The Settlers Ridge Mall in Smiths Falls was buried in smoke on Saturday, July 6 during the third annual Rideau Rendezvous motorcycle rally, which saw just under 200 bikes burnout in an attempt to beat a Guinness World Record.
The majority of riders were female, helping raise funds and awareness through the burnout contest for women’s shelters across Ontario and Quebec.
Women’s riding clubs from across Canada came out, including members from Men’s Ruin WRC who rode in from Winnipeg, Manitoba. Shelley Corbel, Melanie MacDonald and Courtney Kelland rode in memory of their friend, Jaxx.
It cost more than $10,000 to have a Guinness representative present to oversee the burnout. The record, which saw 300 riders burning out simultaneously in 2015, was unfortunately not beat this year, but the riders sure made a statement with their smoke show.
The event also took riders on a two-hour, 173 kilometre fundraising Charity Ride for Canadian Tire’s Jumpstart program from Smiths Falls to Frontenac and back. The ride raised $1,420 for Jumpstart, which will enable 14 kids to play sports.
Organizer John Maloney said more than 8,000 people came to town for the rally, which took over the Railway Museum with a motorcycle show and shine, live music, vendors, motorcycle games and more.
Ruffians motorcycle club from Ottawa was among the many clubs represented at the rally.
Maloney said the turnout is always a great boost to the local economy.
“These people spend a lot of money while they’re in town, because none of them packed a lunch, the campgrounds are full, the hotels are full … it’s really nice seeing this kind of event happen here,” he said.
The rally was sponsored by Pace Law Firm’s motorcycle division, which helps riders when they’ve been in an accident.
“Actually, they help anybody who’s been in an accident,” said Maloney, “and they’re accident survivors themselves.”
Maloney said the community came together to support the event this year, with Chris Saumure offering up the Settlers Ridge Mall parking lot for the burnout contest, Cavanagh Construction donating about $10,000 worth of concrete, and Campbell’s Trucking delivering picnic tables from the Lombardy Fairgrounds.
Leona Davies from Dollz by Dezign charity motorcycle group was also a lead organizer of the event.
“It’s a great event put on by great people, it really didn’t cost the town any money, and it raised money for charity,” said Maloney.
To learn more about the event, visit www.rideaurendezvous.ca