Ride For Kids

If I had to pick only one fundraising event to ride each year The Ride For Kids would be the one, hands down, no questions, no reservations.

Why?

Well, first off, this is one of the best organized and rider friendly events out there.  Check in is a breeze.  They make it fast simple and painless to sign the requisite waivers, register and and hand over the donation.  They have coffee, donuts (mmmm...donuts) and sodas to help wake you up before the ride.  The ride itself is equally well organized with plenty of law enforcement folks to block intersections and keep the ride flowing smoothly.  A sack lunch with a pretty decent BBQ sandwich is waiting for you at the end of the ride and is set out in such a way as there is no waiting or slowdowns in the process.  From an organizational and logistical perspective these folks are as close to perfect as humans can be but that is a tiny part of why I would pick this ride.

The biggest reason is the kids.

I can't imagine anyone short of the Tin Man or Hannibal Lecter not getting misty eyed at least once during this event.  Leading the ride are a group of sidecar rigs and touring bikes that have been specially designated to carry one or more kids who have survived or are currently battling brain tumors.  Each one of these brave kids is smiling from ear to ear.  If these brave kids with huge smiles on their faces, the ride organizers call them stars, don't bring a tear then the crowd of family members and well wishers waving and thanking you as you leave for the ride probably will.  As we returned from the ride another star was thanking the riders over the PA system of a police cruiser, another misty moment...

This is one of the most rewarding rides you and about 500 of your closest friends can take.  Trust me on this one (Moose agrees by the way), it is worth it.

My 500 closest friends ready for a ride

Awesome Ural sidecar rig

Ural from the other side, notice the matching helmet

CanAm Spyder with personality

Moose ready to ride

The 2010 Ride for Kids raised over $290,000 for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation®.  The money goes towards research into the causes and cures for childhood brain tumors.  As well as to provide support for the children and their families.

This is a great event and a great cause.  When the 2011 dates are posted mark it on your calendar.  You won't regret it.

Hang in there,

-Buddha