BENNY’S BACKROADS 120

I like to have definitions- definitive defintions.

But this time around a bodega called Benny’s breaks any real definition… unless you wish to think that the classic “Bodega” is thought of as a storehouse of sorts. Well, if that is the case, then our friends at Benny’s Bodega might still fit that bill.

Every so often we realize that we can maybe help charities. Actually, not us, but you. We riders seem to come through in so many ways.

Looking at all the worthy charities around in this post- pandemic 2021 – we thought best to go local. Very local.

We are gym rats (mostly… we hope, umm, we try) and the woman that greets us at the door, Heather, is as solid and fun as can be. Her husband, Ben, and her children, Carter and Lily, who have been more or less adopted by the gym community, have become a small part of our lives (okay, maybe big part). We are at R & T Nautilus every “off day.”

For years Heather and Ben have selflessly gathered non-perishable goods and other resources for the community. Giving what they could to help others. For nothing. Nada. Just to help. Everything we should be as Americans and humans.

After COVID hit – they were more important than ever for our region of New Jersey. They never asked for much… but…

If we could help, even in a small way, we were there.

On June 10, we had a small ride. As always, we asked for nothing; but we told the story.

You all came through so very, very awesomely.

The usual Backroads’ groups were in high numbers. But, the one group that almost brought us to tears was the Sport Touring Motorcycle Club. They

came in from left field and made a monstrous donation. Backroads and STMC go way, way back.

With them riding up and so many other great riders helping Benny’s Bodega we think we did alright.

Our ride was 120 miles of (we hoped) superb roads – except for Old Mine Road, bombed out POS it is – but it is historic.

We hoped all enjoyed the ride. It always makes us happy when our friend Paul approves.

We had a great number of riders come in – some making it an overnight adventure – and it was awesome to see the new Bennie’s Bodega School Bus filling up with non-perishable goods. A special shoutout to Alan and his son – so totally unexpected. At the end of the day there was a tremendous amount of much needed supplies as well as over $800.

Let’s not let this end. If you couldn’t make it but still want to help these terrific people help others, you can make a cash donation on their website: bennysbodega.com or ship some much needed supplies.

We’ll do this again next year. What? A personal call to the Porsche and Ferrari friends…. Let’s do even better next year. Thank you all! ,