ELBRIDGE - Amid the aroma of cooking pancakes, bacon and eggs, about 200 motorcycle enthusiasts gathered at O'Brien's Motorcycles Sunday to kick off the motorcyle season.
The breakfast was sponsored by the motorcycle shop as a way to send off riders to the annual "Blessing of the Bikes" in Cicero.
"It's a good way to start the season," said rider Kevin Doney, an electrician from Weedsport.
The Cicero event is an annual affair in which a minister blesses the motorcycles for a safe season. And safety was on many people's minds as they drank coffee and chatted with each other on Sunday before setting out on the hour ride to Cicero.
"The bottom line is responsibility and awareness," said Steve VanDyke, who rides a Suzuki Intruder 800. "Two wheels are nothing to be screwing around on. You've always got to be aware of what's happening around you."
Automobiles may be the greatest threat to riders. Several of the bikers reported close calls or accidents.
"My father and I were riding and a car pulled out in front of us," said Steve Dacy of Auburn, who drives a Harley Davidson Sportster. "I didn't lay it down or anything, but I tell you I was really scared."
John Lee, of Elbridge, was rear-ended by another motorcycle.
"That put both of us in the hospital," he said.
But Lee, who owns a small motorcycle repair shop in Elbridge, didn't let that stop him.
"I was riding around the next week with a cast on my leg," he said. "Anybody dedicated to the sport won't let anything stop them."
Lori Myers, who owns the Daggett Agency in Auburn and drives a Harley Davidson Fat Boy, said automobiles "don't look for us; they don't see us. That's why we ride together, so people can see us."
But Jim Kenyon, a reporter from Syracuse for WSTM Channel 3, said automobile drivers are just unaware.
"They claim they can't see you, but I don't buy into that," Kenyon said. Between his headlights and chrome, "I'm driving a bike that's lit up like a Christmas tree."
Perhaps the oldest rider at O'Brien's, Tom Molloy, 72, of Auburn, said riders are responsible for their own safety.
"You have to be focused all the time," said Molloy, who has been riding since 1949. "The minute you lose focus, you're going to have an accident."
"It's a good way to start the season," said rider Kevin Doney, an electrician from Weedsport.
The Cicero event is an annual affair in which a minister blesses the motorcycles for a safe season. And safety was on many people's minds as they drank coffee and chatted with each other on Sunday before setting out on the hour ride to Cicero.
"The bottom line is responsibility and awareness," said Steve VanDyke, who rides a Suzuki Intruder 800. "Two wheels are nothing to be screwing around on. You've always got to be aware of what's happening around you."
Automobiles may be the greatest threat to riders. Several of the bikers reported close calls or accidents.
"My father and I were riding and a car pulled out in front of us," said Steve Dacy of Auburn, who drives a Harley Davidson Sportster. "I didn't lay it down or anything, but I tell you I was really scared."
John Lee, of Elbridge, was rear-ended by another motorcycle.
"That put both of us in the hospital," he said.
But Lee, who owns a small motorcycle repair shop in Elbridge, didn't let that stop him.
"I was riding around the next week with a cast on my leg," he said. "Anybody dedicated to the sport won't let anything stop them."
Lori Myers, who owns the Daggett Agency in Auburn and drives a Harley Davidson Fat Boy, said automobiles "don't look for us; they don't see us. That's why we ride together, so people can see us."
But Jim Kenyon, a reporter from Syracuse for WSTM Channel 3, said automobile drivers are just unaware.
"They claim they can't see you, but I don't buy into that," Kenyon said. Between his headlights and chrome, "I'm driving a bike that's lit up like a Christmas tree."
Perhaps the oldest rider at O'Brien's, Tom Molloy, 72, of Auburn, said riders are responsible for their own safety.
"You have to be focused all the time," said Molloy, who has been riding since 1949. "The minute you lose focus, you're going to have an accident."
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