Although the weather was not the best, I went ahead and rode in the benifit ride today put on by a local Honda and Suzuki dealer. Pulling into the parking lot of the dealer, I saw an assortment of bikes , cruisers, Harleys, some 600cc and 1000cc sport bikes and even a couple of busas. Naturally, I walked up to the busa first to talk to the rider. I ask, how long you had your busa? The guy looks at me like I'm from Mars, says it belongs to the store, and walks away like I'm bothering him. I later find out he is a salesman at the dealership. The harley guys are are all together talking about their new chrome framus and look at me in full gear like I'm a freak of nature, and the squids on the sport bikes give me the same look. Not one person said hi ,I'm so n so,how are you. So what the hay, I take off for the hundred mile ride by myself. At the first rest spot, more of the same. The squids did provide the entertainment in the little town where we stopped, by doing 100 mph blasts down the main drag, complete with wheelies, stoppies, all while the locals were trying to make there way home from church.Upon leaving the first stop, I decide to get to the rear of the pack and let the real riders go up front so I don't get in the way. Halfway to the next stop, I come around the curve and there is the local LEO flaging me and a couple Harley riders over to the side of the road. He said they received calls from the locals that a large group of "bikers" were traveling down the roads at speeds well over 100 mph. After checking my license, insurance, and checking for outstanding tickets, he lets me go after a lecture. By this time I have made the decision to head for the house when I hit the main highway, just after the next small town and a gas stop. I pull into the little town as my fuel light comes on, and the local cop has the driveway to the only gas station in town blocked, and he waves me on with a motion I can only assume means not in my town buddy! I do make it to a gas station in the nick of time, and head home by myself. Never again! I'm done with benifit rides. What a shame too, as I know the money goes to a good cause. Understand this comes 1 week after one of the most enjoyable group ride I have ever been on, with some of the greatest people I have had the pleasure to meet in Eureka Springs. Makes me wonder how long we will be able to enjoy our hobby before we are banned from the roads. I miss riding with my busa brothers.
