Area motorcyclists converged on the Shanty Shack last Saturday for a fundraiser to benefit Capt. Mike Russell of the Columbus Fire and EMS. The 25-year fire department veteran is battling lung cancer for the second time. All proceeds go to help him pay his out-of-pocket medical expenses.

Another fundraiser is planned for Saturday, Oct. 30. It will include a "Ride for Life" poker run. It starts at 10 a.m. at the Columbus Fire Fighters Association building at 6655 Lynch Road. Bikes start heading out at 11 a.m. Your $15 donation (and $5 for passenger) gets you a poker hand a lunch at the end of the ride. Extra poker hands are also $5 more. You don't even have to ride to participate: you can draw your poker hand at the site for a chance at the prizes.

Other moneymakers include buying a smoked pork butt (from Mike & Ed's) for $20. For more information, call Robert Collins at 706-681-2851.

Here are a few photos from the event at the Shanty Shack.



Ratchet was one of the bands playing Saturday. They did a couple of good covers of Three Doors Down.




Dave Hagemes, of Harris County, on his 2003 Road King, which won first in the best bike judging. Hagemes said he has invested about $45,000 in his ride, giving credit to Dave Johnson of Johnson Body Works in Phenix City for the work.

He enters — and wins — a lot of bike shows. Earlier this month, he picked up $500 for the "People's Choice Award" at Thunder Beach in Panama City Beach, Fla.

"I'm done working on it," Hagemes said. "I ride it now." He has about 17,000 miles on the clock.

And he's already thinking about his next bike project, which should make Mr. Johnson very happy to hear.




A cool contrast to Hagemes' shiny and refined bagger is this old-school chopper. It's about as spartan as it gets.




And this bobber turned heads (at least mine) as it rolled through the parking lot.

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