By David Rattigan, Globe Correspondent | June 3, 2007
MMSF helps riders downed riders and their families all around Massachusetts. Please take a look at our past events to read about those in the riding community that we've helped.
Click on a headline (below) to read the complete articles about the work done by MMSF.
October 28th, 2007 - Allen Family
Event Recap October 18th, 2007 -
(Gloucester, MA) A short motorcycle memorial ride
and "celebration of life" fundraising party will be
held Sunday, October 28, in Gloucester to
honor fallen Vietnam Veteran hero, David Allen, and
help with family finances. Dave left behind a
wife of over 30 years, Anne Marie (Gilardi)
Allen, and three adult children.
Date:
September 20, 2007
RE:
Docket No. G2007-07
Proposed New Regulation, 211 CMR 79.00
Private Passenger Motor Vehicle Insurance Rates
(Boston, MA) As the
state begins to move to a competitive market with auto
insurance premiums and coverages for 2008, motorcyclists
ROARED with their disapproval claiming the new 37-pages of
proposed regulations do not even mention motorcycles once.
“We are hopeful it was an oversight,” said Paul W. Cote of
Amesbury, the Director of Government Relations for the
Massachusetts Motorcycle Association.
In written testimony submitted at today’s public hearing at
the Division of Insurance, Cote complained historically
owners of motorcycles are short-changed on coverages and
discounts afforded to private passenger cars and trucks,
while being charged excessive rates compared to claims
payouts.
“In 2004, close to fifty million dollars was paid in
premiums by motorcyclists, yet less than twenty-five million
dollars was paid out in claim and claims handling expenses,
representing close to a one hundred percent profit,” claimed
Cote.
Cote asked that the new regulation either afford motorcycle
consumers the same coverage availability and discounts as
other private passenger vehicle owners enjoy, or separate
and distinct regulations be established in this new
competitive market of motorcycle consumers.
Cote said he and others would welcome a seat at the table to
address the deficiencies the new proposed competitive market
regulations as the Commonwealth moves into this new era for
private passenger insurance.
The written testimony submitted will be available on the
motorcycle associations website at
www.MassMotorcycle.org.
(see
attached 3-page testimony in Adobe PDF)
http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/06/03/on_the_road_again/ Twelve years ago, when she began dating
the man who would become her husband, Angela Brown was
deathly afraid of motorcycles. She definitely didn't want to
ride on the back of his. "I was so scared, he sold it," said
Brown, 40. Three years ago, Brown decided it was
time to conquer her fear and check off another item on her
"life list." As a result, the Plaistow, N.H., resident now
rides to work at the Elements salon in Rowley as many as
five days a week, if the weather allows it. On her off days,
she cruises the countryside. "It's a lot of fun," said Brown, who
likes the feel of the engine beneath her and the environment
surrounding her. "I see the ground, the trees, everything." Pushed by women and what the industry
calls "returning riders" -- former motorcyclists who are
getting back on the bike in their 40s and 50s -- motorcycle
registrations have soared in recent years. Based on a 42 percent increase in
motorcycle registrations in Massachusetts between 2000 and
2006, industry analysts estimate that there are 53,047 more
bikes on Massachusetts roads than there were seven years
ago. The increase has been similar in New
Hampshire, which claims the highest ridership per capita
with 68,879 registered motorcycles and just over a million
people. As state Senator Bob Letourneau, a Republican from
Derry, said, "We don't have traffic, have beautiful, scenic
roads, and don't have a helmet law." The increase this year has not been as
large as in recent years, said New Hampshire Division of
Motor Vehicles spokeswoman Katie Daley , but with gas prices
on the rise, she expects more people to purchase
motorcycles. "That's a big issue," said Daley, who
rides a 2002
Jim Connors , 55, of Beverly, recalls
that the gas crunch was also a motivator the last time he
rode a bike regularly, about 30 years ago. Of course, back
then gas was about $1.57 a gallon. Connors recently took a safety class with
the Motorcycle Riders School at Cycles! 128 in Beverly, and
purchased a used Suzuki Intruder for about $5,000. With his
children grown, "I just got that itch," said Connors, a
widower. "I plan on going out and getting around to see the
countryside." Jim Burns, an instructor at the school
since 1997, said that the single largest demographic
increase is with men between the ages of 45 and 55. Typically, Burns said, the men's families
are older, "they've got some money, they rode when they were
20 and haven't ridden in a few years, and they come back.
That group is easily the biggest." Burns said that demographic is also one
that should be particularly careful, because the bike they
return to is often nothing like the bike they left. "In 20 years, motorcycles have changed,"
said Paul Cote of Amesbury, president of the Massachusetts
Motorcyclists Survivors Fund and legislation liaison for the
Massachusetts Motorcycle Association. "It's a completely
different bike than it was, which is why we say they should
sharpen their skills. It's not like riding a bicycle." According to the American Motorcyclist
Association, the average age of its members is 40, with an
average household income of $91,500. Sixty-six percent are
married, and 12 percent have postgraduate degrees. That's why, when the survivors fund was
successfully persuading the town of Salisbury to let it host
a three-day event on Labor Day weekend that included the
annual fund-raising "Nelson's Ride" (to benefit the families
of fallen motorcyclists in Essex County), one selling point
was that the 2,000 motorcyclists attending the event would
pump an estimated $1 million into the local economy. The "outlaw biker" is still out there,
but these days the motorcycle whirring along the roads of
this region is more likely to be ridden by the accountant
next door. Connors works for
"I always liked bikes, but never
seriously considered driving my own," said Barrett, who
recently purchased a Honda VT600. She said she was motivated
by a number of factors, including a level of confidence that
came with recent life changes, including turning 40. "It's a different phase," she said. "I'm
more willing to take risks and become more adventurous." She was also motivated to ride by the
thought of driving along the New England coast. "The short
summer gave me the motivation to get out there." Burns noted that the increase in women
riders is a big reason for motorcycling's growing
popularity. "They've been on the back of the bike,
and now they're tired of that and want to get on the front,"
he said. New rider Katie Quinn, 29, of Hampton,
N.H., is a hairstylist at Dellaria in Burlington, where four
of 15 hairstylists ride. "I've always wanted one, since when I was
younger," said Quinn, who rides a Suzuki GSX-R. "But I had
to wait until I had the money." Maria Warner, 21, of Hampton, N.H., rode
on the back of her boyfriend's motorcycle three times before
she decided it was time to get a bike of her own. "I like to do things on my own," said
Warner, a student and bartender who also snowboards and
skydives. "This is something fun to do."
Ride and joy Some people are still wary of bikers, thanks
mostly to fringe groups like the Outlaws, the Bandidos and of
course the Hell’s Angels, who writer Hunter Thompson once called
the rottenest motorcycle gang in the whole history of
Christendom. Most riders say those groups make up about 1
percent of the bikers on the road. The other 99 percent are like
the people at Nelson’s Ride, regular folks - teachers,
electricians, lawyers and business people who share a passion
for motorcycles. And boomers, who appear to be out to prove
that aging is an irrelevant concept, have swelled those ranks
significantly. Nowadays, what you find is a huge community of
graying bikers who are involved in networking, charity
organizations and political activism. It’s kind of like an
alternative Rotary Club in black leather and there’s probably
some overlapping between the two groups. "It’s like a big
extended family," says Wendy Erickson, 44, of Danvers.
"Everyone’s 40-something and we have grown kids, we’re done with
a lot of that responsibility - and it’s like we’re in high
school again." For the first time last weekend, Erickson
made it to Nelson’s Ride. She says she had a great time although
it was a little more complicated for her, since she’s still
recovering from a bike accident a few years back. "I don’t know
what happened, something ran in front of me," she says. "Maybe
something cut me off." Those who were riding with her that day say
her back wheel touched a telephone pole, the bike swerved and
Erickson was thrown 40 feet into the air. Her neck was broken in
four places. "Nobody told me I wouldn’t walk again," says
Erickson. Nobody really thought she would, either. But she does.
She says it’s like walking on water balloons, and she still
needs a walker or crutches, but she’s getting there and pinning
a lot of hope on stem cell research to find a way to repair her
damaged nerve tissue. Erickson is a particularly big fan of the
Massachusetts Motorcyclists Survivors Fund group that organizes
Nelson’s Ride. Back in 2000, about 50 riders made the first run
to raise money to send Nelson Selig’s kids to college. After the
first three years, the Selig family said they were set. They
asked the organizers to use the money collected through the ride
to help other families in Essex County who lost loved ones
through motorcycle accidents. Statistics show an average of 42
riders die each year in accidents on Massachusetts roads. Around the same time, several of the
original organizers of the ride began thinking about expanding
the idea. They wanted to start a fund that would give some
immediate help to families like the Seligs. As they put it, they
wanted to give families some "breathing room while they grieved
those first few months." And so the Massachusetts Motorcycle
Survivors Fund was created, with Nelson’s Ride as one of its big
runs or events. The group helped Erickson out with a big
check to help pay the bills, and although she appreciates it,
what she seems to treasure even more are the smaller things.
Last Christmas, a biker Santa showed up at her house and
showered her grandkids with presents. She was worried about some
plumbing problems in her home, but a friend from the survivors
fund group checked it out and repaired things.
"Everyone is so sweet," says Erickson. "I
have to look at them sometimes and ask, ’Are you for real?’"
But they’re very real. Last weekend,
1,020 bikes took part in the run and raised $30,000 for the
survivors fund. Organizers expected a repeat of last year when
2,000 bike showed up for the ride, but this year the weather
wasn’t with them. Gray skies threatened rain all morning and
kept a lot of people home.
Still, a parade of 1,020 motorcycles
commands a little attention and respect, and that’s what a lot
of the riders say they like best, the crowd that forms a huge
line of bikes down Route 1. "Everybody likes to ride together,"
says Erickson. "It’s just a lot of fun. And everybody takes care
of everybody else all day long."
Paul Cote, the president of the Massachusetts
Motorcycle Survivors Fund organization and a chief organizer of
Nelson’s Ride, says there was something different this year.
"One of the things that stuck out is there were more people
lining the streets and cheering us on than in the past," he
says. That was especially sweet after a small dust up organizers
had with the Ipswich selectmen, who were wringing their hands
over signs announcing the ride, the noise and the disruption a
couple thousand bikes would cause as they cruised through town.
But the board has since come around, thanks to a lot of
reassurances from Cote. And that’s part of the advantage of
having a network of older established riders - they know how to
get things done. They have the savvy to work within channels to
pave the way for events and push particular agendas. And there
are lots of agendas both for motorcycle riders as a whole and
for the many smaller riding groups. At the fairgrounds before the ride, Ron
Malionek was manning a booth for the Christian Motorcycle
Association, which has about 20 members in its New Life Riders
Danvers chapter. The group is an evangelistic biker club that
rides for Jesus and hopes to share the message of His love with
motorcyclists "one heart at a time." "Our motto is, we’re here if you need us,"
says Malionek. But Christians are hardly the only ones with
their own special riding club. There are specific clubs for
veteran bikers, gay riders, firefighters, leathernecks, Harley
owners and there’s a slew of clubs for women, including the
North Shore chapter of WoW, Women on Wheels. A couple of members from the Boston chapter
of the East Coast Biker Chicks were at the fairgrounds to lend a
hand, signing everyone up for Nelson’s Ride.
"We just came to help out," says Michelle
Brown. With so many groups you would think that the motorcycle
community might be splintered, but what they share in common
seems to far outweigh any differences. Bikers are also collectively miffed about
their limited options for insurance, and that issue is on the
front burner for the Massachusetts Motorcycle Association.
Those are the types of political issues that
draw the group together, but it’s hardly what feeds the
camaraderie. That spirit of brotherhood, unity, whatever you
want to call it comes from the love they share of bikes and
riding. And that’s enough to overcome what might at first look
like some substantial differences. John Carrapichano - a 58-year-old rider
from Gloucester who has a shiny green BMW bike with a sidecar
attached for his wife and dog - might not seem to have much in
common with those sleeker power-mad Harleys. But in fact plenty
of the tough-bike owners were admiring Carrapichano’s
motorcycle, and just about everyone agrees with his explanation
of why he rides. This year’s ride was a special tribute to
Donny Wolfe, a former volunteer firefighter and police officer
from Essex. Wolfe and his family helped established Nelson’s
Ride back in 2000 and each year they helped organize and run the
event. Wolfe died last year when he suffered a heart attack
while riding. The other big push for Nelson’s Ride is
to raise some public awareness among drivers about the need to
operate safely around motorcycles.
In 2004, thanks to some help from state
Rep. Brad Hill and state Sen. Bruce Tarr, the Legislature passed
Nelly’s Bill in memory of Selig. The law requires that
motorcycle awareness programs be included in the high school
driver education courses. The hope is to reduce the accidents,
injuries and fatalities that disproportionately affect the more
than 120,000 motorcycles registered in the state. And that’s
something that concerns everyone who rides. There were many
bikers at Nelson’s Ride who never knew Selig, but they all agree
that the accident was a tragic waste that could have been
avoided. And there was also a general
there-but-for-the-grace-of-God-go-I sentiment among the crowd. Still, it doesn’t frighten anyone enough
to give up riding. Emerson says it a balancing act between risks
and rewards. "If the risk isn’t worth the reward, don’t ride,"
she says. But most bikers say the payoff from
riding is worth it. And they hope the sight of 1,000 bikers
cruising through the North Shore will remind people that a
little caution goes a long way in keeping the road safe. "If I ride in this ride, I might make
people aware that there are motorcycles out there," he says. E-mail Barbara
Taormina at btaormin@cnc.com. (Topsfield, MA) Over 1,500 attendees raised more
than $30,000 for the Massachusetts Motorcyclists Survivor's Fund today
at the 7th Annual, "Nelson's Ride." The rain held off until just
after the Ride returned to the Topsfield Fairgrounds. The 50-50 netted $618 to the winner and Andy S. of
Marblehead won the preregistration LoJack with installation by Cycles
128! The MMSF raffle winners were Thomas R. of Wakefield, winning
the 2nd LoJack system with Cycles 128! Installation; Dave F. of Dracut
won the mini-chopper; and Jon S. of Gloucester 'got stuck with' the 42"
color TV. State Senator Bruce Tarr presented Senate citations
and proclamations from Governor Romney to the Selig family, Bonnie
Wolfe, and past MMSF Treasurer Chris Cerino. Rep. Brad Hill
presented House citations to each. Gubernatorial candidate Christy Mihos donated $500 to
the MMSF and spoke in support of NO TOLLS for motorcycles and adult
helmet choice. Former State Rep. Reed Hillman, a rider himself and
candidate for Lt. Gov. with Kerry Healey, spoke of being in the hospital
about a year because a driver "didn't see the bike" causing a crash
while he was riding, and announced his and Healey's support of SB 1344
(increased penalties for right of way violations, insurance choice for
motorcyclists, and adult helmet choice). (Note, all candidates
were invited, the three Democratic candidates did not reply). There was one accident within the first two miles of
the Ride. We have spoken to and visited the rider at Beverly
Hospital. No breaks, no fractures, but scraped up a bit. He
tells us he was looking at spectators watching the Ride, bikes slowed in
front of him, he hit the breaks and put his foot down, and tipped. Most of the Ride Route was lined with citizen
spectators, giving 'thumbs up' and cheering the riders. Pictures will soon be posted on the
www.NelsonsRide.org web site. If you have some, send them to claimscote@aol.com.
The 2006 DVD release will be Monday night, September 18, 2006, at the
Stage Two Cinema Pub in Amesbury (www.cinemapub.com).
More info will be posted on the
www.NelsonsRide.org website for this event and ordering your DVD of
this year's Event. TONS of thanks go out to the State Police, the
police and fire departments of Topsfield, Rowley, Ipswich, Essex,
Hamilton, Wenham, and Danvers, the Middlesex County Deputy
Sheriffs, Sheriff Frank Cousins, Jr., the road captains lead by Dave
Elias of Merrimac Valley HOG, and Sarge, our route coordinator.
Over eighty volunteer workers from the North Shore
Riders, East Coast Biker Chicks, Aces and Eights MC, the Christian
Motorcycle Association New Life Riders, STAR 240 Riders, North Shore
Women on Wheels, John, Jack, John & Pigeon with the bike games, Kim and
Melissa with our silent auction, Zan (massage therapist) who rubbed some
kinks out of attendees and donated half her $1 per minute fees back to
the MMSF; Jackie Monahan who helped with our raffle tickets, Witch City
Cycles of Salem who assembled our mini-chopper, Lowell Bike Nights
(every Tuesday night) who helped promote Nelson's Ride in the greater
Lowell area, WKLB - the Country Radio station who gave us tons of PSA's,
Kathie with our bottled water, Kelly with our Nelson's Ride products
(Event T-shirts SOLD OUT but some doo rags and bandanas will be
available at our September 18th DVD release in Amesbury), lots of
citizens of Ipswich who supported us publicly, our good friends at the
VFW, Linda of CMA who played "Amazing Grace" on the trumpet, Dave of
Salisbury who sang it also, Kevin G. of Billerica who collected pledges
from co-workers at ADE Corp. and Reid Graphics, donating $450, and JR's
Route 22 (Essex) restaurant (great food!), who donated over
$250, Wendell A. Davis who shot the video, and Alan Kline, Lynn Ladder
and Scaffolding, who donated staging and helped with the videos. All our vendors, sponsors, and supporters who
attended the Event, . . . TONS of thanks! Over 30 silent auction packages with GREAT items
raised over close to $3,000. TONS of thanks Carol E. of Haverhill
for getting most of those donations. Lastly, all you riders, passengers, and guests who
stepped up with over 282 pre-registration orders and all who came to the
7th annual Nelson's Ride, to support and help "our own." When
there is a riders family in need, . . . we are here to help, . . .
because of YOU. Thank YOU! On behalf of our entire Nelson's Ride Planning Team
and the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Motorcyclists Survivor's
Fund, . . . TONS of THANKS! (Salisbury, MA) Over
200 motorcyclists, friends and family
members braved Saturday's rain
Saturday and participated in the "Friends of
Joe Waters," burial and fundraising party,
co-hosted by the Massachusetts Motorcyclists
Survivor's Fund (www.MassMSF.org)
/ Essex County, raising in excess of
$7,000 helping the family offset the burial
and head stone costs. "The success of this
event is a tribute to the life and good
works of Joe Waters," said Dave Condon of
Salem, the MMSF's Treasurer and event
organizer. "If the measure of a
person's life is how many people show up at
their funeral, . . . especially in the
pouring rain, over 200 people demonstrated
their love and respect for Joe." After a graveside
memorial burial by Jim Waters, (Joe's
brother), . . . Linda Stanley of Danvers and
the Christian Motorcyclists Association,
played a beautiful rendition of "Amazing
Grace" on her trumpet. Not too many
dry eyes stood in silence, reflecting upon
their association with Joe Waters. The friends then met up
at Rumor's Nightclub in Salisbury, selling
out of five dozen Event T-shirts and buying
up over 70 Memorial Patches, where they ate
(food donated by Corporate Chefs of
Haverhill, danced to the tunes of "Nuts &
Bolts," and partied noon to 4:00 p.m., in
Joe's memory, participating in silent and
live auctions, and a variety of raffles,
including raising $1,000
for auctioning off a 2002 Honda Rebel; a 10
pound Live lobster (brought in $175); a box
of Tequila cigars ($200); an autographed
Blues Brothers movie script and poster
($125). The 50/50 raffle netted $363
to the winner and the MMSF, after great work
by MMSF Board Member Al DePietro and Melissa
S. of Ipswich. Jay Kimball of
Lynnfield handled the live auctions, while
MMSF Board Member Kelly Ferguson handled the
product sales with Kim Morris-Cote and
silent auction items. The MMSF will now donate
the funds, less Event expenses, paying about
$2,800 for Joe's memorial headstone with a
motorcycle carved on it and reading "Out
riding with God." The balance of the
funds raised will be paid to the Funeral
Home, knocking down those expenses. "Our Survivor's Fund was
proud to co-host this Event with the Friends
of Joe Waters," Condon said. "He was
an outstanding contributor of his time and
talents to our organization and
motorcyclists issues. He will be
missed, but remembered. And his
"Friends" were great!" Donations can still be
made to the Friends of Joe Waters Committee,
on line, by going to
www.MassMSF.org. (Newburyport/Salisbury) The
burial and party by the "Friends of Joe Waters"
Committee, co-hosted by the Mass. Motorcyclists
Survivor's Fund (www.MassMSF.org),
is ON for Saturday, May 13th, . . . rain or shine.
Cars are welcome to
'stage' with riders at the Elliot Funeral Home,
35 Green Street, Newburyport, beginning at 9:30
a.m. The funeral procession and parade
will leave the funeral home at 10:45 SHARP, to
the Belleville Cemetery on Route 113,
Newburyport, for an 11:00 graveside burial. From there, the parade
procession will travel through Amesbury into
Salisbury, ending at NOON at the "Rumor's"
nightclub (formerly Boots & Saddles), on Route
1, Salisbury, just before the NH line and across
from a Ford dealership. Suggested donations of
$20 per person, to help the family offset the
costs of Joe's funeral, will be collected at the
door. Donation INCLUDES food, provided by
Joe's employer, Corporate Chefs (Haverhill).
"Nuts and Bolts" will be
blasting live music. There will be a 50/50
drawn about 3:30, a silent auction and a special
'fun' live auction by MMA Life Member, Jay
Kimball, Esquire, of Lynnfield. Cash,
checks payable to the MMSF, Visa & MasterCard,
and IOU's accepted! NOTICES: This is a 'adults
only' event. In the event of 30-40 mph
winds and torrential rain (as being predicted),
. . . use your common sense about whether to
ride or drive. "Stupid hurts!" We
are burying a buddy rider who helped out a lot.
We know he would not want anyone hurt on this
Event. So, . . . come to the
funeral home by 10:45 or meet us at
the Belleville Cemetery at 11:00, or join us at
Rumor's Noon to 4:00 p.m., on Saturday, May
13th! (Newburyport, MA) Tonight the
Newburyport City Council unanimously approved a 'late
filed' application by the Massachusetts Motorcyclists
Survivor's Fund/Essex County, for a 'parade permit,' for
Saturday's (5/13/06) "Friends of Joe Waters" funeral
event. MMSF Board Members Dennis Palazzo
and Paul W. Cote appeared before the City
Council, seeking its approval for 'late filing' for the
permit, after the Newburyport Police advised 5/5/06 it
did not issue 'parade permits' and doubted such a
request could be approved with late notice. The MMSF hosts events, such as
"Nelson's Ride," to raise money to donate to families
of motorcyclists killed and seriously injured in
accidents. Since year 2000, it has donated over
$50,000 to Essex County families of riders in need. Cote first apologized to the
Council for the MMSF's late filing, while advising
Council Members the Towns of Amesbury and Salisbury
Police had approved the 'parade permit' for the planned
"Friend's of Joe Waters" fundraising Ride from a
Newburyport funeral home to a Cemetery, and then to
Salisbury's "Rumor's" Night Club, . . . while also
advising the Council he had only received its Police
Department's denial.
October 18th, 2007 - Celebration of Life Event
for David Allen planned for 10/28
September
20th, 2007 - MMA responds to new Massachusetts insurance regulations
June 3rd, 2007 - On The Road Again (Boston Globe, front page)
September 1st, 2006 - Ride and Joy (North Shore Sunday)
August 27th,
2006 - Nelson's Ride Wrap Up Summary and Thanks!
August 24th, 2006 - Ipswich Chronicle on Nelson's Ride
May 15th, 2006 - Over 200 brave rain for Joe Waters Event
May 12th, 2006
- Rain or Shine: Friends of Joe Waters Ride
May 8th, 2006 - Newburyport issues permit for Joe Waters Event
May
3rd, 2006 - STORM the STATE HOUSE
May 2nd,
2006 - Joe Waters Memorial Event and Funeral Ride
April 28th,
2006 - Seacoast Cycle hosts an Open House on May 4th, 2006 in
Newburyport
From: The Massachusetts Motorcyclists
Survivor's Fund/Essex County (www.MassMSF.org)
Subj: Event Report and 'new stuff'
Close to 100 riders today braved the below
60 degree temps riding out of the Gorton's
parking lot through Gloucester and Rockport
in honor of David Allen, (
http://massmsf.org/davidallen.html ) who
allegedly was run off Route 128 in Peabody
last month, to help raise money for his
family, whose been without a paycheck since
the accident.
"I'm so overwhelmed by everyone's help,
thank you very much, Dave would be proud,"
said Anne, his wife of over 30 years, to
attendees.
More friends joined us at Bill's for food
and pizza, and some great tunes by "the
Bluez Doctorz Review" band (
http://www.thebluezdoctorz.com/ ), with
MMA stand outs Alan Kline & Betsy Lister
performing.
Johnny Tarantino and Chris Cerino lead the
Ride - with the Ride Route changed to a
20-mile route through Rockport (rather than
a 6-mile back shore ride). The Cape
Ann crew handled the registration
flawlessly, then helped with road guarding
along with the North Shore Riders, an AMA
Chartered Club.
Andrea (Andy) Silva did a great job in an
hour on the 50/50 raffle sales. About
$420 was raised in less than an hour for the
50/50 and $220 was paid to the winner.
Ben I. of Salisbury won the Cycles 128 Rider
Course Gift Certificate, with his advance
event ticket purchase.
Good event. No incidents, no
accidents. Good ride. Lots of good
will.
Jason, Johnny, Jack, and Linda of the North
Shore Women on Wheels, did a great job
coordinating the local details. Thank
you all.
Donations to the Allen family can still
be made on-line at
www.MassMSF.org.
Some of us will be meeting at
Ann's house one night later this week,
and likely next weekend. A dumpster,
coordinated by Teddy LeMieux of Ipswich
and his son, is being delivered to her
house Monday, for two weeks to clean out
'stuff.' She's going to need some
'bodies' during the week and next
weekend for help with tossing stuff.
If you've got a few hours and are in the
Gloucester area and can help, e-mail us.
An 'end of the year MMSF holiday raffle'
is now underway. Top prize, one
hundred $10 Lottery Scratch Tickets, http://massmsf.org/raffle.html.
(a $1,000 value).
This $5,000,000 Jackpot Lottery scratch
ticket still has 50% of the top prizes
($5M & $1M) unclaimed - one (or more
could be in this prize package of 100
scratch tickets).
Only 500 MMSF raffle tickets
are available at $10 each. (Great
odds !)
Second place prize is a Rider's Course
Gift Certificate from Cycles 128!
(Prize is transferable and good for the
Beginner or Experienced Rider Course).
http://cycles128.com/ ($275
value)
Third place prize, . . . your $10 back !
The Drawing will be at JR's Route 22 Pub
in Essex on Sunday afternoon, December
2nd. Need NOT be present to win.
Other upcoming Events:
Saturday night, November 3rd, Cape Ann Crew
celebrating Papa Dave's Birthday at the
Clubhouse, Essex
Next MMSF Board Meeting, 11/13/07 at 6:30
p.m., downstairs at the AmVets, Ipswich.
The event will be hosted by the Massachusetts
Motorcyclists Survivor's Fund, Inc. (MMSF).
Allen was riding his 1989 "Candy Apple Red"
Honda Goldwing, with his dog "Ijah" on the back,
on Route 128 North in Peabody on Saturday,
September 9th, when for unknown reasons, it went
off the road, crashing into the guardrail,
killing David and his dog. White paint was
found on the lower left hard saddlebag and rear
fender. State Police accident
investigators are analyzing the white paint to
determine whether another vehicle forced Allen
off the road.
David, 59 years old, was a decorated Vietnam Veteran
hero, with two Purple Hearts, an Army Commendation
Medal, and Air Medal. He was an in-field
senior medic and disabled from war related injuries.
Living only on his disability pension, his family
needs help with finances now.
Staging will begin at 10:30 a.m., Sunday,
October 28, at the Gorton's Parking Lot, behind
Bill's on 313 Main Street, Gloucester.
Bill's will be open for coffee and rest rooms.
The short memorial ride will leave at noon sharp
for a memorial ride around Gloucester's back
shore, returning back to Gorton's Parking Lot.
This is a 'rain or shine' event.
Bill's will host the celebration of life party,
with Alan Kline's "the Bluez Doctorz Review"
band providing live music.
http://www.thebluezdoctorz.com/
Suggested donation is $20 per motorcycle. Kids
free. Non-riders and veterans welcomed.
Nonriders are asked to bring a food dish.
Person's registering or donating in advance
on-line will be entered into a drawing for a
Cycles 128! Riding School Gift Certificate. http://cycles128.com/
See
www.MassMSF.org for more information, to
register and make a donation.
Let's honor this hero and help his family.
Spread the word.
Media
Release
ON THE ROAD AGAIN
With gas
prices on the rise, more people are drawn to motorcycles.
Leading the pack are women and wealthy, older men
By
Barbara Taormina
Friday,
September 1, 2006 - Updated: 01:47
PM EST
You might think that when a crowd of more than
1,000 bikers turn their keys and rev up their engines, any stray
bystanders would be blown back a few feet by the noise. But
actually, as those who were watching the huge collection of
bikes that lined up last Sunday for Nelson’s Ride at Topsfield
Fairgrounds can tell you, it’s just not that bad. And the
noise, or lack of it, wasn’t the only surprise at the memorial
ride that started seven years ago as a benefit for the family of
Nelson Selig, who died in a motorcycle accident in May
2000. Since then the Nelson’s Ride, which winds through
Topsfield, Rowley, Ipswich, Essex, Hamilton, Wenham and Danvers,
has evolved into a fund-raiser for families of downed riders in
Essex County.
"We ride for the fun of it," says Carrapichano. "When you’re
riding your problems just go away." Wendy Emerson, a Topsfield
veterinarian who rides a Harley, is one of many who seconds
that. "Riding is a great release," says Emerson. "I have a
high-stress job and a high-stress life. I find this incredibly
relaxing." Although raising money for the fund is the main goal
of Nelson’s Ride, bikers also say they want to pay their
respects to "fallen brothers and sisters."
"It’s not so much me I worry about, it’s everyone else out
there," says Peter, a machinist from Gloucester who owns a
Harley and his been riding for more than 30 years.