Harley riders take a test run to Best Friends
SUHOG members toured Best Friends on Saturday --- they’ll be back on Sept. 23.

Last Saturday, 15 members of the Southern Utah Harley Owners’ Group thundered into Best Friends Animal Sanctuary welcome center for a tour. It didn’t really matter to them they’d be visiting the sanctuary anyway on Sept. 23 for the Bikers For Best Friends Poker Run --- they could easily tour the site then --- any excuse for a joy ride will do.

Except because of the heavy rains on Saturday, many didn’t ride their bikes, choosing to ride in the enclosed, dry comfort of a truck or automobile. So why come at all, especially when you’re talking about taking a 90-mile trip one-way from St. George?

The general consensus was, “Why not? Let’s see the animals!”

Once they arrived, the group piled into one of the Best Friends vans and took the 90-minute tour featuring the majesty of Angel Canyon as well as close encounters with the resident horses, sheep, goats, donkeys, dogs, cats, birds and more. A few riders had visited before, but, as one SUHOG member put it, “Every time is like seeing it for the first time.”

Cheryl and Ed Berry took the trip because they can’t participate in the Poker Run --- they’ll be busy that day helping out at the Zion Harley-Davidson dealership, the start and end site of the event.

“Best Friends is an amazing place,” Cheryl commented. “What I can’t get over is how well-cared for the animals are. This is really awesome.”

Don Mosier had never taken the Best Friends tour, but he’s placed several animals in the sanctuary. As an ex-law enforcement member, he found himself frequently face-to-face with hurt or abandoned animals who needed care. Once, he brought an injured eagle to Best Friends from Panguitch. After the tour, he said, “I want to come back as a dog or cat and live here. The animals really have it made.”

Don Chartel made it a point to visit on Saturday because he’s coordinating the Bikers For Best Friends ride with Best Friends Biker, Ross Hartill.

“I wanted to get a feel for what we’d be experiencing that day,” said Don. “It’s going to be a beautiful ride.”

Bikers For Best Friends originates at the Zion Harley-Davidson dealership, goes through Zion National Park and heads straight south on Highway 89 to Best Friends. There a Pasta Extravaganza lunch will be served; opportunities to view the sanctuary (again!) will be available. After lunch, the ride continues through Fredonia, up Highway 389, finishing at the Zion Harley-Davidson dealership.

Ross, a new member to SUHOG, said he was pleased to see so many members of the organization sign up for the Bikers For Best Friends Poker Run. This marks the inaugural launch for what Ross hopes will become an annual event.

“The members of Southern Utah Harley Dealers Owners Group have been incredibly supportive and appreciative for all that we do for the animals here at Best Friends,” said Ross. “I was so impressed that the group visited us especially since the weather was not cooperating. But they just jumped in their cars to come and visit with us.”

The Biker’s For Best Friends Poker Run will take place on Sept. 23. Riders will leave from the Zion Harley-Davidson dealership between 10 and noon; lunch will be served at Best Friends between noon and 1:30. The ride will end around 3 p.m. at the Zion Harley-Davidson dealership, in time to see the roll-out of the 2007 Harley models. A live band will be on site to entertain. Raffle prizes will be drawn at 3 p.m.; one winner will receive a two-night stay for two at The Cottages at Best Friends.

The event costs $30 which includes registration, event pin, the Pasta Extravaganza lunch and a “goody-bag” from Best Friends. Limited event T-shirts will also be on sale from Zion Harley-Davidson. All proceeds from the event will benefit local animal rescues and shelters. There will also be an adoption event set up at the Zion Harley-Davidson dealership.

For more information, to join Bikers For Best Friends or to pre-register for the Bikers For Best Friends Poker Run, long onto http://www.bikersforbestfriends.org.

Written by Amy Abern