The West Virginia Motorcycle Safety Program will sponsor a ride across the New River Gorge Bridge during the Bridge Day festival on Oct. 18, organizers said.

The state agency is using the annual event to promote awareness of safe motorcycle riding and proper interaction with other motor vehicles traveling the Mountain State’s highways. The ride has been approved by the Bridge Day Commission for 200 motorcycle riders and passengers.

The journey will begin at Songer Whitewater in Hico at noon. Participants will cross the New River Gorge Bridge, turn north on W.Va. 16, head east on U.S. 60 and finally head up the northbound side of U.S. 19 for the return trip to Songer Whitewater.

“The large attendance of the festival creates a perfect way to create awareness of motorcycle safety,” program coordinator Joe Tyree said.

A police escort will accompany the motorcycles across the bridge, and law enforcement assistance will be provided at all major intersections to facilitate the ride.

Due to security concerns that accompany the Bridge Day festivities, all riders and passengers will be pre-screened prior to their participation in the ride. Each rider and passenger will fill out a form that will be used by law enforcement authorities for a background check.

Anyone interested in riding must arrive at Songer Whitewater’s base camp by 11 a.m. for registration and check-in. All riders, passengers and motorcycles will be pre-screened by law enforcement personnel before being allowed to participate in the ride.

Participants and motorcycles will be checked for weapons and explosives. No large backpacks will be allowed, and only limited items will be permitted in saddle bags. Secure storage will be available at Songer Whitewater.

Any questions about the ride may be proffered by e-mailing motorcycles@songerwhitewater.com or calling 304-658-9926.

For more information on Bridge Day itself, call 1-800-927-0263 or visit the official Bridge Day Web site at www.officialbridgeday.com.

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Officials say Bridge Day 2008 is shaping up to be a soaring success.

As of September, 22 rappel teams had been chosen, more than 400 BASE jumpers had registered and the vendor sites were nearly sold out, Bridge Day chairperson Cindy Dragan said, adding the event looks to be the best in its history.

The state’s largest single-day event is the only time each year when it is legal to walk 876 feet over the New River on the New River Gorge Bridge. Those in attendance will be able to partake of food from more than 180 vendors and watch more than 400 BASE jumpers leap into the air beyond the bridge’s edge.

AT&T; and Little General are the event’s co-sponsors this year.

For those who may want to watch BASE jumpers and rappellers from the bottom of the gorge, West Virginia American Water and the New River Juniors are teaming up to offer a “down under” tour.

At a price of $50 per person, you may board a van at either 8:30 a.m. or 12:30 p.m. and ride to the bottom of the gorge. A lunch is included. Spaces are limited, so those who are interested are urged to get their requests in as soon as possible by calling 1-800-927-0263 or e-mailing fayette@wvdsl.net.

According to Dragan, the best way to get to the bridge is by riding the Appalachian Power shuttles. This year, Appalachian Power and the Oak Hill Rotary Club have agreed to sponsor the shuttles to make them more affordable. For $2, visitors may park their cars and take a shuttle to the Bridge Day entrance.

There will be four bus stops on the south side of the bridge and two on the north.

For more information on the bus stops, call 1-800-927-0263 or 304-465-5617.

— E-mail:

mhill@register-herald.com