Motorcycle Views

2006 Wing Ding Motorcycle Rally Blog - Day 5

This year I'm publishing highlights of the 2006 Gold Wing Road Riders Association (GWRRA) Wing Ding rally, day by day in a blog. Wing Ding was scheduled for July 3-6 this year. The blog will also include my preparation in getting ready to take the ride to Nashville, TN and my observations while there.

Today started with opening ceremonies at 8 a.m. We were outside the Convention Center at 7:30 a.m. after a quick coffee and muffin at one of the in-house shops. Food is expensive within our little bubble of civilization here at the Gaylord. However, it's convenient and the temperature is at least 20 degrees cooler inside. The picture shows Jane and me in our flag shirts. The whole state of New Jersey was trying to make a statement of unity -- at least within the GWRRA ranks -- and most bought these shirts for this occasion.

Here's a group shot within the Convention Center after we arrived screaming "New Jersey, New Jersey, New Jersey, ..." After we were seated, our "cheerleaders" kept the frenzy going by various chants. Then about 50 12-inch balls were tossed around the room and kept flying everywhere. There was heavy emphasis on family, country and God early on in the ceremony. This picture shows a part of our group resplendent in their flag shirts.

After the opening ceremonies, there was a wave of humanity all headed for the vendor area. I'm not a lover of shoulder-to-shoulder crowds all trying to look at the same merchandise in a confined space but I had to grin-and-bear it as I seemed to be pushed and pulled along with the crowd. One end of the vendor area was reserved for vendors who also installed what they sold. I was trying to find a volt meter that could be installed in my trike. I found two such units. One also had a readout for amperage and outside air temperature. One company even advertised on its Web site showing the unit installed on a Gold Wing 1800. I asked both vendors about installation. One was in the non-install area and I was out-of-luck. The other vendor could install it but had only done one before (the one on the Web site) and was very reluctant to want to install it for me because it would quite possibly present some unusual problems that might drain their resources away from serving other rally-goers. So, I will wait awhile on the volt meter.

This evening we took a long walk to the other end of the building to catch a shuttle bus to a local restaurant. As almost everywhere, the wait was long to get a table and to get served. Eating at 8:30 p.m. is not something I'm used to. We got back to the Gaylord about 10 p.m. and watched the water-light show. One couple we went with went out to check on their bikes. I haven't seen our trikes since yesterday. Hope they're OK.

Tomorrow we will be going to the Grand Ole Opry to see a show with the group.

Photos © 2006 Jane Ann Kern

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