Riders gather despite chilly weather for Memory Ride 2016

By Doug Schroder

Editor

PECATONICA – Motorcycle riders gathered together on Saturday, May 14, at Cimino’s Restaurant in Pecatonica for the 2016 Memory Ride. Lori Burhkardt coordinated the event, in memory of the motorcycle riders who lost their lives. Added to the list this year were: Anna Capriola, Amanda Leigh Tracey, Cathie Rockey Harris, Dawn Arnold, Don Samp, Doris Jane Clark, Laurie Brod, Jessie Border, Margaret Brown, sisters Carol Lapp and Patty Mcray, Evangelo”Van” Rafios, Matthew Leombruni, Barb Baker, Jimmy “Tank” Maples, Keither and Nancy Peterson, Larry Schumacher, Ryan Alan Rhodes, Ron “Head Hunter” Knight, Jim Stroup and John Reynolds, and Nancy Schumacher Kipling.

After a delicious buffet breakfast, riders gathered outside of Cimino’s where Reverend Bill Cook ascended a step-ladder and gave a short speech and prayer before everyone let the helium filled balloons fly into the sky in memory of the loved ones they have lost.

Reverend Cook also recited a piece that he created just for the Memory Ride. He has added music and turned it into a song he recorded. On this day he simply recited it in prose.

“It has been said, if we have to explain, you wouldn’t understand why we chose two wheels to ride, and travel this great land.

We live to ride, and ride to live, be it a sunny, or a rainy day. It’s just who we are, and what we do. We prefer our life this way.

The freedom to ride, the loved ones now gone, bring us here today. So, we will ride in memory, of our loved ones, who passed away

As we ride down Main Street, crack our pipes, in formation side by side, it is the sound that brings the Angels, that will join us on our ride.

As we ride and feel the wind on our face, it will be under their wings, as they gently soar above us, keeping us safe from all things.

The end of our ride, as we gather to remember, they’ll watch over you and me. Always by our side, always keeping us safe. These angels truly free.”

The motorcycle riders then got their bikes into line and rode out to the Pecatonica Cemetery, then coming back through town on Main Street, before heading out on their ride which went to stops in Winslow, Juda, WI; Orfordville, Beloit, WI; and then finally ending up in Rockford at The Image bar where there was food and raffles to end the day.

There is certain camaraderie amongst motorcycle riders and this one event that makes it so.

Motorcycle riders release balloons in memory of loved ones at the 2016 Memory Ride held on Saturday, May 14.