Toy Run Salina, KS November 19, 2006

Picture:  That's me and the REB with our toy.

Louie and I were going to meet at the toy run this afternoon but by the time I arrived there were so many bikes already that we had no chance of riding together.  I was lucky to find him in the sea of black leather that made up the mostly Harley riding participants. 

  This was my first Toy Run and there were at least 200 (307 according to Salina Journal article, see below) bikes, trikes and a few scoots and I saw at least one sportie, and Big Goldwings with trailers loaded with gifts, choppers, you name it but mostly H-Ds and one lonely Royal Enfield.

  Quite a few stopped to look at the REB but no one said anything, probably too awe struck.  Most likely they couldn't pick the owner out.  Too many gray heads with black leather jackets I guess.

  We were escorted by the SPD and lead by flag bearing HOGs, quite spectacle with lots of people watching from the safety of the curb.  I managed to get to the destination with running up the back of a $30,000 Harley with my slow stopping Enfield.  Having never ridden with so many other bikes around me, outside of a track, I had difficulty at first because I couldn't hear the poor little single amongst all the fire belching V-Twins.  Then I was hearing clanking and rattling that took me a few minutes to realize that it was them not us.

  Upon arrival at the church that was sponsoring the run we deposited our toys and enjoyed some cookies and coffee before calling it a day and heading home for an afternoon nap.  Have to get rested up for our church's annual Thanksgiving dinner this evening. 

Salina Journal Article:                November 20, 2006

Bikers make a run for children More motorcycle riders turn out for this year's toy run

David Clouston Salina Journal

They weren't sure of the reason -- the sunny, calm weather Sunday helped, certainly -- but more motorcycle riders than last year turned out for the 20th annual Salina Toy Run. A column of 307 riders, led by Salina Police vehicles clearing traffic, roared away about 1 p.m. from the Mid-State Plaza parking lot, toys strapped to their bikes. The riders and their passengers made about a half-hour circuit through town, down Ninth, Crawford, Ohio and Cloud streets, before spilling into the parking lot of Emmanuel Christian Center, 1325 E. Cloud. Each year, the event gives riders a reason for some fellowship as a group, and local charities that receive the toys get a boost. "What I like is it doesn't just bring out the Harleys; it brings out everybody," said Tammy Trepoy, wife of one of the event organizers, Jim Trepoy. She said about 245 riders participated last year. Indeed, the lead rider, Salinan Andy Stierwalt, was straddling a 1500 cc Kawasaki Nomad decked out patriotically with three large United States flags flying from the rear and two smaller flags attached to the handlebars. There was a set of real deer antlers adorning the front of the bike. Stierwalt, like most of the other riders, was decked out in a black leather riding outfit, topped off with a set of cartoon holiday reindeer antlers. He paused to show off an earring attached to one side of the antlers -- it read "Jesus is the Reason for the Season." "(That) is what does it for me," Stierwalt said, smiling at the message. He said he rode his bike in the downtown Parade of Lights Saturday night with a Nativity scene replacing the antlers. Stierwalt on Sunday was representing a Masonic-affiliated motorcycle riding club, Widows Sons of Salina. He said he usually rides in three or four toy runs throughout the region during the holidays. The events give riders a reason to gather and the riders bring toys that are donated to local charities. "I ride my motorcycle all the time," he said. But participating in events to benefit children is special. "That's a blessing for me," he said. It's not uncommon for riders to come to the Salina Toy Run from as far away as Hays and Wichita, said Brenda Henderson, one of the riders with the local Harley-Davidson motorcycle owners association. She and her husband, Joker, a representative of the Christian Motorcycle Association, helped with the preparations at Emmanuel before the riders arrived. Many towns around Salina have their own toy runs, such as McPherson, Hays, Junction City, Hutchinson and Wichita, Jim Trepoy said. Joker Henderson said one year that Wichita drew as many as 2,100 riders. The hundreds of toys collected from this year's event were donated to Ashby House and the Domestic Violence Association of Central Kansas. The small mountain of toys donated Sunday included stuffed animals, toy cars, dolls, blocks, balls and games. "If we didn't have these gifts, most of the families we work with wouldn't have a Christmas," Camey Presler, a DVACK representative, said.