Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/128345
B ig in B ir m in g h a m Motorcyclists are the heart and soul of the national Ride for Kids·program. Since 1984, Ride for Kids has been raising mone y to support the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation's search for the cause and cure of childhood brain tum ors . O n Sunday, September 26, under splendid sunny blue skies, 650 caring and fund-raising motorcyclists, volunteers and patient families gathered in Birmingham, Alabama, for the third-annual Birmingham Ride for Kids. The ir hard work and diligent fund-raising efforts certa inly paid off. At the end of the ride, the courageous Ride for Kids "sta rs" - local young brain tumor survivors - unfurled the grand total check to reveal that $10 1,455 had been raised fo r pediatric brain-tumor research. The motorcyclists enjoyed a policeescorted ride through Alabama's countryside before gathering under the festive big-top tent at the University of Montevallo for the Ce lebration of Life program . Nine excited Ride for Kids stars, ranging in age from 18 months to 15 years old, took to the stage as Natio nal Ride for Kids manager Richard Thompson interviewed each one . Michael, age 10, told the audience that he recently had won an eating cont est against some of his buddies who happen to be firefighters. Fifteen-yearold Sheen a proudly told the riders that she was going to get her driver license permit this we ek. Dr. Yancey Gillespie, a neuro-oncology researcher and member of the Pediatric 8r ain Tumor Foundation's ScientificAdvisory Board, told the part icipants that he had been to all three Birmingham Ride for Kids events and that the results are bigger and better every year. Gillespie thanked the motorcyclists for their wonderful fundraising efforts and re minded them that they are indeed making a difference in childhood brain-tumor research. Dr. Alyssa Reddy was also there to thank the motorcyclists for their support. Reddy, who is both a researcher and a clinician, has received funding from the foundation for her research. The top individual fund-raiser was Gordon Banks, who raised $24 ,000. The top club was the Southern Cru isers, w hose members raised $48 ,588. Lake Hill Motors was the top dealer, its customers raising $24,000. Banks, of Huntsville, Alabama, was the winner of a brand-new Honda motorcycle donated by the American Honda Motor Company. Online poll result s f rom last w eek To cast your vote, log on to www.cyclenews.com . Which of the following riders w illwin the 2S0cc class at the 2004 Maxxis U.S. O pen Supercross at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas? 18 (0.39 %) B. Ricky Carmic hael 24 60 (52.94%) C. Ernesto Fonseca 24 (0.52% ) A. Michael Byrne WEb INSiTE D. Mike laRocco (2.30 % ) 283 (6.09% ) F. 1300 (27.98%) G. Sebastian Tortelli 43 (0.93% ) H. Heath Voss What is your feeling about t he Un ited States not attending t he Motocro ss of Nations ? 107 E. Trav is Pastrana Cyc lenews.com reader poll question of the week Chad Reed 18 (0.39% ) I. Nick Wey 19 (0.4 1%) B. The event has lost its appeal and isn't important anymore. J. Kevin W indham 159 (3.42%) C. Don't care either way. K. Someone e lse 216 (4. 65%) A. We shou ld have sent a team capable of winning at any cost. Total Replies : www.cyclenews.com 4647 CYCLE NEWS • OCTOBER 13, 2004 117