Engines will roar and the chrome will shine for some good causes Saturday as the Hoss Cat Ride For Charity Fall 2003 revs up and hits the road.

"What makes this ride different than other rides is that the riders get to pick the charity their registration money goes to," Hoss Cat owner Donnie Townsend said. "Most rides, you never know where your money is going."

Townsend said he has 200 people preregistered and expects as many as 500 people to participate in the ride to benefit charities. Registration begins at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Ironton Hills Shopping Center.

Registration is $10 per person and two non-perishable food items. Anyone who registers can pick between four charities: Mended Reeds Foster Care, the Shane Jones Memorial Scholarship Fund, Community Hospice in Ashland, Ky., and the Lawrence County Domestic Violence Shelter. Canned goods will go to Mended Reeds, The Salvation Army and the Ironton Church of Christ's food pantry.

The first 250 riders will get a long-sleeve T-shirt that Townsend is so proud of, he said is going to try to print up some more so as many people as possible can get one.

Another point that Townsend is proud of is that this ride is once again non-alcoholic.

"I do not care if a

person drinks. It is not any of my business," he said. "But when you drink and get on a motorcycle, it becomes everyone's business."

The event will get going early with door prize give- aways. Pick 'N Save Foods and local country musician Lee McCormack will provide entertainment and food before and after the event. McCormack will perform from 11:30 a.m. until 12:45 and around 4:30 p.m.

Sport bikes leave the Ironton Hills at 12:45 a.m. ,with cruiser bikes leaving at 1 p.m. The route for this year's event is to leave from Ironton and travel to Oak Hill. Next stop will be Rio Grande. Then, the group will stop at the Sorghum Festival in Wilgus and then back to Ironton.

"Like we have told everyone. We are raising money together, but we are riding separate," he said. "Any kind of bikes are welcome. This is just about charity and having a good time."