When we started in 2000, the charter members committed to attain full recognition as a Christian motorcycle club in the Kansas City area. We successfully completed that process on July 1, 2003, and began flying colors in Kansas City on that day.
Cycle Disciples have been active members of Kansas City’s biker community from the very beginning. We began supporting “Bikers with a Mission” (BWAM), an annual run designed to raise money for the work of the City Union Mission in Kansas City in 2001. In 2003, Rev. Guy Girratono approached us about assuming responsibility for coordinating BWAM (for more information about Guy Girratono and “Bikers with a Mission”, see Sonny Barger’s book, Ridin’ High and Livin’ Free, published by William Morrow in 2002). Rev. Guy had been running the event for 14 years, but his health and other responsibilities were making it more difficult for him to continue. We began assuming responsibility for BWAM in 2004. Although Cycle Disciples coordinates the event, BWAM is actually pulled together by a committee representing many organizations including Freedom of Road Riders (F.O.R.R.) District 4 along with several F.O.R.R. locals.
Another key local event for us is the Heart of God Fellowship annual biker Sundays at Buckner, Missouri. In 2006, this event celebrated its tenth birthday.
Cycle Disciples are also involved in a couple of events outside the Kansas City area. We support the annual National Gypsy Tour organized by the Jackpine Gypsy Motorcycle Club at Sturgis, SD by providing provide road guards and making biker New Testaments available to every rider. It’s an honor and privilege to support of a ride that began with Pappy and Pearl Hoel in 1938 as part of the very first Sturgis Rally and Races.
We also support “LZ Rainelle”, and annual veterans / POW / MIA rally at Rainelle, WV in conjunction with Task Force Omega of Kentucky. The rally takes place the Saturday before Memorial Day each year. For more information on “LZ Rainelle”, visit Greasy’s website at www.greasyonline.com.
In 2005, Cycle Disciples began the annual Kansas City Christian Biker Workshop in an effort to draw together various Christian motorcycle organizations in the greater Kansas City area and to share information about how to make our respective ministries better. To date, we’ve conducted two Christian Biker Workshops (2005 and 2006).
In 2006, we began the “Kickstand Award” designed to recognize an outstanding individual or organization who has significantly contributed to the Kansas City motorcycling community. The first Kickstand Award winner was Ralph Wayne Blackmore, founder of the Vintage Backyard Nationals motorcycle show conducted every year in, of all places, his backyard. The award was announced at the 2006 Christian Bikers Workshop on January 14, 2006.
As we continue to move forward, we are ever mindful of where we have been, and how God has blessed each individual, family, and the club as a whole.
“Iron sharpeneth iron, so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.” (Proverbs 27:17)
Updated May 18, 2006 |
