Tri-Cen XVII: That 80's Run, part one

Tri-Cen XVII, the run by the Philadelphians MC during New Year's Day weekend was busy, busy, busy. Drove into the city Friday afternoon and stayed with my fellow pledges Marc and Ron at their apartment. Got a haircut by a local barber and then at five we went to the Top of the Stop of the Bike Stop to help set up for run registration, which was from six to ten. There was also a dinner buffet from seven to nine. There was a cake with a mock Crisco can on top of it and little Pac-Mans as decorations. Lots of eighties pop music too. Met a lot of people from different leather fraternaties.

The next morning there was a hospitality room set up in a room on the second floor of the beautiful Downtown Courtyard Marriott (which was several blocks away from where I stayed), where several Eye-Opener/Pre-Dinner/Post-Dinner Cocktail parties were held for the next two days. 80s movies like Pee Wee's Big Adventure, Ferris Bueller's Day Off and The Breakfast Club would play on the TV as more 80s music chimed in the background. Then it was off to Tavern On Camac for brunch. Then there was their version of "Amazing Race," where players had to pick up various clues at five different locations in Center City. Me and an associate member stood in front of the Wanamaker's building (actually it's Lord & Taylor now) on Chestnut & Juniper (FYI the location for the shit hit movie Mannequin) and hand out clues for the next location. We stood there for about an hour before the game got called off because the weather got rainy and chilly, so it was back to the Courtyard Marriott for another cocktail party to warm our cockles.

Dinner was held at the top floor of Sal's on 12th, and then a fun Post-Dinner cocktail party at the Marriott, this time given by the Collingswood Cows. Then it was off to the Bike Stop for a couple of hours to bring in the New Year with a champange toast. After that was the After Hours Club Social & Cocktail Party hosted by the Long Island Ravens MC at Club Body Center. Didn't get to bed until four in the morning. What a way to bring in 2006. Man I'm beat!

To be continued...