SAVE THE TWINS! Bikers Really, Really Like Boobies

By Tim Anderson

Bikers really like boobies, there’s no question about it.

In Colorado Springs, they like ta-tas so much that they were throwing money at ‘em on October 2nd. Lots of money.

Now, in itself, bikers tossing out bucks for boobs isn’t that unusual—why else are there strip clubs? This October 2nd thing was different though. Bikers shelled out $22,500 for those lovely lady lumps in a single afternoon. It was a hooray for boobies kind of day.
Actually, it was the 11th Annual Mountain Shadow Riders Breast Cancer Awareness Run. Affectionately known to all as “Save The Twins!” the run is hosted by MSR—the Colorado Springs chapter of Women On Wheels, and has become an autumn fixture on the Southeastern Colorado biker social calendar.

This year, though, “Save The Twins!” went over the top. Way over the top.

“We were all a little shocked and really excited to hear what the final total for the event was,” said Christine Ehrman, MSR President. “Our final tally was $22,500, which is $8500 more than last year. This was just huge. Every penny we raised is donated to the local office of Komen for the Cure.”

Mountain Shadow Riders has been donating a portion of the proceeds of the annual ride to the Southeastern Colorado Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, but this year, the group made the decision to donate everything to the local office of Komen.

“We didn’t expect this,” said Stacy Poore, Executive Director for Komen in Southeastern Colorado. “We’re ecstatic! This is double what they contributed last year. This is really important for us. I’ve never seen a group with the resources, contacts and motivation these ladies have. They’re incredible.”

The gals do have resources, contacts and motivation. The most important one might be with the weather Gods, who smiled more than a little on the event; it was over 80 degrees, allowing for shirt-sleeve and sunscreen riding, which helped bring out a record crowd for the event.

“ We had over 550 bikes and 700 people registered for the ride,” Ehrman explained. “We’re pretty sure we picked up more somewhere along the way. It was by far the biggest run we’ve had, and probably the most enthusiastic. Everyone was having a good time and just enjoying the day. We like to think they came out for more than just the ride on a nice day, though. We like to think they came out to support us and breast cancer awareness and research. Maybe everyone came out because they like boobies…everyone likes ‘em, right?”

Whatever the reason, riders turned out in a generous mood. All of the 770 ride t-shirts were sold in just over an hour, including some that were pre-ordered. Ride packets and maps for the 120-mile “Memory Ride” were gone with in 45 minutes of opening registration. As the gals scrambled to print more maps and packets, some riders who had already registered returned their maps and shared with the group they were riding with, allowing for more riders to register.

The ride, which featured questions about the route just ridden at each stop, started at the Western Omelette in Colorado Springs, went out east to the South 40 Saloon in Kiowa, then burned up to the Shell Service station in Franktown before stopping at the Sundance Mountain Lodge in Monument. From there, it was off to Will’s Sports bar in Downtown Colorado Springs and then to the final stop at Stargazers Theatre in the Springs.

Memory Ride winners were determined by who answered the most questions correctly…it was tougher than it sounds. This year, all three winners, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places, donated their winnings back to the cause, as did the winner of the 50/50 drawing.
That’s the kind of generosity that was on display.

“We had more than $5000 worth of auction items and door prizes donated by about 200 local businesses and individuals,” Ehrman pointed out. “We had tremendous support from all across the community this year. The support alone was kind of overwhelming. Then when we got the response we did for the day…it just blew us away.”

Perhaps the gals should have expected their success, but their humility is refreshing.
Ehrman explained that the all105 members of the Mountain Shadow Riders played a role in making the event the success it was.

“Everyone in our group had a role in this and they all should be proud,” Ehrman said. “Carolee Langer did a great job organizing everything and really taking the reins and making sure everything we needed to do got done. She really pulled us all together, but there is no way we could have pulled this off without the efforts of every one of our members.”

Just as importantly, Ehrman said, was the participation and support of the motorcycle community.

“The turnout and support we had was amazing,” she said. “I think we were all a little surprised at the number of people who came out, but as it became clear we had our hands full, we just focused on making sure everything was taken care of and making the event as good as it could be. Everyone who came out was patient, had good attitudes and wanted to have fun and be a part of it. It didn’t sink in until later just how successful the event was; and that absolutely could not have happened without the participation we had. It was wonderful.”

Poore echoed that sentiment.

“Mountain Shadow riders are my favorite group to work with,” she said. “I can’t imagine another group with more enthusiasm and motivation. That they were able to generate this kind of participation is fantastic. We really want to thank everybody who participated at every level.”

That MSR donated every cent raised is another point of pride for the gals.

“All our expenses are covered by the open houses we held at Rocky Mountain Cycle Plaza and Apex Sports during the summer,” Ehrman explained. “The support we get there allows us to make the donation we did. We don’t hold anything back for next year. We donate it all.”

That approach and the success of the event prompted a visit by the National President of Women On Wheels, Chris Baldwin, for the “Save The Twins!” run.

“Our national president wanted to attend and recognize our membership for putting together such a successful event,” Ehrman explained. “She’s also impressed by the cohesiveness of our group because it is so large in comparison to other chapters. And then the riding community turns out for our event like they did…it was a great event and a great day.”

Yep it was a great day. Now, if we can just convince the gals to make it a topless event it’d be about perfect. After all, we all like boobies….