LYNCHBURG, Va. — Despite threat of rain and the thickest fog in recent memory settling on the Skyline drive, 40 intrepid riders gathered at Eagle Eyrie for the third annual Thunder in the Hills motorcycle rally sponsored by the Virginia Baptist Mission Board’s pastor-in-residence, Randy Ashcraft.
“This is the largest yet of our annual Thunder in the Hills. Our objective this year was to raise money for the Children’s Hospital of Roanoke with a ride from Eagle Eyrie down the Skyline Drive to Roanoke,” Ashcraft reported.
Bikers raised $1,400 for the Children’s Hospital of Roanoke during their ride. |
The three-day event was scheduled Sept. 28-30 and featured country music recording artist John Sines, Jr. who provided entertainment and inspiration. Sgt. Brian Thompson of the Alexandria (Va) police department’s motorcycle unit provided a demonstration of riding skills and emphasized motorcycle safety before the group left the conference center for their Saturday ride to Roanoke. The bikers raised a total of $1,400 for the children’s hospital. The hospital admits about 2,000 children a year and in its five outpatient clinics sees about 100 children a day. Their goal is to ease the anxiety of children by providing a child-friendly environment during their treatment.
“It’s a great thing when we can combine a passion for a hobby like motorcycle riding with benevolence for a children’s hospital and at the same time possibly reach for Christ some who have come to share the ride with us,” emphasized Kevin James, pastor of Salem Baptist Church of Sparta (Va.) who attended the rally with four other men from the church. But aside from the gift to the hospital and the ride, itself, the bikers universally praised the event for connecting them with other Christians (and pre-Christians) who share an interest in motorcycles.
Steve Lalk, pastor of Sandy Creek Baptist Church in Jetersville, and his wife, Sharon, rode their restored 1983 Honda Goldwing to the event. Showing obvious pride in his restoration work, he reflected, “What a great time to get away, meet new people with common interests and worship God in a setting as beautiful as Eagle Eyrie.”
Ashcraft, whose real passion is vintage MG automobiles, restored a 1978 Honda 550 four-cylinder which he rode with the group. Most bikers, however, prefer to ride newer cycles of all makes, although Harley-Davidsons predominate. Emphasizing the potential of the event, Ashcraft shared, “One guy who attended called me and said he is going to start a biker church.”
The dates for next year’s Thunder in the Hills have not yet been set.
Jim White (jwhite@religiousherald.org) is executive editor of the Religious Herald.