Comment

Comment by Vicky Blanchette on June 28, 2011 at 2:04pm

Hello Fellow Ride Organizers - here is a good media opportunity to get your word out about your causes, charities and why you/your group does them. A great way to show that motorcyclists are community minded folks.
Thanks
Vicky
STAR 483 Bangor
President
www.star483.org

From Ridin' Steel:

On Sunday July 17th.

RIDIN' STEEL is looking for riders from all over Maine and NewHampshire to participate in a special video shoot to help us create ournew opener for our show. This is NOT a fundraiser for charity. Theconcept is to have groups representing all areas of Maine and NewHampshire gather in a show of unity. Our newest sponsor the Taste ofMaine Restaurant located on route 1 in Woolwich, Maine will be thestarting point. Once we see how many riders are participating, we willbreak them up in groups and designate various areas where they are totake off ahead of the lead group and await our arrival. Once everyoneis in place, The lead group will depart from the Taste of Maine and aswe ride by the established areas, the awaiting groups will join thelead group and so on.... This will give the impression to the viewersas to how Charity Riders are growing in numbers and that "BIKERS RIDIN'FOR A CAUSE" are throughout our States riding for the purpose ofhumanitarian aid. We will be heading south on 95. This will allow forcameras to be designated on overpasses along the route to capturestreams of riders joining the Lead Group. In the editing room, I willcreate opening credits depicting the various areas of our Statesparticipating. Bike Cams will be designated to ride alongside thegroups to capture the action from the road. We will proceed to go for aride that will be approximately 2-3 hours. The route will lead us backto the Taste of Maine, where food, refreshments and music will bewaiting for us. This ride will also be filmed for a an upcoming episodeof RIDIN' STEEL. Our Host  will be interviewing Ride Organizers and theriders themselves in hopes of sharing with the viewer, why Motorcyclistride and why the so many different causes are so important to them.

Please join us on July 17, 2011 at Noon at the TASTE OF MAINE Restaurant located on Route 1 in Woolwich, Maine.

Respectfully

Stephen Marois/Producer

RIDIN' STEEL

Comment by Dave Provencher on March 12, 2011 at 2:16pm

I am currently working on a city permit for occupancy/outdoor activity at my new weekly bike night. A lot of people don't look into such legalities as permits and zoning. I am in for the long haul and I think things like this are the difference in an organized event and bad publicity for bikers when an infraction makes the news. I am also working getting the local growth council to endorse Breast Fest and the positive impact we have on our community. Done right the community envolement can enhance my output tremendously. Instead of sidestepping a local bussiness into infractions. 

Comment by LeatherneckRider on February 25, 2011 at 9:43pm

I am a first time organizer and have taken on the task of State Coordinator for the 2nd National Armed Forces FreedomRide2011.  On May 21, 2011 Armed Forces Day, riders across the nation will gather to Honor and show their Support for our men and women of the Armed Forces, Past, Present, Veterans of War, POW and MIA's.  Maine will participate for the first time in this event.  The task of organizing this ride is monumental and I need help with registration points.  I currently have five registration points, Fryeburg, Sanford, Portland, Lewiston, and Hermon.  However the person I had for the Hermon area has bowed out.  I need someone to handle that area.  I am also trying to find locations in the Ellsworth, Rockland, and Wiscassett areas.  I need four regional coordinators for those areas and volunteers to help with the event.  Any one will to lend a hand can contact me at my email address leatherneckrider@mail,com   please put ride in subj.  Thanks everyone.

Comment by Stephen Marois on January 22, 2011 at 7:25am

In the past 3 years RIDIN' STEEL has participated, and supported over 60 Charity Events organized by Motorcyclist. I have met many people and have seen and heard for myself the struggles that some of them are experiencing due to unexpected changes in their health. I've met countless volunteers rise up to the challenge of reaching out to help them, and I've  also met many a Charity Rider that has shared with me their personal hardships that they are going through. There are many Charity Riders and Businesses that up to 4 -5 years ago were doing well financially and now find that our crippled economy is affecting them dramatically. Many Riders enjoy participating in Charity Events but have openly admitted to me that they don't have enough money to donate to the cause. The numerous business owners that I have met have shared with me that there's much more bartering going on nowadays and that many are working 3 times as hard for half the money, (myself included). These are the facts!  From the start RIDIN' STEEL has been doing it's best to help all those involved that organize, ride or support charity. The rider looking to participate and support a charity ride (in my opinion) should not feel hindered to do so because of lack of funds. The willingness to show up in support of any given cause says something about that person that exceeds any amount of money they could donate. Their attendance shows that they care and many try to donate by way of assisitng the cause. RIDIN' STEEL has many of these kind of people that step up to help. Lady Val donates countless hours working on our website, not only changing the look, but constantly changing it to be more efficient, Bob & Kristen Walton have spent thousands of hours and miles riding with me, hosting, filming and much more, Rocky & Dawn snapping countless pictures, capturing these special moments of our lives and now Heather Gagne is stepping up to offer her photography. Kim & David Provencher are not only organizing their own rides, but are also working very closely with RIDIN' STEEL every chance they can, Tom Atwood will grab a camera and take off to cover a run that the rest of us can't make and spend an entire day filming and riding just so the show has a few minutes to share of that particular event. Lisa Moore will spend entire days with us driving and filming out of a truck with someone like Felicia Moore (only 19 yrs. old) videographing the ride. Ray & Dianne Carter have now volunteered to handle the sales of RIDIN' STEEL Gear. Lurch providing voiceovers, operating cameras, security, whatever he can do. Charlie Wing working lights and assisiting me with editing and of course there are many more people that show up to ride with us almost religiously in their show of support for  RIDIN' STEEL.

There are far too many names to mention here. The point is that we're all doing our part to help each other. The few sponsors that RIDIN' STEEL has supporting it, barely scratches the surface of all the expenses incurred putting a show like this together. I could'nt do this without these people, Their friendship and willingness to help me in any way they can is inspiring and in all honesty, it's what keeps me going. The CABIN FEVER RELIEVER is an attempt to continue to provide support and bring about awareness to the many charities and businesses that are in need of assistance in keeping the wheels of a struggling economy turning. Even the folks that don't ride are taking interest in what we're doing and are approaching me to offer their help. WPME and TIME WARNER have expressed their approval of this show. Some are working on ways that will help us reach out to all of new England. I receive e-mails from folks across the country that have seen the show or have people coming into their place of business and talk about this RIDIN' STEEL show that's going on in the State of Maine. I had no idea when I started this thing that it would turn out as it has. The service that all of  the people that have offered me their help in the past 3 years is immeasurable. They may find it gratifying to raise money for a cancer survivor or a soldier or a cause of any kind, but their contribution is much much bigger than that and we need each other more than ever. On February 19th. & 20th. we'll be hosting our 2nd. Annual CABIN FEVER RELIEVER and I have no idea who will show up, but I do know that we'll be there, doing our best to help.   

Comment by Jeff Neil MBN Founder on January 3, 2011 at 8:15am

I want to remind everyone of the 2nd annual Cabin Fever Relieved put on by Ridin' Steel. Check out the events calendar for details, and promote your benefit run.

Comment by Dave Provencher on April 17, 2010 at 11:54am

Breast Fest 2010 is only a month away !!!
After that I will start working on a Bike show/dinner at the Lewiston Eagles for Maine childrens cancer. Happening right after the Toy Run. "Party for Life"

Comment by Tom Ammerman on April 4, 2010 at 9:55am

Old Town Elks has been asked to be the host location for the 8th annual Owie Box (MCCP) ride this July 17 & 18.
We are in the process of figuring out the menu and entertainment for the night's festivities,
We have set up the shuttle bus to transport people back and forth from the local motels for the night's festivities.
Trying to put a head count to this event is a tough one as you never know what the weather is going to be. The Hog Rally is the following weekend this year so that's better, past years has been the same weekend.

So it would be nice to hear other event tips and input from experienced organizers, always looking for help.

Comment by Vicky Blanchette on March 18, 2010 at 7:49am

Looking forward to learning and sharing information that will help us all organize better rides and runs. Here's to more great riding weather!

Comment by Jeff Neil MBN Founder on March 10, 2010 at 9:11pm

That's a great poll topic Steve. I will try to put that up on the main page tomorrow evening for everyone to see it. I am curious myself.

Comment by Stephen Marois on March 10, 2010 at 4:47pm

I'm curious as to how many of you on MAINE BIKER participate in Charity Rides and if you do, How many do you attend?