ROCKINGHAM — Richmond County’s bikers will hit the road again this Saturday in the second ride in as many weeks to assist special needs children.
Kickstands will go up at 1 p.m. at the Hide-A-Way Tavern for the annual Buddy Roe Ride for the Richmond County Special Olympics.
The ride was started in 2009 by late bar owner Buddy Roebuck and current owner Chris Sachs carried on the tradition “because the Special Olympics meant a lot to him.”
“Buddy Roe asked that if I ended up with the bar that I’d keep the ride going,” Sachs said Sunday following a ride to benefit Krystal Dawn Retreat. “Ain’t no reason not to.”
Roebuck’s niece was a special needs child, according to Sachs.
While Sachs has no direct connection to special needs children, he knows several people in the community who do, including Richmond County Chamber of Commerce President Emily Tucker.
Registration for the ride starts at noon. The cost for single riders is $20 and $30 for doubles, which includes a barbecue or chicken plate. Like most rides, there will also be a 50/50 raffle and silent auction. T-shirts will also be available for purchase.
In 2019, the ride raised more than $9,000.
This will be the 11th year of the ride, since last year’s was canceled due to government restrictions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sachs said if you’ve never been to the Special Olympics games, held locally at Richmond Senior High School, “you’re missing something special.”
“You see the kids out there, it’ll bless you,” he said. “So it’s our pleasure just to support it, keep it going.”
Sachs added that a lot of the money goes toward sending athletes to the state games.
“It’s just a good event, we’re happy to do it every year.”
Last weekend’s ride for Krystal Dawn Retreat brought in more than $4,000, according to Ol Skool Riding Club President Gary Holt, who added Tuesday that several monetary donations were still expected.
