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Highlands Today

Bike Event Has Good Run In The Heartland

Bill Rettew Jr./Highlands Today

Okeechobee bikers Jon and Wanda Riley haven't missed any of the five Run to the Heartlands. They split their time during the three-day weekend riding local roadways and socializing with new and old friends.

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By BILL RETTEW JR.

Highlands Today

Published: October 6, 2008

SEBRING - Seventy-year old county resident Jan Grove wore a black hat, but her white shirt stuck out like a sore thumb, in a crowd of bikers who mostly wore black leather during the 5th annual Run to the Heartland.

Grove said on Sunday that she never rode a motorcycle.

"It's noisy, but they're all being polite," she said, with a smile.

Grove strolled through the streets off and around the historic Circle between stints spent manning the former Sebring Chamber of Commerce office.

Hundreds of downtown visitors enjoyed some air conditioning and used a clean bathroom, thanks to volunteers, including Grove, with the Highlands County Genealogical Society.

By Sunday afternoon, volunteer organizer Gwen Clark had nearly lost her voice after putting in 18 -hour days during the three-day event. Several thousand bikers attended and Clark said attendance was larger than in the past.

"The weather was perfect, overcast, but very comfortable," said Clark.

Lora Todd worked with Clark and a committee of volunteers for a year to organize the event she said both vendors and bikers told her went smoothly and without a hitch.

"It's very gratifying that we finally worked out all the kinks," said Todd. "It took us five years to get it right."

Todd received solid reviews from several bikers who said they were able to easily go from one event to the next, all weekend long, and enjoy a wide variety of entertainment, including a fashion show, several live bands and even a chef who fed the crowd.

Rodney Tolleson was helping run his wife's niche business, Motorcycles for Women, Sunday afternoon.

This was the couple's first time working in Sebring and Tolleson said he'd visit again from the couple's home in Daytona next year.

"A majority of bikes are built for men who have more upper body strength," said Tolleson, "Men lift more with their shoulders and ladies use the strength in their hips."

The Christian Motorcycle Association was blessing bikes and riders. Jenny McMeans said this was the organization's third year visiting from Miami.

"We ask them if they need any special prayers for their family or friends," said McMeans. "and pray for a safe journey on the road. We ask for God's blessing."

Vendors Aron Silvernail and Catherine Mohr came form Port Charlotte to sell sausage sandwiches and cheese steaks.

This was their first time in Sebring, and they will be back.

"I like the downtown setup," said Mohr. "You can walk around like a real downtown - it's not a strip.

Seven-year-old Ronnie Eggen, III, proudly wore a red, white and blue bandana on his head. Father Ron Eggen, Jr. enjoyed showing his son and a friend around the Circle.

The 7- year-old is the next generation of Run to the Heartland riders and has ridden a dirt bike since he was 5 years old.

"This is loud," said Ronnie III. "But I like to watch bikes run."

Bill Rettew Jr. may be contacted at 386-5857 or wrettew@highlandstoday.com

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