Tonight was the 7th Annual Motorcycle Mania in Middletown. I’ll admit, I was mingling with a different crowd of bikers than I usually hang with. The main difference here is that my biking buddies wear spandex and wouldn’t be caught dead without a helmet. Although the look is different, this group of enthusiasts is equally as passionate about what they do. Despite the obvious differences in their respective sports, their hearts are in the same place. Both love what they do and its undeniable. Whether the attire is leather or spandex, both have bikes that make their heart’s race and play the role of their most prized possession. Wearing no leather, I felt oddly out of fashion walking down Main Street, Middletown this evening. But the sights and sounds resonated far more than my fashion misstep. There must have been well over 5000 bikes lining Main Street. I enjoyed the novelty of walking down the middle of the road as the traffic lights changed over our heads. The deep ruckus coming from bikes without their mufflers added to the ambiance. The bikers would motor down the road much like a model flaunts her stuff down the narrow catwalk; their bikes being a lean form of eye-candy. Watching the Olympics over the past weeks has brought me on a journey of discovery. It’s through discovering other’s people’s passions that my worldview is extended. In short order, obscure sports like table tennis and fencing have unexpectedly entered into my realm of thought although they never really had before. It was another reminder in life that we are all connected by our passions. Somehow the enjoyment of watching people do what they love to do, makes me feel more connected. So let this be a reminder to open your mind and celebrate one another’s fervor for what's keeping them real. While I may not trade the spandex out for leather, I’ll be with them in spirit. Their machines define them.self-portrait.
9 Comments
Lili
8/9/2012 02:10:43 am
Great article Jenn! Years ago before breaking so many bones, I had both a bicycle and a motorcycle and enjoyed them equally. The feeling of just two wheel between you and the road, you and your personal best, is intoxicating.
Reply
Ellen Waff
8/9/2012 02:44:13 am
Wow, Jen! Fabulous photos of fabulous bikes! Love the multi-colored green/red/blue striping. I see Catherine was taking her photos as well....
Reply
Andrea Kupec
8/9/2012 09:03:32 pm
great pic's - love the self portrait
Reply
Norm Hicks
8/9/2012 09:53:16 pm
Great pics at a great event. Did you see my bike there? It was the black one.
Reply
RICH GRECO
8/10/2012 02:02:30 am
Jenn.... I am the event Chair.. .. Thanks for the article and pics .. FYI we had about 5,500 total bikes and 13,000 in attendance making us the largest one night event in all of New England from what I am told from Haymond Law / One of our Sponsors ..
Reply
Jen
8/10/2012 03:06:56 am
Wow! That's fantastic Rich. You must be so proud of your efforts! I only wish i had gotten down there earlier. The light was fading fast when I was able to attend. Your welcome to the photos. Just get in touch if you want a disk. Next year, flag me down if you need any photo related help. Congrats!
Reply
8/10/2012 03:18:34 am
You did a tremendous job capturing the spirit, sights and ambience of the event. Those of us in the motorcycling community appreciate the publicity and respect that you have given us.
Reply
8/10/2012 04:26:05 am
Thanks John!
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
Archives
July 2018
|