SCRC Memphis 2002

Southern Cruisers Riding Club – Chapter 120 Conroe, Texas
October 9-12
St. Jude Recap

Conroe made quite an effort this year to raise funds for this great cause. Last year we raised $1200. We beat it this year with a total of $9,250.00 !!! Conroe has some very giving members!

Making the ride to Memphis this year: Randy “Texas Ace”, John “Little John”, “Downhill” Jill, Bob “Bitchin”, Darrell “Stumpy”, Janis “Iron Maiden”, “Geezer” Joe, Herb “Off-Road”, Pete “Cohiba”, Mike “Roadhand”, and Steve “Sky” – Conroe was well represented!

We had an absolute blast delivering the funds that everyone worked so hard to raise!

Thursday

We met at FM105/59 and were on our way by 7:30 (wondering about the weather). We lucked out. We followed the front that was moving just ahead of us and never felt a drop of rain. The roads were wet in spots, and there was plenty of mist, it was a little cool, but we counted our blessings that we were able to avoid any nasty weather. “Cohiba” Pete was in his truck, since his bike was not yet ready, after major repairs from his spill – A Ford F-250 makes an excellent tailgunner/blocker! Except for the maddening traffic that is about 90% 18 wheelers on I-40 coming into Memphis – the ride was just fine. We pulled in around 9:30 PM, registered, dropped off our stuff and headed to “Hooters”. Several folks around the lobby said everyone was looking for “Conroe”. After a few refreshments and something to eat, we headed back to the hotel. We wuz tired!

Friday

In the morning we registered or picked up up our packets for the Rally and just hung out at the Rally site, visiting old friends, making new ones, and checking out the vendors. The Rally itself improved much this year, being held on the parking lot between several hotels. There were quite a few vendors where you could find your usual assortment of leather goods, pins, patches, custom striping, and so on. The Cruisers also had quite a bit of merchandise available. There was a Dyno trailer available, and “Boss Hoss” was there with a dozen or so bikes and trikes. Little John took a trike for a test drive – it took hours for him to quit smiling, I think he liked it.

Around Noon all the bikes started lining up for the ride out to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. I’m not sure what the final count was, but there had to be around 200 bikes. “Sky” brought and attached to his VTX two LARGE flags – one USA, one Texas, so we were showing our Texas Pride! It was about a 20 minute ride that took us on all sorts of roads, even through the downtown entertainment section. Memphis’ finest did a great job blocking traffic for us! We pulled into the hospital – engine’s roaring. Loud. Chris from the hospital said that was great because there were many kids that would be too sick to come to the first floor or outside to see us, but the sounds of the roaring motorcycles made their day! We had time to look around the pavilion area, which pays tribute to Danny Thomas for both his work in the entertainment industry and of course his work at St. Jude’s. We were then led on a tour of the hospital. We missed this last year, and it was very good to make it this time. Lots of good information on the hospital, it’s purpose, mission, and the kids. It was emotional for all of us. Part of the tour took us to the Blood Center where they take donations, mainly for platelets, these platelets only last about 5 days, and what they cannot collect, they must pay $700 per pint. They had a couple spots open, so Steve “Sky” Walker and myself decided to go ahead and give! (It was actually the most rest we got all weekend since it takes two plus hours!)

Friday Night

Time for the “Birthday Bash”!!! Friday night at the Marriott was a “Happy Hour” and SCRC 4th birthday celebration. There was a good turn out of folks from all over the country. “Mash” made some announcements honoring new state officers, members of the Board of Directors, and so on. A special acknowledgment was made for all the folks in Memphis that worked so hard to put this Rally together. Also a special recognition for “Highway Man” who’s dealing with terminal cancer.

The Conroe Chapter was indeed recognized for our efforts with a special plaque. We were the only chapter singled out for our donation. When I took the stage to accept the award, I sure was proud of Conroe. Public speaking is not one of my strong suits, but I made sure I thanked all our members who did so much. Then it was time to party. Karaoke was in full swing, and a few folks were pretty good! Our own “Stumpy” was signed up sing! By the time the night was over the whole damn bunch of us was on stage backing up “Off-Road” and “Stumpy” What a blast! We then winded down back over at the hotel, but I think hotel security found that were winding down a little too loud, so we finished up our winding down in the parking lot. It was a fun night – You can find out all the details from talking to any one us, we’ll tell ya what we can remember! LOL

Saturday

The Poker run was first bike out at 9:00/last at 11:00 – we made it in later groups. Seems most of us were not moving too quickly. Hmmmm. “Stumpy” made good on his offer to ride Matt “Blindbiker” from Florida on the Poker Run. Way to go Stumpy! Matt’s a good guy, and I know he had a blast hanging with Conroe for the day. The run was cool because it was done in groups of 20 or so with locals leading and tail-gunning, all we had to do was follow and ride. It was a good thing, we would have had a hard time finding the stops. It was a pleasant day, and the stops included the Gibson guitar factory/museum and Graceland. After the Poker Run we just hung out around the Rally or rested or whatever until Dinner, which was at the same location in the Marriott. The dinner was followed by the Memphis’ chapter Auction, where a few us dropped a few more bucks. There were also 50/50 drawings. The two big events were the auction of the SCRC “Rocker Quilt” which went for $4000.00 and the drawing for the Road King that EVERYONE just knew they were going to win. The winner was not present, but they called him at home, a call he will not soon forget, I’m sure. Another great night, and the end of another great weekend in Memphis… I think everyone from Conroe who went has already said they are doing it again next year, so mark your calendars and get that time off work early!

The Poker run was first bike out at 9:00/last at 11:00 – we made it in later groups. Seems most of us were not moving too quickly. Hmmmm. “Stumpy” made good on his offer to ride Matt “Blindbiker” from Florida on the Poker Run. Way to go Stumpy! Matt’s a good guy, and I know he had a blast hanging with Conroe for the day. The run was cool because it was done in groups of 20 or so with locals leading and tail-gunning, all we had to do was follow and ride. It was a good thing, we would have had a hard time finding the stops. It was a pleasant day, and the stops included the Gibson guitar factory/museum and Graceland. After the Poker Run we just hung out around the Rally or rested or whatever until Dinner, which was at the same location in the Marriott. The dinner was followed by the Memphis’ chapter Auction, where a few us dropped a few more bucks. There were also 50/50 drawings. The two big events were the auction of the SCRC “Rocker Quilt” which went for $4000.00 and the drawing for the Road King that EVERYONE just knew they were going to win. The winner was not present, but they called him at home, a call he will not soon forget, I’m sure. Another great night, and the end of another great weekend in Memphis… I think everyone from Conroe who went has already said they are doing it again next year, so mark your calendars and get that time off work early!

Sunday

Again, the weather held out for us, no rain, but it was chilly – definitely a chaps & jacket ride. I decided to practice my stunt riding skills along the way to create a little excitement for us, I think I earned a 9.5. Thankfully only Pete got to see it. Little John led us on back home with a nice lunch break along the way. (buffet of course!) Thanks to Bouncer for seeing us off, and Zonk and Magick for greeting us upon our return. We had a fantastic time. Can’t wait till next year!