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BS: Kansas Town Shut Down by Bikers

07 Nov 10 - 12:38 PM (#3025946)
Subject: BS: Kansas Town Shut Down by Bikers
From: JohnInKansas

Wichita Kansas will be closed for a couple of hours today.

About 30 years ago (1979?) a group of about 30 motorcylicsts decided they'd meet downtown and "convoy" their donation of toys to the Salvation Army & Toy for Tots Christmas collection point.

It has been an annual event since, known as "The Toy Ride," with about 3,000 bikers (media estimate) participating last year (2009).

A major dispute arose this year when bridge construction blocked the usual route, and the Chief of Police said that the only available alternate route included several state highways that local police lacked the authority to block to ensure safety of the bikers.

A last minute order by the mayor, however, cleared the bridge, and the event will occur as usual, with scheduled kick-off at 1:00 pm local time.

The estimate is that it will take about two hours to get the line-up out of Lawrence Stadium where it begins, with a "rolling block out" proceeding North to the Colliseum end point.

EVERY east/west street in approximately an 8 mile (~13 km) stretch of N. Broadway will be CLOSED to all cross-traffic for an estimated two or more hours, with the exception of one limited access highway (I235-K96-K254)that has an overpass.

If past years are any indication, there will be no place to park within a couple of blocks of the route, beginning around noon. It's undetermined whether most spectators come because they like to hear the rumble, whether they like looking at motorcycles, or they just want to see all the tatoos; but it has become a significant, if brief, event to see here.

Anybody else doing something similar?

John

07 Nov 10 - 02:56 PM (#3026046)
Subject: RE: BS: Kansas Town Shut Down by Bikers
From: Arthur_itus

Hey John, that sounds wonderful.

Bikers get a bad name at times, but they do some incredible things to support the community.

We have a bikers organisation in North Lincolnshire in the UK and I have spoken with the chairman of that group and he opened my eyes up concerning all the good things that they do in the community.

So bikers rock.

Hopefully somebody will post a youtube of the event that we can look at

07 Nov 10 - 04:58 PM (#3026113)
Subject: RE: BS: Kansas Town Shut Down by Bikers
From: JohnInKansas

We went down the road a ways to watch the parade, but were only there for about an hour and a half, so I guess we missed about half of it.

Unfortunately the speed limit jumped up to 40 mph (65 kph?) about 2 miles upstream and they were riding the limit, so they were pretty well strung out when they passed our spot. They were also going too fast (for the number going by) to pick out many "interesting ones" to take pictures.

Some really bizarre loads, with toys strapped on in rare (and some rude) places, and a surprising number with trailers full of stuff. I saw at least a couple of "wheelchair" bikes, with roll-in platforms so the rider could sit in the wheelchair to drive; and several three-wheelers that were "extensively customized." At least one 3x appeared to have a V8 (350 or 400 cube range) sticking out of its a**, but most of that style were probably Volkswagon powered.

One kid on some sort of thing with about 9 inch wheels was keeping up, but working real hard at it. I sort of wondered if he'd blow someting before he finished the 3 or 4 miles left from where we watched. A couple of little "sissy bikes" (not quite scooters, but close) weren't actually keeping up, but weren't falling back too fast.

Lin tells me she found some videos on YouTube from last years run; but I haven't looked at them yet to see if a link is worthwhile.

John

07 Nov 10 - 05:08 PM (#3026121)
Subject: RE: BS: Kansas Town Shut Down by Bikers
From: Lin in Kansas

Arthur_itis, search You Tube for "Wichita Toy Run" and you'll find more videos of last year's Toy Run than you can shake a stick at.

No doubt there will be several of this year's run posted in the next day or so. The run just ended about 1.5 hours ago, so the photogs haven't had a chance to download their pictures yet.

Many, many kids are going to have some great presents this year! We saw one bike covered with stuffed animals, dragging a trailer with four brand-new bicycles in it. Lots of wrapped boxes. Lots of stuffed critters. Lots of smiles and waves--from the bikers AND the onlookers.

Pretty impressive, and they definitely looked like they were having fun--all 3,000+ of them.

Lin

07 Nov 10 - 05:14 PM (#3026125)
Subject: RE: BS: Kansas Town Shut Down by Bikers
From: Bill D

I used to live just 4 blocks from 15th & Broadway there.... that would have gotten me out to walk over.

Here in Maryland, we have an annual "remember Veterans" with the Rolling Thunder rally.
   Several years ago, I got caught in it and my way to a shop was blocked for over an hour, as they were going just a short distance from where I was going.
I'm not sure that I agree that one continuous line that ties things up for hours is more 'patriotic' or 'meaningful' than just assembling at the meeting place...but no doubt it's hard to argue with a few thousand bikers...who would likely do it without a permit and make things even more chaotic.

07 Nov 10 - 05:16 PM (#3026128)
Subject: RE: BS: Kansas Town Shut Down by Bikers
From: Arthur_itus

Thanks Lin & John

07 Nov 10 - 07:47 PM (#3026254)
Subject: RE: BS: Kansas Town Shut Down by Bikers
From: Rapparee

Among other things, the local Legion Riders and other groups get together on Memorial Day weekend and literally ROAR the 50 miles from Idaho Falls to Pocatello and then out 5th Street to the Field of Heroes, a "cemetery" with a named cross for every US military person who has died in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Last Memorial Day there were over 5,500 crosses...and around 1,000 riders.

07 Nov 10 - 10:04 PM (#3026327)
Subject: RE: BS: Kansas Town Shut Down by Bikers
From: open mike

I do not know how many bikes converge on Sturgis in mid august
but i think it might be 1/2 million or more...last year was the
70th anniversary of that rally...not known if there are toys
involved other than big kids toys...biker's toys...etc. I tried
to travel and camp in the black hills during the 50th anniversary
and there were no vacancies for 500 miles in either direction.

07 Nov 10 - 10:17 PM (#3026333)
Subject: RE: BS: Kansas Town Shut Down by Bikers
From: Bobert

"Rollin' Thunder" is somethin' to behold... Never owned a Harley but there's somethin' about their sound that I really like... So when ya' get thousands of 'um together, wow...

07 Nov 10 - 11:21 PM (#3026363)
Subject: RE: BS: Kansas Town Shut Down by Bikers
From: JohnInKansas

I'm told that they've improved them lately, but some years back the "real bikers" (self-designated) said that if you got thousands of Harleys together they'd all die in the oil slick.

But they still do outnumber most anything else when you get a large herd together. The most impressive (to me) Harleys in today's parade were the ones that didn't make any audible noise at all; but those generally showed a fair amount of custom work.

John

07 Nov 10 - 11:49 PM (#3026375)
Subject: RE: BS: Kansas Town Shut Down by Bikers
From: open mike

some of the bikes these days cost so much that the only people who can own them are doctors and lawyers...and they do not ride them great distances, they trailer them to close to the destination then ride the last few miles on 2 wheels...at least that is what we (my kids and I) saw on the way to Sturgis...20 years ago.

08 Nov 10 - 02:11 AM (#3026421)
Subject: RE: BS: Kansas Town Shut Down by Bikers
From: JohnInKansas

Some of the bikers I've known make the complaint about Sturgis that it "isn't a biker thing" anymore.

Their attitude is that you don't belong if you didn't ride your bike there, and Sturgis has gotten so big that all you see is people who hauled their $80,000 bike in a $50,000 trailer behind a $70,000 truck, roll the bike by hand down the ramp, and then sit on it at the side of the road while they debate with their buddies about how many of the 35 miles on the odometer was actually riding and how much was tune ups on a dynamometer at the custom shop - before delivery.

But then I've heard similar complaints about Burning Man.

There was concern here with yesterday's Toy Ride when it appeared they wouldn't get the direct route and police support, because some thought there would be quite a few "fair weather" bikers who might have difficulty in a "free form convoy," but at least all those who made the trip have ridden at least 8 or 10 miles now.

The majority in the Toy Ride run had sufficient bugs in their teeth to at least look fairly experienced.

John

08 Nov 10 - 06:33 AM (#3026509)
Subject: RE: BS: Kansas Town Shut Down by Bikers
From: GUEST,Patsy

There is nothing like seeing and hearing a thundering line of bikers wherever you live and especially when they are doing something big-hearted as well. I only ride pillion not brave enough to ride one of my own but the friendship between bikers is great and from all walks of life too.

In the West, South West and Wales it is really quite biker friendly, is it like that everywhere else now? I suppose it is assumed that the 'bikers' are more likely going to be mature over 40 something year olds rather than a young speeding dare devils. It's good despite the numb behind.

08 Nov 10 - 06:21 PM (#3027126)
Subject: RE: BS: Kansas Town Shut Down by Bikers
From: JohnInKansas

Motorcyle ownership is popular throughout the US, but probably the most daily (or at least frequent) use is in rural and semi-rural areas where a bike is much more economical than a farm truck for frequent reasonably short trips. The criteria probably are moderately long distances for "local trips" and sufficienly moderate traffic to make it "not too dangerous."

We have lots of places that meet those criteria in my central plains area.

It's been some time since I've travelled to any "megopolis" areas, but some years back bikes were pretty sparse around Los Angels and/or Dallas/Fort Worth, at least on the major highways, because of extemely high auto traffic densities, high speed limits, and resulting high density of stupid drivers. I also don't recall seeing many in Boston, since it's hard to ride slow enough to mix with the congested traffic; but that was decades ago.

Cycles, mostly Harleys(?), are very popular a little south of my town, because the few roads are good but it's a "flood plain" region where most local roads are "intermittent" due to numerous little watercourses. Towns of reasonable size are 20 or 30 miles (25 - 50 km) apart, which is a nice ride.

Cycles appear to me to be less used in a North Texas area we visit, probably because the average distance between towns with "useful amenities" is 70 miles (110 km) or more, which is a bit far to go unless you're after a load of groceries bigger than you can reasonably carry on a bike. Prevailing high and gusty winds may also affect that area, but I don't think that's a real barrier to the bikers.

John

09 Nov 10 - 04:36 AM (#3027375)
Subject: RE: BS: Kansas Town Shut Down by Bikers
From: GUEST,FierceCravin'Bob

What is the difference between a vacuum cleaner and a Harley? The dirtbag goes in a vacuum cleaner.
A woman told me the difference is you cannot suck-start a vacuum...

And yes I am a biker. Harleys don't leak!
I like to toss a handful of rice under a Jap bike then find the owner and tell him he better check his ride because it is leaking.

09 Nov 10 - 05:04 AM (#3027385)
Subject: RE: BS: Kansas Town Shut Down by Bikers
From: Arthur_itus

Blimey, a lot of biker events in the uk

http://www.motorcyclemonthly.co.uk/Content/go-ride-

09 Nov 10 - 06:56 AM (#3027477)
Subject: RE: BS: Kansas Town Shut Down by Bikers
From: GUEST,Patsy

Yes I see what you mean! and will forward the list to the 'fella' on the Isle of Wight'. The Oasis Snack Bar in Abergavenny I recognise it is amazing just to have a good look at all the different bikes and the people riding them, we've mainly stopped at that one just to rest and catch our breath or should I say 'his' breath seeing as he does the hard work but instead of keeping to the South or Wales and West (which is great) we were thinking of trying something further North.