PETAWAWA - The Red Ride rolled out onto the roadways of Renfrew County Saturday in the name of a different cause.

The newly named Red Ride for Hospice, again organized by the Renfrew County HOG (Harley Owners Group) Chapter #9987, attracted bikers from across the Ottawa Valley and from as far away as Ottawa and the province of Quebec.

In the past, the event raised money for the Petawawa Military Family Resource Centre. However, this year the ride went out to support Hospice Renfrew, a home-like palliative care residence that serves patients with a life expectancy of three months or less.

The group wanted to support an organization that benefits all of Renfrew County, said Mary Ethier, the chapter's publicity director.

"Everyone has someone or knows someone who has benefitted from Hospice," she said. "The care and dignity they give to people in their last days is unprecedented."

Under sunny skies, more than 60 riders gathered at Pete's Sales and Service, the chapter's sponsor. Encouraged to wear red or fasten Canadian flags to their bikes, the bikers headed out onto Petawawa Boulevard in groups of 20.