American Legion Post 574 Riders Group - Run For Veterans and Community
When we started this magazine, one of the people that openly accepted us, encouraged us and made every effort to help us was Dan Nolin (Big Dan) who is the Director of The American Legion Riders Group 574. We were introduced to Dan by “Rabbit” early last year and I am proud to say that I can call Big Dan a close and personal friend.
Each year I look forward to the American Legion Riders Group 574’s Annual Poker Run to Benefit Veterans and Community. The funds generated by this run are used to support veterans and other members of our community that can demonstrate a critical need. The rides are always well organized, professionally run and the post ride barbeque and festivities are a nice way to enjoy a great meal, some cold beverages and some great music with friends. I also enjoy the fact that I can be sure to run into Rabbit, and Tim (The Tramp), two other individuals that I now also call close and personal friends.
Registration as always was simple and painless and in no time I was in the parking lot hanging with friends both new and old. When asked why we ride we say such things as the freedom of the open road or feeling the wind in our face. What we really ride for is to share the love of motorcycling with others. When you ride a bike and you meet another biker you are able to share common experiences and develop new friendships rapidly.
The ride departed The American Legion Post 574 in Hudson Falls New York in some of the best riding weather to date and worked its way onto Route 4 where the Washington County Sheriff’s Department had traffic control well in hand. The end of the first leg of this ride was to be the American Legion Post 323 in Granville, New York. To reach our objective we travelled up Route 4 through Fort Ann, New York until we intersected Route 22. Route 22 would take us directly into Granville for the first stop.
During the first stop, I was able to meet Rabbit and his better half. She is recovering from a major illness and it was nice to see her on the ride. I also got the chance to see Rabbit’s new Valkyrie trike. Post 323 had the cold beverage tent set up and the line for the hot dogs grew quickly. After some refreshing cold beverages and a few dogs, the ride was off on the next leg of the journey.
The ride avoided the Main Street of Granville and we toured through the countryside as we headed into Vermont. The ride intersected Route 30 and we headed south to our next stop which was to be the American Legion Post 69 in Arlington, VT. As we progressed, we passed through Pawlet and Dorset, Vermont. I am rather attached to Pawlet as that it my mom’s hometown and I spent a great many days of my childhood there. The ride bypassed Manchester Center and proceeded south to Arlington, Vermont. Our arrival in Arlington was rather interesting in that there was a village wide craft fair going on and the streets were full of cars and people. We managed to get 218 bikes and 345 people through Arlington. As is usually the case in these situations, people stopped and waved and watched the bikes and riders proceed. Our stay at The American Legion Post 69 was quite pleasant. They had a room organized in a U shape with snacks in the middle and the always required cold beverages in coolers along the wall. Walk in, grab some snacks, walk around, grab something to drink, pay the lady and find a place to settle in. All very efficient and all very well organized. I wandered over to the M60 Main Battle Tank that was parked in the field adjoining the Post. I had not been near one of those since my days in the New York Army National Guard back in the 70’s. It brought back plenty of memories of another time that I should not forget but often do.
We mounted up and rode back through the gauntlet of arts and crafters and headed to our final destination which was our starting point, The American Legion Post 574 in Hudson Falls, NY. This leg of the ride would take us through the villages of Salem, Argyle and Fort Edward in New York State. When we arrived at Post 574, the preparations for the meal were well under way. There were plenty of free cold beverages while it lasted and the entertainment was provided by the band AIE. The post ride activities were relaxing, enjoyable and entertaining. I gave great consideration to sticking around for the field events but decided that I should wander towards the home front so I mounted up and departed.
If you have never been on this ride you should make an attempt to attend it, I guarantee that if you do it will not be the last time you attend it. I wish to thank Big Dan, Rabbit, Tim and the rest of The American Legion Riders Group 574 for their hospitality. I certainly had a great time.
