By Burtland Dixon
All of San Diego county felt the revving and rumbling of over 350 motorcycles participating in the 6th annual Rides4ALZ on July 9th, 2022. The sun welcomed all the riders with fabulous weather from start to finish as everyone came together for one of the most thrilling fundraisers anyone can attend.
What started at the Alzheimer’s San Diego beautiful office in the Kearny Mesa area would see participants of all levels trek on a 108-mile charity ride throughout San Diego. People were able to embark as teams or individual parties. As familiar and new faces arrived as early as 6:45 AM, it was tough for all to hold their excitement. Who wouldn’t be thrilled for an after-party filled with tasty food, prizes, great vibes, and samplings of craft brews. Along the route were pitstops for photo opportunities at locations such as Pio Pico Campground and Coronado Bridge to help commemorate the day even more.
First-time participant Gary Delgado, who usually rides solo, showed up with the brightest smile on his face and a tye-die shirt. He gladly explained what he was most excited about for the event when he said, “to get out on the road; be with more people.” Not only is Rides4ALZ fundraising for a cause, but it’s also helping breed a stronger community. In the perilous times we live in today, this event is what the doctor ordered. Lon Peterson, a Harley-Davidson owner, said he couldn’t wait “for the beers and tacos.” It’s safe to believe that he wasn’t the only one with that combination on his mind. ICON Utility Services member Lenno Campos echoed the same sentiments last year.
Once everyone completed the course, the destination for added fun was AleSmith Brewing.
At AleSmith Brewing, the smell of fresh catered tacos from Rudy’s Taco welcomed people upon arrival close to 11:30 AM. There were dogs, family members visiting from out of town, and all the smiles in the world. The air was electric, but the fun was far from over as sponsors Par West, Patriot General, Jingoli Power, and many others were also in attendance. After folks enjoyed the custom Ride Out Hoppy Pilsner and food, it was time to acknowledge the top donors! Scott Drury took home the plaque for most raised by an individual with $6,400. Meanwhile, the most giving team was San Diego HOG, which raised $2,760. The icing on the cake was the door prizes, which included Padres tickets, an E-bike, and even two nights at the Sahara in Las Vegas!
The consensus among attendees was that they wished there were more charitable events like Rides4ALZ. Rides bridges a passion like riding motorcycles and a way to help a county with 100,000 suffering from dementia without making it feel like a chore. Hopefully, in the future, more affairs like this one will prosper and find ways to spark comradery while tackling a devastating disease. Since 2022 was only the 6th ride, you can expect it to continue to grow and become a staple in San Diego for years.
Check out the amazing photos below!
