MCCA’s First Motorcycle Rally was a “Roaring” Success

By Mark Groves

The DOC Central Office parking lot was alive with the sound of throaty engines as approximately 22 motorcycle enthusiasts converged to begin MCCA’s first annual motorcycle rally on May 17, 2008. Our mission for this gathering was to have fun and enjoy the beginning of summer. We also wanted to help build camaraderie among community corrections bikers. Our MCCA Motorcycle Run volunteers, Sarah Walker, Jamie Tatarek and Catie Blake greeted us and served donuts and pastries to those of us who decided to skip breakfast. Dan Cain rounded us up, summarized the plan for the day, briefed us on our route, and got us going.

The morning started out beautiful. The sun was shining and the temperature was in the 50s. Our two lead riders were Jim Linehan, from the Rush City Correctional Facility and Bill Wagner from RS Eden.  The rest of us brought up the rear.  We started out for Lino Lakes Correctional Facility at 10:30 a.m. We drove through the city and into the country, side-by-side. What a sight to see as we drove up Snelling Avenue past the State Fairgrounds. You can bet there was a head or two pointed in our direction as we paraded through St. Paul.

We arrived at Lino Lakes, safe and sound. Bridget Letnes, Shawn Ullrich and Rob Hope watched us arrive with big smiles, all around. Now that we were getting the hang of the day, the riders drew their second poker playing card, shot some bull and mounted back up for the ride to Rush City. To our surprise, when we actually got to the town of Rush City, the local sheriff noted our arrival and stopped traffic at the town’s only stop sign, and allowed us to pass as a group. I don’t know about the rest of the bikers, but I felt pretty darned special. It kind of reminded me of my days in the military when I was the Brigade Commander’s driver driving him around Europe with our Military Police escort.

At Rush City Correctional Facility, we were met by Kelley Heifort who treated us to refreshing bottled water and we drew our third poker card. We visited a bit and moved on to Stillwater. The ride from Rush City to Stillwater was an adventure to behold. The sky looked ominous and it began to rain. The temps dipped. Road spray on the highway was ugly but we made good time. The rain finally dissipated but the overcast skies and temps in the mid to upper 40's made the experienced bikers glad they were wearing their leathers. Me? I thought the day was going to be sunny and warm. I was wearing a University of Minnesota wind breaker, jeans and hiking boots. Lucky for me, another biker took pity on me when we stopped for gas and asked me if I’d like to borrow some gloves. Through chattering teeth and shivering shoulders, I mumbled: “Ssssuurrre.” You can bet your last nickel I’ll be wearing leathers and have my saddlebags stuffed with whatever I need for any imaginable weather condition next year! I think I’ll pack my electric socks, gloves and snowmobile suit, just in case.

 During our ride, we had to dodge a bale of hay dropped from some farmer’s truck. More than once, we drove through cow manure spilled over the country roads (the stench made my eyes water and my nostrils sting). Way to go, Bessie! But . . . are you ready for this? Here’s the best part. During our ride, we were passed by a trooper with his lights flashing. Thinking he was going to some unconnected emergency we kept our pace. Lo, and behold. Surprise, surprise. He pulled over just ahead of our leaders and motioned us all to the side of the road. I thought to myself, “Are you kidding me?” As is often the case when riding, our speed had crept up over the posted limit. The officer was not a happy camper. He wanted to know what our hurry was, being a nice day and all. We told him that we actually were not in any particular hurry and that we were all corrections professionals just out for a nice ride. While collecting our driver’s licenses, he reminded us that, as correctional workers, we should know better. There we were, 20 motorcycles on the side of the road and 22 people lamenting the fines we would need to pay for our transgressions. Instead of a ride for ex-offender reentry, we had become a ride of new offender orientation. The shame! Luckily the officer had compassion and felt sorry for us. He gave us a stern warning and let us proceed, with our tails between our legs. Turns out, he was a pretty nice guy. He had a good sense of humor and posed for pictures with us and we shared a joke or two. Whew! I was certain I’d be sharing half of my federal government rebate “stimulus” check to Mayberry, Minnesota.