NON-STOP NICK

Soldier Down 2006
March 11, 2006 • Marysville, CA

"Warm Hearts in a Cold Day"

Over 200 riders and friends gathered in Marysville CA today to donate used cell phones and raise money for calling cards to give to active duty soldiers serving overseas. This wonderful charity is what got these people out on a day that started out bitterly cold, with a forecast of snow and rain. As I left Santa Rosa CA for the 140-mile run to Marysville, it was 34 degrees and rain & ice was on my mind. I altered my normal route to take mostly highways, rather than back country roads, in the hopes of missing the worst of the weather. Rolling South on Highway 101 to 37 West through Vallejo, where I encountered fog, East on Interstate 80 into the Sacramento Valley where the sun was shining. I turned North on Interstate 5 and then 99 to Highway 70 and into Marysville.

I arrived at the Eagles Nest Restaurant about 9:30am and found riders already signing up and having breakfast in the Eagles Nest. At the registration booth, my penmanship was embarrassing; I was shaking so much it took 4 cups of coffee to settle me down. After a great breakfast I joined up with Riders from The Rocklin Chapter of H.O.G. and headed out on the 94 mile Poker Run that took us all over the local area, with card stops at Sting Rayz in Knights Landing, River Rat Customs in Colusa, Suzie Q’s in Marysville, ending at the Silver Dollar Saloon, also in Marysville.

The Silver Dollar Saloon was jumpin all afternoon with great tunes by "Sleeper", who graciously donated their time and effort for this charity event. The rain stayed away so the patio was crowded with people visiting old friends and enjoying the food and liquid refreshment that the Silver Dollar is famous for.

The poker run high and low hand winners earned nice trophies, along with the trophies given to Booze Fighters Chapter 11 for Club Participation and Yuba City H.O.G. for Organization Participation. There were hundreds of raffle tickets sold for prizes galore, all donated by over 30 event sponsors. All money raised at this event went to providing international calling cards for American Armed Forces Personnel, through a non-profit organization called "Cell Phones for Soldiers".

I remember when I was stationed on Guam, in the US Navy Seabees, we had access to the M.A.R.S. Radio System of Hamm Radio Operators who shuttled calls from Radio Operators to our hometown phone networks, this was nice to have, but a pain to use, as you had to remember to say "over" after each sentence, and you never knew how many people were listening in. Calling cards will offer a much better service, and these military people deserve anything we can do for them.

It was great to see some mighty fine custom machines come out for an event that every rider and bike stood a good chance of riding through some sort of inclement weather. It was truly a testament to the organization by the United Bikers of Northern California and the motorcycling community in the north state. I heard of riders coming down out of the Shasta area that encountered snow, along with almost anyone who rode in from the East. As I rode home ended a 374 mile day, I encountered some rain through Vallejo and Petaluma, but arrived home safe and happy to have made this event. I hope everyone else enjoyed the day and also got home safe.

Non-Stop Nick

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