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Ride revs up memories of Sept. 11

A motorcycle parade in Tampa attracts thousands of riders and raises money for charities.

By AMBER MOBLEY
Published September 11, 2005

TAMPA - Thousands of bikers riding everything from Harleys to Hondas turned downtown Tampa streets into rivers of rumbling chrome, American flags and bandannas Saturday morning for the 9/11 Remembrance Ride.

"You've got people forgetting on a daily basis," Navy Lt. Rick Buck, 44, said about the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on New York City and Washington, D.C.

Riding, is "the right thing to do," said Buck of Land O'Lakes.

Buck and his wife, Madalena, 41, rode together.

The tragedy of four years ago, said Madalena, is close to their hearts. Rick Buck had been stationed in Washington.

Plus, said Rick Buck, looking around at the crowd with a grin, "Where else can you get 5,000 knuckleheads together?"

"And we're all Americans," said Kathy Cooper, 59, of Zephyrhills.

Since the yearly chrome caravan started, Cooper said, she has been riding her Harley-Davidson Sportster simply because "I'm an American and it's the patriotic thing to do."

For Jose Canales, 47, of Tampa, patriotism means supporting U.S. troops.

"They're doing for us what we can't do for ourselves: protecting this country," he said.

Canales' 7-year-old daughter, Elizabeth, rode with him.

Sixteen members of the New York City Fire Department led the procession from MacDill Air Force Base, where the ride started early Saturday. Local law enforcement officers escorted the group.

The 9/11 Remembrance Ride ended at Channelside around 11 a.m. with a commemorative ceremony and concert.

Proceeds from the $30 ride registration fee will go to the Gold Shield Foundation and Operation Warm Heart.

Harley-Davidson of Tampa, Brandon and New Port Richey and radio station WQYK-FM 99.5 sponsored the event.

[Last modified September 11, 2005, 01:10:06]