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By: Justin Mullins, Reporter See more articles by Justin Mullins Published: 07/27/2006

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photo by Justin Mullins

Shriner Jimmy Kinney takes 13-year-old Taylen and her mother Tammy Stratton for a ride on his bike during the festivities Saturday night behind the Mark V. Taylen was born at 26 weeks and was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and is a patient at the Shriner’s hospital in Lexington.

PIKEVILLE, Ky. – Twas a sunny July day, not a creature in sight, the only thing stirring was about 300 bikes.

The sun was beating down. Sweat was pouring off everyone’s brow on the day of

Sunday , July 23. Not the conditions you would expect for your typical Christmas celebration. But for dozens of children receiving care at the Shriner’s Hospital in Lexington, it was the perfect day for gift giving on behalf of the Pike County Shriners.

This past weekend marked the 1st annual Christmas in July Bike Ride, which saw well over 300 people come out to show their support according to Shriner Jimmy Kinney.

The festivities kicked off Saturday afternoon at the Harley-Davidson shop in Pikeville with a Bike Show with all the registration money going to the Shriner’s transportation fund, which will be used to buy a new van. The van will be used to transport children from the area to Lexington for care at the hospital.

The Central Kentucky Blood Center was also on hand and received 62 units of blood from those participating in the show.

photo by Justin Mullins

Over 200 Bikers gathered Sunday, July 23, at the Harley- Davidson shop in Pikeville for the 1st annual Christmas in July Bike Ride.

On Saturday night, the weather cleared up just in time for the Pike Shriners to make their way to the back of the Mark V for a fun-filled night of games. East Kentucky Broadcasting was on hand to provide music for the crowd and South East Telephone was hard at work all evening fixing Christmas dinner, which consisted of grilled hot dogs and hamburgers. In addition, bikers had the opportunity to participate in several games, such as the ring toss, ball drop and slowest race.

But the true joy of Christmas came Sunday morning as the smell of exhaust filled the air and over 300 bikers revved their engines, preparing to set out on the trek to Lexington.

The sight of hundreds of bikes parading down U.S. 23 complete with police escort was a sight to behold. Kentucky Vehicle Enforcement cleared the path all the way to the Mountain Parkway with the Lexington Police department picking the riders up on Man-o-War Boulevard.

photo by Justin Mullins Bikers hit the road just after 10 a.m. Sunday morning on their way to Lexington to deliver toys to children being treated at the Shriners Hospital.

By the time the ride made it to Lexington, the group had ballooned to over 500 bikes, according to Kinney. The bikers made a lap around the Shiners Hospital as the children who were able came out to watch. Kinney said that many of the kids came out to watch the bikers as they pulled up.

Santa’s sleigh was then emptied as Shriners unloaded the new toys that were donated. Mackie Warren of the hospital told Kinney she didn’t think they would need anymore toys for a long time. Those toys will be used by the hospital to be given out to children between now and Christmas.

The trail of bikes then made its way down Richmond road and over to Man-o-War’s Harley Davidson where the group was treated to a grill out.

While Kinney said that he was pleased with the first year of the Christmas of July fundraiser, he has even bigger plans for next year.

“Our goal is (to have so many bikes) to shut down Man-O-War Boulevard and Richmond Road with a parade of bikes from all 13 Shrine temples serviced by the hospital.” Kinney continued “Lets let this bunch in Lexington know we exist!”

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