| Willows Journal 2009 Motor-Icicle Run Article |
Motor-Icicle Run raises nearly $10,000
Wednesday, Jan 21 2009, 10:09 am
By Lydia M. Harris/Staff writer
Bright sun, warm temperatures and support from volunteers and law enforcement made day one of
the Joy Johndrow Memorial Motor-Icicle Run a perfect day for riders and their families.
Motorcycle enthusiasts gathered Saturday morning at the fairgrounds in Orland to participate in the
nearly 100-mile ride. Leaving shortly after 10 a.m., 233 riders on 174 bikes made the trip from
Orland to stops at Elk Creek and Ord Bend then returned to Orland. Most said besides riding their
motorcycles, they signed up because “it’s for a good cause.” Proceeds from the fourth annual event
help support the Orland Volunteers in Police Service and the Northern California Burn Foundation’s
Camp Eagle Flight. The camp is designed for child burn victims and first responders. Pledges to
support the Burn Foundation totaled more than $3,100 by Sunday, according to VIPS Capt. Sherry
Scalvini. “I estimate we’ll get over $4,000 by the end of the week,” as donations continue to come in.
Top pledge getters were Orland police Chief Pasero, with $1,215 – $1,135 of that from Orland
Rotary Club – and Kevin Nelson, with $1,000. The VIPS raked in more than $5,100 through
registration fees and T-shirt and event-pin sales. The event expanded to two days and, also for the
first time, included bike games: a slow race, ring grab, moped throw and vacuum throw.
Good ride
Before the race, Peter Biggs of Orland said, “I came to support the cause and to meet people from
all over the place.” Most riders came from Glenn and Butte counties, while others make the trek
from Yuba City, Dunsmuir, Woodland and even Silver Springs, Nev., and Bend, Ore. Participants
got off their bikes at ride’s end with big smiles. The warm temperatures and sunny skies helped.
“The weather was beautiful and the countryside was clean and pristine,” Chris “Swanny” Swanson
said. Several riders commented that the ride went smoothly, in large part because of efforts by local
and state law enforcement, firefighters and VIPS who blocked off roads so the motorcycles could
easily pass through intersections. Pasero, who led the pack, said, “There were no hitches. It was
absolutely wonderful.” “It was great,” Tony Montoya said after the run. “We came for the ride and
to pull bikes together for a cause. It’s amazing.” Jack Smith, a first-time participant, said, “Bob did a
marvelous job organizing this. I’m quite impressed.” He has done the Modesto run where about
2,000 bikers ride to raise money for “Jerry’s Kids,” Jerry Lewis’ fundraising campaign for children
with muscular dystrophy. “I like this one better. It’s more cordial,” Smith said, adding that he and
many others will be back next year.
Good family time
After everyone had a chance to eat, the afternoon continued with biker games. Men and women got
a chance to show what they were made of on and off their bikes.The evening wound down with a
bit of confusion about the chili feed (for which Scalvini apologized), a raffle and dance featuring
SteelHead.
On Sunday, bikers attended a pancake breakfast and awards ceremony. In the “People’s Choice
Riding Back Show,” participants judged which of eight entries was the best bike. Leo Lemus of
Paradise got the award. In honor of Orland’s centennial, this year a Centennial Committee Choice
award – judged by committee members – was given to Ray Mongi of Artois. The weekend ended
with a bike blessing by the Iron Horse Apostles.
Wednesday, Jan 21 2009, 10:09 am
By Lydia M. Harris/Staff writer
Bright sun, warm temperatures and support from volunteers and law enforcement made day one of
the Joy Johndrow Memorial Motor-Icicle Run a perfect day for riders and their families.
Motorcycle enthusiasts gathered Saturday morning at the fairgrounds in Orland to participate in the
nearly 100-mile ride. Leaving shortly after 10 a.m., 233 riders on 174 bikes made the trip from
Orland to stops at Elk Creek and Ord Bend then returned to Orland. Most said besides riding their
motorcycles, they signed up because “it’s for a good cause.” Proceeds from the fourth annual event
help support the Orland Volunteers in Police Service and the Northern California Burn Foundation’s
Camp Eagle Flight. The camp is designed for child burn victims and first responders. Pledges to
support the Burn Foundation totaled more than $3,100 by Sunday, according to VIPS Capt. Sherry
Scalvini. “I estimate we’ll get over $4,000 by the end of the week,” as donations continue to come in.
Top pledge getters were Orland police Chief Pasero, with $1,215 – $1,135 of that from Orland
Rotary Club – and Kevin Nelson, with $1,000. The VIPS raked in more than $5,100 through
registration fees and T-shirt and event-pin sales. The event expanded to two days and, also for the
first time, included bike games: a slow race, ring grab, moped throw and vacuum throw.
Good ride
Before the race, Peter Biggs of Orland said, “I came to support the cause and to meet people from
all over the place.” Most riders came from Glenn and Butte counties, while others make the trek
from Yuba City, Dunsmuir, Woodland and even Silver Springs, Nev., and Bend, Ore. Participants
got off their bikes at ride’s end with big smiles. The warm temperatures and sunny skies helped.
“The weather was beautiful and the countryside was clean and pristine,” Chris “Swanny” Swanson
said. Several riders commented that the ride went smoothly, in large part because of efforts by local
and state law enforcement, firefighters and VIPS who blocked off roads so the motorcycles could
easily pass through intersections. Pasero, who led the pack, said, “There were no hitches. It was
absolutely wonderful.” “It was great,” Tony Montoya said after the run. “We came for the ride and
to pull bikes together for a cause. It’s amazing.” Jack Smith, a first-time participant, said, “Bob did a
marvelous job organizing this. I’m quite impressed.” He has done the Modesto run where about
2,000 bikers ride to raise money for “Jerry’s Kids,” Jerry Lewis’ fundraising campaign for children
with muscular dystrophy. “I like this one better. It’s more cordial,” Smith said, adding that he and
many others will be back next year.
Good family time
After everyone had a chance to eat, the afternoon continued with biker games. Men and women got
a chance to show what they were made of on and off their bikes.The evening wound down with a
bit of confusion about the chili feed (for which Scalvini apologized), a raffle and dance featuring
SteelHead.
On Sunday, bikers attended a pancake breakfast and awards ceremony. In the “People’s Choice
Riding Back Show,” participants judged which of eight entries was the best bike. Leo Lemus of
Paradise got the award. In honor of Orland’s centennial, this year a Centennial Committee Choice
award – judged by committee members – was given to Ray Mongi of Artois. The weekend ended
with a bike blessing by the Iron Horse Apostles.
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