Changing Gears Trip Log

This is Paula Tomlinson's trip log for the 2005 US leg of the Changing Gears Harley ride.

Thursday, September 22

If last night was a little like Christmas Eve, with all the presents we got (sun glasses, boots, t-shirt, key chain, and the list goes on), then this morning was definitely like Christmas! Harley-Davidson delivered the bikes around 8:30 and we were all eagerly awaited them. I ended up with a pearl white Softtail Duece. It's a little different than the LowRider I rented and drove for an hour last weekend but I'm getting the hang of where to put my feet now.

To get used to our bikes and riding with each other in formation, we went on a short practice ride today to Hermosa Beach Pier. It was a bit of a challenge staying all together through the stop and go traffic but we had a great time. We spent an hour or two hanging around the beach and then returned back to the Westin. We're going on one more practice ride tomorrow and then the official ride starts Saturday morning.

We're quickly resorting to nicknames for each other so we don't each have to memorize 19 new names. We have CC, Just Jan, Fearless, and Stitch (she had a little accident before coming here and ended up with 5 stitches on her forhead). I think I'm probably going to end up being "gadget" since I've got a small GPS device mounted on my handlebar and a Chatterbox comm system in my helmet.

As I'm getting to know the other riders, I realize I am definitely surrounded by greatness when it comes to fundraising. One of the riders negoiated a discount for us all for breakfast and another rider negotiated a discount on helmets from a local store.

If the pictures are a little grainy, it's because they are severely shrunk and compressed so our dial-up viewers don't have to wait forever to see the page.

Tomorrow's practice ride is to California Harley-Davidson out on Pacific Coast Highway. This will be the first of many Harley dealerships the group will visit.