Governor Mitch Daniels (R) ended the ABATE ride in Plymouth where he downplayed rumors of a run for President in 2012.

The ABATE ride is done each year to promote motorcycle safety on the roads and raise money for the National Guard Relief Fund.

This year the nearly 500 riders began at the Capitol and stopped in Brookston and Fair Oaks, before arriving in Plymouth at the Swan Lake Resort.

"Fatalities were down 15 percent in Indiana last year and they're down again this year," said Daniels, who rode one of two motorcycles he owns.

"[It] is what's called a Harley-Davidson Fat Boy and it's the baddest, blackest bike in the State of Indiana. Everything...black wheels, black everything," said Daniels describing his bike.

He urged all motorists to be aware of riders. One motorcyclist said the awareness goes beyond just driving.

"I had one friend that was riding down the interstate and a plastic bag blew over his face and his natural instinct was just to grab the bag with both hands. He let go of his handle bars, but he managed to keep it up," said Joe Towns, who rode from Jeffersonville to participate.

Talk of the campaign trail wasn't far behind the motorcycle trail as Daniels name has been mentioned recently on cable news as a potential candidate for President in 2012.

"Run is an active verb, keynotes that you're actually doing something and I'm not, my mind is entirely on the job here," said Daniels.

A television cable news station was with the governor during the ride doing a story on potential 2012 Presidential candidates.

When pressed if he was planning to run in 2012 he responded: "I have no plans."

Before leaving on the ride, the governor told an Indianapolis TV station that he was not fully closing the door on a run for the White House.

While Daniels may not begin campaigning for funding for President, the State of Indiana will soon receive $207 million in additional stimulus money from the Jobs Bill. The money is earmarked specifically for education.

"It comes with the usual strings attached , which many governors had asked them not to do that, but now that they've done it if the check comes, we'll cash it," said Daniels.

The governor said the money will likely be distributed to districts based on the number of students enrolled, but the amounts won't be decided until the money arrives.