There are bikers coming to Portage la Prairie and they'll be here Saturday looking for more bikers to join them.

Their purpose? The First Annual Ride for Providence, which is in support of higher Christian education at the college located In Otterburne, south of Winnipeg off of Hwy. 59.

One of the riders will be Providence alumus Ben Funk. "This event should be a fun event for the average rider. There are a lot of things to see and a lot of people to connect with," Funk said in a prepared statement.

"Motorcycling is fun at the best of time. A bad day on a motorcycle is still better than a good day at the office."

Another biker riding along will be Providence board member Burt Loewen of Steinbach.

"I don't think that everybody has to follow the same path necessarily and quite a few of my friends ride bikes. We have many Christain friends and this is their hobby, their form of relaxation and travel," the retired owner of Steinbach Furniture said in the same statement.

Providence College vice-president for development Margaret Schonewille said the bikers start their excursion in Portage la Prairie, St. Pierre-Jolys, Steinbach, Winkler and Winnipeg. They will arrive at the Carman Active Living Centre for lunch at noon and then head to Otterburne. The ride will end with a steak supper at the college.

Schonewille said local bikers wanting to join in can do so by either being at one of those points or by showing up at the ALC to register.

To help raise funds for the college, there will be a raffle for a private sailboat excursion on Lake of Woods and overnight stays at a number hotels in Manitoba and Ontario. The money raised will go for student bursaries who are from the same province or U.S. state as the rider.

Registration is available online at providencecollege.ca or by calling Schonewille at (204) 433-7488 (ext. 236) or by email to maraget.schonewille@prov.ca.