Halloween Ride

Saturday was the 4th annual Halloween Ride and the third one I've been involved, somehow I completely missed the one in 2016. Huh... maybe I was living in a cave that year.






Halloween is my favorite non-holiday, holiday; it's almost like the adult version of Christmas for me. The plan was to head to Saro Cider, Code Beer first for some socializing and adult beverages. While it was a Husker home game, which might have kept a few riders from coming, the weather could not have been better for the ride.








In fact it was so nice out that we opted to sit outside on the patio while the weather was still nice enough to allow for it. Looking at the forecast for this week, this might have been the last really nice Saturday for awhile, the snow is already in the 10 day.


A special thanks to Saro Cider and Kevin for hooking us up with discounted prices on their delicious ciders, things always taste slightly better when  you're not paying full price.



Code Beer Co. was a split stop with Saro Cider so several of us spread our time between the two, being only a block and a half from each other it was very easy to do. If they could get a distillery and wine bar to move in on the same block, you'd have the start of a really fun adult beverage district.



On our way out we noticed a group of GROMs and regular motorcycles stopped at the light, Captain America challenged them to a race. This of course caused all sorts of hooliganism as engines were revved, tires were smoked and a few wheelies were pulled on their way through the light. Sometimes Super Heros get up to no good too, don't believe the hype.




Did I mention that it was a gorgeous night, because it was. All the changing leaves really adds a beauty to the world for the 2-3 weeks the leaves stick around before heading into the brown season.



This might have also been our first ever tunnel beer stop.



The next stop on the ride was Moran's Liquor Works, always a fan favorite since they added the taproom a few years back.



I also learned that Surly Junk Straps make a really good machete holder if you ever need to carry one for trail maintenance or your name is Jason and you're heading to the lake. I would recommend a sheath if you're carrying a real one but for a plastic replica it did the job way better than expected.



Standing room only but the selection is always on point, they even had the Glacial Till Caramel Apple Cider on tap. What more could a guy ask for.




The final push of the ride was down the Rock Island to White Elm where we would judge costumes and decide who the winners for the night would be. Although if you ask me, everyone who showed up and shared the night went away as winners.


Before the judging we grabbed a bite from Porkcentric show setup a food stand in the corner of White Elm. I'd never had them before but the nachos were phenomenal!



We lined them all up, convinced three patrons to judge the costumes and winners were announced.


Dave won best costume that included the bicycle, Sarah won best female costume and newcomer Josh won for best male costume. Congratulations to all the winners.


Each winner walked away with a gift card to Cycle Works, a sticker and a gift card to White Elm at roughly a value of $50 combined. Not to shabby if you ask me.



That officially ended the ride, Todd and I wound our way through downtown, which was still hopping several hours after the game was over, on our way back to Cycle Works. Crazy to think how insane it must have been three hours earlier. Thanks to everyone who came out, it was a great night with new friends and new, that fantastic weather didn't hurt either.