BIG BEAR RIDE RECAP

Hey riders. It's Guido with another ride recap!

Well, another Big Bear ride is in the books; the record book that is!  We broke our previous record for bikes and attendance with a whopping 31 bikes and 45 people.

Before we left our Vale Terrace staging area, I tried to count how many bikes we actually had, but I can't count that high, so Pete "Pappy" Corti helped me out.  There were so many bikes that we had to divide our riders into three groups in order to make our ride to Big Bear more manageable and safe.

Before we left on our journey, Pastor Dave gave a ride briefing and Mike "Road Kill" Andrews  reviewed the hand signals we use for group riding.  We were blessed to have a group of riders from The Rock Church, located in Point Loma.  They have participated in our Big Bear ride before and it is always good to see our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.  After the briefing, we all paused for prayer and asked God to keep us all safe and grant us a great day of riding and fellowship.  God is so amazing!

We left our Vale Terrace staging area in three groups of ten.  Our groups left in ten minute intervals.  Our first stop was at a Shell station at the intersection of Highway 79 and Interstate 10.  This gave our riders an opportunity to fuel up and stretch their legs.  By the time our second group arrived, group one was mounted up and getting ready to head out on the second leg of our journey.  All three groups arrived and left at intervals, so we would not have gridlock at the pumps.

Our next stop was at a ranger station, located at the base of Highway 38.  Once again, this was a time to utilize the facilities and get a quick stretch in, before taking on the the third and most challenging part of our journey; the twists and turns of Highway 38 as it winds up the mountain to Big Bear.

The weather was amazing and the temperature was perfect.  As each group arrived in Big Bear, our ride leaders took our riders around the lake for a scenic view of the surrounding area.  The views were spectacular, as the giant snake of motorcycles and the sound of distant thunder from our exhausts echoed through the valley.

All three groups staged in downtown Big Bear, before heading out to Pastor Sam's cabin.  Once we were all together, our entire group rode through the streets of Big Bear proper.  What a site it must have been!

Once we arrived at our destination, we were greeted by our hosts, Sam and Debbie Cracchiolo and special guests Carl and Cindy Almquist and Hugh and Barbara Mitchell.  It takes time and effort to put on a feed like this and without folks like them to come alongside our motorcycle fellowship, we would not be able to have these types of events.

The customary group photograph was taken and prayer was offered for our food.  Then the chow was on!  The food was excellent!  "Hot and a lot", according to the biker code of eating!  Pastor Dave passed out ride pins and tee shirts, while food kept flowing like manna from Heaven.  We also had a "patching" ceremony for Joe Wischerman , one of our Calvary Chapel of Vista riders.  Congratulations Joe and welcome aboard!

Once our bellies were full, we had a great time of fellowship.  Kathy Mendez, wife of Frank "Apostle In Training" Mendez and Kathy Marchisio, wife of Guido, took off for some downtown shopping.  Rumor has it that "when the going gets tough, the Kathy's go shopping!"

Late afternoon came and it was time to say our goodbyes.  We went down the mountain in two groups and everyone made it home safe and sound.  It was truly a blessed day and thanks to our riders for  getting Big Bear 2014 in the record books!

A special thanks to Pastor Sam and his wife Debbie, for opening up their home to a bunch of bikers and to our special guests from Calvary Vista, who helped serve and made our annual event a special one.  Also, a shout out to our brothers and sisters from The Rock Church.  Thanks for your support and riding with us.  And.........last but not least, our wife's, leaders and road guards, who put in a whole lot of prayers and work, to make this years ride the best ever!

Until next time, may God richly bless each and everyone of you.  Remember to ride safe and keep The Lord close to your hearts!