Motorcyclists are invited to grab their bikes and head out on a self-led ride organized by the local Brothers-IN-Arms Motorcycle Club to support veterans in Island County this Sunday, Sept. 27.

The group expects at least 30 people but is hoping for more, Mark Douglass said. Douglass is the president of the North Puget Sound chapter of the motorcycle club.

The group usually hosts a luau as one of its main fundraisers, Douglass said. COVID-19 made that impossible this year so the club came up with the idea of a self-led route.

“We’re hoping smaller groups will head out instead of one huge group all at the same time and overwhelm the businesses,” Douglass said.

Douglass has been part of the motorcycle club since 2014, when he saw them form a flag line at a memorial service. He joined because he liked the sense of community.

“After getting out of the Marine Corps there was a void” Douglass said. “I was missing that camaraderie and brotherhood. I love the fact that our mission is to help support the military and veterans and provide assistance anywhere we can.”

The money will go to veterans support services through the Opportunity Council of Island County.

Registration begins at 9 a.m. with a suggested donation of $15 per rider. The self-led ride begins at the Veterans of Foreign Wars building in Oak Harbor with a buffet breakfast for $10. The route goes through Mount Vernon and Bow and ends at Bastion Brewing in Anacortes.

A previous version of this story incorrectly stated when the self-lef ride will happen. It will be on Sunday, Sept. 27.