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There were many other philanthropic biker organ-
izations there to support the ride, including, but not
limited to, the Gold Coast Wheelers, Touring Elks,
Molochs, Saints MC, The Black Sheep, H.O.G., and
many other good-hearted folks. Local dealerships and
shops were generously donating as well, such as
Santa Maria Harley-Davidson, Gary Bang’s Harley-
Davidson, Mike Kaplan Cycles, and DC Cycles along
with local wineries, restaurants, merchants and indi-
viduals.
“Tex” Neeley, one of the most recognizable and
active volunteers, was responsible for a large percent-
age of the donated raffle prizes. Neeley enthusiastically
talked of past runs and the expectation of a formidable
ride next year for the 30th anniversary. He commented,
“It’s been a little slow this year collecting donations.
Our goal is to have enough prizes for everyone to go
home with something.”
Neeley described some of the prizes: a Blu-ray
video player, a 50" plasma television, bicycles for
the participating children and a potpourri of various
impressive prizes. Additionally, the committee was
able to set up a tri-tip barbecue, with the generous
help of the Optimist Club. For a mere $5 and an
unwrapped toy, one could ride the beautiful back
roads of San Luis Obispo County to the rustic Load-
ing Chute. There, a ride pin, music, food and drink were available to all. He
pointed out that all the toys collected would be distributed to San Luis Obispo
County and the northern portion of
Santa Barbara counties, keeping the
gifts within the community for dis-
tribution.
Although the event benefits
the local community, it didn’t keep
Alexis Neeley, Tex’s sister, from
coming up from San Diego just to
help out. Neeley has been volunteer-
ing since 1993. Her role has been to
help her brother collect the raffle
prizes and prepare the food for the
impending crowd.
Lisa Iversen, generous with her
time, had been preparing for Sunday
since the previous Saturday. Iversen
boasted she is known to sell the raffle
tickets “like a crazy woman.” Every
year she sets the goal of selling out of
the roll of tickets she carries around
by Molly “Triker Chick” Kight
AVILA BEACH, CALIF., DEC. 6—
Cold hands and warm hearts trickled
into the provincial town of Avila
Beach, California, at about 9 a.m.
Met with biting ocean winds and
crashing, murky waves, the
bikes complemented the sea’s
sounds with their steady rum-
blings into the township.
Despite the threat of
rain, in the face of
the frigid tempera-
ture, it was obvi-
ous that the 29th
annual SLO
County Toy Run
was going to be a
success, as it has
been since its incep-
tion in 1980.
Greeted by fragrant baked goods
and hot coffee for the chilled riders,
there were also greetings by the circu-
lating volunteers; recognizable in
their custom-made commemorative
T-shirts. Many bikes had the tradi-
tional teddy bears and dolls
strapped to the front forks, or
larger toys hitched to the back
seat, while at least one had a
pet cat onboard.
What’s that? A pet cat?
Kathy Boyd, on the ride
for the first time but by
no means an inexperi-
enced biker, brought
along her best furry
friend, Lightning the cat.
A member of her local
Touring Elks club, she
was urged to come with her
fellow riders. Naturally, she
brought her husband Doc and
the family pet—wouldn’t you?
BP
8 nFebruary 2010n
PDF
BP CR BP CP BH LF FINAL DMBLACKTR FR SK FIXED ___
29TH ANNUAL SLO COUNTY TOY RUN
Cold hands, warm hearts
Dedicated volunteers make sure kids have a good Christmas
Final destination: Loading Chute, Creston
Riders begin to gather at Avila Beach
See “SLO Toy Run” page 23, column 1
St. Bernard Duque
Barry Car
Riders r
the old w
bridge a
Main Str
Rawhide
TPW FEB10 100 pgs_layout 1/19/10 2:35 PM Page 8

2. like a canteen under her arm. Iversen
has over 20 years of participation
under her belt, 10 years of hands-on
volunteering and six of those joined
by her husband Bob Fiocca, who
commands the truck full of toys. It’s
not hard to believe her ticket-selling
claims. Iversen noted, “None of this
would be possible if it weren’t for
‘Saint Bernard,’ we call him, the
man who orchestrates and is the core
of the SLO County Toy Run.”
“Saint” Bernard Duque, owner
of Bernard’s H-D Specialty Cycles
in Oceano, California, was not the
originator of the run. Duque has
been a steady participant and devel-
oper of the run since 1997, first vol-
unteering in 1988. He credited the
originators, Bobby Hayhurst and
Fred Cunningham (who are no
longer with us), for generating the
event. The run was originally routed
from the locally well-known Light-
house, to Santa Margarita, to Pozo.
Terri, Duque’s wife, played a
significant leadership role until she
“volun-told” Duque he was needed
to team up with her in order to coor-
dinate the run. The duo kept it going
strong starting in 1997. Duque pre-
ferred to be a behind-the-scenes
man until they experienced a tragic
motorcycle accident in 2004. Terri
was left severely physically disabled,
and as a result, Bernard became a
more visible figurehead. Terri could
no longer be as physically present as
she once was. Adapting to the situa-
tion, the couple switched places, and
Terri became the “woman behind the
man of greatness.” Terri still con-
tributes her sharp wit, clever ideas
and positive attitude, stoking the fire
while Duque brings the fuel.
The town of Creston halfway
resembles a dusty town you’d see
in a Tarantino movie. The residents
looked forward to our arrival, many
people standing outside their homes
and businesses waving and taking
pictures while we parked our roaring
steeds across from the Loading Chute.
The toys were stacking up and
the crowd was buying tickets, ramp-
ing up for the raffle. After everyone
had eaten and the clouds began to
look like charcoal lambswool, Duque
decided it would be a good idea to
get the raffle going sooner rather
than later.
First, the children had their raf-
fle. They were thrilled to receive
bicycles and toys—none of them left
empty-handed. There were awards
for the best-dressed child, best-
dressed adult and best-dressed bike.
The raffle began and prizes were
doled out to the expectant crowd,
many winning multiple prizes.
The winds became bitter and the
sky spit a few times, but the diehard
ticket holders remained, hoping to
win the all-expense-paid trip along
the coast or the 50” flat screen TV.
In the end, everyone had a merry
time and the donations and raffle
tickets left a generous amount of
income to spread cheer among the
children of San Luis Obispo County
and Santa Barbara North.
It is surprising that this centrally-
located ride in California is not more
popular. The scenery is photogenic;
the location is smack dab on the
coast line between San Francisco
and Los Angeles. The consensus is
that this ride will continue to grow
as the word gets out, and people
familiarize themselves with the
beauty of the Central Coast.
Speaking with Duque afterwards,
he observed that the turnout was a
little down from the year before due
to the weather and perhaps the econ-
omy. Yet, there were still 1,021 meal
tickets used, not to mention the peo-
ple who chose not to eat. Toy collec-
tions were down as well, but Duque
believes next year’s 30th anniversary
ride will be the biggest yet, and will
involve a bit more publicity and
advertising.
“Saint Bernard” will begin work
on the 30th annual SLO County Toy
Run as the 29th winds down. By defi-
nition, a saint is, “A person of great
virtue, a founder, sponsor or patron,
as of a movement or organization.”
Duque has certainly earned his title. 4
SLO Toy Run
Continued from page 8
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23THUNDER PRESS
BP CR BP CP BH LF FINAL DM4/CTR FR SK FIXED ___
PDFPDF
DM
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MILWAUKEE, JAN. 6—It’s an unwritten rule in motorcycling culture to stop
for a distressed rider. Of course, rider ethics go well beyond the open road, as
motorcyclists often stop on the journey of life to help those in need—rider and
non-rider alike. In the spirit of that support, Harley-Davidson introduced a new
clothing line today designed to aid those touched by breast cancer.
The new Harley-Davidson Pink Label Collection was inspired by women
who have been affected by breast cancer and designed to provide them support
during their difficult ride. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of every Pink
Label Collection item will help fund the YourShoes 24/7 Support Center, which
is administered by the national non-profit Breast Cancer Network of Strength.
The YourShoes Center, which helped nearly 50,000 people in 2008 alone, is
staffed by breast cancer survivors who provide immediate emotional relief, at
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The Pink Label Collection was conceived and designed by the Harley-
Davidson Women’s MotorClothes Product Development and Design team.
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events who’ve been impacted by breast cancer,” said Kathy Whalen, Category
Manager, General Merchandise, Harley-Davidson. “We wanted to create some-
thing that honored their personal journey, as well as let them know that they
never have to ride alone.”
The Pink Label Collection comprises 12 of the most popular women’s
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To find out more about the Pink Label Collection, or purchase items from
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—Press release
HARLEY-DAVIDSON INTRODUCES NEW CLOTHING LINE
Supporting those touched by breast cancer
H-D forges partnership with Breast Cancer
Network of Strength
TPW FEB10 100 pgs_layout 1/19/10 9:14 AM Page 23