United Motorcyclists of Vermont :: Forum

poker run 2008 [by mytime]

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 17:15:23 -0000

General Chat:: poker run 2008
Joe,

what great pictures!!!!!!!!!!!! just wanted to let everyone know that my arm is feeling much better i rest all day sunday and rode on the back of Randy! well, on his bike.lolol

my bike is a little twisted but so am i!!!!!!! hope to be out and about very soon!!!!!!!!

Burlington Free Press Article-VT Thunder 2008 [by SAINT]

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 15:25:10 -0000

Membership:: Burlington Free Press Article-VT Thunder 2008
Hi guys

I'm not too sure if you've seen the article published in the Burlington Free Press regarding our ride. I'm still upset (I'd use a stronger word but this is also a family site). He mentions how much fuel we used. What about the 7000+ runners that converged on Burlington that day for the Marathon? I don't think they walked to Burlington.

Here's the article

Motorcycle rumble drowns out message

Turn your dial back a decade or so. It's a few days after Memorial Day and the phone rings in the newsroom of The Burlington Free Press.

A participant in the Vermont Thunder motorcycle ride rips into the poor slob who answers the phone, accusing him of being anti-American. The Free Press has not covered the Memorial-Day weekend motorcycle ride that honors veterans and the families of POW/MIAs.
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The poor slob is me.

Return your dial now to 2008. Memorial Day weekend, Vermont's media outlets cover the marathon. The Memorial Day parades. The somber VFW events at countless cemeteries. Once again, there is no prominent mention of the motorcycles that roar 125 Vermont miles, from Sharon to Enosburg, saluting those who have died in defense of country.

And once again, Vermont Thunder supporters and participants are angry at the next-to-nothing coverage they received.

Happens pretty much every year.

Memo to the bikers: Stand down.

Your Memorial Day weekend event raises money through paraphernalia sales; proceeds are used to support veterans and their families. Good work. We commend you and yes, when possible we ought to give props to your efforts.

That doesn't make it the perfect event (doesn't exist -- even the KeyBank Vermont City Marathon and the Discover Jazz Festival rankle some folks), or for that matter an annual newsmaker.

The motorcycles, a great many of them seemingly hyper-noisy Harley-Davidsons, drive in packs along otherwise scenic, quiet country roads. Is it possible that the din interrupts the quiet Memorial Day reflection of a family? A widow? A child? A church congregation? After all, that's what Memorial Day is about. Sure it's possible. In that sense, 1,000 motorcycles streaming through Vermont aren't all that nifty.

Too, if you're coordinating and executing a charitable memorial -- as Vermont Thunder is -- you ought not be doing it for the wide adulation of an adoring and acknowledging public. You're doing it for the beneficiaries, and if they got what you wanted them to get, who cares which TV station or newspaper gave you air time or ink?

Hard to believe, too, that so many motorcyclists in Vermont could so widely disregard our law that motorcycles are to be driven single-file, not side-by-side in a single traffic lane.

And finally, there's a cruel irony to Vermont Thunder.

Our country is at war now in Iraq -- at least in part to keep a spigot of crude oil wide open and flowing toward the United States.

Thousands of American men and women have died in combat.

And to honor them, among other war dead, Vermont Thunder gathers 1,000 bikers to ride 125 miles. A Harley will get 40 mpg, sometimes more, sometimes less. The math says that 3,125 gallons gasoline are being burned for this memorial to fallen soldiers -- some of whom died to make sure we have ample gasoline.

As they risk their lives on the oil-supply end, what do we combustion-engine addicts at home need to do to adjust the demand end of the bargain?

An ear-splitting memorial motorcycle ride during a holiday that by all rights should be marked by silent reflection? A breast-beating complaint about not enough attention paid to a good deed? A gas-burning tribute to fallen soldiers at the very time that roadside bombs are killing soldiers securing our supply of gasoline?

Ride bicycles next year and leave the Harley in the garage. Maybe the media will pay attention. But if we don't, that's not a statement on the worthiness of your cause.
Ed Shamy's column appears Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Contact him at 660-1862 or eshamy@bfp.burlingtonfreepress.com

Re: Storm the State House May 1, 2008 [by Cupcake]

Thu, 01 May 2008 01:50:07 -0000

Storm the Statehouse:: Storm the State House May 1, 2008
Well hey there 05deuce!

We are meeting with Donnie, Mark and Phil at the Elmore Store at 9:00 am then driving (gack!!! but it's freezing) to Montpelier.

I still have my "I Ride and I Vote" button from last year.

Annual Toy Run - Saturday, August 9, 2008 [by Joe]

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 11:12:30 -0000

Events:: Annual Toy Run - Saturday, August 9, 2008
The Annual Toy Run to benefit Shriners' Hospital for Children will be held on Saturday, August 9, 2008. We'll be staging at the Blue Cross parking lot in Berlin, by the airport again this year. The parade will leave sharply at noon and head for the State House in Montpelier.

Bring a new, unwrapped toy to donate. Refreshments and event t-shirts will be available at the staging area. It's an election year so the Governor should be at the State House to greet us.

There are several after the run events.

The Thrush Tavern always has a free BBQ for participants right after the run.

The VNV MC and The Living Stones MM are putting together an after the run party. They are working on bringing as many vets from the VA hospital to the run as possible. We'll add more info when we get it.

UMV Annual Poker Run - Saturday, June 7, 2008 [by Joe]

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 00:02:55 -0000

Events:: UMV Annual Poker Run - Saturday, June 7, 2008
UMV Poker Run & Bike Rodeo

Saturday, June 7, 2008

10:00 am to 3:30 pm

Final Card & Pig Roast at the Ball Field RT 109, Belvidere Center, VT

All vehicles are welcome. Start at any of the locations listed below, play as many hands as you like.

The 5th card will be drawn at the Ball Field no later than 5:00 pm.

Pig Roast & Bike Rodeo after the Poker Run - $6.00 per plate.

UMV T-shirts will be available.

1st Prize $100

2nd Prize $75

Proceeds benefit the UMV Scholarship Fund.

Locations:
Green Mountain Harley - Rte. 15 Essex Jct.
The Spanked Puppy - Rte. 2A Colchester
HarleyD's Bar & Grill - Lake Street, St. Albans
Crossroads Beverage Center - Rte. 100 & Rte. 2, Waterbury
Snack Shack - Rte. 302, Barre
Morrisville Mobil - Rte. 15, Morrisville
Robbie's Wildlife Refuge - Rte. 15, Jeffersonville
Cajun Snack Bar - Rte, 100, Lowell
Jay Country Store - Rte. 242, Jay
Wayne's Snack Bar & Pizza - Rte. 100, Newport
Snowshoe Lodge - Rte. 118, Montgomery
Long Trail Tavern - Rte. 15, Johnson

Re: MOVING WALL coming to St. Albans, Vt. [by Joe]

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 13:55:09 -0000

Events:: MOVING WALL coming to St. Albans, Vt.
Sounds great, we'll try to be there.

sorry [by mytime]

Tue, 04 Dec 2007 19:07:04 -0000

General Chat:: sorry
HI Joe and Holly, i ment to send you an email earlier so you didn't have to spend the postage on sending out a mailing for me. i am no longer a member of UMV i have rejoined Rotary and one group at a time for me right now. I will see you on the 12th of January. Randy and i heard the band and it will be great!!!!!!!

thanks,
Patricia

toy run 2007 pics ?? [by jerbear]

Wed, 03 Oct 2007 22:09:28 -0000

General Chat:: toy run 2007 pics ??
Just wondering when we might expect to see the pictures posted on here from the toy run from Blue cross blue shield in Berlin to the statehouse in montpelier. Great time had by all and am very anxious to see the photos.

jerry

Re: hello from new member [by Joe]

Wed, 03 Oct 2007 00:41:21 -0000

Say Hello:: hello from new member
Hey Jerry, welcome to the site. I hope to be able to get more pictures and the site updated soon. We went on vacation at the end of August, beginning of Septmber and we're still trying to get caught up. There just never seems to be enough time.

We are always looking for new members and for people that have the time and want to help out.

Support Dave's Sled Shop [by GypsyJeff]

Fri, 31 Aug 2007 20:45:27 -0000

General Chat:: Support Dave's Sled Shop
I stopped by last month, and even though he was busy, Dave took the time to adjust the timing on my BT for me...... He wouldn't take any money..............

Gypsy Jeff