TRAVERSE CITY -- Brianna Bogart just likes to be with all the bikes and "go fast."
The 11-year-old from Buckley enjoyed her second ride on the back of Henry Oglesby's Harley Davidson motorcycle during the 18th annual Northern Chapter Harley Owners Group ride to benefit the Father Fred Foundation. More than 400 bikes, trikes, and even a handful of mopeds made the annual trek up Old Mission Peninsula Sunday morning to end the two-day event.
Raffles, a poker run, registrations fees and donations raised $26,000 for the nondenominational foundation that provides food, clothing, household goods and financial assistance to those in need in the Grand Traverse region, event co-chairwoman Tara Baesch said.
"It's for a good cause, people in need, and I've been there myself," said Oglesby. "I got the help when I needed it and I like to help others and give back."
Angie Houghton, making her first Father Fred ride with her own father, was impressed by the number of people who lined the route along Center Road and their signs of support.
"It's awesome just to see the community coming together, even during these hard times," Houghton said.
Jeff Dohm has made the ride since 1995. Sunday he rode the same bike his father, Bob Dohm, used with a sidecar to transport the foundation's founder, the late Catholic priest Rev. Edwin "Fred" Frederick, on the very first ride.
Dohm said there seemed to be more local support this year, and having folks on the side of the road with signs that read "You rock" and "Go Father Fred" was definitely a first.
"I think people are responding to the need to help more people," rider Pam Warner said.
Baesch said every year the event has grown with more riders and supporters along the roads waving and cheering toward the long line of bikers escorted by a half-dozen police motorcycles.
Father Fred officials said the event is a great way to raise awareness about the foundation and its mission, but several riders see it as a positive boost to the public's perception of motorcycle riders.
Kathe Dohm said the type of rider has changed over the years, with more business people and women participating.
Rebecca Houtman rode on the back of her husband's motorcycle in 2008. This year he couldn't make it so Houtman, of Thompsonville, made the trip with her daughter, Samantha Bates. The two took a safety class in Suttons Bay to get their motorcycle license endorsements and purchased new rides this spring.
"The ride was unbelievable, beautiful, and for a good cause," Houtman said.
The two women shared that experience with Father Fred's spiritual director, the Rev. Lakovos Olechnowicz, who got back on a bike for the first time in 12 years to lead the ride.
"It was a lot of fun and a great day, " Olechnowicz said.
