BARRHEAD-It was a long winter for the Women in the Wind motorcycle club. A winter that was made even longer by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Just as the club was preparing for their first season of group rides, COVID-19 hit, basically putting a halt to their get-togethers and rides.
However, now that public health restrictions, for all intents and purposes have come to an end, the Women in Wind are uncovering their motorcycles and preparing for their first-ever "Towards the Sun" charity ride for the Ripple Connection Support Centre (RCSC).
Women in the Wind (WITW) is a club founded in 1979. Its purpose is to promote and unite women motorcyclists, promote a positive image of women motorcyclists and educate its members on motorcycle safety and maintenance.
WITW has more than 135 chapters and is in 11 countries.
In Canada, there are 17 chapters. Barrhead became the ninth chapter in Alberta in February 2020.
The RCSC is a not-for-profit organization, which opened in 2010, provides services for people who directly suffer from mental illness as well as their families and caregivers.
"COVID has halted so many aspects of people's lives," said Barrhead WIWT founder Amber Dean. "It has been a devastating year for so many. Everyone has been affected in some way. That is why, when the restrictions lifted and we could ride together again, we wanted our first event to make a difference."
She added throughout the pandemic, many WIWT members visited the Ripple Connection's Thrift store and arranged a meeting with its manager Drey Fitzgerald.
"[Drey] had a very detailed conversation with us about how they help the community and how their focus is mental health and addictions. After the conversation, considering the year we have all had, we were sold on this cause," Dean said.
As for the details of the July 17 ride, it starts with registration at Barrhead's CC Cycle at 9 a.m. The registration fee is $10 and includes a catered lunch by the Ripple Connection.
Riders will start their 208-kilometre journey, at 10 a.m., beginning with a quick stop at Barrmart Foods, before proceeding to Linda's Motor Inn in Fort Assiniboine. From there, they will take Highway 658 and go to their next stop in Blue Ridge before heading to Sangudo and via Highway 33, eventually making their way back to Barrhead.
"One of the fun things we will be doing to help raise money is our bug splat contest," she said.
WITW will sell targets for $5 that riders can put on their windshields.
"At the end of the ride, whoever has the 'biggest bug splat' and is closest to the centre of their target will win bragging rights and a novelty prize," Dean said, adding at each of the stops on the route riders will have an opportunity to win a door prize.
Other prizes, not including the door and bug splat game prizes, include a money prize (dependant on the number of riders), a $100 frozen meat package, a $50 gift certificate from a local tire shop, a bottle of liquor and a luxury mink blanket.
"In addition to the money raised from riders, we are asking businesses to meet or beat our chapter donation of $100 to Ripple Connections," she said.
For more information about the Towards the Sun charity ride, contact Dean by text at 780-305-3760 contact or e-mail [email protected].
Barry Kerton, TownandCountryToday.com
