Wack's Make-A-Wish Ride
Wacks Make-A-Wish Ride
Wack’s Make-A-Wish ride is one of the areas must do events. Who are we to argue so we decided to attend the event and we are glad that we did.
Wack has been holding this ride for many years now and it shows in the execution. The ride was very well paced and very well coordinated with the State Police, County Sheriffs and local police along the route. This ride was slightly different in that a portion of the ride went through Vermont. You know the roads are back country when there is grass growing out of the cracks in the asphalt.
The origination point for the ride was the Blue Moon Bar and Grill on the Glen Lake Road. When I arrived, the bar was open and the proprietor had donuts and coffee ready and available. It is always nice to grab a little snack before hitting the road.
A total of 168 bikes left the Blue Moon Bar and Grill and proceeded west on the Glen Lake Road until we intersected with Route 9. North on Route 9 took us to the intersection of Route 9 and Route 149. We proceeded east on Route 149 through the construction and on into Fort Ann where the Washington County Sherriff had the traffic well in hand. We intersected with Route 4 and headed north towards Whitehall NY and Fair Haven VT. Just after crossing the Vermont State Line, we intersected with Route 4A and proceeded south until we hit Route 22A. Along the way we stopped at the Hog’s Breath Inn for refreshments. It was an interesting place, a little off the beaten path with plenty of parking and plenty of cold beer and soda. We all stretched our legs, talked bike and bikers and then headed back on the road. We stayed on Route 22A until we intersected Route 22 at Granville, NY. From Granville we took Route 149 to Hartford and stopped at the Hartford Tavern. It appeared that Hartford was having a craft fair and the sight of 168 bikes rolling into town appeared to take some people by surprise. When we arrived at the Hartford Tavern we discovered that the Tavern hosts a Barnyard Horseshoe Team during the summer and they were having their end of year party. Some of us grabbed something cold to drink and watched the teams throw shoes. For someone who can just barely get a horseshoe into the pit, I was quite impressed at the abilities of some of these team members.
From Hartford we traveled on Route 196 to Hudson Falls NY where we intersected with Route 4. We made a refreshment stop at the Wayside in Hudson Falls. While we were at the Wayside, the owner gave Wack a contribution of $300.00 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. From Hudson Falls we took Routes 35 and 39 until we hit Route 9L. We traveled on Route 9L north until we arrived at the Adirondack Bar and Grill which was the termination point for the ride.
We grabbed some plates and filled them with hamburgers, hot dogs, baked beans and cold salads. The entertainment was provided by two bands. First up was the Noname Band which was followed by Street Talk. Both bands were excellent and Seneca Scarincio of Street Talk was absolutely fabulous. After everyone had their fill, Wack was presented with several plaques and awards from the CEO of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Upstate NY. Jake from WGNA (107.7) performed as the master of ceremonies and drew the 50/50 raffle and the winners of the Chinese Auction. Paul Moore won the 50/50 and donated the money he had won back to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Way to go Paul! Helicopter rides were also available and the sky divers that dropped into the field adjacent to the Adirondack Bar and Grill kept everyone amused for the period of time they were in the air.
The route was great, the execution and pace were excellent, the sun was hot, the food was very good, the friends were there, the beer was cold and we will be on Wacks’ run next year to support the Make-A-Wish Foundation. An excellent time for a very worthy cause.
