Freedom Ride Aug. 8 benefits NH Police, Fire & EMS Foundation

MEREDITH — The 18th annual Police, Fire & EMS Ride will leave from Laconia Harley-Davidson this Saturday, Aug. 8, to raise awareness and funds for the NH Police, Fire & EMS Foundation. Registration begins at 9 a.m., with kickstands up at 10 a.m.

This year’s ride is supported by Red Knights Motorcycle Club, Black Sheep Harley-Davidsons for Christ (HDFC) Motorcycle Ministry, and Laconia Harley-Davidson.

Although the ride supports first responders, the event is open to anyone with a motorcycle or trike.

This year’s ride is called the “Freedom Ride,” in honor of America’s 250th anniversary, and midway pitstop in Freedom.

James Valiquet, director and chair of the NH Police, Fire & EMS Foundation, said the organization aims to “support police, fire and EMS personnel whose circumstances are catastrophic and beyond insurance coverage.”

“Every little bit helps. Since the foundation was created in 2006 and 2007 — I was president of the chief's association at the time — and we created the foundation, we have given out over $300,000 in support to policemen, firemen, EMS, dispatchers, and any emergency responder,” Valiquet said.

The foundation helps first responders deal with a variety of catastrophic situations, regularly helping support those struggling with cancer treatments.

“We've helped people who have lost their homes to fire. We currently have one who was shot in the line of duty responding in another community, and is having a challenge with recovery,” Valiquet said. “We assisted a suicide, to help the family, as the officer was the sole bread-winner in the family. So, we had to assist them with some help.”

Valiquet noted the foundation covers the state, from as far north as Berlin, to as far south as Nashua, assisting first responders in small towns and large cities to bridge the gap between what insurance covers.

The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available for anyone in crisis at 988, or visit 988lifeline.org for crisis chat services and resources.

The annual event — scheduled 9 a.m.-4 p.m. — is just one way the foundation raises funds to help first responders in need.

Motorcyclists can join the three-hour ride with a registration fee, with a smaller donation for passengers. Hamburgers and hot dogs are served at the conclusion of the event to riders, or available for purchase for spectators. All proceeds benefit the NH Police, Fire & EMS Foundation.

Shortly before riders depart, at 9:45 a.m., they will be briefed on safety matters. The annual motorcycle ride follows hand signals under American Motorcycle Association guidelines. Motorcyclists will ride in a staggered formation on the 96-mile route.

While stopped in Freedom, the group will take a 30-minute rest at the Freedom Public Safety Complex, where bathrooms will be available. Volunteers from the Red Knights Motorcycle Club NH Chapter 6 will meet riders there and hand out water and Gatorade.

The ride will weave motorcyclists north of the lake, then back down, and eventually arrive back at Laconia Harley-Davidson, after finishing their ride through Weirs Beach.

Sam Sherrill is vice president of the Red Knights Motorcycle Club NH Chapter 9, chair for Saturday’s ride, and a firefighter in Claremont. Sherrill said, over the 18 years of putting on the ride, they have only repeated the route about four times, aiming to mix it up every year, with differing scenic paths through the White Mountains, and surrounding towns.

Looking ahead, Sherrill said the weather is a huge determinant of rider turnout, although it will occur rain or shine.

“I'd be really stoked if we got between 40 to 60 motorcycles. I think our highest year ever we had 104 bikes, and around 130 registrants. I think with the lowest we've ever had for the ride event one year, it was pouring the morning of, pouring just before we started, stopped raining for most of the ride until we got to our halfway point, and then it opened up buckets again, and we had about 32 people,” Sherrill said. “So, it ranges significantly. Certainly, the last few years, we've had a little more consistency of attendees, and we've been regularly over 70 motorcycles the last four or five years, I'd say.”

“In all the charity rides I've ever attended, I think this ride certainly pulls in a significant amount of other ride clubs and organizations that get together to support this cause,” Sherill said.

Sometimes, the annual ride brings together up to 25 different riding clubs and organizations in support of the NH Police, Fire & EMS Foundation cause.

“It's a great day to support a great cause, and have a good opportunity to meet some new people and different groups of people,” Sherill said.