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Sweating Bullets BUT for a Good Cause
By Nick DeCondio
There are thousands of
charity rides across the country supported by countless
big-hearted bikers every year. It's easy to forget
what's being ridden for, the story behind the ride. We
are pleased to take a closer look at such a ride, and
it's story with Clutch and Chrome contributor,
Nick DeCondio.
New England is a beautiful
part of the country, that is simply a fact. Stories of
watching the leaves change with the season are as old as the
natives who settled here. The more challenging side of the
region would be it's weather, which can change at a moments
notice.
So it was optimism that
had both the organizers and attendees hoping for the promised
warm weather for the 5th Annual Kobe Tedone Benefit Ride.
The weatherman predicted sunshine and a temperature of 100
degrees, all delivered as closely as one could want.
The ride is in honor of
Kobe Tedone, who at 3 years old lost his mother to a
terrible tragedy on March 28, 2003. That same summer the 1st annual
motorcycle benefit ride was held to secure a better future for him.
Certainly, the ride was for a great cause, but
was also a special moment personally, being the first official event that I have
participated as a rider.
Wasn't too early of a start
with registration starting at 9am with a scheduled departure
time of noon, leaving a lot bikers coming in
after 11am.
As in previous years, the
ride was starting at
TSI Harley Davidson, the oldest Harley and Buell dealer in Connecticut.
Starting off as a snowmobile dealership back in the early
1960's, it was granted a Harley-Davidson dealership in 1972,
handed from father to son over the years.
The morning sun was beating down
and many of us tried to keep not only
hydrated, but hide under any available shade as well as inside the dealership as much
as possible.
To keep all the attendees
entertained over the three hour registration period, a rock band called Quintera
played. An unplanned form entertainment came from the small
airport behind the dealership where they had
helicopter training as well as a plane taking up
people for parachute jumping. What a sight it was watching
the skydivers come down with amazing precision, landing in a
relatively small area on the
field.
Back at the staging area,
the sponsors were in full force. As well as TSI
Harley Davidson, which is where Kobe Tedone’s uncle Norm works, TSI Columbia
Harley Davidson, Dari-Farms Ice Cream, IGA Supermarkets,
Rockville Bank and many other companies all showed tremendous
support.
Trantolo and
Trantolo Personal Injury Attorneys attracted attention to
their table with two beautiful
young ladies who handed out leaflets about the company and
were more than happy to discuss the law firms services with
any interested bikers.
Needless to say, they had
some interest.
It was finally time to
start the ride, the real reason everyone was here. Unless
you've had the thrill of being around of hundreds of
motorcycles as they all start within seconds of each other,
its hard to describe it. More than the sound, the sheer
number of rumbling motorcycles seems to make the very ground
shake. Along with the smiles on the faces of hardened bikers
and weekend warriors alike, its an all encompassing
experience.
 The ride started at TSI
Harley Davidson on RT. 83 in Ellington and would finish at Sun Valley Resorts in Stafford Springs
with a scenic route winding through the New England
countryside for 1-˝ hours before arriving at the final
destination.
It all seemed to be one the
best choreographed events that I have
seen, surely thanks to the hard work from both volunteers as
well as local law enforcement, making it a safe
ride throughout the whole route. Teamwork
was the word of the day.
Although not the purpose of
a benefit ride, getting to see parts of the state you've
never seen is always an added bonus. It was no different for
me, getting to ride through parts of Connecticut I've
never seen before and it was a great way to cool off a bit.
Upon arriving at Sun Valley Resorts we all parked
and the crowds mostly made their way to the food tent. As
much as the scenic ride may have fed our riding hunger,
there were some other appetites that needed attention.
Sun Valley Resorts had a
small city of tents housing not only food, but also raffles, entertainment
as well as tables to
hide from the grueling sun as you ate. It was a long table
for the raffle holding all the prizes that could be won with
a 'pick-your-prize' system. Anyone could put as many tickets
towards a prize, leaving you to cross your fingers and hope
to be kissed by lady luck. The bands even donated signed
Guitars to be auctioned off!
| Speaking of entertainment, AMB –
Arizona Maid
Band a well known local band who's name has been mentioned
for the proposed Connecticut Music Hall of Fame
were playing their brand of Rock and Roll.
As with the start of
the ride, it can be stuff nothing to do with the
event that catches your eye. At this end it was a small
private member’s only lake next to the resort. As people
cooled themselves as they swam in the lake, the hot
bikers could only look on.
As mentioned
before, this was my first benefit ride and if there
was anything that can be taken from the event, its
that there is so much more than the ride itself.
Meeting new bikers, the immense number of
motorcycles to check out and of course the meaning
behind the ride itself.
It's on that note this
report can end. The obvious love and dedication Kobe Tedone has
from his
uncle and other family members that truly care for his
future well being. It could be said that the number of
people who care for Kobe, in a way his extended family,
grows every year as a new bikers turn up at TSI
Harley-Davidson to do their part. |
Who the ride is all
about,
Kobe Tedone. |
So for all
the two and three wheelers of the world, freedom surrounds
you wherever you go. Lay a path of new tracks for future
riders to follow their dreams.
Chevediamo
Nick DeCondio
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