Bike ride to Hell for Gilda's Club

Written by Off the Wire
Rally & Event News

Iron Divas motorcycle club to memorialize business owner.

ROYAL OAK — For the 41 years, Danelle Orr lived her life to the fullest. As a mother, daughter, friend and Clarkston business owner, she was adventurous, daring and courageous.

"And, strong to the end," said her father, Dennis Atherton, owner of ABC Harley-Davidson in Waterford.

Orr died Jan. 1 shortly after a cervical cancer diagnosis.

Still struggling with the loss of the daughter who shared his interests — including taking long motorcycle trips on a whim — Atherton and others are planning to memorialize her by doing what she loved to benefit Gilda's Club Metro Detroit, 3517 Rochester Road, Royal Oak.

On May 23, the Iron Divas motorcycle club of ABC Harley-Davidson is hosting a charity ride from the Waterford store to the town of Hell and back. The two-hour ride will include a blessing of the bikes ceremony in Hell at 2 p.m. and a 3:30 p.m. charity auction and dinner at Boomer's Roadhouse, Waterford.

"It's going to make me feel really good," Atherton said of the event. "I feel better talking about her, remembering all the fun we had together."

Proceeds from the charity ride will support Gilda's Club's programs that offer emotional and social support for men, women, teens and children who are impacted by all types of cancer. The clubhouse doesn't charge participants.

The memorial ride in honor of Orr costs $20 per rider. Call Janet Willis at (248) 674-3175 for details.

For more information about Gilda's Club, Royal Oak, call (248) 577-0800.

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