Twas the Toy Ride before Christmas

By Jason Williams (with some help from Clemet Clark Moore)

Twas eight days before Christmas, when all through NW Arkansas towns
STAR Santa’s were getting ready to make their joyful rounds
The bikes were gassed up and warm clothes being put on
In hopes that we didn’t freeze before we got done

We all met at Rainbow Cycle to pack up the toys
That we had collected to take to some great girls and boys
Lisa and Ron had the motorcycle bags ready to go
But we still needed a vehicle cause of the toys there was mo’

Jason and Sam’s process of attaching Santa hats to helmets was a little slow
But hey, sometimes you gotta take care when working with 80 MPH Velcro
Everyone bungee corded their bags to their scoots
And you could tell that this ride was going to be a hoot

As we all bundled up for the ride while securing this and that,
We admired how cute Rip and Lil Smokey looked in their Santa hats
Our Prez Lee put on this Santa hat that was three foot long
He looked so jolly we thought he would sing a Christmas song

As always Jason was the last to get ready for the trip
As he still had to get everything buttoned and zipped.
Luckily Janet helped him get everything on like a good little elf
As the other riders gave him the business about not being able to dress his self

Lisa and Trista got plenty of pictures to share
And we rolled onto the road making sure we took care
Of the toys we were carrying for the children in need
Just glad we could help with this small deed.

We arrived at the place where the toys were to be used
The place children come when they need care and a haven from being abused
It made us feel good that we are able to help in some small way
And reminded us to thank the Lord for our families each day

We rolled through the parking lot and parked our cc sleighs
Then unloaded our Santa bags in the sun’s bright rays
We carried them inside and into a place
Where a great group of people can help put a smile back on a child’s face

We got a lot of thanks from the staff as we walked out of the door
And we vowed that next year we would work hard to do even more
Each person was all smiles as took one last photo
And we understand a little better why Santa says “Ho Ho Ho”

As we got on our bikes and fired up the pipes
We hoped these kids would have a good life
All of us were honored to be able to help these good girls and boys

Today was a great day - by Jason

Lee, Clyde, Marda, Bryan, Ron, Lisa and I all took part in the program today. It was REALLY cold this morning and Bryan was the only one of us who was brave enough to ride. After watching the other bikers ride today Ron and I took a solemn vow that we will never again 'Cage It' when we participate in this event going forward. I cannot remember ever seeing so much freezing fog on any morning.

We met at the weigh station around 6:30 am and I cannot remember ever seeing so much freezing fog as there was on the drive to the weigh station. As the bikers pulled in most of them were covered in ice from the ride through the fog. We met as a group to get instructions, had a very good prayer moment together and then pulled out shortly after 7:15. I believe we had somewhere between 60-80 bikes with about 10 vehicles trailing. We had a police escort the entire way down and they did an outstanding job keeping traffic controlled.

After we reached the cemetary we all converged on the coffee/hot chocolate tent. After warming up a bit we were able to unload two semi trailers full of wreaths and help distribute them across the cemetary. There was a lot of people helping and we made short work of the hundreds of boxes. 

Once we were done we walked along to look at some of the grave stones and I could tell each person in the group felt that it was an honor to be on such hollowed ground. One of the saddest but coolest sites of the day was the Combat Vets gathered around a members grave and they had draped his riding vest over his grave stone. It was a great way to honor one of their own.

I am not nearly as articulate as other writers within our charter but as I walked through the graveyard it truly helped me again what it means to live in a free nation. As I get older and now have kids just a few years from moving out into the world it makes me appreciate the blessing of being able to know that they also will be able to continue living in a free nation and that freedome was paid for with the lives of those who have defended our country.

I have said this before I never meant it more than when I type... It is an honor to know and ride with all my veteran friends. Thank you for your service and God Bless You.

Motorcycle Tire Guide

The Motorcycle Industry Council has published a pretty comprehensive guide to bike tire application and maintenance. You can get it for free here: http://mic.org/tireGuide.cfm