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Biker's Report
By Ed Buley, Winsted
 | | One of the many bikers who passed through the rotary in Goshen on Saturday, March 9. Photo/Robin Gourd |
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Old man winter never showed up in Connecticut this year, so Nutmeggers who like to ride on motorcycles got a break from the doldrums that usually drive them all crazy right around this time.
The lack of sleet and snow meant roadways were basically unsanded, making riding a motorcycle on them more feasible, and higher than normal temperatures backed up the notion. Consequently it almost seemed as if last year's riding season never ended, and should these weather patterns continue to be a trend even more northerners will consider trading in their snowmobiles for motorcycles. A continuous riding season in Connecticut might just be the push needed for more converts.
Seeing motorcycles out in the parking lots of various indoor winter motorcycle shows held in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Hampshire this year was a rare sight. Ironically, the brightest and sunniest days of this unusual winter seemed to happen while these weekend shows were occurring, making it seem like we were in Florida—where you should be at this time of year if you're riding a bike to a motorcycle show.
Thousands of New Englanders do travel to Florida each winter seeking to cure the "Itch to Ride." This year, why bother? For a change we had great winter riding right here at home.
From the Garden State Expo Center in New Jersey all the way to Rockingham Speedway in New Hampshire, families came out in droves to this year's winter motorcycle shows for a look at the new models and accessories. Bright skies and unusually warm weather turned these indoor shopping sprees into bonafied rallies because many of the 15,000 people attending each of these shows were, oddly for the time of year, riding their motorcycles.
Sadly, this year's balmy winter weather could not help attendance at the Northeast's largest indoor winter motorcycle show, which is held at the Jacob Javitz Center in New York City each year. New York's "International Motorcycle Expo" was scheduled to occur only two months after September 11, 2001. The gigantic bike exposition, like the rest of the world, suffered because of terrorism. The timing of the event and its proximity to Ground Zero were obvious reasons for the dramatically low turnout. Since then most things have gradually been returning to normal, and it may be that this winter's glorious weather has helped the motorcycle industry get back a little faster. After all, enjoying America's freedom is what motorcycling is all about!
Many New Englanders again this year made their early March pilgrimage to Daytona Beach for Florida Bike Week—old habits being hard to break. At least this year they blended in a little better because their complexions had some color to them, thanks to the weather windfall back home.
It will be very interesting to see what the riding season in New England will be like this year without the traditional stall and start-up caused by winter. Riders who normally tear apart their machines during winter down-time are still up, running, and ready to roll. It appears that Spring Breakout for bikers in Connecticut has happened, and another riding season is already underway. Some Harley riders may actually have to suffer through two whole seasons with the same top-end!
Starting out the season early has its pros and cons for all types of bikes, but as far as I can see it's pretty much blue skies and green lights up ahead, providing you don't put off attending the annual "Blessing of the Bikes" at the famous Lourdes Shrine and Grotto in Litchfield during Connecticut Bike Week's Spring Blossom Rally.
Rally headquarters is in downtown Torrington, where activities and entertainment leading up to the "Bike Blessing" occur annually for motorcyclists, who also come to enjoy the area's natural beauty during the Spring Blossom. Highlights of the weekend rally include the Friday night motorcycle parade, Armed Services Day activities, antique military motorcycles and memorabilia, the New Millennium Custom Bike Show competitions, Big Daddy Charity Bar-b-Que, "Spring Blossom" motorcycle tours of the Berkshires, the Midnight Sun Café Bright Lites Motorcycle Show, the "Blessing of the Bikes," the Main Street Motorcycle Parade, and much more.
Connecticut Bike Week's official schedule of events for the 2002 Spring Blossom Rally will also be out early this year, but don't try and blame that one on the weather! Be sure to keep an eye on The Voice for it around the first of April … no fooling!
I'd like to see about 15,000 of you at this year’s Spring Blossom Rally in Torrington on May 17-19. The Fall Foliage Rally will be on October 18-20 this year. Until then, let's keep the shiny side up.
Ed Buley is the founder of Connecticut Bike Week.
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