Ride for Kids - cont.

I gave my son a thumbs-up as he adjusted his white knuckled grip on his Uncle's belt. He knows how to hang on; he's been doing it on my bike since he was about 7. He's 10 now and still loves to hear the throaty growl of a Harley... or any motorcycle that makes some noise.
I realized that the bikes were starting up and the noise was fading into the row I was in. I rushed up to my bike and hopped on. The bike I have is an Aprilia Atlantic 500. Technically its a big scooter - no clutch to deal with, but plenty of power to spare. The passenger seat is 'cushy' and has a support across the back of the seat. And this is what my son has been used to since day 1. So today he gets to break out of his box and experience the soft-tail ride. I was probably more nervous then he was, watching him going bare-back on that Triumph. The excitement on his face was priceless; he was having the time of his life.
I had to quickly get my gloves on and juggle my glasses (since they wont accommodate the full-face helmet coming down over them). Time seemed to move in slow-mo as my fumbling continued. I looked over and the row to my right had just started rolling. I finally got settled and got the bike started. I just had to wait for about 20 bikes to pass me up so I could scoot in behind my son.
The weather was ideal for the ride. Overcast with a few breaks of sunshine. The temperature was showing 65 on my dash. There was no 'misting' or fog or dew to deal with so the roads were very dry; low humidity for sure. That's a beautiful thing when you live near the coast and ride.
They pulled us out onto the city streets and into an industrial complex. We stopped about half a mile outside of the parking lot and actually shut our engines down. Two rows of bikes that must have been about 3/4 of a mile long were just rumbling with the anticipation of the ride. Hundreds of cycles were lined up both in front of me and behind. The lead bikes started up and we began to roll again.
This was a line that probably stretched for over a mile when moving and was being escorted the whole way. Police officers from 20 miles away were on hand to help out. The vast majority of the officers rode motorcycles and at times it seemed we were in a huge funeral procession. Looking back on it now, the event really is a solemn one and the vision of a funeral procession is not too far fetched. We were all riding for those who have or have survived or succumbed to a childhood brain tumor.
Needless to say, having no red lights or stop signs or traffic left a lot more time to enjoy the ride. A lot of time to think, too, and realize what all this means to the families of those kids.
Throughout the ride, the rolling never stopped, but some spots allowed us to open the throttle a little bit. Watching kids and adults alike standing on the side of the road or sitting in their cars, eyes full of amazement and the stream of motorcycles, it probably seemed endless. Cars were stuck at intersections and pedestrians unable to cross streets, all in the name of PBTF. The ride made its way around the Palos Verdes Peninsula, hugging the Pacific Ocean for most of the way. Pathways that you take for granted take on a new meaning when driven on without the worry of having to stop. I've lived here all my life and although the path taken is just a few miles from home, it seemed like a vacation for that 90 minute ride. And watching my son enjoy it was the icing on the cake.
I mentioned earlier that there is a connection to my son in all this. My family found out last week that one of my son's classmates... one he has had in his class for 5 out of 6 years... was diagnosed with a brain tumor on the Friday before the ride. As ironic as it is, she was undergoing surgery while we were on the road Sunday morning. I think it all made sense to him, somehow, and only time will tell. Everyone in his class made a get-well card for her on Monday. We can only hope that those well wishes come through, because that same afternoon the word got out that the tumor was inoperable; they will need to treat it with chemo. And so it goes. It was heard that her prognosis is good.
Maybe she'll be there for the Ride for Kids next year.