Bikers brave rain to honor friend

Despite impending rain clouds, about 50 motorcyclists gathered Saturday morning to ride in an "Angel Run" in memory of Kathy Apathy. Apathy, a resident of Unionville, died last year on Dec. 26, from colon cancer.\nRiders gathered at the Harley Davidson of Bloomington, 522 W. Gourley Pike, and rode through Bloomington, Martinsville, and Trafalgar on a scenic route to Unionville, collecting cards for a poker run along the way. \nRiders ended up at Vee-Twin Racing, owned by Kirby Apathy, to see who had the best hand, and to enjoy music and free food. The riders came from all over central Indiana -- many had known Kathy Apathy. Others just enjoyed the ride and the company. \nBloomington residents Roger Pitman and his wife Darla were there for both the ride and to support Kirby and remember Kathy. Pitman, originally from England, has been an enthusiastic motorcycle owner and rider for years. \n"I have 11 bikes -- 12 if you count the Triumph in England," he quipped. \n"You have to count the Triumph," Darla pitched in.\nDarla Pitman was a good friend of Kathy's. Saturday, she was wearing a special Biketober shirt. \n"A mutual friend brought us (Kathy and I) shirts from Biketoberfest last year. I had to wear this today," she said.\nRoger remembers Kathy as "a wonderful person with a bright spot for any occasion," he said. "I only knew her a year, but in that time, she really made an impression on me." \nJoe McNeill and Rick Dyer, friends of Kathy, helped to organize the event and helped to set up and clean up at Vee-Twin Racing. Along with several other riders, they wore F.B.I. T-shirts -- Fast Boys from Indiana, the name of the racing team from Vee-Twin.\nDarla Pitman said that while Kirby ran Vee-Twin racing, "Kathy was the pit crew. She knew as much about it as he did."\nMany more guests were anticipated at the site for the evening's festivities. All proceeds made from the Angel Run were to be donated to the American Cancer Society. \nJoe McNeill, Bloomington resident and a friend of the Apathy's, was looking forward to the ride. \n"I just put (my bike) together Thursday -- hopefully it'll hold," he laughed.\nMany local businesses contributed to the Angel Run, including McDonald's, where Kathy used to work. McDonald's donated quarter-pounder burgers for grilling, and all of the condiments and buns. The Cellar Lounge donated a keg, and Pit Bull Leathers donated a leather jacket for the winner of the poker hand. Harley Davidson donated several shirts, and the use of the parking lot for the gathering.