Take a Ride with the New Orleans HOG Chapter
Next time you visit the Big Easy, plan ahead and join the New Orleans HOG Chapter on their monthly ride.
The Causeway
The New Orleans HOG Chapter on their latest monthly Chapter Ride met at the Bonnabel Boulevard Boat Launch in the neighborhood of "Bucktown" on a pretty Saturday morning in August. Kickstands went up at 10:00 with Ralph as lead rider, and the group traveled in a biker caravan up West Esplanade Avenue to the foot of the Causeway Bridge. The New Orleans Causeway Bridge across Lake Pontchartrain is the longest continuous bridge over water in the world. It consists of twin two lane spans, nearly 24 miles long, that connects Metarie on the South Shore with Mandeville on the North Shore. New Orleans is also on the South Shore between the Lake and the Mississippi River. Don't worry if you have to turn back because you forgot something, there are seven crossovers where you can make a u-turn.
The NorthShore
Once on the bridge, the gang kicks back and enjoys the straight, smooth 30-minute ride across the calm lake while riding on the 24-mile long superstructure of the Causeway. When I was growing up in the seventies, crossing the Lake to the North Shore was considered "going to the country". The North Shore has grown by leaps and bounds in population and infrastructure. If you go by the traffic in the North Shore towns nearest the Lake, you might think you were still on the South Shore, but keep heading north on Hwy 190 a little further.
Water Break
On a hot mid-day in August in the Deep South, the Chapter wisely takes a pit stop for a needed water break in front of the Rouse's grocery store in Covington. The weather may have been warm, however, riding 60 mph feels great!
Shady Ride
The second half of the ride was nice and comfy, with cooler temps brought on by plenty of shade trees. From the rising temperature and heat of the noon summer sun on Hwy 190 north, the biker group arrived at the junction of Hwy 190 and Hwy 21, where they changed direction to a north-easterly trip up Hwy 21, traveling through Bush on the way to Sun, Louisiana. Hwy 21 has winding curves and plenty of straightaways to cruise - but the best thing on this part of the trip are the pleasant tree lined streets.
In the Country
Once they arrived in Sun, they were indeed in the country, far out of the traffic and congestion of any city limits. The HOG riders stopped along the intersecting highway at the end of their planned route to park under the shady trees.
Hog Heaven Smokehouse
The conveniently placed trees they parked under happened to be just half a block from the New Orleans HOG Chapter Ride's destination - The Hog Heaven Smokehouse! This BBQ place offers up some great country barbecue in a "HOG-friendly" environment.
The New Orleans HOG Chapter
Everyone enjoyed some great barbecue (if you look close enough, you might even see yours truly in there somewhere.), waited for a short summer shower to pass, then mounted their iron horses for the ride home. Typically, the HOG rides are organized, speed limits are followed, and everyone rides in a group on the way there. But on the way back, everyone goes wherever they want; some ride back home, some head to a local watering hole, some go to the bike shop, etc., etc.
You can join up, or contact the New Orleans HOG via their web site. Ride on!
For help with service of your bike, check out the how to section of HDforums.com
