Every so often I'll do a ride with over a hundred entries that leaves a fond memory in my head. This past Sunday was one of those rides. There was a ride for St. Jude's Hospital that started in Kingston that was fairly well promoted by the Hudson Valley Biker Network (HVBN) on their Facebook page. Since the ride was advertised as going through the Catskills I opted for horsepower in the form of my 750 Kawasaki. I was glad I did.
I didn't know what to expect and was amazed when I pulled up to the parking lot of a strip mall in Kingston to see well over a hundred motorcycles already assembled. That number swelled to two hundred and ten by start time making for a pretty majestic parade. After the usual riders meeting, where we found out the ride would be about eighty miles long and instructions to ride in a staggered formation, we mounted up. Right away I was glad I had the Kawasaki as the opening pace was pretty brisk. We rode onto State Route 209 and as we tried to close up the stretched out group I was seeing 70 mph on my speedometer. Fairly easy on the 750cc Kawasaki but it would have had my scooter or Honda 250cc breathing pretty hard.
The roads and scenery were excellent and the group rode in a fairly orderly fashion over the curvy roads in the hills and valleys of the Catskill Mountains. I was keeping my engine in its sweet spot all day and it handled everything I threw at it with ease. I don't use it enough but every time I do I'm pleased with it. For a forty year old bike it hasn't lost a step and reminds why I looked for a bike from the 1980s when I hunted it down. The high point of the ride for me was the run on Route 23A out of Tannersville, NY. I described this downhill run before but here is the best description. Left, Right, Left Right, Hairpin, Left, Right....It gives your brakes and tires a real workout as the road twists and turns with a good downhill and steep drop off next to the guard rail to hold your attention. 

https://www.facebook.com/mriecke/videos/889233835376216?idorvanity=39425092590

Too soon the ride ended and we pulled into the finish where good food and a live band was waiting for us. I chatted with several people and picked up a drink and a couple of hot dogs. The ride home was like walking (riding?) on air as myself and the motorcycle were still in brisk ride mode. It was a great day and look forward to next year's event and a repeat run through the hills.