Ribbon Riders To Host Fundraising Ride At AMA National Convention

Troy Siahaan
by Troy Siahaan

From an AMA press release:

The American Motorcyclist Association is pleased to announce that the Orlando Ribbon Riders will be hosting a fundraising ride on Saturday, Oct. 18, as part of the 2014 AMA National Convention in Orlando, Fla.

The 70-mile ride will depart from the Orange County Convention Center at 9:15 a.m and will benefit Central Floridians fighting breast cancer. The scenic route avoids city traffic while winding along hilltops and across scenic bridges on the way to the idyllic town of Mount Dora. Riders will then head back to Orlando for a catered lunch at Orlando EagleRider on Jetport Drive.

Motorcyclists wishing to participate can sign up on Saturday at the staging point: the “motorcycle only” parking area in South Lot B of the Orlando Convention Center, next to the AIMExpo Outdoors! Area. The cost is $25 for AMA members, $35 for all others, with all proceeds benefiting the Ribbon Riders.

“I am thrilled to take part in the Ribbon Riders’ event as part of our AMA National Convention,” said AMA Board Chair Maggie McNally-Bradshaw. “It is of the utmost importance that we raise awareness about both the emotional and financial tolls that breast cancer takes on its victims.”

The non-profit Ribbon Riders, Inc. got its start in 2008 when seven woman joined forces around a shared experience: witnessing the struggles that those fighting breast cancer must endure. The organization has grown rapidly since that time, recently topping the quarter million dollar mark in funds raised for those battling breast cancer. To date, over 240 women — and men — have received assistance.

“We provide immediate financial assistance to breast cancer warriors struggling with financial hardship,” said Ribbon Riders President Tina Leman, who has been involved with the organization for over three years. “We want them to focus on recovery, not on the worry of trying to keep a roof overhead or food on the table.”

The Ribbon Riders fundraiser is one of many activities on tap for the AMA National Convention, which is being held in conjunction with the American International Motorcycle Expo, Oct. 16-19.

The AIMExpo is a diverse powersports event that is open to trade and media Thursday and Friday, Oct. 16-17, and open to the general public Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 18-19.

The four-day AMA convention also includes:

  • A kick-off party at Orlando Eagle Rider, Thursday evening, 6-10 p.m., with food, drink, live music and Hall of Famer autograph signings;
  • Informative seminars on a variety of motorcycling topics at the convention center from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 17;
  • An exclusive luncheon on Friday with AMA Board of Directors Chair Maggie McNally-Bradshaw;
  • A Saturday adventure ride with AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman;
  • Saturday demonstrations of motorcycle tip-over recovery and sound awareness testing;
  • Early access to weekend motorcycle demo rides at the AIMExpo;
  • For AMA members, a 37 percent discount on regularly priced daily rentals from AMA member benefit partner EagleRider.

A highlight of the weekend is the American Honda AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, presented by Harley-Davidson Motor Company, at 8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 17, in the Chapin Theater. The show is open to the public and costs just $25 to attend. Proceeds benefit the non-profit American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation, which oversees the Hall of Fame.

The Class of 2014 includes race tuner and innovator Byron Hines; motocross pioneer Pierre Karsmakers; Tom White, acclaimed motorcycle collector, former nationally ranked racer and founder of White Brothers Cycle Specialties; George Barber, founder of the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum and the Barber Motorsports Park; national off-road racing champion Scott Summers; AMA motocross champion Mike LaRocco; and legendary tuner and team owner Rob Muzzy.

The event also will honor William “Willie G.” Davidson as an AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Legend. Davidson, a member of the Hall of Fame Class of 1999, created many of Harley-Davidson’s design trends that persist today.

Ticket options and additional information about the AMA National Convention will be available from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. at the AMA Registration/Information area on the West Concourse of the Orlando Convention Center beginning Wednesday, Oct. 15.

To join the conversation and get the latest updates on the 2014 AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, use the hashtag #AMAHoF. Fans and supporters can also connect on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AMAHallofFame, and on Twitter and Instagram at @ama_riding.

Troy Siahaan
Troy Siahaan

Troy's been riding motorcycles and writing about them since 2006, getting his start at Rider Magazine. From there, he moved to Sport Rider Magazine before finally landing at Motorcycle.com in 2011. A lifelong gearhead who didn't fully immerse himself in motorcycles until his teenage years, Troy's interests have always been in technology, performance, and going fast. Naturally, racing was the perfect avenue to combine all three. Troy has been racing nearly as long as he's been riding and has competed at the AMA national level. He's also won multiple club races throughout the country, culminating in a Utah Sport Bike Association championship in 2011. He has been invited as a guest instructor for the Yamaha Champions Riding School, and when he's not out riding, he's either wrenching on bikes or watching MotoGP.

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