GAINESVILLE - Saturday morning rain delayed but did not stop the Hall County Sheriff's Office 4th Annual Christmas Benefit Motorcycle Ride that began in Gainesville at the Hall County Parking Deck.
A rain squall delayed the riders about 45 minutes, but they took off shortly before 11 o'clock on an 80 mile trip that took them up to Blood Mountain then to Suches, Dahlonega, and then back to Gainesville according to Captain Chris Matthews.
"We're going to take it real slow," Matthews said. "We've got some good motors here and we'll make the ride and try to get back by 2 o'clock."
One of the riders was David Lyons from Cumming, who rode his hand built three wheeler with its fiber glass body and Volkswagen engine. Lyons designed and constructed the bike in 1979.
"I've been riding in it ever since they first started the ride," Lyons said. "It's a great cause."
Lyons had a passenger, his daughter Jennifer Watt, who is a Hall County court services deputy sheriff.
"Dad and I have done many, many rides," she said. "My dad has finally talked me into being less afraid of motorcycles."
Since 1997 the Sheriff's Department has raised just over $62,000 to buy 890 bicycles for needy children.
Thursday
April 18th, 2024
7:19AM
