Well,, the 8th annual Royal Enfield REunion in Lanesboro Minnesota is in the history books now.
I pussed out and rode the Connie there instead of one of the Bullets. It gives me the chance to make some time if I'm running behind. When I left there was a severe thunderstorm with hailstones just to the west of me so instead of taking the direct route I hightailed it straight north and lucked out. I could see the black nasty clouds and lightning to the SW of me all the way to the SS Badger carferry. It rained a bit before the ferry got there and cleared up a short time later. I took the ferry over to Manitowoc Wisconsin and spent the night there. I have to mention that they serve Leinenkugel's Red
on the boat so sleeping was no problem that night.
The next morning I got up and rode across Wisconsin and the 60 miles of Minnesota and got to the campground around 2:30.
I have to say that Highway 16 that the campground is on was torn up for about 18 miles east of the campground and about 6 to the west.
Started setting my tent up and Boss Jane and her husband Lee got there. Doneen and Ron showed up a bit later. We got all set up and got out some lawn chairs, got the fire going and cracked a few beers open and got a headstart on a nice relaxing weekend going.
Friday morning we got up and set the tents up, strung the lights up and got everything else done so we could pretty much take it easy for the rest of the day.
People started rolling in pretty regularly after noon. A lot of the same faces and some new ones. 2 people that used to come to the Rally on the River in Missouri came to this rally, Chris Edwards & Dustin Fierstein. Chris rode his AVL all the way from Kansas and missed getting the "longest distance ridden to the rally" trophy to a gent on a Harley from Indiana (he was robbed). Dustin brought his beautifully redone 2003 Bullet he bought off Mike Baird last year. He brought his laptop with him and had a thousand pics of bikes he has and has built. An amazing individual.
Kevin and Tim (and Ms Tim but a brain fart is preventing me from remembering her name right now.
That night we sat around the campfire telling lies, drinking beer & apple schnapps till around 1:00. It started raining then so it was time to go to sleep.
Once again the beer provided me an excellent night's sleep.
Somewhere in the wet night Bob Bezin's bike fell over winning him the hard luck trophy.
Saturday, got up and had a nice 50 cent shower (4 minuets for a quarter). Jane, Doneen and Lee fixed us up an endless breakfast of pancakes and sausages.
After sitting around for a bit letting the breakfast settle it was time for the group ride. I kinda got elected to lead the pack so Jane gave me a map of the area and I tried to map out a ride. The only highlighter we had was dead so it turned into a adlib ride. The nicest looking road turned out to be dirt so the rest of the day was just a "this looks good so we'll turn here". We had lunch in a town called Harmony and that set the tone for the rest of the day. After we got back to the campground it rained for about 10 minuets.
The dinner that night was also endless and delicious. Tim (parts guy) did the raffle prizes and the trophy presentations.
That night was another great night of sitting around the campfire, telling lies (and some facts) and drinking some beer till 1:00 in the morning. Once again the beer provided me an excellent night's sleep. I have to admit,, I slept better on this trip then I think I ever have in a tent. Must have found a good spot to pitch it.
Sunday,, woke up with another 50 cent shower. Helped take the big tents down and pack everything up. Put all the tables back and policed the area we had.
Packed my stuff up, said my goodbyes and rolled out of there around noon.
After 3 nights of 1:00, beer and sleeping in a tent the ride back home was tough. Got into Manitowoc around 8:00 pm, had dinner and took the ferry back to Michigan. Wanted to get home to I took the freeway all the way home. I had a hard time staying awake so it took me 3 or 4 mountain dews and a 5 hour energy to get me home. A total of 1119.8 miles ridden.
Once again a great time at the rally.
Many thanks to Jane, Doneen, Tim, Lee, Ron and Kevin for putting this on.
Remember, owning a Royal Enfield is only half of it. Knowing the people that ride em is the other half. See ya all next year.
CJ