Riding through the hills of Pennsylvania on a Saturday afternoon
in July, taking in the scenery from the seat of a motorcycle is an
event growing in popularity – and the fact that cancer victims
benefit from it makes the ride all the better.
The Kids and Cancer Benefit Motorcycle Run, to be held July 21
in conjunction with the 2006 Zippo/Case International Swap Meet,
has a goal of raising $75,000 to donate “to different hospitals in
the region and also individuals who have been affected by that
dreaded disease of cancer,” explained Dave Geitner, event
coordinator.
Over the past eight years, the event has raised more than
$35,000 to support local Kids and Cancer programs. This year,
though, things are being done a little differently.
“We’re raffling off a 2006 Fat Boy,” Geitner said, explaining
the brand new motorcycle was purchased from a Harley-Davidson
dealer in Jamestown, N.Y., and tickets to win the bike have been on
sale since last August. After the cost of the bike is subtracted,
the proceeds from the raffle will go to local charities.
Local charities have benefited in the past from funds raised at
the event itself.
So far, Geitner said, there’s been a lot of response from people
who want to be at this year’s Motorcycle Run.
“We are doing pre-registrations,” he said. “It’s the highest
number of pre-registrations so far.
“Everyday I go home there’s usually more in the mail,” he said,
explaining people mail him pre-registrations for the motorcycle
run.
People can also register on-line at the Web site for the
Zippo/Case Swap Meet. Registration will also be done the day of the
event at the Zippo/Case Visitor’s Center.
Something else that will be a little different about this year’s
ride will be the 105-mile journey will take place entirely in
Pennsylvania. There’s a couple of reasons for that, Geitner
explained.
“It’s because of the helmet law that was repealed here in the
past few years,” he said, explaining several riders from out of
state come to ride helmetless for the day.
His opinion on the helmet situation, however, is that people
should do what they feel comfortable with.
“It’s everybody’s discretion,” he said. “It should be up to the
individual.”
Another reason for staying in Pennsylvania for the ride is that,
well, it’s nice here.
“We have our basic goals … to promote the area, the Kinzua Dam
and the Allegheny National Forest,” he said. “It’s about being on a
bike, enjoying the smells and the scenery.”
And, if one happens to be a bystander along the route, it’s
about the sight and sound of about 1,000 motorcycles driving
past.
“I’ve never seen it, I’ve always been in it,” Geitner said with
a laugh. But he’s encouraging people to see the bikes along the
run, especially at the beginning of the event when a parade of
bikes is scheduled for Main Street of Bradford.
“We hope everybody gets out with a flag and shows what the town
represents,” he said. The parade should take place at 12:15 p.m.
July 21.
Geitner said the run will include stops at Smethport Fire Hall,
Wilcox American Legion, Tack’s Inn and The New Willows. The last
stop, hosted by the Bradford Township Lions Club, will be held at
the West Branch Community Club.
At 7 p.m., the Fat Boy will be raffled off there. Tickets for
the raffle are available in Bradford at The Print Shop, JD
Novelties, Northwest Savings Bank branches in McKean County,
Curves, St. Bernard Elementary School, from Bradford Township Lions
Club members and from East Bradford Business Association Members;
in Kane at Archer’s News & Sporting Goods; in Smethport at the
Volunteer Fire Department; at the Wilcox American Legion; at
Charles Cole Memorial Hospital Gift Shop; from members of the
Southern Tier Harley Owner’s Group; in Olean, N.Y., at The Sports
Locker; or at the Web site for the Zippo-Case International Swap
Meet. Bradford’s Fairway Ford is also giving away tickets with the
purchase of a vehicle.
