This year marked the 7th anniversary for the Columbia Veterans Ride. The Columbia Veterans Ride was started by Jim Wertman, a veteran and owner of Carolina Honda in Columbia. Jim’s idea has blossomed into an event that had over 3,000 motorcycles with over 5,000 riders and passengers in this year’s parade. Carolina Honda has been at their location for three years and has a great staff.  Visit them at 907 Buckner Road, just off I-20 exit. You can call 877-284-8074 or check them out at www.carolinahonda.com.  Carolina Honda is a distribution location for Carolina Biker News. Thank you for your help!

The day started out like most other rides in the midlands this winter, cold and damp but this one turned into a beautiful Carolina blue sunny day with temperatures near 75.  Riders were greeted with a pancake breakfast from 10am to 1pm served by Boy Scout Troop #324.  This was a great group of young men eager to serve up some vittles for donations.  Led by Henry Richardson and Ed Neely, they even did cleanup of the Honda parking lot after the parade left at 2pm.  Thank you guys.  You deserve a great Hoorah for your part!

Goldwings led the ride with all 50 state flags flying.  What a sight!  We left two by two in  parade formation style and rode to the Veteran’s Administration on Sumter highway.  The parking lot was overflowing with bikes of all makes and riders from all over the midland area.  Many of the riders were veterans.  Thank God the 20-30 minute ride went very smoothly and thanks to everyone for watching each other’s back this year.  Many different groups participated in the ride.  I saw back patches from CMA, Buffalo Soldiers, Warlocks, Bikers for Christ, Carolina Riders, HOG, Thunder Tower Riders, ABATE, Ft. Jackson Group, Goldwings, Star Riders, Vietnam Veterans Group, Jack’s Cycles, Animals’ bunch and many others.  I’m sorry if I missed your group. If you see me at future events, let me know, so we can acknowledge your participation in these wonderful events.

The 2008 Columbia Veterans Ride date has already been set.  Save the second Sunday in December, bring a wrapped and tagged present for our troops and meet at Carolina Honda on December 14, 2008.

I’d personally like to thank everyone I met and all of you who waved back or shared a smile as you entered the Honda lot.  Yep, I’m the CMA guy with the camera in one hand and orange flag in the other, Drew, AKA Valet as in parking.  Let me know if you have upcoming motorcycle events that you want added to the paper. Feel free to email me at twowheeldetails@aol.com if you have questions about this ride or other midlands motorcycle info. 

Until next year’s ride!  Ride safe and often but most of all Ride with Jesus!
Keep safe. Drew Christiansen
Carolina Biker News