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By Mike Walters • GWRRA #143014 • Riverside, New Jersey
It’s 3:30 on Saturday morning. The remnants of Hurricane Ivan are passing through the Philadelphia/New Jersey area and I have to go get on a motorcycle. Or do I? It would be much easier and drier to turn over and go back to sleep. No, I have to do it; I have already committed myself to this day. So I wake up Julie (my wife of 27 years) who was about as enthusiastic as I was. The bike was already packed for a two-day adventure, so we were up, out and on the road by 4:15 a.m. Well, it’s not too bad, only a little rain, but very humid, and only 20 miles to our first destination. We arrive at Woodcrest Station (a parking lot for the high-speed commuter train) for our first assignment. This is our fourth year at this post. We meet local police officer Tony Jacoby who gives us our check list of who can park in this section and who must move on to another parking area. Another GWRRA couple (Bill & Deb Romig) was already there to help us. They had been in a downpour on their way in. No problem, the rain let up, and it’s going to be a great day.
Okay, why were we there anyway and why did we give up our rainy day sleep in? Each year the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Foundation sponsors a bicycle ride from the western side of the state to Ocean City, 75 miles through the back roads of New Jersey to raise money for MS research. (Yes, there are back roads in New Jersey!) Riders and volunteers spend the night in Ocean City and then return on the same 75-mile route on Sunday. In this, the twenty-third year of this event, over 6,300 bicycles participated, and raised over $3 million dollars for MS. The event has never been canceled due to weather.
Now, if bicycles are riding in this event, what are we doing there on our Gold Wings? Some might think we are trying to show off our toys! No, quite the contrary, we are there to help ensure that each bicycle and rider reaches its destination safely. And how do you do that? Most of the bicycles arrive by car and thus all bikes must be off-loaded and readied in the staging area for a 6:30 a.m. start. Along the 75-mile route there are numerous intersections, some with limited visibility, and others that are very busy and hazardous. GWRRA Members are stationed at these locations to assist in the crossing of these intersections. We also have Gold Wings patrolling the route with bicycle tire tubes, tools, pumps and first aid kits to help with breakdowns and minor bumps and bruises. We also have cell phones with emergency numbers if needed. In 2004, we had 75 Gold Wings stretched across the state, helping out, monitoring intersections and patrolling the route. We also had two of our Members (Carol Montgomery & Marcia Johnson) in a car delivering food and drink to all the police officers and volunteers along the route.
What types of people ride their bicycles in this event? Participants range from toddlers in bicycle-pulled trailers to the oldest rider, a lady 80+ years of age who has participated in the event every year and always completes the ride. Dressed in a long dress and heels she does this ride on a very old, basic mono-speed bike with a basket on the front where she keeps a supply of seaweed that she eats to maintain her energy. There are all types of bicycles from fancy, state-of-the-art 20-speeds, to bicycles built for two, three or four, and bicycles with trailers for tots and pets. There are groups, clubs, families and individuals riding for the cause. We even had two NJ-C GWRRA participants (Pete Papay and Maria Lackernick) who took part on their bicycles.
Planning by the MS Foundation for this ride begins many months in advance and has become a year-round activity. Bud & Marilyn Barry, Assistant District Directors for New Jersey, spend countless hours each year meeting with MS coordinators to arrange the Gold Wing participation for this event. They then visit all area GWRRA Chapters recruiting volunteer Gold Wing riders to help out. We always have many volunteers from the Chapters, from District staff, and from our neighboring states of Pennsylvania and Delaware. The cyclists do all the work but as they pass through the intersections they are always quick to say thank you to the Gold Wingers for their help.
We received the following letter from the MS Foundation; it explains why we are all so willing to volunteer each year:
The National MS Society is so grateful to have such a dedicated group of volunteers. Your efforts this weekend were simply outstanding. Many cyclists have commented on how impressed they were to see and hear Gold Wings not only looking out for their safety but encouraging them along the route as well. Even through the periods of rains, your sprit was not dampened.
We would not be able to put over 6,000 cyclists on the road without your support. Every year, your contributions help improve the safety of the Tour and let the cyclists know they are being cared for on the route. We are proud to announce that we are looking to surpass of goal of $3 million raised in the fight against MS.
All our best,
This is truly a fantastic event. Not only do we get to feed our habit and ride but we do so in support of a great cause. Suggestions are already being bantered about as to how we can better support the event, and, in so doing, we can improve our exposure as a safety conscious motorcycle association.
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