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Bikers from all over rallied to support fellow rider Curt Nickerson Saturday at the Iron Rhino, located at Tamiami Trail and State Road 92. Joe Parrow flew in from the Bahamas for the event. Parrow, a ship’s captain, left his command in his crew’s hands so he could attend the benefit. Parrow felt he could not miss the event.

“Nickerson always, always, always has your back,” said Parrow, who meet Nickerson in 1991 while they both worked at Everglades National Park Boat Tours. They have been friends ever since.

Parrow describes Nickerson as someone with a tough exterior who is very kind.

Tim Mitchaner came in from Urbana, Illinois for the event. There were also participants from Hohenwald, Tennessee as well as all over Florida.

The run started at the Tiki Bar Café in Bonita Springs with a breakfast. Riders had the chance to get their bikes washed while they ate. After breakfast the group road to the Iron Rhino, where participants enjoyed live music by 8-UP and Tantrum. Participants enjoyed slow cooked pulled pork for a $5 donation. The pork was donated and prepared by Jim and Ruth Kalvin. Participants could also sample a wide selection of custom cigars and had the opportunity to participate in a special auction and a 50/50 drawing. A few brave individuals volunteered to have their heads shaved for donations. Special “Slow 1” t-shirts were also available.

Nickerson is known as the “Slow 1,” because he has won the slow motorcycle race for the last two years. There was discussion of having a slow motorcycle race during the event, however everyone decided that if Nickerson participated there was no way anyone else could beat him. Most of all bikers and friends came to support their friend and to enjoy the fellowship.

Melody “Sunshine” Simmons eagerly worked the crowed for 50/50 donations. Her efforts paid off as the total 50/50 pot eventually reached $3,500. John “Frizz” Stevens was the winner of the 50/50 raffle. Frizz won $1,750 of which he donated all of it back but $200. Sunshine’s son Damien even got in on the action. He had his head shaved into a Mohawk haircut.

Jim Kalvin who works with Nickerson at Diversified Yacht Services, Inc. said, “Nickerson has gone out of his way to help others. Most people in the biking community are working class people. When they go down or get hurt they are in trouble.”

Kalvin said the biking community is known for taking care of their own as well as helping others outside of the biking community.” He said “they did not solicit anyone for donations for the event; donors sought them out to help”.

The event was the brainchild of five or six of Nickerson’s friends who hatched the idea in a metal shed. Each person left with a responsibility and through hard work the event was a success.

Even though this was not an ABATE (American Bikers Aiming Toward Education) event there were representatives from the five Southwest Florida chapters.

“This is what we do for our brothers and sisters,” said Rick Loy, president ABATE of Florida, Inc. – Gator Alley Chapter.

There were also representatives from the Christian Motorcyclist Association and Defenders MC, INC. Bikers from these groups as well as independent bikers came to the rally to support one of their own.

Nickerson who works as a marine mechanic at Diversified Yacht Services, Inc. had brain surgery May 11 to remove a cancerous tumor. Nickerson has not been able to work since. He said “doctors got most of the tumor.” He has since undergone one week of radiation treatment. He has five more weeks left. He will have five days of chemotherapy per month for the next year. Nickerson is hoping to get permission to return to light duty at work so he can keep his insurance.

Nickerson has ridden motorcycles all his life and is definitely a local. I have lived within five miles of the Iron Rhino all my life,” he said.

Nickerson was very overwhelmed by all the support at the event, saying, “What did I do to deserve this?” He wanted to thank all his friends for putting the event together. He also wanted to let everyone know that he appreciated all the cards and for the turnout at the event.

The recurring sentiment of the event was that Nickerson has gone out of his way to help others. This was their way of saying thanks.

“Nickerson is the nicest guy he has ever met,” said Mark Kirkum. Nickerson was not looking for anything, he was very surprised when they put the event together.”

“It was a heck of a day, what a wonderful event,” said Roger Janes, a fellow biker. “The whole event was for Brotherhood.”

Over $10,000 was raised during the event, and money is still coming in. To make donations or purchase “Slow 1” t-shirts please contact Roger Janes (239) 253-8786.