Monday, September 8, 2008

Upcoming Events - September 14 - 16, 2008

UPCOMING EVENTS

Introducing the Blackstone Valley Motorcyclists Survivor's Fund, Inc. On Saturday, September 13, join the Blackstone Valley group as they launch their Fund to assist local families of riders killed in accidents with their 1st Annual "Touring the Valley" Ride. Click here for more information and flyers.

MMSF Supported Event: "Pete's 15th Annual (and last) Pig Roast" on Sunday, September 14th at 1 P.M., at the Winnekenni Castle, 347 Kenoza Ave (off Route 110) in Haverhill, MA. (See www.winnekenni.com). $20 donation per person requested.

Pete's been a champion of motorcycle rights and a supporter, worker and promoter of Nelson's Ride and the goals and missions of the MMSF. This will be his last "Pig Roast," . . . come on out Sunday, September 14th and give Pete Marrochello a BIG THANKS for all the work and good will he's created!

On Monday night, September 15, from 7-9 p.m., the Motorcyclists Survivor's Fund will have a public 'wrap up' meeting for Nelson's Ride, at the Ipswich VFW, County Road, Ipswich. Come on down, tell us the 'good, bad, and ugly' of the 9th Annual Nelson's Ride, so we can improve the 2009 10th (Anniversary) Nelson's Ride for next year. Public invited, sign up to volunteer for the 2009 Nelson's Ride. Pay-as-you go beverages will be available.

On Tuesday night, September 16, from 7-9 p.m., the Southeastern Motorcyclists Survivor's Fund will have a public 'wrap up' meeting for Brian's Ride, in the upstairs function room at the Jockey Club on Route 44 in Raynham. Come on down, tell us the 'good, bad, and ugly' of Brian's Ride, so we can improve the 2009 Brian's Ride for next year. A special DVD produced by Wendell A. Davis, Jr., from pictures of Brian's Ride, will be shown. Public invited, sign up to volunteer for the 2009 Brian's Ride. Free food and pay-as-you go beverages will be available. For more information, see www.BriansRideFriends.org

Monday, August 25, 2008

Nelson's Ride Photo Slide Show in Newburyport Daily News

Newburyport Daily News had photographer Jim Vaiknoras shooting pictures of Nelson's Ride 2008 today...check out his shots! Are you there?

http://www.newburyportnews.com/punews/local_slideshow_237191945



Peggy Blais of Danvers: Nelson's Ride Parade Queen

(Salisbury, MA) Peggie Blais of Danvers will honor the 9th Annual "Nelson's Ride" as its Parade Queen/ Marshall.

Peggie, in 1949, was expecting her third child when her husband traded in their car for a motorcycle. "I thought it was neat. I asked him if girls ride, and he got me a bike too." Peggie, now 80 years young, has been riding ever since.

She was recently recognized at Laconia Bike Week by the Rally Association. She and her family are featured in the recently released "History of Motorcycle Week" book published by Charlie St. Clair and Jennifer Anderson.

The Blais family, with six children, made the annual trek to Motorcycle Week in the 1950's and early 1960's, on two motorcycles with sidecars, and winning about 13 Gypsy Tour trophies for 'best look-alike' (kids), youngest child to ride, woman who rode the most miles, and 'best family' awards.

Then came three more children. "What do you do, the sidecars weren't big enough," she said.



Over the past eight years, she has either rode Nelson's Ride, attended it or stood by her Danvers home waving to the riders. "We had signs reading, 'honk if you love motorcycles and heard about 4,000 horns blasting !"

"Its a wonderful cause, riders helping families of riders killed or seriously injured in accidents."

For years, her husband Bob ran the old Witch City Cycles in Salem. He even build a bike in their basement only to find out there was no way to get it out of the basement, dismantled it and rebuilt it in their living room. "We eat, drink and sleep motorcycles," she said, and has passed that onto her children and grandchildren.

When she wasn't riding with her husband, she rode with the "Motor Maids" riding club, one of the first women riding groups.

With nine children, (6 sons and 3 daughters), they all ride motorcycles. Extending that, there are daughters-in-law, a grandson, and even a great grandson with a tiny electric motorcycle.

Peggie, who still rides her 3-wheel Trike, will be a passenger on "the Demon," a Trike built by Larry Cahill of Medford, and co-sponsor of Nelson's Ride with his motorcycle web site www.BostonBiker.com.

"We acknowledge and appreciate all Peggie and her family have done over 6 decades," said Nelson's Ride promoter Paul W. Cote, President of the Survivor's Fund Board of Directors, "to enhance the positive aspects of motorcycling."

Newburyport Daily News story on Nelson's Ride - 8/23/08

Today's (Sat., Aug. 23) front page, bottom fold, Newburyport Daily News


http://www.newburyportnews.com/archivesearch/local_story_235222754.html


Bikers participating in Nelson’s Ride head through Salisbury Square on their way to Salisbury Beach as they finish their 60-mile ride last year.
Staff file photo Bryan Eaton/ (Click for larger image)
Nelson's Ride fundraiser rumbles through North Shore tomorrow

By Sabrina Cardin
Staff writer


SALISBURY —Tomorrow you may think it is thunder rolling down your street, but the source of the noise is something much more formidable: a pack of hundreds of motorcycle riders with a cause.

For the second year, the fundraiser Nelson's Ride will begin and end in the Salisbury Municipal Parking Lot at Salisbury Beach and rumble through virtually every town in the region between noon and 2:30 p.m.

The ride began nine years ago as a way to help raise money for the family of the late Nelson Selig of Essex, who died in a motorcycle accident in Ipswich in 2000. After three years, Selig's widow, Felicia, said her family was well taken care of and others were in need. Since then, donations have been going toward a program called the Massachusetts Motorcyclists Survivors' Fund, which makes money available to families and bikers across the state in need due to injury or death.

And what began with 700 riders has now swelled to between 1,500 and 2,500 motorcyclists who will take a 66-mile low-speed ride through the streets of the North Shore.

Paul Cote, president of the Board of Directors for Nelson's Ride, said he believes what keeps the ride so successful is that it is a personal cause to each rider.

"Nelson's Ride works to reduce accidents and pain," Cote said. "Even if you don't feel it or experience it yourself, you still have to help."

This year marked a first for Nelson's Ride, which expanded the cause to the South Shore with Brian's Ride, raising an additional $20,000. Catching the fundraising bug, some riders are traveling up from as far away as Hyannis to participate in the North Shore version of the ride.

So far, 250 riders have preregistered, and Cote believes most of the turnout depends on weather. Thankfully for the riders, this weekend holds clear skies for what has been a rainy summer. With the weather intact, the ride is expected to raise close to $30,000 this year.

An Amesbury resident himself, Cote is pleased to begin in Salisbury and loves the business the ride generates for Salisbury Beach.

"On a given Labor Day weekend, Salisbury probably sees 250 visitors," Cote said, "but the ride brings in thousands of people and with that business."

Working in close conjunction with the police, Cote cites safety as the main concern with the slow moving ride. Experienced group leaders all ride 5 mph under posted speed limits. Bikers will ride in a scattered formation, and three weeks ago, volunteers posted 100 delay signs with specific times for all motorists to be aware.

Because of the large volume of riders, all stop signs, red lights and intersections will be delayed until riders pass through. Cote reminds motorists that the rider is not above the law but working with it. Delays are estimated to run about 20 to 30 minutes long.

Cote himself suffered a small crash in his early years and stopped riding until 11 years ago.

No longer apprehensive, he said, "Riding is just you and the road. It's a sense of being."

Neslon's Ride

Hundreds of motorcycle riders will take a 66-mile, low-speed ride around the North Shore, affecting local traffic. Here is a time line of when the ride will pass through local communities:

Noon - Salisbury/Seabrook

12:15 p.m. ¬­— Amesbury

12:24 p.m. — Merrimac

12:34 p.m. — West Newbury

12:40 p.m. — Groveland

12:51 p.m. — Boxford

1:18 p.m. — Topsfield

1:27 p.m. — Wenham/Danvers

1:34 p.m. — Hamilton

1:42 p.m. — Ipswich

1:58 p.m. — Rowley

2:12 p.m. — Newburyport

2:15 p.m. — Salisbury

For a complete map of the route, see http://www.massmsf.org/nelsonpages/nelsonsride-main.html

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Nelson's Ride is this Sunday 8/24 - All The Details Are Here

Sunday, August 24th - 9th Annual Nelson's Ride-Salisbury Beach Municipal Parking Lot

UPDATES:

-Ride Route and Map on Web Site
-Sunday's Schedule of Events on Web Site
-ROAD CAPTAINS - always can use more
-Vendor Info
-Ride Tickets still available at these locations

Help Saturday needed

(Salisbury, MA) The 9th Annual "Nelson's Ride" route and map are now posted on the www.MassMSF.org web site. Take a peek at where the Ride will be traveling, through 14 communities and at what times, and encourage your non-riding friends to come out and see the parade of bikes (over 250 advance orders on line processed - thank YOU !)

Sunday's "Schedule of Events" is now posted on the www.MassMSF.org web site, with volunteers from the Aces and Eights Riding Club, the North Shore Women on Wheels, the East Coast Bikers Chicks, the North Shore Riders, HIS Riders/Christian Motorcycle Association, and Rolling Thunder members, and other independent riders, who all make this annual Event run 'smooth,' with the setting up of the Parking Lot, the 'barkers' directing where the bikes come into the lot, the collection of liability release waivers, the acceptance of the Ride donations ($15 per person requested), the parking and staging of the bikes. TONS of thanks to the more than 60 volunteers and groups who put on this Event with the MMSF. If you'd like to work a few hours at the Event (many hands make light work for all) write us at contact@MassMSF.org and we'll pass on your info to our Volunteers Coordinator, Dianne.

Road Captains - TONS of thanks to the above riding clubs, and Boston HOG, the Cruiser Club of Boston, and other independent Riders, who have already signed as Road Captains. We can always use more helping make the Ride safe for all. If you'd like to help with Road Guarding, please write us at contact@MassMSF.org, and we'll pass your info to our Ride Captain, Deputy Dick ! Note, Road Captains go out about 15 minutes before the Ride, to intersections, waiting for the Ride to approach, then 'block' the intersection for the Riders safety, and fall in to the Ride as the last bike approaches. We also need Ride Captains in the 'pack' to ensure no one jeopardizes the safety of the Ride and/or to make decisions to block smaller streets along the Ride Route where it appears impatient motorists are trying to wedge their way into the Ride.

Vendor Space - a limited amount of Vendor Space is available, at $50 per space, with an 'item donation' for our raffles, or $100 (without an item donation). Vendors are required to pay in advance of Sunday, come in from 7:30 - 8:30 a.m., be set up and ready to sell by 9:15 a.m. Space will be available for vendors to park their vehicles behind their vending space for easy loading and unloading of products. If you know some vendors who might want to vend, have them contact us at contact@MassMSF.org.

RIDE Tickets - Pre-Registration. Thank you for the on-line orders and donations. Over 250 of them ! ! ! All Ride Tickets have been mailed and the final T-shirt and products mailing is being completed tonight.

You can still obtain Ride Tickets in advance of Sunday. Pre-purchasing your Ride Tickets gets you close to the front of the Ride staging and FREE entry into the drawing for the LoJack system and installation and Rider Training Course gift certificates from Cycles 128 !

Ride tickets are also available at the following supporting shops and businesses, through Friday, August 22 and/or Saturday August 23th, (if they are open - call them to check their schedule):

Beverly - Cycles 128 ! (107 Brimbal Ave)

Danvers - Cody's Brewing Company (62 Maple Street)

Essex, - JR's Route 22 Restaurant and Pub (233 Western Ave.)

Ipswich - VFW - (County Road); Arvo's Gulf Station (22 Topsfield Road)

Lynn - Ed and Vin's Garage (16 Chestnut Street)

Newbury - Knuckehead Motorsports, (Route 1)

Newburyport - Seacoast Cycles (Route 1 traffic circle)

Peabody - Fat Boy Cycles (11 State Street), Gaeta's Towing (Route 1 South), Sacco's (121 Lynn St) and

Provanzano Law Offices (16 Bourbon Street)

Salem - Witch City Cycles, (11 Goodhue Street), Canal Street Cycles, (47 Canal Street)

Salisbury - Drew's Cycle (72 Elm Street, Route 110)

Wakefield - Extreme Moto Design, (Lowell Street)


The 9th Annual "Nelson's Ride" is Sunday, August 24, from the Salisbury Municipal Parking Lot on Route 1A (Beach Street). Staging begins at 9:30 a.m., safety briefing and announcements at 11:30 a.m., and the Ride leaves at 12:00 noon SHARP !

Saturday help needed - We have to clean out our storage site with all the tents, tables, signs, chairs, etc., and need 'sweepers' to drive the Ride Route to sweep sand and other garage off the roads. If you have a pick up and a few hours of time Saturday afternoon, . . . write us at contact@MassMSF.org and we'll match you up with one of our team leaders.

We also have a raffle for 'gas cards' going on at $5 per ticket, three tickets for $10 which can be purchased at our Events Products tent with the drawing at Nelson's Ride.

The 66 mile Ride will travel through the cities and towns of Salisbury, Seabook (NH), Salisbury, Amesbury, Merrimac, Haverhill, W. Newbury, Groveland, Boxford, Topsfield, Wenham, Hamilton, Ipswich (pass Nelson's roadside marker at about 1:45), Rowley, Newburyport, and back into Salisbury, for some classic Biker Games, music by Rockin' Randy, and lots of fun!

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Betsy Murphy's Going Away Party for founding MMSF Board Member in Saugus - August 28th in Saugus



Our buddy Betsy Murphy of Salem will be moving out of Massachusetts Labor Day weekend - relocating to North Carolina, and we are throwing a 'bye-bye Betsy' Party at Kowloon's, 948 Broadway (Route 1 North), Saugus, on Thursday night, August 28, from 7-9 p.m. Light snacks will be served with pay as you go beverages.

As many of you know, over the years Betsy has donated hundreds of hours of her time, talent an energy, helping others. She was a founding Board Member of the Massachusetts Motorcyclists Survivor's Fund. She testified passionately for adult helmet choice during the ABATE of Massachusetts years, and has been a longtime member of the Massachusetts Motorcycle Association (MMA), helping get six (6) bills enacted for motorcyclists She also handled the Registration for our Annual Toy Ride for 4 years.

Betsy is a past member of Boston HOG and Cruiser Club of Boston, and a current member of the East Coast Biker Chicks, American Motorcyclists Association (AMA) and Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF), and Merrimac Valley HOG.

Come Thursday night, August 28, 2008, from 7-9 p.m., to Kowloon's, for your last good-byes and well wishes as she embarks on another chapter in her life. We will likely do a 50/50 raffle to help her with the gas moeny. Wish her well and join me in thanking her for all she's done on behalf of motorcyclists in Massachusetts.

If you can't make it August 28th, feel free to e-mail her at Sftgrl@aol.com

Saturday, August 9, 2008

New England Ride for Freedom Tomorrow (8/10/08)

NEW ENGLAND RIDE FOR FREEDOM V RUN TO THE MASSACHUSETTS VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL

WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS - SUNDAY, AUGUST 10, 2008

FROM PARAMOUNT HARLEY DAVIDSON PARKING LOT (266 WAVERLY ST, ROUTE 135 ~ FRAMINGHAM, MA)

REGISTRATION 9:00 am to 11:00 am
KICKSTANDS UP @ 11:30 am
DONATION: $20.00 RIDER / $10.00 PASSENGER

We are a class 501C-4 non-profit Organization
All proceeds go to supporting POW-MIA Awareness & Veterans Care
Route: Police Escorted, Secondary Roads through Small Towns to Worcester

CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT THE VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL
FOOD, MUSIC, RAFFLES AND PRIZES

PRESENTED BY
ROLLING THUNDER ® INC.
MASSACHUSETTS CHAPTER 1
http://www.rollingthunderma1.com

For Information Contact: Charlie- 617.371.8399 or Bob- 617.828.1255
Bob DeGregorio
Vice President
Rolling Thunder MA 1
c 617 828-1255
h 781 246-1450
f 781 587-1614
www.rollingthunderma1.com

"When one American is not worth the effort to be found, we as Americans have lost"