Bikers to roll over region on a mission

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September 29, 2007

By Eric Beavers

After their motorcycles are blessed at Trinity United Methodist Church next Saturday, riders in the Cross Roc Motorcycle Ministry will tour the area, all to benefit the Dalton Organization of Churches United for People (DOC-UP), event organizer Jim Garner says.

Riders should meet at the church on Saturday, Oct. 6, at 2:45 p.m., for the blessing of the bikes before leaving at 3 p.m.

“The bikes will be lined up two-by-two and our pastor will actually walk between those rows of bikes, lay hands on each bike and ask for a blessing of safety for the rider and the machine,” Garner said.

The annual ride, now in its third year, started out with 175 participants and grew to 300 last year, Garner said. He hopes to see that number double to 600 this year.

In the past, the ride has been a mission of outreach for Trinity UMC, Garner said. The focus of the event is changing as it grows each year.

“It’s grown to a point now that we feel that as an outreach ministry we can also do something for the community,” he said. “We partnered with DOC-UP and we’re raising food and finances for DOC-UP.”

DOC-UP, a non-denominational collective of area churches, helps clients with food, rent, prescription drugs and utilities, Garner said. Riders and visitors are “encouraged” to bring non-perishable food items or cash donations to the ride to benefit the group.

The tour will carry riders on a 105-mile circuit through northwest Georgia including Resaca, Talking Rock, Ellijay, Chatsworth and Dalton, Garner said. Tires will roll through five counties — Whitfield, Murray, Gordon, Gilmer and Pickens.

The sheriff’s offices for each county will provide escort to help keep the riders safe.

All types of motorcycles are welcome, Garner said.

“There will be cruisers and cafe racers,” he said. “There will be some vintage Harleys and there will also be a couple of 1960s Cushman Scooters with modified V-Twins on them.”

Door prizes to be given during a dinner following the ride include an assortment of knives courtesy of Frost Cutlery; gift cards from area retailers, restaurants and local motorcycle shops; and “things that are attractive to the folks that are coming,” he said.

Dinner will allow a time for fellowship and musical entertainment by the local Buckner Brothers Band, which will play a combination of Southern rock, blues and Christian music, Garner said.

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What: Cross Roc Motorcycle Ministry motorcycle ride

Where: Trinity United Methodist Church

When: Saturday, Oct. 6, at 2:45 p.m. Dinner at 6 p.m.

Why: Benefit for the Dalton Organization of Churches United for People (DOC-UP)

Cost: Free, but riders are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items or cash donations.

Contact: Jim Garner at (706) 264-0300

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The route: Motorcyclists will leave the Trinity United Methodist Church parking lot at 3 p.m. with police escort and travel south to Resaca. From Resaca, bikers will travel east through the Carters Lake area to Ellijay. The remainder of the circuit will cross Fort Mountain, then pass through Chatsworth on the way back to Dalton for a dinner, entertainment and door prizes from 6 to 9 p.m.