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Advise on a Bike run

List of some events along the coast. Maybe this can help you plan your ride.

Jan.31st, Sunday: GWRRA Region ‘A’ MS Chapter B-ee’s Chili Cook-Off at Paul B Johnson State Park

Mar. 20th, Saturday: 10th Annual Gulf Coast Blessing of the Bikes at Gautier

April 24th, Saturday: Southern Cruisers 4th Annual Rollin’ for a Cure Dice Run at the D’Iberville Farmers Market. This is for St Judes Children's Research Hospital

May 28, 29, 30, 31: Gulfport Memorial Day Blowout. Gulfport dragstrip.
Sandy Hook Memorial Day Biker Party

July 4th weekend: Ms. Gulfcoast Bike Festival

You can usually count on Ocean Springs PD to work traffic. Not so much for Biloxi or Gulfport. Harrison and Hancock Sheriff Dept. are usually good to escort.
 
You may also need some type of insurance coverage for this event. Northrop may require it since your group is associated directly with the company. I'm sure they don't want to expose themselves to a lawsuit from someone that may have an accident/problem/oops I fell down and got a boo boo.

Look into what type of release the riders may need to sign to protect your company sponsored group.

It's sad but true that there are folks about that would sue at the drop of a hat.

Good point SledDog..Being the charity would be for the local volunteer firehouse Id seek HOG members advice in obtaining what they use as a release form for there runs.Obtain a copy and run it by city council for approval.

Havent been on a run yet where I didnt sign a release form.Its not as scary as it seems.Simply google benefit ride release forms and you'll get the idia.
 
Yep, it would be really cool if you could find a bunch of local police that ride (M/C cops) and get them involved.

Sometimes they can close roads and busy intersections for the group.

Contact the local media (papers/radio) - they love a story!

Poker runs where people stop for "coffee" and store contributes $ and lets you use the head.

And insurance. Last year, we were on a gigantic run, roads (even sections of freeway closed - no kidding). On the way to the starting point someone fainted, or had a heart attack or stroke or ??? and ran into something and died. It was pretty sad and I don't know the outcome, but first thing I thought of was "I wonder if this will stop future events or if someone will get sued?" Because it was on the way to the event and not on the route, I think things were OK. But, you get a Johnnie Cockroach ('er Cochran) sniffin' around and you never know what might happen...
 
Check your area for a local food distributer. We have one in our area that will often donate the food or let us have it at a greatly reduced cost.
Keep the event entry/ ride price down low as possible. We have found you get alot more people that return year after year and bring more friends by doing this.
Advertise, Advertise, Advertise............Most papers and local radio stations in our area will do a few spots for free.
 
Contact the personell dept/HR. Doing anything as a group under the cororate umbrella needs an OK.
You may find the company will support the event in many way, providing certain limits.

1) liability... a waiver is suggested, but, any lawyer can rip holes in them
2) stop locations, you might find there are policies allowing ONE sort, but prohibiting another... most companies wouldn't mind you stopping at a motorcycle dealership, but would frown on stopping at a watering hole
3) door prizes.... you can get many places to "throw in some door prizes" IF you include their business as a "stop"
4) food.... you may find a local caterer who will discount a meal for the event, with a minimum, and you would either pass the cost along as part of the entry fee, or charge the riders at the end point (as a "free" part of the ride... you'll get more attendees)
5) route.... contray to the scenic route suggestion... plan an easy (shortish) route from start, to stops, to end point, allowing 30-45 minutes at each stop, to allow riders time to pull cards, throw dice etc, and shop.

I hate charity runs because there is more time OFF the bike, than on the bike. but truth be told... more of the people who show up for these events, are NOT regular riders. shorther routes, mean less protection needed.

Many groups will split large groups into smaller units, and leave 30-60 minutes apart, or print out directions, and allow riders to "self-tour"
 
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