“Redux” is often used in literature and film with the meaning of “brought back or restored.”
This time it applies to a motorcycle ride which took place back in 2008 under some clouds of controversy. I won’t bore you with details of the past because it’s been 3+ years since that ride which had record attendance on a bright sunny fall day in the northwest.
Just mark your calendar as the Free The Colors ride is being resurrected from the ride “tool box” and planned for April 15th.
The ride is not about rules of engagement. Rather it’s about a journey and it seems to me that the best trips in life invariably involve some detours and improvisation to smooth out the bumps in the road. Sometimes when we’re lucky, they also involve motorcycles and meeting new friends.
And speaking of friends, the Oregon Veterans Motorcycle Association (OVMA) will be celebrating 22 years of service to Veterans, their families and the Community on Saturday, April 14th. The current State President, Stefan Dudley ‘Taz’ (HDE, Bend area), asked that the West Valley Chapter plan and run the Free The Colors ride on Sunday April 15, which will result in a full weekend for OVMA.
The ride route (see map) will start out at 12 noon (sharp) from the VFW Post #584 on 1469 Timber St, SE, Albany. From there they will be going to Lebanon, visiting the site where a new Veterans Home will be built. Then on to Scio, visiting a Veterans Memorial, then to Jefferson, from there to I-5 N, they will be stopping at Rest Lawn Cemetery in W. Salem, (OVMA has a Memorial there), and from there to the Independence Veterans Memorial. They plan to fit in a lunch and/or rest stop somewhere on the ride, and from there back to 99W down to Albany, and to the Legion.
There will also be a breakfast at the VFW from 9-11:45am
Hear that sound? It’s time to ride and let the sun shine in on April 15th!
Poster photo and map courtesy of OVMA
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