Revvin' it up for MDA awareness

On Saturday night, Sean Johnson, 15, turned in his wheelchair for a motorcycle for about 10 miles.

He rode on the back of Layton resident Kurtis Marsh's motorcycle on a special medical chair onto a concert stage in Wendover, Nev. He was greeted by thousands of motorcyclists from all over the Intermountain West who took part in the 58th annual Harley-Davidson Wendover Ride from Salt Lake City's Harley-Davidson store, 2928 S. State, to Montego Bay Casino in Wendover, Nev., all in an effort to raise money and awareness for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

"It's awesome just to see all these guys out here raising money," Sean said of the event.

Sean has made this ride for the past several years along with his mom and dad, Julie and Mike Johnson, residents of Riverton.

The exit before Wendover, a couple of the kids with muscular dystrophy get on the back of bikes and ride to the closing event. Sean's mom said this is the best part.

"We're all crying by the time they reach the stage," Johnson said of those who participate in the event, the motorcyclists included. "It fills my heart like you wouldn't believe that they do all this for the kids. The fact that they put all their differences aside and focus on just these kids is amazing. They may not look it, but they all have big hearts."

The alliance between MDA and Harley-Davidson, more than 25 years old, is a natural one, said Scarlatt Marchman, director of MDA program development and the liaison for the Harley-Davidson partnership.

"Harley riders are all about independence and freedom and kids with muscular dystrophy want the same thing," she said.

Murray Fire Chief Gil Rodriguez, who has participated in the Wendover ride for six years, has built a good relationship with Chaz McDonald, a 20-year-old from Riverton who has muscular dystrophy.

"Once you meet the kids and the family and you know the organization, you have to keep coming back," Rodriguez said.

Unique to this year's event was the presence of Luke Christie, the MDA youth chairman and the 2008 Harley-Davidson MDA goodwill ambassador. Luke is 15 and from Due West, S.C. This was his first time to Utah and he said he was "blown away" by the event.

"I can feel the energy coming from the riders," he said at the event. "You can tell they generally care."