More than 550 bikers turned out once again on August 2 for one of the largest annual motorcycle events in Central Kentucky — the Ride to Win. The 2008 Ride to Win rolled through Central Kentucky from Richmond to Lexington, with all riders making stops at Kroger stores in Winchester, Mt. Sterling and Georgetown on their way to Man O War Harley-Davidson.
While enjoying both perfect weather and a great ride through the Blue Grass, the bikers also raised nearly $19,000 to Support Special Olympics athletes. Once again Lowell King of Hustonville led the fundraising charge. King became the event's top fundraiser for the seventh consecutive year, raising more than $4,600 on his own.
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Lowell King (right) receives his
Top Fundraiser award from Special Olympics President Dave Kerchner. |
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King wasn't the only repeat titleholder of the day. The American Legion Riders defended their Chapter Challenge crown as the Motorcycle Club with the most riders at the event, with 47 Legion Riders taking part.
For the fourth year in a row, the Ride to Win had a poker run format with each rider drawing a card at each stop to try to produce the best five-card poker hand. This year's poker winner was Brian Koehler who won $200 with an aces over kinds full house. The $100 second prize went to Travis Tucker who also had a full house, but with fives over kings. Steve Hone's flush won the $50 third place prize and the worst hand went to Gary Compton, who drew an 8 high.
The biggest card drawn of the day however came after the ride when Special Olympics athlete Casie Siefert of Lexington drew a raffle ticket with the name Jerry Trammel on it out of the hopper, making him the winner in the 2008 Special Olympics Kentucky Harley-Davidson raffle.
Post-ride events also included the annual Bike Show, operated by the Peacemakers Motorcycle Club and "Dirty Ed" Clark. The 2008 winners, who were selected by a panel of Special Olympics athlete judges were:
Import Cruisers — Brian Koehler, Lexington
Sportbikes —Tommy Wiloughby, Winchester
Harley Full Dressers — Tao Irtz, Lexington
Harley Sportsters — Benny Douglas, Richmond
Harley Softails — Richard Briant, Crab Orchard
Harley Dynas— Barbara Wilhoite, Lexington
Antiques — Tony Karsner, Owenton
Pro Custom
— "Dirty Ed" Clark, Richmond
Trikes — Cecil Spicer
Our thanks to everyone who participated in the Bike Show.
See more event photos
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Lowell King (right) receives his
Top Fundraiser award from Special Olympics President Dave Kerchner. |
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Of course, the real winners of the day were the Special Olympics Kentucky athletes whose training and competition the Ride to Win supports. Special Olympics Kentucky would like to thank the nearly 100 event volunteers who helped make the Ride to Win such as success. We especially want to thank the Ride to WIn Committee members — Billy Reasor, Brady Ratliff, "Dirty Ed" Clark, Mike Broyles, Randolph Scott, Tao Irtz and Jamie Blume.
We also need to thank the 2008 Ride to Win Sponsors — Man O'War Harley-Davidson, Kroger — which provided lunches for all the riders and volunteers, 98.1 The Bull, Thunder Roads magazine, Eastern Kentucky University, the City of Richmond and Time Warner Cable.
For information about how you can be involved with the 2009 Ride to Win as a rider, volunteer committee member or sponsor, please contact Anna Beth Logan at 800-633-7403 or 502-695-8222 or via e-mail at ablogan@soky.org.
