A motorcycle run that attracted an estimated 2,000 riders last
year will rumble through downtown Hollister at about 11:45 a.m.
Saturday on a route that was recently disallowed
– and then reinstated – by the Hollister Police Department.
A motorcycle run that attracted an estimated 2,000 riders last year will rumble through downtown Hollister at about 11:45 a.m. Saturday on a route that was recently disallowed – and then reinstated – by the Hollister Police Department.
The third annual Santa Clara County Peace Officers Memorial Run, held in honor of that county’s 40 law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty, will follow a route from the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office to Bolado Park, where it will culminate in a barbecue. Road closures along the way include highways 87, 85, 101, 156 and San Benito Street.
Hollister resident Bucky Harris, who founded the run in 2001, is a San Jose police officer.
“It’s going to be bigger this year,” Harris said. “I don’t know how much bigger.”
Harris said pre-registration increased significantly this year, partly because he mailed forms to everyone who rode last year. He said he expects more than 2,500 riders and added that organizers have also increased the number of vendors at Bolado Park from 16 last year to 25.
Organizers estimated that 100 motorcyclists from Hollister took part last year, as onlookers lined the sidewalks of San Benito Street to watch the procession of bikes.
Interim Hollister Police Chief Larry Todd said two weeks ago that he would not allow the run to take its usual route through downtown because the route calls for streets to be closed and allows riders to ignore stoplights. But after Harris expressed dissent with Todd’s decision at the May 5 City Council meeting, Todd met with City Manager Dale Shaddox and changed his mind.
An alternate route proposed by Todd would have taken the group outside the Hollister city limits to Fairview Road and on to Airline Highway.
HPD Capt. Richard Vasquez said the police department would attempt to ban the run through downtown in 2004, but added that the City Council would likely have final say on the issue.
A pre-event party will be held tonight from 6-9 p.m. at the San Jose Police Officers Association Hall, 1151 N. Fourth St. Registration for the run will be held Saturday from 8:30-10 a.m. Cost is $25 per person or $35 per couple.
Master of ceremonies for the run will be Bay Area TV personality Rigo Chacon, with music by Hog Wild.
Harris said four helicopters from area agencies will fly overhead at the run’s outset while “Taps” is played to commemorate the fallen officers.
For more information, call Harris at (408) 989-4867.
