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Hundreds of bikers back the blue in Gaston County ride

Gaston Gazette - 9/26/2020

Johnny Mitchell says it hurts him to see the lack of respect given to police officers these days.

Mitchell, 78, admits that the general perception of police officers is not good in the wake of several police brutality and violence incidents this summer that has sparked protests and social unrest across the country.

"There's two bad apples in any group, in any organization, but I will tell you, it's a shame it's going this way," said Mitchell, an Air Force veteran. "It hurts. I spent 21 years in the military and it really hurts to see disrespect to police officers and first responders all. There's no need for that."

On Saturday, Mitchell drove his 2008 Honda Gold Wing trike from Salisbury to participate in the inaugural Bikers Back the Blue Gaston Charity Ride.

Mitchell, who has over 150,000 miles on his bike and just finished a 6,000-mile trip, said he would have driven twice as far to take part.

"I always back the blue," Mitchell said. "In fact, every time I pass a police officer I give them the thumbs-up."

Cramerton resident Tim Bobo, who along with his wife, Kellie, organized Saturday's ride along with Debbie and Tom Miller, from Alexis.

Bobo said when they first started talking in August about holding the event, they were expecting maybe 50 participants. Near the start of Saturday morning's ride, about half of the front parking lot at the Eastridge Mall, the starting point, was full and there were more than 500 bikers.

The riders traveled a 40-mile loop along New Hope and Union roads through the Crowders Mountain area and back down Franklin Boulevard to the mall. At the end, riders were treated to a meal donated by several local businesses. The riders were escorted by officers with the Gastonia Police and Gaston County Sheriff's Office.

The Millers have been riding for about four years now and got the idea for a Gaston County ride when they took part in a similar event in South Carolina.

Debbie Miller said they were also compelled to show their support in the wake of the racial unrest in Gastonia this summer following a trespassing arrest of a Black woman in the parking lot of Tony's Ice Cream. The incident sparked several nights of protests that saw large gatherings outside the restaurant, the Gaston County Courthouse and in front of the Gastonia Police Department.

"We felt like in our community, in any community, there's good and bad police, but 99 percent of them is good and we want to show them people really do support them," Bobo said.

Rick Hadley, who was on his 2018 Indian Chieftain, has a police officer as a neighbor in his Gastonia neighborhood. He was impressed with the large turnout.

"I haven't seen this big of a turnout at an event in North Carolina in a long time," he said. "It's a good cause. So many people donated. Hopefully we can do it again next year with more bikes and more money for the local charities."

Riders paid $10 to participate and raffle tickets were sold for $1 apiece. Organizers also raised some $5,000 in corporate sponsorships. The money raised from Saturday's event will go to charities that the Gastonia and Gaston County police departments support.

The large support didn't surprise Bobo, who is well-versed with motorcycle enthusiasts as he's been riding for more than 10 years and takes part in a number of charity rides similar to Saturday's.

"They're mostly easy-going people and everybody loves their community," he said. "They stand by the community and they're out to help the community."

Sabrina Hadley, of Hiddenite, was also among those taking part with her Honda Gold Wing trike. She's put 4,400 miles on the bike since buying it on July 31. She was happy to add some more miles to show her support.

"I think it's important for police to know that there are people who back them and we stand behind them," Hadley said. "They've got a lot of bad rap, but they do more good than harm. One bad apple can spoil the whole bunch."

Todd McLain, who is also from Hiddenite, has a cousin who served as chief of police in a township in Pennsylvania. He rode his Honda Gold Wing in support of the blue.

"If you don't break the law, you won't be in trouble with them," he said. "If you obey their commands, chances are you'll come out alive."

You can reach Michael Banks at 704-869-1842, email mbanks@gastongazette.com and follow on Twitter @MichaelBanksNC.

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