When Kentucky Tire Exchange President Mike Clark began riding motorcycles a couple of years ago, he decided to do it for a good cause.

&#8220I enjoy riding,” he said. &#8220When I can do it for a good cause that makes it better.”

Clark chose to ride in the South Central Kentucky Kids on the Block Motorcycle Run and Bike Show.

Clark and other riders will participate in this weekend’s third annual Kids on of the Block Motorcycle Run and Bike Show. Sponsored by RC Components, the event is Saturday.

The motorcycle run – a 78-mile ride through Warren, Allen and Barren counties – starts and ends at Harley-Davidson Bowling Green, 251 Cumberland Trace Road. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. The first bikers go out at 9 a.m., the last bikers start at 11 a.m. and the bike show is at noon. Those who register to ride in the event before Saturday will receive a lapel pin and a chance to win a $150 certificate for Harley-Davidson Bowling Green. Participants can register online at the KOTB Web site at www.kykob.org, at the organization’s office at 2465 Russellville Road or at the dealership on the day of the motorcycle run.

Cost for the poker run is $10 per hand. Participants can buy as many hands as they want. They pick up a card at each of the stops and end with five cards. Prizes are a leather Harley-Davidson jacket for the best hand and $25 for the worst hand.

Classic Southern rock and blues band Cootie Brown performs from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Harley-Davidson Bowling Green. Motor City Bar & Grill will serve lunch. The bike show features seven classes of bikes. Cost is $10 to enter a bike in the show.

Proceeds benefit Kids on the Block, a nonprofit, educational puppet troupe of more than 30 puppets that offers programs for kindergarten through grades six on physical challenges, medical conditions and social and safety issues, KOTB Executive Director Debbie Hays said.

&#8220(The Motorcycle Run) helps us put on programs we put on for the children at schools,” she said. &#8220We’re the only Kids on the Block in Kentucky, so we’re trying to reach out to as many children as we can.”

Last year’s Motorcycle Run raised about $8,000, which helped KOTB take more programs to more children, Hays said.

&#8220We were able to travel to more counties than just our general area,” she said. &#8220This year, we’ve been to 24 counties. Last year, we went to 13 counties.”

KOTB Grant Writer Heather Higgins said riders will enjoy the motorcycle run.

&#8220It gives people who are interested in motorcycles a chance to support a good cause and do something that they enjoy,” she said. &#8220They can spend a nice afternoon in the sun and help an organization to reach thousands of children.”

– For more information, call the Kids on the Block office at (270) 842-2259 or visit the organization’s Web site at http://www.kykob.org.