Organizers of the first Kingdom Thunder Rally at the Cedarwood Resort in Jay, August 27 through 29, are hoping this year’s success stimulates motorcycling in the Northeast Kingdom and encourages riders to return for next year’s rally. Their goal is to have an annual northern Vermont event.

“The response was very enthusiastic,” said Phil White, one of the event organizers. “People felt very welcome at the Cedarwood Resort.”

White hopes riders will return throughout the season to ride the Northeast Kingdom. “The roads have less traffic than most of the folks are used to,” he said. “We’re hoping the event provides a catalyst for folks to come and ride up here.”

Seventy-six bikes with one-hundred-and-ten riders rode in the Kingdom Thunder guided tour from Jay through Newport, Island Pond, Burke and Willoughby Gap and back, on Saturday. Other riders opted to ride on a self-guide tour laid out by event organizers. In all, the rally drew 250 participants from New England, New York, New Jersey and Virginia for riding, music and fund raising for the Health Changes Initiative.

Gary Parenteau, West Field VT, 1994 FXSTC

The Health Changes Initiative is a discounted exercise program for people suffering from chronic conditions like diabetes, obesity, heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis and cancer. Indoor Recreation Orleans County (IROC), a 54,000 square foot sports and recreation center in Derby VT, runs the program. IROC provides swimming, tennis, running and fitness classes to the residents of Orleans County. The facility current has 6,500 regular users.

White estimates the rally raised several thousand dollars from rider registration fees for the program. The Robin’s Roost in Westmore VT – the lunch stop on the guided tour -- spontaneously donated all proceeds from the lunch to the cause.

“It’s a great program. It’s wonderful when you can see the changes it makes in people’s lives,” White said.

In addition to riding, the rally also featured music. The Bus Drivers played at D’Cotas Lounge on Friday night. Illusionary Life Line played Saturday afternoon and Southern Comfort, from Connecticut, played Saturday night.

White said the organizing committee was very satisfied with turn out for the event. “It was good to see that level of support,” he said. The committee set August 26 to 28, 2011 as next year’s dates and has already begun planning.

Resources

• Official Kingdom Thunder Photos
• Cedarwood Resort
• Indoor Recreation Orleans County

Kingdom Thunder guide loop route

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