I rode to Hanover last March to visit an old friend for a long weekend. On the Sunday we drove (he is not a biker or co-pilot)
out to a lake resort for a lunch in the sun. On nearing the lake we became aware of multiple ride-out groups heading the same way.
On arrival, the several acres of parking was packed with what must have been at least a thousand bikes or more. In the parkland adjacent to this very large lake, a stage had been erected and a rockband was doing their thing. The air was redolent with wonderful greasy aromas from the many grills offering all imaginable cooked meats including, of course bratwurst, hamburgers, great junks of crispy-skinned pork and beef steaks along with all the accompaniments required for a well balanced lunch, no, really; salads, jacket and mayonnaise potatoes and of course "pommers".
The atmosphere was superb. The SL Merc, et al brigade sitting on the, elevated (for views of the lake) restaurants seemed to be enjoying it also. Yachts did their best to catch any errant breeze on this windless day, their crews enjoying the scents and sound of "Smoke on the water".
I turned to my German friend who was grinning, presumably because of my own, almost painful rictus grin, and said "Ya, I sort due vud enjoy thiz! And I really did. It was sheer serendipity that I was there for that particular weekend.
But here's the thing, at about 13:30, the muso's left the stage and a Pastor stepped up to the mike. He welcomed everybody to the "Spring motorcyclist blessing day" and proceeded to give it.
I learned that it is an annual event where prayers are said for the safety of riders during the coming season (and beyond of course) It seemed to be appreciated and taken seriously without in any way affecting the fun filled atmosphere. The rock band and returned and the party continued. The whole event made quite an impression.
The hour spent wandering among the parked bikes was also very interesting, if anything built during the last twenty five years or so was not represented, then I don't know what it was..
The guys and gels began a very orderly dispersal at about 1600. The precociously warm March sun shone on and I sipped anothe Konigs Pils and reflected that life ain't so bad.
(Nothing like being grounded to get one thinking of great times past; I am usually too busy planning the next one to dwell on the last :laugh:)
Very poetic, and good memories, especially biking related ones, seem to last just that little bit longer :smiley:
Quote from: olde coney on March 26, 2012, 07:48:44 PM
Very poetic, and good memories, especially biking related ones, seem to last just that little bit longer :smiley:
They are some of the best Mr Coney :smiley: