Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/738714
42 nNovember 2016n www.thunderpress.net THUNDER PRESS by Marilyn DeMartini FARMINGTON, CONN., AUG. 18–25—"Inspiration" is a word that is repeatedly heard at the Dream Ride— from riders, sponsors, and Special Olympics athletes around whom the Dream Ride revolves. With 16 years under its belt, it can be a challenge to keep making an event bigger and bet- ter, but inspiration to meet challenges is the very core of this event. Each Special Olympics athlete and every other benefi ciary of The Hometown Foundation's supported charities faces challenges every day, so taking steps to overcome issues and grow the event are part of the Dream Ride DNA. Michael A. Bozzuto, president and CEO of Bozzuto's Inc., a leading gro- cery industry supplier, started the event as a charity ride with a few friends. Bozzuto laughs that he works harder on the Dream Ride than he does at his business. But his business is intrinsi- cally involved and his staff works 52 weeks per year on the preparation and staging of the Dream Ride—it is part of their DNA. A few Florida summer showers couldn't dampen the spirits of the 43 riders and a group from Palm Beach H.O.G. who decided to join on the Florida-to-Connecticut Rally fi rst leg. We exited PGA National Resort to the beat of a marching band, with the cheers of athletes and an escort from the Palm Beach County Sheriff. Pulling into small towns in Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia and Pennsylvania en route to Connecticut is heartwarming as the cheering, sign-waving Special Olympics athletes, their coaches and families are waiting in awe as we pull in to meet them. And this is where bikers turn to mush. When we get to put a medal around their necks and get the reciprocal giant hug, tears fl ow, smiles get bigger and friendships that build year to year are forged. There is an emotional connection that happens in that moment, and many call it life changing. We see athletes as people with whom we can relate and they see us as their long-lost friends who are coming to celebrate them and what they have achieved. This Dream Ride magic keeps people coming back. New Hampshire H.O.G. member Artie Desrochiers explained, "We've all done a lot of charity rides. You do the ride and you go home. The Dream Ride is different—you are blown away. You talk to the athletes on a personal level, you become friends with them—tears are fl y- ing." Desrochiers related how he took an athlete on the Sunday afternoon Dream Ride through the countryside of Farmington, gave the athlete a leather vest and the athlete in turn gave him one of his gold med- als. That is an honor that some of us will cherish forever—athletes sharing their hard-earned prizes with us as thanks. Artie's athlete friend works at a grocery store and his employer said something happened to him that week- end. He wore the vest every day and he walked taller, prouder and seemed more confi dent. Seeing that kind of change in the athletes we meet is moti- vation to keep riding and supporting. That "something" was echoed by seven members of the Ocean State H.O.G. Chapter, who all decided to do the ride after hearing Larry "LJ" Jedrey, a Boston-area cop on his third Dream Ride, speak at a H.O.G. meet- ing. LJ, a member of the Enforcers Motorcycle Club, had also spoken at the national Enforcers meeting where his teary account of riding for his ath- lete friend Bobby (who sadly passed last year) brought other members of the club to participate along the route. Bozzuto, moved by Jedrey's story three years ago, arranged for Bobby's travel to the Dream Ride as he does for hundreds of athletes so they can all join together to feel the Dream Ride Experience—a three-day event that includes so many parties, events, car and bike rides, shows and other enter- tainment, that it is easy to get lost in the blur. The Dream Ride offers scenic routes and beautiful destinations. Florida riding in August is hot, steamy and straight, but on the second day, sweeping turns appear and Georgia pines create shaded sloping turns. Small, charming towns come into THE DREAM RIDE Inspiration on wheels Bozzuto's Inc. and friends support Special Olympics athletes Making dreams come true (L.–r.) Lizz Egan, Marilyn DeMartini, Brandy Moss, Karol Knapp and Rebecca Kaufman in front of the iconic fi replace at Copperhead Lodge See "Drean Ride," page 67, column 1