Celtic Cruise Iowa Irish Fest's motorcycle ride

08/04/2025

To Officers Yates and Galbraith with the Waterloo Police Department:
Thank you for your continued support of getting us going in the morning AND leading us onto the Iowa Irish Fest Fairgrounds when we got back.
Even though we have the best Blockers in the business, I always let out a huge sigh of relief when I see those twin flashing lights coming at me! (It's much better than when I see flashing lights BEHIND me! ;)).
Also thank you to Sergeant Weber the Motor Unit Co-ordinator for helping get it all set up!

Greg & Matt

08/04/2025

What an amazing weekend!
Perfect weather with great people!
Matt and I are sending a huge THANK YOU to Sarah, Mike and Taryan from Silver Eagle for opening up early (on normally closed Sunday) to get everyone registered, shirts and stuff handed out, the sound system set up and even taking pictures and videos as we took off!
Sarah is a constant support for me throughout the year and often talks me off the ledge when it feels like it's too much.
Also thanks to our wonderful ladies (Angie and Angela) for helping Sarah on Sunday morning too!

Much love,
Greg

PS Yes Sarah, I stole this picture! ;)

08/03/2025

Great end to the 2025 Iowa Irish Fest on the Celtic Cruise!
It was an "easy" day due to the Blockers taking care of us.
Thanks to them and thanks to all who rode with us today!

08/03/2025

08/03/2025

08/03/2025

08/03/2025

Celtic Cruise leaders and blockers

08/02/2025

Ran the route today and cleaned up the corners covered in gravel! Safety first!
Tomorrow is going to be a beautiful day for a ride!
Kickstands up at 10.
Breakfast burritos available at the 1st stop, Maid Rites available at the 2nd stop!
We will arrive at the Iowa Irish Fest right about 2:15pm
See everyone tomorrow!!

08/05/2024

After such a great day, where do I start?
To the Blocker crew: I got all choked up at Fester's yesterday because AT EVERY STOP people were coming up to me saying that you were doing such great work!! A lot goes into planning a ride, but all of that would get thrown away without a solid blocker crew. Dom & Jared, Chuck & Bridget, Mike and Nicole, HeavyD, Rocky, our Tailgunners Dale & Jill, and the Ride co-chair Matt. You kept us safe. Nothing is more important than that!
To Sarah and the Silver Eagle Harley-Davidson gang: thank you for all your help not just the morning of the Ride getting people signed up and t-shirts handed out, but also helping me (all the reassurances that I could succeed) throughout the whole year!
To Rocco: the prayer was perfect and your rendition of of The Star-Spangled Banner was beautiful and powerful!
To our Stop Partners: R&R Pub and Grub (the Bloody Mary bar was an excellent idea and your staff did amazing). El Camino (those burritos were EXCELENTE!!!). TP's Cooler (maid rites were spot on and the ladies behind the bar kicked some serious butt). Grumpy's Bar, & Event Center (my heartfelt thanks for expertly handling us on short notice! The water was a very kind and thoughtful thing to do!).
To the Police Officers: Waterloo Officer's Galbraith and Yates for bookending the Ride and the Waverly Officers for the Highway blocking. Your support is invaluable!!!
To the Iowa Irish Fest Committee: you are always there with answers. As "solo" as the ride is, I've always felt like I was part of a great Team! Agnes: thanks for grabbing the gate!!! Chad: always keeping me on my toes and thinking ahead to next year already.
To Angie: your support and reassurances that "I got it" is what I needed. ❤️

And the all the Riders: Thank you for all your support. Although we had a couple of "accordian" moments, you all rode safe and tight! I knew early on that I wasn't going to need to worry about your skills.

I didn't take too many pictures. Please feel free to add a few!!

Time to start planning for next year...

Sláinte!!
G