Skydive Arizona Ride Report
The Third Saturday Ride for December 2008 had 18 motorcycles and 25 members/guests – some in cars – meeting at the Chevron station at Loop 101 and Via de Ventura at 9:00 a.m. The morning was sunny with temperatures in the low 40s. Brrrr! Those riders with heated clothing were thankful for it. Jerry Perlstein and Tom Clements were the Lead/Sweep team for the first group. Bob Handelman and Gene Adee teamed up for the second. Tom, as ride host, gave the overall briefing before the two groups met to arrange final plans. The ride to the gas/bio stop in Coolidge was uneventful except for a foot peg coming off one cycle and narrowly missing the bike behind. (Three guesses what kind of bike lost the part! No, not a Goldwing. Not a Beemer. Hmmmm.) Both groups took a small extra scenic tour of the Eloy cotton fields since the turn onto Shedd road isn’t well-marked, but all arrived safe and sound at the airport. The good folks at the Bent Prop Saloon and Cookery had the box lunches waiting and those who ordered on the spot got there food in short order. All riders chose to eat inside the restaurant – still a little chilly outside! – before congregating on the flight line to watch the Skyvan and Twin Otter depart and the jumpers arrive. Geez! Some of those parachutists sure come in fast for their landings! Most riders returned on their own but Tom led a small group of five riders back through Casa Grande and Maricopa to return to the starting point. Temperatures were quite nice for the ride back. Special thanks not only to the Lead/Sweep teams but also to Bob Hickerson who used Tom’s digital camera to record lots of the day’s activity. A great day with good friends and a safe, fun, ride…just another typically superb BMMC event! |