McDermotts Harley Davidson - 5th Annual Alma's Ride and Pancake Breakfast | North Country Rider - It's about the people who ride, where they go and what they do when they get there.

Vol. 1 Issue 5 - August 2010, Things We Did

McDermotts Harley Davidson - 5th Annual Alma's Ride and Pancake Breakfast

By Ed Frulla Sun, Aug 01, 2010

A great ride with good food at both ends of the ride.

McDermotts Harley Davidson - 5th Annual Alma's Ride and Pancake Breakfast

If you ride on two wheels in this area you must know about McDermott’s Harley Davidson. If you don’t then you must have been living under a rock. They are known for their friendly service and making each customer feel like they are part of the family. Maybe that is why over 89 bikes and riders showed up at McDermott’s Harley Davidson on July 17th to honor and pay homage to Alma McDermott, the matriarch of the McDermott family who passed away in 2005.

Alama’s ride is an annual event hosted by McDermott’s Harley Davidson and organized and executed by the Adirondack Chapter of the Harley Owners Group. Each year a charity is selected to be the recipients of the funds raised by Alma’s ride. Since Alma was extremely fond of children, the charity selected is usually one that directly benefits children. This year’s charity was “Warm the Children” which provides coats, boots, gloves and other clothing to children in need.

This run is unique in that it includes a pancake breakfast with plenty of coffee and orange juice to go along. The breakfast alone was worth the ride from Warrensburg to Fort Ann. There was also plenty of camaraderie to go around and I bumped into quite a few old friends and made some new ones.

The ride was well coordinated as there was a member of the Warren County Bike Patrol on hand to lead the ride and there were Washington and Warren County deputies and State Police blocking traffic at the major intersections. I was impressed by the fact that the ride route was printed on paper and given to each rider just in case they got separated.

There was an orientation prior to the ride departure and it was emphasized that the Adirondack Chapter of the Harley Owners Group has a no alcohol policy on its’ rides which I thought was an excellent policy. The ride departed McDermott’s Harley Davidson and preceded North on Route 4 and then East onto Route 149 in Fort Ann where the Washington County Sheriff Department had traffic well in hand. We then continued on Route 149 until we intersected with Route 9L. The traffic was under the control of the Warren County Sheriff’s Department and the ride proceeded on Route 9L east along the East Shore of Lake George until we intersected Beach Road where we turned right and headed into the village. A quick right onto Route 9 north and we headed to Warrensburg and then turned right onto the Diamond Point Road where we stopped in Caldwell at the Cemetery to pay our respects to Alma. Alma’s daughter-in-law Alise read a poem penned by Alma's son Marty at the time of his moms death. It is amazing how, in a few short words one is able to describe a life time of love and affection.

After the memoriam the ride proceeded north on Interstate 87 and exited at exit 26 where we made our first stop at the Valero Station there. Upon departure of the Valero Station the ride continued north on Route 9 through Schroon Lake. It was fun watching all the tourists stop and stare as we rode through. From Schroon Lake we proceeded to Ticonderoga and then onto Whitehall where the ride terminated at Finius T. Flubberbusters where a buffet of hot dogs, hamburgers and cold salads were available.

This was the first time I have been on this ride and I found it to be a very pleasurable experience. It was 203 miles long, well paced and offered a wide variety of road conditions from Interstate to winding narrow country roads to more primary roads. It was well organized with police escorts and police traffic control at the major intersections. The people were friendly and the cause was worthwhile and there was plenty of food at both ends of the ride. I would like to thank Alise of McDermotts Harley Davidson and the staff of the Adirondack Chapter of the Harley Owners Group for making me feel welcome from the moment I arrived.

I would suggest that you make an attempt to attend this ride next year. You will be hard pressed to find a safer more enjoyable and more worthwhile riding experience.