A Big Ending
September 28, 2024
Well maybe not an ending if I heal quickly. In short, every so often I need my pacemaker replaced for a bizarre condition. It was done yesterday and I should be back on the bike soon.
That being said...last week I did two events in case the season is over for me. The first was the annual Gabe Hayes ride in Wappingers Falls. I have done that event five of the six times it's been run and always enjoy it. It originally started in Bowdoin Park in Poughkeepsie but for the last two years it's been run out of a fire station in Wappingers. No matter where it's done it's always great. This year was no exception. Attendance got off to a slow start but picked up by the close of registration. Members of many chapters of the Punishers came from far and wide to do the event. I spoke to members from Central Connecticut and Long Island who came in support. The ride itself covered many of the roads it has in the past with a few wrinkles thrown in, The group, numbering nearly one hundred, kept up a brisk pace which made me glad I chose the 750 Kawasaki for the event. Following big V-Twins requires the need for fairly rapid acceleration at times and the Kawasaki can provide that with little bother.
After traveling some of the nicest roads in Dutchess County we were back at the start and were treated to some amazing buffet food and live music. I had a few conversations with other enthusiasts, grabbed something to eat and headed home as I had other obligations to attend to that evening. As always it was an entertaining day.
The next day there was a new ride for the People's Place, a charity in Ulster County. It required a scenic ride to Kingston at the Kingston Plaza which I had been to two weeks before. It too was a great ride and was well attended for a new event. I took the Kawasaki again since this ride would be traveling through the Catskills and I appreciate the gusto of the Kawasaki's engine whenever a big hill or brisk acceleration is needed. We rode through some extremely pleasant scenery and roads I hadn't traveled on in several years. One spot in Rosendale, NY has an abandoned railroad bridge several hundred feet above the ground and is an impressive sight.
In due course we arrived at the finish at a restaurant on Rondout Creek just across from Kingston. There was live music and excellent food to go with great conversation. The crowd was pretty big there and contented smiles were all around. I spoke to several people, grabbed a very good burger to eat and eventually made my way home. Both the Kawasaki and I were pleased at the weekend's activities. If this was our last ride for a while it was a great way to finish off the season.
That being said...last week I did two events in case the season is over for me. The first was the annual Gabe Hayes ride in Wappingers Falls. I have done that event five of the six times it's been run and always enjoy it. It originally started in Bowdoin Park in Poughkeepsie but for the last two years it's been run out of a fire station in Wappingers. No matter where it's done it's always great. This year was no exception. Attendance got off to a slow start but picked up by the close of registration. Members of many chapters of the Punishers came from far and wide to do the event. I spoke to members from Central Connecticut and Long Island who came in support. The ride itself covered many of the roads it has in the past with a few wrinkles thrown in, The group, numbering nearly one hundred, kept up a brisk pace which made me glad I chose the 750 Kawasaki for the event. Following big V-Twins requires the need for fairly rapid acceleration at times and the Kawasaki can provide that with little bother.
After traveling some of the nicest roads in Dutchess County we were back at the start and were treated to some amazing buffet food and live music. I had a few conversations with other enthusiasts, grabbed something to eat and headed home as I had other obligations to attend to that evening. As always it was an entertaining day.
The next day there was a new ride for the People's Place, a charity in Ulster County. It required a scenic ride to Kingston at the Kingston Plaza which I had been to two weeks before. It too was a great ride and was well attended for a new event. I took the Kawasaki again since this ride would be traveling through the Catskills and I appreciate the gusto of the Kawasaki's engine whenever a big hill or brisk acceleration is needed. We rode through some extremely pleasant scenery and roads I hadn't traveled on in several years. One spot in Rosendale, NY has an abandoned railroad bridge several hundred feet above the ground and is an impressive sight.
In due course we arrived at the finish at a restaurant on Rondout Creek just across from Kingston. There was live music and excellent food to go with great conversation. The crowd was pretty big there and contented smiles were all around. I spoke to several people, grabbed a very good burger to eat and eventually made my way home. Both the Kawasaki and I were pleased at the weekend's activities. If this was our last ride for a while it was a great way to finish off the season.
Posted by Jim Zeiser.
If you wish to comment my e-mail address is h1500e@hotmail.com. I'd like to hear anything-good or bad-that anyone would like to say. As they said in college, we're all lifelong learners.
