Dallas/Ft Worth Ride for Kids info

[SideCar]

It's official. We'll be at Texas Motor Speedway for the upcoming Ride for Kids on Oct 13 and unless something weird happens, we should get a lap around the track along with hitting some backroads out by the speedway.

The Texas VRCC has been a big part of this event for 10 years now and while we missed being the top fundraising club last year, we should be able to get back on top with some early effort this year.  I know that I'm often a voice for this event, but don't come for me. Come out and help because you're helping to save the lives of children, here and elsewhere.  The work you guys who have participated, donated, fund raised and volunteered is making a very real difference in helping prolong and improve the lives of these kids.  You may remember little Cassie, who came to meet with our club many years ago. She is alive today because of treatments you and your donors have helped fund that didn't exist before we started as a club to support the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation and Ride for Kids.  Please put this on your calendar as a priority event to help Cassie and other kids like her.

Pre-register and click on Register to Ride to get started now at http://pbtf.convio.net/site/TR?fr_id=1470&pg=entry

Whether you're in the metroplex or coming in from Houston, Austin, east Texas, etc., you might want to make this a vacation ride.  If you want to stay right across the street from the Texas Motor Speedway, visit Cabelas, etc., here is the link to the RFK block of rooms. I've got mine booked and if we run out of rooms, they will open up some more.

Dallas/Fort Worth Marriott Hotel & Golf Club at Champions Circle  for $90.00 USD  per night
https://www.marriott.com/meeting-event-hotels/group-corporate-travel/groupCorp.mi?resLinkData=Ride%20for%20Kids-Pediatric%20Brain%20Tumor%20Foundation%5Edfwmc%60rf3rf3a%6090.00%60USD%60false%6010/9/13%6010/14/13%609/16/13&app=resvlink&stop_mobi=yes

Reservations can also be made via telephone by calling the central reservations line open 24 hours at 1-888-236-2427

[BuzzKill]

You know I'll be there.  I created the Valkryie Riders Cruiser Club for us to join.  Just click this link http://pbtf.convio.net/site/TR?fr_id=1470&pg=entry then click on Register to Ride, then at the bottome of the page type in Valkyrie and hit Search.  Hope to see more VRCC'ers this year!

[Wanderer]

It sure is great to see you all stepping up to help the kids year after year! You have been Top Club several times over the years. I hope you are back on top again this year! You do make a difference in these kids' lives!!!

Here is an easy link to your team page...http://pbtf.convio.net/site/TR/2013RideforKids/General?team_id=2630&pg=team&fr_id=1470#.Uguo2eD77a4  ~Jeff

[HurstRob]

We are in, we just signed up.

[GeoffreyB]

Just signed up with the team, looks like a great cause - see you there!

[BuzzKill]

Great to have ya'll.  We will be volunteering again this year, so we won't be able to socialize as much before the ride, but we do plan on participating in the ride itself.  If you want to volunteer for one of the positions, such as Greeter or part of a Registration Team or one of the other positions, I'm sure you can be put to work.  It's still alot of fun and you can still make the ride as well.  Hope to see more people join up.  Seeya in Oct.

[marshal 13]

Signed up.

[SideCar]

Marshal 13 - Just noticed your signature. Congratulations on winning that fight!

[marshal 13]

Thanks Sidecar, that is one reason I am riding. Giving back. First chance to get to meet the folks on here.

[BuzzKill]

Less than one month to go!  Getting excited here.  Lets not forget if you register online and raise $100 by Oct 11 you get your first entry into winning the motorcycle, a Honda Fury I believe.  Then at each $300 you get another entry.  (I'm not sure if its $300 AFTER the first $100 or the first $300). 

Then if you've never been to one before you get to go to the event at Texas Motor Speedway, sign a small waiver, make sure your monies are credited appropriately, probably get a T Shirt, hopefully fill out a few Motorcycle Entry forms, have some coffee and donuts, walk around the lot looking at all the awesome bikes and talking to some great people, then have a small prayer, go ride around the area for a bit, ride back after 30ish minutes , take 1-2 victory laps around the track (helmet required), have a sack lunch as we get to hear from the kids themselves, cheer for a while, cry for a bit, then find out who won the motorcycle, say your goodbyes, and think what you can do for next year!

There's always a need for volunteers.  This year is probably gonna be the biggest and need the most volunteers.  We started our first year as participants, then began volunteering the very next year and ever since.  There's many different jobs that will be needed.  If you would like to know to volunteer contact myself, Sidecar or Wanderer.  You will need to go to a training session either the Thursday evening or the Saturday morning before the event for a couple hours. 

Really looking forward to this.  We will probably have some VRCC visitors from other parts of the state as well. 

[RainMaker]

OK.  I'm in, I think.  This team stuff is new to me and as an old dog, the tricks are harder to learn. 

[HurstRob]

Looks like we wont be riding with you, we will be in Austin for the music festival,,,I think I need a big wall calendar.
HurstRob

[marshal 13]

Rainmaker don't feel bad took me a while to figure it out.

[BuzzKill]

Almost two weeks away.  I'm getting excited.  If you plan on registering I would do it soon.  If you register online and raise $100 before the ride (the cut off date may be sooner, can you verify Sidecar or Wanderer?) you get a extra ticket for the new motorcycle or other prizes.  Ask your neighbors, family, or friends.  If you would like to volunteer or more info, send myself, Sidecar, or Wanderer a message for details.  See you there!

[Red Diamond]

The R4K's is an event I truly look forward to doing, worthy cause, fun and entertaining, whatever you want to attach to it, it is great, both in DFW and Houston. I like to leave a day ahead when in DFW, and make a day long ride of it. Haven't figured out where I'm headed this time, just hoping for good weather.

[SideCar]

Looking forward to seeing everyone.

Yes, BuzzKill, for the bonus drawing ticket for the motorcycle, the $100 in donations needs to be "in the house" at Ride for Kids office before the weekend of the ride. That is accomplished easiest by having people donate directly on your RFK web page that is created when you register online. Make whatever donation you like for yourself and email some friends and family to donate to save some children's lives. Our experience is that people are very willing to give if we just ask.  The other way to do it is to mail checks directly to the RFK office at 302 Ridgefield Court • Asheville, NC 28806.  That only applies to the bonus ticket. Drawing tickets and other recognition that comes for each $300 in donations submitted includes all donations through Sunday morning, so you can get some online and bring the rest with you to the ride. 

Hey, someone is going to win a brand new bike. It might as well be a VRCC rider or one of our friends, right? I know of one Valk rider who thought he might sell the bike if he wins it and look for a project Valk to supercharge.  Just sayin'....

[marshal 13]

This will be my first time to this event and first time meeting some folks in this chapter. I am staying at Marriott Saturday night, wondered if anyone else is going to be there. Need to figure out where to go at the track Sunday morning.

[SideCar]

I'll be staying there as will a few others.  I'll be heading over to the track early on sunday morning to get things ready so you won't likely want to get going that early. Directions from the hotel are
Take a right on 114 and a left into the TMS track.  There will be some signs at intersections pointing the way to the start point. It is in the campground area on the east side of the facility along Lone Star Circle and as you get closer, there will be people directing traffic.

[chauffeur]

We're in.  See y'all Sunday...

[HayHauler]

We will be staying at the Marriott also Saturday night.  Looking forward to the event AND the ride up and back. 

Hay 
Jimmyt

[BuzzKill]

Hey you Houston'ers, check out this post on the DFW Meeting topic and maybe we can get together with ya'll on Saturday.  http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,60744.0.html

[Doc809]

I am aware that, since I no longer ride a Valk, my IQ has been significantly reduced but, try as I might, I cannot find anything that gives me approximate times for this event.  Anybody help a poor old dumb doc out with a little info?

[SideCar]

Doc, if you're talking about the RFK, yes, here are the details on times http://pbtf.convio.net/site/TR/2013RideforKids/General?pg=informational&fr_id=1470&type=fr_informational&sid=1050 Basically, registration between 8-9:30. KSU at 10, rain or shine. Back and done with lunch and program by 1:00. And, here is the registration page if you want to be on the VRCC team, regardless of what bike you bring  https://secure3.convio.net/pbtf/site/TRR/2013RideforKids/General/702164777?pg=ptype&fr_id=1470

[BuzzKill]

We had a decent VRCC turnout today.  Had a few riders, a few volunteers, and a few rider volunteers.  The overall turnout is less than I hoped, but I think the gloomy clouds kept at least some away.  We rode 2 laps around the track mostly on the apron, but some on the actual track, just not the banked curves.  We're hoping to have some pics and maybe a video or two.  The VRCC brought in over $5,000 and ranked #1 among Clubs, followed closely by Ladies on Wheels.  I didn't hear it mentioned this year, but if its like previous years we will be able to ride directly behind the "Stars" (the children and their families) next year!  That goes for out of town VRCCers as well.  Overall the DFW area brought in over $110,000! 

Lets double that next year and we'll see you Oct 12 2014! 

[RainMaker]

We had a few of this and a few of that.  But I'm really proud of the volunteers out there today and of the VRCC group in particular.  For an old group who rides 10 year and older motorcycles (Hondas, rice burners, etc) we still have some punch and support for this worthy group.

We've had more volunteers in the past and hope that many of those who were there in previous years will consider coming back out for 2014.

As usual, the kids are the stars and it was never more evident than when they were on stage, thanking us for our efforts.  Honestly, there were a lot of tears of joy in the audience as they spoke about how much they appreciated us and one in particular saying "I'll never stop fighting - I'll never give up". 

As long as she is fighting, I plan to be there fighting with her.

Do good for your heart and help these kids.

RainMaker

[marshal 13]

Had a good time meeting some of you Saturday night. Sorry I missed the ride but had to get home and swap to pickup and get to hospital for family emergency. Ride safe.

[Red Diamond]

It certainly is heart warming to be able to support a worthy cause, especially one that involve children. It was a blast for me to do this and I had one.