13th Annual March of Dimes Bikers for Babies® RIDE - Kansas City

Between August 18 and September 15, there were opportunities to pre-register at various area locations: Blue Springs Harley-Davidson, Riverfront Harley-Davidson in Lawrence, Central Harley-Davidson South, Platte City’s End of the Trail Rally, Gail’s Harley-Davidson, Kawasaki—Hooters at the Legends, Frankie D’s, and Worth Harley-Davidson North. Pre-registrations are hugely important to the success of the Ride and are made possible by the welcome cooperation of sponsors and the tireless efforts of many dedicated volunteers. After completing my pre-registration on the day before the event, I joined Cycle Connections Editor Mike Schweder to set up our booth in one of the NASCAR garages at the speedway. While there, we met members of the Gypsy Queens who were setting up their display in the booth to our left.

The next morning, I arrived at the speedway at 7:30 a.m. Many RIDE volunteers had arrived hours earlier and were ready to handle on-site registrations, direct traffic, and perform various other important tasks. I enjoyed a Chris Cakes breakfast. It was fun to watch the Chris Cakes workers flip pancakes into the air to be caught on paper plates by hungry bikers. Gary Amble, from KCTV-5, served as emcee and introduced RIDE Co-Chairmen Steve Yates and Penny Sharp, Honorary Chairman Johnny Dare from 98.9 FM The Rock, and rocker Jesse James Dupree from Jackyl. Gary Langston represented Kawasaki, the national Bikers for Babies sponsor, and Frank Soldano, Farmers Insurance Kansas State Executive Director and member of March of Dimes board, presented a check in the amount of $100,000 on behalf of presenting sponsor Farmers Insurance Group. Ed Hale was introduced as the top donor, as usual. With the assistance of his “posse”, Ed collected more than $71,000 for the charity. Prior to the ceremony, posse members filed past the stage and dropped off full donation jars and rolls of dimes. During Ed’s talk, posse members dumped a huge tub of cash on the stage. This dedicated group makes fund-raising a priority all year long. The 2007 March of Dimes Ambassador Family; Kara and Scott McBurney from Lee’s Summit and their three-year-old triplets, Lorne, Isaac, and Sullivan; were on hand express their appreciation. Kara told the story of the children, all three of whom were born prematurely weighing less than two pounds each. A prayer of blessing for the bikes and riders and the singing of the national anthem concluded the ceremony.

As bikers left the track to begin the 88-mile all-Kansas ride, members of the Avila University cheerleading squad stood by the road shouting encouragement. The riders were treated to the spectacular sight of a huge American flag suspended over the road, hanging between two Kansas City, Kansas Fire Department ladder trucks. When riders returned to the Kansas Speedway they enjoyed music by The Edge of Forever, a Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute band. A complimentary lunch of delicious chicken wings was provided by Hooters and served by Hooters girls and RIDE volunteers. Extreme Traction Trials Riders demonstrated their skill and balance by riding their specialized motorcycles over a series of formidable obstacles, to the amazement of large crowds of spectators. Gail’s Harley-Davidson sponsored a people’s choice bike show, and a large number of vendors participated in the dealers’ expo.

Each year, grand donors (those who bring in $1,000 or more in donations) are rewarded with an opportunity to ride a few laps around the apron of the speedway. Unfortunately, rain arrived as the first group of 15 riders reached the middle of the backstretch, forcing the postponement of the rides. The exception was Don Post who is a source of inspiration for all who know him. Don has A.L.S. and is unable to walk but still volunteers countless hours to various charities including Bikers for Babies. He has helped with Bikers for Babies since the first year - 1995. This was his first year be a Grand Donor and raise more than $1,300. When the rain let up, Don was allowed to complete his grand donor victory lap in his motorized wheel chair. Other grand donors lined up to congratulate Don as he rolled onto the track. Cheers rang out from all over the pit area as Don completed possibly the slowest, and almost certainly the most moving, motorized lap ever run around the Kansas Speedway.

Jim Sfetko of Parkville, Missouri won the 2008 Harley-Davidson Dyna FXDB Street Bob, donated by Worth Harley-Davidson North. The RIDE was a record-breaking event with more than $717,000 raised for March of Dimes, bringing the 13-year total to $3.1 million! Approximately 7,000 bikers registered, with another 1,500 people participating as donors, volunteers, sponsors and vendors. The huge turnout (nearly double that of 2006) presented problems with the supply of commemorative items, shirts and the complimentary lunch; but organizers vow to make necessary improvements to avoid this complication next year. (Check the website about re-orders of commemorative items.)

The March of Dimes mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality. It carries out this mission through research, community services, education and advocacy to save babies. More information about the March of Dimes Kansas City Bikers for Babies RIDE is available on their website.

Story by Stripe
Photos by Stripe and Mike Schweder