Trail of Tears

[MadRat]

The Trail of Tears Remembrance Motorcycle Ride is September 15, 2007. I've never rode in it, but I live about 20 mi. from one of the gas stops. It's a sight to see. Can you imagine almost 200,000 motorcycles that stretch for over 50 miles? http://www.trailoftears-remembrance.org/index.htm

[sox]

This is a very political rally in support of Native Americans and the injustices against them...if you don't know the story you should read about it and understand why they do it. It's not just a motorcycle ride....

Here is a brief synopsis: http://members.tripod.com/~kirbyTD/TOT1998index2.html

sox

[MadRat]

Right, I guess I could have mentioned, I'm part Cherokee myself, and I think it's cool.

[ole Ed]

Hey MadRat, are you ridin in the Trail Of Tears? I am plannin on it. Kinda thought about goin over a day early and ridin the whole thing, seein as how it ends only 40 miles from my house. If ya decide to, maybe we can get a mini Rebel riders thing goin at the same time. Theres bound to be more than just a few of us. Let me know.
And by the way, I'm nearly 1/4 Cherokee myself with little Creek sprinkled.

[MadRat]

Sorry Ed, that it took me so long to reply, I've been gone for a few days. I'm obliged to ya' for the invite, but what I'm gonna have to do is watch the ride pass thru Madison, then ride south for 265 mi., spend the night and try to be back in Florence, Sunday, to see some of the Native American dances. If you do ride, my prayers be with ya'. It's dangerous, that many bikes, some inexperienced.

[MadRat]

Well my plans changed for the wknd. so I did get a chance to ride The Trail. 60+ miles anyway. It was amazing, bikes as far as you could see in front and behind. People were sitting beside the road in lawn chairs and on tailgates waving. Saw several rebels too, all 250's, from Georgia, Tennessee and Alabama. Friendly bunch of folks.

[ole Ed]

I too got to see all the bikes yesterday. I heard it was more like 500,000 or more though, but I was too busy lookin at the bikes to count em all. Like MadRat said, I too saw quite a few more Rebels than I thought I would see. I was, of course, one of those Tn tags. We went on into Waterloo and walked around before the ride came through. There were some great folks and mighty sharp bikes, along with some tasty food to boot.
Just before the ride came through we left and went back to a little church and waited for em to come by. We only counted 732 bikes from the lead police escort to the last police car. But there were so many more we met after we got back on the road. So many more. It was a fantastic ride.
Im only sorry I didnt have a chance to meet ya MadRat. I really wanted a chance to see and maybe ride a 450 before I die. I didnt see a 450 all day and believe me, I looked. But it was a fun day for all and as far as I know there wasnt one crash. Saw several Harleys waitin broke down though. But didnt see not one Honda on the shoulder broke down. Not makin fun of Harleys or anything. Just statin what I saw.

[MadRat]

I did'nt make it to Waterloo, alot of them turned around in Florence. But I think some went on as far as Oklahoma. I rode right by a friend of mine from work, we didn't even see each other. It's hard to spot one person, it's the largest organized motorcycle ride in the world. Don't go an' die on us ol Ed, if you're interested in a 450, check your messages.