For the Express
GREAT SACANDAGA LAKE — Thunder was heard around the Great Sacandaga Lake Saturday, but it wasn’t the weather.
A motorcycle ride dubbed “Thunder on the water” was been planned to raise money for the daughters of the late Gabe Gliewe. Over 80 bikers cruised around the water on a memorial ride in Gliewe’s name from Mayfield to Broadalbin, where they met non-bikers for a pig roast.
Gliewe, formerly of Gloversville, is survived by his two daughters, Memphis, 8, and Cheyenne, 15. Gliewe’s sister, Nicole Dingman, said the all proceeds from the benefit will be deposited in a trust for anything the girls might need.
“My brother was only 36 when he died. He had a bad asthma attack, and the decreased oxygen in his body caused him to have a heart attack. It was really unexpected,” said Dingman. “So one of Gabe’s friend’s put on the run last year, and we decided to make it a yearly thing for his daughters. The money is split right down the middle for them.”
Dingman said a motorcycle ride is the perfect way to remember her brother.
“It’s a great memory of what he loved to do. He and Cheyenne went everywhere on his bike,” she said. “The day after my brother died, my dad and other brother did his bike over as a memorial.”
The day began with registration at the Sandbar on Woodshollow Road in Mayfield. From there, bikers rode to Vic’s Tavern in Northville, then to the Old Trail Inn in Edinburg, to Kristel’s Lodge in Broadalbin, and ending at the Robin’s Nest on Stevers Mills Road in Broadalbin.
“Even if people can’t ride, we hoped they can join us for the pig roast at Robin’s,” Dingman said.
The pig roast featured raffles and food donated from area restaurants and businesses, whom Dingman said she would like to thank for their support.