Ron Cavill, an investment advisor from Genesee, wants to make some noise on the Fourth of July. So he'll hop on his purple 1500cc Kawasaki Vulcan Nomad and join hundreds of friends and fellow motorheads as they roll into the second annual Liberty Ride n' Rod. Participants, who pay $10 each for the privilege, will start gathering at 10 a.m. today at the main gate of Coors Brewery, 12th and Ford streets in Golden.
"We wanted to rally people and give them something to do on the Fourth," says Cavill, who organizes the Sons of Italy-New Generation/Freedom Harley-Davidson event, which benefits Ronald McDonald House.
At 11 a.m., after the riders have had some non-alcoholic refreshments, they'll parade to the Pepsi Center parking lot in Denver. But the length of the ride -- and the lack of scenery -- doesn't matter. "It's the party that we're going to," Cavill explains. At the Pepsi Center, participants will cruise by a bandstand bearing live performers, and they'll circle a display of classic hot rods.
The public is invited to stop by and see the hot rods and the riders, as well as to buy some of the food vendors' offerings -- a key ingredient of the day. "If the guys I ride with have to go for more than twenty minutes without something to eat, they get cranky," Cavill says. In addition to the music, grub and cars, highlights include a riding exhibition by the Blue Knights Law Enforcement motorcycle club, a bike auction and prizes.
The fun wraps up at 3 p.m., leaving plenty of time for participants to make their way to other patriotic happenings around town. For more information, call 303-861-1754 or visit www.libertyridenrod.org. -- Ernie Tucker
Patriotic Feet
Sprint for freedom today at the 4th of July Liberty Run: Exercise Your Rights, a four-mile run and one-mile walk through Washington Park that's sponsored by the American Civil Liberties Union Foundation of Colorado. "We like to think that we're a patriotic organization. We work hard to uphold the rights guaranteed under the United States Constitution," says John Aden, manager of communications and development for Colorado's ACLU chapter. "This is a great way to celebrate our efforts, as well as our nation's independence."
The pet- and family-friendly event will kick off at 8 a.m.; race fees are $20 in advance or $25 the day of the race. Each participant gets a T-shirt. Following the race, a Colonial-era re-enactment will help celebrate Independence Day; food, massage booths and live entertainment will also be available.
"We're really hoping to get a lot of families out," says Aden. "It's the perfect way to start off your holiday weekend."
Proceeds benefit the ACLU Foundation of Colorado. For more information, visit www.aclu-co.org and click on the Liberty Run logo. -- Julie Dunn
Liberty Run benefits the ACLU
