Bike rally begins Friday in Membertou
Four-day event expected to draw 1,000 bikers
As a clock on the Cape Breton Bike Rally’s website ticks down, the countdown is literally on for organizers of the event.
Organized by the non-profit Island Strong Motorcycle Association, the annual bike rally will begin Friday at noon and conclude Monday. For the first time, the event will be hosted in Membertou.
“We have a brand-new home base in Membertou,” said event chair Kerry MacLellan.“It’s easy access for everybody, it’s well within walking distance to most places in Sydney, so it’s an ideal venue.”
There will be a smudging ceremony for the bikes in Membertou at 6 p.m. on Friday, followed by a parade to the Big Fiddle, where a cannon will be fired to officially kick off the event.
MacLellan said they’re expecting approximately 1,000 motorcyclists from Cape Breton and across Canada to take part in the bike rally. And they will have lots to do over the fourday event.
“We have a pretty full schedule and there’s a little bit there for everybody,” said MacLellan. “We’re trying to make it a family-oriented thing so there’s stuff for kids too.”
The Cape Breton Bike Rally will feature guided rides to a number of island destinations including Baddeck, Iona, Louisbourg and around the Cabot Trail. The annual Storm the Fortress ride to the Fortress of Louisbourg will take place Sunday afternoon.
Other highlights of the event will include a pig roast, a car show, freestyle stunt shows
“We have a pretty full schedule and there’s a little bit there for everybody. We’re trying to make it a familyoriented thing so there’s stuff for kids too.” Kerry MacLellan, event chair
featuring local stunt bike rider Mike Morrison, and entertainment by local bands Road Kings, Full Circle, Three Mile Road, and Alter Ego.
“We wanted to keep as much local as we can so all our entertainment is local groups,” said MacLellan.
There will also be a vendor village set up outside of the Membertou and Trade Convention Centre throughout the bike rally.
MacLellan said organizing the rally is a volunteer effort, and approximately 40 volunteers will help ensure the event runs smoothly. The bike rally also supports a good cause.
“Any money that we do raise, our major charity is the patient care fund at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital so that’s who we support,” he said.
MacLellan said safety will be a top priority throughout the event.
“The general public should be aware that there’s going to be a lot of motorcycles on the road and to pay particular attention for them,” he said. “We don’t want to see anybody get hurt and we want the public to come out and enjoy it.”
For more information on the bike rally go online to www. capebretonbikerally.com. The event also has Facebook and Twitter accounts.