The Northwest Rider

On Sunday, April 26th, 2009, after months of planning and preparation, the Skagit Valley Wings held their annual fundraiser benefitting the ‘Make a Wish’ foundation.  Hundreds of riders turned out for this years ‘Lime Run,’ arriving early in anticipation of breakfast (served cheerfully by the Burlington Eagles) and of a full day of riding under sunny, blue skies.

Although Honda Goldwings formed the majority, bikes of all makes and models were welcome and well represented at this years event.  Groups of riders, large and small, arrived on tourers, sportbikes, dualsports, cruisers and even trikes.  Each was greeted  equally by course marshals, clad in bright green costumes, who waved riders in enthusiastically while providing instructions and answering questions.

Following ‘lime run’ tradition, which dates back to the 1930’s, the course was marked hours before the event using small bags filled with lime, the white, powdery crushed stone usually mixed with concrete and used in construction.  As a course official laid out the route, these bags were thrown against the asphalt, one before each intended turn and one after, so that riders would initially see each approaching turn and would be able to tell, from the second marking, which way to go in order to continue.

Because no ride map or printed directions are provided, participants experience a perfect balance between course nagivation and backroads exploration.  There is some degree of uncertainty between markers as riders begin to wonder if they’ve missed a turn, and a renewed sense of accomplishment with each marker passed as each confirms that they are still on course. 

No one knows where the course will lead or how long the ride will take until it is over, which provides frequent surprises and fuel for endless discussion following the event.  Missed turns can be a regular occurence depending on rider experience (and on attention span.)  Dynamic roads and breathtaking scenery are constant distractions and virtually every rider is given the opportunity to brush up on their braking and slow speed U-turning skills during the event.

Checkpoints spaced regularly throughout the course provided opportunity for riders to regroup and refresh.  Those carrying the ‘Bingo’ style game card provided at the starting area could have them stamped, tracking their progress while competing for prizes provided at the finish.  Among these checkpoints was a roadside curiosity called ‘Scooter Stuff,’ an aftermarket motorcycle shop housed in an interesting old building with a history dating back to the late 1800’s. 

A post ride Bar-B-Que was held at ‘Camping World’ in Burlington following the ride, during which the Northwest Wings Drill Team performed for the crowd of cyclists attending.  Later in the afternoon, the event was wrapped up with an awards ceremony and raffle drawing.   Satisfied by one of the first full days of true ’spring riding’ in 2009, groups of riders fanned out for the roads from which they’d come, enjoying their afternoon ride home, the closing chapter to another successful ‘Lime Run.’

The Skagit Valley Wings is a club of motorcycling enthusiasts organized around a common interest in luxury touring.  They meet regularly (the 4th Sunday of every month) in Mount Vernon, Washington to promote the sport, to rally around and to organize monthly rides and events, to plan their annual Lime Run and to promote safe riding through proper rider education.

100 percent of the profits from this year’s Lime Run were donated by the Skagit Valley Wings to the Make a Wish Foundation, who’s mission since 1980 has been enriching the lives of children with life threatening medical conditions through its wish-granting work.  The foundation has nearly 70 chapters in the United States and 28 international affiliates who, combined,  have granted more than 171,000 wishes worldwide over the last 3 decades.  3,750 of those wishes have been granted right here in the northwest by the Washington chapter, which expanded in 2000 to serve children throughout Alaska, Montana and Northern Idaho.

For more information about the Skagit Valley Wings, visit their website at www.skagitvalleywings.org or contact Barb Manson, the club’s member liaison, at martyandbarb@wildblue.net.  For more information about the Make a Wish Foundation, visit the foundation’s northwest chapter website at www.northwestwishes.org or contact the chapter representative either by phone at (206) 623-5300 or by email at barry@nwwishes.org.