Ride for the Red 2010 – Overland Park, Kansas

This year's ride started at FUEL American Made Bar & Grill in Overland Park, Kansas, and when I pulled into the parking lot, it was already full of bikes. An American Red Cross emergency response vehicle was parked in front of the bar, and several volunteers were busy signing people up for the 120-mile poker ride. Those who took advantage of pre-registration received an event T-shirt, free wing buffet at Hooters at the end of the ride, one raffle ticket and one poker hand. Those signing up the day of the ride were able to purchase T-shjrts for an additional donation. Jason Williby, the Executive Director/CEO of the American Red Cross was busy greeting riders and getting everything organized, as was Shawn, the owner of FUEL.

Shortly before Noon, Jason handed the megaphone over to Bubba, the President of the Blue Knights Motorcycle Club of Kansas for a quick rider briefing. Bubba laid out the route everyone would be taking and gave everyone a rundown of the rules for safe group riding. Shortly after the briefing, more than 200 bikes rolled out of the parking lot on their way to the first stop, which was setup at a shelter house on Hillsdale Lake. .

After drawing a card, most riders took advantage of the cold beverages and snacks for sale under the shelter house. Everyone visited for a while before kickstands were placed in their full-upright positions and everyone rolled out of the park toward the next stop at Driver's Sports Café in Ottawa. I'd never been to this bar before, but it seems to be a very cool bar. After drawing another card, everyone headed to the Brickyard in Olathe, which is a well known biker hangout. .

Everyone crammed into the Brickyard to draw another card, and many riders took advantage of the misters just outside the front door, which were spraying a light mist of refreshing water into the air. Cards were drawn, a few drinks were consumed, and before long, it was time to head to Frankie D's for the next stop. .

Frankie D's has always been a popular biker hangout, and the place looked great after receiving a major renovation due in part to the roof being blown off a few months before by a tornado. A band was busy setting up when we arrived, and after drawing another card, several riders took advantage of Frankie D's great Mexican cuisine. A few drinks later, everyone headed to Hooters in Kansas City, Kansas, which was the final stop. .

A live band was playing as riders drew their last card and settled in for the evening. Riders were required to have their poker hands turned in by 6 p.m. before all the prizes were handed out. I contacted Jason after the ride and he told me there were 214 bikes registered this year, with many riding two-up, and after the dust had settled, they had raised over $9,000. This year's ride was a huge success, so Jason and his crew are already busy planning next year's ride, which will take place on Saturday, August 20, 2011. There will be several pre-registration events taking place, so make sure to watch for their ad in our magazine and put your ear to the radio to find out where you can pre-register. There will also be lots of other fun activities taking place next year, such as bikini bike washes, and other fun activities. .

In closing, I would like to thank Jason and his wonderful crew of volunteers for putting on another great ride to help raise money for the American Red Cross.

By Mike Schweder