mikesim
Site Supporter
Yesterday, I met up with one of our newest forum members Beermebeerme1 for a ride from St Louis up to Hannibal. Bmebme1 found a nice used silver NT on Facebook with low mileage and well farkled. We chose to ride up MO79 which is part of the Great River Road as it parallels the western shore of the Mississippi from St Louis northward. We met in O'Fallon and headed out. We encountered very little traffic but enjoyed gorgeous weather as we proceeded northbound. A brief stop over for a comfort break at Lock and Dam 26 in Winfield, Mo and we were off again. I was leading the way as Bmebme1 had never travelled this route to Hannibal. As we approached the community of Clarksville, MO I began slowing in observance of the reduced speed limit. I also noticed that there were many people gathered on both sides of the road for some reason. There were no emergency lights so I knew that it was not an accident scene. As we continued our approach I noticed many people seated in lawn chairs on both sides of the road. I continued on slowly as as I rounded a bend, it became very apparent when I saw the high school band that this was a parade route (yeah, I know I'm slow)! It also became very apparent that there was now, no turning back! The sides of the road were completely crowded with people and with the parade now along side of me, there was no chance of a u-turn! I continued to putt along at a walking pace as the parade continued on my left. At least I thought that thankfully I wasn't the only idiot going the wrong way. I looked in my mirror to see if Bmebme1 was still behind me and discovered to my horror that he was GONE! Being of quicker wit than myself he realized what was happening and found a convenient exit. Having no other alternative, I forged ever onward putting along at a walking pace. Since I had already proven to the parade crowd that I was an idiot, I at least decided to show them I was a friendly idiot and began waving to the crowd as I rode past. Eventually, the motorcycle color guard rode past and if scowls could kill, I would be pushing up daisies. Finally a fire truck came by and the firemen were throwing candy to the kids who we running out into the street to get a treat which brought me to a complete halt. Had I been quicker, I could have snagged a piece of taffy! Thankfully, some kind hearted lady read the terror in my face and asked if I was looking for a way off of the parade route. Bless her heart, indeed I was! She said Ill move some kids and you take a right here and when you get to the river go left for three or four blocks and you will be off the parade route. I did as instructed and exited the route waiting at an abandoned gas station for Bmebme1 to come along. After about ten minutes after the parade ended he came along and we beat feet out of town before the Lions, Kiwanis and Optimists had time to gather the tar and feathers and escort me to the city limits.
The rest of the ride was uneventful. We ate lunch at Hannibal and then went back south and homeward. Bmebme1 is infatuated with his NT and is enjoying the comfort and performance of the bike on long rides but I don't think he is ever going to join me crashing parades!
Mike
The rest of the ride was uneventful. We ate lunch at Hannibal and then went back south and homeward. Bmebme1 is infatuated with his NT and is enjoying the comfort and performance of the bike on long rides but I don't think he is ever going to join me crashing parades!
Mike
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