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RI Biker Memorial Poker Run for Bernie Marraffino - Aug 16th, 2009
I didn’t plan on doing an event until Ted, from Sticky Fingers, called me. He really likes the bikers and wanted to have another run. I’m glad I put it together, this was one my most successful fundraisers yet. The weather was great and I heard the riding was even better. I sent everyone to the best biker bars in the area, on some of the most scenic roads. Wish I didn’t have to run the event from my truck. I was able to make it to Stick’s Tavern before Sticky Finger’s to get hydrated. When I pulled up to Sticky Fingers, the smell of BBQ coming from the back made my mouth start to water. I couldn’t wait for everyone to get there, so we could start eating.
Ted put out tons of meat and it kept coming. I saw people getting in line three times and there was still a lot of food left. The raffles prizes were also a huge success. I spent all summer picking up raffle prizes and was able to offer people some nice things.
As always, I want to thank the riders and my friends for supporting RI Biker and helping me to raise money for the URI Foundation. I also want to thank the Marraffino family and let them know our hearts are with them and Bernie.
My thank you list:
Jenna for your support and help with the event.
Dad for helping with the raffle.
All of my helpers at the stops. You know who you are.
Ted for the great food.
The Bach Door, Cady’s Tavern and Sticks Tavern for the great stops.
Burnout Customs – my biggest raffle prize provider
ACI Customs, Johnston - $50 Gift Certificate
Players Bar and Grill, Johnston - Gift Certificates for $25
EA Candles - Pin-up Girl Candles
Ocean State Harley Davidson - $50 Gift Cert
Hot Leathers - Shirts and $25 Gift Certs
Casali Liquors, Cranston – Case of Red Wine
Rendezvous Leathers, Uxbridge - $25 Gift Cert
Dr. Bills Custom MC Lighting – Boogey Lights LED Engine Kit - Red
Tributes, Cranston - $20 Gift Cert
Garden Hills Fruit and Deli, Cranston - $20 Gift Cert
URI Goodie Bag
Electric Ink, East Providence - $50 gift cert
Vanson Leathers, Fall River - $40 Gift Cert
Cycle Performance, Woonsocket - Oil Change and Shirts
Salon Corsini, Warwick – Gift cert for make over and manicure
Alpine Country Club – foursome
Tomaselli Brothers, Cranston - $20 Gift Cert
TC from B101 for Norm Macdonald tickets
I also want to thank Marissa and Jess from the Caitlin Raymond International Registry (CRIR) for coming out in the morning. CRIR is a non-profit organization of the UMass Memorial Medical Center that maintains Hub Status in Bone Marrow Donors Worldwide (BMDW).
Hope to see you all at my next event.
Mark
RI Biker
Pictures are in the gallery.
4th Annual Friends of Friends Ride
This year was by far the best one yet. I want to thank everyone for coming out and bringing more of their friends. We had over 300 bikes this year and that’s what this ride is all about, friends having a good time together. TJ and his Dad, from Chianti’s PARKSIDE, put out another spectacular buffet and some raffle prizes all for free.
My favorite part of this ride is looking back on Rt. 102 and not seeing the end of the bikes. We all made it to Two Brothers in Voluntown nice and safe. It took a good 15 minutes for all the bikes to pull in. The way back was a different story. There were some clouds rolling in and people started bailing like roaches when the lights come on. TJ and I did the best we could to keep the pack together. Here are a couple of rules when you are attending an escorted ride:
1. Don’t pull out until the lead riders are in front. People get confused.
2. Don’t pass the leads bikes on the road.
I apologize for those that may have gotten lost. Everyone did eventually make it back for the after party. I had a blast and I am looking forward to next year.
Here is my list of people to thank:
All the riders and supporters of RI Biker
Jenna for all your help with the site.
TJ and Mr. Martucci for giving us free food and a place to party.
All the help at Chianti’s PARKSIDE, especially the girls.
E.G. and Warwick Police Officers for getting us to Rt. 4 safely.
The Friends of Friends ride takes place the first Sunday in August. Hope to see you and your friends next year.
Mark
RI Biker
Pictures are in the gallery.
RI Biker BBQ Bike Run at Sticky Fingers - Sept 28th, 2008
I want to thank Hurricane Kyle for raining out the ride portion of the Sticky Fingers event. None the less, I was there on my bike and three other people showed up. I want to thank Jon, Sam and Kara for being hardcore and not letting a little rain stop them. We did a short ride and then the skies opened up. We decided to trade for cars, so we could have a good time at Sticky Fingers and not worry about riding home in the rain after a few.
The party at Sticky Fingers was a success, regardless of the weather. We almost packed the place with some great friends and some new guests. Sam, from Xtreme Auto Center, helped out a ton by co-sponsoring the event. Ted and the Sticky Finger’s staff put out the best ribs, chicken and pulled pork I have eaten locally and the fries were awesome. The DJ’s played some great background music while we ate, drank and watched the games.
Thanks to everyone that came out to support the event and the Business’s that donated the prizes.
Xtreme Auto Center
Rah T-shirt printing
Casali Liquors
Tomaselli Brothers
Cycle Performance
Garden Hills Fruit and Deli
Electric Ink
Rendezvous Leather
I hope you all had a great time. Call or email me if you hear of any events I should post.
Hope to see you all soon.
Mark
Wounded Warriors Family Support Fundraiser
July 20th, 2008
This was the first year for this event and I partnered with a great cause and great establishment. Effin’s Last Resort, in Smithfield, made the event a success for all that participated. They took care of getting the best Door’s tribute band I have ever seen and they put on a huge buffet. Special thanks to Jay, the Chef, and Janelle, one the best waitresses you could ask for. They took great care of me and the guests. I also want to thank the band, Through the doors, for putting on a phenomenal show and for getting the bag pipers to start things off. It was thoughtful tribute to everyone in the armed forces. We were able to raise a decent amount of money that will benefit the families of soldiers that are either injured in battle or that made the ultimate sacrifice.
Please support our troops and the Wounded Warriors Family Support Foundation.
2008 Friends of Friends Ride
We held our 3rd Annual Friends of Friends Ride this Sunday, at Chianti’s Parkside, and it was a success. I want to thank all of you that showed up and for those that didn’t make it you missed one of the best events all season. Where else can you go for an 80 mile ride and get free food with live music? This year we had over 225 motorcycles register. The co-host, TJ from Parkside really blew it out this year. He blocked off the parking lot for the bikes, put up a huge tent, got a 10 am permit and put out a huge buffet for us. If you're planning a run and looking for a place to stop that will take care of you, please contact TJ at Parkside. It’s great when you can hang out with your friends around your bikes and not worry about getting hassled. The ride was also one of the best I’ve been on and led. Safety was a major concern and we tried to make it as organized as possible, so we could make it back and party in one piece. Not only was it very scenic, but we did a great job controlling traffic. I want to thank all of the people that helped out at intersections. I’m sure we pissed off a few people in cars, but there were also people pulling over for us and cheering us on. Looking back at the pack on Route 102 was an unbelievable sight. The pack went on for miles and I couldn’t see the end of it. I even ran into a girl at the back of the pack with a Bird Bike. I mean it, this thing had feathers on it and I thought it was pretty cool. That’s what I call custom.
A few of the reasons I love riding, is the feeling of being free and the great people I meet along the way. I ran into some people on this run that I haven’t seen in a while and it was great to catch up. I also made some new friends that I hope visit my website. When we got back to Parkside, the bartenders and waitresses had it all setup for us. I want to thank the girls and Matt from the Parkside for giving us the best service and keeping us all hydrated. The food was also one of the best parts of the event. I think that is why we get such a good turnout for the event. This is one event to make next year, so spread the word and bring your friends.
2007 Friends of Friends Bike Run - Chianti's PARKSIDE Bar & Grill
This was the second year our friend TJ hosted a free ride out of his place. We had some help setting up this year. Our friends Mike (Chicken) and Rick came down to help setup and make sure we all left together. I gave a little safety speech and we were ready to roll.
We had a little trouble because a few guys decided to pull out in front and everyone started following them instead of me. Once I took the lead we were in good shape. I forgot how difficult it is to keep a big pack of motorcycles together. I had some help blocking roads and I appreciate it.
The ride was roughly a 90-mile loop, very scenic and has a few places to stop so you can enjoy the farms or have ice cream. We also made a rest stop at Two Brother's Pub in Voluntown, CT. This year they greeted us with multiple bartenders and food. We hung out there for about 45 minutes. Just enough time to admire some bikes and tell a couple of stories. Then, we headed back to Chianti's for a Free Italian Buffet and live music.
Last year we had about 70 bikes and 100 riders. This year, we had over 130 bikes and 150 riders. I was leading pack and there were times I looked back and couldn't see the end of it. We had a few local, old timers join us on the ride. Glad to have them, it makes me feel like we are doing something good. We all made it back in one piece for the party. The band was playing out on the deck, the food tasted like it came from Italy and drinks were flowing.
We hope to make the event bigger in the future. I keep asking for a burnout pit, maybe next year. Please send feedback or requests for future rides.
I want to thank TJ and his Dad for giving us a place to have fun and for all those that helped block traffic during the ride.
Mark
Please join us next year.
Contact me if you would like to plan a ride around your bar or restaurant.
