Dozens of motorcyclists made their way through a handful of Lambton communities Saturday.
The annual Ride of Respect started in 2020 with 125 bikers parading to show support and respect for front-line workers amid the COVID-19 pandemic, said ride organizer David Burrows.
“We rode through the city past all of the fire halls, police stations, nursing homes; all that,” he said.
“Since then, we’ve kind of broadened it into just respect everybody.”
The message now is have respect for everyone, treat others well, and remember that motorcycles are on the road, and for motorcyclists and other drivers to show respect to one another, Burrows said.
Burrows, who rides, along with his wife, son, and brother-in-law, said hosting a motorcycle rally seemed like the perfect fit.
“It just seemed like the right tool to use to create attention in the community,” he said.
“Who doesn’t like to see a nice, shiny bike? And when you can see a big group of bikes going through the city, I think people stop and look and go ‘Wow, that’s pretty cool.’”
Hopes are people also recognize the symbolism, he said.
“I’ve lived in Sarnia all my life and I just like to do what I can whenever I can for our community,” he said. “Because I just think it’s that important.”
Saturday’s 110-120km ride took bikers, after they gathered at Preferred Towing, through Sarnia, Aamjiwnaang, Wyoming, Petrolia and Corunna, Burrows said.
World motorcycle traveler Kris Hall, who’s planning to ride across Africa and other continents, after recently completing a tour of most European Union countries, was also set to speak at the Sarnia Moose lodge after the ride.
Hall said he’s gone through 30 tires so far, including trips around the Arctic Circle, and logged more than 85,000 kilometers in Europe alone.
The day is also emotional, Burrows said, as he remembers his dad Ross who died in October 2020.
“I was trying to get a ride with him, but unfortunately. . . it just didn’t work,” Burrows said.
It’s not a memorial event, he said.
“It’s just a memory for me.”
The day typically raises $1,000 in donations and sponsorships for Ohana Landing, a transitional housing facility for youth, Burrows said.
Hopes are to continue the annual ride as long as he can, he said, noting he’s considering going bigger in 2024 to mark its fifth year.
“Maybe some bands or something,” he said.
More information is available at rideofrespect.ca.
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