By Mark Swartout

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As the sun peered through the clouds on Sunday July 17, 2011 a steady rumble could be heard at Dale’s Ales in Orange City. Forty-one bikes, some 70 friends and strangers to become friends, arrived to remember…all those we’ve lost. The ride was organized by Bobby “Blue Deuce” Brown, Scott “Scooter Davis” and me.

The Ride to Remember was neither a poker run nor a benefit for one, but for all to be remembered with a tradition unique to our biker community. This was a chance for us all to ride again with our lost family and friends. We wanted to do something different; this was to be about the ride.

As the call went out for kickstands up I was struck by the number of people that had gathered and now moved toward their bikes. Then the sound started, that “if you’ve never heard it, you wouldn’t understand”. We began to line up ready to forget the other things in our worlds for a few hours, and go riding. The road blocked, we rolled out. Coming down the hill under Route 472 to Mc Gregor the bikes stretched behind us, it seemed forever.

The roads that led us on our journey we’re for a moment sprinkled by rain, which never bothered us again. This ride was made up of several “which way does that road go weekends”. Our route would cover some 150 miles of beautiful back roads riding. At the end of the first leg of our adventure we arrived at Porkie’s Restaurant and Marina on Lake George, meeting new friends and reminiscing with old friends, the lake provided the perfect back drop. Then it was on to Shrimp R Us in Welaka, for an” all you could eat” shrimp buffet, with grilled, steamed and fried shrimp. With bellies full we saddled up and resumed our back road quest, through Crescent City and out route 304. The weather could not have been more perfect and the country side more incredible. Next we rolled into Crossroads to wet our whistles and then back to Dale’s Ales where we presented The Donation Jug to The Fallen Biker Memorial Wall, presented by the CMA. The Fallen Biker Memorial Wall was on display and is a phenomenal way to remember those we’ve lost.

Truly a Ride to Remember that will not soon be forgotten. Thank-you to all who participated and were remembered on this event. Let’s do it again next year.
 
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