Walked over to the

[solo1]

Veterans Ride today next door at the American Legion. About 95 % Harleys. Also many Veterans, mostly Vietnam.   American Flags everywhere  

Good turnout, a few revving the piss out of their bikes, lots of leather, pins, colors,tats, and jeans.  The Harley vendors were there selling leather wrist bands, Barbie Dolls (No sh##!), chains for a too tight leather jacket, etc. The Cam Am guys are there but no Slingshot.

It's for a good Cause so all is well.  Without the Harley riders support, probably very few would show up.
A lot of effort is going into this.  i'll post pics if I can. I had posted this event here but there wasn't much interest.

I hope that the seniors in the apartments on both side of the American legion won't speak too badly of all the noise, what with the staright pipes and the band.

[cookiedough]

Agree, if it weren't for HD riders,  most events would not be able to function or supported with much less turnout.  Heaven forbid most HD riders would even consider riding a Jap bike. 

Speaking of slingshot,  saw one downtown today in our 1,200 pop. town, pretty neat looking.  Guessing no one local am sure.

[legender]

Hello Solo1... saw your post on the Miata forum also... very nice looking Miata... I also have one for those days when I feel like go-carting.  They are loads of fun and slightly safer that a motorcycle... you do have to watch those soccer moms in the mini-vans as they just won't see you.  Congrats on a great find and enjoy the ride.

[Hooter]

   Thte blessing of the bikes was held in Baldwin Michigan this past weekend. This was my 30th year there and the weather that was supposed to be crap turned out to hold off and be pretty good. I rode my HARLEY and wished I would have rode my Valk but, oh well.
   I set downtown every year in front of Pompei Pizza on Saturday just to watch the show. Its usually the fools that are the most entertaining but the bikes in general are nice to look at. Like I said, I ride Harley's and you can only look at so many of them before they all look alike. I met a guy there on a Valk trike (yellow and cream or white) that is a member of the VRCC but hasn't posted yet. Nice guy and nice scooter and goes by I believe he said "Raider". I also saw a few Valks as well but very few.
   Anyway, as I am setting there enjoying the day I understand that most large events are Harley driven. (no pun intended) Then I think (ya I thought) the vendors cater to nothing but the Harley crowd and not much else why should it not be mostly Harley.  There isn't vendor one where you can look at strictly metric anything! You never see a banner out that just says: HONDA OR YAMAHA. I thought (a second time) this is BS. But this is the way most any show is. Ya, a "T" shirt is for anybody but most are getting to the point where they are about guns or have "F*ck You" in big bold letters. Who wears this stuff. Just what I would wear in public,.....or to a family get together..Not. The whole feel at these events has changed over the years to something I don't quite get?  Bikers raise more money for charity than any other group and that is great!  But, to gear events just for the Harley crowd isn't right. Maybe that is why there are more Harley's at these events than metrics? Is this starting to slowly run the metrics out of gatherings due to overall atmosphere?
   I don't know where I'm really going with all of this but this is just an observation over the past few years. Again, the overall feel has changed. Sorry for the long post.

[cookiedough]

Hooter,  I don't think catering to the HD crowd is nothing new the past few years, more like forever that I have seen.

Think about it,  the HD crowd has more disposable income to burn since they bought an overpriced cycle to begin with, so thus the purchases follow where the money is.    Not bashing HD, but is generally the case. 

[solo1]

Hooter, you're right, almost everything was HD.  Definitely the vendors. You also mentioned donations for charity.  From what I've seen, the VRCC members are far more generous in their giving than HD riders.  I, too, get tired of "harley is the only bike' stuff.

 However, on the good side, a representative for the veterans Honor Flight was there, i talked to him.   Honor Guard from the American Legion post, members of the active Armed Forces, the National Anthem was sung, AND Taps played by a REAL Bugler who really could play.

 Overall, a nice tribute to veterans!  

Here is a pic of the bikes, mostly Harleys, lined up for the ride.

[Hooter]

  Is that the post north of Baldwin on 37? Nice place and "good food? I thought I saw Tom Lindsley headed north at Sippi Flats on Sunday Morning but wasn't sure. He is big on the Disabled Vet / Wounded Warrior Program and lives in Allegan.  My reference to charities was just a general observation. It was meant to mean all bikers not just the Harley crowd. Bikers are a generous bunch for the most part and we don't get the respect we deserve. Incidents like just took place in Texas don't help either. This has been a fight for ever with these clubs. Kinda like the middle east.
   Wish I woulda known you were around I would have found ya. Saw a few Valks but not a bunch. We are the rare breed.

[solo1]

No, it's American Legion Post 330, New Haven, Indiana.  Sorry for the misunderstanding.

The post is right next to my apartment, the Yellow Apartments Retirement community.