Roads Yet Travled

As I write this, we are half way through our spring and summer riding season. In the upcoming weeks, I will list MAPS rides for all to enjoy.

This weekend we are heading to Wrights Chicken Farm for another great meal. This is one of our favorite rides. You can get departure information on our site calender.

www.newlondonmotorcycleclub.com

Jamie Lathrup has been in touch. It's hotter than hell in Afghanistan, but his spirits are up. He's looking for motorcycle stickers for his hard hat. Check club e-mail for more information on it. Don't be afraid to send him an e-mail. He needs to know we're all pulling for him.

As I mentioned in an earlier blog, I traded my Harley Electra Glide Classic, 100 th anniversary edition. I did this with a heavy heart, but I realized I needed a bike that was easier for me to handle, with a low center of gravity. I checked with several area dealers and got a good deal from Columbia Motorsports. I'm now the proud owner of a beautiful 2006 90 cubic inch Suzuki Boulevard. It's nothing like the Harley. It's low speed turns are wider, as it has a longer wheelbase. But, riding down the highway, it gives a better ride and holds the road well. Sherry and I are looking forward to rolling miles on it.

I hope all is well with all of you. Get out and enjoy the good weather. Ride!

Be Safe. Ride Free.

Ron

In The Wind Again!

Being off a bike for two and a half months is like breaking up with a really great lover. You still feel the passion in your groin, but there's no way to satisfy it.

Praise God, my wait is over. My lust is finally being satisfied!

Well, some what.

Unfortunately, there is no such thing as enough riding, when you've been out of the wind so long. Nasty things get in the way: work, the need to eat, the need to sleep, the need to be a grandpa and the need to cut the lawn. The list of things that get in the way of riding my butt off are never ending.

To help overcome the frustration of being an kid suffering the onslaught of puberty while being trapped in a old man's body, I go to our web site. I check on the long riders adventures as they dauntlessly overcome obstacles on their trip to Alaska. They're doing the ride I've always dreamed.

I pause to ponder.

No one can know what an epic road ride is really like without experiencing it first hand. Evert really does a great job covering the basis of how the ride is going and how far they have traveled. Road Captain Spike adds color to it, as only he can do.

I continue to ponder...

What is it like being out there, with only a few brothers to depend on for:
help when needed, bullshit when the words back while pounding out 500+ mile days and advice when all you can do is scratch your head while finding yourself in yet another revolting predicament!

Then, I ponder the imponderable...

What it is like to be pelted with rain, thousand of miles away from home, scorched by the sun days on end, blasted with 40 mph winds for hundreds of miles while riding a 24 year old Harley with well over 100k on the clock. Nuts or guts, you go figure.

It's not like being there, but if you really want to get a feel for what a long rider road run is about, you will get there by going to the Home Page Of the New London Motorcycle Club and clicking on the The Alaska ride.

You will find that at newlondonmotorcycleclub.com

Now, for local news.

Last week saw members of the NLMC riding in the Groton 4th of July Parade. These riders are dedicated to promoting a good image of the NLMC. For those of you who never rode in a motorcycle parade, let me tell you, the bikes get really hot. I cooked a motor in a Volusia 805 (watercooled) by riding in two parades within a few weeks, without changing my oil. I run synthetic, but even that has it's thermal breakdown limits. I got to hand it to these bros; they did a great job.

Last Sunday, Mother Theresa led a hardy crew of chow hounds on a great ride through Eastern Connecticut. This romp included a ferry boat ride across the Connecticut River, and ended up at Murphy's in Columbia, CT. Good Going
Mother!

On a personal note...

My Harley Electra Glide Classic was one of the best rides I've ever owned. I loved that machine. Sadly, I traded her in. My one problem with the bike, was me. I'm built close to the ground. The Harley has a high center of gravity. The accident that broke my leg, should never have happened. After spending a lot of time thinking it over, I realized I needed a ride with a lower seat height and a lower center of gravity. I found it and all I'll say for now is: It has nuts, it's loud, it's great looking: (I got 5 compliments on it the first day I rode it to work) and it gets me back in the wind. More about this bad boy in the next issue of In The Wind.

Get out and ride!

Be Safe,

Ronster

Alaska Run, Padre's Run and More

The NLMC Alaska Run started Saturday, June 28th @ 8.OO AM. Departing from the Shack Restaurant in Niantic, our hearty crew of mad cap adventures ventured out In The Wind seeking new adventures and bragging rights for the longest club sponsored ride in the club's history. Follow their journey by checking out our web site:

http://www.newlondonmotorcycleclub.com/.

Sunday, June 29th, brought us to Padre's Ride. It began at the Church of The Holy Family,

Rt. 85, Hebron, CT. A memorial mass was held before the run, which left at 11:30AM. Approximately 65 miles over rolling, country roads, followed by a good barbecue, made for a really great day. This ride was escorted by State Police Motor Patrol officers. If you want to know what it is like to handle a large bagger right, watch these guys. They know how to do it right.

I started a blurb about motorcycles I rode over the years. I will continue with this and keep you informed of upcoming events. I have to admit, it's been hard pounding the keys while watching my bros get In The Wind. Well, tomorrow, I see the orthopedic surgeon and hopefully get out of the cam walker that's keeping me out of the saddle.

I can't wait.

Ride Safe

Ride Free

Ronster

Ronster's Back

To say the last two weeks have been frenetic for the old Ronster, is an
understatement of major proportions!


Sherry's youngest daughter and her two beautiful granddaughters (1 yr old and 3 yrs old) are now sharing domicile with us. It's great to again hear the laughter of kids
playing, fussing and just being kids. It's just tough to get anything done! The
youngest like to sit on my knee, grab my beard with both hands and try to say,
"Giddy- Up Gran paw!" At least that's what I think she's saying.


Things are hopping at the New London Motorcycle Club. Now that the season is in
full swing, members are getting together and theirs always some one to ride with 7
days a week!


Recent rides included a run to the Oxford Diner in Oxford, Mass. This is the home of
the largest breakfast served on the eastern seaboard. Once you leave this
establishment, you may not want to eat for days! Last weekend's ride to the Mohawk
Trail was shortened because of foul weather. Yet, many riders showed up and
enjoyed their time out on the open road.


Last week, we sent one of our own to war. Jamie is headed to Kuwait to service
helicopter rotors. 30 club members took time off their jobs to stand in the PGR flag
line to see him off. How great it will be when we welcome him back!


There will be a cook out at the club house tonight. Come, enjoy and bring a side dish!


Now that I have the keyboard warmed up again, you'll be reading about more club events and the resumption of the Guzzi Log: 42 Years Going Deaf In the Wind.

Ride Safe
Ride Free

Ronster

Weekend Rides - Past Rides - New Members

SATURDAY

PATRIOT GUARD RIDE

DEPARTURE: NORWICH TOWN MALL PARKING LOT 6:30AM

AOB: NO LATER THAN 6:45 AM

Muster Point: Waterbury, CT 8:30 AM

It has been reported the protesters will be there in all their vulgar, despicable glory.

Please ride to protect the military family from their obscene presence.

SUNDAY

REASON TO RIDE supporting our area vets in need.

DEPARTURE: DUNKIN DONUTS PARKING LOT OFF RT 32 IN MONTVILLE CT.

NO LATER THAN 10:00 AM.

COME EARLY TO SOCIALIZE AND HAVE A GOOD

CUP OF JO.

.....

PAST RIDES

.....

SATURDAY OF MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND, 33 NLMC RIDERS RODE IN FORMATION TO MARYLAND. FROM ALL REPORTS, WE LOOKED GOOD.

SUNDAY, OUR GROUP RODE TO WASHINGTON, DC TO JOIN THE PARADE OF 750,000 BIKERS, HONORING OUR VETS.

MONDAY, THEY RETURNED TO CONNECTICUT.

MANY OF OUR MEMBERS, WHO DIDN'T RIDE ROLLING THUNDER, RODE IN A PLACE OF HONOR, JUST BEHIND THE LEMOS, OF THE DONALD PITTSLEY MEMORIAL RUN (FORMALLY KNOWN AS PAPPY'S RUN)

MANY MEMBERS ALSO RODE IN THE NEW LONDON PARADE

.....

LAST WEEKEND OUR CLUB RODE IN SUPPORT OF A MAPS MEMBER CLUB'S SPONSORSHIP OF LISA'S RUN. THOSE WHO RODE SAID IT WAS WELL RUN AND A GOOD RIDE.


TO SEE PICTURES OF THESE EVENTS AND READ ABOUT OUR CLUB,
GO TO OUR WEB SITE

newlondonmotorcycleclub.com

.....

WE WELCOME NEW MEMBERS:
DAN DUNN & GABRIEL CHAFFEE TO THE FOLD.

RIDE SAFE, RIDE FREE

RON

Memorial Day Weekend Events!

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE!

THIS WEEKENDS WEATHER IS SUPPOSED TO BE THE BEST IN YEARS. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT!

GET OUT AND RIDE!

THE NLMC LONG RIDERS will be departing at 8:00 from The Shack Restaurant in Niantic, CT for a weekend ride to ROLLING THUNDER! All riders who wish to have a great breakfast should be there by 7:00 as this place really packs in a big breakfast crowd. Ride Safe Long Riders!

For those who like parades, NLMC members will be leaving Dunkin Donuts in Montville, CT at 8:30 Saturday Morning to take part in the Lebanon Memorial Day Parade. Patriot Guard Riders and any other club interested in joining us are welcome. Non affiliated riders are also welcome.

NLMC Parade Riders will also assemble at the American Legion Hall in New London, CT at 7:30, Monday Morning. Again, PGR Riders, other clubs and unaffiliated riders are welcome to join us.

The Donald Pittsley Memorial Run, previously known as Pappy's Run, will leave the Sprague Rod and Gun Club at 11:15, Sunday morning. Donald is a past president of the NLMC. We encourage all club riders not involved in Rolling Thunder to support this run. For those who would like a great breakfast, the chow line starts at 8:00.

Get out and enjoy this beautiful weekend!

As Always, Ride Safe and Ride Free

Ron

Going Deaf In The Wind 4th Installment

The Guzzi Years

As soon as I walked into the shop to pick up spark plugs for my Suzuki , two identical black Guzzi's caught my eye. I asked Burt about them and he said two buddies traded them in for GL1000's. They were the first one's in the shop and they had to have them.

I hope they were more happy with their impulse buy than I was with my CB750.

I pick out my goose, sat on it and said, "Sold!"

Now all I had to do is get my wife on board. No easy task.

When she asked what kind of plugs I bought, I told her Moto Guzzi, and a motorcycle came attached to them.

After a incredulous look, she stammered, "Who the hell makes Moto Guzzi motorcycles?"

"They make their own bikes! They're Italian!", I blurted back.

She threw her hands up in the air and said, "Now we'll have to buy a pickup truck to haul it home when it dies on the road!"

She had friends who owned Italian bikes and heard all the horror stories. She wasn't a happy camper.

A trip down to Burt Ives in Columbia brought her face to face with one of the best bikes I've ever owned. It was beautiful to my eyes: chrome and black pin stripped tank with black pin striped fenders. All she saw was the transverse V-Twin and said, "Don't the Italians know how to mount a motor in a frame?"

Old Burt saw I was in trouble.

With a sparkle in his eye, he ambled over to us and did what he did best. He flirted with her. She warmed up a bit and I knew I was home free.

After a bit of persuasion, I got her to take a test ride with me. Within five miles she wanted this bike. It had a great seat, solid ride and sounded like a 40's flat head Ford when taking it through the gears. It's distinctive sound was enhanced because it had "police" mufflers on it, less restrictive than the standard ones. I liked the rocker shifter, and the light vibration of the bike. It was the right bike for me!

My Guzzi took us on adventures and introduced us to long distance riding. I averaged 24,000 miles a year on her. I have many memories from those days.

One quickly comes to mind:

When I bought the bike, I knew I'd be putting a fairing and hard bags on it. I chose a Wixom, bat wing fairing for the look and Bates "Big Fats" hard bags for storage capacity. If you want to lay down miles, you have to be able to stow stuff. The fairing brings us to my first Guzzi tale.

I was heading home from work at dusk. Just as I passed Munson's Candy Kitchen, Home of Mega Fat Grams, I heard a loud PSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS coming from my bike.

"CRAP!"

I rolled off the throttle, eased to the road shoulder and got ready for the familiar wobble to take hold. "What?" The bike didn't wobble. I got off and was relieved to find I didn't have a flat.

"WHAT THE HELL?"

I took off my lid, checked her over and shook my head. I couldn't figure out what happened to my bike. I decided I shouldn't have so many brews at work (I worked at a small auto parts store and my boss liked to knock down a few frosty cold ones before facing his wife). I joined him and discussed the hot topic of the day (IE the red head with big yams that walked past our store).

Well, I put on the skid lid and headed home.

10 miles down the road, in Columbia... PSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

"WHAT THE HELL?"

I pulled over, got off the bike and checked it out. With the motor off... PSSSSSSSSSSSS. "Man, I got to stop drinking! Period!"

I got on her, lit her up and blasted home.

I pulled into the walkway to my trailer, shut her off and ............. PSSSSSSSSSS!

My wife was at the door and said, "What's that?"

My response, "Thank God you heard it!"

A perplexed look came over her chubby face, then she understood. Both of us were going nuts in our marriage at this time and for all I knew, she was hearing stuff too!

After careful examination, I stuck my hand into the right side of my fairing. She shouted, STOP." Taking a small branch, she probed where my hand was heading.

CHOMP!

After a serious yank, she dislodged a bat from my bat wing fairing. I felt a moment of sincere love for my lady, shook my head, went into the trailer and pulled out a frosty cold one.

This was a truly great day in my life! I found out I didn't have to give up drinking beer after all!

To Be Continued

Ride Safe and Free

Ron