Bikers take a hot ride to support charities
By Beth Sneller Daily Herald Staff Writer
Posted on July 29, 2002
It isn't every day you see a trail of bikers cruising down County Farm Road in Carol Stream.

Heck, it's even less often you see some of those bikers with miniature trailers filled with refreshments attached to their motorcycles.

Sunday was the American Gold Wing Association Chapter H's eighth annual Christmas in July Poker Run, and though it was one of the hottest days of the summer, there were about 200 bikers willing to spend their afternoon touring the Western suburbs.

"You just want to get out and ride," said Dave Murray of Glendale Heights.

It's called a "poker run" because at each of five checkpoints during the ride, every biker is given a playing card. Whoever has the best hand at the end of the run wins a sum of cash.

But besides that small amount of money, the rest of the proceeds from the run benefits a variety of children's charities, including Marklund Home in Bloomingdale and Westbrook School in Mount Prospect.

Last year, the run raised more than $4,000.

"We've had some great successes," said Jim Garner, one of the event's organizers. "When it's for charity, bikers have to be one of the single-most generous groups. It's pretty big hearts under the leather."

The ride, which covered 123 miles over Kane and DuPage Counties, started at Army Trail and County Farm roads in Carol Stream and ended at the Medinah Park District about three and a half hours later.

Once bikers got to their destination, they hung around to eat a lunch of hot dogs, hamburgers and potato chips.

"There can't be a friendlier bunch of people," said biker Ken Swidley of Indian Head Park.
 
 
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