The Long Beach Long Riders, led by Bill "Uncle Bill" Sapsis, announce plans for a cross-country motorcycle trip in March, 2004.
Sapsis, whose entertainment technology career has taken him to five continents, the White House, and Broadway, has formed a group of like-minded technicians/motorcycle enthusiasts to make the run from Boone, NC to Long Beach, CA in conjunction with the annual USITT Conference and Stage Exposition. The ride will be a fundraiser for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids and the USITT Tech Olympics.
"I think the mission statement sums up our hopes and goals for the ride quite well" said Sapsis. "It is the goal of the Long Beach Long Riders to raise money and remind those in the entertainment industry that the needs of organizations like Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS do not diminish even in difficult economic times. Many times in the past the people who work in the spotlight have heeded the call to serve with benefit performances, celebrity auctions and similar functions. We, the technicians and designers who work backstage, believe it's now our turn. We also want to have some fun on the way."
In addition to Bill, the other riders are Greg Williams and Alice Neff, Boone, NC; Michael Banvard, St Louis, MO; Wayne Rasmussen, Blairstown, NJ; Maurice "Moe" Conn, Williamsburg, KY; Cris Dopher, Brooklyn, NY; Loren Schreiber, San Diego, CA, and Pat Barnes, Washington, DC.
The ride begins on Friday, March 12, 2004 in Boone and ends in Long Beach on Monday, March 15th. The motorcycles of choice for this journey are four Harley Davidsons, one Yamaha, two Hondas and a BMW. The average age of the riders is in the mid 40's.
Donation information will be available at the Long Beach Long Riders website at www.Sapsis-rigging.com/LBLR.html.