Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Port Alberni Toy Run, Sept 19, 2009


I was told that this was "the one" to go to so I made plans last year to get the time off so I could go and do this. I headed up to Ed and Sue's again on Friday night and we had a lovely hot tub dip and a beer. Saturday morning we got up later than expected (7:30) and headed out to PA about an hour later.
Our small group got larger by the hour and eventually there were six or 7 of us who met up with the SCRC at a petrocan on the way. Hugs were exchanged as other bikes loaded with toys were racing up the highway to get to the run before the doughnuts ran out!

We pull into little qualicum falls and are later than they expected. By this time there
must have been about 700 bikes when we pulled in. It was an awesome sight to see.


This was just a few of them in the lower bowl and we had to make our way through the throng to reach the doughnuts! It was really nice to see some familiar faces and hugs were passed all around. I thanked Sue for wearing her pink jacket because I would have lost her without it! I was joking with Ed and he said, "yeah I'll be the guy in the black leather jacket...." It was a sea of black!

After making our way through the coffee line, I yacked with some of the Victoria CMC who were also there, passed around a few hugs, and had a good laugh.

Finally they start their presentation, the cannon fires and we get underway for the ride.


Little did I know, this was not a ride but a PARADE! Wow! I was so impressed by the turnout from the townspeople. They were lined up and honking and waving and holding thank you signs. Some moments just brought me to tears they were so touching. Parents had their sick kids by the road and they were waving. There was an entire home of elderly people out waving. It was just unbeliveable! There were bikes as far as the eye could see! The count was around 1100 bikes for the day.



I was expecting to go home afterwards, but ended up getting hoodwinked by a few cronies...but that's another story!