Biker Sunday

Imagine pulling up to a park and there standing on both sides of the road entering the park are a hundred or so people of different ages, some dressed in street clothes, some in biker threads, all lining the road, some holding up signs saying "Welcome home" & "We love bikers" and "No perfect people allowed" & "Welcome all non-perfect people" , all yelling welcome home, waving, clapping, smiling and whistling. My immediate impression was I belonged to another family I never knew. This was Biker Sunday and the theme was "Welcome Home".

What started out as a conversation between a close friend of mine turned into a road trip to Lockborne, Ohio. George told me about Biker weekend, sponsored by Leave A Mark Ministries. (LAM)
I checked into on the internet and knew I had to be there. They didn't want "perfect people" to show. They wanted everyone that aren't perfect to come(which is about everyone).

George & his daughter Hanna, and me & my son Jericho hooked up that morning at Tim Hortons to discuss the details of the trip. An hour drive later, we pulled into the Hoover Y park in Lockborne. After pulling in, we were directed where to park (in well organized rows) where we parked and were given kickstand pads, and shut down. We were directed where to register and was given free LAM shirts of our sizes, along with a key for free door prizes to 3 lucky winners in attendance. Plenty of refreshments were available and good live road music was being performed on stage across from the bikes & concessions. Weather was sunny and warm, with storms passing to the North & South of us.


we checked out some of the other bikers coming in, talked with some folks and milled about. Soon enough we had a biker service, good music, and was given the theme message of "Welcome Home". There was quite a few folks (probably 75 - 100)that this was their first time to Biker Weekend (my son & I included). At the end of the service several folks, Praise God, gave their life to Christ, which at that point hit home that this was what it was all about.....reaching out to the "unperfect people" and "Welcoming them home".

After the service, everyone mounted their rides and proceeded in a parade of bikes to Rickenbacker Intl. Airport to visit the Lima Company Memorial for a moment of silence and a closing prayer, and to say thanks to the service men there in attendance from Lima Company. Afterwards most everyone headed back to the Hoover Y Park for the great Hog Roast. Unfortunately, right after we left the park, a heavy downpour hit us about 2 miles from the park and Jericho & I had to take shelter in a car wash for about 30 minutes to keep from getting completely soaked (no rain gear). Was kind of funny to see other bikers going by with no gear, no helmets, or eye protection taking a beating from the torrential downpour. Definitely not a way to ride very far in. Ironically, had I gone down the road another 5 miles, I would've cleared the storm. Roads were completely dry. LOL. Fortunately the high point of the day was my son asking me when we were going to another LAM event. Gotta love it!!! That Boy makes me one proud dad ;)
Check out these pics my son took of biker weekend
Also check out photos of Biker Weekend, courtesy of LAM

All in all, this day is one of the most memorable rides I've had and my son and I will be returning for future LAM rides.