{"id":340,"date":"2015-04-27T21:33:13","date_gmt":"2015-04-28T04:33:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.lennysride.com\/recent\/?p=340"},"modified":"2021-11-29T04:42:56","modified_gmt":"2021-11-29T12:42:56","slug":"the-river-run-april-2015","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lennysride.com\/recent\/?p=340","title":{"rendered":"The River Run – April 2015"},"content":{"rendered":"

In the far southern tip of Nevada, right on the Colorado River, is the town of Laughlin.\u00a0 Around the last week in April over 75,000 motorcycle riders descend on this town for the annual River Run.\u00a0 It’s the biggest motorcycle rally in the Western United States.\u00a0 I started going every year with my extended family back in 2000 after I bought my first Harley; Robin and I have been 5 or 6 times over the years.\u00a0 I haven’t been recently because, as you know – around this time of year I’m usually far away on some cross country motorcycle adventure.\u00a0 The plan this year is to put as much of the crew back together as we can scratch up and head for Laughlin just like the old days.<\/p>\n

We found out about a month ago that I would not be “packing” on this trip.\u00a0 Robin went down to San Diego to help out with the grand babies.\u00a0 While I’d much rather have my wife with me, the fact that I’m going solo means that I can take the Fat Boy.\u00a0 Robin has ridden many miles on the back seat of this bike but it’s not very comfortable for her and there is absolutely NO storage so it doesn’t get hauled out of the garage very often.\u00a0 However, it is my favorite bike – it really feels like an extension of me when I’m riding it.<\/p>\n

\"04<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Back<\/a>

Back Fender, Points Cover, Front Fender & Kick Stand<\/p><\/div>\n

Waking my Steed<\/strong> – When I decided that I’d be riding the Fat Boy I discovered that the battery was dead and would not take a charge.\u00a0 New battery – no problem.\u00a0 The last time I fired it up was a couple months ago and it wasn’t running so good.\u00a0 Okay, I’d change the engine, primary drive and transmission oil then start the tune-up.\u00a0 I started her up just to get the oil warm enough to change and the missing and coughing I’d heard last time was gone.\u00a0 Smiling, I went into the house to change my grease clothes for riding clothes.\u00a0 When I got back outside, my black beauty stood, chrome pipes snorting, and chomping at the bit, ready to be ridden; I swear this bike has a spirit of its own.\u00a0 It didn’t take long to get back that feeling of man and machine being one and the 100 or so miles went by quickly.\u00a0 I changed the oil(s) when I got home and motorcycle and rider are Happy Happy.<\/p>\n

The ride starts with the crew gathering for dinner in the Riverside area on Tuesday night.\u00a0 After a night of catching up and enjoying homemade lasagna (this time around it was pizza) we are up in time to meet for breakfast at Gramma’s Country Kitchen in Banning.<\/p>\n

\"I<\/a>

I highly recommend the Chilaquiles but everything here is very good.<\/p><\/div>\n

\"04<\/a>From Banning it’s a brief stint on I-10 then off to 29 Palms then north to Amboy.\u00a0 Not much at Amboy but one gas station that if nothing else is a good place to stop to stretch your legs and let everyone else catch up.\u00a0 There is some overpriced and no telling how old gasoline for those that REALLY need it.\u00a0 This time through one of the bikes ended up down in the dirt.\u00a0 Everyone was okay and with a bit of fancy language, the bike was back on the road with most of the parts working as intended.<\/p>\n

The road we like to take out of Amboy was closed (washed out I believe) so we ended up on I-40 for about 20 miles to Goffs Road.\u00a0 Another gas station but this one isn’t out in the middle of nowhere so we got a splash of fuel for the run into town.\u00a0 This is the most fun leg of the ride – speed is mostly up to you and there are plenty of turns and dips to keep your adrenalin pumping.\u00a0 After successfully navigating the asphalt we checked into the Pioneer Hotel.\u00a0 We always stay here because there’s bike parking right outside your room & a balcony where you can hang out and still keep an eye on some of the activities and the participants – if you know what I mean….<\/p>\n

Many of you may have heard about the dust up that the Hells Angles and Mongols had on the Harrah’s Casino floor back in 2002.\u00a0 That little mess caused law enforcement to quadruple (at least) their presence at this event and their vice like grip on the streets and outside activities has just about taken all of the “fun” out of the River Run.\u00a0 There is no cruising the main drag, you can’t even stop walking if you’re on the sidewalks AND<\/strong> enticing or being any part of “this” activity will get you arrested before it even starts.<\/p>\n