A group of motorcycle riders is hoping that the demise of the popular Bikers Reunion event, started in New Liskeard in 1999 as a fundraiser for battling cancer, can make a successful transplant to North Bay.
Called Bikers Battling Cancer, the goal is to start a new three-day motorcycle rally on the Canada Day long weekend 2017, with "the same feel, live performers, live music. arts and entertainment, with onsite camping." While it will fill a void, it won't however, have any connection to the old Biker's Reunion.
The focus will be on raising funds for the North Bay Regional Health Centre Foundation cancer programs and Canadian Cancer Society's Wheels of Hope program.
"We are looking at hosting this event at Memorial Gardens and Thomson Park in North Bay," says Chairman Donald Smith on the group's website.
"The main Ride (WHEELS OF HOPE) will feature a stop at the North Bay Hospital to meet and visually see the great efforts and results of those involved. We hope to engage North Bay and the surrounding communities in our efforts to support this cause as well as the entire motorcycle community from near and far. This is a family friendly event featuring all aspects of the motorcycling industry and motorcycling enthusiasts, be it solo riders or groups and organizations involved. The event will bring a greater awareness to this industry while at the same time helping and supporting those in need."
Smith told BayToday that the event will be free to area residents, including the music, but that visiting motorcyclists will be asked to pay a registration fee to help defray costs.
"I expect there will be a two to three million dollar economic impact to the city in the first year, which is huge," Smith added.
The bikers plan to present their proposal to city council on Monday, Oct. 3. Smith will be asking the city to donate the use of some facilities, like camping in the park area, to help the fundraising event get off the ground.
A rally in support of the proposal will take place in front of City Hall that same evening at 6.30 p.m.
"Like a lot of folks out there, I too have been touched personally by the loss of loved ones to disease," says Smith. "I lost my grandfather to cancer and my older brother (Lil Pete) to diabetes at a young age. When I heard the bikers rally in New Liskeard was closing down it weighed heavy on my heart. Out of respect for those organizers and their accomplishments, I decided to start a new event but in North Bay.
"We've got some great ideas and plans," he said.
In its 15-year life, the New Liskeard Biker's Reunion raised over one million dollars for the Community Cancer Care program.
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