A convoy of Harleys cruised central Florida to benefit PDTI.
The inaugural running of the Big Rig Ride entertained 60 Truckload Carriers Association members, spouses and sponsor representatives in Orlando, Fla., on March 10 and raised $6,000 for the Professional Truck Driver Institute. The four-hour ride began at Orlando Harley and traveled through the rolling countryside of central Florida before returning for a sunset-lit reception at the historic factory dealership.
“We are pleased that the first Big Rig Ride was so successful, and we are proud to have raised such a sum for the Professional Truck Driver Institute,” said Jeff Mason, vice president and group publisher of Randall Trucking Media, which publishes Big Rig Ride host Commercial Carrier Journal.
The event drew executives from carriers as small as Tom Joy & Son and as large as Swift Transportation, as well as the current chairmen of TCA and the American Trucking Associations, Clifton Parker and Vern Garner, respectively.
The Big Rig Ride was sponsored by Bridgestone/Firestone, Caterpillar Inc., DNV Certification, IdleAire Technologies, Peterbilt Motors Co., Pilot Corp., Qualcomm, Roadranger and Volvo Trucks. Sponsors paid for the motorcycle and helmet rentals and other costs. Participants’ $100 donations went to PTDI.
