Returning Combat Veterans Use “Motorcycle Therapy” to Rehabilitate with Help from Veteran Non-Profit Organization.
Indian Motorcycle has announced its continued support and sponsorship of the seventh annual Veterans Charity Ride (VCR) to Sturgis. The two have partnered with the initiative of “America Get Out & Ride” while using motorcycle therapy to support combat veterans’ transition to civilian life.
Many of the veterans joining the Veterans Charity Ride for the first time are amputees, paraplegics, or suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress and other issues veterans face after leaving the military. Each new veteran will pair with mentors who have already been through the Veterans Charity Ride program and receive one-on-one support to help their transition back to civilian life. The 2021 ride will include 16 total veterans – eight new, along with eight returning veterans who will serve as mentors.
“Veterans Charity Ride was designed to assist combat veterans who face challenges in their daily living and provide them with a support structure that will get them back outside and living life to the fullest,” said Dave Frey, Veterans Charity Ride Founder. “Many of our veterans used to ride motorcycles before their injuries and thought they never would ride again. Through support from companies like Indian Motorcycle and Champion Sidecar, we are able to get these vets back on bikes and enjoy the freedom of the open road.”
This year’s ride to Sturgis will start on July 28 in Moab, Utah where the group will take the trek through some of the nation’s most scenic backgrounds roads in the western United States. The group will stop and visit local communities along the route, such as Fort Collins, Colorado, where the group will be receiving an official proclamation and welcoming by the mayor before arriving at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in South Dakota on August 6. Participants will be riding an assortment of Indian Motorcycle models, outfitted with Rekluse auto clutch systems and custom-built Champion Sidecars for amputee and paraplegic veterans.
The 14-day adventure allows participating veterans the opportunity to push towards conquering their post-war challenges while out on the open road. Throughout the trip, veterans will also conduct team-building exercises allowing riders to share their service experience during the emotional and mind-detoxing motorcycle ride.
“We’re honored to support our U.S. veterans and contribute to such noble cause like the Veteran’s Charity Ride,” said Aaron Jax, Vice President for Indian Motorcycle. “Riding can be one of the most therapeutic experiences, as we have seen first-hand the dramatic evolution and incredible growth from vets that have completed the VCR program.”
The Veterans Charity Ride to Sturgis was created by veteran Army Paratrooper Dave Frey and leverages the therapeutic effects of motorcycle riding to create an adventure of a lifetime for wounded and amputee combat veterans adjusting to post-war life.
Veterans Charity Ride (VCR), started by veterans for veterans, is a non-profit organization that delivers Motorcycle Therapy and additional life changing, life-saving holistic programs specifically designed to assist wounded and amputee combat veterans with their needs and the issues they deal with on a daily basis. Helping our fellow veterans through outreach, action, activities, education and follow-up is what drives our organization. The end result of our program is a healthier and happier, more capable individual, who is now living life in a much better physical and mental condition, and able to help and support other veterans to do the same. Visit www.veteranscharityride.org to learn more and support this worthy cause.
Longhaulpaul (Paul Pelland) and his Yamaha Ténéré 700 on the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah.
Our guest for Episode 15 of the Rider Magazine Insider Podcast is Longhaulpaul (Paul Pelland), a long-distance motorcyclist who is Chasing the Cure: riding one million miles to raise money and awareness for multiple sclerosis (MS). Paul is a two-time Iron Butt Rally finisher (2001 and 2003). In 2005 he was diagnosed with MS, and in 2012 he began his mission to document riding one million miles. In the past eight years he has ridden 450,000 miles, raised $200,000 for charity, set three world records, and shared his story at over 250 events across the U.S. In July he will embark on his Nut on a Bolt ride: riding coast to coast in 50 hours on a custom Yamaha Star Bolt chopper. You can meet Longhaulpaul at all nine Progressive IMS Outdoors events in 2021. You can follow, donate, or support him via his website.
Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride 2021 ride in Belgrade, Serbia (photo by Bob Bobisavljevic)
From Ride for Kids events to annual Toys for Tots runs, motorcyclists are known for joining forces to support good causes. Since 2012, the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride (DGR) has raised $31.5 million to support men’s health. The 10th-anniversary event, which took place on Sunday, May 23, brought together more than 65,000 dapper motorcycle enthusiasts in 913 cities and 116 countries around the world, and raised $4.1 million.
Sydney, Australia (photo by Pat Stevenson)
Funds were donated to Movember, the leading global organization focused solely on men’s health, and they’ll be directed toward prostate cancer and men’s mental health research and programs. Together, Movember and DGR have worked strategically to help men in motorcycling live happier and healthier lives, and they have allocated nearly $1 million to pilot and deliver programs directed at improving social connectedness, life satisfaction, and mental well-being of motorcycle riders.
Los Angeles, USA (photo by Dakota Clark)
Support for DGR 2021 came from thousands of individual volunteers, fundraisers, and city hosts, as well as Triumph, Hedon helmets, Belstaff, and Elf lubricants. To register your interest in DGR 2022, learn more about the research programs that are funded, or make a donation, visit gentlemansride.com.
Good Ride is a 501c3 charity started freestyle motocross rider, custom bike builder and hooligan racer Carey Hart. Starting on Thursday, January 9, 2020, Good Ride will host an online silent auction to benefit the Infinite Hero Foundation, whose mission is “to combat the most difficult front line issues–mental and physical–facing military heroes and their families.”
The Tanks for Troops auction includes 22 Indian FTR 1200 tank covers custom-painted by different artists, as well as 1,000 Good Ride challenge coins that will be autographed with personalization by Carey Hart.
The auction closes at 9:00pm Pacific on Thursday, January 16, 2020.
The auction site is available HERE, where you’ll find images and details about each one-of-a-kind tank cover. A selection of tank covers up for bid are shown below.
Custom FTR 1200 tank cover by Tagger Designs.Custom FTR 1200 tank cover by Beam Designs.Custom FTR 1200 tank cover by Air Oil + Lead.Custom FTR 1200 tank cover by Lumpy’s Garage.Custom FTR 1200 tank cover by Ryan Roadkill.
American Honda and REVER, the world’s largest motorcycle ride-planning, tracking and sharing app, have challenged riders of all motorcycle brands to collectively track 250,000 miles with the app prior to October 20th, 2019. If participants reach that goal, American Honda will donate $10,000 to the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation’s Los Angeles Ride For Kids charity event, taking place on October 20th at American Honda Motor Co.’s headquarters in Torrance, California.
Current REVER users will go directly to the Honda LA Ride for Kids Challenge, click “Join” and start tracking every ride to help the kids. Individuals not currently signed up for REVER can CLICK HERE, where they will be taken to the appropriate app store to download the REVER app for FREE, and then redirected to the Challenge page where they can join, start tracking and saving rides to benefit the kids.
The LA Ride for Kids event takes place the morning of October 20th at American Honda Motor Co., Inc. in Torrance, California. Riders, kids and families will gather for a fun motorcycle ride, check out some cool motorcycles, enjoy lunch and have a chance to win raffle prizes. To attend the LA Ride for Kids ride or to donate, CLICK HERE.
Challenge Details The Honda LA Ride for Kids Challenge is based on miles tracked in your REVER app between 12:00 a.m. MST, September 20th, to 11:59 p.m. MST, October 20th 2019. Rides imported from another source or rides that have been planned but not recorded, do not count. This challenge is free to join for any member of REVER with no purchase necessary. Riders may join the Challenge at any point between the start and end dates, but only rides after you have joined will be counted. Rides marked private will not count.
Ducati has announced a charity auction to support the newly established Carlin Dunne Foundation, in which a limited edition Panigale V4 25° Anniversario 916 will be available for bidding beginning September 5. The auction will run until September 15, to commemorate the memory and preserve the legacy of Ducati racing legend Carlin Dunne funding the start of the foundation. Among Carlin’s many accomplishments, he was a four-time champion of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb and his loss has been felt throughout the international motorcycling community.
In addition to the Panigale V4 25° Anniversario 916–which is numbered 5 of 500, in order to honor Carlin Dunne’s race number–Ducati World Superbike pilot, Chaz Davies has donated his leather racing suit from his 2019 World Superbike WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca race weekend as part of this auction. This leather suit was specially designed as part of the unveiling of the Panigale V4 25° Anniversario 916 and fashion a livery inspired from those of Carl Fogarty’s leathers from the era of the 916 Superbike. All proceeds from this auction will go toward the Carlin Dunne Foundation. The Panigale V4 is valued at $42,500 and the racing suit at is valued in excess of $3,000.
The Carlin Dunne Foundation was created upon Dunne’s passing to carry on his legacy by aiding in the development of preventative resources and rehabilitation programs supporting extreme sport athletes diagnosed with and/or at risk of acquiring Concussion Syndrome, Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), and traumatic brain injuries. Additionally, and separate from the Panigale V4 auction, the Carlin Dunne Foundation is enrolled in the eBay for Charity program in which people and organizations can support the Carlin Dunne Foundation directly by selecting the Carlin Dunne Foundation as their charity of choice when listing an item.
For more information on the Carlin Dunne Foundation, visit carlindunne.org.
The announcement of today’s auction also coincides with the lead-in to a Carlin Dunne Memorial Weekend (Celebration of Life) to be held in Santa Barbara to honor Dunne’s life. Memorial events taking place will include a dinner at Shoreline Park at 4 p.m. today (Thursday, September 5), a film screening on Friday, September 6, of “A Thousand Miles Behind” at 7 p.m. at Marjorie Luke Theater, a memorial paddle-out at 11 a.m. on Saturday, September 7, followed by a reception and silent auction at 3 p.m., and finally a motorcycle ride at 9 a.m. on Sunday, September 8, beginning at Ducati of Santa Barbara.
Motorcycle racing legend Kenny Roberts has announced that a KR-customized Yamaha YZF-R3 that he and his crew built will be auctioned at the eighth annual Welcome Home Heroes Benefit Auction.
The Auction takes place this Saturday night, May 25, at the Commemorative Air Force, Hanger I-S, 700 Tioga Drive in Modesto, California.
Along with the one-of-a kind KR-customized Yamaha YZF-R3 up for bid, the auction will also include Team Roberts memorabilia, signed racing-related items, bronze statues, paintings and other motorsports merchandise.
Sponsors
for this year’s event are Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A., Dunlop Motorcycle
Tires, Saddlemen Motorcycle Seats and Components, Cycle Gear, Motion Pro, PJ1
Brands, and Vreeke & Associates.
For more information, call Michael Utt at (209) 765-9317 or send an email to [email protected]
About
Welcome Home Heroes
Welcome Home Heroes is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation organized to provide assistance to local Central California veterans of the U.S. military in their transition from active duty to private life. Last year, the True American Heroes Dinner and Cpl. Michael D. Anderson, Jr. Memorial Ride raised more than $130,000. For more information, visit TrueAmericanHero.org or WelcomeHomeHeroesFoundation.org
Longhaulpaul (Paul Pelland) ran his 2018 Yamaha Star Venture on a dyno for 24 hours to raise funds for an MS charity and set his third world record.
Paul Pelland,
also known as Longhaulpaul, set his third world record by riding a 2018 Yamaha
Star Venture for 24 straight hours on a dynamometer, while raising $18,500 for the
multiple sclerosis charity MS Views and News, Inc.
Longhaulpaul’s
“Nonstop to Nowhere” event was broadcast live on Facebook in a telethon-style
fundraiser as Pelland rode his Yamaha Star Venture at freeway speeds on a
dynamometer for 24 straight hours with no rest breaks or stops, traveling an
estimated 1,674 miles.
The event
offered a variety of entertainment including Pelland playing guitar, eating
bugs and raffling off $3,600 worth of prizes, all while seated on the Star
Venture. Thousands of viewers from around the world tuned in throughout the
broadcast, with hundreds of donors contributing $18,500 to MS Views and News,
funding educational programs for people living with multiple sclerosis.
Longhaulpaul with his Yamaha Star Venture somewhere on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
After being
diagnosed with MS himself, Paul began a million-mile journey raising awareness
and funds as he toured the United States on two motorcycles Yamaha donated to
the cause—first a Super Ténéré adventure bike, followed by a Star Venture
touring bike. After 6 years, he has ridden 350,000 miles, raised $150,000 for
charity and has shared his inspirational story with over 250 audiences across
the country.
For more about Longhaulpaul, his fundraisers, or this event, visit longhaulpaul.com. Follow his journey on Youtube, Facebook and Instagram @longhaulpaul.
Golfers might disagree, but one has to admit that the Quail Lodge & Golf Club’s driving range makes a dandy venue for a motorcycle show, with 350 bikes and 3,000-plus visitors. Photo by Clement Salvadori.
Your bike is tuned, the weather is good, your GPS has been ported and polished and your credit card has been bored and stroked; it’s time to head out on the road! You want to go where riders gather, where you can find like-minded souls for rides, rallies and camaraderie. Well, we have the lowdown on the major touring events this year so grab your calendar, check our list and finalize your plans. Before you raise that kickstand, however, visit the event’s website to catch up on any last-minute changes.
The list below consists of major, national-level events. Check out our calendar for even more smaller, regional and local events.
Ride for Kids
Twenty-seven rides all over the U.S.
Ride for Kids is the longest-running motorcycle charity event in the nation. Since 1984, through these rides, motorcyclists have raised funds to help children with brain tumors, which are the major cause of cancer death in children. The Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation was created in 1991 by the founders of Ride for Kids, and is now the leading nonprofit organization funding research into childhood brain tumors. Their events also fund free educational resources, college scholarships for brain tumor survivors and emergency financial aid for families.
American Honda is the presenting sponsor of Ride for Kids.
Though the spring shows have already occurred, be sure to check the schedule for the fall shows where you’ll be able to see all the current and new models from the major manufacturers. These shows also present products from many accessory manufacturers, and you can enjoy custom and classic bike displays, along with live entertainment. To introduce new riders to two wheels, “New to 2” puts new riders on Zero electric motorcycles and Yamaha Power Assist bicycles and includes a series of online videos paired with live presentations at the shows.
Check the website for the 2019-2020 schedule when it becomes available.
Maggie Valley, North Carolina May 3-5, June 28-30, September 6-8
Thunder in the Smokies consists of three rallies throughout the spring and summer. Each will feature a bike show and bike games with a $1,000 prize. You can ride the nearby scenic Blue Ridge Parkway and enjoy the major street scene in Maggie Valley. While there is no camping on-site, it is available nearby.
Not simply a motorcycle gathering, this high-end vintage event features a gourmet barbeque lunch with offerings from local wineries and breweries, live entertainment and displays by leading motorcycle manufacturers, lifestyle vendors and more. You may enter your vintage and classic bikes in the various judging categories.
This 20th annual event bills itself as “Celebrating the Great American Motorcycle.” There will be a Grand Marshals Historic Vintage Lunch Grand Tour Ride on the 10th, during which you can ride your vintage bike through the back roads of historic Florida to a delicious destination, then continue on to a Grand Marshals Dinner that night (attendance limited). Stick around for Saturday’s K9s for Warriors Charity Ride and Concours d’Elegance.
This 80th anniversary rally will have you riding the Grand Strand, taking local tours and enjoying live bands, racing and the Myrtle Beach night life. Come party with about 200,000 of your closest friends.
A Cross-Country Ride to Washington, D.C. May 15-24
Founded by Vietnam veterans, Run For the Wall recognizes the sacrifices and contributions made by all veterans who have served our nation. This cross-country ride takes three different routes to reach Washington, D.C. by Memorial Day, and you’re invited to take the full ride or join along the way. You may also contribute to the Benevolence Fund to help vets and their families.
Now in its 22nd year this four-day rally, held in the scenic mountains around Mescalero and Ruidoso, New Mexico, features live music, demo rides, a four-day trade show and a big parade. The poker run is responsible for the “cash” part of the name.
This 18th annual event in Winnemucca features bike shows, free band concerts, a $1,000 poker run, a stunt show, casino action, a tattoo contest and the Burning Bike. The raffle prize is a new Harley Street Glide.
The East’s largest touring rally is now in its 36th year and begins with an Opening Celebration sponsored by Rider magazine. In addition to new guided and unguided rides in the Adirondacks and Vermont, Wednesday’s Diamond Tour will feature the special opportunity to ride with Rider’seditors. There’s a Ride for Kids Charity Ride, a Mardi Gras Boat Cruise and a Block Party benefiting the Ronald MacDonald House, with two days of great music and motorcycle entertainment. Enjoy more demo rides than ever, a stunt show and hundreds of vendors. You could even win an Indian Scout 60!
This will be the 96th edition of “The world’s oldest motorcycle rally.” Laconia is centered on Weirs Beach and the rally includes daily scenic “gypsy tours” (rides), a swap meet, demo rides, bike shows, a stunt show, live music, a Wall of Death and the Loudon Classic race at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
If you really want to get your kicks, this ride follows most of the old, historic Route 66 from east to west. It will include stops at severalmuseums, the Ozark Trail, Bob’s Gasoline Alley, Painted Desert and Petrified Forest National Parksand the California ghost town of Oatman. See some of the original road’s brick pavement, and attend the Awards Dinner in Santa Monica for your Certificate of Accomplishment.
BMW Motorcycle Owners of America 47th International Rally
Lebanon, Tennessee June 13-16
The BMW MOA’s “Scoot Boot’n Boogie” is sponsored by Metzeler and will feature vendors, seminars, live entertainment, rider training classes, BMW demo rides, local rides and many door prizes. Riders on all brands are welcome.
The Christian Motorcyclists Association bills this as the largest camp meeting, revival and family-friendly gathering in the nation that involves motorcycle riding. It features praise and worship, a parade, bike games and scenic self-guided rides, and John Ogden Sr., CMA CEO/Chairman, will be the keynote speaker.
This rally offers scenic rides, a parade, vendors, displays by various motorcycle manufacturers and live concerts by rock groups Firehouse and Hairball.
Motorcycle Sport Touring Association Rendezvous (STAR)
Bristol, Virginia June 23-27
The Motorcycle Sport Touring Association was founded in 1982, and its purpose is to bring together riders whose focus is motorcycle sport touring, regardless of the type or brand of motorcycle. “STAR” is their Sport Touring Association Rendezvous, which this year will feature Honda demo rides and a lunch ride into Tennessee, and the raffle bike will be a new Honda Gold Wing.
The American Voyager Association (AVA) defines a “voyager” as anyone who loves to ride and travel by motorcycle. Their 30th annual rally will feature seminars, dinners, guided and self-guided rides, a bike show and light show, a rider skills class and an awards banquet.
Come to the Ohio Sports Car Course for this major rally presented by Honda. It will feature demo rides, seminars, live music, a bike show and America’s largest motorcycle swap meet. The vintage competition includes road racing, trials, flat track and hare scrambles.
Women on Wheels spells “WOW,” and this club (which has many local chapters) is for women riders. Its International Ride-In usually draws upwards of 250 participants who take part in local scenic rides, listen to speakers, attend seminars, browse the vendors and enjoy the banquet and awards ceremony.
All brands of three-wheelers and their riders are invited to enjoy poker runs and seminars, vendors, a trike show and light parade, an awards dinner and a watermelon social. Destination rides go to Devil’s Tower, the Badlands, Jewel Cave, Spearfish Canyon and the Crazy Horse Memorial.
Laguna Seca Mazda Raceway, Monterey, California July 12-14
The best Superbike racers in the world are coming once again to show their skills and be tested on this hilly, curvy, technical course in scenic central California. Camping is available at the track, and there’s plenty of nightlife in nearby Monterey.
Though this is the rally of the Gold Wing Touring Association, riders on all brands are welcome. In addition to the usual onsite bike shows and seminars, attendees can ride to such attractions as the House of Mystery, the Wildlife Safari, caves and lavender farms, and participate in zip-lining and visit Crater Lake.
If you ride a Kawasaki Concours sport tourer, this is your rally. The Concours Owners Group is for fans of the bike, though all brands are welcome. Day routes can take you to the Finger Lakes region, Gettysburg National Military Park, an auto and air museum, the “Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania” and the Flight 93 Memorial. Then head back to the rally site for seminars, socials, dinners and more.
The National Bikers Roundup claims to be the largest camping motorcycle rally in the United States, and is organized by a group of African-American motorcycle clubs. Its location changes yearly, but once every decade it returns to its founding city of Kansas City. This year the Roundup will be held in Gulfport, Mississippi.
This event is presented by the official riding organization of Yamaha’s Star line of motorcycles. It will feature vendors, a silent auction, a motorcycle skills class, seminars, bike games, a bike show and a charity auction. Take part in the SwampAZZ ride, the Feed the Children food drop banquet and many local rides.
The 79th Sturgis Rally features that famous street scene and includes many scenic rides including to Mt. Rushmore, plus an adventure ride that is new this year. Visit the many vendors, join the 2nd annual Mayor’s Charity Poker Tournament, and with about a half-million attendees in this small town you’d better be prepared to camp following the nightly concerts by such stars as Keith Urban, Toby Keith, Styx, George Thorogood and others.
Billed as three rallies in one, this event is specifically geared to entertain sportbike, dual-sport and sport touring riders. With Mt. Hood and Mt. Adam located nearby, majestic scenery is a twist of the wrist away. Enjoy the seminars and camping at the rally site, then sample the great riding to local museums, the mountains and the Stonehenge Replica.
How would you like to display a trophy for having set a motorcycle land speed record? This officiallysanctioned event offers AMA national and FIM world record opportunities in many classes. You can run the Bonneville Salt Flats course in any class from “Run Whatcha Brung” to streamliners! Or…just go to watch. See the website for rules and regulations.
This is the official rally of the Gold Wing Road Riders Association, but it will appeal to all touring riders. In Nashville, enjoy the factory demo rides, vendors, door prizes, a bike show, a light show, drill teams, a parade and, of course, lots of local entertainment.
San Luis Rio Colorado, Mexico, to Vernon, British Columbia, Canada August 29-September 3
If you want to gather with like-minded long distance riders but also enjoy their camaraderie on a ride from Mexico to Canada (hence the name–Three Flags), this is the rally for you. Finishers are awarded a unique buckle, plus a plaque, pin, shirt and more, and you can toast your achievement at the Finishers’ Banquet.
Held at the Shenandoah County Fairgrounds, this “Set My Soul Free” rally offers camping, vendors, seminars and live music. And of course with its location in Virginia, plan on some great scenic rides.
The Golden Aspen has new owners, locals who have participated in the rally for years, and they’re promising that this 50th anniversary rally will be better than ever. There will be vendors, entertainment, rides around the scenic local area and a grand parade. Check the website for more details as they become available.
This 19th annual rally is a charity event that benefits women, children and the underserved in the local area. On tap are factory demo rides, live music, poker runs, the Arkansas state BBQ contest, a “Battle of the Bikes” show and contest, the Miss BBB contest, a parade and a car show.
Myrtle Beach Area, South Carolina September 30-October 6
This area offers just too much fun to be encompassed within one rally, so there’s a Fall Rally in addition to the Spring event. Again, you may ride the Grand Strand, take local tours, and enjoy live bands, drag racing and the Myrtle Beach nightlife.
Billed as “The World’s Largest Motorcycle Museum,” the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum Festival presents not only museum tours but also vintage racing at the track, stunt shows, swap meets, a Bonham’s auction, demo rides, seminars and hundreds of vendors.
This is a family rally of the Christian Motorcyclists Association. It features services each morning and evening with prayer, worship and encouragement from the CMA National leadership team. Kidz for Christ events are for ages 4 to 12, and The Youth Movement is for ages 13 and up. Riders will appreciate seminars, a parade, bike games and self-guided scenic rides.
This 27th annual event is a smaller, less-frenzied version of Daytona’s spring event but it still offers bike shows, racing at Daytona International Speedway, a huge street scene with lots of live music and about 100,000 fellow riders to share it with.
Down in Texas, this four-day celebration offers bike games and bike shows, rides, lots of live entertainment, bike builder competitions and a car and truck show. There’s also a Miss Lone Star Rally contest and hundreds of vendors.
This one-day event is sponsored by the Classic Japanese Motorcycle Club, and is for small bikes of up to 180cc, any make or year. It’s an 80-mile round-trip ride that leaves San Jose and climbs to over 4,000 feet to the Historic Lick Observatory, then heads back down for lunch. You don’t need to be a club member to participate.
