Annual Motorcycle Ride for Life and Cookout
It was the first Annual Motorcycle Ride for Life and Cookout that took place on Saturday, September 7th. The sign-ups for the ride began at the Carhartt Parking lot in Camden and the group left the lot at 10:40 a.m. to begin the 'first ever' Motorcycle Ride for Life with all proceeds from the event being donated to the Relay for Life.
The group left Camden going out Highway 70 with a Benton County Police escort on their way to Bruceton. From Bruceton, they traveled on to Hollowrock, to Huntingdon to McKenzie with an escort provided by the Carroll County Sheriff's Dept. (Photo: Complete with a police escort, as well as Jim Corbin, Asst. Chief of Big Sandy, riding ahead of the bikers, the 1st Annual Motorcycle Ride for Life leaves the Carhart parking lot and heads towards Bruceton on 70 West.)
In Paris the group was taken over by the Henry County Sheriff's Department acting as escort, and then rode into Big Sandy where they took a short break at Doherty's. (Photo: When the bikes rolled out of Big Sandy and up 69A towards Camden, the sight was impressive to behold. Nearly 100 bikes roared down the 12 mile journey to Camden.)
From there, it was up 69A North and into the City limits of Camden, through the Court Square and out to Birdsong Marina where the 80-mile ride finally ended. Nearly 100 bikes participated in today's event. (Photo: The long ride was over and highly successful with no unpleasant incidents in the 80 mile trip. The ride ended at Birdsong Marina and Resort pavilion near the pool where live entertainment and food awaited them.)
Additional Photos
This tattered, frayed and well 'displayed' flag sits on the beautiful bike of Sue Arnold of Arnold Fabricating and Machine in Big Sandy.
As more and more 'bikers' signed up, the girls began to gather to chat. Shown here are Donna Anderson, Kim Beasley, Beveryly Baker and Lisa Floyd.
Every rider in this event had his or her favorite saying plastered on their helmet, or a special 'little friend' who rides with them. This "fireman" bear belongs to Joanie Stehlik of the Chalk Level Fire Department. This little guy rides up front where the view is unobstructed.
Looking fierce and nasty is "Taz," whose real name is Darnell Hedge of Camden. Although Taz looked 'mean' we found him to be a really nice guy! But don't spread that around!
This Camden Cops' got it goin on! Ken Beal - City of Camden - sports his colors and his squint.
Bikers stretched out for nearly a mile as they rode double-file through Carroll County. An impressive sight to say the least as the oncoming traffic pulled over to watch the sight go by. Carroll County officers blocked intersections as the riders came through. Riding up front are Greg Johnson and Mike Davis, both of Camden.
The roar of the engines as they rolled into Big Sandy down 69A from Paris was enough to get everyone's attention, and the riders pulled into Doherty's Quick Mart for drinks and a short rest.
Officers with both the Benton County Sheriffs' Dept. and the Camden Police Dept. were busy as the riders came back through the Camden Town Square, but they had little difficulty as other drivers were courteous and waited for the bikers to go through.
The National Anthem, kicking off events at Birdsong, was sung by Sarah Beasley, the daughter of Kim and Jeff Beasley of Camden.
Tommy Akers of Big Sandy, along with his band, provided live entertainment for the tired and hungry riders.
Ken Beal and Melissa Smith, both of the City of Camden Police Dept., handed out cool drinks and sandwiches to the exhausted riders.
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Photography by Bob Keast.