A Memorial Day motorcycle ride through Riverside intended to honor members of the U.S. Armed Services is set to go again three weeks from Monday, featuring various stops, including Riverside National Cemetery, and ending with a concert.
“West Coast Thunder” is scheduled to roar to life on the morning of May 25.
Riverside Harley-Davidson always hosts the event, 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.
The 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 25. They’ll leave the location at 9:11 a.m., under escort by Riverside police officers, Riverside County 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 loop back to downtown Riverside via area freeways, making a wide sweep that will conclude near the Riverside Municipal Auditorium.
The exact route had not been announced as of Monday. However, West Coast Thunder Foundation Director Jackson Dodd said two local bands, The New Originals and Travis Humble Heritage Harmonic, had been confirmed to perform for riders and other celebrants in the Historic Downtown space, beginning in the early afternoon of May 25.
“There is a unique synergy between the rumble of a motorcycle engine and the rhythm of live rock and roll,” Dodd said. “Bringing The New Originals and Travis Humble into the fold allows us to celebrate our local culture while maintaining our focus on honoring those who have served.”
There will be a beer garden and other activities during the afternoon entertainment.
In previous years, the rides traveled farther east to San Jacinto, or farther south into the Temecula Valley.
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 over 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 www.westcoastthunder.com/.