Toy Runs

redpaso · Post by **redpaso** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 10:32 am

One of the best things about living where I do is that we have Christmas in Summer, cold beer, the beach, cricket & no "off season for our bikes. we ride all year! As you northerners are satifying your need for "Paso time" through maintainance & all the things we like to do with our bikes when we are not riding (sit in our shed with a bottle of port admiring the lines) we are out there riding ( not rubbing it in honest :neener: ) But at this time of year we like to show the softer, caring side of our selves & support the "Toy Runs" that are happening all over The Land of OZ in the Christmas season.

I went on my local Toy Run last Sunday. Me & about 250 other bikes gathered in my local Shopping Centre car park @ 1100 ready for the 60km run through 4 towns under Police Escort. People Old & young standing in their front yards & on the side of the road waving & checking out our bikes most covered in xmas decorations & stuffed toys as well as at least 6 Two Wheeled Santa's. At the end of the run in 30+degree (celcius) heat we all deposited our toys, food & clothing in the back of the Salvation Army truck & they feed us with Sausage Sangers & cold cordial. It is a great feeling to be part of this event. Show off the bikes, chip away at the anti bike sentiments many still display toward us & most importantly help the kids & less fortunate than us at this time of year. Sharing is what it si all about.

This year I took my 17 year old daughter, she is primed & ready to get her bike licence & get out there. This event has fuelled her desire even more.

Of the 250 or so bikes there were 8 Ducati's this year:999,906,2 x 900Monster, 900SD, 750(94), 750(75), 748. There must have been 100 Harley's ridden by all sorts of folk as well as some very tasty Euproean & Japanese machinary. The Paso certianly continues to recieve more than it's share of attention whether it is rumbling through the carpark so all know where the heavenly sound is comming from or when she is just sitting there oozing that Paso charisma. Bikers & non Bikers all say the same "Nice Bike That"

Unfortunately I left the camera sittin gon the dinning Table but some mates had cameras so I will see if I can get some of their pics up here soon.

Paul · Post by **Paul** » Fri Dec 09, 2005 4:52 pm

Red,

I missed our's two weeks ago because we had friends over from the States. We start from five different shopping centres around the greater Johannesburg and Pretoria region. We all meet us at the Wesbank Oval and park on the track. Two years ago we had 18,000 bikes there. Last year it was 22,000. I haven't heard this years figure yet.

Each biker takes at least one toy, and if there is a pillion they take one too. There are enormous piles of toys for the less fortunate kids and everyone has a good time.

The cops turn a blind eye and also close a lot oif intersections. It is about 35km from our start point to Wesbank and many people ride their quads (not legal on the road here). Someone takes a trailer and the trailer them back. It must be quite strange to be doing 80km/h (50mph) down the highway on a quad.

Definitely a good "Southern Hemisphere" thing.

Paul

Post by **Skins** » Fri Dec 09, 2005 5:38 pm

That sounds wonderful, Paul!

Paul · Post by **Paul** » Fri Dec 09, 2005 5:43 pm

Skins,

Do you have toyruns in NZ ?

How are you doing ? We never seem to be online at the same time anymore.

Paul

Post by **Skins** » Fri Dec 09, 2005 7:59 pm

G'day, Paul. I'm well thanks. I'm able to work harder all the time without bringing on migraine. Sleeping better also.

We certainly do have toy runs here, but I'm afraid I've never been on one. Along with my general unsociability, another of my wierd phobias is a fear of crowds. However, even that may change a bit now, seeing as I really do feel like a new man.

redpaso · Post by **redpaso** » Mon Dec 12, 2005 12:45 am

Hey Paul, that is a huge toy run, we get them like that in the major City's. Ours is a pretty good turnout for a country region, we also have them in most regions so there are a lot of them. No quads though, but that woulfd be a sight to see.

Skins, it is good that you are feeling rejuvinated, maybe a toy run would be beneficial, they really make you feel good about yourelf, the world, everything really

Post by **Skins** » Mon Dec 12, 2005 1:34 am

Hmm .. you're right, Red. I'll keep my eye out of the next one here.

Paul · Post by **Paul** » Mon Dec 12, 2005 4:36 am

Skins,

Ours are always the last Sunday in Novemebr / first Sunday in December. This should give you time to "build up to it".

Paul