Jess's 5th Annual Double-H Ride
Last year I bumped into Jess at a ride being conducted by a member of Hooch Hogs. Jess asked a simple and straight forward question. Did I come to his ride that supports the Double-H Ranch? It is kind of hard to tell someone that you just met that you blew off his ride to cover a different ride being held on the same day. The easiest way out of that situation is promise that you will be at the next one and that is what I did.
So, on July 9, 2011 I climbed on the bike and headed to Humbuggs in South Glens Falls which is the starting point for all of Jess’s Double-H rides. The weather was absolutely perfect and a morning departure in a T shirt was a welcome change from the rain the month before. Having managed to miss last year’s ride I was not sure what to expect. Much to my delight the parking lot was already full when I got there. I was even more delighted when I bumped into “Rabbit” from Riders Group 574. We chatted and I learned that “Rabbit’s” better half was seriously ill over the winter but she is on the road to recovery and doing well. We wish her well and pray for a full recovery. Some people are just meant to be on this earth and she is surely one of them. Tim (The Tramp) was also there and we spent some time talking about the magazine and our mutual involvement in it.
This ride is well supported by the brotherhood clubs in the area. The following clubs were in attendance. American Guardian PS MC (featured in last month’s issue), Leathernecks MC, American Legion Riders Group 574, Fratters (Fort Edward),The Jury, True Order, Section Eight Riders, Iron Aces and American Cruisers. If your club was in attendance and we missed you, please accept our apologies. We did our best to capture the names of all the clubs in attendance.
The ride departed Humbuggs with 204 bikes and worked its way over to Hudson Falls and then onto Route 4. The Washington County Sherriff’s Department was on hand to make sure that the ride made it safely thru Hudson Falls and onto Route 4. The ride traveled Route 4 thru Fort Ann where once again the Washington County Sheriff’s department was on hand to handle traffic. The ride proceeded to Comstock, from Comstock to West Granville and from West Granville to Hartford where we made a refreshment stop at the Hartford Tavern. While there I met Randy Mosher and his better half. Randy and I have been friends since High School and we always seem to run into each other on a run or two each year. Meeting old friends and renewing friendships is just one aspect of riding, but it is one that I enjoy very much.
We departed Hartford and proceeded through Salem and Greenwich to Schuylerville where we stopped for a refreshment break at the American Legion Old Saratoga Post 278. The Post was crowded but the service was fast and after downing a Pepsi,I decided to sit in the shade on the knoll that overlooks the Old Saratoga Post. The Post has created a nice park at the top of the knoll with commemorative stones and benches. Tim wandered up and we sat there talking bikes and people and watching the crowd of bikers around the post. We were joined by several other riders and we swapped stories and told tales until the command to mount up was given. Sometimes the things that you really need in life are the simplest things. After the stress that I was under in the month of July, the simple act of sitting in the shade with friends and shooting the bull was what I needed. I departed the Old Saratoga Post mentally refreshed and more fully aware of what I needed to do to move forward.
From the Old Saratoga Post, the ride proceeded back to Humbuggs where dinner awaited. Unfortunately for me, there was another event that I wanted to cover on the way home so I blew off the dinner and after ride festivities. Jess, I promise I will stay next year.
Did I have a good time? No, I had one hell of a great time.
The ride route was interesting and the ride was professionally executed. There was plenty of time at the refreshment stops to chat and renew friendships and the pace of the ride was such that you were able to enjoy the ride.
If you have never been on Jess’s Double-H ride I would like to suggest that you attend next year’s ride, you will not be sorry that you did. Jess is a great guy and one of the old guard riders in the area. His experience shows in the planning and execution of the ride and of course the Double-H Camp is a very worthwhile charity.
