Motorcycles, Photography, Rants and Raves: Ride For Rachel

Here's a clipping from the New Bern Sun Journal:

Palace City Wings, a New Bern biker group, organized the "Ride for Rachel Poker Run" as the final fund-raising event for Rachel Lynn Smith of Farmville.

Rachel, whose family mostly lives near New Bern, has been sick since she was 4 months old. Over the last several months, her friends and family have organized bake sales, barbecue dinners and chili sales to raise money for her parents' medical bills.

The health of a 3-year-old Farmville girl with anemia is getting better, her mother said today.

Rachel Lynn Smith's body is making red blood cells again, her mother, Rebecca, said. Rachel has had blacksfan diamond anemia since she was 4 months old. The disease does not allow a person's body to make red blood cells.

So Saturday morning some of us meet at Bojangles to grab a quick bite to eat so we can arrive at the Fire Department just prior to 9:00AM.

The event had minimal coverage but word of mouth had sufficed to make a good show and sign up was quick and efficient. Somewhere between 150 and 200 bikes where on hand.

The route consisted of about 70 miles with stops in Trenton, Kinston and Fort Barnwell. Some of the best back roads riding in the area.

It started out at 53 degrees and partly cloudy but it quickly warmed to 75. The winds were gusting to the mid twenties and there was quite a bit of crosswind as we rode by the numerous open fields.

We were in a group of about 30 bikes on the way to stop one in Trenton.

Our regular group, being mostly Harley riders, was somewhat curious as to why some of the Goldwing riders were pulling trailers for a short ride such as this.

At the Trenton stop things were moving right along.

On to Kinston.

With a brief stop we collected yet another card.

As we left Kinston it worked out that our group was mainly the Harley riders.

It's almost a Milwaukee family portrait in Fort Barnwell.

One more card to go and we head back to the Fire Department.

There were quite a few bikes already back from the route.

And quite a few hungry people lined up for lunch!!

Some of the biker guys (this one's an outlaw Harley rider AKA Mr. Z) were just out to pick up chicks.

Rachel's grandparents, Dallas and Cathy Cahoon, being interviewed by WCTI TV12.

A great time was had by all. Good friends, good food, good weather, a worthy cause and motorcycles, what more can be said. Rachel will be in our hearts and thoughts.

I have included the comments to the article in the Sun Journal.

great story. great group of folks and i enjoyed the ride.

Hector Gomez - Mar 24, 2008 09:10:27 AM

Hats off to the organizers and participants. Hopefully the monetary goal was exceeded and Rachael can get the medical treatment she needs. This little girl needs to have a chance to experience and enjoy life. Thanks NBSJ for the wonderful article highlighting an event for such a great cause. Cheers!

Dale Jones Sr - Mar 23, 2008 10:04:57 PM

I think in today's society people are well aware that most bikers are wonderful, caring people. I don't believe they are seen as scary, but rather as people who love to ride and help others while they do it. God bless those who helped in this cause. You are wonderful individuals who raised money for a wonderful cause.

Wonderful Event - Mar 23, 2008 09:44:59 AM

It is nice to hear that there are still morally decent people in this world, especially when they come together to help a child. My father rides in poker runs and my heart swells when I think of the amount of time and money that is put into these runs. I am amazed that it seems that the people that most others would be afraid of because of past stigma are usually the first ones to show how truly big there hearts are. Take a moment and thank a biker--you never know when you may be helped by one of the "scariest" people on earth. Live long, ride hard, have fun

Tynk - Mar 23, 2008 01:56:33 AM

Some parting shots......