Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Trying To Break A Guiness Book Record



BMW Motorcycle Riders Go After Guinness Record In Fundraising Endeavor To Beat Pediatric Cancer


Snarls of high-powered motorcycles will tear the morning quiet of Hatfield, Pennsylvania on May 2, 2010, as hundreds of BMW riders from 18 counties (in six states) converge on this suburban community with the intent of smashing one barrier, while taking steps to eliminate another. To be smashed is the current standing count of the “largest group and collective parade” of BMW marque-exclusive motorcycles, as stated by the famous book of Guinness World Records. And while the bikes are assembling for the count, their riders will be contributing to a local hospital dedicated to stamping out pediatric cancer. According to Todd Trumbore, the primary organizer for the record-breaking attempt and fund-raising effort, this is an opportunity for bikers belonging to a tightly-knit riding community to band together and contribute to an even tighter community: children with cancer.


“The purpose of this event is two-fold,” said Trumbore. “It’s an opportunity for BMW motorcycle riders to be counted, and a chance for them to contribute to a cause that really counts.” Trumbore brought his idea of breaking the existing Guinness record to Bob Jones, the CEO of Montgomeryville Cycle Center, who immediately saw the potential to benefit a worthy cause. Jones pledged the use of his facility, and his staff, while offering to host all participants with a complimentary lunch.


“The BMW motorcycling community is undoubtedly one of the country’s tighter-knit groups,” said Jones. “As a rule, BMW bikers tend to be a solitary lot, riding great distances at speed — but by themselves. You will find them at many fundraising events, but they represent a true minority and tend to prefer the background. This is one event where every rider will have two things in common... A desire to eradicate cancer in kids and a motorcycle made in Bavaria.”


In keeping with Jones's perspective, it's not surprising to discover that the record number of BMW motorcycles gathered in one place, and ridden together (according to Guinness), is a modest 128 which was staged in Einsiedeln, Switzerland, on June 12, 2004. Yet records of this nature are set to be broken. Grass Roots BMW, in Cape Girardeau, MO, is currently awaiting confirmation of 241 riders in a subsequent record-breaking attempt event last September. If Trombore has his way, that record will pass to the Mac Pac.


"This number is almost routinely challenged by several BMW riding clubs in the United States, that conduct regional rallies at campgrounds or other places," said Trumbore. "Except that most of these guys don't show up in a single line. We're going to convene the largest BMW-exclusive group of riders, that have been recorded by Guinness, and take them on a ride through the Pennsylvania countryside." Riders will be counted as they register at the rallying point, Montgomeryville Cycle Center. They will be counted at the beginning of the parade/ride, and at the end, he added.


Trumbore is expecting more than 250 riders and has planned a routing that is conducive to keeping a large group together. There are six chartered BMW riding clubs within an 80-mile range of Montgomeryville. The Mac Pac, which serves the southeast Philadelphia area, has 250 active members by itself. The fund-raising, record-breaking endeavor has already received the support of these groups, several of which are now organizing group rides to attend.


BMW riders are an eclectic lot and it is expected that the event will draw an unusually high number of antique and vintage bikes, as well as some of the most sophisticated modern motorcycles currently available to the US market. "There will be those arriving on the new S1000RR, and a few showing up with sidecars that are more than 60 years old," said Trumbore. He has been riding BMW's for more than 30 years and has a collection of 34 vintage bikes he enjoys riding regularly.


The event is open to the motorcycle-riding public arriving on licensed and insured BMW motorcycles.


Registration will begin at 9am, rain or shine, Sunday, May 2, 2010, at Montgomeryville Cycle Center, 2901 Bethlehem Pike ( Rt. 309 ), Hatfield, PA 19440. The telephone number is: 215-712-7433. The official count will begin at 11am.


For additional information, contact:

Todd Trumbore

Event Coordinator

610-287-5275


Bob Jones

CEO Montgomeryville Cycle Center & Event Coordinator

215-712-7433.


Addendum...


It is with no small degree of pride that I signed my name to the growing list of Mac Riders who will serve as volunteers, helping to organize and administer the Guiness Record Book-breaking attempt described in the piece above. Mac Pac members have a true sense of compassion, and raised $1400 in 90 minutes, by sponsoring Leslie/Stiffie — my hot squeeze—in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day Breast Cancer Walk. They routinely ride to the assistance of any member in extremis (be it a household move or working against rising waters in a local flood). And they have played pivotal roles in bringing training and technical events to riders across the country.


If you ride a BMW — be it new, vintage or antique — I urge you to turn out at Montgomeryville Cycle, on the morning of May 2, 2010. Your presence will make a “mark for the marque,” and your pocket change, $5’s, $10’s, or $20’s could make the difference to some kid battling pediatric cancer. This will be one of the greatest gatherings of “the Teutonic Unicorns” for a fun event benefiting a good cause. While “Twisted Roads” has covered some truly inane group rides, the one on May 2nd, 2010 may be the shortest, but it will certainly be the most memorable. I look forward to seeing you there.


Fondest regards,

Jack • reep • Toad

AKA The Lindbergh Baby (Mac Pac)

AKA Vindak8r (Motorcycle Views)

AKA The Chamberlain -- PS (With A Shrug)


27 comments:

redlegsrides said...

Damn, I wish I lived closer.

Woody said...

Nice job, Jack. I guess I may make my second Mac-Pac event.

Conchscooter said...

With you helping to organize it, the day is bound to turn out quite peculiar. Practice organizing your sock drawer first so you will be ready.

Jack Riepe said...

Dear Charlie6 (Dom):

i wish you did too... That way, you'd be shamed into riding the two-wheeler... And we'd be one rider closer to the goal.

Fondest regards,
Jack • reep • Toad

Jack Riepe said...

Dear Woody (Wayne):

I look forwad to munching on a donut in your company, as the endless line of BMW riders form up on May 2, 2010.

Fondest regards,
Jack • reep • Toad

Jack Riepe said...

Dear Conch:

Too bad you don't live closer... Too bad you are such an old fuddy-duddy... And too bad you don't ride a Beemer... Cos yo could come and have fun with us too.

Fondest regards,
Jack • reep • Toad

Encouragingly, Ihor said...

Super cause and an internationally noteworthy target to achieve all in one! Don't forget to arrange a panoramic group shot for the lunchroom in Bavaria. Hope your efforts top all expectations. Media attention should be plentiful.

Unknown said...

Jackie:

If I was within spitting distance from PA I would certainly own a Beemer just to join the Mac-Pac and would be counted in the ranks.
Enjoy the day and hope you beat both records.

As Mr Fuddy duddy said, is your sock drawer organized ?

bob
Wet Coast Scootin

Jack Riepe said...

Dear Bobskoot:

There is always some curmudgeon willing to predict that I will fall on my ass someplace. But in this case, I am only working the registration desk. My trick will be not falling over in the parade and dumping 75 other bikes. Bob, if you lived closer to the action, you could have filmed it for us.

Fondest regards,
Jack • reep • Toad
Twisted Roads

BMW-Dick said...

I'll be there in full regalia and ready to work. I may even wash my bike for this event.

Jack Riepe said...

Dear Dick (Bregstein):

This may be our finest hour. I just hung a post about being at the Exton Diner (Ship Road and Rt. 100 in Exton, Pa) at 6am on Sunday, May 2, 2010. I'm hoping we get to ride into the event with a possee of some sort. It would be nice to see some new faces.

Fondest regards,
Jack • reep • Toad
Twisted Roads

BeemerGirl said...

Fabulous Idea! Thank you for reporting. I wish I could attend, but will be working the BMW Georgia Mountain Rally that weekend. Will send some funds your way. -Lori

motonomad said...

Jack,

Nice writeup. Ever consider a career in PR?

MotoNomad

Anonymous said...

Jack, great write up. I will be present and accounted for. The Pac rises to new heights with this one.

Wayne (classicvelocity)

Jack Riepe said...

Dear Wayne:

May 2nd is certainly going to be an interesting day. Riders from four states have checked in, to let us know they are coming. How many will come? Well, that issue has yet to be determined.

I look forward to seeing you there.

Fondest regards,
Jack • reep • Toad
Twisted Roads

Jack Riepe said...

Dear MotoNomard (Pete):

I applied for a job yestrerday, writing porn. I used you and Dick as references. (That is Dick Bregstein...) So if you should get a call from Silky Publications, you know what it's about.

Fondest regards,
Jack • reep • Toad
Twisted Roads

Jack Riepe said...

Dear Beemer Girl (Lori):

You could have moto-marshalled for this event!!!! Every contribution is welcome. Send it care of Bob Jones. CEO Montgomeryville Cycle Center, 2901 Bethlehem Pike ( Rt. 309 ), Hatfield, PA 19440. Simply indicate it is for St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital.

Fondest regards,
Jack • reep • Toad

Unknown said...

Jackie:

you ears should be burning . . . your lack of reputation has even reached Oregon

http://bolty.net/2010/04/26/are-you-going-to-the-2010-bmw-moa-international-rally/

bob
Wet Coast Scootin

motonomad said...

Jack,

When I said suggested you might consider a job in PR, I meant Public, not Pubic, Relations.

irondad said...

Reading your blog for God knows how long, ( it might not have been long chronologically but seems forever like when undergoing torture ) each post has been like peeling back the layers of an onion. Bit by bit, bit by bit.

What do I find deep underneath the messy and morally dubious layers?

Quite to my surprise I find "Nobility".

Who'd of thought? But bless you!

Jack Riepe said...

Dear Irondad (Dan):

I attended the Mac Pac's (my riding club) monthly dinner last night, and found myself in the company of a very pretty and charming wife of a fellow member. She leaned over and said to me, "I love reading your blog stories. They are very funny and suck me in all time. But what is truly amazing, is that when anyone gets to know you, they are surprised to discover you have the ethics and conscience of a paramecium."

I blushed then, as I have now.

Fondest regards,
Jack • reep • Toad

BeemerGirl said...

A beemer rounding up rowdy beemers. That would have been fun!! Next year! Envelope is in the mail.

-BeemerGirl

sgsidekick said...

I look forward to reading your take on this momentous occasion.

Lance said...

Sounds like a great event with a great cause! Hope you make that record!

Sojourner's Moto Tales said...

Excellent cause to support! Even I would abandon my solo preferences to ride with this group for this cause.

BTW, "34" bikes that he rides "regularly"? Is this possible?!

Chris said...

Good luck today Jack! If I had a BMW, it would have been a good excuse for a road trip.

BMW Jacke said...

BMW Motorcycle Riders Go After Guinness Record In Fundraising Endeavor To Beat Pediatric Cancer. Snarls of high-powered motorcycles will ... bmwjacke.blogspot.de