In Memoriam: Mike Sanchez, The Great Big Life of One Biker
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Sanchez with his dog: “Only a biker knows why a dog sticks his head out of a car window.” ― Anonymous Santa Chez getting ready to ride.
A man who knew that a tankful of gas and good intentions got you on the road that is paved with at least a little bit of heaven on earth...
There are some souls who show up and you wish the world had about a million more just like them. Okay, asking for a million would be on the wrong side of greedy, but If we could just have a few more folks just like him or her, then life wouldn’t be so hard around here; life would hold a little more fun and a lot more good vibrations. The great big life of Mike Sanchez fits the bill for that. If there were just a few more of the Sanchez types, then the laughter and brotherhood would surely have a firmer foothold. When people speak of Mike Sanchez, it’s like they are talking about a character from a movie or a great TV show. Let’s say 70 percent “Easy Rider” and 30 percent “It’s a Wonderful Life.” I mean, what could be better than that combo? When we asked local bikers and friends to share their Sanchez stories, you couldn’t get people to stop talking. From the way people tell it, Mike Sanchez was everything from a brilliant master carpenter, a boundless source of positive energy, a natural-born counselor, a person who would stand in and help a kid when he needed a good man to take him fishing or offer some encouragement, and a music enthusiast who knew all the Skynyrd lyrics (he even did security for Lynyrd Skynyrd back in the day and his job responsibilities once included having to haul drummer, Artemis Pyle, over his shoulders and put him back to work at the drum-kit after Pyle had decided to take an unscheduled break mid-concert!). There’s an old saying, Four wheels move the body, two wheels move the soul...Mike Sanchez rode hard and played hard and was 100 percent living from his soul on every ride he took, but never more than at Christmas time. Back in 1996, Sanchez and his beloved wife, Gina, decided that the true meaning for Christmas in their family was going to be taking care of those who needed a helping hand. They determined the best use of their assistance would be the Raleigh Rescue Mission and they started creating a holiday tradition that bikers around Wake County still talk about.
By: Deana Vassar, Marshall Kearney, Dan Shanahan and a host of good elves. Photos provided by: Denise Sanchez
Santa Chez & Mrs. Claus, Denise.
Gina didn’t want to go half-way with their holiday project, so she stitched up a gorgeous heart-red Santa suit for her man and Santa Chez was born! Gina and Mike knew that to make a difference for Christmas at the Rescue Mission they needed to get plenty of good elves on the job so the plan was to make feeding the hungry for the holidays a good old-fashioned competition. Participating bars in the area would have 55 gallon barrels installed to collect food and toy donations. The bar that collected the most food won the “Cycle Santa Ride” contest and the prize was incredible! When springtime came back around, the winning bar won a pig pickin’ with all the fixings including entertainment from a live band. Over the years, what began with just Mrs. Claus (Gina), Santa Chez and a couple of riders, became a holiday tradition with over 30 bikers being Santa’s reindeer and ushering the man in red to the Raleigh Rescue Mission. Adding to unforgettable tradition, was the last stop on the run at Mike and Little Deb’s place (Blistering Pines) where everyone participated in the annual “buttery nipple” toast in memory of Gina. After the tragic death of the original Mrs. Claus, Mike’s beloved Gina, God smiled down on him because Mike was able to find true love again with Denise, a treasured friend from his former life in Pennsylvania. He marveled at the miracle of finding that sort of heart bond again and Denise brought her own brand of joy and enthusiasm to the annual Santa Run. What a blessing she became to Mike and the Run. Not only has Denise always been a great person, but she can also ride the hell out of a motorcycle. This Christmas, remember that there is a Santa Claus...And he looks different to different kinds of folks. But in the memory of many Wake County, NC bikers he looks like the late, great Mike Sanchez. Always a smile, always a helping hand and a willingness to drop whatever was on his agenda and assist someone in need. With this group of folks, Santa likes Skynyrd, star-gazing, tequila and keeping the spirit of brotherhood 365 days a year. To be one of those rare souls who change the atmosphere with your smile, your humor, your kindness and goodness, that truly makes for a wonderful life...
