2011 was filled with many biker events, starting with the benefit for Tyler and Peeps on January 8, at which we all said a bittersweet (temporary) farewell to the boys, and we eagerly await their return so we can welcome them home! Then there was the International Motorcycle Show in NYC, where we had a hell of a time at the Javits Center, the Iron Horse , and of course visiting our friend Barry at the Hudson Yards Café in Hell’s Kitchen! Judy left NYC just in time to attend the BFMC60 Midwinter Blues party. February brought me to the Syracuse Swapmeet, where I met the judges of the annual bike show there, and Carmella and I partied at night with the crew from Satan Cycles. Dino and I both attended the Hells Angels Troy Groundhog Party and gobbled up our lobsters while Carmella made it to the HA Valentine’s Day Massacre Feast and the AmJam Tattoo Weekend. March was my favorite month in 2011 because I celebrated my 50th birthday with my family and favorite friends at Appletini’s. The Highwaymen presented me with a plaque of appreciation, which I was honored to accept. The BFMC60 also gave me a certificate of appreciation at their Spring Breakout party and the Timberjacks chapter made my birthday a part of their Cabin Fever party by bringing out a birthday cake and singing to me – what a treat! Carmella, Barb and I also managed to make it to the HA St. Patrick’s Day party in Rensselaer.
The Hells Angels Bike Blessing marked the beginning of the season for us at the Sawmill in April, while many of the clubs celebrated with Spring Breakout parties. Many of us from the Capital District attended the benefit for Judy Humphrey on April 30, which turned out to be a well-deserved huge success for Judy and Mike of Humpy’s Bar & Grill in Schenectady. We made our annual trek to Washington, DC for Rolling Thunder during Memorial Day weekend and attended several of the ceremonies as well as the RT dinner while we were there. I was also at the grand opening of Satan Cycles new location in Ravena. I stopped into the Brotherhood of Steel Anniversary Party and a few weeks later, Carmella, Kim, and I traveled to Newburgh to spend some time with our friends, leaving some copies of NYR at a few of their local bars. The Warlocks MC NY celebrated their anniversary on June 28 and we were there to help them at the Bad Pig Saloon. July was another HOT month full of fun, with the HA Chili Burn and the 69ers Summer Bash, at which us NYR girls spent the night at the Hillview in Carmella’s new mobile home. Dino and I attended the Darren Warnken Gives Back Run and met some great people there.
Carmella and Mike Brown, owners of New York Rider Magazine, rode their motorcycle all the way to Sturgis in August, while yours truly took a turn at guest-bartending at Humpy’s (and had a blast) and attended the BFMC60 Summer party at the end of the month. I also joined Dino at the Rolling Thunder Salute to Veterans Ride, one of my only trips on the bike this year. September brought several 9/11 memorial runs and I was able to make it to the Highwaymen/69ers East Meets West bash during that weekend, and Catskill Mountain Thunder later that month. October was a lot of fun for me, beginning with the Goat Brothers Swapmeet with Carmella, then traveling with Colleen to Texas at the end of the month, visiting Strokers in Dallas and then partying with the Boozefighters while they attended their national convention in Ft. Worth. The BFMC60 held another successful canned food drive in November and delivered truckloads of food to St. Joseph’s Parish in Troy. We also attended the HA Nomads/ABATE Toys for Tots benefit in Syracuse in December. Guest bartending continues at Humpy’s on Thursday nights, and that has brought many bikers together every week for a night of fun, music, and camaraderie.
As I say farewell to another year with bikers, I look forward to the new one with excitement and anticipation of new adventures and the company of wonderful friends, old and new. I thank you for reading my articles, and I wish you all a Very Happy New Year!
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