2007 CMW Second Annual Home Base Reunion & Ride

Well, it's come and gone and what a nice group we had again this year! A number of riders had to make their way through rain and snow...just kidding - about the snow part anyway (that was for our Canadian friends' benefit!). Rain was a factor for a number of folks coming in from the East, but it held off for the duration of the festivities here.

Using MapQuest (an inaccurate measure as it shows the most direct route and our Enfield riders tend to navigate the good-looking, "less-traveled" back roads which would add more miles.) ...the longest ride award this year goes to John Boettcher who went approximately 740 miles round trip from Illinois on his 2002 Military. Next would be Robb and Diane Van Horn riding a 2006 Triumph and 2006 Military respectively from Wisconsin with an approximately 600-mile round trip, followed by Konrad Mitchell on his 2006 Electra with approximately 563 miles round trip from Wisconsin.

A cool adaptation, new this year, was the key/switch combo that George Grauwels concocted. He took an old-fashioned main switch knob (like the one found on assembly 140844), hollowed it out and embedded his ignition key head in it. When George puts his key in his ignition and turns, it looks like he's turning the old style knob! You can always count on George to do something unique and functional!

On Friday afternoon, riders got first crack at the Garage Sale merchandise that has amassed over the year. That's always fun and some of them saved a heap of money on items they needed and wanted. (It's nice for us too - opens up some shelf space in the warehouse.) That evening, the group tooled over to Northfield (famous for one of Jesse James' Bank Raids) and grabbed a bite at the Reub'N'Stein, an area institution.

On Saturday morning the group assembled and headed back into Northfield - this time to its signature coffee house "Blue Monday" to grab some coffee and a bite before heading east to Welch village. The ride went beautifully - great weather! All the Enfields ran beautifully! The only bad boy was Tait's 1978 Honda who decided to develop an electrical issue and die. If he'd only hauled out his Enfield....

The group returned mid-afternoon to rejoin George Helm, David Grams, Dorothy, Jane and Tim who had held down the fort, told/heard amazing true tales of WWII and got a big summer lunch together for the returning riders. Following lunch we had a drawing and T-shirts, clocks, jacket patches and some mighty golden Royal Enfield shop rags found their way into the riders' and attendees kits - a little extra gift to take along home with their gift bag! Everybody visited a little longer, wrapped up a few more purchases and then dispersed from what had been a really nice couple of days! Thanks to all of you who came and to all of you who continue to make Royal Enfield a part of your lives!

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