DAY #3...SATURDAY...WOODWARD, OK. TO GATE, OK. TO HOME...310 MILES (1433)

Jack and I arose early on Saturday morning for our ride to Gate, Oklahoma, so we could get there before most of the other members arrived. We left Woodward about 8:30 a.m. under sunny skies and brisk temperatures. The heated clothing was a very welcome accessory this morning. We arrived in Gate to find Jim Crank and one other member already there. Jim had left Hutchinson shortly after 6:00 a.m. this morning to attend the event. The event went very well with approximately 35 riders attending, and the weather was beautiful. Clear, sunny skies with temps in the high 60's. The steak dinner was great too, the steak being so large most couldn't eat it all. After the meal we had our usual meeting where the trophy's for the best Thumper's and long distance award was given. Shortly after the meeting you could hear the Thump...Thump...Thump of all the bikes as the members left for home or another ride before heading towards the house or the stop for the evening.
Jim, Kip, and I left Gate about 3:00 p.m. this afternoon and headed NE towards Thumperville. We were just meandering along at 60 MPH, 5 MPH under the speed limit, enjoying this beautiful day. One of the first towns we came to after crossing the state line into Kansas was Coldwater. As we entered town the speed limit signs were progressively spaced with 55 MPH.........45 MPH.........and supposedly 30 MPH. None of us saw that particular sign, but the 3 law enforcement officers that stopped us insisted that it was there, just before they mentioned they had clocked us at 47 MPH. They checked out our driver licenses and insurance cards and then very nicely told Jim and I that they would just warn us. We were very thankful and very surprised we would get a warning for 17 MPH over the speed limit. Kip however received a ticket for $141.00. Just before he pulled away to catch up with Jim and I the officer stopped him again. He told Kip that the two sheriff officers had turned Jim and I loose and he wasn't going to be the bad guy of the day, so he took Kip's ticket back and wrote void on it. Once again all of us were very surprised but pleased.
The rest of the trip home was uneventful and we arrived back in Hutchinson just as it was getting dark.
This was the last Thumpercafe of the year. I made all four this year and rode almost 11,000 miles getting there and back. My KLR took me to California, Maryland, North Dakota, Canada, and Oklahoma. I rode in numerous states besides those listed above, getting to these events, and saw some beautiful country in the process. If you've never been to one of these events you don't know what you're missing. It's a great way to meet new friends with like interests, and "gitten" there is half the fun.
See you next year.........and remember..........As Jack says....."Thump when you can". Even though Winter is fast approaching there will still be a lot of nice days to get out there and ride.
Motor Mike

AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST...
"OUR FEARLESS LEADER"