Seeing STAR’s With Motorcycle Riders

Hello! I just returned from a very exciting trip to STAR Days, a big motorcycle rally for members of a family-oriented riding group centered around Yamaha motorcycles. This year, it was held in Chatanooga, Tenn. I really like saying that --- Cha tuh noooo guh. It’s even more fun to say it very fast several times in a row. It almost sounds like a train. I wonder if that is where they got the name?

Anyway, this Fezcapade was made possible by my companions Bob and Michellene Jeffries. Bob is the president of the Kansas City Starriders Chapter #227. It’s a family-oriented group of bikers centered around Yamaha motorcycles.

There was so much to learn on this trip. First, you learn a lot about motorcycling, which seems to be all about safety and packing a lot of stuff into very small spaces. (I only had room for one or two of my vests.) Since motorcycles are not a box like cars, it is important to pay close attention to safety. This means that we always have to make sure that everything is just right with the motorcycle. Here I am holding the tire gauge for Bob while he makes sure we have enough air in the tires.

Bob did not put his bike on a trailer, so this means I went from Kansas City to Tennessee on two wheels! It didn't take long to find some interesting places on our trip, we even stopped in Missouri's capitol, Jefferson City. Here, I found a very large statue that seemed like it would be a good climb. However, one of the security guards discouraged me from playing on the statue. Here I am planning my route up to the top of his head.

After a few days, we reached the Tennessee border and then the fun really began. Star Days was HUGE and there were a lot of nice folks from all over the country who showed up with motorcycles of all shapes, sizes and colors. I found out that STAR members aren't just in to motorcycles, but they are also very interested in giving to others. Each year, the group donates thousands of dollars to Feed the Children, which helps hungry kids near the rally and across the country.

We also had fun seeing sites and riding very twisty roads. One piece of highway is known as the Tail of the Dragon. There are 318 curves in 11 miles!! Of course, I could have beat them all to the end if I had taken the tree route, but I waited patiently on the bike.

I'm very thankful that Bob and Michellene took me on this adventure. I certainly won't forget it any time soon!

~Fez