04 October 2009
This has to have been one of the if not the best ride for kids that the club or I has ever done. We had approx. 25 members in all supporting this year’s event. With a new starting location & new procedures that we didn't find out about until we got there, this was as I said one of the best organized RFK events in the 13 years that this club has participated in. This year’s event was held at Solano College in Fairfield much closer to home then years past. Having the new location was a big plus for us because that meant that we didn't have to get up as early & didn't have to drive as far also a bonus. We met up at the usual local at 07:00AM & planed on departing at 07:30AM it was nice to see that there were a number of members already there swooping down on that free Starbucks Coffee weekend I bet. We got parked and went inside to say our good mornings to all that arrived early. It sure was nice to see bike after bike roll in to the parking lot as I too was enjoying the free caffeine, with the temps a little on the cool side but the sun shinning bright without a cloud in the sky I knew we were going to have a great day.
As most of you are aware that the club had held on to what money we had raised at our 2008 Poker Run and carried that over and added it to the funds raised at this year's Carnival Of Motorcycles Event. We knew going there that there would be stiff competition for money raised by clubs donating to this year’s event. I'm sure that none of us expected any thing special to come of it we wanted just to do our part for the kids, & wanted members that had never experienced a Ride For Kid's Event to see for them selves what the event is all about & why we the RRMC have continued to support the PBTF for the last 13 years, we told members going in to it that you come to the event once & you will be hooked, I know there were a couple of skeptics going in I don't think they are skeptics anymore. I for one was a pleasantly surprised to see Ruth Chambers roll up to do the ride with us but was very pleased to see her back with the RRMC even if only for this run, Ruth has been a champion when it comes to the Ride For Kids & if for no other reason than that she will always be welcomed.
We had a great ride over to Fairfield; we went via Hwy 101 S/B to Lakeville Hwy 116 where we met up with the members that live on the South side of the county. Once every was present we headed out and continued over to Cordelia junction where we took a much needed potty break and a final fuel up prior to arrive at the starting location. As it worked out there were a couple of hundred bikes already there when we arrived but somehow it worked out that we all got parked together and all near the front of the pack. Once we got the bikes in order it was time to sign the waivers & get our wristbands and make are way to the registration tables so that we could turn in all the money that we have raised. For those few who still have never done a ride for kids you register for your self then you register for the club that you support then you have an option to register for a particular motorcycle shop that you support. Then one of the most important things then would be coffee & morning goodies.
Before we get to the morning grub we must let those of you who have the ride before know that there is a new staff running the event now, and boy are they doing one hell of a job they have revamped the Ride For Kids & then some. First you may remember that at the RFK events in the past one you registered you hung around til the ride then after the ride you would listen to some heart wrenching stories then you would collect what they call premiums for the money that you had turned in, well now what they do is they take care of that all up front now. After you register for yourself & club & shop then you collect your premiums right away, which I feel is a much better way than years past. Once we had all the paper work done & the goodies put away it was in fact time to chow down, & they had this portion of the event done very well, they had Starbucks coffee in the morning & water & orange juice not counting breakfast bars and or pastries as well.
We had an opportunity to visit with some long time friends as well some of which we only get to see at the RFK events but still always good to reunite with old friends. We had about a half hour to check out all the bikes in fact it was kinda cool to go to a big motorcycle event with lots of motorcycles and to see that the bikes that most people were on were Honda's. It was only about 20 minutes when we all the riders were summoned to the large tent where after the ride we all would be again to finish out the day, we were informed that the route this year would be very different then any other year past. We were also informed that the route would take approx. an hour and a half to two hours, this blew some minds as this would be the longest police escorted event in our history not counting Northern California's Ride For Kid's events as well. We were told that the pack would be leaving at 10:00AM so get to your bike and prepare for a great ride.
What a wonderful ride they planned out for us I would say as a member who has done 13 of these rides that this was by far the best route they had ever done, the route for just over 2 hours took us from the back roads of Fairfield over to Lake Berryessa then to Hwy 128 then some 2 hours later back to Fairfield, what a beautiful ride that whole route went off without a hitch no issues just the best dam ride in RFK history, for those few who missed it you missed a good one. Once we arrived back at the starting location we got the bikes parked & made are way over to the are where in years past you would pick up a pre-made sack lunch then head over to the big tent for the rest of the event. This year lunch was provided by Subway and when you went to the food table you picked out exactly what you wanted & basically created you own sack lunch what a great idea, no wasted food how smart was that. Then it was time for the most anticipated part of the whole event & the most gut wrenching portion as well, yes the kids this has to be one of my favorite parts of the event besides the ride of course.
The hardest part of today's event was hearing a father’s story of his 6-year-old son with a brain tumor & that at this age can't be operated on. Mr. Guzman spoke for a bout 10 minutes and let me tell you that there were not to many dry eyes in the crowed. Normally they have only success stories from parents who are struggling with this horrific disease, I can't remember them having parents on stage where the it was not all good news, I feel this was something that was needed at this event to put a real face to a real disease to help us all understand that there is so much more we need to do to win the fight over this type of cancer that attack our kids without much warning. Rest assured we are winning the fight & we will stay in it til the end. The closing presentation is always the kids with a final tally of what was raised that day, but prior to that they make announcements as to the highest fund raising individual & the top 5 fund raising clubs. I was a little surprised that when the announcer started naming off clubs that the Redwood Riders was the first club that was called up on stage for coming in the top 5 clubs, then other clubs were brought up as well.
Although we were not in fact the top fund raising club but we did beat out Curve Unit a girls motorcycle club out of the bay area who at the last event beat the socks off of us, so there was a bit of pride to find out that we actually came in a head of them. We took fourth place overall which is by no means small potato with so many other clubs trying to get in to the top 5. The RRMC brought to the event approx. $7000.00 in all, Jason the club's President went up on stage to represent our club, he did a great job and I hate to admit it but he looked pretty good up there representing us, you could tell by the smile on his face that he too was also very proud of the club, you see folks together we can accomplish almost anything. Thanks to all of the RRMC Member's who showed, & a big thank you to Jason, Rosy, Shae and Jeremy for all of the extra work on your part. We don't have an opportunity to often say it but you guys are very much appreciated.
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Redwood Riders M.C
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