ConnieStrong Poker Run

By: Wally Wersching

was looking for something to do

on Saturday, July 18th, when I looked at the Carolinas’ Full Throttle Magazine Facebook page, and learned that a couple of the local biker clubs were holding a charity run to help Connie Carter – a young lady who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. The initial meeting place was the Whiskey Mill in Bessemer City with registration at 11 am with Kick Stands Up at noon.Stops included Fat Daddy’s Baggers in Cherryville, Johnny’s Mexican Bar and Grill in Lincolnton, the Maniax MC Clubhouse with the final stop at the Ironhorse Rebels Clubhouse in Vale, NC for food, 50/50, and door prize drawings. I had been

involved with the Ironhorse Rebels earlier in the year for a charity run for BJ Truesdale. They were a very dedicated group of bikers. I arrived at the Whiskey Mill a little before 11am, and placed a stack of the Carolinas’ Full Throttle magazines on the registration table. After talking with the two young ladies, I gave them a donation because I wasn’t going on the run. I sat on the porch watching as the many bikers rode in. It was one of those hot and humid summer days with temps in the mid 90’s. Luckily there was a slight breeze blowing which cooled things off a bit. I felt sorry for the club members with their colors on leather vests. They were cooking.

I talked with a few of the Ironhorse rebels. We laughed about the last time I was with them in January. It was very cold, and they had to ride through freezing rain on the way home. We would have welcomed a little of that cold weather for the day’s run.

At about 12:15, they got together for a prayer before leaving on the run. Then they were off with a roar. I took pictures from across the street as they left.

After they all left, I headed home. I always feel good when I can spend time with friends helping someone in need.

After I got home, I was looking for more information about Connie when I found Kate – one of her friends. She rode on the run, and had an interesting encounter on the way home.

On the way home after eating at the Iron Horse Clubhouse, she got caught in one of those torrential downpours. She pulled her bike under a large tree in a church parking lot to wait it out when a lady pulled up in her car, and invited Kate to park the bike in her car port across the street.

The lady, Betty, invited Kate into her home to dry off, and have a piece of fresh baked cherry pie. Betty told Kate when she looked across the street and saw the motorcycle she couldn’t tell if Kate was a man or a woman, or if she was pink or purple. She didn’t care, she just needed to help. It would be great if there were more people like Betty in the world.