Enforcers MC Boston Chapter

ELBRIDGE - The smell of gasoline and the sound of revving engines filled the air as hundreds of motorcycle riders lined up outside the Rolling Wheels Speedway, all for the sake of helping children.

The second annual SyraCruise event, which included an 80-mile motorcycle ride around the area, was an event created "by bikers for bikers," according to Nina Albino, executive director of Charity for Children.

Riders paid money to take part in Saturday's event. All the proceeds go to Charity for Children, which provides financial and educational services to families in the area with children who suffer from disabilities and disorders.

"We're a local organization that helps local kids," Albino said.

Last year, organizers raised almost $50,000 from SyraCruise - the largest motorcycle event in central New York. Albino said they were hoping to raise more this year.

"Despite the reputation that bikers get, they're an awesome group of people," Albino said.

The Enforcers Motorcycle Club, made up mostly of law enforcement workers, drew members to SyraCruise from as far away as Michigan.

Bill "Merchant" Toner and Jim "JD" Davis, policemen from Boston, drove in for the weekend to support the Syracuse chapter of the Enforcers club. Toner, who brought his family along, said the club hosts numerous charity events.

"I think it's wonderful. It's so generous to come all the way here," said Toner's daughter, Kayla, 11. "I'm happy to be a part of the club."

The rural settings and cows around central New York were a change of setting for Toner and Davis, who were visiting the area for the first time.

"This is beautiful country for riding," Davis said. He added that riding for him was "a way of relaxation. You got the wind blowing through your face. Whatever problems you have seem to fly away with the wind."

The three-day event includes live music, a stunt show, fireworks and other attractions, but the 80-mile ride was the centerpiece of the weekend.

Bill Excell of Waterloo came to SyraCruise last year, but missed the motorcycle ride by 15 minutes.

"I wanted to come back this year and make it in time for the ride," he said, as he stood by his bike near the back of a long line of motorcycles.

"It's really neat. You'll get people who will just stop what they're doing and watch everyone ride by."

Both the lure of an enjoyable weekend and the opportunity to help the charity drew hundreds of bikers - Excell believed there were many more than last year.

"I knew from last year that I wanted to at least stop by," he said.

"We pulled in and saw the line of bikes and said, 'We're definitely riding today.'"