Its planned ! Next Saturday - Monday.
13 years ago, Amidst tears and hugs on the night that my father died, 4 of us- my brother, uncle ( my fathers brother), Frank - a long time family friend, and me, made a pact to take a ride every year in memory of him. Not a cry in your beer and long for the past gig, but a reason to remember, spend time with a few friends, and have fun on motorbikes. It was, for several years a day ride in the nice parts of NJ, and occasionally into PA. At some point it evolved into a 3 day weekend with the destination being Cedar Run PA, where my aunt and uncle run a small inn. My cousin lives up there, rides, and is familiar with the good riding areas( they're hard not to find..) and joins us. My fathers ashes are also scattered there, so a dirt road ride to the spot is also on the list...Fun on a big GS.
In the ensuing years, Frank and me have made a conscious effort to keep it going. Life has gotten in the way a few times, but we've generally managed to eek out the time.. Its generally its been the two of us, my uncle on occasion, (poor health) and for the last 4 or 5 years, one of Frank's longtime friends and riding buddy has come along for the fun - great addition to our duo. Sadly my uncle passed 2 years ago doing what he loved - Riding..... We now toast him as well.
I wasn't able to make it last year, and Frank's report that it rained all weekend did little to ease the pain, making me even more excited to go this year. My soul needs some motorcycle induced soothing..
With mounting excitement for next weekend, i got some heavy news this evening. Franks friend, who just a few weeks ago, was intending to join us again this year, was diagnosed with lung cancer.....
Plans are still on, but with obviously subdued joy.
This year i actually have a phone with a good camera, and will also be bringing our better digital camera, ( the one i brought last time kept dying), so i hope to get some decent pics.
13 years ago, Amidst tears and hugs on the night that my father died, 4 of us- my brother, uncle ( my fathers brother), Frank - a long time family friend, and me, made a pact to take a ride every year in memory of him. Not a cry in your beer and long for the past gig, but a reason to remember, spend time with a few friends, and have fun on motorbikes. It was, for several years a day ride in the nice parts of NJ, and occasionally into PA. At some point it evolved into a 3 day weekend with the destination being Cedar Run PA, where my aunt and uncle run a small inn. My cousin lives up there, rides, and is familiar with the good riding areas( they're hard not to find..) and joins us. My fathers ashes are also scattered there, so a dirt road ride to the spot is also on the list...Fun on a big GS.
In the ensuing years, Frank and me have made a conscious effort to keep it going. Life has gotten in the way a few times, but we've generally managed to eek out the time.. Its generally its been the two of us, my uncle on occasion, (poor health) and for the last 4 or 5 years, one of Frank's longtime friends and riding buddy has come along for the fun - great addition to our duo. Sadly my uncle passed 2 years ago doing what he loved - Riding..... We now toast him as well.
I wasn't able to make it last year, and Frank's report that it rained all weekend did little to ease the pain, making me even more excited to go this year. My soul needs some motorcycle induced soothing..
With mounting excitement for next weekend, i got some heavy news this evening. Franks friend, who just a few weeks ago, was intending to join us again this year, was diagnosed with lung cancer.....
Plans are still on, but with obviously subdued joy.
This year i actually have a phone with a good camera, and will also be bringing our better digital camera, ( the one i brought last time kept dying), so i hope to get some decent pics.
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), and got home late. Packed up the bike, and gave it a quick check and found the brake light was erratic when the front brake was applied. A quick check and cleanup of the contact cured it. 
