The 26th Autumn in Bonham Bike Rally is scheduled for September 22, 2012. The bikers will ride through beautiful scenery in Fannin County. The first ride begins at 8:30 am. The 14-mile family ride has been revised to go from the Complex to Bonham State Park. There will be a rest stop at the park, then they will ride back to the Complex. Some of the other routes south of town have been revised because of the road construction on highway 78. The 54-mile ride includes the famous Leonard hills; that is like riding a roller coaster! The 64-mile ride through Ivanhoe, Telephone, Mulberry, and Ravenna provides quiet and peaceful scenery for the riders. How do the riders know which roads to take? The Rotary Club puts the signs out the day before!
The Fannin County Multi-Purpose Complex opens at 6:00 a.m. the day of the bike rally. The Kiwanis Club directs parking when the riders arrive between 6:30-8:30 a.m. Registration is from 6:30-8:30 a.m. Also a continental breakfast is served from 6:30-8:30 a.m. by a group of volunteers. When the riders return to the Complex, coupons will be given for a free lunch from food vendors who are members of the Bonham Chamber. A lunch committee provides cold drinks at the Complex.
Each group of riders will be accompanied by 2 motorcycles: one leading the group and one following the last rider.
Rest stops are located about every 10 miles. Volunteers welcome the riders and serve fruit, cookies, water, and sport drinks. We have 14 rest stops. SAG wagons from Richardson Bike Mart assist the bikers as needed along the routes. The Fannin County Amateur Radio Club provides a link to the Complex at every rest stop. Two Radio Club members provide pick-up services for any bike riders who have a problem during the ride.
In order to keep the riders safe, corner marshals are provided by over 30 volunteers. Also, the Bonham Police Department and Sheriff deputies control traffic for the bikers downtown as they start on their ride. We especially appreciate the support of the law enforcement officials.
photos by Allen Rich