Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/693447
6 nJuly 2016n www.thunderpress.net THUNDER PRESS by Jon DeMaria SAN MARCOS, CALIF., MAY 21—After missing last year's May Ride I was excited to get back there this year to see how things had pro- gressed. Two years ago wildfi res had swept through the San Marcos area nearly wiping out the entire event, and last year I heard rainfall nearly ruined things. This year, however, the stars seemed perfectly aligned for what would be the best year yet in the ride's history. The May Ride kicks off early with a pancake breakfast followed by a poker run that ends at Biggs Harley-Davidson for a huge after- party complete with vendors, bike and car shows, a motorcycle stunt show, and two stages of live music through- out the day. Lunch was provided by Mike's BBQ. When I arrived at Biggs I entered from the backside of the dealership. My initial observation was that this year's event was signifi cantly smaller than years past. However, after parking and walking across the parking lot to the other side and rounding the corner onto the street, it became clear to me that this year was actually as large, if not larger, than ever. I realized that what appeared to be a far smaller event was simply the result of a major reor- ganization of the event's layout. The stunt show was moved this year into the northern end of the Biggs park- ing area so they took those vendors and moved them to the middle of the street transforming it into three rows of vendors. As I approached the main vendor row I ran across May Ride co-founder and radio personality for San Diego's 101 KGB, Clint August, interviewing Biggs Harley-Davidson marketing director Howie Wahl on-air. I waited till Clint was fi nished with his broadcast before asking him how it felt to see all his planning and effort come together for a 14th year. He responded, "When I see people smiling, and I see these military veterans and our current active duty military, man I would say the emotional level on a scale from one to 10 is probably a 10. It's just so cool to shake their hands. They always say the same thing, 'Ah, dude, you're making it a bigger deal than it actually is.' No, that's false; it's more than we could ever repay so it's a very emo- tional thing. I've said it before; this event started with one rider, and it was in the rain. He was in the Navy and he was wearing a skull mask. I don't know who he is; I wish I did. I'd make a plaque for him every year. We had maybe 40 people at the after party that year and now it's 500–600 registered riders and I'm going to guess that we'll have between 4,000 and 5,000 people, maybe even more throughout the day today. Barona Casino is a massive sponsor giving $2,500 every year towards the cause plus a weekend package with dinner, golf and a hotel stay worth $800 alone. Law Tigers kicks down a lot in the form of pro- motions and money. And you have all these bands who play for free! Chris 'The Crippler' Leben, former UFC fi ghter, is here just to shake hands, Iron Horse Realty is here; we have lots of great sponsors. The Biggs H.O.G. chapter and the other local H.O.G. chapters show up in force to support the cause. They have their own inside 'chapter challenge' with the winning chapter receiving a $500 prize. That contest was won by the Biggs H.O.G. chapter this year with over 55 riders, and what's really cool is they turned around and donated all of the money back to Homefront San Diego. "Two years ago we had the fi res and people were put out of their homes and still came to help put on the May Ride. Last year it rained in the middle, I thought the event was done and it turned out to be the biggest one we've had with just over $15,000 that we raised. Admittedly we do have more expenses this year but this year looks to me to be the biggest yet. We have over 80 vendors, and the car and bike show is a huge success. Homefront San Diego benefi ts every single branch of the military here in San Diego—the money stays local. They're 100 percent volunteer based. All the money goes for the cause that you're putting in for. They actually help families with car repairs, groceries, furniture; they even pay rent for families and the whole theory behind Homefront San Diego is that while our heroes are away fi ght- ing—and that can be male or female these days—if they get an e-mail one night saying, 'Oh my God, the car isn't running, how am I going to get the kids to school, how do I get to work?' Homefront San Diego doesn't want our soldiers to be worried about that. They want them to concentrate on getting home safe so they can be with their families again." Clint also wanted to make sure people know it doesn't matter what you ride. "I say it every 14TH ANNUAL MAY RIDE Local donations for local families Operation Homefront San Diego helps our military families May Ride Co-Founder and on-air personality for San Diego's 101 KGB radio station, Clint August, interviews Biggs Harley-Davidson Marketing Director Howie Wahl live from the event Members of the Straight Up stunt team get patriotic as they burnout with red white and blue smoke See "May Ride," page 42, column 3