Big Texas Toy Run - Dec. 21, 2003

[tliss]

For those of you that were interested in a charity cruise, I finally found one that we could consider. Even though it is mainly a motorcyle event, they are more than willing to have us!

http://www.thebigtexastoyrun.com/intro.htm

Looks like there is one parade leaving from downtown Fort Worth and another from downtown Dallas heading to the Arlington Convention Center. Admission is $10 or an unwrapped toy worth $10 per person. I'll call to get a little more info. Let me know if you're interested and I'll pass along our interest to the organizers.

The registration is on the corner of Ross and Record at the West End in Dallas. There is a big USA parking lot right there and when you turn in off of Record there will be a registration table set up. You will need to park your truck and then walk to the table and let them know if you brought a toy or if you are going to give a $10.00 donation. Then you will receive a sticker that needs to be placed on the out side of your outer garment. Registration is from 10am to 12pm, and the parade leaves at 1pm. Also please ask to speak to A. D. Campbell so he can give you more instructions on pulling up the rear of the parade.

The Arlington (south tarrant) guys can meet up at the IHOP on Little Road/I20 @ 9:30 for breakfast and will try to leave no later than 10:30 to head to Dallas and meet the north dallas guys there.

The Dallas group will meet at the IHOP at 75/Spring Valley in Richardson @ 9:30 for breakfast and will try to leave no later than 10:30.

If you decide to go straight to the event rather than meeting up with the group beforehand, please let them know that you are part of the Texas Area Lightning Owners North. Wear your TALON shirts with pride, guys!

Tom

[PoorSvtman]

Im up for it . :nana2

even tho it does look like more of a bike event.

[03LightningRocks]

Im up for it . :nana2

even tho it does look like more of a bike event.
If it is what I think it is, the Harley Bikers started the thing. I have a friend who talks of his club joining up with other Harley clubs and hitting this event.

I have not heard him talk of other vehicles being involved, but he is a Harley guy, so he probably just acts like there is nobody else there...LOL.

Let us know.


Rocks

[tliss]

OK. I just spoke to the chairman of the event and he is very interested in us joing up with the Toy Run. It is mainly a bike run, so we will have to accommodate for that. He stated that we would have to ride behind the motorcycles (no mixing 5000 pound trucks with 600 pound bikes), which I said was not a big deal. We will also have to share the limelight with the Lone Star Corvette Club, as they participate yearly as well. There are a few issues we will ahve to contend with:

1) The Dallas gathering tends to be a little more organized as far as lining up for the parade, so he recommends that we gather for the Dallas parade.

2) He said that a lot of times the Corvettes would get seperated from the rest of the pack because the police blocking traffic seemed to move on after all the bikes went by. He hopes to have that fixed this year.

3) The Arlington Convention Center parking may be an issue. He said they had about 35,000 (yes, thirty-five thousand) bikes last year, and filled the parking lot. Since we'll be at the end of the parade, we may have to park of site somewhere and walk in.

Post up to help me gauge some interest. I would like to get back to him with a solid number next week, and I would really like to bring out more Lightnings to show those Corvette guys that we are a force to contend with. Let's make the showing in our first year a good one guys!

Tom

[99WhiteBeast]

I'm in mate

Cheers:beer:

[98Cobra]

I'm there.

[tliss]

Anybody else up for this? It's a good cause and a chance to start something new! C'mon guys....let's make a better showing than this....so far it's just 3 of us? What gives??:confused: :confused:

By the way, I just added this to the calendar.

Tom

[my2002lightning]

Tom,

Pencil in 2 more TALON members ! :tu:

Ronald and Laney

[MrsMy2002Lightning]

Sounds like fun. :)

We'll both bring a 10.00 toy Tom. Good work planner boy! Teehee!!

;)

Laney

[skalywags]

Sounds like fun. Pencil me in.

[tliss]

Sweeeeeeeeet

http://www.ezthemes.com/previews/f/fnsqwp.jpg

:d
Tom

[03LightningRocks]

Sweeeeeeeeet

http://www.ezthemes.com/previews/f/fnsqwp.jpg

:d
Tom


Sorry Tom,

I will be in Louisville Kentucky for this one.:(


Rocks:beer:

[Sixpipes]

Sunday morning might work for me. I can't confirm yet, but I think I can make it. :cool:

[mercbuff]

i will be there on my bike i did it last year it realy is a bike thang there wernt maybe 5 are 6 corvetts but the lightning would be a lot warmer

[skalywags]

put a bike in the back, and you'll have both groups covered!

[PoorSvtman]

Sweeeeeeeeet

http://www.ezthemes.com/previews/f/fnsqwp.jpg

:d
Tom

TOTALY! :cool:

Im still up for it. Any of the arlington guys wanna meet up and all cruise out there together?

[99WhiteBeast]

Whats the details Tom- time, meeting place...etc


I'll see if I can round up a few more from this side of town.

We need to have 10 L's minimum representing Talon- come on people this for the less fortunate children

Remember what it was like to wake up Christmas morning and not have the GI Joe with the kung fu grip you wanted:nono:

[tliss]

Hehehehehehe....he said kung fu grip. Joe sure could do a lot more to Barbie when he got that kung fu grip! :D

OK, here's the deal.....the Dallas parade is meeting up at the USA Parking Lot in the West End in downtown Dallas. Just get on Ross Avenue and head toward Dealy Plaza. I think we'll be able to find it without problem...there should be motorcycles all over the place. There is also the parade leaving Fort Worth...anyone interested in joining that one?

Sign up will be from 10:00am to 12:00pm, and the parade will leave at 1:00pm. We should be organized and in line long before then. We may want to meet up somewhere before then and roll in as one group. Any suggestions of where to meet up that will be central to all?

I'll call the organizers tomorrow to pin down exact details. SO far it looks like 6 and possibly 7 committed. I'll pass that along, and let them know we're trying for at least 10. Those of you that are on the fence, come on out. It is a great cause and there's no better way to get in the holiday spirit than giving to those that would have no Christmas without people like us.

Tom

[tliss]

Here's the response from one of the coordinators...

The registration is on the corner of Ross and Record at the West End in Dallas. There is a big USA parking lot right there and when you turn in off of Record there will be a registration table set up. You will need to park your truck and then walk to the table and let them know if you brought a toy or if you are going to give a $10.00 donation. Then you will receive a sticker that needs to be placed on the out side of your outer garment. Also please ask to speak to A. D. Campbell so he can give you more instructions on pulling up the rear of the parade.

As stated, registration will begin at 10-12. I'll add this info to the first post in this thread.

Anyone know of a place we can all meet and roll up at one time?

Tom

[98Cobra]

How about ye Olde IHOP at Spring Valley and 75?

[PoorSvtman]

Whats the details Tom- time, meeting place...etc


I'll see if I can round up a few more from this side of town.

We need to have 10 L's minimum representing Talon- come on people this for the less fortunate children

Remember what it was like to wake up Christmas morning and not have the GI Joe with the kung fu grip you wanted:nono:

Ill try and round a few L guys that dont post on here. Steve im following you, cause its been along time since ive been out there and i dont feel like getting lost.

Its 10 or a gift per person right.So any passangers will need to bring something as well?

[tliss]

That's the way I understand it. Even if it isn't I would bring one per person anyway. Also, it's either $10 or a $10 gift of some sort. They have a few guidelines on the types of toys (no stuffed animals, mostly educational toys would be good, etc.). Round up as many as you can. I just want to be sure we outnumber the Corvette guys! :d

Tom

[tliss]

How about ye Olde IHOP at Spring Valley and 75?
Ye Olde IHOP works for me. How about the rest of you guys? Might be a haul up there and then back down to downtown for the Arlington guys, though. I will go with the majority here. Is there an Olde IHOP closer to downtown Dallas we could meet at, maybe??

Tom

[TP Derrick D]

:) TOM,
CAN I PLAY ALSO? THE 21ST IS SUN SO I AM GTG(good to go)FOR A TIME OUT FOR A GOOD CAUSE. :cool:

[tliss]

:) TOM,
CAN I PLAY ALSO? THE 21ST IS SUN SO I AM GTG(good to go)FOR A TIME OUT FOR A GOOD CAUSE. :cool:
The more the merrier. My only goal is getting a few of you guys out there to help with the cause...OK there is a alterior motive...to get more Lightnings than Corvettes in this thing! Come on out...it'll be well worth it.

Tom

[andy_cain]

I think I can make that..... :tu:

[tliss]

I think I can make that..... :tu:
Excellent. We'll need to designate a spot to meet up. It might be easier for the Arlington/Fort Worth guys to meet up somewhere convenient for them and the Dallas guys to meet elsewhere, and we all meet up at the registration area in downtown Dallas. How's that? If we're good with that, then ye Olde IHOP at 75 and Spring Valley is where the Dallas folks will meet.

Steve, what do you think?

Tom

[David N]

I have done this run in the last 3 years with prowler club and last year on my bike.. i was going to ride my bike again from ft.worth but since everyone here is doing to start from Dallas That is where i will be.... :banana:

[99WhiteBeast]

Excellent. We'll need to designate a spot to meet up. It might be easier for the Arlington/Fort Worth guys to meet up somewhere convenient for them and the Dallas guys to meet elsewhere, and we all meet up at the registration area in downtown Dallas. How's that? If we're good with that, then ye Olde IHOP at 75 and Spring Valley is where the Dallas folks will meet.

Steve, what do you think?

Tom
The Arlington (south tarrant) guys can meet up at the IHOP on Little Road/I20 @ 9:30 for breakfast and will try to leave no later than 10:30 to head to Dallas and meet the north dallas guys there.

Those I know are coming are Derrick and Mike.

These guys??? Jacob, Jeff, Rob,Terry, Larry, Scott, Bobby, Adam
BRING IT

[PoorSvtman]

These guys??? Jacob, Jeff, Rob,Terry, Larry, Scott, Bobby, Adam
BRING IT

Looks like we might have to go drag some peeps out bed or call and wake em up early in the morning

[Nuhklz]

The Arlington (south tarrant) guys can meet up at the IHOP on Little Road/I20 @ 9:30 for breakfast and will try to leave no later than 10:30 to head to Dallas and meet the north dallas guys there.

Those I know are coming are Derrick and Mike.

These guys??? Jacob, Jeff, Rob,Terry, Larry, Scott, Bobby, Adam
BRING IT
I can't.:mad: We're doing a family celebration of the Holiday Season that day and I have to be at my sister's in Plano by 3 that afternoon.


Larry

[PoorSvtman]

Come on guys we need to represent Talon with more than just a few L's

[Silver_2000]

One thing to keep in mind... Last year 2 motor cycles were hit by pickups while going to or during the run.....

There may be some paranoia

Doug

[tliss]

As long as we keep it cool and the driver right behind the bikes keeps an eye out we'll be all right. I feel safer driving high speed next to most of you guys than I do driving next to strangers on the highways. We'll be all right, and the bikers are safe with us.

OK.....who else is coming out? We have about 9 trucks and about 12 members total coming....we need more! 12 out of over 100-200 active members :( ? We can do better than this...it's a good cause that we can help with.

Tom

[Sixpipes]

One thing to keep in mind... Last year 2 motor cycles were hit by pickups while going to or during the run.....

There may be some paranoia

Doug
Harley guys paranoid? Impossible. :rll:

[98Cobra]

So Tom, who is definately going, besides me?

[PoorSvtman]

So Tom, who is definately going, besides me?

Steve and I seem to be the only ones from arlington going.

[Sixpipes]

So Tom, who is definately going, besides me?
.......................Me!


http://www.svtgalleries.net/gallery/data/500/8santa-med.jpg

[L8 APEX]

It's the touchy feely Santa:rll: Those Harleys are going to leave a lot of oil on the roads and parking lots:hammer: .

[tliss]

I've got a list and I'll post it up tomorrow. I've got a few things to do right now that's preventing me from spending too much time here. Check back tomorrow.

Tom

[tliss]

Here's the list of confirmed participants:

tliss
99WhiteBeast
98Cobra
My2002Lightning
MrsMy2002Lightning
skalywags
Sixpipes
TP Derrick D
andy_cain

We will also have David N and Mercbuff on 2 wheels.

Not bad, but we can do a lot better. Anyone else? $10 for a good cause, and you get to make a kid happy for the holidays. What more could you ask for?

By the way, I will be adding meeting places for each group to the first post, so check up there.

Tom

[L8 APEX]

We have about 9 trucks and about 12 members total coming....we need more! 12 out of over 100-200 active members :( ? We can do better than this...it's a good cause that we can help with.

TomI think the number is closer to 30 active members. The meetings rarely score more than 20-25 trucks. I will try to get my crazy ***** running by Sunday or I will take the Corvette, the reliable car:rll: . I am not too crazy about idling in traffic for hours on end. The race engine doesn't like that:hammer: .

[99WhiteBeast]

Here's the list of confirmed participants:

tliss
99WhiteBeast
98Cobra
My2002Lightning
MrsMy2002Lightning
skalywags
Sixpipes
TP Derrick D
andy_cain

We will also have David N and Mercbuff on 2 wheels.

Not bad, but we can do a lot better. Anyone else? $10 for a good cause, and you get to make a kid happy for the holidays. What more could you ask for?

By the way, I will be adding meeting places for each group to the first post, so check up there.

Tom
Add PoorSvtman (Mike) and we may have a few last minute stragglers

[my2002lightning]

Excellent. We'll need to designate a spot to meet up. It might be easier for the Arlington/Fort Worth guys to meet up somewhere convenient for them and the Dallas guys to meet elsewhere, and we all meet up at the registration area in downtown Dallas. How's that? If we're good with that, then ye Olde IHOP at 75 and Spring Valley is where the Dallas folks will meet.

Steve, what do you think?

Tom
Tom,

What time Sunday to meet at the Spring Valley/75 IHOP?

Not TOO early I hope.:D

Ronald

[tliss]

Tom,

What time Sunday to meet at the Spring Valley/75 IHOP?

Not TOO early I hope.:D

Ronald
For you, 5:00am.:tu:

We'll start meeting there around 9:30 and will head down to downtown Dallas at 10:30.

Tom

[my2002lightning]

For you, 5:00am.:tu:

We'll start meeting there around 9:30 and will head down to downtown Dallas at 10:30.

Tom
That'll work.

Ronald

[andy_cain]

I won't be able to confirm until after Saturday night when I make sure (verify visually) that the noise :eek2: I heard Tuesday was my Bassani headers leaking rather than a plug.

If it is (Like I think it is) just the header and I can get it tightened than I am confirmed and will meet at IHOP at 9:30:D

[PoorSvtman]

Add PoorSvtman (Mike) and we may have a few last minute stragglers


Yea ill be there. Just hope i can wake up in time tho

[tliss]

OK, so here's the list:

tliss
99WhiteBeast
98Cobra
My2002Lightning
MrsMy2002Lightning
skalywags
Sixpipes
TP Derrick D
andy_cain
PoorSvtman

We will also have David N and Mercbuff on 2 wheels.

I still would like a better showing than this. I hope more come. All details on meeting places are in the first post. I'll see you guys tomorrow. All you lazy ba$tards set your alarm clocks...

Tom

[TP Derrick D]

OK, so here's the list:

tliss
99WhiteBeast
98Cobra
My2002Lightning
MrsMy2002Lightning
skalywags
Sixpipes
TP Derrick D
andy_cain
PoorSvtman

We will also have David N and Mercbuff on 2 wheels.

I still would like a better showing than this. I hope more come. All details on meeting places are in the first post. I'll see you guys tomorrow. All you lazy ba$tards set your alarm clocks...

Tom
I still plan on being there Tom. That little under the weather I had last Mon @ BD turn out to be the flu ,then turned to pneumonia .so I been feeling bad past couple days but 2 trips to the hosp,5 perscriptions,1 breathing treatment and 3 gallons of OJ and I fell better.

[L8 APEX]

I still plan on being there Tom. That little under the weather I had last Mon @ BD turn out to be the flu ,then turned to pneumonia .so I been feeling bad past couple days but 2 trips to the hosp,5 perscriptions,1 breathing treatment and 3 gallons of OJ and I fell better.Damn they trying to kill a brotha:eek2: :d

[skalywags]

i will try to make it out to the IHOP on 75 and Spring Valley. I have to wash th L first. I'm sure you don't want me showing up with it as dirty as it is right now. i was doing one of my own off road excusions today, to go ride the dirt bike since it was so nice. Unfortunatley I still have last weekends dirt on it, too. So don;t worry, though it won't be Zaino shallac, clean, it will at least be presentable. And hopefully in time to meet ya'll at IHOP.

[my2002lightning]

Tom,

Just park at the OTHER end of the row from me. OK ?

Ronald

:tu: :nana2

[Silver_2000]

Well after spending all day yesterday either under the bathroom sink with a torch or at Lowes _ i figured my back would be GONE - BUt somehow I find myself awake and moving this AM so - Im gonna try to make it ... I have no toys BUT CAsh will work.....

I need to get back in time to replace the faucet on the other sink today... At least I get to play with the torch... :evil

Ill try to remember to bring the magnetic SVTLightnings decal if anyone wants to run it on thier tailgate...

We need to get one made up that says TALON ......

Bring your FRS radios and your cameras.. ( except Ronald - he already filled the server with snow pictures and is now out of room. :rll: - No more piictures for you....)

Doug

[tliss]

Bring extra radios....some of us no gotty one...:d

See you there.

Tom

[mercbuff]

my wife and i are still planning on ridding the bike . i hope it warms up a little more yall have fun and keep your windows rolled down and heaters off

[Silver_2000]

I hope it warms up a little more yall have fun and keep your windows rolled down and heaters off
Thats funny ..... LOL

[98Cobra]

Well, something has come up, and I can't make it. I want to see the pics though!

[Silver_2000]

Garret - We are parked in the loy at ross and Houston. We will be here for another 15 min or so

Doug

[03LightningRocks]

Garret - We are parked in the loy at ross and Houston. We will be here for another 15 min or so

Doug

I wish I could be there, Doug. You folks drive careful. We sure wouldn't want to be known for taking out a Harley.


Have Fun Guys,

Rocks:beer:

[99WhiteBeast]

Very nice uneventful cruise. Guestimate on the number of bikes 30,000 to 40,000:d and only 8L's:mad:


Truley a sight to behold and it was cool event for a good cause:tu:

[andy_cain]

I couldn't agree more.

Some very nice Harleys and a great cause.
Was nice meeting "Skalywags":tu:

[andy_cain]

OOOOPPPPPssss, forgot the pics :beer:

[andy_cain]

This was the coolest paint job I saw:beer:

[mercbuff]

the bike in the pic belongs to rick that owns easy rider on harry hines.

i did see yall at the end of the line looks like there were more L's than corvetts:d

[tliss]

It was a very cool event to participate in! It is amazing to see that many motorcycles in one place! All I have to say is I am glad to have had the opportunity to participate in this. It was especially a blast clogging the traffic on I-30, making sure no raving maniacs would run through the parade.

To those that came...thanks a bunch for showing. It was for a great cause and I appreciate your help. Too bad we couldn't get more out there. I will plan on setting us up for this thing next year.

For those that didn't make it, you missed a very cool outing.

Here's a pic of the bounty that came in. People were still piling into the convention center with toys when I left, so who knows how big that pile got.

Tom

[tliss]

This was the coolest paint job I saw:beer:
That bike is incredible. I have never seen such an intricate paintjob in my life. That thing absolutely took my breath away.

Tom

[PoorSvtman]

That bike is incredible. I have never seen such an intricate paintjob in my life. That thing absolutely took my breath away.

Tom


I wanted to come but had a friend that needed help at 3am this morning and i was beat and couldnt wake up this morning. :hammer:

[skalywags]

Sitting there watching all those bikes go buy for 30+ minutes, before we got to go was even awesome. Just to see that many bikes in one place, all the characters on them like the guy with the big horns coming from his helmet, and all the people lined up along the highway and overpasses made this a sight to behold.
It was really good to finally meet a few of you guys, and Laney (who was talking smack to the Vette guys). It would have been good to meet more of ya'll. I will definitely plan on getting out to more events.

[tliss]

Tom,

Keep your eyes on this forum, as I am trying to keep watch out for more events that will be of interest to us and bring them to the attention of the group. There are a lot of things going on that we just don't know about, but I hope to find many cool events to add to the schedule. We will still have our monthly meetings and the trips out to the track, but there will be additional things to do as well.

It was good to meet you as well, and I look forward to seeing you at more events.

Tom

[my2002lightning]

Here's some of what I have uploaded so far ...

We had a good time this afternoon for a worthy cause! :tu:

Good to meet you skalywags! (Tom #2).

Ronald and Laney

Oh, BTW,

Great Unsane One,

It's tough "negotiating" with those downtown Dallas "windshield washers" isn't it ? :D
"Step away from the ZAINO!":throw:






http://www.svtgalleries.net/gallery/data/500/317MVC-713F.JPG

[tliss]

I wanted to come but had a friend that needed help at 3am this morning and i was beat and couldnt wake up this morning. :hammer:
Mike, you missed a great outing. It would have been well worth your while.

There was even a baby tiger out there.

Tom

[Sixpipes]

I've got some pretty good bike pictures. If we can get a photo gallery set up for the event, I'll post them. :cool:

http://www.svtgalleries.net/gallery/data/6011/8mink.JPG

[Silver_2000]

Created category - Moved my- Sixpipes and Rons pics to it

http://www.svtgalleries.net/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=6011

Ronald it broke the links you posted - Sorry ....

Doug

[PoorSvtman]

Mike, you missed a great outing. It would have been well worth your while.

There was even a baby tiger out there.

Tom

Yea i saw a vid clip on the preview for the news. It showed the front pack of the bikes but was basicly plastered to the screen looking for you guys.

I so wanted to go but was so beat. got home around 5. I woke up at 9 and soon as i stood up i fell back in bed and passed out. Im only 20 i should still be able to function of that much sleep.

I promise ill be at the next get together and the next anual meet. I need to meet more of you guys.

[my2002lightning]

Created category - Moved my- Sixpipes and Rons pics to it

http://www.svtgalleries.net/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=6011

Ronald it broke the links you posted - Sorry ....

DougThe .jpgs are in the galleries for those who care to see.

Doug, you're killin' me! :hammer: :D

Say, Laney and I were headed back to Frisco and saw the news snippet on the bigscreen at Bennigans in Frisco. They showed TONS of Harleys but no Ls.

We're tuning in now. Check it out.

Ronald

[Silver_2000]

Mike, you missed a great outing. It would have been well worth your while.

There was even a baby tiger out there.

Tom
Did you notice that it had already started pacing the cage ? the pacing is a habit that is picked up from captivity ... Sad....

[skalywags]

good pics guys! You guys make my truck look Ziano like in those pics. Even with the 3 minute wash I did on it, and it's never been near a Zaino product. Any volunteers that would like to Zaino it, and make it look even better will gladly be taken up on the offer! Otherwise I stick to the Zymol stuff that i use.

[tliss]

I just put up most of my pictures in the gallery. :D

Tom

[99WhiteBeast]

I also posted some up also:cool:

Event Pictures>Big Texas Toy Run or here:http://www.svtgalleries.net/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=6011&password=