An organization quietly doing good in the motorcycling community within Washington State is called BASH—Bikers Against Statewide Hunger—and they operate a food bank Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. at 103 140th Street South #B, Tacoma, Washington 98444. Telephone is 253.536.6480 or 253.531.9600 and BASH business office hours are Monday–Thursday 9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. BASH is holding a Turkey WA*BASH ride on October 5, and by participating you’d be helping those enduring some tough times. BASH provides turkey dinners to over 500 families annually. The 10/5 run begins at 10:00 a.m. at Eagle Leather in Lakewood (10222 S. Tacoma Way) with stops at Kapowsin, Cumberland, Buckley and Fife, Washington. There will be raffle prizes, a 50/50 and awards for high and low hands. The cost for registration is $20, and since you know it’s for a fabulous cause, no whining—got it? Just buck up. Food donations are also welcome… On the same day, but about 370 miles east in Meridian, Idaho, High Desert Harley-Davidson presents Biketoberfest beginning at noon and winding down four hours later. Join others at 2310 E. Cinema Drive Saturday and enjoy the yodeling concert, clog dancers performing the traditional schuhplattling step and Herr Groin the human wiener schnitzel in the mustard tank dive. OK; I’m kidding, but as of this writing, with three weeks and two days until the event, High Desert’s website says nothing on content. But wouldn’t it be fun if only? If you too are curious, phone 208.338.5599, e-mail tgodfrey@highdeserthd.com or visit the website as more details emerge at www.highdeserthd.com. But again, just kidding about the dancing, yodeling and human wiener schnitzel… Heard from several riders this month who appreciated learning about wounded soldier Bo Jones who lost both of his legs from an I.E.D. while on military patrol in Afghanistan. Many readers have joined in donating towards a trike build for Bo. Below is a photo of Bo on the custom trike that will allow him to operate using hand controls only. It’s a great accomplishment, and hats off to all those who have donated their time and pocket change to the effort—most notably, Bo’s Dream Team. Thanks for keeping us informed, and thanks, Robert, for the photo… It was 1977 when the first Olympia Toy Run was held, bringing all makes and flavors of motorcycle enthusiasts together for the common cause of dispensing Christmas gifts to children who might otherwise go without. This year is the 36th annual and the ritual is a gooseflesh fest. The streets of the route are consistently lined with supporters, and it’s the best parade in the region, hands down. The website is www.olytoyrun.com, but the scoop is that the gate opens to the Sears parking lot at the South Sound Center in Lacey at 10:00 a.m. with motorcycle drill team performances from 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. and the ride leaves at 1:00 p.m. Lacey toy drop-off locations include the Nisqually Pub, Sears on Kinney Road, Log Cabin Tavern, 2 Mile House Pub & Eatery, DK Boos Glass, Roo-Lan Healthcare Center & the Lodge I & II, the Cedar Inn Tavern in Olympia and Urban Custom Bikes in Fife. Admission is a new, unwrapped toy or your donation of $10 for a single rider or $15 when two-up. The ride winds up at Marathon Park in Olympia. This is a favorite ride for a lot of folks, and seeing children and families waving in thanks and support along the route will often make riders a little misty eyed from the cold (cold, ha). It’s a pretty fine excuse to don the gear. Enjoy.
