COMMUNITY

BIG O A BIG SUCCESS

By: Rich Carr July 24, 2008

"Couldn't be happier with it!"

Dick Ford had a vision a few months back to take the natural beauty that attracts people to Orting and package it as a Poker Run for Motorcyclists from around the region.

The end result...a huge success. An avid rider himself, Dick Ford addressed the Orting Chamber, then the Orting Eagles, then the local business community and started a plan. In a few months, The Big O started declaring itself a 'happening' and immediately the phone started to ring.

"It made perfect simple sense." said Ford astride his silver Honda. "We have great roads for motorcycling, the bike community is generally a well-behaved and appreciative audience when it comes to a community opening their collective arms the way Orting did, and people got involved right away."

Mother Nature assisted too with ideal riding conditions as local businesses like Around The Corner Cafe, Route 66 Pizza, Orting Liquor and others joined regional businesses such as Northwest Harley-Davidson and Tully's Coffee who understand Orting has a lot to offer.

"We had about 150 riders smiling for 75 miles of riding beginning and ending in Orting." said Ford. "Since then, a lot of great comments from business people and the community alike...it was a great day."

Will there be an annual event? "No Question...." said Ford. "Absolutely, we're already working on making this an annual event of some stature. Who needs to ride to Sturgis when you have Orting!?!"