December 5, 2011
Christmas is bearing down upon us like a runaway freight train, and with it comes all the commitments, events and parties as the big day approaches. One of the biggest events in our area is the annual Olympia Toy Run, held on the first Saturday in December every year.
The Olympia Toy Run started in 1977 with 27 riders, collecting about 50 toys. A coalition of people from local bike clubs took over in 1994, and the ride continued to grow year by year. In 2001, the coalition decided to keep a count of attendees and donations, and despite cold, wet, windy weather, they had 1500 bikes, received 1400 toys, and over $1600 was donated to the Salvation Army. The growth continued and in 2007, on the 30th anniversary of the Toy Run, donations hit $70,000: $60,000 in toys and $10,000 in cash---despite the snow! Last year (2010) was clear and cold out, and saw over 17,000 bikes of all kinds participate---raising over $230,000 in toys and donations for the Salvation Army. This year’s attendance and donations are still being counted, but I can tell you there were more bikes and riders than last year---initial estimates are nearing 20,000 bikes and over $260,000 in donations.
Christmas is bearing down upon us like a runaway freight train, and with it comes all the commitments, events and parties as the big day approaches. One of the biggest events in our area is the annual Olympia Toy Run, held on the first Saturday in December every year.
The Olympia Toy Run started in 1977 with 27 riders, collecting about 50 toys. A coalition of people from local bike clubs took over in 1994, and the ride continued to grow year by year. In 2001, the coalition decided to keep a count of attendees and donations, and despite cold, wet, windy weather, they had 1500 bikes, received 1400 toys, and over $1600 was donated to the Salvation Army. The growth continued and in 2007, on the 30th anniversary of the Toy Run, donations hit $70,000: $60,000 in toys and $10,000 in cash---despite the snow! Last year (2010) was clear and cold out, and saw over 17,000 bikes of all kinds participate---raising over $230,000 in toys and donations for the Salvation Army. This year’s attendance and donations are still being counted, but I can tell you there were more bikes and riders than last year---initial estimates are nearing 20,000 bikes and over $260,000 in donations.
MY TRUCK IS A POPSICLE!
Local media coverage pretty much sucks, in spite of this being one of the largest events in the Olympia area all year, as well as the largest toy run in the state and possibly the Northwest. (The local paper published two – count ‘em –TWO photos). And, this past Saturday was no exception. In years’ past we have had rain, snow, bitter cold, and everything in between. This year, freezing temps and fog greeted me as I got suited up to ride over to meet friends at Urban Custom Bikes in Fife for the ride to Olympia. I’ve said it before, and likely will say it again, Thank God for my heated gear! Despite the 29 degree temperature, the roads were bare and dry and the ride to Fife was easy. Once at the shop, we saw Bob, who was seriously injured at last year’s Toy Run when a cage blasted him off his bike, landing him in the hospital for most of the first part of this year. After a miraculous recovery, Bob purchased a new bike, and the gang at Urban did their magic in making it a custom ride…just in time for Bob to hit the road with us and ride the Toy Run again this year!
BOB (& JESSICA FROM URBAN CUSTOM BIKES)
BOB'S NEW RIDE: BACK IN BLACK!
We rolled into the parking lot at South Sound Center a little after 11am, and the sun was trying its damnedest to break through the gloom and fog. The lot was already pretty full, and the Tenino Drill Team and Seattle Cossacks were entertaining the crowd. Bikes continued to roll in, and at 1pm the first riders headed out toward downtown Olympia.
Now, I gotta tell ya, this is a sight to behold. If you live in Western Washington, and have never seen the Olympia Toy Run, you need to. All along the length of the 5 mile route, people are lined up along the roadside, waving and cheering the riders on.
Now, I gotta tell ya, this is a sight to behold. If you live in Western Washington, and have never seen the Olympia Toy Run, you need to. All along the length of the 5 mile route, people are lined up along the roadside, waving and cheering the riders on.
TOY RUN ROUTE
A FEW OF OUR FRIENDS...
NEAR MARATHON PARK
The ride ends at Marathon Park along the edge of Capitol Lake in downtown Olympia, and bikes are parked along both sides of the roadway while riders drop off their donations and watch the assortment of bikes roll past. We hung out for awhile after dropping off our toys, then headed up I-5 toward home at about 3pm.
I know many cities and clubs do Toy Runs, and bikers will always step up to help kids in need. I want to say thanks to “Santa” Joe Sullivan and all the members of the Olympia Toy Run coalition for putting so much of themselves into this event.
I know many cities and clubs do Toy Runs, and bikers will always step up to help kids in need. I want to say thanks to “Santa” Joe Sullivan and all the members of the Olympia Toy Run coalition for putting so much of themselves into this event.
"SANTA" JOE SULLIVAN