Evening Rides Are Cool

by: Ralph Lemongelli III

Evening Rides Are Cool

What a ride! Our kickstands were up at 6:00 p.m. on Friday and Jamie and his wife Lesley led Don, Gary, Patty, and Ralph north out of Jefferson City on Highway 179 up through Cooper County then over to Boone County. There were a few first time events for the group. Lesley rode with Jamie for the first time and Jamie reported that she was a great rider and she felt very relaxed behind him. Hopefully we’ll see more of Lesley this riding season. Patty and I experienced riding on Interstate 70 for the first time as the group crossed over the Missouri River Bridge at Rocheport to start the southern leg of our trip. Patty, being the good highway department employee that she is, commented that she was very pleased at how smooth the road surface of I-70 was and I, being at the back of the pack, was very pleased that we did not get run over by a semi-truck as we traveled 60 miles per hour along the busy interstate.

The sensations of riding in the evening air were unlike the middle of the day rides. One minute you would feel the warm air rushing past you then as your bike descended in a beautiful Missouri holler the air temperature would instantly drop ten degrees, like someone just handed you a glass of cold lemonade on a warm summer day. At least that’s what I was thinking of, that and buffalo wings. As we rode along enjoying the mid Missouri sunset our senses were filled again and again with the smell of newly mowed grass, fresh cut hay, the fragrant smells of the flowers in peoples yards, and the always overwhelming aroma of two day old road kill. I learned to keep my mouth closed as I passed by the upset swarm of flies partaking in dinner at the road kill café. We saw a deer running away from us across a plowed field, obviously scared of our two wheeled thunder machines invading his world. And about forty feet of the road in someone’s yard I saw what appeared to be a black kitty hunting for a mouse, but on closer observation the kitty was a little pudgy and had a big white stripe running down its back. As we rode by I was hoping that whoever lived in that house didn’t want to go out and play with that kitty. What a surprise they would get, pee you.

We ended up at Summit Lake Winery in Hartsburg a little after 8:00 p.m. to find out that the kitchen was closed, but we were able to enjoy some fellowship over some fruit, chips and salsa, and chips and spinach dip. Gary and I ended our fellowship time like all bad boy bikers do with a piece of cheesecake drizzled with chocolate syrup, yum yum.

A little after 8:30 p.m. we departed Hartsburg with headlights on and as we climbed up from the river bottom town the evening air felt cool and the smell of the honeysuckle blossoms along the roadway excited our senses. An evening ride has so much more to offer a rider and this rider for one is looking forward to his next one with great anticipation.

Joy,

Ralph Lemongelli III

Activities for May

Saturday, May 9: RRJ State Rally in Eureka, MO

Saturday, May 16: Maifest in Hermann, MO

May 22-25: Mid-America Freedom Rally in Buckhorn, MO

Saturday, May 30: Ride to St. James

Notes from Ron on the STATE RALLY

What a good day and a great ride! The weather was wonderful, although a little cool in the early AM, it turned out nice.

Even Jude said it was better than she was thinking it might have been. She really did say it was a good day, I'm just giving her a hard time.

Thanks to all who led during this ride - Jamie, Dave, Ralph.....it's different being out front and I wanted you to have that experience.

Please give me your response to the STATE RALLY - both pros and cons. I have both, myself, and will be sending a summary of those comments to Mike Burger. This was the 2nd year for the State Rally, so I'm sure the plan is to make it very worthwhile. I've not been to one of these before, so like I said there are some comments I'd like to share with Mike.

A great ride! The ride back on 100/94 was great and more scenic than 50, so we had a good day and time. My count was 202 miles from the time we gassed up at Eastland (round trip).

Enjoy your day tomorrow. THANKS MOMS for all your do and for who you are!

And now from Jamie: If you went to the STATE RALLY and took pictures, I'd love to put them up, so send them to me and I'll post as many as I can. Also, if you'd like to leave comments below, not the pros and cons (send those to Ron), but just a comment on the day or ride or the company, all you have to do is click on the comments button below. I have the "comments moderation" control turned on, so your comment won't appear right away. I'll have to pass it through first. That's to keep "crazies" from putting weird stuff on our blog. But feel free to comment below. Hope everyone had as good a time as I did with the rally ride and fellowship. See you all soon. Jamie

STATE RALLY!!!

Don't forget everyone, this Saturday is the

RRJ STATE RALLY!

We're meeting at the McDonald's on Eastland before heading out.

Kickstands up at 6:30 am.

You can be there earlier if you want some breakfast.

Hey Everybody! Look Who's On The Web!

We're just getting started, but already doing so many wonderful things. From thousand mile rides to sharing the word at a biker blessing, RRJ Chapter 57 is making our presence felt in the Jefferson City Area. Hopefully, this blog can be one more tool that we can use to reach out to those who otherwise might not hear the word.

Check back on this blog occasionally. You'll find commentary from members, reflections on scriptures, and a calendar of events and rides. We want to keep you posted, so keep us posted. You can leave comments, and email Jamie, the blog administrator any information you want shared.

We're just getting started. Motors running! Kickstands up! Let's go make some disciples!