HOG: Gathering of the Clan

My first HOG chapter event took place on the banks of the Rideau River, thanks to John G. whose property we invaded. He had just enough land for us to organize and run the usual and expected bike

A chapter moment.

games (though he did request that we minimize any tire spinning damage to his lawn). In all, two or three dozen bikes showed. Beside our own membership, Rosie and a few members of the Kingston chapter were there, and later in the evening the Outlaws also made a presence.

Since HOG is meant to be a family oriented organization, I brought both my kids to the party. At six and eight years of age, they found plenty to amuse themselves with. There were other kids there to make friends with, and they had tree forts and other novelties to keep them fully occupied. This meant my wife and I could enjoy a pleasant afternoon getting to really know some of our members, watch some bikes in action, have a BBQ meal, and just kick back and have a good time.

John opened his home to the chapter.

When the sun went down, I sent the kids home with Caroline, and settled down on a sofa set near a roaring bonfire. With a beer in hand, I lay back to watch blazing embers from the fire lift high into the clear starry sky, and talked bikes, philosophy, or whatever. We kept that fire fed for hours, before one by one the party broke up. Some headed for tents that had been setup earlier, others for their bikes and the road. I lived not too far away, so I was one of the last to call it a night.