It's Thursday late afternoon as several V-twins purr along the Ridge Road heading to Brookfield, Vt. The sun is already low in the sky but it is still comfortably temperate as the pair of leather clad riders begin their descent into the valley below, soon to be cast into long shadows and cooler air. They've only been on the road a couple of hours, riding under a brilliant blue sky and are looking forward to meeting some fellow riders on similar half liter shafties soon. Ahead of them a mature pickup truck pulling a trailer loaded with two more but different V-twins hauls it's carbon based passengers up the long gravel road toward the cabin they remember from 2011. Has it really been two years? Actually it's not the cabin they remember so well, but the folks they expect will be there. A relaxed, satisfied half smile grows on their faces. Six hours of riding and driving is almost finished. On the radio, Froggy 100 just gave the Friday weather forecast, sunny and maybe 70°, and their smiles extended a bit more. Few words were spoken as they each considered the weekend ahead of them, and gave absolutely no thought to yesterday or Monday.
Their differences far outway their similarities, ages vary quite a bit, as does stature. Some have years of labor ahead of them, others are retired. Some have been riding these reliable old Hondas for many years, others only twelve months or so. There are likely to be 500 and 650 Customs, a Deluxe, a few GLs of 500 and 650cc displacement and at least one Eurosport. This year seems iffy for the appearance of a Turbo, but you never know, pictures show them in the yard from previous years. Likely they will all feel younger and more cleanshaven when neighbor Bill shows up with his award winning maple syrup to temp us.
It's time for the New England HTTA Fall Rally. We've been waiting patiently. September in Vermont and the last great ride of the season for some of us. Good food, good bikes and good friends. Come Monday, you were either there, or you weren't, and it will be too late to change that. Come join us, I double dog dare you!