This held the promise for one of the best rides of the year so far. It had been a while since we had actually gotten in a ride. We had a bad storm on Friday night with high winds, heavy rain and hail. But, the predictions for Saturday were party cloudy with highs in the mid 60's. All of this combined to get a lot of riders on their bikes and make this ride.

Leaving home the sky was pretty clear, the sun was out and it was already about 58. The close we got to AMW the less sun we had and it seemed to get colder. Bt the time we arrived it was completely overcast and much cooler. Arriving, it was great to see that there were a good turnout. Hopefully the clouds would burn off and it would warm up.

About 10:30 15 riders saddled up and headed toward Douglasville. Doug led us with 10 bikes in tow. We headed towards Roswell, caught GA 92 and made our way toward the restaurant. The ride was good. Traffic wasn't too bad. The weather, however, was another story. On the plus side, it didn't rain. On the minus side, it stayed cloudy and I think it actually cooled off.

About 3 miles from our destination of warmth and food, G2 managed to pick up a nail in his rear tire and it very quickly deflated. We were at the rear and stayed with him along with Preston and Stephanie. Luckily we were right at a gas station, so we stopped thinking we could inflate the tire and make it the rest of the way to the restaurant. Air was put in the tired, and by the time he was back on the back and headed out of the parking lot, air was out of the tire. That didn't work. We had noticed a motorcycle shop about a mile or two earlier, so I head to the shop and Preston headed on to Gumbeauxs to let everyone know what was happening.

The shop had a tube, but their wheel machine was broken. We headed back. After trying some FixAFlat (that didn't work) we called the group and the restaurant and had them send a rescue team to come pick up G2 and Angel. Doug and Rick arrived and we left the bike and got everyone to the restaurant for some food and warmth.

After a great meal, Rick Campbell went home and got his truck and trailer and met us back at the gas station. We towed the bike to a nearby Honda dealership. Getting there just before closing time, the begrudgingly fixed the flat. In the process it was discovered that a spacer was missing and the bike was determined to be unsafe to ride despite the tire being repaired. So, Rick took G2 and the bike to his house and Malon gave Angel a ride to our house.

During the ride home, the sun managed to make a couple of short appearances and it did warm up a little, but it was still pretty cool on the bikes. By the time we got home, it was getting dark and starting to really cool off.

Even with the cool weather and the flat tire and the circus surrounding that event, it was still a good day and a good ride. The fact that we actually got to ride was great. The turnout was very good. We had great food with good friends. It was a success.

I would like to especially thank Rick Campbell and Malon Metz for going the extra mile and helping Gary and Angel out. Without them, as well as Rick Curtis and Doug and Teresa it would have been a disaster. But you know, that is what makes riding with this group such a great thing. We are there for each other when needed. Nobody thinks twice about doing whatever is required to help each other out. If you ever wonder if your membership and participation  is worth it or not, I assure you it is. I've seen what this group is willing to do for our own and others more than once, and it is just awesome.

Attending:

Doug & Teresa Turco
Gary & Maria Kohl
Malon Metz
Preston & Stephanie Howard
Rick & Barbara Campbell
Jason Banister
Rick Curtis
Marty Howard
Henry Williams
Tim & Diane King
Gary Kohl & Angel Dunlap