toys are for joy
when i say these words i dont mean the type in your top draw next to your bed.. you know the ones, dont pretend you dont have them.. im talking about the ones given at christmas that put smiles on faces of millions of kids worldwide.
i used to be a scrooge.. i used to really hate christmas. i thought it was horrible and a merchandising scam. on sunday something happened to me, i was reformed, i became a changed man.
on sunday i took part in the 2004 annual toy run. this was my first and definately wont be my last. i plan to take part in every run for the rest of my life if i can, i urge you all to do the same.
if you dont know what the toy run is go to http://www.mrasa.asn.au/html/events/toyrun.shtml this will give you a run down of what its all about. but basically its a whole heap (about 15-20,000) of hard core and soft core (like me) bikers who get together each buy a toy or donate money to got to the underprivelidged kids in s.a. this was the best thing i think i have ever experienced in my life and it felt awesome to be part of it.
the day started at about 8am (after 2hrs sleep from working the night before). i started out on my bike with a good friend of mine riding shotgun and headed of toward villi’s cafe for breakfast. i was meeting a group of mates there who i normally ride with. we arrived at about 9ish and i devouered a meat pie and 2 cans of redbull in no time. about 15 of us had gathered by about 930 and we all made our way down to the bay stopping in at the bp on south road to fill up and to drink another can of red bull. we got to the bay at about 945 and i really had no idea what to expect.. they had blocked of the bottom end of anzac highway for about 1km and and it was packed with bikes. really it was one of the most overwhelming sites i have ever seen there were people from all walks of life dressed up as santas and his little helpers, elves and other assorted characters.. a coule of brave dogs road in milk crates on the backs of bikes and a human sized elmo even joined us for the ride. we all parked our bikes in the line up and went for a walk to see what else was around. it took me 1hr and another can of red bull (4 cans in 2hrs not recommended) to do a lap and see most of the bikes. now with 15-20,000 bikes you would expect to see alot of the same but to my surprise there wasnt many bikes the same and anything that is a big seller was dressed up in that much tinsel you wouldnt be able to tell what it was anyway..
at 11 am the bikes fired up and the frontrunners took off leading the way to hahndorf. i passed through the start line about ten minutes later and began my journey up anzac highway. being this was my first toy run i didnt know what to expect so i just hung with the boys and followed their lead about ten minutes into the ride i decided to get into it as i was watching all the kiddies on the side of the road eyes light up as people threw hand fulls of lollies to them and riders slowing down and got close enough to touch hands givin them the good ol’ high 5. it wasnt long before i was doing the same… slowing down, tooting the horn, revving the engine, flashing the lights, waving to the onlookers and giving everyone high fives it was great parents picking their kids up and bringing them close enough to be touched. it gave me the biggest smile and as insignificant as i was in the 15-20,000 bikes i was, for that split second that i gave someone high five or waved and they waved back or they saw me and they smiled i knew for that split second i had touched them and made them smile.. i know it sounds corny but it really was a great feeling to be part of that and it will stick with me forever.. the only problem was that it left me wanting to do it all again.. now i have to wait a whole year..
the ride finished at hahndorf oval where the presents were we all dropped off presents toys and donated money. there was a live band playing and plenty of stands to go and look at stuff. we grabbed a baked potato and settled in to watch a set from the band. unfortunately the rain wanted to play too and most people departed at about 1230-1pm i was on a high and decided the weather wouldnt get me down so i rode home the back way through the hills to the whispering wall stopped there for half hour ate a big ice cream and rode home..
by the time i got home it was about 430 i got pulled over for speeding but got let off with a caution it must have been cuz the policeman didnt want to spoil the smile i still had on my face.. it took me about 2 days to stop smiling and typing this i started smiling again this was a truely awesome day people and if you dont have a bike get one or find someone who does and makesure you are there next year. you wont regret it and you too will smile like me. trust me there is nothing better. 
well im off to bowling again… tonight is serious stuff.. its the champion of champions tournament.. its at village bowl and i shot a 279 there on monday night at training so i feel pretty confident.. im bowling in a team with tash ben shane and the famous scott.. we should do well, stay tuned for the out come hopefully its a good one..
dont forget that toy run next year..
and always remember to smile..