PEORIA ( 25News Now ) - Two hundred area bikers set off Thursday morning in an event that combines their love of motorcycles and life-saving care.

The 19th annual St. Jude Peoria to Memphis Ride left Walter Brothers Harley-Davidson on Thursday for the 450-mile trek. Event officials are grateful for the clear weather after last year’s ride was cut short due to hurricanes.

Among the riders this year are former St. Jude patients and their families in what long-time participants call an emotional time.

Ride Chairman Mike McCoy said being able to see the impact of the ride is what keeps people coming every year.

“You get excited for something to do,” McCoy stated. “I think you don’t want to invest your time and energy into something that doesn’t work. This works, so putting the time and e

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