Teddybear Run Encore . . . Encore

[Shel_TK]

Ought to have some good riding weather this weekend!

The Unofficial Teddy Bear Run Encore - Take 2 (Auburn)

• Saturday, April 12, 201411:00 AM
• Starbucks-Kennydale
  
  
  1785 44th Avenue, Renton, WA(map)47.532442-122.195273
  Look or ask for Claudette "Diva" - on a red Hayabusa with Diva on the license frame.
• 
  
  Let's try this again! Well after 16 years with 15 years of good riding weather, the Official Teddy Bear Run has come to an end. For those who couldn't make it out in the snow on Feb 9th, or want to ride in, we are doing an unofficial version with Meetup riders. No police escort, no hosted lunch, no Cossacks, no special parking - it's just a nice ride to give teddy bears to the kids.
  
  Bring a small to medium size NEW stuffed animal to donate to the children going through the Auburn Medical Center Emergency Room or having surgery. I will contact the Center to let them know we're coming to drop off the toys, but we won't be staying.
  
  Let's meet at the Starbuck's in Kennydale (exit 7 off 405) ready to leave at 11:15 am. Arrive gassed up and ready to go (there are gas stations at exit 6, just south of Denny's). Feel free to arrive earlier for breakfast.
  
  Route: http://goo.gl/maps/quWcN - We'll have a nice 90 min ride to the Medical Center along some of my favorite backroads. If you're coming from the South End, come join us at the start in Kennydale as the route's too short for a pick up point. This is an all levels ride. Let me know if you're a novice rider to place you properly.
  
  Everyone is responsible for knowing the route. We cannot wait at lights and once in Auburn, we may need to break into smaller groups. If we get volunteers to lead smaller groups of 6, great - speak up. I may assert my Divaness and volunteer a few if need be.
  FYI: My friend George suggested a return route for those heading back north: http://goo.gl/maps/TD1oy.
  
  For more info on the Teddy Bear Run:
  Contact: Laura Garvin/SKC Alky Angels
  Email: [email protected]
  
  This will be a co-ed ride. Please feel free to cross-post and invite other riders and groups. The more riders, and teddy bears, the better!

 

[TokenTwoWheeler]

So there was supposed to be a Teddy Bear Run in February. Unlike parts East, it never snows in the Seattle Area. So, of course, it snowed.

In March a few of us wanted to get together and do a make-up run. However, the weather did what we should have expected, and the skies opened up, monsoon-like.

Finally, on Saturday, with good weather in the weather report, a 'Busa rider* organized a last-minute make-up, make-up run. We met up at a, surprise, Starbucks about 20 miles from the hospital. The bikes in attendance were the aforementioned Hyabusa, Charlotte (the Spyder), Lady Feej, a Honda VTX, and a Triumph Bonneville performing sweep duties.

At the pre-ride brief, the ride leader said that she wouldn't be pushing it, as she didn't want to deal with the cops. So it surprised me that we were constantly over the posted speed limit. There were also stretches where we were significantly above the posted speed limit. Many was the time the VTX disappeared from my mirrors.

The country side was very picture worthy, and having my camera with me, I couldn't stop to take pictures due to the heavy wrist of the race ride leader**. I can tell you the most interesting thing I saw was the "MMJ Universe Farmer's Market." That's right, a farmer's market for pot. The parking lot was crowded too. I didn't have much time to ponder such a thing as the 'Busa was already acquiring a noticeable redshift.

I also mounted the GoPro on the bike. I tried out a new location to see if I could get some interesting footage, but the new location mostly captured footage of my fat ass getting on the bike, my fat ass blocking the camera, and my fat ass getting off the bike.

100 miles later, we arrived at the hospital. We delivered the stuffed animals to the reception desk (who delivered a profound "Thank you"), and then had lunch.

We took the short way home.






* I can't remember her name, but I do remember her bike.
** No wait, I remember her name now. I just won't post it.