Harley Halloween ride expected to create traffic jams

REVERE – Traffic tie-ups will hamper North Shore motorists Sunday when several thousand riders, fully clad in costumes, will participate in the 19th Annual Harley-Davidson Halloween Witch Ride to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA).Members of the Halloween planning committee are currently finalizing ride details including a new “old” route which will take the group back through many of the streets and neighborhoods of Revere, Lynn, Swampscott and Marblehead before reaching their destination in Salem.Traffic delays are expected along the route, which as of Friday, was slated to take riders down Route 107 (Marsh Road) to where Western Avenue meets the Lynn Common. The group will then veer right down Commercial Street, turn left on the Lynnway, travel through the Nahant Rotary up Lynn Shore Drive to Humphrey Street in Swampscott.Riders are expected to reach Humphrey Street at between 1:45-2 p.m. and will make their way into Marblehead using Atlantic Avenue, turn left onto Ocean Avenue and left again onto Pleasant Street, then follow route 114 west into Salem.According to Marblehead Police Community Services Officer Lt. Dave Millett, “The expectation is that about 1,000 motorcycles will participate in this ride to benefit ‘Jerry’s Kids.’ We do expect some traffic impact and ask our motorists to cooperate and support this worthy cause.”Registration runs from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. with the ride heading out to Salem from 1760 Revere Beach Parkway (Route 16) at 1 p.m. sharp. Leading the Ride will be Bruce Rossmeyer, of Boston Harley-Davidson in Everett and MDA Goodwill Ambassador Jake Currie.All participants will donate $20 to the MDA at registration on Sunday or pre-register at the Everett Harley-Davidson dealership and save $5 per person.Jeff Cheek of Bruce Rossmeyer’s H-D, is donating the $15 pre-registration fee to MDA for every new motorcycle sold prior to the event and for every HOG Chapter member who signs up at least 10 other bikers to ride to the “Witch City.”Entertainment and activities are also being coordinated for all bikers to enjoy at the end of the ride at Pickering Wharf in Salem.The MDA provides selected orthopedic equipment, free clinic visits, youth summer camp sessions, support groups, and many other health related services to Boston area residents affected by any of 43 different neuromuscular diseases.MDA families also receive hope that treatments and cures will be found as a result of MDA’s tireless efforts in funding research grants worldwide.For information on the ride, contact John Brogno at 617-389-8888 or Jim Sharland at 781-575-1881.