4 minute read
Red’s Watering Hole Annual Bike Run
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On Saturday October 15th, Red’s Watering Hole held their annual Bike Run for the Jerusalem Project. The Jerusalem Project is designed as a local mission effort to help those that may not be able to help themselves (whether physically or financially) for one week each summer. In serving others, the students and adults learn that we, as individual churches, can and should work together. The youth and volunteers help members of our community with small projects such as building wheelchair ramps, painting, and other small construction projects. All of the projects are free to the needy members of our community.
I hadn’t heard about the charity before but it sounded like a good one so I decided to go. I always enjoy going to Red’s because I see some olds friends, and make many new ones.
The run was scheduled to start at noon with registration starting at 10:00AM, so I left home at about 9:30 heading south toward Gaffney on Rt 18. When I saw the temperature posted on the church sign, it was 47 degrees. I was glad that I wore my long-johns and winter leather jacket. I always have trouble deciding what to wear on days like this – cold in the morning, and warming to 80 degrees in the afternoon. I usually lean toward over dressing rather than under. I’d rather be too warm than cold. Once I get cold, it’s hard for me to warm up again.
When I arrived at Red’s, there was only one motorcycle there. I parked next to him, and we talked as we waited for more bikers to arrive. After a young lady rode in on her bike, they opened the registration table.
I walked over to the registration table with a stack of magazines. I gave my donation, and got the list of stops where each rider would roll the dice. When they left Red’s, they would ride to the 55 Grill in Clover, SC. From there, they would ride to 4 Lanes in Clover. After that they would ride to Highway 5 Grub Hub in Smyrna, SC. The next stop was Burnt Mills in Blacksburg, SC. They would end up at Red’s Watering Hole for all the festivities – 50/50 drawing, raffle prizes give-away, and food.
I met a young man who rode in from Blacksburg. He parked his Harley next to “Miss Vickie”. We talked for a long time as we waited for the run to start. I reminded him of his dad, and then he remembered that it was his dad’s birthday, so he called him.
The manager of Red’s came by where I was sitting, and we talked for a short time. She was very busy getting things ready for later when the bikers came back. When she smiles, you know that everything is OK.
Later I walked to the other building to see all the door prizes. They were all on a table with bags in front. I guess that you would put your raffle ticket in the bag if you wanted it and then they would draw the winner later. They were giving away a lot of stuff.
I walked out front to watch the bikes roll in. As two of the bikes came down the street, I noticed that one sounded better than all the others. I waked over to talk with the owner and realized that it was an old Harley Shovelhead. They have a unique sound – different than any of the newer Harleys. It wasn’t a show bike like some of the other bikes. It was a bike that was ridden a lot, and enjoyed by its owner.
The street was filling with motorcycles and Red’s was filling with the bikers. Everybody was having a good time visiting with old friends. Some were club members, and others were like me – independent. It didn’t matter, everybody was very friendly.
Soon, it was time for the run to start. Everybody wet to their bikes. At a little after noon, they all started them with a roar, and got in line for the run. It seemed like it took a long time before the leader got on his bike, and rode out with all the other bikes behind him, but it was only minutes.
Once the run started, it seemed like everybody was in a hurry to catch up. The bikes roared by me as I took pictures. Before I knew it, they were all gone – on their way to the 55 Grill in Clover.
I walked back to “Miss Vickie” and headed home. After I got home, I talked Cindy into going out for lunch to our favorite Mexican restaurant – Mi Pueblitos. It was a great way to spend a Saturday morning, and I hope next Saturday will be as fulfilling, and as much fun.
