RAT Raid and the BS ride...

What's a RAT Raid you ask? No, it's not some type of extermination spray for rodents, RAT stands for Riders Association of Triumph. Every year there are several events planned in several different Countries commonly referred to as a "Raid", where people who own Triumph motorcycles converge on a destination and spend several days blabbing about motorcycles and the adventures or sometimes mis-adventures that come with riding.

I attended a raid with my Dad several years ago in Missouri and met some very interesting people. One guy rode from Canada, and a couple rode from Dallas, some came from as far as California to attend. My only aversion to these raids is that at the formal dinner some people wear kilts...yes, you read it correctly, KILTS, oh, and motorcycle boots. I like Triumph motorcycles but I don't know if I can bring myself to fully embrace the culture just yet! ha ha

This June there is a raid in North Carolina, in the Smokey Mountains; and me, my dad, and my uncle Tim are planning to attend. The details still have to be worked out but so far, we have a cabin rented and it promises to be a great time. That area has a couple of really good motorcycle roads to ride, The Tail of the Dragon, and the Hellbender are both world famous. The Dragons Tail, aka. Hwy 129, http://www.tailofthedragon.com/ has 318 curves in 11 miles and the Hellbender runs a close second for curves. June can't get here fast enough!

The other thing that usually happens around June is the annual BS ride...Now don't get upset at me for using foul language! The BS ride could be the Bologna Sandwich ride, or it could be the Big Steak ride, but it's neither, its the Brothers and Sons ride. Although, I must admit when we all get together, there is a little BS that goes on!

So, here's the history; quite a few years ago (we think somewhere around 9 or 10 years ago, but the old guys can't remember! ha ha) my dad and his two brothers went on a motorcycle trip together. After a couple years of doing this, they decided to invite me along and soon after my cousin Matt and his friend Don.

Billy, my dad's best friend, came along the next year, and finally last year; Ty, Matt's younger brother, was able to join us.

Every year we go on a 4-5 day trip through the Ozarks on our motorcycles and we have a blast! I always look forward to it because it's a chance for me to spend some time with the men in my family. I can't wait until my son is old enough to go along!

Why bring all this up now, when it's January and cold? Well, the weather was so nice last Saturday, that now I am wanting warm weather all the time. Now that the cold weather is back, all I can do is daydream!