Motorcycle riders from across the Cariboo came out to enjoy some camaraderie, community and support charity on July 5.
It was the Christmas in July toy drive, organized by the Cariboo Motorcycle Association, and for the third year running, the group was collecting donations of new toys and cash in support of the Chiwid Transition House.
Chiwid Transition House provides shelter for women and their children fleeing domestic abuse.
Motorcycle riders gathered at the Tourism Discovery Centre for a pre-ride briefing by Ron Sturgess Sr. of the Cariboo Motorcycle Association (CMA).
He emphasized the community-building nature of the group and their desire to create a positive space.
"Going to Likely on a motorcycle is always a good time," said Sturgess.
He said the riders are "just a group of people coming together who enjoy the wind on our faces."
Sturgess explained to the crowd their planned route, heading out to 150 Mile House, then out to Likely, where they would enjoy lunch at the Likely Lodge. The lodge was supporting the ride and charity push by donating some of the money from each burger sold towards the cause as well.
He also informed the group of some of the traffic control measures in place, with some support from the RCMP and traffic control flaggers, as well as some hazards along the way.
An announcement on social media informing local traffic of a possible cattle drive planned for the Beaver Valley area on the Likely Road meant he cautioned the group they may need to watch out for cattle, and what they may have left behind on the roads creating slipping hazards for those on two wheels.
"Just be mindful," said Sturgess, noting the group of riders was made up of all levels of rider and a range of bikes.
"The good thing is there's people from all over the region here," Sturgess told the Tribune.
Riders were then to make their own way back to Williams Lake or wherever they were headed.
One group from outside the lakecity were members of the Dangerous Curves Motorcycle group from Quesnel. Some members of the ladies motorcycle riders group had come out to support the event. They had done their own "Bug Run" event in June to raise funds for the BGC Club in Quesnel, and will be hosting their own toy drive in August.
Almost 50 people on about 42 motorcycles came out for the Cariboo Motorcycle Association charity event Saturday, July 5. The group was still tallying the amount of cash donations received, but two truck loads of toys were collected so far.
Anyone wishing to contribute to support for the Chiwid Transition House can e-transfer or message cariboomotorcycle@gmail.com.
