First organized (group) ride!

[Tranquility]

My husband's church held a "Blessing of the Bikes" this Sunday, followed by a 45 mile, police-escorted run. It was cloudy, chilly, scary, exhilerating, perfect!! Upon arrival back at the church, I easily consumed vast quantities of hot dogs and wondered why riding always makes me so hungry??!! (I'm going to have to watch that!)

It sure was fun though. I was the only female rider (excluding one rider's 8 year old daughter as passenger) and I won't lie, that made me feel wonderfully unique as well as part of the whole. I was chilled to the bone (I think the temps never made it out of the 50's) but it was worth the experience. New milestone for me, woo hoo!

Again, for anybody familiar with Litchfield County, Connecticut:
133N out of Bridgewater to 67 towards-and-onto 199 to 47 back onto 67 to 133S into Bridgewater. Short loop as runs go, but just right for a first-timer!

[caroledee1]

Originally Posted by Tranquility

My husband's church held a "Blessing of the Bikes" this Sunday. I was the only female rider (excluding one rider's 8 year old daughter as passenger) and I won't lie, that made me feel wonderfully unique as well as part of the whole.

Yes, I can relate to that feeling. I have had non-traditional jobs for a woman most of my life. I went to a Blessing of the Bikes ceremony at Starved Rock, IL a few years ago. The Catholic priest came up to my bike with the holy water and asked if I would like my bike blessed. I replied, " Sure, I'm not Catholic, but I can use all the help I can get!" :2tup:

[Tranquility]

Originally Posted by caroledee1

Yes, I can relate to that feeling. I have had non-traditional jobs for a woman most of my life. I went to a Blessing of the Bikes ceremony at Starved Rock, IL a few years ago. The Catholic priest came up to my bike with the holy water and asked if I would like my bike blessed. I replied, " Sure, I'm not Catholic, but I can use all the help I can get!" :2tup:

My husband is the Catholic of the family ... I'm more of a big-picture, God-is-nature, evolution IS the divine plan, buddhist type of gal. But did I get my bike blessed? You KNOW it!!!

"Non traditional jobs...", like what?

[caroledee1]

Originally Posted by Tranquility

"Non traditional jobs...", like what?

Tank mechanic and recovery tank driver in the Army. Security guard at a hospital. Auto parts sales. To name a few.

[adrianinflorida]

Originally Posted by caroledee1

Tank mechanic and recovery tank driver in the Army. Security guard at a hospital. Auto parts sales. To name a few.

Hey, "traditional" is boring. I've gone from working on Trident Missiles on a Submarine, to working on Commercial Aircraft, to 6 seasons of racing cars (Indy Cars, Porsches (Even did LeMans 2 years)) now I work for a university......I miss some of the old jobs now.

[Tranquility]

caroledee1 & adrianinflorida: I feel so ... so average! :-) VERY awsume you guys!

[Water Warrior 2]

Originally Posted by Tranquility

My husband's church held a "Blessing of the Bikes" this Sunday, followed by a 45 mile, police-escorted run. It was cloudy, chilly, scary, exhilerating, perfect!! Upon arrival back at the church, I easily consumed vast quantities of hot dogs and wondered why riding always makes me so hungry??!! (I'm going to have to watch that!)

It sure was fun though. I was the only female rider (excluding one rider's 8 year old daughter as passenger) and I won't lie, that made me feel wonderfully unique as well as part of the whole. I was chilled to the bone (I think the temps never made it out of the 50's) but it was worth the experience. New milestone for me, woo hoo!

Again, for anybody familiar with Litchfield County, Connecticut:
133N out of Bridgewater to 67 towards-and-onto 199 to 47 back onto 67 to 133S into Bridgewater. Short loop as runs go, but just right for a first-timer!

What a truly unique experience. Brings a smile to my face just trying to imagine it. Now tell hubby you want a Gremlin Bell on the GZ. He has to buy it and give it to you as a gift. The bell will ward of road gremlins and your rides will be trouble free.

[Tranquility]

A gremlin bell! THAT'S what those are!! I saw one for the first time the other day and concluded it was like ... a Himalayan (spelling, ack!!) prayer bell or something like that. A gremlin bell, I like that!

[Tranquility]

Water Warrior, I forgot to ask: is the gremlin bell only effective if one receives it as a gift?

[Water Warrior 2]

Originally Posted by Tranquility

Water Warrior, I forgot to ask: is the gremlin bell only effective if one receives it as a gift?

Works much better when gifted. I got one for Lynda when I went to Tenn. 2 years ago. She put it on her GZ and rode trouble free on a 5000 km trip. The bell now lives on her M-50.