Hairy & Chaps’ Road Adventures

9th Annual Marie Ussery Toy Run

The 9th Annual Marie Ussery Toy Run kicked off this year’s season for us to start covering toy runs across the Southlands. And if you haven’t had the chance to come out and ride in this event, you don’t know what you’re missing. With the help of the Southside Riders and numerous sponsors, this ride just keeps getting better each year.

Even though this is really a poker run, the Southside Riders takes you on a road adventure on some of the best old country roads around south of Griffin. We all met at Buffalo’s of Griffin early that Saturday morning to one of the best weather conditions one could ask for. Not too cold, bright sunny skies and some 50 riders ready to take on those country roads. With our work schedule so tight covering events these days, we look forward to getting a chance to just get out and ride, having a little fun along the way. Mr. & Mrs. Santa Claus took the lead taking the riders down through Williamson and Concord, GA with our first stop in the little town of Molena, GA, giving Santa a chance to raid the mailbox for all those Christmas letters. Now talk about a photographer’s dream, this town is like taking a step back into time, with some very old buildings still standing waiting on me to shoot them.  I just wished we could have stayed a few hours to shoot some pics around town. 

Leaving Molena, we headed east on Highway 109 and made our second stop at an old country store at Highway 109 & 19 for a much-needed bathroom break and to draw another card. A couple of Pike County Sheriff deputies picked up the riders and escorted us north on Highway 19 thru Zebulon, GA, with a short stop on 19 to pull another card from the bag. Then on to 19/41 heading back to Buffalo’s to finish off one hell of a 60+ mile ride. “Thanks guys for all your help!” 

Back at Buffalo’s, the raffle tickets were flying, the bike show was on and the auction ended the night, making for a very successful toy run for the kids of the Griffin area. 
Even if you missed this ride, I hope you made it to at least one of the several toy runs listed in the magazine this year. Think about it.  Just a few thousand years ago, a kid was born on Christmas Day, and folks traveled for miles just to bring him a gift for coming in this world to help save us one day. And now, with your help, other kids had a chance to smile on Christmas Day too. Thanks again to the Southside Riders for another great ride!

We hope you all had a very Marry Christmas and let’s have a safe New Year!

Until next time, ride safe, have fun, and keep your freedom alive,