February is often a pretty pokey-putt month in the Northwest. And the farther inland from the coast one ventures, the more likely it is to find people still wearing their union suits or long underwear beneath outer layers. Since I live smack dab in the middle of nowhere, about 20 miles from Canada and 20 from Idaho, and since it’s supposed to get down in single digits by tonight, I’m tempted to drop my scratchy woolen pants at the front door and parade around the house in the comfort of long johns. By adding a pair of loudly striped wool socks with my leather boots, as you might imagine, I look mighty impressive; downright snappy (some might say). Of course, I’m disinclined to open the door should folks come a callin’… February’s notable motorcycling events include a welcome shot in the arm for the Auburn Regional Medical Center for Children. On Sunday, February 10, it’s the 15th annual Teddy Bear Run and it’s an event jointly sponsored by the South King County Alky Angels with a buffet luncheon courtesy of the Multi-Care Auburn Medical Center. The Alky Angel’s contingent alone will mean motorcycle numbers will be well over 100. An escorted parade will bring riders and their stuffed animal donations/entry to the Multi-Care Auburn Medical Center. The throngs will gather behind the Auburn Athletic Club and South King Alano Club, at 1317 Harvey Road, Auburn, and will depart at 12:30 p.m. after registration for a leisurely eight-mile route to deliver new stuffed animals to the hospital. Once arriving at the hospital’s parking lot, there will be a performance by the Seattle Cossacks, the renowned motorcycle drill team. Teddy Bear Ride participants can drop stuffed animals in one of several barrels for collection and take part in the hosted lunch. These soft, huggable toys find their way to the hospital’s emergency room, surgical center, and obstetrics and dementia departments. It’s a great comfort to patients and over 1,000 teddy bears were collected and distributed from last year’s event. For more information contact Laura Garvin at 253.833.7711 (ext. 1213) or e-mail her at laura.garvin@uhsinc.com … Oregon’s oldest chartered American Motorcycle Association Motorcycle Road Club is up to it again, and they’ve been showing us how it’s done since 1911. The always-inclusive Rose City Motorcycle Club’s 16th annual Sweethearts Ride will be held Saturday, February 16. Previous reports have suggested the ride is February 9. That was true then, but it’s been changed. Signups will be held at 11:00 a.m. and all kickstands up at noon. Cost is $25 per person and all the money taken in will be donated to the Providence Hospital Brain Institute. According to RCMC’s Char, the funds will be used for research on muscular sclerosis. If you’d like firmer details, Char will take your calls with questions at 503.706.3969. You can also find out more from the RCMC’s website (www.rose-city-mc.org) or send an e-mail to rcmc@rose-city-mc.org. The nice people at Beaverton Motorcycles, located at 10380 Southwest Cascade Boulevard in Tigard, Oregon, are the ride sponsors and will also take your calls. Their toll-free number is 800.919.1044. The Rose City Motorcycle Club does a great job of infusing energy and enthusiasm into their club, and one outreach that brings in new members is a social breakfast gathering. Held the third Saturday of each month, here the uninitiated can show up without invitation, have a listen, buy breakfast, find out what the RCMC has in the event’s percolator and then, more often than not, go out for a ride. This breakfast gathering is at 8:00 a.m. at the Home Town Buffet, 3790 SW Hall Boulevard in Beaverton, Oregon. This is what I meant by the always-inclusive RCMC. I had the pleasure of meeting some of their rank about 20 years ago at a H.O.G. event near Olympia, and when I’m on the road and see one of them it’s always a nice reunion and some good conversation… Also on Saturday, February 16, but in Lacey, Washington, Olympia’s Northwest Harley-Davidson, located at 8000 Freedom Lane, is sponsoring a Chili Cook-off. There’s a $15 entry fee to enter your own concoction and tastings (let’s just call it lunch) cost $5. Hours have been reported differently depending on where you look, so call Tina at the dealership (360.705.8515) for more info. The proceeds will benefit the local military base, Joint Base Lewis McChord, that’s one of 12 combined bases worldwide. For more information you can always check www.nwharley.com.
