History of West Coast Thunder:

West Coast Thunder first originated in May of 2000. Pat Delahunty first thought of the idea in May of 1999 while watching the documentary Letters from the Trenches. The following day, Pat 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. That's where West Coast Thunder was born.

With the financial support from Skip Fordyce Harley-Davidson, the tradition grew in stride, doubling attendance each year. To this date, West Coast Thunder and Skip Fordyce Harley-Davidson have donated over $300,000 to the Riverside National Cemetery Support Committee. These donations help build monuments at the Riverside National Cemetery.

Each Year over 7,500 motorcyclists packed 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.

This year, West Coast Thunder and Skip Fordyce Harley-Davidson have partnered with their friends at KFRG Radio, 95.1 FM and Soboba Casino to aide in the production of the event. As of 2010, the West Coast Thunder Parade will offer two choices. For riders that wish to go the Riverside National Cemetery, there will be an escorted, closed parade route exactly the same as year’s past. This parade will leave at 9:11 am.

Immediately following that departure, those wanting to ride the closed, escorted route to Soboba Casino will depart. This group of riders will stay on Alessadandro at the Alessandro/Trautwein fork. Riders will then be escorted by the CHP the entire route to Soboba Casino, via the 215 N, 60 E, and Gilman Springs Road. 

Soboba Casino will be our host as we partner with KFROG Radio for a concert by Nashville Recording Star James Otto with Special Guest American Idol Finalist Danny Gokey especially for the registered participants of West Coast Thunder XI. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Riverside National Cemetery Support Committee.

SAVE THE DATE: Monday, May 31st, 2010