The 7thAnnualPeace*Love*Happiness Ride
By Estella Kirscht
Another spring has arrived and with it another
P*L*H bike ride. This ride was started by John Paul DeJoria of Paul Mitchell
Systems and Gary Spellman of Ultimate Face Cosmetics and benefits two wonderful
organizations; the 100 Club of Central Texas and the Austin Childrens Shelter
(ACS). Unhappy about the way police officers were being treated while killed in
the line of duty John Paul and Gary chose to do something about it and created
The Peace*Love*HappinessCharity Motorcycle Ride.
John Paul on the left with his great
looking bike. And that's Gary Spellman (R)
The ACS offers refuge
to abused and neglected children. Although this refuge
is temporary, it
provides vital support to traumatized children. A new 13.8 million
campus
for ACS is currently being constructed which will allow the shelter to
accommodate about 580 children a year.
The 100 Club provides financial and emotional
support for the families of first responders killed or seriously injured in the
line of duty. In the hours and days following a death or serious injury, family
members are usually in shock and experience a difficult time functioning as a
family. This is when the 100 Club steps in with financial support. The money
raised at events like the P*L*H is a wonderful blessing and many people work
hard to make it happen. 
The P*L*H ride embraces everything that makes Austin
such a unique and wonderful city - food, music, beautiful scenery and a custom
bike show. The ride wound through the hill country during the prettiest time of
year for Texas. Riders enjoyed the beautiful wild flowers the hill country is
known for as they cruised the roads.
Mr. Robbie
The Evil himself
This year the ride culminated with a meal and
concert at The Backyard. The catering was provided by Triple BBQ and the concert
by Guy Forsythe, Elizabeth Wills and the Rally Crashers. The Knievel custom
bikes were displayed at Cowboy Harley on both Saturday and Sunday, while the ROT
displayed 2 bikes at The Backyard on Sunday. 
That's Sandy Matos of Houston Noah Wild from
Denmark
Ms.
Terri Ms.
Tracy
Note: We have a
great interview with M. Terri on our website and trying to get one with Ms. Tracy (picture here with
her friend from the famous Texas Custom Choppers).
Even in these tough economic times,
the ride was a great success. John Paul donated $10,000.00 to each charity,
while Gary worked hard to set up the venue, performers and VIPs. Cowboy Harley
Davidson hosted the bike show, the ride venue for both days, and donated the
leather shirts for the VIPs. Knievel Custom Cycles, www.knievelcycles.com,
donated a helmet for all the VIPs, the Grammy Association donated a music
library box set, Direct Events, www.directevents.net, donated the VIPs a pass to
any of their venues all weekend, and The Backyard offered their place for the
food and music venue. The Longhorn Corvette Club, www.longhorncorvette.com
offered rides for critically injured families and supporters in their Corvettes
during the Sunday ride. 
And last but not least, the Travis County Sheriffs Office offered to escort the riders, which allows them to ride safely and together instead of getting separated at traffic lights. Joe Peters, the ride coordinator did an outstanding job, along with everyone else from ACS and the 100 Club. Without these wonderful volunteers, this ride would be impossible. Thanks to all for making this another great success for two great organizations!
The staff of Texas Iron Magazine
would like to
thank Gary and
John Paul for their hospitality.
Additional thanks go
ou to Mrs.
Estella Kirscht for a fine article.
And you can't go wrong
with
babys and The State of Texas
finest although this here editior
has never seen such fine looking
troopers. They can stop
me
anytime. TIMM