The Realities Ride & Rally: Motorcycles on a Mission

By Craig A. Secher
Realities For Children Charities has been bringing bikers together for more than ten years to raise emergency funding for the unmet needs of abused and neglected children. What began with seventy bikers coming together more than ten years ago has turned into the two day Realities Ride & Rally that has become known not only as one of the largest charity motorcycle poker runs in the state, but also as one of the area’s premier musical showcases for local talent. Today, bikers and bands are giving a voice like never before for vulnerable youth in our Larimer County community who have been silenced by abuse.
This year the Memorial Day Weekend Realities Ride & Rally will host two stages featuring local musicians from 11am-10pm on Saturday, May 26th and 11:30am-6:30pm on Sunday, May 27th. Music for the event has been coordinated by Morris Beegle, at MoBee Music/P&D, assisted by Cheri Lamperes.
On Saturday morning Tony Pacello of The Big Motif kicks off the weekend with a delicious acoustic set on the Realities Ride Main Stage at Linden & Walnut Street.  Tony will be followed by Stang Gappa, Audible Clique, Barrel House and The Honey Gitters, as well as featured youth acts Bladeyarder, Shatterproof and Michaela Rae.  When the sun sets the fireworks begin as Monster Energy presents the pyrotechnic laced performances of the SL Stunt Team that ignites the largest rooftop fireworks show in Old Town Fort Collins. This ‘don’t miss’ show is nestled between the unique sounds of The Blender Cats, starting at 7:15pm, and long-time Colorado favorite, Wendy Woo, beginning at 9pm. Throughout the day a variety of youth musicians will also be featured on The Hideout Event Stage in Old Town Square, including the winners of the recent Youth in the Spotlight Competition, Yetti.
The festivities roll into high gear on Sunday as the Realities Riders take to the Front Range to shine their light into the darkness of child abuse. Riders meet at Thunder Mountain Harley at 9am and after the sky-diving presentation of the Colors, they take off on the scenic Law Tiger’s Ride Route to enjoy more live music at every ride stop including Shockwave as the featured lunch stop performers. The music kicks off the fun in Old Town at 11:30am. First up are The Realities Ride Girls, bringing you their fun song and dance routines, followed by a variety of local youth musicians, as well as the incomparable Liz Barnez at 2pm. Harley & The V-Twins take the Realities Ride Main Stage at Linden Street at 2:30. If you are feeling blues-y you have to experience the fun show by The Blues DoGS, a group that respects the tradition of the blues, rock, soul and R&B genres and explodes that tradition with musical layers full of energy.
The stage show is filled with entertainment that will leave you, quite literally, dancing in the streets!
The  Rally, however, offers much more than great music and cool rides. Between Budweiser’s Beer Gardens, an eclectic mix of street dining options and vendors filling Linden Street, along with the partnership of the Downtown Business Association, there will be plenty to keep everyone entertained. All weekend long you can watch the Monster Energy Stunt Shows by Suicidal Lifestyles and if you’re not afraid of heights you can do it from the 40 foot viewing tower. On Sunday you can even try a few stunts of your own at the CMA Biker Games. Challenge a friend to a burnout show down in Freakshow Tattoo’s “Grudgematch” Burnout Pits and enjoy the ‘Hot Rod Knights’ show!
Hooters will once again be hosting their Bikini Bike Wash. When the girls have your bike looking spotless you will be ready for the ‘Drive by Shooting’ photo booth by Sugar Mill Productions to get a professional photo of you and your ride accompanied by one the 2012 Realities Ride Girls. On Saturday, beginning at high noon, Realities Ride introduces for the first time to the event; Battle in the Fort 4: Strongman Competition presented by Anytime Fitness.  Feeling strong? Amateurs are invited to show up at 10 am and register to compete for some cold hard cash. Then on Sunday this stage goes from feats of strength to living works of art with Webb’s Colorfest Tattoo Show and Competition. This open contest draws people from all over the state who want to show off their best tattoos and hope to win big!
The weekend is filled with great entertainment and big prizes, including Best Buy 42” flat screen TV’s, Hilton’s $1500 Best Hand cash prize, a $3,500 custom paint job from Newstalgia Custom Paint and even a Live Auction. Of course, the big winners from this event will be all of the children it will help to provide for.
Pre-register today for the Realities Ride & Rally! For more detailed information on all of the activities as well as the complete musical lineup visit www.RealitiesRide.com.
Don’t ride? Don’t worry! The entire community is invited to rally together on Memorial Day Weekend to enjoy incredible music and activities while supporting local youth in need served by Realities For Children, because these motorcycles are on a mission.