The SoCal Burn Ride revved up its engines for a good cause on Oct. 26. Motorcyclists gathered at the Lakeside Pavilion of Conejo Creek North Park in Thousand Oaks for a scenic two-hour ride organized to raise funds for the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation.
Opening ceremonies began at 9 a.m., with a Presentation of Colors by the 205th Battalion, California Cadet Corps, Pacoima Middle School, and the singing of the National Anthem by a vocalist with the Seal Beach Symphony. Speakers included Daniel Chacon, executive director of the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation, and burn survivor and volunteer Paul Harris.
Then it was kickstands up at 10 a.m. Riders covered 60 miles in all, traveling past Point Mugu State Park, along the Pacific Coast Highway and through the Santa Monica Mountains. The ride began and ended at Conejo Creek Park, with an afterparty at 12 p.m. that featured a variety of vendors, live music, food by Taco Loco and “Ride N Repeat” photos courtesy of photographer Jeff Thomas of Turn N Burn Magazine. The event also featured raffles for fantastic prizes and a motorcycle simulator presented by Apex Studio 66 out of Santa Clarita.
The SoCal Burn Ride was founded in 2014 by burn survivor Trevor Holtan and U.S. Marine Corps Major David Kuntz as a way to support burn survivors in California through the work of the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation. Proceeds from the Oct. 26 ride will go toward Champ Camp.
(story courtesy of Nancy D. Lackey Shaffer of vcreporter)