Toy Run

[Carl]

Went on a Toy Run this weekend to Boys and Girls Country of Houston.  I rode with the Freedom Cruisers #44.  The event is hosted by the San Jacinto High Rollers.  This is their 38th year hosting the event.  It was a most enjoyable event, very well coordinated and fun.  There were +/- 250 bikes this year.  I'm told it was down from past events, probably due to the rain and wet roads.  Since I was on the Spyder instead of the Valkyrie, I was pulling up the rear.  Pretty cool that for as far as I could see, a long line of motorcycles headed down the interstate.  I have to give a big thanks to the Sheriffs dept. and the Road Guards for clearing the road and keeping us safe.

The kids range from 6 to 18 y/o, and were genuinely excited to see us.  Even the older ones, trying to act cool and nonchalant, had big smiles when their names were called to meet Santa.  On the hour plus ride home, cold and soaked to the bone when I wasn't belting out Christmas Carols, I was thinking about what this meant to the kids and how glad I was that I had gone.   I had never been on one of these, I usually avoid the big rides, but am glad I went.

Christmas Decorations
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The Magical Express


Santa is having a bit of a wardrobe malfunction


Delivering the goodies

[Alpha Dog]

How do you like that Spyder?  Looks like an RT or Limited, I do not know all their terminology.  2018 may be the year I spring for one in order to get the wife out with me.  Does yours have the 1330?

[Carl]

The Spyder is actually my wife's.   I rode it because the Valk has a hole in the rear tire that took a plug and two cans of Fix A Flat to get me home from work Friday.  My wife loves it.  It is the RT, semiautomatic.  She has rheumatoid arthritis so she cannot  work standard controls.  We have ridden together, but it is her trike.  I don't know if you noticed the Eeyore on the side panel, but she has several Disney characters on it.  Makes it kind of hard for me to take it out alone.  The kids did love it, though.

My opinion, it's ok.  It is definitely a different type of ride. Most people decry the lack of lean angles.  But even in a straight line, I find it less thrilling.  It has, i believe,  the 1100 Rotax engine, so it has plenty of power.  And you can definitely have fun on it.  Two up is a whole lot easier, she is much more comfortable. If the time comes that I can no longer ride the Valkyrie, I would get one for myself.  Just have to understand that it is a different type of ride.