[JRRKAR]

Today my wife and I took part in an orgaized ride for Capital Area Therapeutic Riding Association, Inc. (Catra). This is a non-profit organization and our first ride to support a cause. The Capital Area Therapeutic Riding Association, is a nonprofit organization providing therapeutic horseback riding to people with disabilities. The facility is located near Grantville, PA.

The program is run completely by volunteers, who do everything from assisting at lessons to cleaning stalls, mowing grass, and every sort of barn and office work. They have over 100 riders in lessons every week, each of whom requires from 1 to 4 volunteer assistants per lesson.

This was the first year that they tried this ride and they actually had about 80 bikes turn out for a 70 miles run through the mountains around Grantville. I got to admit that it was a real experience to be in a long stretch of roadway and all you can see are bikes in front of you and behind you. I guess I don't have to say that we were the only two Stryker's in the group. We did get a lot of compliments though!

It was also neat to see people at intersections just stopping so we could all go through as a group. We even had one large box truck coming the other way from us, stop in the middle of the road to block the oncoming vehicles. Everyone had a safe trip and enjoyed a nice lunch afterwards.

All I can say is get out and support a good cause, you won't be disappointed.

 

[strykenshane]

Man that's awesome, I like doing the bigger rides and I've been a part of some with over 4000 bikes but I live the smaller ones with less than say 250 people, less red tape and more fun

 

[JRRKAR]

I can't imagine that many bikes. A friend of my wife's just did the 911 ride. They started in PA and went to Flight 93, then up to New York and then Washington. There were thousands in that ride. He really enjoyed it and is looking to get together a group from our area next year to join. I'm sure we will go if we can fit it into the schedule. It was a 4 day ride, but he said everything was detailed to the hilt from the restaurants, to the fuel to the hotels. I'm looking forward to the next one.

 

[canyon1]

Seems to me that the CATRA ride should have been done on horseback.

 

[saclean]

Nice, will they do it again next year, pictures would be great foor the forum. ;D

 

[JRRKAR]

They plan to do it again since they had such a good success. We have abunch of Strykers in the area so I may try to get a contingent of Stryker riders for next year. I'll remember the camera next time!