We had a great day for the ride and the event afterwards.
Saturday, August 3rd, 2019 was a great day for a motorcycle ride through beautiful Sumner County, Tennessee.
Registration was scheduled to start at 8:00. There were a few early birds who registered and enjoyed coffee, and a pastry while checking out other bikes and socializing.
After a welcome from Home Bound Meals President, Bill Walker, a briefing on the ride route and guidelines by Lt. Mike Gutherie, and finally a prayer for the bikers by Stan Wilson. Kick stands were up shortly after 9:00am and the riders left 116 Imperial Blvd. in Hendersonville.
The ride was led by Sumner County Sheriff Motor Officers: Lt. Mike Guthrie, Sgt. Eric Craddock, Deputy Allen Nash, Deputy Joe Brew, Deputy Teddy Loftis Jr., Deputy Greg Stewart, and Deputy David Livingston.
The ride was about 2 ½ hours long with a brief pit stop at The General Store in Bethpage, Tn. Visiting with folks at the pit stop was an added bonus for the riders. Everyone enjoyed themselves and new friends were made.
The route took the riders from Hendersonville north along New Shackle Island Rd. to New Hope Rd. to Tyree Springs Rd. into White House. During the ride north on Tyree Springs Rd., one of the riders had trouble. The chase vehicle driven by Chuck and Tina Swann turned around and went back to assist the rider. The chase truck then caught up with the ride at The General Store.
With communications ahead by Lt. Guthrie, White House PD assisted in blocking the intersections as the riders passed through. The ride continued along Hwy. 31W to Hwy. 52 into Portland. Again, with cooperation from Portland PD, the intersection at Hwy. 52 and Hwy. 109 was blocked as the riders rode through.
The Sumner County Motor Officers were in communication with Gallatin and Hendersonville to assess the traffic situation ahead. It was decided the route would be changed to avoid traveling along Blythe Street in Gallatin and the exit onto Vietnam Veterans Hwy. was changed from Indian Lake Rd. to Saundersville Rd. The new route took the riders from Hwy. 174 (Dobbins Pike) to South Tunnel Rd over to Hwy. 109 south into Gallatin. The riders exited Hwy. 109 onto Hwy. 174 (Long Hollow Pike) to Vietnam Veterans Hwy. The riders then exited Saundersville Rd. to Gallatin Rd. at Thornton’s gas station. From there the ride proceeded into Hendersonville and turned into Drakes Creek Park North to the soccer complex where the ride ended. The entire route was approximately 75 miles in length.
The Sumner County Motor Officers were awesome. Being led through the back roads was very impressive. People lined up and waved to the riders as they passed by. There are seven Sumner County Motor Officers and all seven participated in leading the ride. Two of the deputies had worked the midnight shift, one was on active duty, and the other four were on their day off. A big thanks to them for volunteering and making this a fun and safe ride.
The riders arrived at Drakes Creek Soccer Complex at 11:30am. Riders and passengers were hot, tired, hungry, but excited about the ride.
Upon arrival, the riders were welcomed by “DJ” Dennis Robertson. Wanetta Turner, with the Huckabee Show, sang the National Anthem. It was awesome. We then recited the Pledge of Allegiance and Bill Walker gave thanks for the safety of the riders and the food. Lunch was served!
The lunch menu was BBQ, hamburgers, coleslaw, potato salad, baked beans and banana pudding. Everything was delicious, but especially note worthy was the BBQ provided and smoked on site by the “BBQ Guys”: Colin Frisbie, Enzo Frisbie, Nathan Frisbie, Ceasar Cruz, and Randy Bernal. David Swanger’s Homemade Banana Pudding was yummy!
The event included music played by “DJ” Dennis Robertson, goodie bags for the riders and passengers, door prizes, and a riding demonstration by the Sumner County Sheriff Motor Officers. An award for the riding group with the largest member participation was presented to the Ring of Fire HOG. There was a Corn Hole competition and the winners were Denny Livingston and Rob Davis.
It was a great day for the riders and a great day for the Home Bound Meals Program. The goals for the Motorcycle Ride were to have 200 riders and raise $5,000 for the program. Both goals were optimistic for a first-time ride. We are pleased to say that 128 registered for the ride including 19 passengers, and the goal to raise $5,000 to benefit the program was met! It can be truly said that this first-time event was a success.
Our Sponsors are named on the webpage (hendersonvillehbmp.org), please help us show our appreciation by supporting them. We have also named the many Donors and Friends of Home Bound Meals. This event would not have been possible without them. They contributed money, the sites, items for the goodie bags and door prizes, food, beverages, time and hard work.
Please add our webpage to your favorites and follow us for more information on ways you can help support the program throughout the year, for other fundraisers, and of course, for information on the Second Annual Motorcycle Ride to Benefit the Home Bound Meals Program in early August 2020.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts,
The Motorcycle Ride Committee