Motorcycle games highlight Saturday Bikerfest
By Nathan Straus News Reporter

Nathan Straus Photo Stephanie Smith tries to catch a tossed water balloon while husband Robert holds the bike steady during one of many events at Bikerfest.

Area bikers and onlookers gathered at Union Hill Baptist Church Saturday, September 8, to witness the first ever Saturday Bikerfest. The event, a collection of games, vendors and worship, began close to 11 am, though people gathered as early as 10.

Bill Hamilton, pastor at Union Hill Baptist Church, said though this was the first Bikerfest to happen on Saturday, it began three years ago.

"We used to do Bikerfest on Sundays after worship," Hamilton said.

Bikerfest featured games played entirely on motorcycles. Hamilton said some of the games included having a passenger throw a water balloon over a bar and catch it on the way down, all while the motorcycle drives under the bar.

Another game was the slow race.

"The motorcycles start sideby side and race across 50 yards," Hamilton stated. "The first to cross the finish line loses, and you can't put your foot down or stop. It's a test of balancing skill on a bike."

Other games included a motorcycle carburetor toss and a game where a passenger would have to pick tennis balls off of a traffic cone as the motorcycle moves past, then put them back on.

The winner of each game received a plaque, Hamilton added. The competition lasted till some time after noon.

There was food available for riders and spectators, Hamilton said. There were also several vendors selling jewelry, t-shirts, and other miscellaneous items.

Bill Hamilton is president of the Wheels of Mercy, a motorcycle ministry.

Ray Moore, a member of Wheels of Mercy, said the ministry started in February, 2005.

"A number of members of our church joined Harvest Time Riders, an Athens chapter of Circuit Riders," Moore, who goes by the nickname "Redbeard", said. "The International Circuit Riders president asked Union Hill to start a chapter."

Wheels of Mercy was born.

Circuit Riders is a sort of bikers ' club based in Louisiana. Moore said Circuit Riders has 33 chapters in America.

Hamilton said the turnout looked good on Saturday.

"I don't know how many people we have, but it looks like we've got a pretty good crowd," Hamilton said during Bikerfest.