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.

The Freaks Come Out At Night

Saturday was our Halloween Night Ride for the shop and it was a beautiful evening for it, temps were still in the high 60s with plenty of sunshine and virtually no wind. We also had a really good showing and some fantastic costumes. Right around 5 pm we departed the shop heading to Moran's.




Normally a parade of costumed folks would be quite the scene but as jumped off of the bike trails and onto the surface streets near the Zoo, we sort of just blended in with the costumes headed into and out of Boo at the Zoo.









We descended upon Moran's and sort of just took over the tiny taproom in the back, in addition to the great costumes, there were several really well decorated bicycles to go with them.





Once everybody had a chance for a refreshment break I managed to convince to random patrons to judge the costumes and decide on the best male and best female costume.


Best male went to the Crash Test Dummy and the best female costume went to Miss Gulch from the Wizard of Oz. I tried to get the judges to have the Crash Test Dummy hum a few bars of Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm by the band of the same name but the never did make him hum along.

With drinks, drank and costumes judged, it was time to roll onto the next stop at White Elm.




White Elm was also having their two year celebration so it was a bit more hectic there, live bands, food trucks and long lines just to get a beer.


Here I am standing in line, see how sad I look... actually, waiting in that line was hot, really hot.


If you're a Stout drinker, the special Year Two double imperial that they have on tap now is a good one but it's a heavy one also. Maybe go with the smaller size instead of the 16 oz, you'll thank me later.




With food and live music at White Elm, a few riders decided to stay put when the train left the station headed to Yia Yia's. Those of us still remaining decided it was such a nice night out that we would sit outside and enjoy a beautiful fall evening.


If you ever want to clear out a men's room I'll let you borrow my mask, there were a few folks in here when I walked in and they left fairly quick after giving me a few side eyes but since I didn't need any assistance for this portion of the ride, I was OK with having the room to myself. Although I think bar bathroom selfies are supposed to be with all your friends, guess I'll have to try harder next time.


Pizza was tasty, beer was cold and company for the ride was great but like all good things, this one came to an end as well. Thanks to everyone who made it out, always a ton of fun. Let's do it again next year.