The Big O Ride is Getting WAY Bigger!

The Orting Eagles are happy to announce that planning for the fourth annual Big O motorcycle poker run is well under way and July 16th is right around the corner. The third Saturday in July has become a regional destination for hundreds of riders, attendance has grown each year and over 200 bikes are expected this year.

The events popularity is lies mainly in our location and the great riding roads (and relative light traffic) in this part of the county, among other things.

All different types of motorcycles start arriving in town early, registration starts at 7:30. Breakfast at the Eagles or another fine local eatery is next. Fellowship and eyeballing each others machines takes place next (some will get their bikes washed by the OHS Cheerleaders) with a safety briefing and a prayer for riders safety following that. Next up is The Parade of Bikes, one lap around town, after which the long route riders head out around the Mt Rainier, making the letter “O” as they travel, hence the name of the ride. About one third of the riders opt for the shorter course, a leisurely 70-75 mile ride around some of our great back-roads.

Riders start getting back to town just after noon and the event ends at 4pm. Waiting for them back at the Eagles is a great BBQ, vendors hawking bike bling, a great oldie rock band, Bent Fender, plays this year, and dozens of door prizes donated by local and regional businesses. The door prizes are a big part of the event, there are just so many!

One regional business, Eagle Leather in Lakewood, is making this year special with a generous donation of $2,500 of motorcycle gear for three randomly drawn participants.  $1,250 will go to the Grand Prize Winner, then two drawings will take place with one winner receiving a $750 in-store credit, and the other receiving a $500 in-store credit from the largest motorcycle gear store west of the Mississippi!

The event was born as an economic stimulus for the city and is embraced by the business community as well as the City Leadership. The proceeds of the day benefit a local charity, past recipients include; Washington Soldiers Homes, Orting Senior Center, Orting Food Bank, Communities in Schools. This year the recipient is again the Orting Senior Center.

We would like to thank the 20 or so volunteers who keep this thing organized, safe, and also make the participants feel welcome in our beautiful town, hats off to ya!

The following businesses have been generous in their support of this event & the Eagles want to express our appreciation!
Local businesses: Scholz Farms, Los Pinos, Route 66, Around the Corner Cafe, CC's Restaurant, Oritng Bakery, L&M Firehouse, Fox Hollow Coffee, Copes Pharmacy, Big 'J's Sporting Goods, Orting Floral, Carr Knowledge, and Orting News.

Area businesses: Eagle Leather, Hinshaw Honda, Bent Bike, Blue Water Bistro, Dukes Chowder house, Dave's Restaurant (Milton), Emerald Downs. Many businesses donate multiple items

So get your bike tuned up! More info at http://www.thebigoride.com.

To register early, call 360 893 2770. Entry fee is $10 per hand.