By Carmen Roberts (June 8)
The first among hundreds of motorcycles reach NYC’s Verrazano–Narrows Bridge
Photos by Carlos V.
NEW YORK — Hundreds of motorcycles roared through the streets of New York City on June 8 to raise money for Bikers Against Breast Cancer. The weather was perfect: warm and sunny. The streets the best: no traffic. “It was great to ride through New York City with a police escort,” said NYC Harley Owners Group’s Jaime F. originally from Madrid.
Riders register for 21st annual NYC HOG’s Bikers Against Breast Cancer
Registration begins at Harley-Davidson of NYC
New York’s Finest provide escort for the ride
NYC Chapter Harley Owners Group (HOG) sponsors the annual event to raise money to fight breast cancer. This year 18 New York City police officers led the way from Long Island City through Brooklyn to the Forest Park in Queens. New York’s Finest on their white Harleys held back traffic giving the 220 riders a perfect view of iconic sights, including the Manhattan skyline, the World Trade Center, and the Statue of Liberty. Riders were able to glide past the Verrazano–Narrows Bridge, feel the ocean breeze, and enjoy the tree-lined parkways without dodging the normal chaotic NYC traffic.
Leading the ride
Richie “Blue Eyes”and son give thumbs up
“Jo Mo” collects donations from passers-by
Autumn S. just bought a Harley and was happy to join the ride. “It’s awesome. My first group ride is more than 200 bikers. That’s really cool.”
Kim F. and John C. eager to roll
Riders of all types of bikes came for many reasons. Special Assistant to New York Governor Andrew Cuomo Peter Vallone Jr. led the ride as grand marshal. “Bikers get a bad rap occasionally. It’s good to show people there are far more good bikers than bad. That’s what it’s all about — raising money for a great cause.”
NYC HOG’s 21st annual Bikers Against Breast Cancer (BABC) raised $18,252 dollars on Sunday for the nonprofit group, SHAREing & CAREing. This is the fourth year BABC has worked to help the Astoria, New York group.
Eleni, Joe and Jonnie Marie sell BABC 21st annual T-shirts
New York State Assemblywoman Aravella Simotas spoke to the riders as they gathered at NYC Harley-Davidson in Long Island City. “It’s wonderful to come to an event that supports SHAREing & CAREing and see so many people out here on a beautiful morning. It means so much to people who are touched by breast cancer.”
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New York State Assemblywoman
Aravella Simotas encourages the riders
Vallone said that it also means a great deal to the group. “SHAREing & CAREing is a small group and needs this money. This group doesn’t survive without the money that you guys give to them, and because they survive, they help others survive.”
BABC has been going strong since 1994. Former NYC HOG Director, Joe “T” started it to honor women riders in the club. “We were the first motorcycle group to do a breast cancer run. Before NYC HOG you never heard of anyone doing it.” The loss of his wife and daughter to breast cancer inspired him to dedicate the ride to fight the disease. His wife Edina died in 1979; his daughter Sue Filice died in 1995. ”It happened to my family. It shouldn’t happen to anyone else,” he said.
Support, care and more from NYC HOG members
Mike, Juan, Cheryl, Carlos and “Jo Mo”
Photo/Rob L.
More than 39,000 women were expected to die from breast cancer in 2013, according to the American Cancer Society. Only lung cancer accounts for more cancer deaths in women.
NYC HOG’s “Little Al” has been participating in BABC since 1999. “In the first 17 years we raised a little more than $1.2 million for the American Cancer Society. Now we work with SHAREing & CAREing, where every single dime goes to direct patient care, rehabilitation and counseling. Everything the cancer patient needs.”
Betty S. registers riders
Photo/ Carmen Roberts
SHAREing & CAREing provides those services and more for free. “We know this money will touch others’ lives. People who are struggling, be it with transportation or getting hair pieces or even access to another opinion, we are there to help them and this goes to help them,” said Anna Kril, SHAREing & CAREing co-founder and breast cancer survivor.
Smiles for the cause
Some riders had personal reasons for supporting BABC.“ I feel great being here. My mother passed away from breast cancer eight years ago,“ said NYC HOG’s Calvin B.
Every rider donated at least $25 and one rider collected thousands. NYC HOG’s Jeff G. contributed a whopping $9,193. “My company, my employees, my vendors, my clients — they also support the group and the work it’s doing.”
Jeff presents donation to Shareing & Careing’s Anna Krill (left)
Enjoying the NYC skyline without the normal frenzied traffic
The long and short of it. Riders get to spread out and take in the sights.
After a 52-mile ride, bikers chowed down on delicious Italian food catered by Cascarino’s of College Point, New York and rocked out to live music by the Steve Marshall Band with Simon Kirke from Bad Company sitting in on the drums.
Queuing for tasty Italian and a cool drink
The Steve Marshall Band returns to rock out for the riders
Bad Company’s Simon Kirke on the drums
NYC HOG awarded three trophies for motorcycle skill games: slow ride and cone weave. First place went to Lou M. with Star Touring and Riding Association on his Yamaha. Only riding for six years, he said, “If you practice riding the right way, you can relax and enjoy the ride.” Second place was earned by NYC HOG’s Richie “Blue Eyes”; third went to Gotham Disciples’ “Rev.Sal” on his Harley Road King Custom.
Motorcycle skills first-place winner, Lou M.
Richie “Blue Eyes”
&
Rev. Sal
After months of planning and one long day of making riders welcome — NYC HOG Director Joe S. congratulated the chapter for its hard work. “My HOG chapter is the best. They all pulled together with everybody jumping in where they can. It’s just a great group of people”
A couple of riders captured the mood. “It was great to meet all the people,” said Harley rider Tommy C. “I came to support breast cancer, be with good people, ride with my buddies, and enjoy the beautiful weather,” said C. Johnson of Westchester County, NY.
No matter how great the ride the bottom line is fighting breast cancer said Joe S., who has also lost family to the disease. “That’s why I do this every year, and as long as we have this run, I’ll continue to do it.” He says NYC HOG’s Bikers Against Breast Cancer will be back for its 22nd annual event in June 2015.
NYC HOG’s George P. sums up the day