ALT-4 What is a Motorcycle Run
I remember as a kid being outside raking leaves or cutting the lawn on a beautiful day, wishing I didn't have chores to do. It would be quiet other than birds chirping in the distance, a dog barking or maybe hearing small talk from the neighbors' open windows, but that would be about it. Within minutes that would all change. At first I would hear what sounded like the rumbling of a train on a track and it would get progressively louder. Then in an instant coming over the crest of the hill would be a double line of motorcycles for what seemed a mile long.
These bikes would come in all shapes and sizes as the bikers who rode them. As a nine year old boy I was in amazement of how loud and bright and colorful these machines were. I was in awe of the clothing the riders of these iron horses were wearing. Some would beep, some would wave, all would just keep riding by one after another.
In the same moment they overtook my local road right in front of my home, they were gone. Leaving nothing but their settling dirt and dust as a reminder to me that they were even their at all. After I came to the realization that I had to finish the task at hand, I would ask myself, "Where did they come from?" Now, that is a perfectly logical question for a nine year old.
But admit it. You yourself may be a little curious as to where they came from too. Occasionally, you may see a few bikes out there together. Sometimes four or five bikes may draw your attention, and you think, maybe they are friends and decided to go for ride on a nice day. But what exactly gets a hundred motorcycles together at the same time and yet they may not necessarily know one another? The answer usually lies in a flyer hung up at a local tavern or word of mouth.
All of the motorcycle runs that I have participated in have been to create proceeds for a common cause. A sick child, a fellow biker or his widow who needs our help or a host of other causes that otherwise would go ignored. The bottom line is bikers come together as a brotherhood when needed. Out of eighty or so men and women I may know five or ten on the runs we go on and each time I meet someone new.
The idea is that every biker ponies' up twenty bucks and the money goes to the person or persons in need. We make stops along the way for socializing and end up at our original starting point or other pre-designated area. En route there are also road guards', bikers who establish a safe blockade at intersections until the line of bikes makes it through safely. Usually at the end there is a cookout or steak fry sponsored by the owner of the establishment we end up at.
There you have it. So, the next time you see that mile long stretch of eye candy remember that we are usually supporting a worthwhile cause in our community. And you must admit, don't the bikes look cool anyway?
