The weekend of April 29, 2006 was a lot of riding for some good and bad reasons. As many of you know, Garth Eppley was killed in a plane crash. So that changed a little of the plans for the Rounders Round Up Two (The RUT) Weekend. There will be more RUTs but only one Garth. However I decided to try and maximize seeing as many people as I could. To give you an idea of the weekend, here is the overview map...

It was home to funeral in La Fountaine, IN then back home, then back to Wabash, IN for a Memorial Ride, then to Boardman, OH, then to West Salem, OH, then back home.

Garth's funeral was very moving. It was a long day. Woke up, dragged my ass out of bed, at 7:00AM, after waiting up for Loraz and Barb to arrive. Got dressed and ready to go. I put the suit on and then felt dumb in it, so I changed into all black. I did not think I could ride in it, also I did not think most people would care.

The ride down to the funeral was better and easier then expected. Just get on SR15 and go south. So we made good time on the way there and got there in perfect time. We were asked if we were going to take part in the procession with the motorcycles. I was honored to be asked and of course said yes.

The service was more of a celebration then a sad event. There were videos of Garth and lots of pictures and stories. The most moving movement was Garth’s brother singing Still Wie Die Nacht by Garth’s brother Miles. Then it was time to escort Garth to the funeral. The plan was for the motorcycles to lead the procession, before the hearse. It was quite a moment. So we followed the police escort with our four way flashers on to the Cemetery. The interment was quick and straight forward. Then Dan, Gale, Barb, Einnar, John Braze and myself went to lunch.

Then spoke with Bill and decided it was time to head home. Stopped at Cycle Gadgets on the way back and picked up some new accessories. Then back to my house with Einnar, and wait for Gene to show up.

Saturday morning Einnar, Gene, and I left my house at 9AM to go down for the Memorial Ride for Garth. Bill had bikes for Gene and Einnar which was very cool. As you can see it was a very large group of people and a diverse group of people, it was a bunch of riders getting together. i finally got to meet Carver Boat Boy which was a treat. I had modified a Rounder Sticker for Bill and within 30 seconds of giving it to him, it was on the Red Pony, Garth's Bike.

After the ride we toasted Garth at the Kettle in Wabash and reminsced before heading to Boardman.

The ride to Boardman was not scenic it was just slab, cause we wanted to get there. It was quite the motley crew as you can see.

Of Course username took care of the Ode for the evening and it was in fine style. He even announced that next year's RUT (RoundUp Three) will be in Illinois, put it on your calendars! Now!

The tables of people, anyone think they can identify everyone?

Then it was back to the hotel for some tire kicking

Then it was time to toast Garth. I picked him up this bottle of Maker's Mark as a congratulations for finding a job/RUT toasting before the accident. So we drank to Garth....\

Then we adjourned into a smoke filled room to have some Cigars provided by Carver Boat Boy to celebrate a life.

JVZ required us to sign in, as well as signing in a few other people

The next morning, of course we got together for a Pancake Breakfast before we all went off into the wind.

Of course there was time for just the random photo as well. Once I get a chance to sleep I will try to clean this up a little...

I did send Gene out to get me gas, unfortunately the only gas station he knows of in the state of Ohio is the one the She Rides a Beemer sent him to last year. So we ended up at Loraz's

We have no idea who this man is, do you?

MMMM Pie!!!

I am going to build a Pillow Fort!!!

Would you date this fine upstanding youngman?

Apparently she would! It is the infamous BirdGirl!