LEBANON — After a year hiatus, the annual motorcycle ride to benefit Dartmouth-Hitchcock Norris Cotton Cancer Center is back with a new name.
The Ribbon Ride, formerly known as the Green Mountain Motorcycle Ride, will take place on Saturday, Sept. 7. Check-in and breakfast begin at 8 a.m. at Twin States Harley Davidson in Lebanon and the race itself starts at 9:20 a.m. It ends at Jesse’s Steaks, Seafood & Tavern in Hanover, where lunch will be served at 1:30 p.m. In addition to signing up in advance, people can register the morning of the event, which is held rain or shine.
“The route changes every year,” said Heidi Allen Goodrich, events manager for Friends of Norris Cotton Cancer Center.
The 105-mile trip is a poker ride, meaning there are stops along the way where riders pick up cards to complete a poker hand. The rider with the best hand will win a prize.
One of the reasons the name of the event was changed is to better reflect the route, which changes every year. It is not always through the Green Mountains and it often takes place in both of the Twin States. Advocates use different ribbon colors to represent different types of cancer. For example, pink is used for breast cancer, white lung cancer and brain cancer’s color is gray. The Ribbon Ride uses a lavender ribbon in its logo, which represents all types of cancer.
“That’s exactly what we’re riding for,” Allen Goodrich said.
A $100 fundraising minimum is required to drive in the event.
“If you go above and beyond that, you can be in competition for the highest fundraiser prize,” Allen Goodrich said.
Riders — those who are not driving the motorcycles, but are going along the route — need to contribute $25 to participate.
Brothers John and Matt Brasseur founded the event in 2003 after their aunt was diagnosed with breast cancer, Allen Goodrich said. More than $320,000 was raised for Norris Cotton Cancer Center from 2003-2017 and this year’s fundraising goal is $15,000.
“It should be a fun day. People should be well fed. And it supports a great cause,” Allen Goodrich said.
Editor’s note: For more information or to register, visit theribbonride.org. Liz Sauchelli can be reached at esauchelli@vnews.com or 603-727-3221.
