Kerch's blog: "Try this one on for size!"

I am reposting this from an article in Thunder Roads Of Indiana and Northern Illinois magazine. I have to agree. How about you? Pat Savage Are bikers being taken advantage of? Poker runs, Charity rides, fundraisers, Bike nights, and much much more. It seems like the number of events are growing every year, bars and restaurants that used to shun bikers are now having poker runs every weekend. Is it all just a growing concern for charities and people in need or is it people taking advantage of us biker folk? My opinion is of course that it is both. There are bars and bikers that have held poker runs for years and many of them have a direct connection with the charity they choose to help. Over the last couple of years I have seen more poker runs put on by non-motorcyclists and for some reasons that just shock the hell out of me. There was one poker run to raise money for a girl that wanted to travel to Europe as part of an exchange program, hell I want to travel Europe too! I have also seen bars and restaurants jumping on the bandwagon and hosting events or bike nights when they are known for not liking or desiring bikers as customers. I think as bikers, we need to pick and choose the events we ride in carefully and we should also do some after checking to see what monies actually made it to the charity or cause. Make sure your donations go where you want them too! Julie & Garry Thunder Roads Of Indiana and Northern Illinois