The Long Reach Long Riders Sixth Annual ride raised over $42,000.00 for the ESTA Foundation's Behind the Scenes program and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, making it the second largest amount raised to date. The combined LRLR total raised since the first ride in 2004 has now exceeded $200,000.00. Donations for the 2009 ride will be accepted until September 1, 2009.
The participants, 18 motorcycles and as many as three chase vehicles, enjoyed a weeklong ride that took them over mountains, past lush farmland and sweeping vistas and through a number of National and State Parks. The 2,500-mile ride, which began in Richmond, Virginia and ended in Dahlonega, Georgia, visited five states and rode on many scenic highways including the Skyline Drive, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and the Cherohala Skyway. The group also tempted fate by riding some of the most famous twisting mountain roads in the USA including The Snake in Shady Valley, Tennessee and the Dragon's Tail in Robbinsville, North Carolina.
This year's riders and chase car drivers hail from 13 states, the District of Columbia, British Columbia, Canada and London, England. The ride was organized by Greg Williams, Alice Neff, and Moe and Christine Conn. The bikes represented were Harley Davidson (10), Honda (3), Kawasaki (2), BMW (1), Suzuki (1) and Vespa (1). The oldest bike on the trip was the 1987 K-75 BMW driven by Frank "Mr. Murphy" Stewart. The number of curves successfully navigated by the group exceeded 1,000.
Next year's ride will start in San Francisco. For more information on the riders, joining the ride or making a donation, please visit the Long Reach Long Riders website.
And check out the full Tour Diary here.