Over 200 Sault and area bike enthusiasts registered and took part in the annual Ride for ARCH fundraiser, gathering and roaring off from Reggie’s West at 306 Korah Rd. Saturday at 12 p.m.
“It’s a special edition, our fifth anniversary,” smiled Marcy Clayton, one of the ride’s organizers, speaking to SooToday.
The milestone, Clayton said, included the addition of vendors, such as Tackle the North, Amore for Your Pleasure, Sweet Marie Leggings, Doghouse Custom Paint and Airbrush, and Skin Deep (providing dragonfly tattoos, the dragonfly being the ARCH symbol).
Several bands and artists, including The Bearded Lounge, SoundCheck, Paul Della Vedova, Boneyard and Flathead Ford, were scheduled to provide live music opposite and inside Reggie's West beginning at 2 p.m., their performances to last well into the evening.
Last year’s ride reached its fundraising target of $20,000 for ARCH, Clayton said, optimistic this year’s event will reach the same amount or more.
The ride’s route included Wallace Terrace, Goulais Avenue, a stop at ARCH on Fourth Line, Great Northern Road, Black Road, Trunk Road, Garden River First Nation (past the home of Tyrone Souliere, a band bassist and friend of Clayton’s who died in 2015), back to the Sault to Wellington streets east and west and returning to Reggie’s.
“It’s extraordinarily important for us to do this ride. Terminal illness touches everyone’s life, and this is done in appreciation for everything ARCH does for our community, friends and family,” Clayton said.