Benevolent bikers ride for Maurer Foundation

They may have been born to ride, but on June 14 they rode for a cause.

More than 20 motorcycle enthusiasts got their motors running for a ride from Oceanside to Greenport to benefit the Maurer Foundation, a Long Island-based nonprofit organization dedicated to breast health awareness.

The kickstands for 18 bikes, some carrying two riders, went up at 10 a.m. The trip took riders from Neptune Avenue in Oceanside to Claudio’s Restaurant in Greenport — an 84-mile jaunt.

There is nothing quite like an open road and a pack of friends to ride with, but the day wasn’t only about the rush of the ride.

“Just about everyone on those bikes knows someone who has been affected by breast cancer,” said Susan Samaroo, an executive director for the Maurer Foundation who lives in Oceanside.

Nassau County ranks No. 1 in the country for breast cancer incidences; Suffolk County is No. 5. Nearly 3,000 Long Island women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year. The earlier breast cancer is detected, the better the chances for survival.

The Maurer Foundation was established in 1995 by breast surgeon Dr. Virginia E. Maurer. Located in Hauppauge, it is dedicated to breast health education, risk reduction and early detection.