2007 PUTT TO PUTNAM PARK RECAPOriginally scheduled for March 18th, the 2007 Bridgeport HOG breakout ride, aka, the Putt to Putnam Park, had to be re-scheduled to March 25th, due to the weather causing unsafe riding conditions. Dealer Rep Dom provided advice on re-scheduling to mid-April if necessary. Point being, we don't ride to get stressed out, we ride to have fun, no matter how long it takes to get going. But, early on March 25th, still more unpredictable weather. I had Safety Guy Ray, Road Captain Dave and Asst Director Mac give me road condition reports. Dave and Ray live in the area where we were to ride: "roads were wet, but drying, no snow or ice". Mac lives a few miles from me, and he confirmed that roads were indeed wet, but drying in our area as well. No hotline update needed. GOOD TO GO! Ingi and I met Mac in Durham, for a COLD, long underwear, 9:30 am, ride down RT 17 to RT 22 to RT 15 to I-95 and the Dealer. 40+ miles into a freshly cleaned Dealer parking lot by 10:15. Sunshine Shirley left the sign-up sheet and clipboard, Rider Reward tics, Road Captain Bonus Rider Reward tics, Pizza number and her cell number in the HOG Mailbox. Motorclothes Josephine, said they had HOG checks for the coffee and pizza. WHAT TEAMWORK! Riders started arriving at 10 am. Got some nice looking scoots this year. And I saw and heard some new upgrades on other bikes. I signed riders in and handed out the RR tics: 22 bikes, 33 members. Ran out of RR tics, so Ingi and I gave ours to a couple of late arriving riders. High-Mileage Contest sign up was taken care of by the RCs. We held a quick RC meeting, handed out directions, gave pre-ride instructions to the riders, said a little prayer and mounted up. VROOM! VROOM! We split into 2 groups, me and Dave in the 1st group, Ray and Road Captain Ken in the 2nd group, all other RC's in the middle of each group. After a chilly 30 mile ride on I-95, RT 25, RT 59, RT 136 and RT 58, we arrived at Putnam Park in Redding for coffee and dough-nuts, minus the coffee and dough-nuts. Photographer Joyce, who drove her van, offered to get the goodies for Activities Mike. After more than a few minutes, we became concerned about her whereabouts. Not too many things worse than dealing with a bunch of bikers, standing around in the morning cold, waiting for their 1st cup of coffee. The troops had started to burn every twig they could find to keep warm. Then small logs were added to the growing bonfire. Picnic tables were being eyed as next, when the hot coffee and munchkins arrived, just in time. WHEW! THANK...YOU...JOYCE! I mingled around, asking how everything was going, making sure everyone felt welcome. After a couple of quick pics, made a call to Josephine, asking her to order 10 pizzas and 10 sodas of various varieties. VROOM, VROOM again and we were off for a 40 mile return ride, via RT 34, over the dam and along the Housatonic River, to RT 110 to RT 113, back to the Dealer. We followed the scent of hot pizza into the HOG Room, which was all set up for us. Everything clicked. No problemos. Teamwork and BIG time Dealer support, from start to finish! We enjoyed each other’s company and a little fashion show by Run-way Sue. I sat across from Rick, a newer member, having joined 2 years ago, but this being his 2nd ride. Some of us discussed the newly designed Poker Run flyer by Ar-teest Dan. We stashed the left-over soda, saving it for the Poker Run, offered the remaining pizzas to the employees, cleaned up and left the Dealer by 3 pm, closing time. It was a little warmer for the 40+ mile return ride, arriving home at 4:00. Please read about the tradition behind this ride on our HOG Website, under Stories: 15 Years Later Humbly Submitted by, Bob 'How My Doing' Vincent
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