So this past weekend I rode a poker run (benefited cancer research). Here's some pre-ride pics:





Cars were allowed too (that's my wife).



Wow. This was the most "spirited" run I've ever been on. I rode with the usual friends + a few more, but this ride was crazy. We started off on the first leg kinda slow. I got in line behind a total newB rider. He is a cop who just got his first bike (chromed out Gixxer). He was so shaky through the turns. I hated being near him. So @ a stop sign, I went while he waited for oncoming traffic. So now I'm behind the Aprillia. Sounds fantastic with the single can. Stop 1:



After this stop, things got real interesting. I was 2-up with my wife mind you. The 2nd leg was through the mountains. At one point we came over a blind hill to a 90 degree right, I was off line and WAY too hot. I squeezed the binders as hard as I ever have and leaned it in there thinking . Well, we made it through. Good thing there wasn't any oncoming traffic as I drifted wide about 1/3 of the way into the other lane. Being 2-up really changes the bike. I used a paint pen before the ride so I could see how small my chicken strips are (total poser, I know):

That was as far leaned over as I ever want to be 2-up. The wife thought we were going down. She wasn't pissed though. The 3rd leg was to become the high speed run. At this point, I didn't want to do anymore damage with her. So while the rest of them were probably 130+, I stayed in the back. Stop 3 was lunch. The 4th leg was normal riding, all tight together staggered. I would have a pic but as the wife tried to take the picture while we were going down the road, the battery door popped open and they fell out. Almost hit the next rider as we were second in line.
After the ride was over we played our hands and most left. I had tried to meet up with Twin Kat, but the whole group I was in couldn't wait till he arrived. So we meet up in the parking lot. Our camera was dead, so he thankfully had one:






If anyone is in the area, this ride gets a lot of bikes.

 

Wow that aprilia is one bad *** ride.

 

i would agree

 

That's a good woman right there!

 

Almost didnt recognise that bike as a hawk with the wing-kit. Nice looking bike.

 

I thought my dad had the only Aprilia RSV Mille with that paint job, I guess not..

 

pic #2, what's with the two guys in cuffs?

 

Black shirt drives an RC51, the other guy just got his first bike last fall (gsxr). Both uncomfortable IMO. Maybe they are just stretching? I didn't really notice that before.

 

Groups tend to lean toward the spirited side whether intended to be that way or not. The group I started riding with this year intends them to be that way. I think it's tons of fun but I know my limits. Some people don't however. I've been associated with five mangled bikes this season.

 

That Mille is very nice.

Go Pens...They can snag the Cup Friday night.