NATIONALS 2009
Tulsa, Oklahoma
17 - 21 June 2009
LRRP riders, from left, Zombie, Jumpmaster, Dubya Deuce, Slingblade, Gray Wolf, Regulator, and Rifle. These seven members of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association - Georgia Inc. rode over 1,000 miles in seventeen hours to raise money for the Fisher House Foundation. This picture taken upon arrival at the National Meeting site in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
The Georgia Chapter had ten members in attendance this year, for the higher math crowd, that's twice as many as last year! High marks for the Chapter supporting a 100% increase.
This year we had seven members participate in the finish the mission ride to Nationals. For the LRRP riders I can say with complete authority that it was a long, hot, FIRE TRUCKING HOT!, ride. If you would have checked the national weather you may have seen something for Tulsa that said something like "Feels like 107" - let me tell you that did not paint the true picture - it should have been more like "feels like a double Dutch oven on broil, on a desert island, on the solar surface, with your face doused in gasoline" Well that may be a bit exaggerated - so drop the gasoline! Yes it was a hot ride.
Beyond the exceptionally warm temperatures, it was great seeing all of the other members and catching up on things since Spearfish. We had a great opportunity to make a couple of rides and enjoy the warm weather and friendly folks here in Oklahoma.
A few highlights from this year .... let's see, one snapped throttle cable prompting a road side rest break while Handcuff secured the recovery wagon .... this gave everyone an opportunity to get some sun and enjoy the great outdoors (HOT) ... and reflect on the days events (HOT). Once the crippled scoot was aboard, we embarked on a grand tour of Honda dealerships in the greater Tulsa metro. Believe it or not, one dealer confirmed they could get the part the next day, the problem was that they couldn't get it put on for about two weeks. As you can imagine this generated uncontrollable laughter and dancing on the service managers desk! So off to the next dealer - and wouldn't you know it - part in stock and repaired in about an hour! Zombie was overwhelmed by emotion as the "Zombie Cycle" was rolled back from the shop - two of our more seasoned members mentored the young man about PDA and the resulting loss of "cool points" with the Chics. He recovered quickly and we were on our happy way to Lake Picaname.
We also had the opportunity to enjoy the lyrical theatrics of several local bands. They cranked out some good tunes - a bit of classic rock, some CCR, a little Springsteen, and played until about mid-night. After they wrapped each night, a few harty souls departed for a little county bar ...."Ladies Night" ya know. Well, come time for kick stands up for the next morning's ride we always seemed to have a few folks dragging! One of the rides was a nice little visit to historic Fort Gibson.
The ride out to Fort Gibson was definitely interesting - seems one of our newer members confused his "Fat Boy" for one of those fancy "Adventurer Tourer" kind of bikes .... looked up and saw nothing but dust and rocks a flying and the Fat Boy was a rocking and rolling along the side of the road. It was one of those visuals that takes your breath away and causes a bit of a pucker if ya know what I mean - fortunately, the Jump Master was up to the task and got the big ole Fat Boy back up on the black top where it belongs. I think he had stopped shaking by the time we got to the Fort and as luck would have it, remembered to pack an extra pair of under pants.
Of course all of this excitement will certainly lead to a new Road Name. Thanks to the "Zombie Cycle" there was an even bet that Zombie was getting a new name. Perhaps Short Ride, that is until the Poo Crew gets involved ....
Some of our Pics:
National 2009 Set One