Supporting the cause - Riders gather at Palm Gardens in Gowanda for the first annual Diana Lynn Kuhs Memorial Motorcycle Run on June 1.
Story and Photo By Sue Tomaszewski
More than 100 motorcycles participated in the first annual Diana Lynn (Jimerson) Kuhs Memorial Motorcycle Run last Saturday, and raised $8,059 for Roswell Park Cancer Institute.
In celebration of her life, Diana's husband, Tom, organized the motorcycle run.
Diana was diagnosed with a very rare form of colon cancer, that was not detectable with a biopsy, in 1996. She experienced a short remission for about two years, but was diagnosed again in 2000. Diana lost her battle on May 16, 2001 at home with her family.
Tom said his goal now is awareness and remembering his wife. He thought the motorcycle run would help with those goals.
The day couldn't have been more perfect for a motorcycle ride. Not only was the Harley Happening going on in Gowanda, but temperatures were in the 80s and not a cloud in the sky.
"I thought maybe 50 or 60 bikes would show up, but I never thought over 100," said Tom. Officially, 102 riders registered at Palm Gardens and a $25 donation was collected for each bike. The donation covered both a T-shirt and commemorative pin.
Prior to the run, T-shirts were being sold and collections were being taken at various locations to raise additional money for Roswell. A motorcycle blessing was performed by a Long House representative, but the silence was soon broken, as the engines fired up.
Tom led the pack on his motorcycle, which bore a Diana Lynn Kuhs flag. His brother-in-law's bike carried two flags. One flag announced the memorial run and the other, was a Wampum flag. According to Tom, the Wampum flag is a Native American flag that represents the first Iroquois Confederacy and includes a tree of peace and the first five nations of the Confederacy.
"By the time we reached E-Z Shop, I looked in my rear view mirror and the bikes were still pulling out of Palm Gardens," Tom recalled. "I looked over at my brother-in-law and he gave me a big grin and I just thought, how cool." The run was 64 miles and went through Gowanda, Dayton, Cattaraugus, Little Valley, Ellicottville, Ashford, Springville, with a stop at the Zoar Valley Inn for a free beverage, and back to Gowanda.
Police had all major intersections blocked off, allowing the group to stay together. Motorists pulled off to the side of the road, and waved at the fleet going by. People who were doing yard work stopped mid-action and just watched the seemmgly endless line of motorcycles pass their homes. Other bikers coming toward the line reached out an arm and held it there until they passed the entire group. The amount of respect this memorial run generated, for the participants and for Diana's memory, was truly amazing. Participants of the run were granted preferred parking at the Harley Happening, and were directed behind Art's Grocery, where they parked next to the stage.
"I don't know how I' going to top it next year," Tom said. "I would like to thank Terry and MariJo Jimerson of Sandy's Smoke Shop, Randy Rosen and Gowanda Harley-Davidson, Barry Snyder Jr. of JR's Smoke Shop, Karen Miller of Gowanda Leader Pharmacy, Kevin McCormack of McCormack's Hardware, Staci Saulter of Zoar Valley Inn and all other area businesses and participants."
The run will be an annual event to be held the Saturday of the Harley Happening. Those wishing to contribute or volunteer their time, can call Tom at 532-2599.