeper and the rest of us
were in the middle somewhere. Our direction took us northwest,
circumventing our way north into cheese land were we tippy toed
on all of the county roads of southern cheese land. By this time,
our leader Fritz, indicated that he had no idea where we were, but
that's okay. Getting lost is part of traveling the
back roads. Who knows were we might end up.
Eventually, we stumbled on familiar ground and found direction.
After all, what fun is it if you can not get lost one or two times to
make the day interesting. Alas, a fuel stop was necessary for our
ponies because they need nourishment for that get up and go!!
At
this time, the day was well past mid afternoon and our
direction took us south and east, homeward bound. We members of
chapter H sure know how to enjoy ourselves for an afternoon's
delight. All in all, our travels covered about 150 very safe
miles. It just does not get any better than this. When
you ride with chapter H, you ride with the best and a good time will
always be had by all. The riders of chapter H, are by far the
best of the best.
So
until next week, I insist that everyone has a great week.
The
unruly one,
dick