Ride Journal

May 15, Day 3, Evanston Wyoming  to Cheyenne Wyoming

It was 38 degrees when we left at 8:00 am. Very cool for most of the day. It was 96 miles to the first fuel stop and then I called Randy at the radio station back home in Roseburg to do an update for the ride. I was still shaking from the cool ride as I was talking on the radio. On the road again for another 112 miles to fuel/lunch stop in Rawlins. We were just starting to warm up and back into it again. The wind was picking up too.

Another 101 miles and we pulled into the fuel stop at Laramie to be surprised by the presence of about 25-30 more bikes to join us. Another better surprise was seeing my riding friends from Colorado, Noel & Yvette. I met them on last years ride to Milwaukee for Harley's 105th Anniversary Ride. We have been in contact through email ever since then. I sent them an email a couple of weeks ago asking if they could come up to ride with us. Noel called me early on Mothers Day and said to look for them. They were waiting at the end of the row of bikes and they were the first people that I saw. Noel got a new 110 inch 2008 bike that looks awesome! Not to take away from Yvette's nice purple/blue fat boy which looks even better when she is on it! It was great to see them again. When we were set to go I had them pull in line right with me so we could ride together again. It was very cool to ride with them again even if it was only for 55 miles into Cheyenne. That 55 miles was a lot of leaning sideways because of the wind. Especially my bike!!

We were met on the highway with a police escort and then were led into town.  Cops were waiting at every intersection too. We pulled into the beautiful VA Hospital that had a lot of patients and people waiting for our arrival. Dana Anderson was there playing his bag pipes again, and they sounded great as usual! Andy the Director was also there to greet us. We were treated to a talk by Tony, a Viet Nam Vet who has survived a lot, as has everyone who came back from that Hell over there.  He and his wife Jan, wrote a book about some of his experiences in the jungle in the late 60's. I bought one to read when I get a chance. Jan also wrote a poem directed to us motorcyclists and our mission for all Veterans. I have a copy of it for later. We also were treated to a wreath laying ceremony put on by some of us riders, and a 21-Gun Salute and Taps were played as well. We did a lot more visiting with a lot of old friends from the years past on this run. Thanks to everyone involved with this NVAR run, including all the day riders (who join us for a few miles or all day), and all the people who work behind the scenes making the timing of everything come out almost perfect. What a great effort by everyone!

We all rode to the Holiday Inn with a police escort so we could check in and then before we even unloaded our stuff we left right away for the VFW Hall for a great spaghetti feed. The 50/50 drawing was held and I won it again and again donated the money back to the chase truck fuel fund. Tim was there from Thunder Road Cycles giving away a lot of door prizes too. There was a very good turnout, the best one yet. The guys and gals from the post did a very good job on the dinner for us. Headdog gave out a lot of certificates of appreciation to the hard working people who all make this possible. After all that was over with I said good bye to Noel & Yvette and told them I was very glad that they showed up. They were heading back home to Johnstown about 50 miles south of here. The rest of us went to fuel up by the motel and go to our rooms.  It's almost 9:00 pm now and the days wind has taken a toll on our bodies. Bye for now............

Pictures
Mile is with his beautiful 56 Pan head, lives here in Cheyenne. Clyde from Longmony is standing with his 'swap meet special 46 Knuckle head engine in a 69 frame and late model FLT wheels & Brakes...Ian is Jeff's son who is the cool looking kid sitting on my bike