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The Carolinas’ Full Throttle Magazine
3rd Annual Pop The Clutch Ride
By: Chip Long On Saturday, June 14th, while our nation’s flag and US. Army celebrated a birthday and golfers flocked to Southern Pines for the US Open, another local annual tradition took place in the Sand Hills of North Carolina. At high noon, the 3rd Annual Pop The Clutch Ride rolled out of Dave’s Place in Aberdeen with approximately 60 riders roaring south bound on US 1. A stop at Broad Street Bar and Grill in Southern Pines added still more riders. Then the group made its way to the West End Cemetery in Aberdeen to pay respects to a fallen brother. Meanwhile, back at the Bikers and Friends With Helping Hands clubhouse, venders set to work preparing for the eventual arrival of the riders that numbered around 80 when they made it back. Everything from helmets to smoothies could be purchased on vendor’s row, and music from several different live bands such as Tony Barnes, Un Sung, Positive Friction, Chicken Plant Road, and Ella filled the air until well after dark. Eventually, as often happens in these situations, someone decided to try their luck on the burnout pit and several more folks thought they could do a little better than the last guy much to the pleasure of the crowd that formed up to watch and cheer on their favorite. At the end of the night a lot of great people got together to have a good time and support a worthy cause, which is so often the way of bikers. David Curlee (AKA Curlee) realized this back in 2011 when he was faced with a serious His wife 4624 Bragg Blvd. Fayetteville, NC problem. had fallen ill and Home Of The Gypsy Women there were going to be immense medith cal bills. His friends came together and created a benefit run for his family. That’s how Bikers and Friends With Helping Hands began. Curlee realized that there Registration 2-4pm is a great need in Bring School Supplies or Donation our community for help. He gathered For More Info Contact Legends Pub his friends, whether they ride or not, and created an organiLegends Is A Next Door To zation that is still Private Club Hot Hog Leather http://groups.yahoo.com/group/legendspub/ going strong today!
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Throughout the years, Curlee recognized that this was not just a hobby with friends to pass the time, but a worthy gift to the community and he made it a non-profit organization in order to give the most help to the most people. Each year Bikers and Friends With Helping Hands host a benefit ride called Pop The Clutch. This is held to honor the organization’s fallen brothers. All the funds raised go to those families. This year there were approximately 80 bikes present, which had risen from approximately 50 from last year. The group has done things like hosting motorcycle rides as fundraisers for people in need, such as for a funeral or medical fees or even to help out with electrical bills. One year, fans were collected to give to those in the community who didn’t have air conditioning. Bikers and Friends With Helping Hands have raised money to go towards a guide dog to help a young lady and the list goes on and on. The mission of Bikers and Friends With Helping Hands is “to make a positive impact in our community by providing for others when needed and supporting committed volunteers who will work diligently to help others. Bikers and Friends With Helping Hands promote understanding and respect to ensure a positive and thriving community.” The cool thing about Bikers and Friends With Helping Hands is that they don’t forget that there are other organizations that are doing good things, too. When there is a run being held, you can bet that Bikers and Friends With Helping Hands will be there to support it! The money we raise for Pop The Clutch usually goes to the Fallen Brother’s favorite charity. Cameron Boys Home has received a lot of donations from the organization in the past few years thru Danny Puckett, who was Curlee’s first fallen brother. I hope this event becomes an enduring part of the Sand Hills biker tradition. It’s off to a strong start.