Spike’s 2nd Annual Breast Cancer Run

Spike’s Breast Cancer Run is about good people doing a good thing for a worthy cause and having fun doing it. Spike’s daughter Jessica had a real life experience with this dreaded disease (reference previous articles) and is a survivor and stronger than ever. Jessica’s comment abut the run was, “Just awesome, amazing, in spite of the weather.”

As of May 11, the ‘Run’ has raised over $20,800, and some monies are still trickling in. Funds were raised by individual donations, corporate sponsors, T-shirts sales and ride pins, raffle ticket sales, silent auction and food sales. There is a full list of sponsors and benefactors at www.spikestrikes.com.

Two of the major raffle items included a mini-chopper and a huge Harley-Davidson flag. The flag flew over the Harley-Davidson Plant and was donated by the Kansas City Harley-Davidson Employee Riders Association. “Save the Boobies” T-shirts were also a big hit at the run and are still available by contacting Spike. Often in the background you could hear the crowd chanting, “Save the Boobies, Save the Boobies.”

All proceeds from this fundraising event will be donated to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation through the Breast Cancer Three Day and the NPT, National Philanthropic Trust. Jessica’s husband works for Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad, and through their corporate sponsorship BNSF will match contributions up to $20,000 per employee so that total could almost double.

There are literally months of planning and effort that go into organizing an event like this, and Spike said, “I can’t say thanks enough to all my friends.” It takes the time, dedication and attention to details of many people to make this not only a successful but also safe event. Actually there are too many people to list without fear of missing someone but a few of the key players include Anita Shaw, Mark and Margie Smith, owners of the Brickyard Tavern; Larry Henry, who took charge of the donations and raffle; Richard Riggs, the road captain; the road guards, Sharion Cox for the flyers and press releases, Ron Bradford at Artsmill for a huge banner and everyone else not mentioned.

Early on in organizing the event, Mark Smith experienced some rumblings and minor hurdles as he tried to get permits and assistance from the City of Olathe Police Department and the ABC. As it turned out everything went fine and all law enforcement agencies were very helpful. A special thanks to the City of Olathe Police Department who assisted in getting the run out of Olathe, the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office for getting us out of Johnson County, to the Baldwin City Police and the City of Olathe Police Department who met the riders at the Ernie Miller Park on K-7 Highway and led the procession back to the Brickyard. The City of Olathe Police Department assigned four officers to attend the event, and there were 37 volunteers for those positions.

The run left the Brickyard in Olathe, to Tracy’s in Edgerton, to Puckett’s in Baldwin City, to the Slow Ride Roadhouse in Lawrence, to Kobi’s in Bonner Springs and back to the Brickyard. At the Brickyard, a professional drinking establishment, two bands, Crisis and Damaged Goods were slated to play outside but were cut short by the weather. Mark Smith would also like to thank the Mission Bowl for use of their parking lot.

At one point coming south on K-7 Highway the riders under the direction of the road captain Richard Riggs went four abreast. It was an awesome sight and sound as almost 300 motorcycles came over the horizon in four straight lines (see lead photo). Spike’s comment upon a safe return to the Brickyard was, “Totally safe…Again!”

Anita commented after the run that it has just gotten too big. If the weather had cooperated this year they would not have been surprised to see another 100 bikes. Even though the ride is over and motorcycles have cooled down, the work is still not over. After the volunteers came back on Sunday to clean the parking lot there was still lots to do, including follow-up details and “thank yous,” and, yes, after a deep sigh of relief, discussion of next year’s Spike’s Breast Cancer Run.

Article & photos by Gene Wineland