West Coast Thunder first originated in May of 2000. Founded by Pat Delahunty, Steve Cifelli, Steve Aragon, George Helton, Lucky & Theresa Delaney, Rich Greenberg, and D.J. Quinn; Delahunty first thought of the idea in May of 1999 while watching the documentary Letters from the Trenches. The following day, he called some of his fellow H.O.G.^® chapter members, and they organized a small ride to the Riverside National Cemetery to participate in their annual remembrance ceremony. After the ceremony, they decided to make the ride a tradition. Delahunty reached out to his friend, Don Odell, and the two have sat on the WCT board and played an integral role in the development of West Coast Thunder. That's where the event was born.

With the financial support from Skip Fordyce Harley-Davidson in Riverside, California, the tradition grew in stride, doubling attendance each year. To this date, West Coast Thunder and has donated over $350,000 to the Riverside National Cemetery Support Committee. These donations help build monuments at the Riverside National Cemetery.

Each Year over 7,500 motorcyclists pack the street of Indiana Avenue in Riverside, California to celebrate the tradition of West Coast Thunder.

In 2009, West Coast Thunder celebrated its 10th anniversary with its annual parade to the Riverside National Cemetery. Afterwards, participants rode to Historic Downtown Riverside, where festivities included food and product vendors, motorcycle demonstrations, a concert, and the Ultimate Sacrifice presentation by the Inland Empire H.O.G.^® Chapter.In 2010, K&N Filters presented West Coast Thunder. Country Music artist James Otto and Danny Gokey performed for registered participants and concert ticket holders at Soboba Casino in San Jacinto, California. In 2011, Stater Bros. Markets presented West Coast thunder XII, featuring The Marshall Tucker Band and Aaron Lewis of Staind.

This year, the West Coast Thunder Foundation has partnered with their friends at KFRG Radio 95.1 FM to aide in the production of West Coast Thunder XIII. Soboba Casino in San Jacinto, California, has graciously dontaed their venue and production staff to produce a concert for the registered participants of West Coast Thunder XIII. MORE DETAILS TO BE ANNOUNCED!

Proceeds will benefit the Riverside National Cemetery Support Committee via the West Coast Thunder Foundation. West Coast Thunder has been the major contributor of funds to the Riverside National Cemetery. Completed projects include construction of the National POW / MIA Memorial (dedicated in 2005), repairs to the Medal of Honor Memorial, financial support to the RNC Memorial Honor Detail, and funding each July of the Concert for Heroes.  

Lastly, these financial gifts have funded cemetery projects to include purchase flower cones and the honor of indigent and unaccompanied, homeless Veterans buried each month with placement of a bouquet of flowers and an American flag on their final resting place.  For more information about the proud, volunteer-based RNCSC, please visit www.rncsc.org.

SAVE THE DATE: Monday, May 28^th, 2012

Click here for ride information and parade route.