- The Bikes at the Starlite Diner -

We give thanks to God for His wisdom and His Blessings….

Well where do we begin…The 2019 CSBA Blue Mountain Run was scheduled to take place on May 4, however a series of events during the weeks leading up to that date resulted in the need to postpone the ride until May 11.   While reconning the route with Russ about two weeks prior to ride day and only about a quarter of the way through the route, Russ noticed that his fork seals had begun leaking all over his brake caliper and onto his boots.   Amazingly Russ continued on with the recon and we completed the route, however that bike would be out of commission afterwards until it would be repaired.   Luckily Russ was able to borrow his brother’s bike and a week later, Russ decided to do another recon of the route, as we had decided to make some road adjustments to the original route we ran the week prior.  As he completed the route and began to head for home, a driver in a car honked and approached him at a red light to let him know that his rear brake light was not working.  As it would turn out, the light was not working because the entire tail light assembly, including the license plate was missing and had apparently fallen off somewhere during the ride.  Now that bike was no longer able to be used for the ride and his third bike at home needed a new water pump.   Frustrated with three bikes down and with the likelihood that neither of them would be ready in time for the ride, Russ notified me that he would not be able to attend this one.  Then I received a text from Mark that his bike was also getting fork seals replaced and that he was unsure about whether or not he would have it back in time for the ride.   Meanwhile John was out of town on a business trip and was fairly certain that he would not be flying home in time to make it.   So we were down 3 out of 4 ride leaders just a couple days before the event and with 20+ riders expected to attend, we decided to postpone it a week for the safety and enjoyment of everyone.  Unfortunately not everyone who planned to attend the original date could make the new date.

The morning of Saturday May 11 was very similar to the April ride, with cool temps, a gentle breeze, and intermittent sunshine.  I fired my bike up at home and immediately noticed that the idle didn’t sound right, but I rode on to the diner anyway.  While riding to the diner the bike was poor to respond every time I started accelerating from a stop and it continued to do so the entire way there.  Once there I let it idle for a while hoping that the abnormal sound would go away, but it didn’t.   Russ and the others convinced me to move forward with the ride, although my bike was not 100%.   There were many regulars attending the ride and a couple new faces also in the crowd.  Our friend Nick rode in from Long Island, NY and even Zsolt, who joins us frequently, rode all the way from his home in Connecticut to join us for the day.  Even Jim and Zori were there riding 2-up and ran sweep for my group.  Geoff was present with his bike back in working order after a shredded clutch cable cut his ride short during last months ride.  Rounding out the ranks were myself, Istvan, Nelson, Julien, John, Russ, and Karen.  Just before getting ready to start the ride, I received a text from John stating that he was running behind and that he would just meet up with us at the lunch stop

It was time to start the ride, so the 12 of us had a riders meeting and split into two groups with me leading the fast paced group and Russ leading the relaxed paced group. 

One thing that stood out immediately compared to last months ride was that the aroma of manure in the air was replaced with the scents of fresh cut grass and mountain flowers.  The morning half of the ride began as it should, with little traffic, good roads, and good company.   Once we were nearing the base of Blue Mountain, I noticed that a couple of riders from my group were missing that were still there before the last turn.  So we pulled over and had a rider double back to check it out.   To our relief it turns out that Jim and Zori noticed that Nick’s license plate was about to fall off, so they stopped to secure it.   While waiting for them, the other group caught up to us and they held up briefly to allow us to get moving again.   We blasted over the mountain and toward the lunch destination carving though several mountain passes.  Some sections of road in this part were pretty rough with pot holes.   I’ve ridden this route for the last 10 years and I don’t think any of the roads have ever been resurfaced as it seems the same pot holes exist in the same location year after year.   We eventually arrived safely at our lunch destination, Evan’s Roadhouse Pub, where John was already waiting in anticipation of our arrival.  Once the other group got there, we gathered and went inside to enjoy some lunch and talk about our riding experiences to that point of the day.

- Fast paced group at the lunch stop -

- The group at lunch at Evan's Roadhouse Pub -

- The group at lunch at Evan's Roadhouse Pub -

- Prayer before heading out on the afternoon part of the ride -

After lunch we gathered once again for a prayer before beginning the afternoon half of the ride.  We continued north twisting and turning our way around the outskirts of the Wilkes-Barre / Scranton region.   We got to ride some nice roads that flowed along the contours of the landscape and twisted alongside rivers and lakes.   Eventually we turned back south, riding through the southern Poconos and even got to ride across the top of the Walter Dam before passing through Hickory Run State Park.  We then arrived at the end point of the ride by 209 and the Turnpike around 4 p.m.  We hung out for a little bit and then someone decided to look at the weather radar because the skies were beginning to get cloudy.   Sure enough the radar revealed that there was rain approaching from the west.   So everyone quickly said their good byes and departed for home.

- The view from atop the Walter Dam -

- The view from atop the Walter Dam -

As I always do, I’d like to take this moment to thank everyone for your continued participation, involvement and giving attitudes on our rides and events. Whether you come out to ride or just break bread with us – we welcome your participation. These rides are designed for you, our riders, to enjoy the roads and have fellowship with us. We’re promoting a fellowship and an environment in which we want you to come and enjoy your love with others that share your passion for riding.

Visit our CSBA Day @ the Races Event page: (www.facebook.com/CSBA.Day.at.the.Races)

For information on our next street event, the “Pocono Screamer” Ride scheduled for June 8, 2019 visit the Facebook event page: [www.facebook.com/events/424592384978944/].

All of our rides are great – so try to arrange to make one of them if you can. For more great pictures and videos from this event, visit the Facebook event page for our “May Blue Mountain” Ride here: [www.facebook.com/events/424592384978944/] or visit us on our website at www.pacsba.org.

On behalf of the CSBA and our chapter, we give thanks to you for coming and enjoying the day with us. See you again soon and don’t hesitate to reach out to me (or any CSBA member) with any and all questions you may have about our rides or the CSBA Organization. Blessings to you all!