KERNERSVILLE -- Eighty-one motorcycle engines steadily throbbed, then roared to life as 121 cyclists left the parking lot in front of the Kernersville Police Department on the third annual Poker Run July 12.
The ride is held to benefit the N.C. Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics.
According to the N.C. Special Olympics Web site, the organization provides "year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities."
It gives them "opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community."
Doug Kiger, the chairman for the police department's efforts for the Torch Run, estimated that last Saturday's event raised $1,808 of the $6,000 the department annually gives to Special Olympics.
Before riders set off on the 80-mile course, Brian Mowers, a team leader with First Christian Church's motorcycle rider ministry, led the group in prayer.
He prayed for safety for the group and thankfulness that a group "one-time forgotten is now celebrated" with events such as the poker run.
Roy Forrest, the vice president of development for N.C. Special Olympics, told the participants that North Carolina is one of the biggest supporters of Special Olympics in the United States with 38,000 athletes.
He told the riders about the upcoming Mid-Summer Tournament in Raleigh for Special Olympic participants. Because of fundraising efforts such as the Torch Run, none of the 800 athletes has to pay to participate.
Police Capt. Steve Bowman helped organize the poker run. At registration, riders drew two cards. At their first stop, they drew two more.
At the last stop, they choose a final card to make up a five-card poker hand. The winning hand was announced at the lunch cookout at Harmon Park after the ride. The Jack of Clubs band performed.
About 10 police officers either rode in the poker run or helped with tasks such as registration and the luncheon.
Bowman said he enjoyed events such as the poker run because of his long history with riding.
"I got my first motorcycle when I was 9 and my first street bike when I was 16," Bowman said. "I'm 44, and the worse time of my life was the two weeks when I sold my motorcycle and was without one."
Rick Moore, who has worked as a police officer for 21 years, received attention for his motorcycle.
His 2008 Can-Am Spyder is the first of its kind sold in North Carolina.
It has two tires in the front and one in the back and looks like a personal watercraft with wheels.
"It's a very safe bike. It's built off of a snow machine frame.
"A lot of people who don't normally ride can ride this bike," Moore said.
■ Monica Young can be reached at cyoung9@triad.rr.com.
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