Rides with Meaning
In the past few weeks two rides have taken place that have so much meaning. Although one is a national level ride and the other is a local ride I feel that they hold great importance. The first ride is the Run for the Wall, which I assume most of us have at least heard of, and the second is the Miracle Ride.
The Run for the Wall web site provides us with the following:
“Mission Statement: To promote healing among ALL veterans and their families and friends, to call for an accounting of all Prisoners of War and those Missing in Action (POW/MIA), to honor the memory of those Killed in Action (KIA) from all wars, and to support our military personnel all over the world.”
This ride actually starts on the West Coast in Ranch Cucamonga, CA. Over an approximately 11 day period, the ride runs two routes that cross the United States and end up in Washington, DC for the Memorial Day weekend. The ride has preplanned stops and actually picks up additional riders at these stops as well as people joining in anywhere along the way. There are many festivities to hold your interest at the end of the ride but the most important event, of course, is the opportunity to attend the Memorial ceremony at the Wall. If you have never had the opportunity to experience the Wall I urge you to make your way to Washington and do so. Don’t forget to check out all the war memorials while you are there. There is something different about the Wall though. To see all the names of those that gave the ultimate sacrifice that allows us to remain free is a special feeling.
If I recall correctly, I believe that I have seen estimated numbers of 250,000+ participants. What an awesome sight that must be. I have had the desire to attend this ride for many years but have not found the time to do so. It is one of my wish rides that I hope to do before my time is up. I encourage any patriotic motorcyclist to add this to your list of rides.
The Miracle Ride for Riley Hospital is a ride that began fourteen years ago. The proceeds of the ride are donated to the James Whitcomb Riley Hospital for Children. Riley uses the funds to pay for care for children whose parents can not. Motorcyclists have raised over 2 million dollars for the hospital over the past fourteen years. This is by far the biggest ride in the state of Indiana both in donated dollars and in number of participants.
On Saturday of Miracle Ride weekends, the motorcycles leave from various sites around the state and converge on Indianapolis. This year the poker runs raised over $250,000 alone. On Sunday, the day of the big ride, additional riders show up and pay their donation to ride as well. 7500+ motorcycles participate. In 2007, over $325,000 was raised in total. The Sunday ride is a fun day. The ride is normally led by Bob & Tom, of the nationally syndicated Bob & Tom Show hosted at WFBQ in Indy, Forrest Lucas of Lucas Oil, and members of the Indianapolis Colts.
The ride leaves the staging area and takes a route through the streets of Indianapolis ending across the street from the famous Indianapolis Motor Speedway. An awesome bonus to this ride is that you get to take a lap on the track where so much history has been made. It is quite an experience to cruise around the track and see what the drivers actually see. That track is not as flat as it looks on TV. As cool as that sounds, there is something even better about this ride. At the beginning of the ride, shortly after leaving the staging lot, all the motorcycles pass in front of the hospital. Hospital staff and parents are sitting on the sidewalk with signs waving at the riders as we go by. It is truly hard to hold back tears knowing that those children, and hundreds of others, are in that hospital fighting diseases that could potentially kill them. The feeling you get knowing that you are helping these children and parents, even in such a small way, is indescribable.
This ride gets riders from many states. Fourteen states were represented this year. If you live in a state that is close to Indiana I encourage you to come ride with us for an awesome cause. Motorcyclists have huge hearts when it comes to children. What are the motorcyclists of your state or country doing to help? Leave your comments.
Ride Safe
Steve & the MC Nation
Tags: Riley Hospital, Run for the Wall