A Reason to Ride

May 26, 2022

By Keaton Maisano

Despite snow, rain, hail, sleet and temperatures in the 30s for majority of the daylong, 1,000-mile ride, the riders that participated in the 2022 Iron Knights Iron Butt Ride left the experience with warm hearts and teary eyes.

While shaken from the brutal weather during the ride — which began in Savannah, Ga., traveled up to Kentucky and ended at the Shriners Hospital for Children in Greenville, S.C. — the riders were welcomed to the hospital by Alice, a 4-year-old with scoliosis who had spent the last 93 days in the hospital. Alice wanted to be there when the riders arrived to thank them for the money they were raising for the hospital.

“She was very articulate,” said Doug Hamsher, who participates in the ride every year. “It was pretty special, and a great experience. I think it touched everyone’s heart a little bit when she was there.”

This year marked the 10th running of the Iron Knights Iron Butt Ride — which has raised more than $267,000 for Shriners Hospitals over the years — and the $19,174.71 raised in 2022 went toward the Motion Analysis Center at the Shriners Hospital for Children in Greenville.

Those interested in the 2023 ride can email Hamsher at hamsher@aol.com.