Philly-area friends fly to Utah, rent bikes, but get rained out

By John Polis, Best Friends Public Relations Manager

While the rain washed out the Bikers for Best Friends run through Zion National Park Saturday, it didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of six Philadelphia-area residents, who traveled an exceptionally long distance to help the animals.

Leslie Briley, her husband, Bill, and four friends flew to Las Vegas and made their way to St. George where they had rented motorcycles from Zion Harley-Davidson. The Brileys, along with friends Mary Prietz, Jeff Gill, Connie Smith and Steve Murray, hail from Chester County, just outside Philadelphia.

“I’ve always been a big supporter of Best Friends,” said Leslie, surrounded by approximately 100 riders socializing at the Zion dealership while the rain poured outside. “I get the newsletter and the magazine, and I read them both cover to cover. I just think Best Friends is a great cause and I love the whole idea of everything they do, including the Pets Alive rescue, the work at Katrina, and the cat rescue in Pahrump.”

She admitted that the three ladies are the primary Best Friends supporters, and that on this trip, the “girls” were pretty much calling the shots. But it was Leslie’s husband’s love of motorcycles that convinced her and her two friends to take a motorcycle safety class and eventually get their own bikes.

The group’s fascination with Harleys stems partly from residing not far from York, Pa., where the company’s largest manufacturing location, which employs 3,200, is located.

“I couldn’t understand what was so special about a Harley,” Leslie offered. “So I went for a test drive on one of their low-rider models. By the time my test drive was finished, I got it.”

A manufacturer’s rep for Weber grills in Pennsylvania, Leslie said that despite the rain-out, they were delighted with their trip, which included staying at a local bed-and-breakfast in Kanab and a visit to the sanctuary.

“It worked out great,” she said. “Despite the rain today, we were able to get in three good days of riding in. We’re having a great time.”