LITTLE CURRENT—They have become a familiar sight across the nation, revving the mighty engines of their two-wheeled steel chargers, but although the group of bikers gathering for the upcoming Manitoulin Island Motorcycle Ride, Steak Supper and Dance may look as tough as any one-percenter outlaw—and they most certainly are—these leather clad bikers are veterans and their supporters.
The veteran motorcyle riders are gathering for the July 4 event hosted by the Royal Canadian Legion, Little Current Branch 177. Their mission is to raise funds, not hell, and before settling down to a 6 pm dinner, followed by a dance at 8 pm, they will be riding around the Island, taking in the sights.
“We will start out in Little Current for breakfast before heading out to 10-Mile Point,” said Legion President Ron Steeves. “Then we will be heading across to the Veterans Memorial Gardens at the Manitoulin District Cenotaph on Highway 542 between Providence Bay and Mindemoya before coming back to the downtown cenotaph here in Little Current.”
Legion branches from all across the province and beyond are supporting the ride, noted Mr. Steeves. “It gives us a great reason to get out on our bikes and for people from other places to come and see a lot of the Island,” he said. “We have a lot to be proud of here as a community and as Legion members, and this will give us an opportunity to show people from all over what there is here on Manitoulin.”
“This is a fundraiser for the Legion,” said Mr. Steeves. “We really need people to get out and support the Legion and this is a pretty fun way to go about it.”
For those lacking the two-wheeled requisites for taking part in the ride, there is no reason to despair. The day will be capped off with a dinner and dance and you certainly don’t need a motorcycle to come out and take part.
Tickets for the dinner and dance are $25 and $10 for the dance only.
