The Breakfast Club: MOA Rally 2015 [page 15]

Saturday, July 25, 2015

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Alberto’s tale… DAY THIRTEEN - BILLINGS

Well, (hold it! Why do I always begin with “well”. Never mind) knowing that today is the last day for the “BMWMOA”, or BMW Motorcycles Owners of America, and that tomorrow we start for home, we decided today we will just be lazy and ride nowhere.

Breakfast was a lazy affair. Chris, Harvey, myself and Marvin. Perhaps I have not described Marvin.

Marvin is 80-some years old. A long time friend of Chris, since the day when Chris and a friend of his were traveling someplace. Their motorcycle broke down and there was Marvin who, in his quiet way, rose to the rescue and tow the broken bike a fair distance to get it repaired. Then accommodated the stranded pair at his house, etc, etc, etc. sine that fateful break-down they have remained friends and gone in many a motorcycle reunion. Marvin has a quiet humor and a gentle way about him. Difficult not to like him. I like this octogenarian with the heart of a teenager.

But enough of Marvin. Breakfast at the best place in Billings. Full of local folk and motorcycle people. Service was slow. Food, boring. We discussed possible plans for the day. Number one in the agenda… Do nothing! Wow, that took no convincing anyone nor argument. We all decided that today was for seminars, shopping and lolly gagging.

Shopping. Yes, I spent more than I really wanted to. I purchased things that I had been looking for that were available only on-line. Some of you may know…. Alberto does not make online purchases. Have never done it, and probably never will. Lucky that here are present all the famous outfits making their wares mor popular. The MOA Rally, is a big event.

Also saw a motorcycle skills demonstration. Crazy! The guy is a professional stunt guy, why encourage people to behave like idiots on a bike. Crazy. I enjoyed seeing the stunts…. But, crazy!

Ahh, here is a good one. My bike weighs 650 pounds, BMW 1,200 RT. Not exactly a light weight. I have had my bike down on the ground several times now. Impossible to lift that bike upright without help, and luck has it that all four times by bike has been down someone was there to help me. I do not like that.

I can hear some saying, “sure it can be done!” just a matter of technique. Yes, technique that I do not have. Well, citizens, not any more!! Guys, take pride and take it from me, while walking the MOA fairgrounds we spot this bike on the ground with a group of people around it. This skinny girl with a microphone is talking; “and when your bike is down, like this… “hold it!” I told Chris and Harvey. I made a bee line for the group and managed to get to the very front of all the people. There I was glued to her every word. She continues with the demonstration, and right there and then this 110 pound girl puts this enormous motorcycle upward. WHOA!, that was impressive. She turns, almost looking at me and says “anyone care to try this?” She did not have to finish asking, when I said, “Sure, I’ll try it!” And now I find myself about to do my most challenging event, with more thrill in my entire being than you can imagine.

She gives me some instructions and finishes with; “listen do not try to bully the lifting, if you strain too much, your angle is not correct, change your body position a little more at 90 degrees to the bike and start walking backwards. You will know when it is working. No effort, do not use your back”. Sure thing, failed at the first position, readjusted, and BINGO! Started walking backwards and lifted the bike like a feather. This is something you simply have to experience. You can watch all the videos you want… Not going to happen. You have to FEEL IT happening. No faking it with muscle.

Billings, Montana to me has already paid itself more than anyone can imagine. This motorcycle lifting technique is a giant step into my abilities.

We stayed and did more shopping. Debated about dinner. Being the last day of BMWMOA, all 5,872 people are at the arena, awards and prizes ceremony… And they will all go for dinner right after it. Chris and I opted to go to a McDonald and eat what ever garbage is available… After the ceremony, all restaurants will be a zoo! and we were correct. No sooner the ceremonies ended you could see well over 2,000 motorbikes heading for the door of the fairgrounds, all looking for where to eat.

The MOA Rally has now come to an end. The reason for our coming here now has expired.

Now, what?

The group of people that gathered here, under the cottonwood tree, have a spirit of adventure, and integrity rarely found among total strangers. The passion, these rag-tag of cottonwood campers, have for their sport is evident in the level of acceptance they have for anyone sharing the sport. Next year they will gather again at some far away place. Renew their friendship and for four days, a year will not have gone by. Some will come, other will not be able, but they will be remembered.

We returned to camp. All the guys are there and yapping as if this were to continue forever. I am acutely aware of the ending of this gathering and for it somewhat at a loss. I do not want to socialize, I do not want to participate on an inevitable end. I do not want to squeeze one more minute, one more second. This has ended.

What now? Simple, …let’s go ride!

Good night.