Topic: Organizing a ride, Fund raiser.

[Rocking-M]

I'm thinking of trying to organize a ride as a fund raiser for a couple of young boys (5 years old0 here in
Floyd who both have brain cancer. I would like it to be a weekend affair and use as the main route,
The Crooked Road, Virginia's Heritage Music Trail.      http://www.thecrookedroad.org/

The Crooked Road also ends up or starts, depending on which way it is run, near the
Grand Canyon of the East (suppose to be the deepest gorge east of the Mississippi though there
is debate on just who can claim this, NC claiming it too!) Anyway the Breaks are real nice!

http://www.jotravels.com/breaks/

I would plan to offer T-shirts and decals for the ride these to be included with the donations
to partake. I may even be able to get most of the t shirts and other items covered by some
businesses in the area so that all proceeds could go directly to the families.
I am also thinking this could be a joint venture with some local car clubs.

It would seem that since this is to tie into the VA Heritage Music Trail we would need to hear some music.
Each Friday night in Floyd is the "Friday Night Jamboree" so it may be best to start from Floyd.
I assume accommodations would need to be located  for at least 2 nights I suppose.

I have never organized anything like this so your interest and input would
be greatly appreciated. Shooting for sometime around the end of April.

[medic09]

Check that Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation isn't doing a ride just around then.  Too similar and might distract folks from your ride.

[turtle]

Sounds like a great idea. Shame we are too far away to come.
I think you guys are wonderful the way you open your hearts and wallets to those in need.
Good luck with it Rocking-M.

[Rocking-M]

Thanks Turtle, might be best to start with a one day event.
I am hoping some SOHC folks round about here will chime in
with ideas and how to put this together.

I do live in a county which is quickly becoming a destination
for tourist so it must have it's appeal.

The Harley Riders I can probably get out if need be

[turtle]

Our local chapter of the Ulysses Club (MC club for over 50s) organises a big fund raiser ride each year. I am not a member but did do one of the rides.
Do you belong to a club or could you approach a local club to act as a "name" for your ride?

Some ideas that occur to me:
Contact local traffic enforcement [police?] to get their take on it. Our police are very co-operative and manned every intersection along the route to ensure the bikes had right of way, regardless of traffic signs, lights or give way rules. A toll bridge en route also opened up and let all the bikes through for free.

You will need ride leaders and marshalls along the route.

Try to find some sponsorship. Maybe local businesses will donate goods that could be raffled.

On our ride, everyone paid an entry fee ($10 I think) and was given a paper ID bracelet. This entitled you to entry to grounds and lunch.

You will need an army of willing helpers. Lunch was a barbeque (sausages, patties, steak? salads and bread) and organised by club members. Perhaps you could canvas local shops for bulk discount or donations of food.

If you want to sell beer etc., you may need to get some kind of licence.

You will need to find a venue for the end of the ride where people can gather and socialise ( and eat of course). Perhaps a sports ground?

Some entertainment (local band?) helps things move along.

Perhaps some bike related suppliers would be interested in having stands at the event for a small rental fee or in exchange for donated goods.

You will need to organise tee-shirts and/or patches / badges and decide whether to sell them or include them in the entry fee.

Publicity is very important. Perhaps a newspaper / local television / radio would be interested in your story. Other methods are posters in bike shops, servos, pubs, or anywhere bikers gather; through bike clubs; bike magazines etc.

Good luck.

[Serenity]

Yes good luck and way to go on all the info turtle, nicely done....hope it all works out...lot involved isnt there, I had a friend in the ulysses club, must check if hes still in it.

[Rocking-M]

Hey Turtle, thanks for all the detailed info.
Lots of it will go down simple, our county only has 13k people.
Police are real easy going and would be glad to help out I'm sure.

I don't think there is any local MC Club though that may not be
a problem as the parkway through our county has thousands of
bikes pass through most any given weekend during tourist season.
Perhaps some flyer's on the Parkway stops would generate interest.

Just rambling, I need to get some other folks round here interested in
organizing (something I have no talent at).