Bikers ride through a couple of counties for the Back the Blue Motorcycle Rally

MACHESNEY PARK, Ill. (WTVO) — A little rain did not stop hundreds of bikers from setting out on a police-escorted ride through Winnebago and Ogle County on Saturday.

Law enforcement and supporters gathered at Crazy Times Pub and Grub for the start of the Back the Blue Motorcycle Rally. Retired Rockford Police Officer John Eau Clair said it is all about having opportunities to connect with law enforcement.

“Nobody out here is wearing uniform and other than ones help them get started working. The working guys don’t go by. But you get to sit here and talk and have a good talk to people. And it’s just sort of on the same level,” Eau Clair said. “You get to see us when we’re not working and see that we are normal people. We have the same likes and dislikes. A lot of people in the community do and they can come out and hang out with us.”

Winnebago County Sheriff Gary Caruana led the party out toward Oregon before returning to Crazy Times later in the afternoon for food and music. Crazy Times Owner Pete Gwizdala has been hosting the event for the last four years.

“For our motorcycles we had today, we had about 167 sign in, 217 total riders,” said Gwizdala. “We just thought that would be a good thing to show our support and let them know that we appreciate the work they do and we’re behind them and they got a good place to come hang out and have a good time.”

It means a lot because for me, I’m retired, but we were doing this even when I was still working. And you look around, if you look at all the bikes and stuff out here, most of these people are not connected to the law enforcement,” said Eau Clair. “I would say the vast majority of them are not connected law enforcement. They’re coming out to show their support for it. And that gives you a good feeling, makes what you’re doing for the community matter. It counts.”

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