NORTHFIELD: Rick Sole and Bob Vorisek stood talking among a sea of Harley-Davidsons in the parking lot of Hard Rock Rocksino, dressed in black vests, motorcycle gear and bandanas around their heads.
Sole and Vorisek had never met, but Sole said they were brothers, joined by a special bond motorcycle enthusiasts share.
“Riding a bike is probably the only time I feel at peace with what we have here on Earth,” Sole said along with his girlfriend, Karen Davila, both of Brook Park. “The view is amazing.”
They were among nearly a thousand motorcyclists who gathered Sunday in an attempt to break a Guinness World Record for the most motorcycles starting at the same time as part of North Coast Community Homes’ Ride for the Record fundraiser.
“I came out for the beautiful day, bikes and partying,” Vorisek, of Northfield, said. “What’s there not to like?”
The parking lot of the Hard Rock Rocksino rumbled and shook around 3 p.m. as the motorcyclists revved their engines at the sound of a blow horn, hitting the pavement with a simultaneous roar.
By the end of the day Sunday, officials were still counting how many officially participated, but Dick Russ, the president of North Coast Community Homes, said it appears they fell a little short of breaking the record.
While the gathering was short of breaking the current record of 1,446 motorcycles, the day was still full of activities for motorcycle lovers, including live performances by the Spazmatics, stunt riders, motorcycle displays, beer and food vendors and prizes.
“This is the most unique event we’ve ever staged,” Russ said. “This allows us to tell our story and reach an entirely new group of people ... and it also lets us have a lot of fun.”
Quaker Steak and Lube presented the fundraiser, while South East Harley-Davidson gave out a few gift certificates for its stores.
BMW Motorcycles of Cleveland brought Chris McNeil of Maine to perform stunts on his motorcycle for the waiting crowd, popping front wheelies and doing interactive tricks with onlookers.
“This event’s been pretty rad,” said Chris Tice, the master of ceremonies of the stunt show. “It’s always cool to come back and do shows.”
All proceeds made from the fundraiser will benefit North Coast Community Homes, an organization that provides homes for people who have disabilities.
Since 1984, the organization has developed and provided more than 200 homes for 1,000 men and women.
For more information about North Coast Community Homes, visit www.ncch.org.
Theresa Cottom can be reached at 330-996-3216 or tcottom@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter @Theresa_Cottom.