A Very Very Laid Back Affair

Many moons before I was a parent I went to an annual motorcycle rally hosted by the Virginia Motorcyclist Association. They hosted the last of their rallies in 1992. Two years later the No Name Motorcycle Club - of which yours truly is a charter member - decided the rally was too much fun to let slip away and started A Laid Back Affair. Its still going strong with 50-75 riders gathering each August in Buena Vista's Glen Maury Campground.

The Urchin couldn't come this year so I borrowed her Ninja 250 for the weekend, it was decidedly a very different affair from my usual ride !

It wasn't the only Ninja 250 there, this one was ridden by Micky's daughter - its a year newer than Urchin's bike and has a slightly different frame and bodywork. Same engine & trans.

This is a Can-Am Spyder, a backwards trike. Very stable, it even has a trunk up front like an old VW Beetle.

This is JP's airhead BMW. Only 3 Airheads were ridden to the rally this year.

The dominant bike brand this year was - HARLEY ! There were more of then than any other type or brand of bike. The BMW riders were in shock. They were also quick to point out this one was getting worked on.

This is a Adventure Touring machine, there were 2 of those.

Three sidecar rigs came, a BMW, a Harley and a Japanese cruiser.

Mickey's grandson came, he's on his first bike. He did just fine on the paved camp roads but struggled some with the gravel camp roads.

Most the folks who come to the ALBA are campers, this tent belongs to one of the Adventure Tour riders.

Of course some folks like a bit more comfort when they camp. This toyhauler belongs to ArmyBret, his wife and their teenage son. It even has an outside shower. The diesel truck to pull it is pretty awesome too.

ArmyBret brought a propane fired fire too - I'm divided on whether I like the idea or not. The lack of smoke was nice, so was not needing anyone to babysit the fire until it was safely out.

Of course the Red Cup Society was out in force. Mind you, no one checks on the exact contents of your Red Cup, so if yours is like mine & has nothing but soda or fruit juice in it, who's to know ? A Red Cup is a Red Cup !

Actually, once the annual Affair is over its a kinda sad time for me. Its the last event of my summer (when Kat was in school we had to start shopping for fall clothes & school supplies once we got home from the affair) & while I look forward to it for months its hard once its over. I've known some of the NNMC folks since I was 28 & I wish I got to ride with them more than once a year. We've had some really really good times over the years. Hugs to all the NNMC folks, the Airheads, the Oilheads, the HD riders, & everyone else too. You all have been good friends.