Hi-Line Living: Freedom, community and the ride

As the morning sun hung three-quarters up in the sky Saturday, downtown Havre was filled with the sound of motorcycles as the Seventh Annual Spring Opener Poker Run for Montana Wounded Warriors got underway.

"We all like to ride," Kindred Spirits President Randy Iverson of Shelby said. "It's fun to ride in a group, amazing how many people you get to know every year."

Montana Wounded Warriors uses funds raised, such as by the Eagle Riders Poker Run, to send Montana veterans wounded in combat on trips to hunt and fish in Montana.

The ride, which was hosted by the Havre Eagle Riders Club, began at the Tip It Bar where participants congregated and organized the first stretch of the ride through Havre, escorted by the Havre Police Department, through town. Participants also registered and received their poker hands, which would be added to at every stop along the ride and determine who won at the end of the ride.

Havre Eagle Riders President Heather Sinclair said that she was glad to see old and see faces participating in the ride and warned riders to be careful while on the road.

The opening ceremony of the ride started with a prayer and a poem by Sherrie Ball:

"I do not know your name, nor for which battle you died.

I do not know your name, nor the tears that you cried.

I do not know where you rest, nor the promises broken.

I do not know your uniform, nor your fears laid unspoken.

But, I know your spirit exists and that your courage is admired.

That your sacrifice is honored and that your death leaves us inspired.

I offer you from my heart and thank all guardians unknown,

For offering your life for all of us

That we may keep freedom - our home."

The Wounded Warrior Ride stretched across the Hi-Line, stopping at Spencer's Hi-Way Bar in Hingham, the Inverness Bar, and The Grand in Chester, then made stops in The Club in Fort Benton, Pep's Bar in Big Sandy and Northern Winz Casino.

At every stop, riders would get cold drinks, share stories and have the chance to win door prizes as well as have their envelope punched to show what cards they drew to finish their poker hand.

Biker life

For many bikers on the poker run, besides the feeling of freedom, the ride is about community, the - community within the motorcycle community and the community around them. Many motorcyclists are military veterans, members of law enforcement, firefighters, emergency medical technicians or have close ties with those groups and for many of the local motorcycle groups service is the top priority.

Mike Spencer, owner of Spencer's Hi-Way Bar in Hingham, said that his business has been supporting the ride every year since it started. He added that he enjoys participating with the ride and is a great part of the summer.

He used to ride with them until he sold his bike, he said. Over the years, it was the companionship he saw between the riders that stuck out to him, seeing all the people he has known and some of the newer faces all getting along together and sharing in the event.

Iverson said that he has been riding for 25 years. Organizations like the Eagle Riders and the Kindred Spirits raise money for the community and people in need, he said, and people may not always realize it. He added that the Kindred Spirits raises money for organizations or people in crisis, such as victims of abuse, people with medical bills or victims of house fires.

Organizations like the Kindred Spirits are in decline because the younger generation shows little interest in getting involved and people are not looking at the bigger picture of what the organization is all about, he said.

Iverson said events like the Wounded Warrior Ride are good because when people see a big group of motorcycles cruising down the highway they know the riders are out on their bikes raising money for a good cause.

He added it's also enjoyable for the riders to get to ride in a group and know the community.

It is a brotherhood between riders, he said. People who have never met before or are passing each other on the highway always greet each other, because riding is something which unites them.

One of his favorite things about riding is the smells, he said, adding that it's the same reason dogs like sticking their heads out the window. It's something that is different from anything else.

Havre Police Officer Brandon Olson said that he has been riding for the past 14 years, now on a 2019 Harley Davidson Street Glide Special.

"I've always enjoyed riding," he said, "the freedom and the wind going through my hair."

Events like the Wounded Warrior Ride is good for the communities, he said. He added that he enjoys being with like-minded people, others who enjoy the ride, and the camaraderie.

Olson said that it was his fifth year going on the ride.

He was always fascinated by motorcycles, Olson said, but his parents didn't ride themselves. Other family members had bikes and, growing up, he always wanted one himself.

Olson is also a member of the Iron Warriors, a nationally recognized motorcycle club formed in the 1980s. The club is made up of law enforcement, firefighters and emergency medical technicians, he said. It is a club of like-minded people who serve in the same field who like to ride, he said, adding that the organization also raises money for fallen officers' families and similar causes. Olson added that he has been in the organization for the past three years.

He said one of the best things about riding is a person never knows what is in store for them when they ride, adding that out of all his rides he has no single favorite memory, all of them being special to him.

Riding is about freedom, Olson said, the freedom of the open road.

"Coasting down the highway, listening to music, with the wind going by you," he said. "It doesn't matter what you're leaving behind, doesn't matter where you're heading to, you're having a good time."

Jerald Shepherd of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, said that it was his second year participating in the ride. He said he was introduced to the Wounded Warrior ride by his girlfriend, Gail McAlpine of Sunburst. He said that the ride is for a good cause, and he enjoys meeting the other riders and loves riding on a beautiful day.

He said that he got into motorcycles at a young age, after his older brother bought a mini-motorcycle for him and his other sibling. Ever since then he has been riding, now on a 2015 Harley Davidson Ultra Classic Limited.

"It's the only place you can really be free," he said.

He added that if his schedule permits him he would be happy to come again next year for the ride.

Bear Paw Warrior Creed Chapter President and American Bikers Aimed Toward Education Chapter Coordinator Bill Arvin of Havre said that he has been with the ride for the past five years. As a U.S. Army National Guard veteran himself, and the son of a WWII veteran, he is proud of being a part of the ride and remembering veterans who have died.

"Some of them sacrificed way too much," Arvin said. "We're free because people sacrificed to make us free, not because a bunch of legislators said it was OK."

As a member of Warrior Creed, members are able to be with other veterans, regardless of the branch they served in, he said. He added that civilians are also allowed to become members but the club stresses veterans. Veterans understand each other and understand the mentality of being in the armed forces.

"We have our own way of dealing with each other," he said.

Arvin said that he first got interested in riding after he saw his first motorcycle. He said he got a "wild hair" and when he had the chance later in life started riding. He didn't start on a dirtbike or a scooter, but got on a motorcycle and learned on the road.

"I already had learned what pain was before I started riding," he said. "It's the nature of the beast."

Motorcycles are dangerous but if the love is there, one has to accept it and be careful, he said.

He said his favorite part about any ride is riding, having time to think and listen to the sound of his motorcycle.

Lynn and Charlie Steinmetz of Havre said this was their first year riding in the Wounded Warrior Ride. They said that they first started riding four years ago and after hearing about the ride took the opportunity to participate.

Charlie Steinmetz said that they wanted to start riding after all of their children grew up and moved away.

Lynn Steinmetz added that she first bought a motorscooter, riding around down, but after her husband bought a Yamaha Stryker, she wanted to upgrade to a motorcycle as well. Her first bike was a Harley but she later got a Indian Scout.

She said her favorite part about riding is that it is relaxing for her.

"It's therapeutic," she said.

They said that they really enjoyed the ride and are interested in returning next year.

Tragedy struck the Wounded Warrior Ride during the leg of the run on State Highway 223, between Chester and Fort Benton. One motorcyclist crashed into another and both motorcyclists were taken to Northern Montana Hospital. One motorcyclist sustained a concussion and minor injuries, while the second sustained broken ribs, a punctured lung, damage to the wrist, collarbone and shoulder blade. It was the first crash in the seven years of the poker run.

The situation could have been a lot worst - many of those on the Wounded Warrior Ride were veterans and police who had EMT training, and acted as the first responders to the crash until the ambulance was able to arrive at the scene.

The motorcyclists were also wearing their protective equipment, which played a large roll in thier survival.  

Sinclair said that both motorcyclist are expected to recover - the second motorcyclist is recovering from surgery - and are in good spirits. She added that, everyone who participated in the Wounded Warrior Ride has reached out to the riders involved in the crash to wish them good spirits and a speedy recovery.

Sinclair said that people who participate in the ride are like family and carry that mentality with them where they go. It's about community, camaraderie and the ride, she said.

After thoughts

Iverson said that he has been riding bikes for a number of years and anyone who is interested, in getting a motorcycle should start on a smaller bike. A lot of people get a big bike with high horsepower to start but then scare themselves out of riding. Start with something small and learn how to ride, he said.

He added that he also suggests taking a riders, course, beginners course or the advanced course for more experienced riders. As a seasoned rider, he said, he is interested in taking the advanced course himself because any piece of information can make the difference between a safe ride or a crash.

Iverson said that the best piece of advice anyone ever gave him about riding was that when riders are at a stoplight or an intersection, they are invisible and, by understanding that other motorists may not see them, they have to be vigilant.

With the dangers of riding, it's the love of riding that gets them back on, he said. Something about the wide open air and the sound of an engine thundering down the road.

"It's fun to get out on the road and ride in the open air," Iverson said. "It's just, there is something about it that refreshes you and what I really enjoy is getting to meet people."