Motorcycle visit brings memories at the Manor House in Batavia

BATAVIA — Bill Guilford told a story about his ’37 Harley Saturday morning outside The Manor House on Main Street.

He decided to see how fast he could ride on the flat stretch of Route 246, between Perry and Perry Center about 70 years ago.

“I opened it up, and man, those three miles went by so fast that I see Route 20A coming up, and I started braking and everything else, and I knew I wasn’t going to be able to stop.”

Guilford and his passenger each threw a leg up, and he laid his motorcycle down on the road, sliding to a halt in the middle of the intersection.

“Of course that was in the ’40s and there wasn’t much traffic anyway,” Guilford, now 88, said, laughing a bit. “I laid out there in the middle of the road, and it seemed like 15 minutes before we got the strength enough to pick it up … They’re hard to get back up.

“It shook us up enough,” he continued. “The speed limit was 35 mph and I don’t think I went above 30 or 35 mph all the way home. It was a sore ride home, to think of that one shot.”

Guilford and friend Don Dillon were among the Manor House residents who chatted during a visit by the 1776 Volunteer Riders. The group brought 10 of its motorcycles to the location and chatted with the residents.

Some, such as Guilford and Dillon, once rode motorcycles themselves, while others simply enjoyed the chance to converse and get an up-close look at the bikes.

Based in Oakfield, the 1776 Volunteer Riders includes a hefty portion of veterans from across the region. They’re dedicated to working within the community, to keep their support local.

“We support the community,” said member Fred Henry. “We do what we can.”

Guilford and Dillon were looking and reminiscing over an Indian motorcycle at the gathering.

“I had an Indian, but it was one of those with the old shifters — down on the tank,” Dillon, 80, said.

Dillon said he hit a bush and wound up going partway up a tree, before his dad took the motorcycle away. Guilford and his wife rode until about 10 years ago, visiting all of the eastern states, and even California.

A few feet away, Vic Jensen talked about growing up on Route 98 between Attica and Alexander. He said he used to see motorcyclists back in the ’30s, making their way through the area, and often with sidecars.

Jensen had always wanted to do a cross-country road-trip on a motorcycle with a tent.

Meeting with the residents was fun, said 1776 Volunteer Riders President John Morton, who works at Stan’s Harley Davidson. He likes listening to the stories, and noted that if you miss out, you’re missing out on a lot.

“We just want to help out the community, and especially the senior citizens,” he said. “Bringing smiles to everybody’s faces. There’s a lot of veterans that also reside here, and that’s one of our missions. To do what we can for veterans. It’s great.”

Motorcycle visit brings memories at the Manor House in Batavia