The Big O Donates $1,600 To Charities

More than 140 motorcycles paraded the main streets of Orting Saturday morning just before 10 a.m.

The riders numbered nearly 200 and came from all walks of life. Some came from as far away as Spokane. Others were women on pink Harley-Davidsons. All came to enjoy a sunny ride around Mount Rainier and donate nearly $2,000 to local charities.

The 2010 designated charities are the Orting Food Bank and the Washington Soldiers Home. View the YouTube Video Here

The Big O Motorcycle Ride celebrated its third year July 17 and is now a fixture on local motorcycle club calendars as an annual event the third Saturday of July. It's a jubilant affair under Orting's bell tower at which married couples gliding in on the Barco-Loungers of the biker world (Honda Gold Wings) mingle with long-bearded men whose faded leather fringes prove thousands of rumbling road miles.

Each rider pays $10 for the privilege of following one of two routes both beginning and ending in Orting. One route is a short ride around the local backroads of Eatonville, Buckley, Kapowsin and Graham. The other is a longer ride that circles Mount Rainier. When finished, the riders congregate at the Orting Eagles for a barbeque and to listen to live music before the raffle drawing at 4 p.m.

The Big O is sponsored by the Orting Eagles and organized by Dick Ford, Rich Carr, and a loyal cadre of 20 local volunteers. It takes months of organizing before the ride to plan the route, designate check points, coordinate registration, and collect the 50 prizes that are raffled off at the end of the ride.   Duke's Chowder House restaurants treated every registered rider to a Free Appetizer showing his support for community events that support the community.

Ford conceived of the idea four years ago when he served on the Orting City Council and chaired the Economic Development Committee.

“I watched all these motorcycles cruising through our community during the spring, summer and fall,” Ford said. “I thought if we could get all these riders to stop here – and spend their money at our local shops – it would be a boon to local business.”
In 2008, more than 100 motorcycles joined the first ride. In it's third year, that number has grown to 143.

The growth of participants is due, in part, to promotions that have been spawned within the group. Orting News has sponsored and the promoted the ride since Year One.  This year, the meet-up group South Sound Riders pitched in to promote the ride and help get the word out through its website (www.meetup.com/SouthSoundRiders). Estimates are that one third of this year's riders come from the SSR group.

The Eagles began a contest this year, rewarding the Aerie that brought out the most riders with a trophy that is displayed at the winner's club all year. This year – not surprisingly – the Orting Eagles won the trophy. But competition is in the air as the Auburn Aerie vowed to take that trophy away next year
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Even Orting housing developments are joining in the fun. Whitehawk residents made a respectable showing this year, and residents from Carbon River Landing and Calisoga Place have been challenged to join the festivities next year.

While not all Orting businesses have jumped on the Big O bandwagon, many have. One business – Route 66 Pizza – offers a commemorative pizza every year and donates 20 percent of the proceeds to the designated charities. Last year, the Orting Senior Center was given nearly $100 from pizza proceeds alone.

So, even if you don't have a motorcycle, you can still contribute to the cause. Route 66 offers its commemorative Big O pizza through July 31, 2010, and 20 percent will go to the Food Bank and the Soldiers Home Health and Welfare fund, which provides toiletry items and recreational opportunities for the residents.

Regional businesses have taken the lead in setting up vendor booths during the event, but Ford hopes Orting businesses will soon join Bonney Lake's Hot Off The Press (T-shirts with Big O logos), Puyallup's Advanced Motorcycle Gear (specialty riding clothes) and Dragonworkx Design (detailing and pinstriping for bikes, helmets, and accessories – they even set up to pinstripe a motorcycle right there at the Big O Ride!).

Many local businesses generously support the event by donating door prizes: L&M Firehouse, Around the Corner Cafe, Los Pinos Restaurant, Copes Pharmacy, Orting Floral, Orting Barbershop, Scholz Farms, CC's Grill, Fox Hollow Coffee, Orting Bakery, Big J's Sporting Goods, and the Orting Senior Center.

Other regional businesses providing door prizes include Eagle Leather, Dave's Restaurant in Milton, Bent Bike and Hinshaw's Honda in Auburn, Emerald Downs, Muscle Man, Dukes Chowder House, NW Harley Davidson, and the Seafair Festival (which donated a trail bike for the grand prize).

For more information, check out www.thebigoride.com for more information and photos of the day.