Sunday, December 23, 2007

Doing it for the Kids

Today we joined up with a couple of hundred other bikers for a Toy Run - a charity ride where all the scary bikers turn into Santa's Little Helpers by strapping a toy of some sort to their bike and riding to, in this case, a women's shelter to deliver Christmas presents to kids who may not see any other sign of Santa this year.

SANTA'S SLEIGH

We must've been doing a good thing because the Weather Gods were smiling on Dublin today. The overnight ice on the roads had pretty much melted by the time we set off, and the day remained dry and sunny. Well over a hundred bikes gathered in Dorset Street, where a van liberated us of the toys so that we could get down to the serious business of the Mass Ride. It was very late in starting, as Santa himself was over an hour late in getting there and we couldn't very well start without him. Eventually he arrived, all red and jolly, sitting in a sidecar, chauffeured by what appeared to be a Russian (?!) officer, complete with medals on his chest and a furry hat.

SANTA AND HIS CHAUFFEUR

The ride took us through the center of Dublin, down O'Connell Street, around the block and back over the River Liffey onto the Northside quays, up past Dublin Port and along the coastal road to Howth. The procession caused chaos in the traffic - in order for hundreds of bikes to ride together the rest of the traffic, unfortunately, simply has to wait. While the car drivers cursed us, however, everybody else seemed delighted to watch the spectacle.

IN O'CONNELL STREET

I always get a kick out of waving at the kids when we do these mass rides but today I had to relinquish my waving duties to young Cinderella, who was perched on what used to be my seat on the back of Hubby's Blackbird.

Because you see today was the first time I Drove My Own Bike in a mass ride - that's me, below, on the right :-)
LOOK MA, IT'S ME!

Oh and in case you hadn't figured it out yet, the perch on the back of Hubby's Blackbird comes with the added job of being chief photographer.

We stopped at the top of Howth at a pub for some coffee and a well-needed potty break and then the procession headed back into town to its final destination.

Hubby and I didn't complete the trip for logistical reasons - said final destination was on the other side of the city from where we were, and even further from where we live, and it was already heading to sunset by 3:30pm. By the time we got home we were really pleased we'd made that choice - as the sun sank so did the temperatures and we were all shivering through our layers of bad-ass biker clothing when we finally came to a slippery halt outside our front door.
But it sure was a great way to spend a day. Bikers to the bone - always have been, always will be, and wouldn't change it for the world!

7 comments:

laurie said...

what a fun day! and even more fun that it was for a good cause! and even more fun that you got to be places like Howth and O'Connell Street and along the Liffey.

i'm glad the ice melted; it could have been difficult.

and merry, merry christmas, terri!

Unknown said...

Howzit Terri - Sounds like an awesome day. I was so pleased to get a visit from you as I was determined to do the rounds over the next two days. This year has gone by with me not writing or visiting nearly as much as I would like to. In spite of this, I wanted to pop in to wish you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas and an even more wonderful 2008. I hope it's a year in which all your dreams and aspirations come true. Thank you for the time you have dedicated to building our friendship. xox

Framesby 86 said...

Hi Terri. So so proud of you badass biker chick!!! Our Toy Run was also very big ones again and it is awesome to see how people open their hearts.
I also want to wish you and Dave a wonderful and happy Christmas and may your party be a huge success.
Love and miss you lots, Jo

Jeff said...

Toy Run! What a wonderful treat for the children. And it sounds like the adults had just as much fun!
I wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas, Terri!

AngelConradie said...

oh that is simply mind-blowing!!! my folks did a toyrun last year and they so enjoyed themselves! this year my daddy darling's vulcan's clutch wasn't playing along so they had to skip it.
i'll do one one day on my own bike...

Anonymous said...

What an awesome day. And for a worthy cause too!

Terri said...

Laurie - I'll tell you a secret... I think the bikers would've done the ride anyway, even if it wasn't for a good cause ;-)

Dawn - I know what you mean about being scarce so chill, and have a good new year!

Jo - I'm sure yours was a lot warmer than ours, too, LOL!

Jeff - We all pretty much revert to being children on these things anyway so it's much of a muchness ;-)

Angel - Yes you will. It's easier than you think...

Jason - It was an awesome day. A great way to kick off the holidays.