This is a major ride in which a large portion of the proceeds benefit brain cancer research at M. D. Anderson.  We lead this ride each year and hope for another strong turnout.  See the announcement below from Chuck Akers:

Greetings Riders and friends of the Rose!

I hope everyone had a terrific and safe holiday season and that you are opening the New Year with great optimism and joy! With the New Year comes the announcement of Ridin’ for the Rose 2009. This is our 5th year to raise money for brain cancer initiatives at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and Memorial Hermann Children’s hospital, so we want to make it extra special!!

This year’s ride will be held on Saturday, May 2nd departing from Stubbs Harley-Davidson on Telephone Road at Loop 610 south!! The ride departs at high noon for an after-party and BLUES JAM at Pelican Junction.

This year we wanted to focus on providing great entertainment, so we’re bringing in not one, but TWO of the hottest rock/blues acts in the business and biker favorites - Mean Gene Kelton and the Die Hards and Rick Lee & the Night Owls. These bands fill the house everywhere they go!! Each band is booked to play for 4 hours, so the afternoon will be jamming!

And just confirmed, our great friend Rocky McCullough and his team at Goodson Auto will again be our headline sponsor!! Hats off to Rocky, who will be joining us on the ride!!

We’re working on some other new things for this year too, so keep an eye on your inbox or check out the website at www.ridinfortherose.com.

And as always, your grass roots help in promoting the ride is most important. Please pass this e-mail along to your riding family and invite them to attend!!!!

PLEASE MAKE PLANS NOW TO RIDE WITH US FOR THE ROSE!

Thanks - hope to see you May 2nd!