It's that time of year. Toys for Tots!

[weekendrider]

This ride starts the season for my local area.
There are 2 others that I will make.
The Branson Toys for Tots is sponsored by the local F.O.R.R. and the Forseyth, MO VFW.
And supported by hundreds (although the numbers seem down to me) of local motorcycle riders of all venues.
This is 5+ minutes of just bikes riding by.
Most off the floor, bolt on bling models.
A few individual efforts, the most easily spotted by you will be the Honda 750 with the sidehack. All in the raw and maybe built with black pipe or pieces cut from other bikes.
There is one XS, me. Maybe you can spot it.

Look for the sidecar @ 50 seconds in on this one

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The Clever, MO T 4 T is a smaller function. This being the just 5th annual they are growing. For those that worry about welds, this is one that will have you shuddering.
Use what ya got where it fits.

"Made in the Shade"

 

[Phill]

Cool! I can't wait to get my bike running.

Were you at the end under the flag?

 

[weekendrider]

I'm @ 2:35 into the video. The rat hack is a min or so ahead of me.

 

[weekendrider]

Time is running short and the runs are thinning.
Yesterday was my favorite.
The Buffalo, MO peeps had their 12th annual.
Special Kudos to Roise Troutman for being a driving force all these years.
She fell two years ago at the event and broke her hip.
While waiting for the ambulance, declining any help, she sat in the gravel with a sign that said "I've fallen and can't get up."
Cruel I guess, unless to keep from crying you try to laugh.
The homemade chili and deserts are GREAT.
The town totally supports this function. Gathering alomg the ride route to wave, honk and take pictures.
Norman Rockwell times for sure. Everyone comes.
Nothing is blocked from riding if you are donating.
4-wheelers, dirt bikes, little rocket bikes ridden by children, bigger toys ridden by their parents. A prize for the participant coming the farthest went to a fellow from KC, a hard 2 hr ride. A prize for the participant attending the most toy runs went to a boy who has been to all 12. He is only 11 figure, it out.
The oldest rider in his late 70's.
46 degrees and raining I look alot like a big yellow tree ornament.

 

[weekendrider]

Another year come and gone.
Tomorrow is the first Toys for Tots ride in Branson.
FORR(Freedom of the Road Riders) is a driving force behind these runs and rides.
Check their calendar for events in your area.
This year the offerings from ANYWHERE but China are thin.
Uno card games are made in the USA.
Mega Blocks in Canada. But only in sets. Can't locate a "bucket of blocks" for the 3-6 yo.s.
Connex, Connects, Co-Nex (sp?) blocks in England.
Last year Crayola had lots of stuff made in the US. This year next to none?

Anyone know of a ball company that has production some place besides China?
Would like to find some nerf type or soft balls for the kids. Something an older child could play with young children without the pain of getting hit by a hardshell ball for them.

 

[weekendrider]

Well the rides are wrapped up. The last in my area was 12-7-12, the Springfield,MO ride.
Thought you might enjoy the video done by the vintage and cafe riders.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=mkQqSE0towE

 

[uebe]

Applause and much respect to you and the others for your time and effort ! Nice to know there are still people like you out there.

Do you eventually put your bike up for the year, or do you keep it at the ready?

 

[weekendrider]

The little brides couch and blue bike are pretty much at the ready.
Others treated, drained, jacked up and covered.
I've gotten fatter but I refuse to grow up.

 

[uebe]

The little brides couch and blue bike are pretty much at the ready.
Others treated, drained, jacked up and covered.
I've gotten fatter but I refuse to grow up.

Is that snow, or sand?

 

[weekendrider]

Frozen sleet about 3 inchs thick. The monkey bike lets you use your feet as outriggers for balance......but sooner or later you will slide on the side.
This type activity probably violates all safe motorcycling rules.