Chook's Nom Ride

Chook's Nom Run Ride Report
Submitted May 2010.

Saturday the 22nd was the big day for me and I was looking forward to it with much anticipation and excitement. The night before I had seen my team Geelong beat Collingwood so I was pumped from then. I actually slept in a bit after expecting to get little sleep due to excitement.

The morning was fine and sunny with no wind which was great. I had refuelled the day before so I jumped on the bike and headed to the clubhouse and got there at about 1015hrs expecting to be early but there were already quite a few bikes there which I thought was great.

I gave a short ride brief 10 mins before leaving and we left at about 1100hrs. It felt great leading the pack, I was so pumped, but going through my head was "Don't stuff this up". The weather stayed fine although it was cool and crisp. We arrived at Lara, parked had a smoke went into the bar had some drinks and I was feeling more relaxed, especially with a beer in me. We had lunch and Stevo made a great speech and welcomed me into the Patriots and I was patched. I responded by telling them that this is what I have been looking for since my discharge from the Army almost 12 years ago and that now I felt I belonged again.

We left after 1300hrs and headed to the Clubhouse via Melbourne Rd and then had a meeting. I thanked Sandy for being my mentor, during the meeting, as she wasn't on the ride due to illness. We partied as Patriots do and Stevo kept asking me how I was and I kept saying "I'm on cloud 9" then he stood me in the middle of the floor in front of the band and said" now I'll try and get you to cloud 10!" Then the surprise was sprung they brought out Elvis and I was RAPT. He more or less sang to me and it was great. I danced my arse off "AGAIN" LOL and had a great time. I was happy when my Son and Daughter turned up, that had been their first time to the club, they were probably a little overawed with all the strange people but they said they had a good time. To Stevo especially for organising things and all the Patriots and supporters and guests thanks for a totally awesome night which by the way ended sometime Sunday morning.

Sincerely
Chook