By Charlene Dean

Saturday, local residents can expect to hear the thunder of motorcycle engines as the annual Bordello Thunder Run makes its way through town.
This is the eighth year for the event which raises money for Adaptive Action Sports, a nonprofit organization dealing with amputees.
The idea began in Crystal with Kathy Bragg, owner of the Short Branch Saloon. She wanted to be part of a big bike event, and after several conversations with Larry Hughes, part-owner of S&L Western Products in Las Vegas, and his partner Stef Purdy, father of an amputee, a plan of action found roots. The event normally attracts between 1,000 and 1,200 riders for the charity.
Amy Purdy lost both legs at the age of 18 when she contracted spinal meningitis. She was an avid skier and snow boarder and loved to rock climb. Refusing to give up the life she loved, Amy was back on her snow board after three weeks of her release from the hospital and she hasn’t stopped since.
Adaptive Action Sports has been a career source for her as well. She travels the globe working with athletes who have lost limbs to get back to their sport using specialized equipment. The equipment manufacturers sponsor Amy’s travels. She recently returned to her home in Colorado after spending time in Africa working with amputees.
The organization also works with war veterans who have lost limbs as well.
Hughes organizes bike events in other places to benefit the charity and said, “We normally raise between $2,500 and $3,000 from the Bordello Thunder Run alone.
For riders in Las Vegas, registration will be from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at Red Rock Harley-Davidson, 2260 S. Rainbow Blvd., where riders will get the first of five playing cards for their poker hand.
The bikers will head to the Chicken Ranch on South Homestead Road to draw the second card. Riders from Pahrump will register here and get one playing card plus draw another before the next stop next door at Sheri’s Ranch.
Riders will get additional cards from Sheri’s, Dennis Hof’s Love Ranch in Crystal and finish the run at Kathy’s Short Branch Saloon up the road from the last brothel.
The Short Branch will be the place for “Larry’s Steak & Chicken Thunder Barbecue” with all the fixin’s. Live music will be provided by the Stormy Davis Band and raffle tickets will be available for prize drawings.
Hughes said Red Rock Harley-Davidson is donating accessories for the raffles and Hughes is purchasing cash gift certificates, “so people can buy what they want for their bikes.”
The bar will be open and Bragg said she’s already hired extra bartenders to serve the crowd.
The cost of the ride, entertainment and barbecue is $30 per person at registration.
The best poker hand will pay the winner $500 and the second best hand will be awarded $250.
Hughes said ride patches are available free to the first 500 who register but no preregistration is available.
Call Stef Purdy at 702-595-5711 or Larry Hughes at 702-877-3182 for more information.