middletowneye: "EXCELLENT TURNOUT" FOR THE MERIDEN MOTORCYCLE CLUB'S 24 HOUR FUNDRAISER FOR MIDDLEFIELD'S CAMP NERDEN HELD JULY 21-22, 2023.

Meriden Motorcycle Club Members at Camp Nerden On July 22, 2023 During Their 24 Hour Fundraiser.

MERIDEN MOTORCYCLE CLUB 24-HOUR FUNDRAISER HELD JULY 21ST & JULY 22, 2023 FOR CAMP NERDEN.

ARTICLE & PHOTOS BY FRANK LOGIUDICE

The Meriden Motorcycle Club were looking for adventure. They continued to make it happen for the John J. Nerden Regional Training Center Camp in Middlefield for their "24 Hour Road Bike/Dirt Bike Ride Hard Enduro" fundraiser held on July 21 and July 22, 2023.

According to the Ride Chairman Dino Pandolfo he stated they had an "Excellent turnout." They had 30 road riders and thirty for their endurance dirt bike race at their club. Not even the heavy rain on Friday, July 21st hampered or delayed their event because one of their riders "Babe" who is 82 years young of Berlin kicked off the event on Friday and rode in the rain for the first two hours of the event. Pandolfo stated "He is fearless. He is one of the best friends anybody could have."

Front to Back: Meriden Motorcycle Club Members "Babe," Jake & Joe Cournoyer leave their club on the Meriden-Middletown Town Line on July 22, 2023 for their 24 Hour Fundraiser for Camp Nerden. (Photo By FRANK LOGIUDICE)

A Meriden Motorcycle Club member Bob Lipinski drives on Powder Hill Road prior to turning into Camp Nerden for the 24 Hour Fundraiser for the camp on July 22nd. (Photo By FRANK LOGIUDICE)

Meriden Motorcycle Club Members Chris Tautvia and riding as a passenger is April Pierce get ready to turn into Camp Nerden During Their 24 Hour Fundraiser on July 22, 2023 (Photo By Frank Logiudice)

This club has been involved with Camp Nerden since it was founded in 1966. They donated $1,000 to the camp that year according to Pandolfo. "We have been a contributor to Camp Nerden since 1966. We are always helping with any projects needed with Camp Nerden," stated Pandolfo. The 24-Hour Road Bike/Dirt Bike Ride Hard Enduro” event has been going on for over 20 years, Pandolfo commented. "Today was everything for Camp Nerden with all proceeds going to Camp Nerden," stated Pandolfo. He also mentioned that all of the food and non-alcoholic drinks for the event were donated from area local businesses. Pandolfo added, "We would like to thank them for their support."

Meriden Motorcycle Club Members in front Ryan Crooks & behind him is Ryan Caruso cruise into Middlefield's Camp Nerden on Saturday, July 22, 2023 for their 24 Hour Fundraiser for Camp Nerden. (Photo By Frank Logiudice)

Meriden Motorcycle Club Member Ryan Caruso cruises past the Camp Nerden Pool on July 22, 2023 for the 24 Hour Fundraiser For Camp Nerden. (Photo By FRANK LOGIUDICE)

Camp Nerden Director Sue Chenard stated this about the Meriden Motorcycle Club, “We would like to thank them for their continued support of camp. We are very appreciative of all that they do for us.” The camp serves individuals with intellectual disabilities ages 6 and above during the summer.

Meriden Motorcycle Club Member Butch drives past the Camp Nerden's pool on July 22, 2023 for their 24-Hour Fundraiser for the Middlefield camp. (Photo By Frank LoGiudice)

Meriden Motorcycle Club Members Chris Tautvia and riding as a passenger is April Pierce return to the Meriden Motorcycle Club for their 24 Hour fundraiser for Camp Nerden on July 22, 2023 (Photo By Frank Logiudice)