FerrySTOC 5
May 15-18, 2014
Paris Landing State Park
By Randy Collins
FerrySTOC 5 – Bringing long distance, cross country riders to the Paris Landing area as a base for local area riding and group camping. Meet Sport Touring and ADV riders who are passionate and serious about their riding. We ride a little further, a little faster and a little safer than typical motorcyclists. Once again, we anticipate the arrival of riders from places as far away as California, Florida, New York and everywhere in between. Heck, we might even have some Canadians join us again!
FerrySTOC started as an idea during a trip to the Blue Ridge Gathering in the Fall of ’09, an event on the ST-owners.com calendar. (STOC=ST Owners Club is a free, internet based riding club.) Why not have an event themed on the 4 rivers area and ride the ferries that cross those rivers? And ... just to play a little bit on the theme, let’s have a gothic based Tinkerbell fairy riding a motorcycle as our trademark. Why not bring more tourists into our local community? As time has passed, this event has grown a loyal following and expanded with suggested routes for the Adventure riders - riders who lust after gravel roads and back woods exploration in rural areas. With Land Between The Lakes just across the river, this event brings the ADV riders together with long distance sport touring riders, all in the name of fun.
FerrySTOC objectives include group rides using the Drop & Sweep method that allows mixed rider skills to ride together, comfortably, in the safety of a group without the worry of navigation. Pie and ice cream will be served Friday evening by the Paris Landing Seniors Club. Expect 200+ mile rides on each day of group riding. Routes change annually so no one gets bored. One annual ride objective is famous Lambert’s Throwed Rolls in Sikeston, Missouri for the Friday lunch ride. The Dorena-Hickman Ferry is ridden across the Mississippi River on the way to Lambert’s when available. Our area also has a rich Civil War history, famous landmarks, wildlife refuges and more – there is something of interest for everyone to participate in.
All riders are welcome, regardless of make or model. We do ask that you wear full safety gear, ride within your personal abilities and limits of safety, absolutely NO DRUGS and please, no drinks until kickstands are down for the day. It’s all in the name of fun and getting to visit new friends from around the country.
More information is available at http://www.st-owners.com/
