Photo By Carmen Daugherty | Sweeney Weston prepares for the 9th annual Mountain Shadow Riders Breast Cancer...... read more read more
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Hard looking men and women, sporting leather jackets and tattoos, kick start more than 300 motorcycles. In the early morning hours, the roar of these iron horses reverberates across the empty Colorado Springs streets as these warriors of the road set out on a mission, pink ribbons fluttering in their wake.
Fort Carson Soldiers, veterans and civilians from throughout the Rocky Mountain region participated in the Mountain Shadow Riders 9th Annual Breast Cancer Awareness Ride, Oct. 3.
Carolee Langer, who organized the ride to raise breast cancer awareness, said the Mountain Shadow Riders, the largest Colorado chapter of the Women on Wheels motorcycle club, host this event every year because it affects so many of them personally.
Langer, the Mountain Shadow Riders president, said the riders sported the pink ribbons on their bikes to show solidarity with the millions of people who are struggling in the fight against breast cancer.
Audrey Degenhardt, a family support group leader for the Group Services and Support Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group, has participated in breast cancer awareness events ever since her mother, Theresa Floyd, was diagnosed with the deadly disease.
"I was there when my mother was diagnosed and all through the process," said Degenhardt. "I think seeing so many motorcycles on the road with pink ribbons is a great statement."
Three hundred eighteen riders, men and women from all over the country surpassed last year's registration by approximately 50 bikes, said Langer. The participants in the ride raised awareness for breast cancer, donating their time and money to help with this struggle.
Sgt. Maj. Matthew Thomas, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 555th Engineer Brigade at Fort Lewis, Wash., said he was proud to be a part of the fight.
"Every time there is an event like this the Soldiers who ride always come out to show their support," he said.
Kat Curren, a veteran of four Mountain Shadow Rider's Breast Cancer Awareness Rides and a 17-year survivor of breast cancer, said she is impressed that so many men gave their support for a cause that predominately affects women.
After the ride, all the participating riders regrouped at a local establishment where the event continued with a raffle, silent auction, food and entertainment.
The event sponsors donated thousands of dollars worth of motorcycle equipment, accessories and free meals at local restaurants as prizes for participating riders.
"The motorcycle community is huge about important causes like this," said Langer. "I know we look scary in our big black leather pants and jackets, but riders truly have some of the biggest hearts."
Langer said last year's awareness ride earned approximately $10,000 and hopes to surpass that this year.
All proceeds of the event were donated to the Colorado Springs Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the Breast Cancer Network of Strength.
| Date Taken: | 10.05.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 11.10.2009 13:16 |
| Story ID: | 41371 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 163 |
| Downloads: | 87 |
This work, Riders raise awareness for breast cancer, by SPC Andrew Ingram, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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