This past Saturday an event that sounded like it was just up my alley was held at Woodstock Harley Davidson in, of course, Woodstock. The weather was perfect and I was pretty happy riding there which made the day start just right. After registering I found I had been handed a route sheet with directions for the ride. I hopped on the 250 Honda Nighthawk, my ride of choice for the day, and set forth. 
This ride was a Poker Run wherein you stop at various checkpoints to pull one card out of a stack. At the end of the day the highest hand wins a prize. The initial problem I had was finding the first checkpoint based on the description on the sheet. Ultimately I located it and set forth for the second checkpoint which also required some logical thinking to locate. Still, the riding was great and after that checkpoint I ventured back across the Hudson to ride in the southern Catskill Mountains. After passing through Gardiner I began to rise up and located the final road checkpoint at the famous hairpin outside of Gardiner. From there it was a good ride over the hills, back up to Kingston and then to the highway out to Woodstock and the finish.
When I got back I expected the place to be empty since people should have been out riding the route I had just finished. Instead, there were a goodly number of motorcycles in the lot, music playing and a large number of people hanging around. In addition, a large group of motorcycles pulled in appearing to have just returned from a separate ride. I handed in my sheet with the cards I had gathered at the checkpoints. It wasn't a great hand and so I departed quickly since I had other obligations to attend to.
Overall, it was a marvelous day with good weather, a good route through the countryside and a large gathering of fellow riders. I was home in no time and the Honda ticked happily cooling in the garage as went upstairs. Another event is scheduled in Woodstock in October which I hope will be just as fun.