GREENBRIER COUNTY W.Va. (WVDN) – Motorcycle enthusiasts are hitting the road this summer, and there’s no better way to enjoy the breathtaking scenery that West Virginia has to offer than with the camaraderie of The Patriots. Both rides set for June have become two of the largest annual events for the motorcycle club.
On June 7, the Patriots Motorcycle Club will host their annual ‘Ride to Give’ poker run in an effort to raise money for their Christmas and scholarship fund. Registration will be from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Meeting Place in Alta. The cost to participate is $25 per rider, which will include a poker hand and a ‘Ride to Give’ t-shirt. The fee for an extra hand will be $10, and an extra t-shirt will be $15. The Patriots will be giving out Patriots Motorcycle Club poker chips with each poker hand.
For this ride, kickstands up will be at 11 a.m., with the last bike in at 4 p.m. The ride will travel Route 219 to Snowshoe, then Route 66 down to Cass and back out on Route 92. From there, the group will head toward White Sulphur Springs, where the ride will end at the Greenbrier State Forest picnic shelter. The AgriStars 4-H club will be hosting a cookout and will be accepting donations from anyone who would like to contribute to the 4-H club.
“This ride is one of our major fundraisers,” says Barry Crance, one of the Patriots Motorcycle Club’s founding members. “It helps us in our desire to provide help in the community when a hand-up might be needed.” In the event of inclement weather, the ‘Ride to Give’ poker run will be rescheduled for June 21.
The next ride hosted by the Patriots Motorcycle Club will be the annual ‘Back of the Dragon’ ride, which will be held on Saturday, June 28. Like the ‘Ride to Give’ poker run, this event is not only open to motorcycles. Cars and trucks are also welcome to participate. “You don’t have to be a member of the club to participate in any of our community rides,” says Crance. “But it will give you an idea as to what it’s like to be part of the biking community with group rides and sightseeing in this wonderful state we live in.”
Each year, the Patriots Motorcycle Club raises money for their scholarship fund, which provides one scholarship gift to a student at Greenbrier East, Greenbrier West and James Monroe. “We choose a recipient from each school after a careful review of several criteria,” Crance says. “There are lots of things we consider, and it’s not strictly need or merit based – it’s a blend.” The club’s annual Christmas Fund, which is also part of the fundraising efforts, is an annual tradition that provides gifts to local families in need. With gratitude in his voice, Crance added, “For all of those in the past that have supported our cause either by riding, sponsoring t-shirts or donations, we are extremely grateful.”
The Patriots Motorcycle Club was founded in 2016 and has since grown to include over 70 members. For more information or if you are unable to attend either event but would still like to make a monetary donation, you can contact the Patriots Motorcycle Club on social media at Facebook.com/patriotmc2016.
