8th Annual Cloverdale Toy Run
December 4, 2005
It was a cold, cold morning as I backed the Harley out of the garage and woke up the neighbors at 8:00am. 31 degrees may not be cold for some parts of the country, but it was awful cold for this cowboy. The sky was clear and the roads were dry so I did not worry about ice I should consider myself lucky that I could even get the Hog out because I know that some people don’t have the opportunity to ride in December, but it’s Toy Run time and I had toys to give.

Rolling North on 101 out of Santa Rosa I was heading thirty something miles north to Cloverdale and the 8th Annual Cloverdale Toy Run at the Citrus Fairgrounds and I noticed that I was holding a very straight line in my lane and realized that when you’re frozen stiff, you don’t weave all over the freeway. OK enough about the cold…

The Cloverdale Lions Club and the American Renegade Productions hosted this event and what a wonderful turn-out to help the disadvantaged youth in the Cloverdale area. More than 400 bikes over 500 people showed up for a fun day on the spacious grounds of the Citrus Fairgrounds. Paved parking is always a welcome site when you’ve got a kickstand to put down.

I arrived way too early as they barely had the coffee cooking but it sure was good. Cupcakes helped absorb the black stuff and the Lions Club had the BBQ fire started so I soon warmed up. 400 pounds of Tri-Tip and Pork Roasts were being seasoned and the Frank had his bean getting warm, He wouldn’t give me too many details on his secret recipe, but let me look into the kettle and all I could see was the mushrooms floating on top. They turned out to be some of the best I ever had, sorry Grandpa. They had a flavor that was not sweet and not the bell pepper flavor as some can be, but just a great Ranch Bean flavor, almost like beef. The Lions Club people know how to put on a good feed, and the line of good eaters knew the wait was worth it.

Santa Claus himself led us on a well-planned 30-mile cruse around town and people had lined the street to wave to us all. Special thanks to Karen who dressed as Santa’s Helper and sold the 50/50 raffle tickets, which raise $ 446.00, and I hope she didn't freeze. With over 140 raffle prizes the Lions Club and American Renegade Productions wanted to give a special thank you to all the donators and asked that if you won a prize from a shop, to stop in and thank them personally. The Voo Doo Cats Band had the music blaring and people dancing and singing along.

The ride-in bike show was won by "RUKNESS", a very clean creation by Arlen Ness. That’s part of a surprise inspection kind of a bike show, you never know you’re entered and never know you might win. There were bikes all over the yard that were show quality and showed a lot of pride in ownership. Some riders must have thought there bikes wouldn’t win because more than a couple of the plaques were held over for future times when they can find the winners.

There were many patch riders there from groups such as, 3rd Wheel Trikes, Wind & Fire MC of the Barbary Coast, Redwood Empire HOG, Redwood Riders, Too Much Fun and Marine MC Semper Fidelis.

American Renegade Productions are co-sponsors of this Toy Run and when I asked if they were a Bike Club, Greg Howells and Jim Walker responded that they were a Family. The way they said it, well it had a special sound to it. We had a nice talk of the needy children of the area that will benefit from the hundreds of toys that were donated. After having to pay for the use of the fairgrounds, the cost of the food and the band, let alone all the other little expenses, they blew me away when they said that any other profits from the event were donated to the local food bank. I can see why they called themselves a family. I want to give a shout out to other members, Gary Newby, Mark Webb, Shane Mezzanatto, Mike Wirenga and especially Indiana Slim.

I can see why this event is in it’s 8th year, a good charity, great location and great food. I’ll be back next year.

I’ll see ya at the next event whether it’s Harleys or Hot Rods.

By, Nick Jonopulos