A celebrated motorcycle ride through Riverside intended to honor members of the U.S. Armed Services is slated for Memorial Day, featuring a trip through parts of the city, including Riverside National Cemetery, and ending with a concert.
West Coast Thunder is scheduled roar to life on the morning of May 26.
“For over two decades, West Coast Thunder has honored the service and sacrifice of America’s military heroes with a powerful display of unity and patriotism,” West Coast Thunder Foundation Director Jackson Dodd said. “The event will begin with an early morning ceremony conducted by the United States Marine Corps (color guard). After departure, riders will embark on an escorted parade through Riverside.”
Riverside Harley-Davidson always hosts the events, which began in 2000, when the dealership belonged to Skip Fordyce and operated under that banner.
More than 7,500 motorcycle enthusiasts are expected to take part in this year’s ride.
Motorcyclist gather along Indiana Avenue outside the Riverside Harley Davidson store for the annual West Coast Thunder motorcycle ride on Monday, May 29, 2017. (Stan Lim, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG) Riders enjoy the annual West Coast Thunder motorcycle rally as they pass Riverside National Cemetery on Memorial Day on Monday, May 30, 2016. (File photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG) Visitors outside of Riverside National Cemetery cheer on riders of the 20th anniversary West Coast Thunder bike run Monday, May 27, 2019 in observance of Memorial Day. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) Visitors outside of Riverside National Cemetery cheer on riders of the 20th anniversary West Coast Thunder bike run Monday, May 27, 2019 in observance of Memorial Day. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) Visitors outside of Riverside National Cemetery cheer on the hundreds of riders in the 20th anniversary West Coast Thunder bike run Monday, May 27, 2019 in observance of Memorial Day. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) One of the hundreds of riders in the 20th anniversary West Coast Thunder bike run ride past Riverside National Cemetery Monday, May 27, 2019 in observance of Memorial Day. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) Richard Sevier, from Riverside, greets riders in the 20th anniversary West Coast Thunder bike run Monday, May 27, 2019 as they ride past Riverside National Cemetery in observance of Memorial Day. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) Motorcycles in the annual West Coast Thunder Memorial Day Parade along Van Buren Boulevard, en route to the Lake Perris Fairgrounds during the 40th annual Memorial Day ceremony at Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside Monday, May 28, 2018. FRANK BELLINO, For THE PRESS-ENTERPRISE/SCNG Motorcyclists head to Riverside National Cemetery during West Coast Thunder on Memorial Day 2017. (File photo by Stan Lim, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG) West Coast Thunder participants make they way down Van Buren Blvd. near Riverside National Cemetery, on Monday, May 25, 2015. Jacob Roseau, left, and Aaron Cardenas, both of Riverside, take off their hats as the National Anthem is played before the start of the annual West Coast Thunder motorcycle ride on Monday, May 29, 2017. (Stan Lim, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG) Disable Marine Corp. veteran Frank Bernich, of Moreno Valley, waits for the start of the annual West Coast Thunder motorcycle ride on Monday, May 29, 2017. (Stan Lim, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG) Brandon Blehl, of Murrieta, lowers his head for a moment of silence before the start of the annual West Coast Thunder motorcycle ride on Monday, May 29, 2017. (Stan Lim, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG) Stan Lim/ Press-Enterprise/SCNGMotorcylists make their way down Indiana Ave. during the annual West Coast Thunder motorcycle ride in Riverside in 2016. Show Caption1 of 14Motorcyclist gather along Indiana Avenue outside the Riverside Harley Davidson store for the annual West Coast Thunder motorcycle ride on Monday, May 29, 2017. (Stan Lim, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG) ExpandThe event returned in May 2023 following a three-year hiatus, initially stemming from the COVID lockdowns, then ongoing concerns that led to further cancellations.
This year’s event will get underway in front of the dealership at 7688 Indiana Ave., with motorcyclists bearing American flags and other ensigns starting to assemble about 6 a.m. on May 26. They’ll leave the location at 9:11 a.m., under escort by Riverside police officers, sheriff’s deputies and other law enforcement personnel, proceeding up Alessandro Boulevard to south Riverside, where residents regularly gather on sidewalks to wave and show support.
The ride will then transition to Van Buren Boulevard, where some participants will peel off to Riverside National Cemetery to pay their respects, while others will continue onto northbound Interstate 215, making a wide sweep on the freeway that leads back into the city, concluding at Riverside Municipal Auditorium downtown.
In previous years, the rides traveled farther east to San Jacinto, or farther south into the Temecula Valley.
“The move to Riverside Municipal Auditorium allows us to provide a more immersive and engaging experience for participants while keeping the focus on our core mission of honoring fallen service members,” Dodd said. “We are excited to host our concert at this iconic venue in the heart of Riverside and continue this cherished tradition.”
Country artist LANCO will be performing at the venue.
A large share of proceeds raised from the rides and musical shows are donated to the Riverside National Cemetery Support Committee, which relies on contributions to build monuments and make other improvements at the hallowed grounds, where more than 250,000 U.S. military veterans, police officers, firefighters and others are interred.
More than $1 million has been generated over the past two decades, and even when the rides weren’t held, the West Coast Thunder Foundation continued donation drives to support the cemetery.
More information about the rides is available at westcoastthunder.com.
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