When anyone of any age suffers loss, it’s a painful ride to find one’s footing. But when it’s a child, there’s no accurate way to gauge the despair, particularly as kids seem to be navigating with resiliency. ABATE of Cowlitz County is honoring a former member who passed in 2004 by doing something about it. They’re welcoming you to join them for a mystery run starting in Rainier, Oregon, at the Rainier Sound Authority on Rock Crest Street (just off Dike Road) at 9:00 a.m. May 20. After sign-ups, kickstands will be up at 10:00 a.m. for the Gary Marcil’s Memorial Rolling Aces Mystery Dice Run. The buy-in is $10 per hand and all proceeds will benefit a grief camp for children who’ve lost a loved one. Questions? Call John at 360.270.9503 or e-mail the chapter at ccabate.membership@gmail.com … For 21 years riders in Western Washington have marked calendars for the 3rd Sunday in May to attend the Snohomish Motorcycle Show in the city dubbed the Antique Capital of the Pacific Northwest. Originally known as Cadyville, Snohomish was the early county seat before Everett snagged the title. 100 years before the inaugural of the Snohomish Antique and Classic Motorcycle Show in 1996, groundwork for a wonderful and rich history well worth exploring was underway. Today there remains ample architecture to enjoy within the city. Once only accessible by river travel, the Snohomish River runs alongside and brought about remarkable innovation due to the abundance of cedar in the area, with cedar shingles kiln dried and shipped to the East Coast. Many of the historic buildings still stand and lakes and streets are named for the pioneering families who settled the region. The Snohomish Motorcycle Show has had its share of obstacles on the path to being broadly accepted. Snohomish city leaders and a handful of merchants were resistant to giving up the main economic engine/First Street to motorcyclists for a whole day. This, as the city experienced economic and cultural growing pains themselves. The location has darted about some, and even the event name has changed a bit, but good sense has prevailed such that the mission continues. It’s well explained on the Snohomish Motorcycle Show website that says, “The Snohomish Motorcycle Show is a community event run by Sky Valley Chapter; ABATE of Washington on behalf of the citizens of Snohomish and the motorcyclists of Washington. The show bikes are often mechanical marvels that still perform decades after their first ride. We aim to provide a working history of transportation modes and demonstrate an environmental alternative to automobiles. Our exhibitors demonstrate the quality workmanship available in the Puget Sound region, creativity and artistic skill, and industrial design. Through their workmanship we can see engineering developments, such as CNC aluminum billet work and engine performance enhancements, state-of-the-art paint and finish technology and a celebration of individual expression. The event stimulates commerce among local motorcycle-related businesses and celebrates the history of motorcycling in America.” The day starts at 9:00 a.m. on May 21 and there is no charge for attendance. If you plan to enter the ride-in show, registration is $15 and classes include: manufactured, mild, metric custom, radical custom, metric chopper, old school chopper, stock, metric and full dresser, metric and American half-dresser, antique/vintage (pre–1955), classic (’55–’75), factory trike, custom trike, sport bike, rat bike, European, Japanese, sidecar, and more. For more info call 360.926.4265 or visit skyvalleybikeshow.com. All event proceeds benefit both the Snohomish Food Bank and Snohomish Senior Center. The street is lined with bikes, riders, non-riders, families and an abundant amount of good will. There are eateries, snackeries and watering holes, vendors, live music, and the Seattle Cossacks Motorcycle Stunt and Drill Team to boot. Although it rains as often as it shines for this gathering, it’s always a glorious day on First Street, in a vintage town only 30 miles from the heart of Seattle… An early heads up for the June 2–4 ABATE of North Idaho Spring Opener on the Coeur d’Alene River with live music Friday and Saturday, raffles, bike show, food, and RV and tent camping too. There are even rooms available for hire at Country Lane RV Park at 208.682.2698. A special deal this time out? You can join North Idaho ABATE at the gate for $25 and get the reduced admission price usually afforded just to fellow motorcycle rights organization members. More info available by going online to abateofnorthidahobikers.org or by phoning Aiden at 208.304.8228 Expect good times…
