Kai Harwick is a 25-year-old Whatcom County firefighter. His colleague, John Nourse, is a 29-year-old police officer and former firefighter who was recently diagnosed with inoperable brain cancer. Kai, who is a motorcyclist, decided to do something to help his friend and colleague. So a couple of month ago he began organizing a poker run.

Kai established a non-profit to handle the money, recruited volunteers to help out, gathered prizes from local sponsors, planned the route, coordinated stops at other firehouses and promoted the event within the fire service community. All of Kai’s preparations came together last Saturday morning in the parking lot of Whatcom County Fire District 4, Station 12.

I arrived early to find Kai and his parents setting up registration tables. Coffee, bottled water, doughnuts, granola bars, and bananas were available for riders. I had a chance to talk to Kai briefly and he expressed some nervousness about the day’s event going well; hoping that he had planned well. He need not have worried.

When the group gathered in front of Station 12 for a photo, there were over 40 bikes lined up and the John Nourse Cancer Fund had collected $1000. Most of the riders where active or retired fire service members. Sport bikes, cruisers, dual sports and Gold Wings had all come together for a common cause.

The route took the group to firehouses in Whatcom and Skagit County. At the after party, held at the Ferndale Bob’s Burgers and Brews, I asked Kai how he think it went. He said that he had learned a lot and that there were a few things he will do differently next year. Seeing the results of Kai’s first effort, I have no doubt that next year’s event will be bigger and better.

You have made my life so much easier. No longer do I have to try to convince people that motorcyclists do not have death wishes and are, in fact, a safe and responsible bunch. You have finally revealed the truth for all to see: motorcyclists really are the irresponsible, reckless, speed-demons that the general public has always thought.

I am glad that a group of motorcyclists has finally stood up and let everyone know that the roads and highways are our personal playgrounds and that we don’t give a whit about the safety or convenience of others on the road.

Now that the truth has been revealed, I am sure the non-riding, voting public will simply quake with fear and tell their legislators to give us whatever we ask for. For example, I am sure that it will be no problem to get higher penalties for drivers who kill bikers and make sure that insurance coverage is available for injured riders.

Yep, after your masterful display, it should be no problem at all to convince drivers to treat us with courtesy respect.

So thanks I-5 stunters.

I love it when a ride benefits a local community member directly. Such is the case with a Charity Poker Run to be held Saturday, June 21 in Whatcom County. Proceeds from the ride will benefit the John Nourse Cancer Fund. John is a 29 year-old police officer and former Whatcom County firefighter. He was recently diagnosed with inoperable brain cancer.

Saturday’s ride will include stops at Whatcom and Skagit County fire stations. An after party will take place at Bob’s Burgers and Brew in Ferndale with ride participants receiving half-price burgers.

Registration is open from 9 to 11 am at Whatcom County Fire District 4, Station 12 located at 4142 Britton Loop Road in Bellingham (map).

More information is available here.