Rick Graham said that if he had to go, he'd want to die while riding his motorcycle.  Sadly, eight years ago, he got his wish, suffering a diabetic coma while riding.

His friends and fellow riders had no idea that he had diabetes, however.  Graham was a tough guy who never complained about the adversity he faced, whether in his personal health or on the job as an African American firefighter who joined the Boston Fire Department when it was integrating in the early 1970s.

After the accident, however, his friends regret the silence.  In the motorcycle community, safety is the number one priority on a ride, said Fitzgerald Allen, who was with Graham on the day of his death.

So, they organized a Rick Graham Memorial Ride in his honor to help raise money for Rick's family, as well as increase awareness of diabetes.

"If [people] see big motorcycling guys opening up to having health problems, we hope it will encourage awareness," said Adrian Drakes, who is a big motorcycle guy himself.  "We think we're invincible, but we're not."

Now in its eighth year, the ride has expanded from a few riders cruising through the neighborhoods of Boston to riders gathering from all over New England to travel from the Franklin Park Zoo to the Onset VFW.

This year's September 19 ride is expected to attract nearly 600 riders, said Allen.  (Note to those sharing the road with the ride, expect to be stopped for 10 minutes as they go by, organizers estimated.)

At the VFW, they will have a cookout, motorcycle skill games, fun activities for kids such as face-painting and "bounce houses," as well as glucose and blood-sugar testing provided by Cape Cod Hospital. Entertainment will be provided by DJ Lady K, and there will be a 50/50 raffle.

"It's for everyone, not just for riders," said Drakes.

Tickets cost $20 for the day, including food, and proceeds go to the American Diabetes Association.  The riders should arrive at Onset via around 1 p.m. The route follows Rt. 138 through Milton to Brockton, Rt. 106 to Rt. 58 through Carver, and then Rt. 28 from West Wareham to Onset.  For more information on the ride, please contact Adrian at 617-293-7039 or Fitz at 617-296-7461.