Tuesday morning, a faint rumbling became a roar as nearly 200 motorcycles pulled into the Mansfield Reformatory. Their visit, a stop on Ohio Bike Week, included a self-guided tour of the facility.
Bike Week 2014, based out of Sandusky, runs from May 30 to June 8. Riders have a full schedule of rides, concerts, shows and activities that they may choose to participate in during the week. Other daily rides included a Sunset Tour last Friday, a Kelley’s Island Poker Run on Wednesday, Make a Wish Winery Tour this coming Friday, and many more.
According the Paul Smith, Executive Director at the Ohio Reformatory, the group has made the visit to the historic prison an annual event. “The bikes are the best part,” said Smith, “I wish I’d ridden mine today. When they all get settled in here I’m gonna go outside here and check them out.”
Some of the bikers were riding solo, or with a friend or spouse, while others rode with their club. The Lost Riders Club gets their name from a group of riders who kept getting lost during the Mother Road Rally on Route 66 back in 2001, but they are best known for their philanthropic efforts, such as the time they raised funds to help a child with brain cancer. That effort garnered national press attention, including a feature in People Magazine.
Riders come from all over the United States to participate in Ohio Bike Week. John Torres rides a 2001 Road King Classic and he came from Belle Plaine, Iowa for Bike Week. “I’d heard stories about how fun this one is and I decided to check it out. It’s beautiful here; I’m camping at East Harbor and its a nice break from the cornfields for sure,” said Torres.
This is Jeff Kohl’s fourth Ohio Bike Week, but his first visit to the historic Ohio Reformatory. “I just enjoy meeting people, making new friends. It’s always a great week,” said Kohl.
Other riders know Dennis Stull as “Small Bear.” Why? “Because everyone else is bigger than me,” said Stull, “Look at these guys!” Stull is looking forward to tomorrow’s Poker Run. In a poker run, the riders obtain playing cards at various stops, with the object to have the best poker hand at the end of the ride.
Ohio Bike Week ends on Sunday with a countdown to Bike Week 2015.
