So, I managed 50 or so miles on the bike today. These were for the most part 50 hard local street miles.
I did
We R One's
Poker Run
For some reason I ended up riding like a real noob. Riding in unknown circumstances can do that, I suppose.
Overall it was very enjoyable. I actually followed my wife through the route. I had a natural 3 of a kind 4's for my hand, but that was easily beaten. I could have purchased additional tries for $5 a piece, but I wasn't really there to win - I was there for the experience.
So, we had the whole horde (full compliment of kids) with us (well with my wife in the minivan) - they did pretty good in the car. There was a nice presentation of a flag and flag folding. Not really my thing, but the former mayor of Carteret's speech was nice.
He talked about how when he was in WWII, he was out in Africa he was walking from one place to another when a British soldier rode on a bike and offered him a ride. The distance was 40 or so miles that apparently, scared him forever! He was a funny old guy.
The BBQ food was really good. I didn't do any damage to my bike, any one else's bike or any cars, so I guess it was a good day. I saw some streets in NJ not far from my house that I've never been to before.
There were a lot of nice bikers out there - everyone was a cruiser biker type - and me with my day glo jacket.. hehe. But for some reason I was a bit down. I guess when you make mistakes riding it has an effect (even if they weren't severe enough to be a problem)
The ride home was uneventful. I think if I'd ridden with someone else that knew the area it would have been better. GPS - really doesn't cut it compared to local directions.
There was a nice bit of twisty road, but I was behind cars (or my wife and cars, to be more precise) and taking them at those speeds was no issue.
I'm eager to do something else like this again, but I'd probably want to do a test run the weekend before (if the route was available). I was looking more for a run with other bikers than with my wife - but it is what it is (or was). Maybe next time I'd do it by myself, but it is tough to leave my wife to handle all 4 kids by herself.
There is a large ride on October 4th -
Run for the Children - perhaps it'll be something that I'll do by myself without the roving pit crew.
RhadamYgg