Now I Know What A Jellybean Ride Is!!
Saturday, July 14th, 2007
Today I have been looking forward too. Not so much for the ride, but to find out what a Jellybean Ride is, and to see some new "old" friends. Plus, I would be helping out a good cause.
I started on Washington Street heading west, but just the short distance to Shadeland Avenue. I ran up to the First Indiana, took some money out through the ATM, and the headed back south on Shadeland. Shadeland blends into 465, which I took around the south east corner of Indiana's Capital City. I ran on the super slab until the six o'clock point on the city dial, and headed south on US-31. I was looking for a Shell at Thompson Road to get some gas. I had 130 miles on the tank when I left home, so the low fuel was glowing. Believe or not, the Shell was closed!! A lot of BP's had closed in the area, but I didn't think any Shell's did?
I went on along US-31, and found a Speedway to fuel up. I rode west from the fueling post, and turned south on SR-135. I would be on this road until I got to Salem, Indiana. First though, I would have to endure about every red light that Greenwood had to offer on this road! Eventually, I would get going, and get a few miles at speed before I arrived at Bargersville, and stopped at the one red light the town has.
I continued on, and tried to decide if I wanted to stop in Nashville, Indiana or not. Most of this leg of the trip I followed an older couple in a late 1960's Pontiac Convertible. They were hanging around the speed limit, which was ok with me, because I was in no hurry. I followed the classic car through the curves that lead into the shopping mecca of Nashville. By this time nature would dictate that I needed a stop, as I felt as though my bladder would not make the distance.
I pulled into the BP, and parked the bike into spot in the shade. I stepped inside, and used the facilities. I always feel bad about using the restroom and not buying anything, so I bought some peanut butter cheese cracker, a favorite of mine on trips. I stepped outside, the air was getting warmer, and I ate half the package of crackers. I switched to my fingerless gloves, put my helmet back on, and heading further down SR-135. The first section runs with SR-46, and then turns south through the woods, and the curves of southern Indiana.
I got trapped behind some cars, but it was local traffic, so they turned off on side roads, or driveways. Those points of freedom, I rolled on the throttle, and clipped my way through the corners. The bike was running well, the road was smooth, and I was glad I was alone, and didn't have to worry about anyone else.
Near Brownstown, SR-135 joins with SR-250 for a couple of miles, then goes south for about 20 miles to Salem. The first gas station I stopped at didn't have any gas, but they did have the best price! I made it down to another one, fuel up, and headed to the registration point. I wanted my tank to be full.
I pulled into the lot, nearly running over Charlie, who wasn't paying attention, and was told the park the bike. I pulled up and parked next to Charlie's bike. His wife, Cynthia, was doing the registration. I submitted my money, signed the paperwork, and got my first Jellybean.
Ok, I would explain what a Jellybean Ride is, but I want to force you to read on!!
After waiting until noon, we lined up the bikes, I aligned in the "wing" position, the second bike in line, as I was volunteering to help block traffic. We headed out under police escort, and meandered around the southern Indiana landscape. We stopped in a park, and the festivities began. First, was a chance to draw another Jellybean, we would draw five in all. You could see what color you were choosing. After that, about 20 door prizes were given away. One of the officers barked out the numbers. I think he really enjoyed it!
Then we went about another 25 miles and made another stop at a park. We drew another Jellybean, and they handed out another 20 prizes. They sold 71 tickets, they have given out 40 prizes, and no surprise, your's truly had not one yet!!
Another 30 miles or so, and we pulled into what looked like a little league ball park. Another Jellybean, more prizes, none for me, of course, and some more waiting around. It was about this time that I was realizing that the meal was dinner, not a late lunch! I was glad I had four more crackers, the other half of the pack, to snack on.
We made it to the final stop, a park just south of Brownstown. Another Jellybean, and more prizes. It would be the last item that was given away that I would win! Only a few tickets were left, so I could have been shut out!!
We interrupted the last leg with a fuel stop, some of the bikes were running pretty lean by now, about 80 miles into the run. We arrived back in Salem, and pulled into the VFW Post, which was providing dinner. It was 5:30, so I knew I needed to call Nina, and tell her to eat her own dinner, as it would be a while before I got home.
I had dinner with another couple down from Indianapolis, they couldn't believe I didn't trailer my bike down? The one hundred mile stretch was a little more than they could handle in a day. They were also going to trailer over to Paoli that evening.
While we listening to the ticket draws, I met a couple that was staying in Franklin, Indiana, as he was stationed at nearby Camp Atterbury. Ok, how a Jellybean Ride works: You select a Jellybean at every stop, picking whatever color you want. At the end, you turn in your Jellybeans, and the count what you have selected. Then they draw Jellybeans randomly from the jar, the first color, in this case yellow, is worth five points. The second color, green, is worth four points, and so on. Someone drew all yellows, so they had a perfect score of 25 points.
After I lost all those prizes, I headed out for the bike and the trip home. Got a hug from Cynthia, and handshake from Charlie, and picture with Cynthia also. I put my leather jacket back on, fired up the bike, and plotted a route that would be the fastest back home.
I hadn't gassed up on the route, so I would only go about 40 miles before I would fill up along I-65. I got a bottled water, and drank about half of it. I was dried out. I headed back out on the super slab, and heading north. I passed the couple form Franklin, as I was making "Blue Collar Miles" at a white knuckle speed.
I arrived home at 9pm, a 13 hour day, and 300 miles. It wasn't the most enjoyable ride I have been on, but charity rides rarely are. I guess I have to look back and think that I learned something today, and now I am teaching others!!
Happy Jellybean Rides to you all!!
Today I have been looking forward too. Not so much for the ride, but to find out what a Jellybean Ride is, and to see some new "old" friends. Plus, I would be helping out a good cause.
I started on Washington Street heading west, but just the short distance to Shadeland Avenue. I ran up to the First Indiana, took some money out through the ATM, and the headed back south on Shadeland. Shadeland blends into 465, which I took around the south east corner of Indiana's Capital City. I ran on the super slab until the six o'clock point on the city dial, and headed south on US-31. I was looking for a Shell at Thompson Road to get some gas. I had 130 miles on the tank when I left home, so the low fuel was glowing. Believe or not, the Shell was closed!! A lot of BP's had closed in the area, but I didn't think any Shell's did?
I went on along US-31, and found a Speedway to fuel up. I rode west from the fueling post, and turned south on SR-135. I would be on this road until I got to Salem, Indiana. First though, I would have to endure about every red light that Greenwood had to offer on this road! Eventually, I would get going, and get a few miles at speed before I arrived at Bargersville, and stopped at the one red light the town has.
I continued on, and tried to decide if I wanted to stop in Nashville, Indiana or not. Most of this leg of the trip I followed an older couple in a late 1960's Pontiac Convertible. They were hanging around the speed limit, which was ok with me, because I was in no hurry. I followed the classic car through the curves that lead into the shopping mecca of Nashville. By this time nature would dictate that I needed a stop, as I felt as though my bladder would not make the distance.
I pulled into the BP, and parked the bike into spot in the shade. I stepped inside, and used the facilities. I always feel bad about using the restroom and not buying anything, so I bought some peanut butter cheese cracker, a favorite of mine on trips. I stepped outside, the air was getting warmer, and I ate half the package of crackers. I switched to my fingerless gloves, put my helmet back on, and heading further down SR-135. The first section runs with SR-46, and then turns south through the woods, and the curves of southern Indiana.
I got trapped behind some cars, but it was local traffic, so they turned off on side roads, or driveways. Those points of freedom, I rolled on the throttle, and clipped my way through the corners. The bike was running well, the road was smooth, and I was glad I was alone, and didn't have to worry about anyone else.
Near Brownstown, SR-135 joins with SR-250 for a couple of miles, then goes south for about 20 miles to Salem. The first gas station I stopped at didn't have any gas, but they did have the best price! I made it down to another one, fuel up, and headed to the registration point. I wanted my tank to be full.
I pulled into the lot, nearly running over Charlie, who wasn't paying attention, and was told the park the bike. I pulled up and parked next to Charlie's bike. His wife, Cynthia, was doing the registration. I submitted my money, signed the paperwork, and got my first Jellybean.
Ok, I would explain what a Jellybean Ride is, but I want to force you to read on!!
After waiting until noon, we lined up the bikes, I aligned in the "wing" position, the second bike in line, as I was volunteering to help block traffic. We headed out under police escort, and meandered around the southern Indiana landscape. We stopped in a park, and the festivities began. First, was a chance to draw another Jellybean, we would draw five in all. You could see what color you were choosing. After that, about 20 door prizes were given away. One of the officers barked out the numbers. I think he really enjoyed it!
Then we went about another 25 miles and made another stop at a park. We drew another Jellybean, and they handed out another 20 prizes. They sold 71 tickets, they have given out 40 prizes, and no surprise, your's truly had not one yet!!
Another 30 miles or so, and we pulled into what looked like a little league ball park. Another Jellybean, more prizes, none for me, of course, and some more waiting around. It was about this time that I was realizing that the meal was dinner, not a late lunch! I was glad I had four more crackers, the other half of the pack, to snack on.
We made it to the final stop, a park just south of Brownstown. Another Jellybean, and more prizes. It would be the last item that was given away that I would win! Only a few tickets were left, so I could have been shut out!!
We interrupted the last leg with a fuel stop, some of the bikes were running pretty lean by now, about 80 miles into the run. We arrived back in Salem, and pulled into the VFW Post, which was providing dinner. It was 5:30, so I knew I needed to call Nina, and tell her to eat her own dinner, as it would be a while before I got home.
I had dinner with another couple down from Indianapolis, they couldn't believe I didn't trailer my bike down? The one hundred mile stretch was a little more than they could handle in a day. They were also going to trailer over to Paoli that evening.
While we listening to the ticket draws, I met a couple that was staying in Franklin, Indiana, as he was stationed at nearby Camp Atterbury. Ok, how a Jellybean Ride works: You select a Jellybean at every stop, picking whatever color you want. At the end, you turn in your Jellybeans, and the count what you have selected. Then they draw Jellybeans randomly from the jar, the first color, in this case yellow, is worth five points. The second color, green, is worth four points, and so on. Someone drew all yellows, so they had a perfect score of 25 points.
After I lost all those prizes, I headed out for the bike and the trip home. Got a hug from Cynthia, and handshake from Charlie, and picture with Cynthia also. I put my leather jacket back on, fired up the bike, and plotted a route that would be the fastest back home.
I hadn't gassed up on the route, so I would only go about 40 miles before I would fill up along I-65. I got a bottled water, and drank about half of it. I was dried out. I headed back out on the super slab, and heading north. I passed the couple form Franklin, as I was making "Blue Collar Miles" at a white knuckle speed.
I arrived home at 9pm, a 13 hour day, and 300 miles. It wasn't the most enjoyable ride I have been on, but charity rides rarely are. I guess I have to look back and think that I learned something today, and now I am teaching others!!
Happy Jellybean Rides to you all!!
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