MSJC motorcycle event takes off from Menifee; draws about 70 riders

The riders take off from the Menifee Campus of Mt. San Jacinto College.

The morning fog had already lifted Saturday as about 70 riders took off from the Menifee Campus of Mt. San Jacinto College in the first Scholarship Motorcycle Run.

For Dr. William Vincent, vice president of student services, the event was already a success, even before the riders left on their way to the college’s San Jacinto Campus.

“This just exploded,” said Vincent, dressed in leathers shortly before the start of the 88-mile ride. “We were not sure how the idea was going to be received, but it took off.”

Vincent, an avid rider, came up with the idea as a way to expand the numbers of people who support the college, beyond those who might already be involved in giving or volunteering. The traditional fundraising would still be there, he said previously, but the ride was an attempt to do something out of the ordinary. The event benefited the Mt. San Jacinto College Foundation.

Riders began gathering just before 8 a.m., many clad in leather gear, sporting personally decorated jackets and helmets. They were riding everything from “hogs” to speedy three-wheeled bikes. Many spent time before the ride talking about everything motorcycle, from the best way to keep the motorcycles clean to the latest style changes in bike design.

Donna and Greg Barnett of Hemet were among the riders. Greg has taken part in hundreds of bike events over the 30-plus years he has been riding, while Donna has been riding for less than a year. They agreed the best part of the event was the camaraderie among riders and sharing an experience together.

“It’s just a lot of fun,” he said. “You already have something in common with everyone, so there is always something to talk about. We all like riding anyway, so it is something we can share.”

MSJC Ennrollement Clerk Mary Mapes, her dog Cookie and dozens of other motorcycles riders joined for the college's first bike run. Mapes, a Mira Loma resident, has been riding for about 40 years. Cookie tags along for all of her rides.

The riders started their journey at the Menifee campus, located just east of Interstate 215 near Newport Road, then traveled through the beautiful sage, boulder and scrub-covered hills of Anza and Aguanga, and winded through the pine-scented, scenic mountain hamlet of Garner Valley in the San Jacinto Mountains.

The final stretch of the 88-mile ride descended into the San Jacinto Valley and participants arrived at the San Jacinto campus for a barbecue of tri tip and chicken.

The MSJC Foundation is a non-profit, tax-exempt corporation that raises money to benefit students through scholarships and provides faculty and program grants to enhance educational opportunities.

College officials said they expect the ride to be bigger next year, given the interest in the inaugural event.

Tags: hemet, Menifee, msjc foundation, mt. san jacinto colege, San Jacinto, SWRNN

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