Been awhile since I last posted in my blog, so what better event to write about then the 2007 Vancouver Toy Run.
Once a year, the streets of Vancouver BC belong to motor bikers. Cops who normally would be looking to pull you over for speeding, license and insurance checks or other infractions now block the intersections and hold up lines of cagers. Cagers who spend 364 days a year trying to add you to their kill count now wave and toot their horns at you. Red lights along the parade route are just pretty decorations. Yes, its the annual Vancouver Motorcycle Toy run, the one day of the year in which bikers are cheered.
This was my first toy run since '93, a few weeks after that run my riding career came to a sudden and dramatic end thanks to a Ford 1 Ton pick up driver running a red light.
The weather look pretty good when I left home, even the sun was attempting to peek out from behind the clouds, but there were some pretty black clouds by the Coquitlam area mountains where we were to meet up and start the run.
The weather held off until about a 1/3 of the way through and then the heavens opened up and we were treated to typical Vancouver downpour that lasted until I got home hours later.
The turn out for the ride was pretty good considering the weather, must of been between 2500 to 4000 bikes of every description, make and model. And every type of rider you can think of.
Anyways, enough of me babbling on, it's the picture you lot want to see right? Here we go.
To start with, Mr. & Mrs. S. Claus
Me at the start point. What a handsome and dead sexy bugger I am aren't I?
Bikes, bikes, and more bikes.
Saw this CB750 Custom and was tempted to steal it, had one identical to it as my second bike.
Even the scooter crowd was there.
Nice old Triumph, pity my wing mirror got in the way.
Waiting to go and people chillin' and socializing.
Proof you are never too old to ride. Chatted with this gent for a bit and he told me he and his missus took that bike across Canada and back last summer.
Proof you are never too young to start, especially if Granddad is a cool dude biker.
This answers the age old question, how does a Canadian Hockey player who rides get their kit to the arena.
Gentlemen!!!! And ladies. START YOUR ENGINES!!!!!
And suddenly, 2500+ Motorbikes start up with a roar!!!!
Oi, wait for me!!!!
Jockeying for position.
Oh lordy, look at all that traffic behind me.....note to self, don't drop the bike.
No pictures of the actual run, just too wet and dangerous to play with the camera. But all along the route, people were standing on the sidewalks, overpasses and the like waving and cheering.
Arrived, a bit soggy but safe and sound. Second note to self, contact girl at Orca Bay Suzuki and let her know that the boots she sold me and claimed were 100% waterproof aren't.
Try to find parking.....
Santa's Helper....lots of toys were gathered as well as cash donations. A lot of kids who were facing a bleak Christmas should have something to smile about.
Rumour has it that the first toy runs were organized and run by the local Hell's Angels chapter in a bid to clean up their image. I remember seeing them with their colours during past runs, but didn't see any this year. But there was a Bike Club in attendance who were proudly flying their colours, but I figure the worse they would do to me is thump me with their bibles. Scary looking dudes, but good people.
Of course the media was in attendance.
Some faces in the crowd.
Some people just have to make a fashion statement don't they?
I think I dated her once....
Finally, there was a lot of speculation about the year of this Harley, turns out it a hybred, depending on which part you are looking at, its either a '59 or a '69.
Next weekend there is a small Toy Run in the upper Fraser Valley, about an hour and a half away. Depending on the weather, I will try to make that one as well.
