You Are Not Alone

Hosted by Exiled Motorcycle Club ~ Bracey, VA

Exiled MC’s Annual YNAD event a HUGE Success

“There is nothing more beautiful than someone who goes out of their way to make life beautiful for others.” ― Mandy Hale

There is a lot of truth in those words. To find a single individual that truly goes out of their way for others is definitely possible but how easy is it to find an entire group of men who are relentless and genuinely authentic in their pursuit of being a beautiful difference in their community? Add to that, how easy is it to find a community that supports that group of men beyond anyone’s wildest imagination? It is extremely rare but I have personally witnessed how it exists within Exiled Motorcycle Club and the Bracey, Va. Community. This is something that can be witnessed on any given day throughout the year but it shines particularly bright during YNAD (Your Not Alone Day).

YNAD may come only once a year, normally the first Saturday in October, but the dedication and hard work can be seen months in advance of the actual event. Never have I personally witnessed a group of people get so emotionally attached to an event – much less a group of “burly bikers” but Exiled MC is not your stereotypical “Motorcycle Club”. Their fan base runs deep within the Bracey community. The support for the YNAD event extends out to other big hearted motorcycle clubs and communities in surrounding areas. It is because of this, that even in the craziness of 2020, YNAD was a huge success! All of the proceeds from the event this year went to Clyde Bracey, fighting kidney disease and Nicholas Wilson, who is battling Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

YNAD’s Poker Run brought out 116 motorcycles and 20 “cages” including some beautiful hotrods, trucks and jeeps. Both the silent auction and live auction produced amazing results after the Poker Run. Beautiful handmade crocheted blankets were donated by Amy Snodgrass, Rebecca Kegley and Yolanda Dorrier. The winning bid for Kegley’s blanket came from Thomas Klegg and was then given to Tiffanie Stiltner by several MC members and other attendees as a token of appreciation for her vision and hard work in making YNAD the success it is today. Stiltner is the creator and inspiration behind YNAD.

There was also a huge outpouring of donations from local businesses and individuals within the community that contributed in making both of the auctions a success. Furr’s Deli, located in Bracey, donated 40% of their Deli sales for the day as well as winning the bid on Snodgrass’s blanket. Total Image Solutions also made several donations that had a huge impact on the money generated for this year’s YNAD families. The generosity and the compassion openly displayed during the auction left many attending (and hosting) the event in happy tears.

The event closed with live entertainments, great food and drinks and with wonderful fellowship with those who chose to stay after the auction came to an end. This was a new addition to YNAD this year. It was a perfect ending to a perfect day and I am positive there was many people who woke up on Sunday morning excited about YNAD 2021!

2020 has brought a lot uncertainty, fear and disappointment for many people and, if just for a day, I hope people attending YNAD had their faith restored in the level of kindness, compassion, love and fellowship we all want/ need to see in this world because it DOES exist within Exiled MC and the Bracey community.

story by: Missy Elliott Johnson

photos by: Cindy Clayton Merino, Shana Williams Steffey and Missy Elliott Johnson

BB Life BEHIND BARZ

~ Sorez

The one constant throughout life, Winds blowing by. Always out there, somewhere, calm as a whisper. Elsewhere, thundering down with rage. Accompanied by screaming shadows, in the dust, kicked up by the Wind. Once again, having a fit out there. Every now and then, somewhere.. out there.. riding in the wind... Roads that have been freshly paved, but are still a danger baking in heat. Cagers on the left and two the right. And the only way is fast and forward. Away from those ever present dangers. Even if only for one more mile, One more moment, of living the lifestyle that I promised myself as a child to ride. That I would grow up to be a biker. Riding down the highway of life. Two wheels and Open Roads my quest and the Wind my salvation. Behind Barz! Where Every Moment Matters and a mile turns into a lifetime. Out there, upon two wheels. In search of open roads where the sun shines, the mind clears and spirit revives in the wind. Welcoming miles on roads once treacherous. Calming winds that where for some time as dangerous as the road itself. Although every single moment out there is cherished. Saddle bags filled with memories of brothers and sisters who have come to know each other. With the deepest of love and respect. People who are bear hugged and not let go of. Knowing our journeys on the road at times will take us in different directions, but as long as we are Behind Barz in the wind, Our roads, no doubt, shall cross again.