House of Harley hosts 110th Anniversary Women's Day Ride



GREENFIELD (WITI) -- The House of Harley, located at 60th and Layton in Greenfield on Sunday, September 1st played host to the 110th Anniversary Women's Day Ride Benefiting the Susan G. Komen Foundation of Southeastern Wisconsin.

Each day of the Harley-Davidson 110th anniversary celebration had a theme at House of Harley in Greenfield, and that theme on Sunday, September 1st was pink -- in order to bring awareness to breast cancer.

“It symbolizes hope, empowerment, awareness for women to be diligent about screening," Nikki Panico said.

“I asked folks to be mindful of the women they know who were impacted by breast cancer. I said to them 'put her name on a ribbon. I will ride in her honor and her memory' and so we got filled up with ribbons because everyone is impacted by this disease," Pastor Pam Lange said.

The event, which began at 9:00 a.m., included a ping pong tournament presented by Spin Milwaukee, a t-shirt design contest, face & body art, Photos for a Cure, pink hair extensions courtesy Roots Salon, a meet and greet with Miranda Levy with Project Runway -- and finally, a parade and ride, beginning at 2:00 p.m.

Women and men alike were decked out in pink for the ride that began at the Milwaukee Art Museum along the city's Lakefront.

Scores of bikers rumbled through a street party to cheers.

Before hopping on their bikes, they listened to speakers and released pink balloons representing those who have battled breast cancer.

For survivor Tina Schmidt, the ride was extremely special.

"I was diagnosed last year. So it really impacted our family because I was a lot younger than my mom was. Last year at the Susan G. Walk when I released my balloon, because I was just a couple months out, watching that again for the first time since, it just brings it back home. I'm in a good place. I'm cancer free and I'm happy. It`s a rush. It really is, to see how much, survivors or people supporting the people they`ve lost to breast cancer. It`s just very emotional to me. It`s very endearing and near to my heart that all these people that don`t know each other come together for such an awesome cause. It`s amazing," Schmidt said.

Standing by her side Sunday was Schmidt's sister, Julie Appenzeller.

“It was like every time she’d go to the doctor and it wasn’t okay, it wasn’t okay. Fortunately she was okay. And I just had to be there for her," Appenzeller said.

The entire event runs through 7:00 p.m. Sunday, with live music before, during and after the women's ride.

The ride was personal for so many at House of Harley on Sunday. For Schmidt, it was about her family and their support. For the Susan G. Komen Foundation, it's about awareness and raising money to help those who need it most.