Bike show helps Tyo family

By Nu Yang
Staff Writer

It was a familiar sight to see downtown Otsego (top) filled with bikes again for the spring show. (Photo by Nu Yang)

The annual Otsego Bike Show May 9-10 was a weekend filled with fun and excitement, but it was also a time of remembrance.

In the past Davidson Express, which hosts the bike show, has put together benefit runs for Wings of Hope Hospice, Christian Neighbors food pantry and the Otsego District Public Library. This year’s run was a memorial ride for Troy Tyo.

Tyo of Allegan was murdered in 2007.

Davidson Express owner Larry Davidson said Tyo and his wife had participated in the run last year. Davidson and his wife, Patty, are friends of the family and having that personal connection prompted them to organize this run.

A benefit dinner Friday night and a breakfast the next morning raised funds for the Tyo children. A donation from National City Bank and money raised from the run were also collected. In total, Davidson Express raised more than $3,000.

Davidson said about 300 bikes participated in the run.

“I always look forward to the event,” he said. “It lets me give back to the community.”

Next up for the bike shop owners is the second annual Michigan Chopper Fest July 25-27 at the Knoll-Gass Motorsports Park in Martin.

“It’s going to be a much bigger show,” Davidson said. “There’s going to be a lot of talent and celebrities.”

Last year, 4,000 came out to the event, and Davidson thinks double that amount came this year.

“People said it was the best show in Michigan, some even said the best show ever,” he said. “The audience is my best advertiser.”

For more information on any of these events, visit www.davidson-express.com or call (269) 694-9579.

Nu Yang can be reached at nuyang@allegannews.com or at (269) 673-5534.