B.A.D. Ride 7

The silent auction took place indoors and was set-up with a long line of tables arranged into a big square. Goods of all types were displayed on the tables. From motorcycle related products like helmets and jackets to golf club bags and water purifiers, there was something for everyone. I scanned the bids and noted that there would be very few exceptional bargains. Bids tended to reach levels that were typical of most retailers' sales, even more. That was good actually, since 100% of the money would go directly to the charity.

Since I wasn't prepared to spend, I moved on to the Pool Challenge nearby, and watched a game already in progress. Jim Wych, the Canadian Pool and Snooker Champion, was entertaining a small crowd as he played a very serious looking biker who seemed to be getting few chances at taking a shot. I'm not sure if Mr. Wych started to miss on purpose, but soon the biker was again a contender. Or at least until that winning eight ball was sunk by the champion.

After the game, Mr. Wych proceeded with a variety of trick shots that were impressive to watch. He didn't always have success on the first try, but he did get the shot in the end. I think he was a bit distracted during his performance because of the last call that had been made for the silent auction. With his last trick completed, he dashed off to the tables to place his final bids.

It was then time to get back to the stage outside for the main event; the drawing for the $30,000 V-Rod. This was the

It could be yours, and all just for being a BAD rider!

moment that many were waiting for. The picked number was read out, and then repeated once more. A quiet descended across the grounds as everyone anxiously scanned their ticket stubs in the hope of having all those valuable digits. Then a gentleman walked out from the crowd with his ticket held up high in his hand, while disappointment rippled its way around him like a wave.

So we had a new V-Rod owner, right? Unh-uh, not so fast. The organizers did not call themselves the BAD Team for nothing. Two more tickets were still to be drawn. The three ticket holders would then each receive a key secured in an envelope. Only one key would start the prize.

Again numbers were called, and again a lucky individual walked to the stage. The third set of numbers was left unclaimed. You had to be present to win, and who ever had that ticket (983278) had obviously more important things to do at that moment. So a fourth and final number was read, and where there had been one lucky SOB, there now stood three.

The tension was high as the crowd of onlookers squeezed in closer to watch the first "finalist" open his envelope and take out the key. His hand was shaking so hard, he had trouble inserting it into the ignition. Vroom! The 2004 edition of the BAD Ride was now complete. The band played one last song as everyone headed for the parking lot.

Wait Until Next Year

Can't wait to see you next year!

So I didn't win again this year, nor did Walter who held five more tickets than I did. After a momentary feeling of regret, we quickly forgot the V-Rod and headed back to the AMC complex where it all had begun only hours ago. Earlier that morning during registration we had received complimentary $10 coupons from a local pub on the premises. Since there didn't appear to be any restrictions other than an expiry date that was still months away, we returned to celebrate a near perfect day (we didn't win, remember?) with a few pints of ale.

If you got the impression while reading this report that I am enthusiastic about this event, then you were right. In fact, I just realized myself that I now use the BAD Ride as a yard stick when measuring other events that I attend. There were so many things to see and do over the day that I didn't manage to get it all in. But even if I ignored most of the activities and had chosen to just relax in the sun while listening to the tunes, it would still have been a good time. I hope that the BAD Team continues to come up with innovative ideas to keep this annual event fresh and a "must do" on everyone's calendar.

So to all the volunteers who make up the BAD Team, thank-you for putting on a great party for bikers that primarily benefits the Distress Centres of Toronto.

Take a look at a few more pictures from the BAD Ride.

Some quick stats: 1200+ bikes, 1500+ registered, $180K raised and counting.

To learn more about the BAD Ride, go to www.thebadride.com

Also check out Volume 2 Issue 2 of Ride On Magazine (online at www.rideon.ca) for the article 'Bikers Going B.A.D.', an interesting history of the event.