The eighth annual Carriage House Bike Run was held on Saturday, May 19. The event is not just a charity fundraiser but is a party for residents of the Carriage House assisted living facility to enjoy visiting with bikers, motorcycle contests and even enjoy a ride aboard a motorcycle.
More than 70 bikers descended on the Carriage House in Snowflake after staging at Show Low Motorsports in Show Low. The Navajo County Sheriff’s Auxiliary escorted and provided traffic control as the group made their way through Taylor and Snowflake.
The Carriage House staff provided a delicious pulled pork meal, T-shirts and commemorative patches. It was also an opportunity for the bikers to socialize with residents at the facility. The event was organized by the Mountain Motorcycle Association of Arizona and the Christian Motorcyclists Association. Independent riders, American Legion riders and Patriot Guard riders attended the run as well.
Canned goods were collected as the registration fee and will be donated to local veteran organization Fisher’s of Men. Poker run, and raffle proceeds will go towards Christmas gifts for needy children. A Jeep loaded with canned goods was collected and just over $700 was raised.
The idea for the event was born eight years ago when biker Bernie Kehret’s mother was a resident at the Carriage House and she missed riding motorcycles. “It all started as a way to make her feel like part of it,” said Sam Matyas with the Carriage House.
It is easy to forget that senior citizens with health issues or who move into an assisted living facility may have to give up hobbies such as riding motorcycles that they may have enjoyed in their younger days.
Blanche Rivington, a Carriage House resident who recently lost her husband Harold of nearly 50 years, said, “It is a hard day because I spent 10 years riding on the motorcycle with Harold, but I love this.” Thanks to this event some got to rekindle their former passions, even if for only one day.
