Elkhart County D.A.R.E. Benefit

What do you get when you mix a Poker Run with the care and concern many riders have for the safety of our children? On May 14th, over one hundred bikes committed to making the statement: "Help our kids fight peer pressure and educate them on the perils of drugs!" All proceeds from the registration fee ($7 for single riders, $10 per couple) went to the Elkhart County D.A.R.E. education program run in many of the middle schools in the area.

The event, organized by Chapter H of the Gold Wing Road Riders Association (GWRRA) was a resounding success. The chapter contacts Walter and Audrey Grimes did a fine job organizing the ride and everything went without a hitch!

The 107 mile ride started in downtown Goshen accross from the Kroger shopping complex and featured over a hundred bikes of all makes and models. Scott Townsend, the only representative of the Valkyrie clan was warmly, if not enviously greeted by others. He joined a group of bikes that ranged from Wings, to Harley Davidson's, to a Honda F4 street bike, to a Venture tourer, and more. At the event were also two or three V-Max's that always seem to impress folks that are in-the-know about the 6,000 RPM V-Boost thing!

Over $700 was raised for both the Elkhart County, and Goshen D.A.R.E. programs. These are some of the shots taken to celebrate the event. Take particular notice of the new Harley Davidson Police cruisers that are now on the beat in the Goshen area (pictured above).

The nearly perfect arrangement of everyone's bikes at the end of the 107 mile run was cool. We all gathered at the picnic area and pulled cards for our hand. Scott's poker hand was an impressive pair of 2's (NOT!). In any event, all walked away with at least some prize...thanks to the many corporate and local sponsors.