HondaShadow Discussion Forum

Christopher · Joined: 06 Nov 2006 Posts: 5588 Location: Brooksville, FL

To My Fellow HSN Members.

I have been wanting to do something for people who are suffering from a debilitating disease such as cancer, leukemia, diabetes, etc. Our biker community currently has so many organized rides for charities that setting up one more I felt would be just one more ride to raise money. I wanted to hit the emotional end of things - to lend emotional support to someone who is fighting a courageous battle. I wanted a ride that was personal, that was done for one individual who is close to the bikers heart.

I know first hand just what it means to fight a disease while having friends who are there thinking of you and supporting you emotionally. It makes a HUGE difference in maintaining your will to fight on. This forum group is a perfect example.

With this in mind I have been kicking an idea around for a very long time and felt " it is time " to launch this idea, this year. And why not start the ball rolling with the HSN gang. So here it is.

Christopher's Ride:

On Sunday, July 20th 2008 the Nationwide Christopher's Ride will take place. Unlike other rides motorcyclists participate in, the benefactor in the Christopher's Ride will be the person the BIKER selects. It can be a family member, friend, co-worker or anyone you know and want to select who is battling a debilitating disease. You can ride 10 miles or 500 miles. It is up to you, the Biker. It can be performed solo or in a group with other members of your ride party all riding for someone close to them.

If you do not have anyone close to you that has a debilitating disease then consider riding for a child who is in a hospital pediatrics unit in your home town. Maybe buy a teddy bear, strap it onto your pillion and take it on the ride with you and then later present it to the child explaining just where that bear rode with you to.

If you want to make a donation to a charity after your ride, select the charity that you want to support and send them a check with a note. If you want this to be a non monetary ride, then ride for them to provide emotional support only. Consider taking a picture during or after your ride and send it to them with a note letting them know this ride was for them.

There are no guidelines in regards to Christopher's Ride except that it is in support of an individual and not a charity. We also ask that if your riding solo, put down the rear pegs and take them with you ( in spirit ).

The whole purpose and intent of the Christopher's Ride is to share your love of biking with someone who is fighting a horrible disease. It is a way to give an individual a moment of freedom that we all experience while riding.

Fire up your bikes and Take a Christopher's Ride on July 20th.

Thank you,

Christopher
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2002 1500fi Nomad - ( His )
2007 Vulcan 1500 Classic - ( Hers )
Ride Bell's by Ally & Lisa

Patriot Guard Rider

Wassup · Joined: 19 Apr 2007 Posts: 2203 Location: Orlando, FL

Great idea, count me in!!!

eclecticdawn · Joined: 31 Jul 2005 Posts: 2987 Location: Danville, Va

Chirstopher, this is a brilliant idea! I can think of a number of people I'd like to ride for, so I'm going to try to do this not just once a year, but on a more regular basis. I'll save the July 20th date to ride for you, my friend! You're always so supportive of others, and even though you're sometimes a PIA ( Laughing

), I love you dearly!

(With your permission, I'd like to post your Nationwide Christopher's Ride on my blog.)
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'98 1100 ACE Tourer and 8 others
Past: 93 VLX600;77 RD400;75 CB250;76 Suzi RM370

Wenchie · Joined: 14 Aug 2005 Posts: 699 Location: Ohio

As said great idea. I put it on the calendar for Wren & I & will talk to his X-riders today about it.
Wenchie
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Jim Mann · Posted: Sun May 25, 2008 8:59 am Post subject: We will ride

Christopher, great idea !

We will ride for you, my friend, and for my son, Christopher. I copied you on an e-mail late last night updating his condition. The cancer 95% to 98% gone, so we are progressing towards the goal of total remission.
Praise God, and great idea. Thanks, Jim Mann

eclecticdawn · Joined: 31 Jul 2005 Posts: 2987 Location: Danville, Va

Wassup · Joined: 19 Apr 2007 Posts: 2203 Location: Orlando, FL

Wenchie · Joined: 14 Aug 2005 Posts: 699 Location: Ohio

Prayers to both children for a full recovery
Wenchie
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Christopher · Joined: 06 Nov 2006 Posts: 5588 Location: Brooksville, FL

I just wanted to see bikers take one ride a year and make it special for themselves and someone else.

I thought about this a long time ago, but it was Jim Mann who gave me the final kick in the butt to get this going. A while back he posted that he took a ride and did it for me when I was to sick to ride. It really made me feel so good inside to know someone was thinking of me and taking me along with them for a ride. To someone fighting horrible diseases, our days are filled with pain, sickness, chemo, meds and Doctors / Hospital visits. Many of us cannot ride and many more will never be able to ride. Through you, they can at least be a part of the biker community.

By having one person think of you during your battles and making it special by riding just for you, it provides an escape from the daily war with diseases. It gives you something money and donations cannot give you......hope and the will to fight on.

I know what it meant for me and wanted to encourage other bikers to put a smile on someones face and make them feel special by doing nothing more then saying " This rides for you ".

I am going to be talking with my son and informing him that the company he owns will be the sponsor behind " Christopher's Ride ". He know if Big Daddy says so, he has to do it. His sponsorship will include server space, software and a place bikers can come to post their experience and pictures of their Christopher Ride.

If the Lord's willing and the creek doesn't rise, I will take it Internationally for 2009 and market it heavily this fall. I plan on fudning everything myself ( as long as the money holds out ).

Thanks everyone for all your support. You guys just rock..........
Please help me spread the word to other forums, clubs, groups, etc..

Chris
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2002 1500fi Nomad - ( His )
2007 Vulcan 1500 Classic - ( Hers )
Ride Bell's by Ally & Lisa

Patriot Guard Rider

Christopher · Joined: 06 Nov 2006 Posts: 5588 Location: Brooksville, FL

I am elated to hear how well both of these kids have done. This dang cancer is a dreadful disease, but through support, prayers and a whole lot of love, they are both pulling through and seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.

May they continue to fight and win their battles..........my very best wishes and prayers and thoughts are being sent to them both.

Chris
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2002 1500fi Nomad - ( His )
2007 Vulcan 1500 Classic - ( Hers )
Ride Bell's by Ally & Lisa

Patriot Guard Rider

ButchA · Joined: 08 Jun 2007 Posts: 1817 Location: Richmond, VA

Wow... July 20th? I just marked it on the calendar. I'm in... Cool

Anything you need Chris, anything... You don't even have to ask. Consider it done.
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2007 Honda Shadow Aero 750
Ride Bell by Chris & Maggie

Spiritman · Posted: Sun May 25, 2008 8:42 pm Post subject:

After much deliberation on my part this thread and Deb's ride thread have been reposted as stickies in order to maximize the amount of exposure. As the day of these rides approach both threads will be moved over to the ride and event sections where they will permanently reside. This exception is for these two events only.
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Rider #5 in Woody's Memorial Ride

Jim Mann · Posted: Sun May 25, 2008 9:19 pm Post subject: Thank you

Spiritman, thank you for your consideration and courtesy. The level success of this new event will be determined by the participation of many and the multiple rides that will be generated around the nation. You have contributed greatly to this end, and I thank you. Sincere thanks, JIm Mann

ButchA · Joined: 08 Jun 2007 Posts: 1817 Location: Richmond, VA

Hey guys... I just wrote to the webmaster of "Richmond Riders" to see if they would be willing to lend a hand with getting more riders involved.

www.richmondriders.com

Hopefully I'll hear back from the guy and others to see if they would be willing to get more riders involved!
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2007 Honda Shadow Aero 750
Ride Bell by Chris & Maggie

Meg :) · Joined: 09 Nov 2007 Posts: 47 Location: Wilmington, DE

Hey Chris, my father in law has multiple myeloma, and so my husband and I will definately be doing this for him. Sometimes when things are so tremendously bleak, it's the little flashes of hope and love that get us to the next day. Truly appreciate your efforts...
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Where am I, what time is it, and why are we all dressed alike?? (Life of a flight attendant, lol)

07' Shadow Spirit 750DC