Thousands of bikers across Arizona are revving up for the Rip’s B.A.D. Ride Arizona IV, Bikers Against Diabetes, on October 26th, an event of the American Diabetes Association. More than 2,500 bikers are expected to ride, starting from sites across Arizona and converging at Pinal County Fairgrounds in Casa Grande.
Community members are invited to join the bikers after the ride at Pinal County Fairgrounds for food, exhibits, music and shows. The festivities at the Park begin at 10 am. Ride participants will receive a ride pin; lunch; and entrance to a rock concert, as well as all shows and exhibits. Entertainment includes performances by the bands Wooden Nickel and Canned Heat and a special performance by sport bike stunt group Team Lojic. Emceeing the event is Shortbus.
The minimum donation for riders registered by October 22nd, is $30, $35 on the day of the ride. Second riders are an additional $20. Riders raising more will qualify for prizes on ride day. Bikers who are really B.A.D. and raise $500 or more will receive special benefits. ALL bikes are welcome and non riders are encouraged to join the festivities.
For more information, contact the American Diabetes Association at 888-DIABETES, ext. 7112, or visit ripsbadride.com.
Start sites include, IronHorse V-Twin, Thunder Manufacturing, Chandler Harley-Davidson, Hacienda Harley-Davidson, Chester's Harley-Davidson and Arrowhead Harley-Davidson in the Phoenix Metro area and Arizona Honda & Tucson Harley-Davidson in the Tucson area.
Major Sponsors Thunder Manufacturing, IronHorse V-Twin, Rural Metro Fire Department, OPFFA, Chester’s Harley-Davidson, Arizona Honda, Superstition Harley-Davidson, Tom Bragg Financial Management, Integra Telecom, Chuck Franklin Law, Network Dogs Inc and Dales Doors.
Rip's B.A.D. Ride began in Southern California and was conceived by the late Easyriders magazine columnist and photojournalist Rip, whose words and photos appeared in Rip’s Run column for more than a dozen years. Rip, lived with Type 2 diabetes for more than 10 years, and passed away Feb 18th, 2000.
Rip brought the idea of a fundraising motorcycle ride to the American Diabetes Association more than twelve years ago and continued to be an integral part of the planning of the Southern California ride, up until his death. Rip was truly the founding father of the B.A.D. Ride.
Rip’s goal was to “bring the Biker Nation together to fight diabetes” and the Southern California ride is entering its 13th year and has raised more than $2 million.
Rip's vision is becoming a reality with the growth of the ride in Arizona, Northern California, Texas, Iowa, Kansas, St. Louis and Virginia. New cities are added ever year.
More than 23 million Americans have diabetes; one-third are undiagnosed. A chronic, life-threatening disease for which there is no cure, diabetes occurs when the body either cannot make insulin or has difficulty processing insulin. Complications from diabetes include heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney disease, nerve damage and amputations.
The American Diabetes Association is the nation’s leading voluntary health organization concerned with diabetes and its complications. Founded in 1940, the Association provides services in communities nationwide. The mission of the American Diabetes Association is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes.