Recovering From A Successful Torrington Thunder

By Bud Wilkinson of RIDE-CT.com

It’s not easy getting old. That’s a phrase than anyone above “a certain age” can relate to. Right? After spending more than six hours hosting “The Republican-American”/RIDE-CT.com display on Friday night, a half-day on yard work Saturday and having to direct traffic for more than five hours at the Harwinton Fair on Sunday as a member of the Harwinton Fire Police, the body’s feeling pretty beat up this morning. And I’m scheduled to join friends at 9 a.m. from a long ride over to the Hudson Valley. No, it’s not easy getting old…

But Torrington Thunder produced some good memories thanks to two groups of people — the subjects of past columns who graciously brought their bikes to downtown Torrington or contributed them so that a display could be assembled, and to the many readers of the RIDE-CT newspaper column and the RIDE-CT.com website who stopped by to chat. I certainly enjoyed meeting and talking with everyone.

Bringing their bikes (and standing to the left of me in the picture) were Ken and Peg Acker, “Wild Bill” Eggers and Tom Bordonaro. Thanks also go to Al Simmons of Mustang Seats for loaning a vintage Mustang motorcycle for the display.

Carrie Pfistner reported on Facebook over the weekend that the 3rd annual Torrington Thunder, which was delayed a week due to rain, attracted approximately 700 riders. It certainly was a fun event, highlighted by an encore “flash mob” performance by area bikers (top photo).

Thanks again to everyone who stopped to talk and congrats to Carrie and all of the volunteers who made Torrington Thunder a success. Kudos, too, to everyone who dance. The Torrington Police Department’s D.A.R.E.  program once again benefits from the event.