Gathering Day - July 1, 2011

Submitted by billsapsis on Thu, 06/30/2011 - 11:00pm

It's Friday, July 1 in Billings Montana. The Long reach Long riders have been gatherijng here over the last two days in preparation for the start of their 2011, 8th annual charity ride.

It's old home week. I haven't seen a lot of these folks since last year and it is truly wonderful to be in their company once again.

Greg and Alice rode in on their bike from Boone, NC. Loren, Kate and Bill Meyer (the other Bill) drove in from San Diego with their bikes in tow. Scott, Carly and Randy hauled Scott's trailer in from Maryland. (I was thrilled that their trip was uneventful. My bike was in their trailer along with several others) Eddie & Diana drove in from San Francisco. The new kid, Jared Fortney, rode his bike in from Ohio as did Scott Henkels. Rob, Scott Miller and Suzanne came in from Vancouver. (Suzanne started her journey in Stockholm). Jonathan, Sheryl and Jack Tilbury flew in from New York in Jonathan and Sheryl's private plane (How cool is that?) Mark and Ali, after almost spending a night in the Denver airport, finally got here today. I flew in today with no problems whatsoever. The only person missing is Frank. He had to stay home due to a family situation.

If I had words to tell you how great it is to be with these people, I would use them here and now. But I don't. Suffice it to say that it's old home week. The family is all here and it feels good. It feels right.

Some of us spent the afternoon cleaning bikes. Some of us took naps. (What? I should pass up a nap when I don't have to? I don't think so.) Dinner tonight was great. Jack told stories about the First Night Riders in the UK. I told stories about meeting up with Jack in London. Rob told stories about, well, everything. (You really have to know Rob to understand that)

We met for the pre-ride meeting. We partook of the traditional clear liquid. It was all good.

Tomorrow we set out for Cody and points west. The weather looks to be good and our spirits are high. It's once more out of the wings and into the wind. Folks, I gotta tell you, it doesn't get any better than this.

All the best.
Bill