Revved up for a reason

Buddy Roe’s Bike Ride for Richmond County Special Olympics enters 6th year

By Kevin Spradlin
PeeDeePost.com

* Photo gallery – more than 150 images
* 2014 PDP Special Olympics coverage

ROCKINGHAM — Forty-seven riders started their motorcycles at Buddy Roe’s a few minutes past 1:30 Saturday afternoon for the sixth annual Buddy Roe’s Bike Ride for Richmond County Special Olympics.

Kevin Spradlin | PeeDeePost.com

Escorted by a Richmond County Sheriff’s Office patrol car, the 47 riders left Billy Covington Road and traveled north on U.S. Route 220 through Ellerbe to State Route 73. There, riders headed west to Little River Winery.

The plan was to stop by Ellerbe Lions Club Park to pick up some additional riders attending the second annual Joseph McGuire Memorial Truck, Car and Bike Show. The riders planned to return to Richmond County and visit VFW Post 4203 in Rockingham before returning to Buddy Roe’s.

Roe began organizing the ride in 2009 as a way to give back to an organization that has provided so much help and encouragement to his niece, Lisa Horner.

Kevin Spradlin | PeeDeePost.com

Last year’s field of more than 60 bikers raised $8,499 to benefit athletes who participate in Special Olympics of Richmond County. Sarah Thompson said a check in the amount of the proceeds of the ride will be presented on Monday at the Special Olympics of Richmond County event at Richmond Senior High School.