Do you ride for a good cause?

[Pillage]

I just read Snubnose's post about the "Ride for Dad" to raise money for prostate cancer research.  Ride for Dad post

Once a year I ride on the Motorcycle Safety Team for the Boston Avon Walk for Breast Cancer.  AWBC

So I was wondering, who else rides for a good cause, and what do you ride for? 

[mademiriam]

I've gone on a few rides, including the ride for dad.
Then I did the big one, the ride for the cure around the cabot trail...and to be honest NO THANK you. Riding 'with' a bunch of ignorant riders that come to a stop at every turn then blast at 160 down to the next one just plain sucks. So does being passed on a blind crest with the guy completely in the other lane when there has been steady oncoming traffic all day. In short what a waste of one of the most beautiful motorcycle roads in Canada. Trust me 500 scared cruisers and 50 squids is not the company I will keep from now on. There were of course a couple hundred decent normal trustworthy people there on all kinds of bikes. If i do a ride this year, it will be a small one.

[Pillage]

I have to admit, I haven't ridden in any "Parade" type fund raisers.  I agree I don't think I would enjoy it or feel safe riding with so many "unknown" riders.

Riding for the AWBC Moto Safety Team is more like Citizens on Patrol in Boston 
We direct traffic at difficult crossings and patrol the route to make sure the 3000 walkers are okay.  It's a long 2 1/2 days but it's actually a lot of fun, for a good cause.

[Snubnose]

I just read Snubnose's post about the "Ride for Dad" to raise money for prostate cancer research.  Ride for Dad post

Seems to me that there is alot of "angst" (for lack of a better word) against Large group riding, mostly for understandable "safety related" concerns - even if for "good causes".

I'm personally "on the fence" with these things, on one hand, they can be fun and very worthwhile. One the other, they an be a recipe for stereotypical reinforcement of "types" of riders or at worst nasty, avoidable causalities.

I've heard arguments against the event rationale like "I cant stand those harley riders", and "I cant stand those squids" (like theres no where in between), not that this is to suggest that I actually subscribe to the stereotypes (although they are being constantly being reinforced). But aren't we missing the point?.

I know I wouldn't go on such LARGE rallies for no good reason, especially not just for the "fun", there would have to be something other reason for my involvement. I know the "Ride for Dad" is Police sponsored and patrolled by police bikes and cruisers, at almost every intersection, as well as being led by and tailed. with this Level of official involvement, including well known celebrities and Press, MOST riders, Stereotypical or otherwise are on their best behavior and some even have the "causes" focus in mind.

Yes, I prefer riding with a few trusted friends, 3 or 4, but perhaps considering a bigger picture than just "personal pleasure" with a bit of patience, tolerance, forbearing...yadda, yadda, yadda, I'm sure we can all get along for a short while, and perhaps even make the best of and derive a little fun from the experience...Once in a Blue Moon anyway.

[aussiebandit]

I do the Christmas Toy Run each year, but that's about it.

[orionburn]

The only big charity ride they do around here is the ABATE ride for the MDA. Pretty much sounds like Miriam's experience. They have some sort of wreck every year. They have other rides but ABATE isn't all that friendly to anybody that doesn't ride a cruiser. I've thought about doing it in the past, and may do it this year. And if I do I have no problem being the last guy in line.

[Sven]

The few big rides I have been on (Ride For Kids, ABATE LeBonhuer Toy Runs, the opening for Art of the Motorcycle exhibit, etc.) have been safe, but dull.  I don't have any "angst" about those rides, since they have been low speed and little-to-no cross traffic.

What I did find more annoying was my one trip out with the Midsouth Sport Riders, who tried to group ride on roads with four-way stops and lots of driveway cuts, but also wanted to keep the group together, and wanted to ride fast when possible.  Large group, lots of potential dangers, fast riding, and trying to keep it all together equals NOT LIKELY.

So riding for a charity event is something that is more for the doing than for the fun...I won't avoid doing it, but it's not as much fun as is should be.