Today was the annual St Louis Veteran's Day parade...and nature gave us the most wonderful weather you could possible ask for in early November...blue cloudless skies, strong sunshine and a light breeze...freakin' awesome!.

Stated out for the rendezvous point to register at Gateway H-D, got there about 8:30 am with temps already in the 60's...and I'm perfectly comfy in two t-shirts and jeans.

Met up with my compadres there, and we got registered and then chowed down on some free grub courtesy of the dealer, some very good biscuits with sausage gravy.

Trolled around looking at bikes and perusing the dealership as the ranks in the parking lot swelled to dozens, then hundreds of bikes. By the time we fired 'em up to leave for downtown around 10, the parking lot was near capacity.

We proceeded through town with police escort, passing right past my home as we headed towards the highway...my wife and kids said it took perhaps five minutes or more for the long thundering line to pass...

We made our way downtown and staged 'em on a street near the beginning of the parade route, by the time other groups from other starting points arrived, we filled 2 lanes 4-5 wide for several blocks...I talked to a guy trying to get an accurate count and he was over 700 and still counting!

As temps pushed near 80 we sat waiting for a long time but it passes quickly as there was lots to see and new people to talk to. Finally sometime after noon it was our turn to enter the parade route, and we wound through the downtown streets lined with waving and whistling people and little kids with flags and lots of disabled vets who seemed to really enjoy our tribute of respect. It was a very cool experience!

I normally stay away from group riding, I prefer to ride alone or in the company of one or two others. This was the first time I'd ever been a part of any ride of this magnitude, and I have to admit it was a pretty cool experience...so I'm glad I went...and of course the cause was well worth it.

Maybe my hearing will come back before the weekend is over? :grinno: