Special Olympics ride, May 24th

[FaranH]

Arkansas Special Olympics Summer Games will be held May 24-26, 2012 at Harding University in Searcy, AR. Last year hundreds of motorcyclists showed up for the opening ceremony to greet and cheer on each child and young adult athlete.
And only one Spyder was there. Kids loved the Spyder!

So I'm thinking that this year we need to represent. I'm calling all local area Spyder ryders to join me in this year's ride. Put the date on your calendar. Last year we staged around 5:00pm in Searcy at Sunrise Honda. I'll get more details on the times in the next week or so.

Who's in?!

[Shewhoprays]

Wow, I would love to but have to work. Hope others can make it.

[RoHo]

Faran,
Sounds like a great cause and a good time. Will do my best to be there!! Was great seeing you at SpyderFest.

Montie

[bullant12]

I hate to refuse such a great cause, but me and Leira will be in Florida that week . Our hearts and thoughts will be with you all !

[Questions]

Arkansas Special Olympics Summer Games will be held May 24-26, 2012 at Harding University in Searcy, AR. Last year hundreds of motorcyclists showed up for the opening ceremony to greet and cheer on each child and young adult athlete.
And only one Spyder was there. Kids loved the Spyder!

So I'm thinking that this year we need to represent. I'm calling all local area Spyder ryders to join me in this year's ride. Put the date on your calendar. Last year we staged around 5:00pm in Searcy at Sunrise Honda. I'll get more details on the times in the next week or so.

Who's in?!

Would love to go and show support for such a great event sounds like a good time would like more info so I can make plans to be in searcy.

[2 Cruysyn]

Sounds like a nice ride for a good cause. Anything being planned for the hours prior to staging?

[FaranH]

Anything being planned for the hours prior to staging?

At this point no, partly because of my own work schedule. Heber Springs and Greers Ferry Lake is a nice 30-40 minute ride away so we could potentially meet there earlier in the afternoon and take "the long way" back to Searcy. Or at the least we could meet somewhere in town for a quick bite to eat. But let me hold off on any other plans until I find out times that the parade and greeting actually starts.

Last year all the bikes (well over 200) made their way to the Harding Academy/Harding University campus while the athletes stood on the side and cheered while we parked. Then we made a looong "tunnel" of people for each team to walk through on the way to the stadium. Once each athlete had walked by (all of them high-fiving the bikers), then we saddled back up and were allowed to take a single lap around the track, 3 deep. Pipes roaring, horns honking, and the kids were cheering like crazy.

It was pretty moving to see all these special needs kids coming out for their own Olympics. I'll sure be grateful for any other Spyder owners that can make it!

Stay tuned for more details as soon as I get them.

[FaranH]

I hate to refuse such a great cause, but me and Leira will be in Florida that week . Our hearts and thoughts will be with you all !

Thanks for even considering it! And enjoy Florida (you know, since you never get to take vacations and all that )

[larrymz3]

I will try, but, work schedule is sometimes unpredictable!


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[FaranH]

Faran,
Sounds like a great cause and a good time. Will do my best to be there!!

Montie -

It'll be an evening event, too late to get back to NWArkansas for the night. If you really think you want to come, you are more than welcome to bunk at my house if you want to. Just send me a PM if you're interested.

[G-Man]

We did the Special Olympics Escort Ride the wee before SpyderFest at Fort Leonard Wood. We've been doing it for years. The kids really love having the bikes escort them to the start. And we all love doing it.

[Dustybell]

I will check with Hubby. That is our anniversary weekend and he is making sounds about getting away some where.

Keep us posted on everything.

Hopefully we can catch you the next time you come to town!

Leslie

[FaranH]

OK, it looks like M&M in El Paso, AR is the one 'officially' organizing the bikes heading to Searcy. They are staging at their business at 6:00pm on the 24th. You can join them if you wish OR....

It might be fun if all the Spyders could go ahead and come to Searcy earlier, like 5:00 and eat together. Chick-fil-A is right off of Hwy 67/167. We could meet there to eat and then join the group of bikes as they enter Searcy coming north on 67/167.

The riders head straight to Harding University where the Opening Ceremonies are held. We'll park and then form 2 lines for the athletes to walk between, greeting and cheering. The opening ceremony itself starts at 7:30 (but last year I think it got started a little late). Then all the bikes enter the stadium 3-wide and make one slow, loud lap around for the kids. It's pretty inspiring.

That might make for a late night for some, but I guarantee you it's worth it! Let me know if you can make it!

[FaranH]

If any Arkansas or west TN Spyder riders can join us for this amazing opening ceremony of the Special Olympics summer games, here are the details:

Thursday, May 24

5:30p meet at Chick-fil-A in Searcy on Race St if you want to eat before we ride

6:15p stage at the east end of Lowe's parking lot in Searcy on Race St

6:30p depart Lowe's (there will be other groups staging there as well). We'll ride just as far as Beebe-Capps and pull over to wait for the much larger group coming from M&M Cycles in El Paso, AR. They should arrive in Searcy by 6:45.

We'll all ride to Harding University to greet the athletes. Once the last athlete is in the stadium, we'll ride into the stadium for a lap around to cheer them one more time. It's a pretty amazing sight and one you won't quickly forget.

[RoHo]

Faran,
Nancy and I have made reservations, but I've been down in my back for two days. Hope to still make it, but I'll let you know if I can't.
Montie

[FaranH]

Faran,
Nancy and I have made reservations, but I've been down in my back for two days. Hope to still make it, but I'll let you know if I can't.
Montie

Just sent you a PM with my phone # - text or call if you want. Hope you're feeling better today!

[docdoru]

Just sent you a PM with my phone # - text or call if you want. Hope you're feeling better today!

Change in signature or ryde?

[FaranH]

Change in signature or ryde?

Both. But if just changing my signature also changed my ride, then I might start signing off as:

Spyder RS-S 2012
2012 ZL1 Camaro

...and keep looking in my garage to see if it works!

[docdoru]

Both. But if just changing my signature also changed my ride, then I might start signing off as:

Spyder RS-S 2012
2012 ZL1 Camaro

...and keep looking in my garage to see if it works!

Is this the same May 25th 2011 RS-S Syder?
http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/s...ly-in-Arkansas!

[FaranH]

Is this the same May 25th 2011 RS-S Syder?
http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/s...ly-in-Arkansas!

I still have that one and it's now titled to me, per the Ambassador contest agreement. [Let the mods begin!!]

The 2012 is on loan from BRP for the year as part of their plan to keep the Spyder 5 group together for another year. We are all gratefully riding 2012 models.