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TRAM riders have pirates theme
Published 6:09pm Thursday, July 29, 2010Any connection with The Pirates of Penzance of Gilbert and Sullivan theater fame is simply coincidental for a TRAM group called Pirates in Tight Pants. The group, however, is proud of its 21 riders raising money for a cure for multiple sclerosis (MS) in this year’s TRAM.
“At the same time, we’re having fun,” said Tess Hohman who works for General Mills in the Twin Cities. “It’s good to be here in Fergus Falls today (Thursday). We spotted the otter statue right away and made this our central location.”
The group was organized seven years ago in the Twin Cities by Ben Saltzman, a professional photographer, and Tom Emison, a business consultant.
“The idea of forming a bikers club started on a napkin over strong coffee one morning,” said Saltzman. “We take our pirates attire very seriously. Note the pirate sports kilts.”
Hohman said the hospitality of Fergus Falls residents on Thursday couldn’t be better.
“We had good rides over from Wadena, the weather cooperated, and we’ve having a good time here at Adams Park,” she said. “You couldn’t ask for more.”
Jeff Ingram, a member of the riders group from Minnetonka, said that humor makes the 293-mile route this year much easier. The journey started in Alexandria and ends in that community, with stops in Little Falls, Pequot Lakes, Wadena and Fergus Falls.
Hohman, aside from the fun, says the riders group never loses focus of why the TRAM does what it does. She and others not only hear the stories about those with multiple sclerosis (MS), but they also ride alongside other bikers who have MS themselves.
“Each of us is riding for a good cause,” she said. “We as a club have been doing this for seven years and hope to be doing this (the TRAM ride) until a cure is found for MS.”
