The Modesto Bee reports that organizers of the annual Sierra Hope Ride are working with police and the California Highway Patrol, to ensure the procession of riders moves out of town more quickly than before...

To speed up the ride's passage through Riverbank, riders will slow down at Al's Furniture on McHenry Avenue before entering Riverbank from Modesto. A short delay for riders at the head of the pack will keep bikes closer together. The dense pack will move through Riverbank about 17 minutes faster than last year, which took 47 minutes, Police Chief Tim Beck said.

At issue are complaint from townsfolks seeking to leave town for summer vacations, and experiencing severe traffic delays from the rally riders.

Keep in mind, the purpose of the ride is to raise money for a Muscular Dystrophy charity.

You know, residents don't seem to mind when a Christmas parade shuts down a major thoroughfare, but when traffic is delayed because of a charity ride complaints are filed.

Kudos to city officials for trying to work out a solution, rather than shutting down the event.

Labels: California Motorcycle Rides, Motorcycle Benefit Rides, Sierra Hope Ride