Spyders: They are on their way!

Viva Cuba will use this “mobile unit” spyder for this year’s evening mural tours as well as for a few rides on the “twisties,” as they call the curvy back roads in the area although we must admit that the logo is digitally enhanced.

Area motels are booked full. The itinerary is set. Welcome banners are going up. They are on the way to Spyderfest The Third Journey, which is set officially from Wed. April 25 to Sunday April 29. However, you will see some event attendees filter in over the weekend and the first of the week. Many are already on the road. There will be be over 700 of them. They are still registering.

One spyder ryder known as Murphybrown has started her journey alone from Washington State. She is in her 70s, traveling alone, and posting her journey on spyderlovers.com, an online site for spyder ryders.

Phil and Bobbie are coming from Tyler, Texas.

FrankPA is on the way from Harrisburg, PA, Mike from Moretown, Vermont., Jim and Mary from Yuma, Arizona

A group of seven ryders is coming from Barlett, Tennessee.

Darell’s coming from Grand Rapids, Michigan

Pincushion and Mrs. Pincushion are ryding in from San Diego, California. Did we mention that spyder ryders have special names on the spyderlovers.com site?

Kathy & Bob are coming from Ontario, Canada.

Missouri, Indiana, Tennessee, Alabama, North Carolina, Kentucky, New York, Kansas, New Hampshire, Arkansas, Nevada, Florida, Illinois, Oregon, Illinois, Virginia, Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota; the list goes on.

Spyders from a previous Spyderfest on Route 66 outside of Cuba.

As these colorful bikes make their way toward Cuba, some ride alone while others are meeting up to run in a group. Many have planned this for a year, used vacation days, and made a commitment of time and money to experience Spyderfest in Cuba. Some have attended the event before while for others this is their first trip.

They are excited, packing, traveling to Cuba.

Len Damouth of Cowtown originated Spyderfest three years ago and has watched it grow. Read the Cuba Free Press article about how the spyder ryders will become a part of our town, fan out through the area for day rides, contribute to a local charity, and view our attractions. The Friday night event at the Drive-in is open to the public. Go out and see the bikes and the entertainment. Saturday at 6:00 pm there is a Parade of Spyders from the Wagon Wheel Motel to Recklein. Viva Cuba will be conducting mural tours with the bikes Saturday evening. After that, there will be an evening ceremony to honor Veterans at the Veteran’s Memorial in Recklein Commons.

When you see the spyder ryders, wave, thank them for coming to Cuba, and make them feel welcome.