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/128393
~-----;-:----HapPE------=---ningS~in Mo--;----torcyc-;-;---ling New Yoltl, Wisconsin Riders Join Ride For IUds It was a great day for a ride on Sunday, August 7, as hundreds of motorcyclists joined Ride For Kids events in New York and Wisconsin to show their support for young brain tumor survivors. Before the day was done, participants in the Hudson Valley region of New York and Madison, Wisconsin, had raised more than $182,500 for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation's medical-research arllPfamily-support programs. Hudson Valley, celebrating its 13th annual event, attracted more than 750 riders, fund-raisers, volunteers and patient families on a beautiful, sunny day. The motorcyclists followed a police escort from Central Valley Elementary School over beautiful mountain roads through Harriman State Park, Bear Mountain and Seven Lakes Road, taking in breathtaking views of the Hudson River and the Palisades. Afterward, the riders joined a moving Celebration of Life program featuring nine Ride For Kids "stars" - brain tumor survivors - including 3year-old Ashley, who entertained the crowd by singing the ''ABC'' song. Steven, father of brain tumor survivor Stefanie, expressed his gratitude with great emotion. "If it was not for people raising money for the PBTF, my daughter would not have a chance:' he said. "Her tumor was found after she was hit by a ball and they did an MRI. I'm shaking up here with tears in my eyes because all this really hits home." The local medical community was represented by Dr. James Garvin, a pediatric oncologist from Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in New York. The total raised at the Hudson Valley event was $124,890. Top individual fund-raiser honors went to Marianne loose and her daughter, brain tumor survivor Lauren, of Easton, Pennsylvania, who raised $15,000 as "Lauren's First & Goal Foundation." The top club, The Liam Reda Foundation Motorcycle Club of Suffern, New York, riding in memory of Liam Reda, brought $19,540 to the event, and the customers of Rockwell Cycles of Fort Montgomery, New York, made it the top motorcycle business with $5792 in donations. Micah Maughan of Brooklyn, New York, was the winner of a brand-new Honda motorcycle. Heartfelt appreciation went to Hudson Valley's task force leaders - Linda and Walter Buchanan, Jack Jones, and Patty and Kevin Weir and their hard-working volunteers for putting together a phenomenal ride. At the second annual Madison Ride for Kids, 485 participants added $57,668 to the day's proceeds. It was cool and breezy when the police-escorted ride left Middleton High School, and as the riders traversed the rolling hills of southern Wisconsin, there wasn't a cloud in the sky. The ride took them past lakes and farmland and through Devil's Lake State Park before culminating at the base of the ski slopes at the Devil's Lake Resort in Merrimac. There, taking part in the Celebration of Life program, were seven young brain tumor survivors, including 21-year-old Joel, a PBTF scholarship recipient. "I know how lucky I am to be here today:' he told the crowd. "I know that 20 years ago, it would not have been possible, and I know that in 20 years, a cure might be found." Dr. Diane Puccetti, of the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Wisconsin, spoke on behalf of the local medical community. "We thank you so much for'making our job easier in the treatment of children with brain tumors." she said. "We appreciate the fact that you trust us." Madison's top individual fund-raisers were Randy and Trevor Gulseth of Two Rivers, Wisconsin, who raised $10,002. The top club was the Wisconsin GWRRA (Gold Wing Road Riders Association) Chapter J, whose members brought in $10,592. The customers of Nielsen Enterprises of Lake Villa, Illinois, raised $5740 to make it the top motorcycle business. David Bierman of Deerfield, Illinois, won the grand prize, a brand-new Honda motorcycle. Special thanks went to task force leaders Joe Bentz, Michael Witt and Merle Coggins, along with their dedicated volunteers, for conducting such a successful second-year event. The next Ride For Kids events are on Sunday, August 21, 2005, in Salt lake City, Utah (a new ride), and North Oxford, Massachusetts. For more information about the Ride For Kids and the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, please visit rideforkids.org or pbtfus.org or call 800/253-6530. Duc:ati Hall of Fame New North American Hall of Fame announced at Ducati Dealer Meeting During the annual Ducati Dealer meeting recently held in Chicago, Illinois, CEO Michael lock announced the formation of a new North American Ducati Hall of Fame. The purpose is to recognize individuals who have made a significant impact in the history of Ducati in North America and who have contributed toward making it Ducati's number-one export market worldwide. The first three founding members are Doug Polen, Eraldo Ferracci and Bruce Meyers. These three men have been instrumental in the success of the Ducati brand in North America. Doug Polen is recognized for his victories in racing. He was the winner of two consecutive World Superbike Championships in 1991 and 1992 and he brought home Ducati's first AMA Championship in 1993. A born competitor, Doug is the first American Ducati superstar. Eraldo Ferracci managed a hugely successful Ducati WSBK team, winning the championship in 1991 and 1992 with Doug Polen riding. In both 1993 and 1994, the Fast By Ferracci team won the AMA Championship and put Ducati on the map in the USA. Both charismatic ani popular, Eraldo was a Ducati giant in the 1990s. Bruce Meyers is the founder of the famous shop BCM Motorsports Inc. in New Hampshire. He is a passionate supporter of racing and a hallowed Ducati tuner. As a man known to have or make time for everyone, Bruce's inRuence made New England a Ducati stronghold. Michael lock, CEO of Ducati North America, said: "Since being purchased by TPG in 1996, DNA has been established for nearly 10 years, and we felt that the time had corne to recognize the individuals who helped build this brand. Bruce, Eraldo and Doug have been pioneers through some tough years to build Ducati's modern reputation in North America. We want to recognize them and honor them at DNA headquarters." 92 AUGUST 31,2005 • CYCLE NEWS