B.A.D. Ride 10 Sunday May 27, 2007
www.thebadride.com
LAST SUNDAY WAS A GOOD DAY FOR A B.A.D. RIDE --
THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
Sunday May 27th, 2007, is now history, but everyone who
participated -- whether rider, passenger, volunteer, attendee
or member of the B.A.D. Team -- should feel proud of what
was accomplished at B.A.D. Ride 10.
For some two weeks before Sunday's ride, every B.A.D. Team member
was tuned into Global Weather, The Weather Network, City TV
weather, CFTO weather, CBC weather, and the weather reports on the
Buffalo stations, too, on a regular basis; we read the weather
forecasts in the Star, Globe, Sun and Post every day, assiduously,
looking for the best forecast to tell everyone "well the forecast
I saw said sunny or partly cloudy, with a small chance of rain!"
As Sunday drew nearer, however, the forecasts became more similar,
and it didn't matter what channel or paper we looked at or listened
to -- it was going to rain on Sunday, and the only questions were
how much and when.
Members of the B.A.D. Team and our Distress Centre volunteers began
arriving at the AMC Theatres shortly after 6 a.m. Some of us got
wet riding there, but by the time we arrived the rain had stopped.
As we began setting up, we debated -- inside or outside -- opting
to stay outside 'cause we're bikers and aren't afraid of a little
water!!
Speaking of bikers, riders began arriving a little after 7 a.m. The
first one we spoke with had left Lindsay at 5:30 a.m., and rode
through some pretty heavy rain to get to the AMC Theatres. A good
rain suit, hot coffee, some freshly baked croissants, and making
good use of the lobby and washroom of the theatre to warm up and
get comfortable, made for a pretty good morning.
John Derringer and his wife both arrived in rain gear on John's
Ultra Classic, looking quite comfortable, and, as he told us, ready
to ride. With some great songs belted out by Erin McCallum and Road
Trip, and bikers steadily arriving, the on and off spitting of rain
really did not put too much of a "damper" on the morning's
festivities. Darcy Tucker and his son came on stage to be
interviewed and everything brightened up when Susan Hay joined John
and Darcy.
Just before heading out to Hockley, the Toronto Scottish Regiment
Pipes and Drums led by Pipe Major Doug Swann joined us in a tribute
to members of our armed forces and their families, and then created
an "honour guard" for us to ride through getting on our way.
STAYIN' DRY ON THE RIDE TO HOCKLEY VILLAGE
Although the cloud cover was thick, the rain had stopped by the
time the bikes rolled out of Interchange Way and onto Jane Street.
As we continued north, the sky became lighter, and there were clear
breaks in the clouds and patches of blue as we rode through Colgan
on our way to Hockley.
What a greeting we received riding into Hockley Village. A huge
"WELCOME B.A.D. RIDERS" banner strung across the road, parking
assistance in the lots and on the roads, portable toilets
available, and plenty of refreshments and food on sale. A special
thanks to the Hockley General Store for being so "biker friendly".
By 11:30 a.m., the sun had actually come out and it became quite
pleasant as we walked around, looked at the bikes, talked about the
ride, munched on some chips, had a sandwich or sipped from a
coffee. Indeed, many riders got out of their rain gear before we
departed Hockley for the Riders' Party at Exhibition Place.
GOIN' TO THE RIDERS' PARTY AT EXHIBITION PLACE
The Riders' Party wasn't starting until 1:15, so there was plenty
of time to stretch, talk, look, see and be seen in Hockley.
Following the route to Exhibition Place was easy, as the signs
marked the way very well. We had planned a ride of some 85-95
minutes from Hockley to the Riders' Party, and we know many got to
Exhibition Place about 90 minutes after they left Hockley following
the route we had laid out, taking us through quiet back roads,
major thoroughfares, industrial areas where there is no traffic on
weekends, and some narrow tree lined streets through the exclusive
Kingsway enclave on our way to Lakeshore Road and Exhibition Place.
By the time we got to the Riders' Party, the burgers and sausages
were on the grill, the silent auction tables were full, and
everyone was ready to party.
Many thanks to Gator James and BAD To The Bone for keepin' us
rockin' all afternoon. The contestants in the Pizza eating contest
were having a good time -- I think they were saying they should
have waited for the contest to be over before enjoying their burger
lunch -- but they were talking with their mouths full!! The Toronto
Police Winged Wheels put on another masterful display demonstrating
how skilled riders can make their Police Harleys virtually turn on
a dime, as well as unbelievable high-speed criss-crossing. If we
riders could develop those sorts of skills, the roads would be much
safer, not because we'd ride better, which we would, but because
we'd see, anticipate, and then avoid the cagers trying to kill us!!
The live auction, where we sold 8 wheels, raised over $2,000 for
Distress Centres, and the final draw for the grand prize Harley
Davidson FLHX took place shortly after 4:35 p.m. Three ticket
numbers were called and all three ticket holders were there, with
the one lucky winner taking home a brand new Street Glide, while
the other two received consolation prizes.
WE'RE TALLYING THE FINAL NUMBERS
There were, based on our first quick and dirty look at the numbers,
some 740 motorcycles registered and approximately 1100
participants. While we were ready for more than double the
motorcycles, the Distress Centres will record a little over
$200,000 in revenue from the B.A.D. Ride corporate sponsors and
rider participants. We know the weather forecasts, weather reports
and the weather itself kept many riders away, and we understand
that. Indeed, many of us will ride in the rain if we have to, but
we also do not choose to do so when we have a choice.
To those riders who did choose to ride with us on Sunday, thank you
for demonstrating your support for the B.A.D. Ride, and for those
of you who did register but did not ride, we also appreciate your
donation to the B.A.D. Ride and Distress Centres.
So, all in all, Sunday May 27th was a day when over 700 motorcycle
riders who, together with our corporate sponsors, raised over
$200,000 for Distress Centres, and who, when it was supposed to
rain all day showed up to ride. It was also a day on which the rain
stopped for us to ride from the AMC Theatres to Hockley Village and
then back to Exhibition Place, where we arrived dry and happy, that
turned out to be a good day for the B.A.D. Ride.
With this final edition of the B.A.D. News for this riding season,
we at the B.A.D. Team bid you adieu. You won't be getting any more
B.A.D. News from us for quite some time as we'll be relaxing,
recovering and, of course, RIDING our motorcycles.
If you want to stay up to date with the B.A.D. Ride, check out our
website from time to time where we'll be posting news and
information about the B.A.D. Ride and photographs from
B.A.D. Ride 10.
We hope to see you out on the road (many of us will have the
Riders' Plus Bike Bandana tied to our handlebars), and remember,
always ride safe.
The B.A.D. Team
B.A.D. Ride 10 Sunday May 27, 2007
www.thebadride.com
)
