Tarrant/Dallas County Toy Run-Dec 19

[tliss]

Hey everyone,

The holidays are fast approaching, and nows' the time to start thinking about others. Last year about 8-10 of us participated in a charity event call the Tarrant/Dallas County Toy Run. It is an annual event to collect toys and cash for needy children in the area, and over the last several years they have had nearly 40,000 motorcycles participate (yes, this is a motorcycle event), and they collected over $91,000 in cash and $800,000 in toys in 2003. They were gratious enough to allow us to participate last year, and I have sent in an inquiry about doing the same this year.

Here is the link to some pics from last year http://www.svtgalleries.net/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=6011

Last year we had a really good time. Basically, we partnered with the police escorts to block up all of I-30 so there were no cars riding up along side the motorcycles, alleviating any danger to the riders.

Here is the link to the flier for the event this year:

http://www.thebigtexastoyrun.com/images/Toy%20run%20flier%202004.doc

I would like to double or triple the event participation from last year. We can do the event and hit Hooters in Arlington after the event, if you'd like. Please plan to make it to this event; all it takes is a donation of $10 or a $10 toy. It was really fun and it is a great cause.

There are two parades (one from Fort Worth and one from Dallas). Everyone last year participated in the one from Dallas, so let's do that same this year. It meets up in the USA parking lot adjacent to the West End. Sign up is from 10am-noon and the parade leaves promptly at 1pm to get to the Arlington convention center.

We will be meeting in the Dallas West End USA Parking lot. This lot is at the end of Ross Ave. just across Houston. Here is a map for you visual types:

http://www.svtgalleries.net/gallery/data/500/26West_End.gif

Participants:
tliss
Nuhklz
skalywags
Sixpipes (possibly x2)
99WhiteBeast
TP Derrick D
Alpine
my2002lightning
StormShadow
PoorSvtman
buttfungus
Sandman
mercbuff (on 2 wheels)
Silver_2000 (possible)

If you're coming from North Dallas, let's plan to meet at IHOP in Richardson, Spring Valley and 75. There is no entrance onto 75 from here, so we'll have to do a little sight seeing before we can get on the highway. Let's plan on leaving about 9:30am. I'll be there at 8:30am or so.

Thanks,
Tom

[Nuhklz]

I'm in http://www.talonclub.com/forum/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif.

[skalywags]

i should be in, again

[tliss]

Let's go guys....it's a great cause and you have nearly 2 months to plan a portion of one Saturday...that's not too much to ask. We go hang out and shoot the sh!t for longer periods of time than this will take...

Tom

[Sixpipes]

I will make it again this year. Maybe with both trucks, but definitely one. :cool:

[99WhiteBeast]

That was cool last year checking out all the bikes. I think the bikers liked us there protecting there ass and bringing up the rear.

It feels good to do something for the kiddios too. This is a nice event that really goes to the less fortunate kids so come on out and support:tu:



http://www.svtgalleries.net/gallery/data/6011/34L_showing1Ballpark.JPG

[FRDRCING]

Count me in on this. Read about this last year and wanted to do it this year and seems like a good way to help the less fortunate children to get a christmas.

[TP Derrick D]

I plan on being in on this again this year. Had fun last year walking around the West End checking out the bikes. Plus the Tarrant County posse represented BIG TIME, all 2 of us (me & Steve-0 convoyed to the Big D')

[TP Derrick D]

Let's go guys....it's a great cause and you have nearly 2 months to plan a portion of one Saturday...that's not too much to ask. We go hang out and shoot the sh!t for longer periods of time than this will take...

Tom



Hey Tom, Sad as it is, its a reality that most of these guys are just talk or :postwhore and no action. I know you don't want to face it but hey what have I been saying all along. "You know who the core group of TALON is and who you can count on".

[Alpine]

I'm in. knana

[tliss]

Ok I just spoke to one of the organizers. We will be riding in back like last time blocking up traffic to provide some safety for the motorcyle riders. There is also rumor of a party afterward in Arlington. I'll provide more details when I have them, but bottom line is we are in!! Let's get at least 20 trucks out there, guys...

Tom

[my2002lightning]

Tom/Derrick,

We'll be making plans to be there! Last year was a blast and we're glad to have helped out less fortunate children have a better Christmas with our gifts. :)

Hey Collin/Denton/Dallas county TALONers, let's show this Tarrant County posse who's going to REPRESENT! :tu:

Ronald

[tliss]

Added meeting time and place to the first post, along with a paticipant list. We're at the attendance number from last year...we can only go up from here!! We have got to get more vehicles than those Corvette guys!!

Tom

[StormShadow]

I'll be there.:tu:

[tliss]

Also, as an FYI. Last year it was brought up that we may be asked if we can haul some toys in the beds of our trucks. None of the organizers have mentioned this for this year, but it may come up. I would say if it does come up, it'll be your choice whether you want to do this or not...nobody will be forced to do this if they don't want to. Like I say, it has not come up yet, but it may.

FYI.

Tom

[Nuhklz]

No problem here.


Also, as an FYI. Last year it was brought up that we may be asked if we can haul some toys in the beds of our trucks. None of the organizers have mentioned this for this year, but it may come up. I would say if it does come up, it'll be your choice whether you want to do this or not...nobody will be forced to do this if they don't want to. Like I say, it has not come up yet, but it may.

FYI.

Tom

[greylightning616]

This looks like a good event to make my first L event. I'll definately try to make it.

[FRDRCING]

Also, as an FYI. Last year it was brought up that we may be asked if we can haul some toys in the beds of our trucks. None of the organizers have mentioned this for this year, but it may come up. I would say if it does come up, it'll be your choice whether you want to do this or not...nobody will be forced to do this if they don't want to. Like I say, it has not come up yet, but it may.

FYI.

Tom


Let me know, I have no problem driving a slay for the kids.

[tliss]

Ok fellers...we're a week away. Who else is in?

Tom

[L-Fever]

Ok fellers...we're a week away. Who else is in?

Tom

I'm in! :tu:

[PoorSvtman]

Im in, i have a bed cover and would be more than happy to haul some toys :tu:

[mercbuff]

i will be there on my bike again this year :burnout: but guys this year dont let any cars by you did a good job last year but a couple of cars got threw :hammer:

[L1nt2B]

me too

[my2002lightning]

Tom,

We can haul some toys, as well. Is there a rendezvous point like the BoneDaddy's IHOP like last year and we convoy to downtown from there?

Looking fwd. to the event,

Ronald

[Silver_2000]

Ok fellers...we're a week away. Who else is in?

Tom
If my new ride is ready ... but I doubt it will be ....

Need to sell some plasma so I can afford new chrome rims

Doug

[Sandman]

I'm in.

[tliss]

i will be there on my bike again this year :burnout: but guys this year dont let any cars by you did a good job last year but a couple of cars got threw :hammer:
Last year we didn't even get on the highway until about 45 minutes had passed. By then the first bikes were all ready in Arlington, parked and cooled off. It'll likely be the same this year...hang out in the back with us this year and no cars will get through.

Ronald, there will be, I just haven't thought that far ahead. I'll update the original post with that info later. We will likely be organizing in the same place as last year in the West End.

Tom

Tom

[L1nt2B]

woops...count me out, I forgot its little Timmy's b-day party on that day

[tliss]

First post updated with logistics info.

Tom

[sonicbluetommy]

Wish I could go, would be awesome to watch a sea of bikes take over 30 with a bunch of L's being chased by a bunch of cops in the back!!!!

Have to head to Groovy Grove, Oklahoma for mom's christmas that weekend (the joys of coming from a divorced family and having 3 seperate christmas'....but I get more presents that way!).

Have fun and be safe guys!

[StormShadow]

I think I'm going to have to back out on this. My family has our big family xmas dinner and gift exchange this day. I thought about skipping it but I skip enough of the "big family" get togethers already. I still haven't decided for sure, but either way I will be sending something with you guys to donate.

[Silver_2000]

I finally got my 2000 lightning back. Dont have the new one yet - likley wont.

Am considering borrowing a F250 SD Turbo Diesel Harley edition for the run ....
If we end up being asked to carry toys - it sure could carry a bunch

It would fit in with the harleys all right and would be hard for soccer moms to drive around BUT it has no radio - and as I recall there was some dead time last year .. Not sure If I want to undure that much siilent dead time...
Doug

[tliss]

I think I'm going to have to back out on this. My family has our big family xmas dinner and gift exchange this day. I thought about skipping it but I skip enough of the "big family" get togethers already. I still haven't decided for sure, but either way I will be sending something with you guys to donate.Last year we all stared heading home about 2-3 pm, so if your family gathering is later than that you can still make it.

Also, anybody up for a little Hooters time or something after the toy run? Consider it a TALON Christmas meeting, or something.

By the way, I have been invited to a planning meeting Saturday for the Toy Run, so if there are any last minute changes I'll post them up. Anything anyone wants me to bring up??

Tom

[tliss]

I finally got my 2000 lightning back. Dont have the new one yet - likley wont.

Am considering borrowing a F250 SD Turbo Diesel Harley edition for the run ....
If we end up being asked to carry toys - it sure could carry a bunch

It would fit in with the harleys all right and would be hard for soccer moms to drive around BUT it has no radio - and as I recall there was some dead time last year .. Not sure If I want to undure that much siilent dead time...
Doug
You'll have your FRS radio...that should kill some dead time for you! :tu:

I think the big Harley truck will be kewl....

Tom

[StormShadow]

Last year we all stared heading home about 2-3 pm, so if your family gathering is later than that you can still make it.

Also, anybody up for a little Hooters time or something after the toy run? Consider it a TALON Christmas meeting, or something.

By the way, I have been invited to a planning meeting Saturday for the Toy Run, so if there are any last minute changes I'll post them up. Anything anyone wants me to bring up??

Tom
That might work! If I can get out of there by 2 I think it would be fine.

[Mumbly]

WEll I will see what I can do, but it's the wife's b-day... Thus know that it's a very slim chance on going..

[StormShadow]

I'm never in the loop on these things. (either that or I just forget) We are having the family dinner and then gift exchange tomorrow. I would like to get some money to whomever is going to donate for me though. Will someone please let me know who to give it to.

[tliss]

I'm never in the loop on these things. (either that or I just forget) We are having the family dinner and then gift exchange tomorrow. I would like to get some money to whomever is going to donate for me though. Will someone please let me know who to give it to.Probably Steve or Jeff would be your man. Send it with one of them and they should be able to pass it along.

Tom

[tliss]

I just got back from the planning meeting. We are pretty much squared away doing the same we did last year. We'll meet in the USA parking lot where we were last year and we will leave a tad earlier than the bikes to get set up along Industrial. We will wait until the last bike goes by and then we're on. It sounds like we will be joined not only by the Corvette club, but supposedly there is a Hummer club that is coming out too.

Anyway, we're all set. I'll see some of you guys at the IHOP tomorrow morning, and the rest of you in the West End. Hopefully more of you guys can come out. It is a great cause and it is quite a site to see.

Tom

[tliss]

Hey guys, I just checked out the T-shirt for the Toy Run. It looks pretty nice and would be a great way for us to have a keepsake from the event. I'm not sure of the price, but I think they are $10-$15 or so.

Front
http://www.svtgalleries.net/gallery/data/500/26DCP_2421-med.jpg

Back
http://www.svtgalleries.net/gallery/data/500/26DCP_2422-med.jpg

The back is a thanks to the supporters and I noticed that TALON is printed on the back with the other supporters.

http://www.svtgalleries.net/gallery/data/500/26DCP_2423-med.jpg

Whoever is on the fence for coming out to this event needs to take the time and pay the $10 to help show that we deserve to be listed on the event T-shirt. Help the kids, see an incredible display of bikes and hang out with your Lightning brethren...

Scott, Rob, Bobby, Tex, Ron, and any other active members that have not said they're coming...I'm calling you out. Come be a part of this...we need all the help we can get.

Tom

[Logan]

I'm actually going to be in Dallas on Sunday too...

But, I'm there to give some lucky dog a $6000 supercharger kit...

Anyone who wants to come say hi, I'll be at Chuck's in Grapevine from about 11:30am through 1:30pm or so.

[StormShadow]

Hey Tom, Jeff has my money.:tu:

[99WhiteBeast]

Southern posse that wants to roll together meet at my house at 10am sharp.
That will put us in Dallas by 10:30 to get signed up and check out all the bikes.:tu:

PM me for my addy if you don't know where I live.

[Nuhklz]

Southern posse that wants to roll together meet at my house at 10am sharp.
That will put us in Dallas by 10:30 to get signed up and check out all the bikes.:tu:

PM me for my addy if you don't know where I live.
http://www.talonclub.com/forum/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif

[tliss]

Thanks to those that attended and enjoyed wreaking havok on all that tried to get past us or get on the highway ahead of us. It looked like we had been practicing pushing people out of the way with movement of trucks! I was also kinda proud that we were able to punch it from about 20MPH to around 100MPH with the Dallas police on our tails! No tickets today, and it was awesome!! I'll post up some pics later.

The Lightning showing was a little disappointing. The Corvette club had 3x as many as we did, which makes our showing even more disappointing. What's it going to take to get more of you out there next year? It's charity and a half a day out of your busy schedules, for crying out loud. Hell I'm fighting off a cold (losing, I might add), yet I still made it. What's the deal?:confused: I understand that many of you had family things, and that's cool...but what I don't get is how we can get an outrageous showing for the group picture or the Fall Classic, but, with plenty of time to plan, we can't do better than 10 trucks for a charity event to help out kids. I may not be the most charitable person, but when I have the opportunity to be with my buddies, drive my truck, and help somebody in need by doing those two things, I'm all over it.

Tom

[L-Fever]

I had a great time today! Man, I've never seen so many bikes! You should have heard it when Tom,Jeff, and Andy nailed it at the same time under an overpass on I-30! awesome! :tu:

[tliss]

I had a great time today! Man, I've never seen so many bikes! You should have heard it when Tom,Jeff, and Andy nailed it at the same time under an overpass on I-30! awesome! :tu:Glad you liked that! It was pretty cool that we got that all off at the same time. I saw the spectators waving, I saw some space between me and you guys, and I went for it! I guess Andy and Jeff had the same thought at the same time! I was in the middle, so talk about getting it in stereo!! :tu: I wish I had the camera rolling...

Tom

[Silver_2000]

I'll post up some pics later.
TomTom

Sorry I couldnt make it - I made a category for the picture though

http://www.svtgalleries.net/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=6062

Doug

[mercbuff]

sorry i didnt stop and shoot the bull with yall had four are five bikes with me and they wanted to push on .but man yall did a good job of keeping cars from passing the bikes, and keeping the lanes open on the hiway:nana2

[PoorSvtman]

Sorry i didnt make it either. I totaly forgot it was today... :throw: I know its :bs .... But i did some other charitable things last weekend :tu:

[skalywags]

Yeah, I had originally planned on being there, but I had a Cross Country dirtbike race this weekend. It ended up that I should have skipped the race and came out to the Toy Run. Right at the start, when I kick ed teh kickstart, the shaft broke, and also cracked teh case. No race for me! And no Toy Run either.
I guss that showed me what I should have been doing!

[my2002lightning]

Tom,

I wish we could've attended as well.

Ronald

[99WhiteBeast]

Good times and a very good cause:tu:

The 20' high piles of toys at Arlington convention was awesome.


Disappointing we can't get more than 10 members out to support this. This club isn't all about racing:nono:

[02BOLT]

Good times and a very good cause:tu:

The 20' high piles of toys at Arlington convention was awesome.


Disappointing we can't get more than 10 members out to support this. This club isn't all about racing:nono:
It's not?:confused: ...............damnit! There's a newsflash!:evil





I would have been there. Maybe my truck will be back together by this time next year.:(

[Alpine]

The pile of toys was insane. :bows Had a great time just wish more TALON members could have supported such a great event. Hopefully next year we can have a better attendance. It would make blocking traffic much easier.:evil

[Sandman]

Had a great time. Had fun bringing up the back of the toy run and trying to keep the traffic out. I've never seen that many bikes in my life.

I'll post some pics up tomorrow.

Oh, I have a http://www.talonclub.com/forum/images/smilies/ronald.gif.
The wife and I headed into Ft. Worth to meet some friends afterwards. We came back around 6ish. We're on 30, about 5 miles from downtown Dallas, kinda going around a curve. We see some commotion in the on west bound lanes. Then we see this big wheel rolling and bouncing around. We thought, that sucks... somebody must have lost a wheel out of the bed of their truck. Then about an 1/8 of a mile later, we see a 3/4 ton truck in the road... minus 1 wheel. That must have really sucked.

Well, there is my http://www.talonclub.com/forum/images/smilies/ronald.gif.

[Nuhklz]

If the vettes would've realized they were there to do a job and not just for looks, it would've been a tighter group. The 20mph to 100mph run with open highway was pretty cool.

[tliss]

Tom

Sorry I couldnt make it - I made a category for the picture though

http://www.svtgalleries.net/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=6062

Doug
Pics added to the gallery. There was some very nice and very expensive hardware out there...

Tom

[99WhiteBeast]

I just read in the paper there was over 45,000 bikes there yesterday and raised over 175K in toys and money for the kiddios:bows

[greylightning616]

I'm definately glad I made it to the event had a great time. It was definately a sight to see all the L's in the back blockiing off the traffic in the back. I can't even imagine what it would've looked like if we would've had 20+ L's in the back well I guess maybe next year.

[Sandman]

I just read in the paper there was over 45,000 bikes there yesterday and raised over 175K in toys and money for the kiddios:bowshmmmm.... somebody must have not paid or brought a toy. If there were 45,000 bikes, then they are at least 275k short.

[tliss]

I was just looking through some of the pics of the Toy Run and came across this one...pretty damn cool...

http://www.thebigtexastoyrun.com/images/Bike%20run.jpg

Tom

[Silver_2000]

We recieved a nice letter from the Toy Run again this year ...They raised a million dollars worth of toys

Doug

[98Cobra]

http://pic5.picturetrail.com/VOL91/2062169/4417726/55544355.jpg

http://www.talonclub.com/forum/images/smilies/devil.gif

Hey Doug, you should scan in the letter if you get a chance!

[Silver_2000]

http://www.svtgalleries.net/gallery/data/6062/1toyrun2005.jpg