Members of the Bermuda Long Riders Motorcycle Association will ride in a 48-hour relay in aid of the Bermuda Diabetes Association this week. The riders of the Harley type motorcycles will ride non-stop day and night from one end of the island to the other in relay teams of two to ten bikers.

The relay will start in front of Hamilton?s City Hall at noon on Friday and will finish in the same place on Sunday. Rev. Donna Mae Postlethwaite, herself a biker, will bless the ride and it will be started by Mayor Jay Bluck.

Participants are gathering pledges and prizes have been donated for those raising the most money.

Refreshment stops en route are being supported by Caf? Latte in St. George?s, Rock Island Coffee in Hamilton and Pirates Landing in Dockyard. Butterfield & Vallis have donated snacks for all stops. Lindos, SuperMart and Barritts are donating refreshments for the post-ride party.

The Bermuda Long Riders Association boasts about 200 members from all walks of Bermuda life and members can often be seen on group rides around the island in tight and disciplined formation on their classic and custom-made motorcycles. The group is known for the regular support it gives to local charities.

The ride will help the association realise a dream to open a pharmacy to service those who lack insurance or the financial means to cover the expensive and necessary medication to manage diabetes.

Medication for the chronic illness and its side-effects can cost $500 a month or more and diabetes, labelled a ?silent killer,? is an epidemic growing at an alarming rate.

Funds raised by the bikers will go towards making the dream of the diabetes dispensary a reality.

Registration and further information can be obtained from Keith Dubois (Long Riders Motorcycle AssociatioRn) on 236 2967 or 5057327 or Trevor Madeiros (Bermuda Diabetes Association) on 505 7624.