Cycle Scene
We know BMW has their BMWOA group, Harley has their HOG chapters, Honda has it’s Red Riders, and that quintessential 100 year old motorcycle marque Triumph has it’s RAT Packs. (Rider’s Association of Triumph) We all know a few BMW owners. We all know a Harley owner. And just about everybody knows someone with a Honda. But what about a Triumph?
Throughout America, RAT Packs get together at local Triumph dealers to revel in the rebirth and do all things Triumph. Talk Triumph, breath Triumph, Be Triumph. And a few times each year, in different areas throughout the country, packs get together to host a Raid. A gathering of the faithful. A congregation of the true believers. The Union Jack flies, with a salute to the King’s castle in Hinkley, UK.
Hummm. Triumph. The name just sounds like a motorcycle. And it’s difficult to judge their appeal. Let’s think music. Hummm….BMW…Refined, Techno, Euro. Kinda like a cross between a strong classical program on public radio mixed with a bit of the Manhiem Steamroller Christmas CD. Harley? Well we all know it’s synonomous with John Kaye and Steppenwolf. A born to be wild thing. (But didn’t Brando ride a Triumph in the Wild Bunch?) Honda? Kawasaki? Suzuki,? Yamaha? Cut it up with pop music, playing your favorite hits of yesterday and today. Triumph? Ahhhhh…. The Beatles, the Stones. Yes, the Classics, influential, raw and riviting. Imagine. Rolling down the road living a Stones tune. Go ahead, "Get Off of My Cloud", "Cause I Can’t Get No. No, no nooo , no. Hey, he he hey. That’s what I say."
That’s what makes it so special, the British appeal, the invasion, a history of light weight, superior handling machines. A long history of racing success nearing mythical proportions. Then the dark ages befell our heroes, plunging the faithfull into dispair and disbelief that the marque would ever rise again and take it’s rightful place among the ranks of the motorcycling world. Things change. Rebirth and resurrection. Enter the hero, John Bloor, and the rise of Triumph in the 90’s.
This year, the opening RAT Raid On America was held in the small Florida Panhandle town of Milton. Dink McClendon and D&D Cycles, the Pensacola Triumph dealer, along with the members of their Jolly Hooligan’s RAT Pack were the hosts of this late spring 2004 Raid. Adventures Unlimited, nestled north of town in the Blackwater State Forest, with their spacious meeting areas, ample camping and cabins, ropes and confidence course, was home to the Raid festivities. This location was perfect for RATs, after all, property manager Ron Winn himself is a Hooligan! (In numerous ways we must add!)
RATs from all over began to arrive Friday afternoon. Memphis Tennessee, New Hampshire. Atlanta Miami. Triumphs of all types, bikes from the new sport lines: Speed Triples & Daytona’s, classics such as Bonnevilles and Speedmasters, RAT tourers on Tigers and Trophy’s. A British Invasion was in progress.
North American RAT Coordinator Jim Callahan was on hand signing people in and setting up the tiki torches for the bon fire and welcome BBQ Friday night. Around the fire that night, many introductions were made, new friendships were being born, stories were already being told.
Saturday: breakfast was being served in the creek side dining area: sausages and biscuits, danish and muffins, good healthy dabs of conversation and commeraderie. Perfect. A brief riders meeting had Jim explaining the riding opportunities of the day (six different options, something for every kind of rider). This morning, the raid broke into two fronts.
On this day, the most popular option was the 50+/- mile ride to Pensacola Naval Air Station to visit Florida’s 10th most visited attraction, the Air Museum. This museum spans acres and has numerous aircraft from all periods of the history of flight. To top it off, there was also a European Car Show going on at the museum, and the Hooligan’s arranged for the RATs to park their motorcycles next to the British car displays.
The second group parted to ways north and east. On a quest for the perfect road, for the perfect ride, on a perfect day, in the Florida Panhandle. Along the way, these intrepid RATs would wind their way through the tree lined roads of the Blackwater State Forest, the tall pines of Alabama’s Conecuh National Forest, visit the highest point in Florida, (345ft above sea level!), and reach their final destination 160 miles away at Florida Caverns State Park, in Marianna. The question they all asked was "Where was the traffic?" Sweet.
No matter which way a RAT went, all roads lead back to Adventures Unlimited. Why? In time to test ride new Triumphs! Jim Callahan had procured a new Thruxton for Raiders to test ride, and each and everyone came back with a smile on their face and nothing but praise for this retro with clip-ons and a high performance Bonne motor. If you asked nicely, Jim would let you ride a Speedmaster or his 955i Daytona. Bikes and people. People and bikes. Triumph.
After the test rides it was again off to dinner. BBQ ribs, chicken, sausages, salads, way too much food, no one went hungry. Jim expressed his thanks to all of the RATs who pre-entered before the Raid Season began, each received an engraved Triumph pocket knife. A raffle was held to give away hats, shirts, and more. Triumph Regional Dealer Rep Kenny Stewart was on hand to give away two Triumph riding jackets to lucky Raiders. Once the prizes were awarded, everyone once again made their way to the bon fire, reliving the days events, sharing experiences, laughing, talking, building and strengthening relationships that, just a day before, did not exist. The power of Triumph.
Sunday morning. Some left early for points far away. Some waited on breakfast and to pick up where the conversations of the night before left off. Some went riding. Bikes were packed, some were loaded on trucks or trailers. Handshakes were exchanged, smiles given, and promises were made to resurrect the friendships made this weekend. All because of one motorcycle. Triumph. The Panhandle Raid was coming to a close, but for a RAT it’s never over. The sun always shines on the Empire.
Why would you want to ride anything else?