2014 Weekend Motorcycle Rally and 15th Annual “Nelson’s Ride”
Friday, August 15th through Sunday, August 17th, 2014
At The Topsfield Fairgrounds in Topsfield, MA

All tickets and merch will be available for sale at the Rally on August 15th, 16th and 17th, including donations for attendance on Friday, Saturday, and/or Sunday, Rally T-Shirts, Survivors’ Fund Raffle Tickets, and Pancake Breakfast tickets for Sunday.

Click here for all the available details on our Facebook Event Page for “Bikers Helping Bikers 2014 Weekend Motorcycle Rally 8/15-8/17“.

JANUARY 9TH, 2014 NEWS RELEASE RE: 15TH ANNUAL NELSON’S RIDE

(Topsfield, MA) The 15th annual “Nelson’s Ride” will wrap-up a 3-day “Bikers Helping Bikers” weekend motorcycle rally and fundraiser, running from August 15th through the 17th at the historic Topsfield Fairgrounds, announced Paul W. Cote of Amesbury, president and co-founder of the Massachusetts Motorcyclists Survivor’s Fund, Inc. (MMSF). (continued below)

“Since the year 2000, with the tragic death of Nelson Selig of Essex MA, motorcyclists and the local community have developed a significantly increased sense of awareness and importance of sharing the road,” states Cote, “MMSF was created to reduce motorcycle accidents and injuries, and help families of motorcyclists injured and killed in accidents.”

“Nelson’s Ride” is named for Nelson Selig, who was killed while riding on Route 133 in Ipswich in May of 2000 when a 19-year old driver under the influence crossed the yellow line colliding head on with his motorcycle. Proceeds from the “Nelson’s Rides” were used for aiding and supporting his children’s education. After the 3rd annual Ride, his family asked that the Ride in his memory be turned into a way of helping other families who have been devastated by the loss of a loved one. Since then, the proceeds has been helping others in similar situations. In 2005 and 2006, the historic Fairgrounds was the “Nelson’s Ride” host site with over 2,000 attending and contributing to the Fund those years.

Selig’s death also spurred motorcyclists into political activists. A bill seeking to put a motorcycle awareness module into the automobile driver training course curriculum was filed by Senator Bruce Tarr and Representative Brad Hill, designated “Nelly’s Bill.” Rallying other bikers statewide, the bill passed in 2004 and became “Nelly’s Law.”

The August 15-17 Rally this year will begin Friday night, running 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and conclude on Sunday with the 15th annual “Nelson’s Ride” 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This event has obtained the designation as the American Motorcyclists Association’s only “New England Weekend Road Riding Rally”. There will be guided riding tours to local attractions, a Vendor Village of area food and retail vendors, used motorcycle parts vendors, live music, motorcycle skills riding rodeo competitions, and other attractions.

“The Motorcyclists Survivor’s Fund Board of Directors wanted to give greater New England riders a “destination”” says Dennis Palazzo of Rowley, a longtime Board Member, “to come to Essex County and the Cape Ann area for a few days rather than one day. With our 3-day event, they can come and enjoy all that our area has to offer. They will be able to shop, eat, and share the camaraderie riders have with each other, while helping MMSF promote motorcycle awareness and raise funds to assist local families of motorcyclists killed and/or seriously injured in motorcycle accidents.”

The Massachusetts Motorcyclists Survivor’s Fund, Inc. (MMSF) is an all-volunteer run nonprofit organization which raises funds to help local families of riders killed or seriously injured in accidents, and promote motorcycle safety and awareness to help reduce accidents, injuries and fatalities. Since it’s inception, MMSF has produced and assisted in many fund raising Events, and distributed over $300,000 to those in need.