Bikers Rally for Toys For Tots

Promise Yee

OCEANSIDE, CA -- Over 300 bikers rallied at Oceanside Harbor on November 21 to support the Toys for Tots run. San Diego motorcycle chapters teamed up with the United States Marine Corps to host the annual toy run that holds a special place in the hearts of many bikers. “Every chapter has rides once a month,” Bob Harmon, of Rosamond, said. “But its not Toys for Tots.”

The Toys for Tots run draws motorcycle chapters and riders from all over California. Some riders put in over 150 miles just to get to the start of the event. Each rider brings a toy to donate. Some have a dozen toys strapped to their bikes to drop off at the end of the ride at Casino Pauma.

“We’re Gold Wing Road Rider Association, we try to attend all these functions for Toys For Tots,” said Rudy Bayardo, of Riverside. “Today it will only be about a 30 mile trip.”

For the motorcycle enthusiast the Toys for Tots run is a showcase of every type of bike. There are Honda Gold Wing touring bikes that sport plush bucket seats, MP3 players, surround sound speakers, built in helmet headsets, seat heaters, and hand warmers in the handlebars. There are also limited edition Harley Davidson motorcycles, custom choppers, sports bikes and cruisers. Many of the bikes are decorated as reindeer or Santa’s sleigh for the event.

After a look at the bikes, morning coffee and donuts, a brief meet up, pledge, and prayer, riders roll out from Oceanside Harbor at 11 AM escorted by the National Public Safety team. The escort team of six vehicles and five motorcycles leads the run and blocks traffic at intersections so all 300 bikers can have an uninterrupted ride through North County to drop off the toys for kids in plenty of time for Christmas, said Morris Hahn, administrative lieutenant of National Public Safety of El Cajo.