Pulling out, I am thinking that I can NOT do this!!
I didn't miss the first turn. Just the second. No worries, I just do a quick turn on the next block and get back on track.
Pulling every bit of experience out of my ear is what I'm doing. Start slow. Last bike in the group needs to get up to speed, weave in traffic like a snake.
I'm gritting my teeth.
Not only that, my first worry is the "tricky" turn in Garden of the Gods. I know it's tricky. We (the Route Group) made it tricky. Sigh. Fortunately, I do catch the trick and manage to lead everyone through Garden of the Gods. As we are waiting to pull out, I know there is no way that I'll be able to get all the bikes out between the cars--so we will be split up.
I take a deep breath and pull out. I figure 12 motorcycles might get out before "that" car gets too close. As I slowly speed up, I watch my rearview mirror. Of course, I about have a heart attack when I see a darn rider pull out in front of the car....ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!
I don't want to lose anyone on my watch.
We weave through town and finally get to the first stop. I get off my bike, wait for everyone to park and then start yelling for the person that pulled out.
Well, it seems that his idea was to try and hold traffic. Good idea. Too bad it didn't work.
I calm down and then proceed to introduce myself. I then follow on with the "I'm known as the lost girl" story.
Heh.
I lose half my group!
Gee, I should have told them that up front!!
We didn't have any incidents during the entire ride, and those that were left were really great.
The third stop was lunch--I gave the group an hour and a half to eat.
Funny, when the 1.5 hours passed, I found that the remainder of the group decided to leave me behind.
Hmmmm....so I lost my entire group.
I ended up pulling in with the sweep team--they picked me up and allowed me to ride in with them.
It was a full day of riding--no incidents, no crashes and I didn't even get lost.
Quite a feat, indeed!!! I also got to ride over 100 miles too!!
We pulled into Cowboy's East and brought the ride to a close.
For the next hour and a half, it was prizes, auctions, and lots of fun.
When it was all said and done, the Mountain Shadow Riders raised $12,000 for the Komen Foundation and the Breast Cancer Network of Strength.
Eight months of hard work by 70 members and support members.
My hat's off to them, that's for sure!!!
Now it's about time to start thinking of the 2010 ride.
You really ought to come out. You know you want to!!
Until next time~~
~Keep the Shiny Side Up!!
The Rainbow Wahine