Motorcycle Ride Saturday To Benefit Veterans

A fun and scenic motorcycle ride Saturday will benefit two organizations that help Veterans in our area. The ride starts in Newport and ends with a lunch and auction in Guilford. No pre-registration required!

The Maine Combat Vets Association will hold its 5th Annual Fallen Soldier Ride Saturday. Each year, the group spends a day enjoying a leisurely ride that includes a quick break next to a pond, followed by a catered lunch, this year by Steve's Stagecoach, and an auction. And they do it to support injured vets in our state.

Proceeds from the ride will be split between two Veteran's organizations, Part will go to the Maine Veteran's Home on Hogan Road in Bangor. The rest will benefit a group that gives outdoor experiences to injured vets who might not otherwise get to do things like fishing and hunting because of their limitations.

The House in the Woods is based out of Lee, Maine, and it gives vets a place to enjoy the outdoors, and also to spend time in communion with others who are dealing with similar challenges. At the Sportsmen Show last year, I spoke with a representative of the group and had the chance to see a special wheelchair that was equipped like a wheelchair-four-wheeler hybrid. It had tracks instead of wheels, places to store equipment, including fishing poles, and even cupholders!

There's no pre-registration required to take part in the ride. If you're interested in taking part, just show up! Registration for the Fallen Soldier Ride begins at 8 a.m. at BB's Tattoo Company on the Moosehead Trail in Newport and it will be kickstands up at 10 a.m! It's $20 for each bike/rider and an additional $10 for a passenger.

The ride will end up at the Mt. Kineo Masonic Lodge in Guilford with a lunch and auction. Organizer Rod Hall says, if you can't make the ride, feel free to stop by for the after-ride party! For more information, check out the website for the Maine Combat Vets Association.