The Chai Riders
like to spend their
Sundays
on the open road.
Mt. Pleasant, Birch Run and
Frankenmuth. Freilich said some of
the Chai Riders have joined large
ig-fw4
-1:„ he ten bikers idled their
packs of bikers for trips to places as far
engines
es and waited for their
away as Sturgis, North Dakota, and
upstate New York.
comrades by the Windsor
On a recent hot Sunday, half of the
Customs station across the
24 riders went on a 185-mile round-
Ambassador Bridge. A staid customs
about trip to Ontario's Point Pelee
agent left his post and walked up to
the group.
National Park — Canada's Key West,
said Paul Rosen, 47, a Southfield
*Nice bike you got there," he said
attorney whose twin brother Mike, a
to no one in particular. "Where you
doctor, couldn't make it.
guys headed?"
As Rosen roared up to the group on
"Point Pelee for the day," answered
his Honda Classic, he complained
Sy Freilich, the group's 50-year-old
" commissioner." He was astride his
about the grilling that he received by a
customs agent.
Honda 900 Custom.
"Maybe if you rode a real bike, you
"Great day for a ride," the agent
wouldn't have so much trouble," joked
observed, quickly warming to the
Barry Notarius, 57, on his Harley
smiles from the group. "I'm going out
later myself .I have a great route you
Heritage Soft Tail Classic. Two stuffed
pigs in Harley jackets are strapped to
can take there ..."
the back of the saddle. Wearing a
Just another Sunday morning for
black T-shirt and black leather
the Chai Riders, a group of pro-
An October vest, the barrel-chested presi-
fessionals who like the freedom
spill didn't dent of Eagle Business
of the open road and the com-
discourage
Solutions, Inc., a value-added
panionship of like-minded bik-
Steve
reseller of software in
ers. They meet every Sunday
"Kindy"
Farmington Hills, was one of
morning in the parking lot in
Kendler.
the few members who actually
front of the Elias Brothers Big
looked the part of a biker.
Boy restaurant at Maple and
So did Jeffrey Eisman, 44, a long-
Orchard Lake roads and hit the road
haired, long-bearded Detroit chiro-
for a half or full day of riding, with
practor with small wire-framed glasses
brunch.
who studies Torah and rides on a
Freilich, an inconspicuous-looking
Harley Fat Boy.
gentleman when not on his bike,
"We all come from different walks
started the group five years ago
of life, but we all share the love of rid-
when he tired of riding alone and
ing," he said.
placed some ads in The Jewish News
One gets the sense that if the riders
for riders who wanted to get together.
had spent the day riding in a five-mile
From a core of five riders, more than
long circle, as long as there was a good
30 are now on the mailing list.
road, nice scenery and a bathroom, it
"The only requirement you need to
would count as a perfect ride.
be a member is to be a little rneshuga
The group travels the speed limit
and willing to have fun," he said.
and obeys the rules of the motorcycle
The group has traveled to Anchor
road: Ride in formation — two
Bay, Irish Hills, Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti,
HARRY KIRSBAUM
Staff Writer
9/4
1998
14 Detroit Jewish News