While that seems like a strange title, it isn't. Steady readers, all six of you, might remember two years ago I did a ride I called unsatisfactory. On that ride I was annoyed that about halfway through the route part of the pack turned and another part continued straight to a bar for lunch. When I discovered that I had followed the bar group I went home in disgust. This was that same ride and this time it didn't break up in the middle. Since the ride benefits suicide prevention I decided to give it a second chance. It turned out better this time.
    I didn't perform a head count but by observation there was somewhere between sixty and ninety bikes in the group. We left the start and I could already see that my little Honda 250cc was in for a tough day. The roads were mostly straight and the group, comprising of mostly large engine bikes were keeping up a hot pace. On the occasional twisty portions I was right in there but on several straight, uphill occasions people lost patience and blew by me. It didn't take away from my enjoyment but it made me wish I was using my much quicker Kawasaki.
    There had been a big rain storm the night before so the ride was shortened to bypass a flooded section of road. This got us to end of the ride within fifty minutes of starting. So much quicker than expected that the people manning the grills hadn't even fired them up. With no hot food available and none of my usual cronies in attendance I grabbed a piece of sub sandwich and headed home.
    The good news was that previously predicted rain for the day never occurred and it turned out to be a nice day. Even better was that the organizers got a respectable turnout despite the dire weather forecast. The run was well run, well attended and memorable for a good cause. You couldn't ask for more.