I wanted to remind everyone of this great event.  Lauren will be riding with Mike Thibault.  Join them for a great day and a great cause.

Aside from undergoing a heart transplant, Lauren also has an extremely rare form of muscular dystrophy which contributes to the rest of her weaknesses. Come spend the day hanging with great people, riding through the countryside, listening to awesome music and of course, supporting a great cause!

On Two Wheels: Charlie Daniels Band headlines Muscular Dystrophy Association motorcycle ride

ON TWO WHEELS
On Two Wheels: Charlie Daniels Band headlines Muscular Dystrophy Association motorcycle ride

If on July 12 you are in the mood to go for a nice motorcycle ride with a thousand or so of your friends, help contribute to a very worthy charity, have a chicken dinner and, lastly, see one of the best Southern-rock bands in history, then the 2015 Muscular Dystrophy Association Ride will take care of all of these things in one fell swoop.

Sponsored by the good folks at Trantolo & Trantolo, Norm LeBlanc and his team have put together one of the most terrific ride packages of the year. It’s not to be missed.
The ride staging and registration will begin at 9 a.m. and continue through 11:30 at co-sponsor TSI Harley-Davidson on Route 83 in Ellington, Connecticut. Breakfast will be available as well.

There will then be a 40-mile, police-escorted ride through the Connecticut countryside that will wind up at the Sun Valley Resort in Stafford Springs.

Riders will then be treated to a home-style barbecue lunch of grilled chicken, sausage, peppers, and onions, homemade pasta and potato salad. Refreshments will also be available; beer and wine will be on sale.

The Arizona Maid Band will be taking the stage at noon, followed by Kim Logan at 1 p.m., and, at 2, the legendary Charlie Daniels Band will hit the stage.

Charlie Daniels originally rode in on the same wave of Southern rock that brought us such bands as the Allman Brothers, Marshall Tucker, the Outlaws and Lynyrd Skynrd. The Charlie Daniels Band has had numerous hits over the years, and Charlie Daniels himself has become well known and outspoken in regards to his love of country, patriotism, and the ideals that make this country great. Ever the showman, you will never walk away from a Charlie Daniels Band show unfulfilled.

The event will cost you $40 per rider if you buy in advance; it’s $50 on the day of the show. Tickets for couples are $60 in advance, or $75 on the day of the event. The same prices apply if you are just attending the meal and show. If you purchase your tickets in advance you will be eligible to win a $1,000 gift card from TSI Harley-Davidson.
You can purchase tickets on line by logging on to mdaridect.com or swing by TSI Harley-Davidson to pick them up in person. This will be a very large event with probably over 1,000 motorcycles so be prepared to ride accordingly.

The Massachusetts motorcycle community was dealt a blow recently with the passing of Eugene “Griz” Griswold, of Palmer. Known simply as “Griz” or “Santa Griz,” Griswold was a longtime biker who fought for motorcyclists’ rights as both chairman and district representative for the Massachusetts Motorcycle Association, going all the way back when it started as the Modified Motorcycle Association.

griz.jpg
Eugene “Griz” Griswold, of Palmer, a longtime biker who fought for motorcyclists’ rights as both chairman and district representative for the Massachusetts Motorcycle Association, died on June 11. He is shown here in one of his favorite roles, filling in for Santa Claus as a member of one of his motorcycle clubs to bring joy to children at the Gray House in Springfield.
DAVID MOLNAR / THE REPUBLICAN

For many years, Griz was a salesman for Tibby’s Harley-Davidson and was a proud and patriotic veteran of the U.S. Navy. Bearing a striking resemblance to Santa Claus with his large frame and flowing white beard, this gentle giant of a man reveled in entertaining thousands of children (as well as adults) at Christmas time and as a member of the Weasels USA motorcycle group was the only one to carry the distinct North Pole back patch. Griz was also an ordained minister who presided over many area weddings. God speed, Griz, you are loved by many and will be sorely missed.
Goings On: Throttle Rocker Magazine will begin its Destination Bike Night series on July 2. These will be an every other Thursday bike night to be held at a different Destination. The first will be at Indian Motorcycle of Springfield located at 962 Southampton Road in Westfield. These will run from 6 to 9 p.m., and there will be vendors, music, food and more. For a complete schedule of Destination Bike Night, log on to throttlerockermagazine.com.

On July 11, it will be the Honor and Remember Bike Run, Concert and Barbecue in memory of Lance Cpl. Phillip M. Bushong. This event will be held at the Southwick Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 872 at 151 Point Grove Road. Registration begins at 9 a.m., and kickstands will be up at 11. The cost is $20 for riders; passengers and walk-ins are $15. There will be live music, a barbecue and raffles. Featured bands will be Point Black, Legion, the Remones and Redhead. The music starts at 2 p.m. with a flag presentation at 3. For information and reserved ticket information call (413) 355-8031.

Until next time, ride safe and ride smart.