My Experience Attending A Terminally Ill Veteran's Last Ride
Dec 3, 2017 20:20:15 GMT -5
190mech, oldgeek, and 4 more like this
Post by 90GTVert on Dec 3, 2017 20:20:15 GMT -5
The dealership that I bought my TMAX from sends out a monthly newsletter and in December's issue they mentioned a ride for a terminally ill veteran. There wasn't much detail, just that he would enjoy having fellow riders join him for what they said would literally be his last ride. I've never been on any group rides. I've rode with a few friends years ago, but no large groups. I thought I may try it out for the experience.
I saw another announcement that the ride had changed. Initially it was going to be about 40 miles if the whole route was done, from Greenwood, DE to a rest stop in Smyrna, DE. The update said there was a lot of interest and the parking lot at the dealership was too small so the pre-ride meet would be at a Home Depot parking lot in Dover, DE instead. That Home Depot and the rest stop are something like 10-12 miles apart via Rt 13, so I thought it probably isn't worth riding an hour plus to Dover to ride 10 miles, and I assumed it would be slowly down the highway.
I was talking to my parents today and told them I'd probably never try a group ride. I said it would just be a bunch of Harleys, likely riding slow, and I'm not into crowds, and so on. Shortly after, I thought... "No. I love to ride and I should at least give it a chance. Maybe it won't be too bad, and what better reason to try it out than for someone's last ride. I may just ride a scooter, but I figured the man obviously loved to ride if this is his last wish so what better time to do it." I cleaned the TMAX up and left for Dover.
I arrived about 10 minutes before 2, when the meet was scheduled, and saw a fairly large collection of bikes. Mostly cruisers, and mostly Harleys. I hoped I was welcome, but quickly noticed a CanAm Spyder and Goldwing trike so I figured all were indeed welcome.
I parked to the very outer edge of the group and took my helmet off in time to hear some in a group of nearby leather clad Harley riders say something about a scooter before the group chuckled. I just stood alone, awkwardly looking around as a handful of other bikes arrived and parked. As some made their way around to comment on others' bikes, I still stood alone. A lady went around to interview people on a video for the family, telling nearby riders that they didn't need to know him if they had anything they'd like to say. Even she never approached me. I don't blame anyone for not talking to me, as I didn't go up to anyone either. I'm an introverted person. Glad to talk if someone starts the conversation, but extremely unlikely to approach people. I was considering leaving, but didn't want to be rude considering the cause. My social anxiety does not like standing awkwardly among a crowd.
Someone arrived with a drone and began flying around filming the event as I tried to figure out who the man was that we had all gathered for.
Before too long, a woman announced "Here they come, in the red car" and a red car pulled into the lot in front of us. I joined the crowd that formed near the car. It seems that this was a surprise. The family of this veteran arranged this ride and brought him there, unbeknownst to him. They told him to get his gear on, and opened the trunk to reveal his leathers while a man that said he was an apprentice to him and learned everything he knew about diesel mechanics from him spoke to the small crowd, telling us he is a good man and deserving of this, and thanking everyone for coming out. The man seemed happy and some family and riders teared up.
Some people approached the veteran and shook hands or said some words and then they told us that we would be going to Rommel Harley Davidson in Smyrna, DE and that the local police would be helping in Smyrna to make sure we could stay in a group. Then everyone headed to their bikes and prepared to go.
The ride ended up going a back way, not the highway, and a couple of riders blocked roads and intersections so we didn't get split up. I was surprised that we actually went above the speed limit and the group took off about as quickly as the TMAX could get me moving at times. It was much better than I expected. It felt rather odd having police stop traffic as bikes sped off through their town. The ride was almost 20 miles.
Everyone stopped and parked wherever they pleased at the Harley dealership and they had snacks and I think hot dogs if anyone wanted them. I walked around for a few minutes and finally someone did say "How's it going" to me, and walked off as I replied. lol Once I saw a few others leave, I suited up and headed home. Someone did a burnout on a Harley, but I missed that on cam because I was too far away and not at all expecting that. I considered a burnout on the TMAX, but I figured no one would appreciate a Yamaha scooter making smoke at a HD dealer so I just rode out normally.
youtu.be/u2cfiwAXiNw
I beat on the TMAX on the way home, and honestly that was more fun than any part of the group ride. I let the GPS guide me, and went down roads I don't know. Even saw a couple of Amish horse and buggies along the way. That said, I'm glad I went and I hope the man at the center of the event enjoyed it. The trip was about 120 miles, so basically I rode 100 miles to take a 20 mile ride... but again I'm glad I did it. Not sure that I'll attend many more group rides, but I wouldn't rule it out.
I saw another announcement that the ride had changed. Initially it was going to be about 40 miles if the whole route was done, from Greenwood, DE to a rest stop in Smyrna, DE. The update said there was a lot of interest and the parking lot at the dealership was too small so the pre-ride meet would be at a Home Depot parking lot in Dover, DE instead. That Home Depot and the rest stop are something like 10-12 miles apart via Rt 13, so I thought it probably isn't worth riding an hour plus to Dover to ride 10 miles, and I assumed it would be slowly down the highway.
I was talking to my parents today and told them I'd probably never try a group ride. I said it would just be a bunch of Harleys, likely riding slow, and I'm not into crowds, and so on. Shortly after, I thought... "No. I love to ride and I should at least give it a chance. Maybe it won't be too bad, and what better reason to try it out than for someone's last ride. I may just ride a scooter, but I figured the man obviously loved to ride if this is his last wish so what better time to do it." I cleaned the TMAX up and left for Dover.
I arrived about 10 minutes before 2, when the meet was scheduled, and saw a fairly large collection of bikes. Mostly cruisers, and mostly Harleys. I hoped I was welcome, but quickly noticed a CanAm Spyder and Goldwing trike so I figured all were indeed welcome.
I parked to the very outer edge of the group and took my helmet off in time to hear some in a group of nearby leather clad Harley riders say something about a scooter before the group chuckled. I just stood alone, awkwardly looking around as a handful of other bikes arrived and parked. As some made their way around to comment on others' bikes, I still stood alone. A lady went around to interview people on a video for the family, telling nearby riders that they didn't need to know him if they had anything they'd like to say. Even she never approached me. I don't blame anyone for not talking to me, as I didn't go up to anyone either. I'm an introverted person. Glad to talk if someone starts the conversation, but extremely unlikely to approach people. I was considering leaving, but didn't want to be rude considering the cause. My social anxiety does not like standing awkwardly among a crowd.
Someone arrived with a drone and began flying around filming the event as I tried to figure out who the man was that we had all gathered for.
Before too long, a woman announced "Here they come, in the red car" and a red car pulled into the lot in front of us. I joined the crowd that formed near the car. It seems that this was a surprise. The family of this veteran arranged this ride and brought him there, unbeknownst to him. They told him to get his gear on, and opened the trunk to reveal his leathers while a man that said he was an apprentice to him and learned everything he knew about diesel mechanics from him spoke to the small crowd, telling us he is a good man and deserving of this, and thanking everyone for coming out. The man seemed happy and some family and riders teared up.
Some people approached the veteran and shook hands or said some words and then they told us that we would be going to Rommel Harley Davidson in Smyrna, DE and that the local police would be helping in Smyrna to make sure we could stay in a group. Then everyone headed to their bikes and prepared to go.
The ride ended up going a back way, not the highway, and a couple of riders blocked roads and intersections so we didn't get split up. I was surprised that we actually went above the speed limit and the group took off about as quickly as the TMAX could get me moving at times. It was much better than I expected. It felt rather odd having police stop traffic as bikes sped off through their town. The ride was almost 20 miles.
Everyone stopped and parked wherever they pleased at the Harley dealership and they had snacks and I think hot dogs if anyone wanted them. I walked around for a few minutes and finally someone did say "How's it going" to me, and walked off as I replied. lol Once I saw a few others leave, I suited up and headed home. Someone did a burnout on a Harley, but I missed that on cam because I was too far away and not at all expecting that. I considered a burnout on the TMAX, but I figured no one would appreciate a Yamaha scooter making smoke at a HD dealer so I just rode out normally.
youtu.be/u2cfiwAXiNw
I beat on the TMAX on the way home, and honestly that was more fun than any part of the group ride. I let the GPS guide me, and went down roads I don't know. Even saw a couple of Amish horse and buggies along the way. That said, I'm glad I went and I hope the man at the center of the event enjoyed it. The trip was about 120 miles, so basically I rode 100 miles to take a 20 mile ride... but again I'm glad I did it. Not sure that I'll attend many more group rides, but I wouldn't rule it out.
