July 2012
BOTB Daybreak 2012 By Ollie Cruising with Critter- July 2012 Durham Motorcycle Ride for Dad Orangeville Legion Show and Shine The Deck Show and Shine June 2012 Western Town Smokeout
Links to Event Slideshows BOTB Daybreak 2012 CB Birthday 2012 Critter Country Show and Shine May 2012 Durham Ride For Dad 2012 Fort Erie Swap Meet 2012 Orangeville Legion Show and Shine 2012 Smokeout June 2012 The Deck June 2012
BOTB – Daybreak 2012 By Ollie In a world filled with negative news these days, a sunny afternoon spent with the Brothers Of The Blade at their Daybreak event will put it all back in perspective for you. For twelve years now the BTOB have held a day of fun, games, awards and barbeque in support of L’Arche Daybreak - caregivers known worldwide for their work with children and adults who face the challenges of emotional and physical disabilities each and every day. For them the news stays the same. I’ve known the Blade’s for years and always admired their commitment to brotherhood, riding and the position they take in a biker community that at times can be volatile. Theirs is a “live and let live” mentality with the focus landing squarely on the foundation of true brotherhood, love and support for each other as well as those who need it most. I was always aware of their annual “Penny Run” in support of developmentally challenged children and adult in the Manitoulin Islands, a cause near and dear to Bruce, the clubs president. However, a yearly commitment that I had always fell on the same weekend of the run and prevented me from attending. So when Bruce invited me to the 12th annual DayBreaker’s event this year, and my calendar was clear, I jumped at the chance. I woke up, polished up my bike and rode under a warm clear sky to the BTOB clubhouse. Both my mind and expectation were a clean slate heading there, not knowing what to expect but happy that I could finally attend and witness first hand the BTOB’s commitment
to those people less fortunate than us all. I would not be disappointed and what I saw was inspiring and a day I will not soon forget. Prior to my arrival and throughout the day “Bird Man” had brought along his Hawk, whom he had trained from birth for the Daybreakers to see up close and personal. I did speak with Bird Man at length later on and was really impressed with his knowledge and commitment to the training and management of such a beautiful creature. He said in particular; “you don’t want to completely imprint yourself on these birds”. He explained that if you do you are robbing them of their natural instincts and ability to function as the creature it was meant to be. There is a “balance” you want to achieve between man and bird, which allows them to live within the scope of their “natural being” but with just enough “love and assistance” from man to enhance that life. When I pulled in and parked at the BTOB clubhouse I was warmly greeted by Bruce. “These kids look more forward to this than Christmas” and for a brief moment I found myself being just a tad skeptical of his remarks. I mean really? What tops Christmas for kids’ right? However, watching the days events unfold I was a firm believer in Bruce’s statement by the time I left. For more than an hour bike after bike lined up and gingerly placed – the sometimes very fragile minds and bodies – of the Daybreaker’s on Harleys for a ride around the wellgroomed lands of the clubhouse. Individual photos were taken and printed out on the spot by brother Mouse and given to each and every rider. One young enthusiast, Darrell, really caught my attention and as I got closer I overheard a BTOB brother Gary ask him “is this your first ride” to which he quickly responded “yep”. The laughter ignited between us all as we knew that this was his fifth or sixth ride at least. With the bikes safely parked, and the lawn full of beaming smiles, the fun didn’t miss a beat and the games began. First up was the “Egg race” the Daybreaker version of this saw two daybreaker’s race to a brother, get an egg and race back to place the egg as carefully as they could onto a spoon in the mouth of a BTOB rider who would then race across the finish line.
Next up the weenie race were a forty something emotionally challenged man from Daybreakers would be, hands down, the world champion in this event if the rules applied to his particular technique. As the driver carefully positioned him under the hanging wiener, he simply reached up, pulled the string attached the hotdog down and ate it all. The logic was pure and simple and brought roars of laughter from everyone and to those of us who noticed the expression on his face when he heard the crowd, it was like; “so what’s the big deal with that? That was easy”. The games culminated with the clear favorite between the Daybreaker’s, the “potato game”. A few potatoes are hidden in the cleanest bale of hay I’ve ever seen, and frantically found. By the process of elimination the game ends when you’re down to a single potato and the winner holding it in the air with same pride and intensity of any Super Bowl trophy I’ve seen being hoisted by the victor. For me the highlight of the day was the award ceremony. The BTOB had generously made trophies for each winner and it was here that you saw the pride of personal achievement on the faces and in the acceptant speeches of the winners. One young winner, Amanda, summed it all up beautifully when she took the microphone and said; “I want you to know I love you all very, very much”. Suffice to say there was more than one moist eye in the house, including my own. All guest were then treated to a great barbeque with all the trimmings – all of which were donated free of charge by Derek and Jaye, (friends of the club) to everyone there.
It was time to leave too soon and as I rode down the highway to meet some friends, I began to unravel all that I had seen and waxed philosophical on the day’s events. The genuine joy I had seen in the eyes of everyone involved left a lasting impression on me and whittled away some of the tainted emotions today’s world lacquers on your heart. It felt like it could breath again with the simple blessing of love and understanding for those less fortunate than we are. The images of the Daybreakers gently placing the egg on the spoon in the mouth of their rider so he could win the race played back in my mind. Or the simple, direct approach of the older Daybreaker grabbing the hotdog off the string and eating it with his “so what’s the deal here” expression on his face after doing it. (Happy to report he won the race and received the trophy after the judges accepted his technique.) But it was Birdman’s explanation of his relationship with birds that kept coming back to me as I rode. Everyone, (the reason they are at this event) is because we all shared a common empathy and love for those among us that are faced with the emotional and physical challenges we
are lucky enough not to have. The challenges they have to face each and every day of their lives. In short, it sucks, plain and simple, that they are faced with this reality day in and day out. There is no cure for them. There are no medications, no surgeries…nothing that can reverse what they face now and for the rest of their lives. Luckily there are those among us - like the care givers at DayBreakers and the Brothers of the Blade - who go to great lengths to strike that “balance” between what creation gave them and what the more privileged have to offer them. When groups of well meaning brothers and sisters who ride motorcycles have – set aside one day a year – to give them their “imprint” of joy and true happiness into their lives and to receive it in return. So Bruce was indeed correct, they do love this event more than Christmas, because here, Santa is very, very real.
Cruising with Critter- July 2012 By Critter Well my summer season of 2012 has officially got officially started. Petoonia got the green light from Bronson and is running like a dream, my knee is coming along nicely and we are out and about looking for adventures in Critter Country. There is more than enough to keep me busy and I’m about to get a whole lot busier and experience some major changes in my life, that some of you know about now but you all will know about soon, concerning my involvement with the Riders Mag. I’ve restarted my Thursday Rider’s Nights at Big Daddy’s in Newmarket and they are coming along nicely, even with the widening of Davis Dr. and despite the fact that they lost a huge portion of their front parking lot. Thursday nights we restrict the front lot to motorcycles only and have lots of room right now and we’re hoping that we get access to the large lots adjacent to Big Daddy’s soon. I’ve picked up a sound system so that we can have tunes outside until they get the patio built and can make more permanent arrangements. The food is still great, with live entertainment provided by Laura Lee and the Tequila Rockingbirds and a large contingent of varied musicians with various styles who come from miles around to jam. As soon as we get
Become a Card Carrying Member of “Critter’s Crew”. Show your Critter’s Crew card and save 10% or more at participating establishments. For more information contact Critter, (905) 251-2359 or Gord, (416) 804-2292. Link to critterscrew.ca (Card cannot be used with specials and promotions)
the New Critter’s Crew Cards from the printer our members can start enjoying the benefits and save some money while having a great time We will soon start the draws again as well. The Critter’s Crew Cards is being really well received with a wide variety of businesses and merchants ready to honour the cards and like Big Daddy’s, and Black Gold offer discounts of 10% when you present the card. The list of Merchants is growing rapidly already and the cards haven’t even been printed. You can go online at critterscrew.ca and check it out a sign up for your FREE card. I have been trying to get out to other Riders Nights in the area as well. The Loretto Inn has started advertising their Tuesday Night Bike Night and I’ve ridden out a couple of times to check it out, and now when I can’t make it I feel like I’m going through withdrawal. So I climbed aboard Petoonia and pointed her west and off we went on this absolutely gorgeous night. The old adage “Getting there is half the fun.” certainly holds up on this ride. You travel some pretty spectacular roads filled with long sweeping turns that run through some of the prettiest countryside around to get here and you can route your way through even more for your ride home.
Then if riding some of the best roads this Province has to offer isn’t enough for you, pull on in to the Loretto Inn, and be further amazed. New owner, Brenda has paved a large portion of the huge parking lot. Then you get to try the food which in itself is worth the ride and it is served by a drop dead gorgeous young lady by the name of Chanel (Like the perfume). Yes damn it! They have 50! I found an empty table on the large patio and settled in for a pleasant stop that for me would be a fairly good representation of “Critter Heaven” as it was, what with ice cold 50, sensational food and servers like Chanel (By the way, all the servers look fantastic and are equally friendly and efficient, but I have to try and manage my distractions and Chanel was my main distraction at the moment, because I’m old and with any more than one distraction at a time it just turns to confusion, and that is never good.) but if you mix in a bunch of good natured, easy going group of regulars who just add to the charm and character of the place and I was soon sitting with them enjoying their company and sharing stories and it just kept getting better.
The food was amazing with half price wings available to riders. They also expressed interest in “The Critter’s Crew Cards” which would be honored anytime, not just on “Bike Night” and not just when you’re riding so it just gets better all the time. I got some pictures (Yes of course I got Chanel in the shots! I’m not that old yet.), got to talk with new owner Brenda (A short, feisty, redhead with flashing eyes, a big, easy smile and a great sense of humour, who fits right in with her clientele.) about her plans for the place. She is fully committed to making this one of the best “Bike Nights” around. It has all the makings as she has a great location with lots of room inside and out, great food and a strong dedicated staff behind her. Come on in to the Loretto Inn for Tuesday Night Bike Nights or anytime you’re in the area. You will be glad you did!
Durham Motorcycle Ride for Dad. By Critter The weather forecast weren`t looking particularly promising for this ride and I was pretty sure that I was going to end up soaking wet. Even when I woke up the skies were bleak and everything was drenched from the rain that had been falling steadily all night. I cleaned up and went to the studio to clear up a few things before heading over to Port Perry where I would join this merry band of motorcyclists for a poker run to raise money and awareness of Prostate cancer and the importance of getting a rectal examination and PSA test. I was busy suiting up for a wet ride as I opened the garage door and was surprised to see it clearing up. Not much but enough to make me remove my wet weather gear and head out without it. It was still looking grim over to the east but I kept on moving and the skies actually cleared as I went along. I felt sort of how Moses must have felt when he allegedly parted the Sea. Kind of like, WTF? I can’t believe this is happening but I’ll go with it! Well OK so far so good. Let’s see if this is really working or if it’s a trap and some power ,is just trying to lure me out in the open without raingear (Probably Lord Julian, because we all know he’s doing the Lord’s work.) so that the Gods can extract some kind of cruel revenge.
The roads were still wet and I felt the odd drop from time to time but for the most part it was a great ride across. I pulled into the Recreation Centre to find perhaps a couple of dozen Bikes in the lot where I was being directed by the First Cav members who were in charge of keeping things orderly. I parked Petoonia grabbed my trusty Nikon and made my way inside where I introduced myself to the organizers and told them that I would be accompanying them on the ride for the day. I was introduced to the Road Captain Al and he explained the route and how we would run. I also met Charles the ``Media Guy`` who filled me in on other details and provided a map of the route and a meal ticket for dinner at the end of the ride which would be back at the Recreation Centre. I went inside for a free coffee and donut and to check out some of the vendors and displays. They had the official opening ceremonies, where they stressed the importance of regular screening and testing for Prostate cancer. I was happy to be able to truthfully raise my hand when they asked the crowd who had recently had the rectal exam and PSA test!
This is a real concern and may not be considered by many to be as big a problem as Breast cancer and other diseases and doesn`t seem to garner as much media attention and exposure but it deserves to be considered to be as big a threat because it is! There were survivors and those now going through treatment on this ride and names of some those who had succumbed to the disease in the past year were read out. By now the crowd had swelled considerably as the weather was looking better by the minute and those who may have been holding back now showed up and the lot was packed with motorcycles of all sizes and types and cheery ``Ride for Dad`` flags flapped merrily in the breeze everywhere. We were told to get ready to leave and we went to our motorcycles and prepared to follow the lead bikes out. I moved Petoonia off to the side and had explained to Al the Road Captain that I would hang back and get pictures of the group as they left but would catch up. The First Cav guys eyed me suspiciously as a guy that might ruin the organization and symmetry that they were working so hard to achieve. I tried to ignore their looks that said ``Get the fuck in line with everybody else you nonconformist!`` but it was clear that they objected to me making up my own rules. I`m used to it as I`ve been doing what I do for a long time now and have absolutely no
intention of changing my ways now and the strains of going against the current no longer really bother me, but I am aware of that the currents do exist I just chose to ignore them. We set out on what was to be a great ride on some great roads that I will go back someday and ride on my own without being fettered by some riders less enamored of long sweeping turns and switch backs than I. We made a large swing up through Beaverton and back through some very picturesque countryside. It was a well thought out route with some good stops. All well planned out and equipped with Porta-potties and such at well-timed intervals in consideration of the needs of some participants. We arrived back at The Recreation Centre and were treated to some great burgers and hotdogs complete with (I`m trying to convince people that they did it just for me.) heaps of fried onions. Man that did hit the spot. I hung around for a while and bought some of the stickers, stuffed biker bears and such and heard a bit of the band before saying my goodbyes and heading out. There was a motorcycle show and Shine as well but I didn`t hang around to see who won as I still had one more event that I was going to be able to do yet today and I was promised the results would be e mailed to me.
I didn’t get the all of the Show and Shine results but did get the encouraging and welcome results of the Ride as a whole. There were137 registered riders and they raised $23,822.60 for the fight against this dreaded disease. There is one person in particular that I would like to commend other than the organizers of this really great ride for such a worthy cause. Judith from the Red Knights, on the Softail Deluxe trike built by my buddy Josh and wife of Bones who ultimately won in the V Twin class in the Show and Shine, for leaving her rain gear on for all but the final leg of the run in an effort to ward off the Rain Gods and took one for the team so that we could ride dry while she sweated her cute little butt off in that hot gear. Thanks Darl`n. Great ride! I had a great time and hope we can do it again next year!
Orangeville Legion Show and Shine- 2012 By Critter It was a beautiful day as I settled in on Petoonia’s plush seat and she carried me effortlessly across Hwy. 9 to Orangeville and to the Legion that was once again hosting a Show and Shine that used to rival all others in popularity and attendance rain or shine. I say used to, because last year thanks to interference by a local LC BO inspector, that was tantamount to discrimination that effectively ruined a really good event that the Legion has done well with for the past ten years until some Government employee took it upon herself to impose restrictions in regards to what clothing and patches and such that bikers attending the event could wear on the property. This became the business and jurisdiction of the LCBO when? The Legion asked the local Police for definition and was given really vague ideas of what was allowed and what wasn’t and the result was total confusion and it was decided that anybody wearing any kind of a patch was barred from the property, including military groups. I cried foul and went to the OCC who investigated and what I heard was that this inspector was way beyond the perimeters of her job in making the decisions that she did. The OCC contacted the Legion and again, in my mind, I thought that the matter had been resolved and we could put all the silliness behind us and get on with the Show and Shines! I had driven by just the weekend before and there was a sign proclaiming that there was a Motorcycle Show and Shine to be held there on the advertised date but nothing saying anything about restrictions and there was no signage about restrictions at present either. In fact the subject came up the day before with an actual member of the BDR who has also been a member of that Legion for over twenty years and he was served in the Legion just days previous while wearing his Club colours. I should point out too that the BDR had supported that Legion for years. They hosted parties there with never a hint of trouble and brought much needed revenue into the Legion. I rolled in to a parking lot that held less of a crowd than I was expecting, but it was still fairly early so I thought not much about it. The BBQ crew was hard at it turning out some awesome Burgers and hotdogs and that spectacular pea meal bacon on a bun. They remembered me and remembered my passion for those magnificent fried onions that I could smell as I rode down the Street and really heaped them on. I went to the beer garden for a pretend 50 to wash it all down because they no longer carry
real 50. I enquired about the restrictions on the permit and was told that there were none this year. I was happy to hear this as I could perhaps, with a favourable write up and review in the Mag saying that the silliness was over and start to turn things around and start to restore what once was a fantastic event and repair the damage caused by one overzealous, selfabsorbed, Government employee who for whatever motivation, seemed to have an axe to grind and didn’t care about the Legion or any of the people who enjoyed and supported the event and the Legion and never experienced any trouble, as long as she was able to take a swipe at bikers. I visited here and there talking to vendors such as Tina from Purple Slice, Pamela the vivacious T shirt girl, and Orangeville’s very own leather Queen, Jenny and enjoyed the beautiful weather. Happy in my ignorance I wandered around until a Black Diamond Rider supporter told me that he had been told to either remove his Support T shirt or leave the property. I now went to investigate and was told that while there were no stipulations on the permit itself, the LCBO inspector had sent a letter to the Legion specifying that no Club Colours or paraphernalia could be worn at the event and that the inspector would be there watching and failure to comply with her restrictions would result in the cancellation of the Legions
Liquor license. I was waiting for her arrival but she never did show up just an Orangeville Cop who knew nothing about the restrictions and he left without incident or confrontation. I was unable to secure a copy of the license or the letter and am going strictly on the say so of Legion executive. I would really like to know on what or who’s authority and under which laws did this inspector operate under to make these restrictions and definitions. Did someone appoint her as Queen and protector of the realm or Mother of Dragons when she rose to the lofty heights of LCBO inspector? It was still a good event and there were a lot of people I knew and enjoyed spending time with but things had been soured for me. If we continue to let self-appointed Saints, who can rise up on merely a whim and make discriminatory decisions and bully groups like the Legion who are facing dwindling
membership as it is and struggle to make ends meet and look for events such as this to keep them functional we are all in for a nasty ride and are disgracing those feisty veterans who fought to free us from tyrants by letting it happen in their own Legion Halls that they held sacred! It is time to make some noise lest our veterans roll in their graves over the lack of intestinal fortitude that is being displayed by some of those they left behind. I really hope that this situation can be resolved and that the LCBO can look after selling liquor and leave law making up to those whose job it is. And someone please inform her that we elect those people we don’t hire them off the street! I wasn’t sent the winners list at press time so I can’t provide it
The Deck Show and Shine- June 2012 By Critter I had some concerns as to whether this event was going to happen or not when last month before doing the layout of the Mag I stopped by the Deck to find that it was closed by the LCBO for according to the notice posted on windows and doors to be in connection to “Previous Infractions” which told me that Tim’s personal war with the local LCBO inspector and the local Police were far from being resolved. The ad was close to being pulled when Tm called and said that the event was still on and he was going to have it regardless. So it was that I headed to Orangeville in the Black Bitch on a cold and rainy day, as I had other things to do over in the area that required a larger vehicle and it was pissing down rain. I pulled into the half empty rain-soaked parking lot and walked toward the street. There was a small gathering of people milling around on Mill St. mostly comprised of Johnny Sombrero and his crew of Black Diamond Riders and supporters and perhaps a dozen or so motorcycles. I said my hellos and made my way into the not overly busy bar and saw some familiar faces. I asked for a 50 and was told that they couldn’t serve liquor or beer because they didn’t
have a license at the moment. I did get a chance to talk to Tim and he explained to me the stuff that was happening in his World. As you must have already figured out, the event was far from being a roaring success due to rain and those who would rain on Tim’s parade. The adventure continues... The only winner of the Show and Shine was Big Bill as he was the only one who registered I think for Best Chrome.
Western Town Smokeout – June 2012 By Critter Wow! The Twins must have done something serious to piss off Mother Nature! And she is obviously really pissed to constantly piss down on their parties the way she does! I rode all day in a ride that was by all forecasts supposed to be wet and it wasn’t only to come here and have the skies open up and dump torrents of water on us! Maybe she and the other Gods just like to watch riders try to get in and out of the property without dumping their bikes and end up covered in mud. It was good that we got the games in first and there was enough warning that we could all seek shelter before the deluge hit! The attendance seemed down again as some seem to plan their lives around the weather forecasts and subsequently miss out on a lot of great parties. The hard core group that have been coming to this event for years and will continue to come in rain, sunshine, shit, sleet or snow or whatever else the fickle bitch that we know as Mother Nature can throw at them as long as there is a party here to go to! Some start setting up and claiming their space here as early as Wednesday and by the time
Saturday rolls around they are in full on party mode! It is a great place to be! This year there was a distinct change in that my buddy John who does some amazing things with meat in his classy BBQ/ smoker unit and had set up and was turning out some really fine ribs, pulled pork, roast beef and other fine fare in huge portions for ridiculously low prices. That takes a lot of the pressure off of Charley and Ernie and all of their crew who in the past were constantly making supply runs into town when they ran out of food. Even in the rain while sitting under shelters the party continues unabated and when the skies clear there is just more room to party. Again this year I couldn’t stay late as I’d already been on an event that day and had to be up early to cover another one tomorrow. It was great while it lasted. Maybe one day I’ll get to stay and party but such is the life of a Roving Reorter. We gotta do what we gotta do! I said my goodbyes to some wonderful people who’s company I will treasure until the day I die, I climbed aboard Sweet Petoonia and we made our way cautiously and carefully down the driveway that had been turned into a real treacherous treat by the heavy rains that had happened not long before without incident and headed home. Great party guys but please try to make up with Mother Nature before the next party.
Become a Card Carrying Member of “Critter’s Crew”. Show your Critter’s Crew card and save 10% or more at participating establishments. For more information contact Critter, (905) 251-2359 or Gord, (416) 804-2292. Link to critterscrew.ca (Card cannot be used with specials and promotions)