Riding Into History is a

non-profit A nonprofit organization (NPO) or non-profit organisation, also known as a non-business entity, not-for-profit organization, or nonprofit institution, is a legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public or social benefit, in co ...

vintage motorcycle event founded in 2000 by Billy Aldrich. It was created in order to celebrate the heritage and

history History (derived ) is the systematic study and the documentation of the human activity. The time period of event before the History of writing#Inventions of writing, invention of writing systems is considered prehistory. "History" is an umbr ...

motorcycles A motorcycle (motorbike, bike, or trike (if three-wheeled)) is a two or three-wheeled motor vehicle steered by a handlebar. Motorcycle design varies greatly to suit a range of different purposes: long-distance travel, commuting, cruising, ...

, and also to raise money for charities. It has now become one of America's premier motorcycle events and the attendance figures have increased every year.

History

Billy Aldrich is the founder of a vintage motorcycle club in Northeast Florida. His wife, Jackie, survived breast cancer and inspired him to create the event. The event was named Riding Into History by William Robinson, a vintage motorcycle enthusiast, noting that the name implies a trip into the history of the motorcycles. Since its inception, Riding Into History has been held at the

World Golf Village The World Golf Village (WGV) is a golf resort in St. Johns County, Florida, United States, located between Jacksonville and St. Augustine. It was created by the PGA Tour and showcases the World Golf Hall of Fame. In addition to the resort the Wor ...

near

St. Augustine, Florida St. Augustine ( ; es, San Agustín ) is a city in the Southeastern United States and the county seat of St. Johns County on the Atlantic coast of northeastern Florida. Founded in 1565 by Spanish explorers, it is the oldest continuously inhabit ...

. It was also nationally featured on the

Speed Channel Speed was an American sports-oriented cable and satellite television network that was owned by the Fox Sports Media Group division of 21st Century Fox. The network was dedicated to motorsports programming, including auto racing, as well as aut ...

. Proceeds go to Buddy Check 12, a partnership between

Baptist Health Baptist Health, headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, is a faith-based, non-profit health system comprising six hospitals with 1,168 beds, a cancer center, four satellite emergency departments and more than 200 patient access points of care, in ...

and First Coast News (

WTLV WTLV (channel 12) is a television station in Jacksonville, Florida, United States, affiliated with NBC. It is owned by Tegna Inc. alongside Orange Park–licensed ABC affiliate WJXX (channel 25). Both stations share studios on East Adams Stre ...

WJXX WJXX (channel 25) is a television station licensed to Orange Park, Florida, United States, serving the Jacksonville area as an affiliate of ABC. It is owned by Tegna Inc. alongside NBC affiliate WTLV (channel 12). Both stations share studios ...

). This organization creates a link between women who call each other on each 12th of every month to verify that their partner has done her self-breast check thus enabling early detection of the disease. More than half a million women in the country are participating in the program. The event, featured on WTLV in Jacksonville, was originated by

Jeannie Blaylock Jeannie Blaylock is a weekday anchor, alongside Shannon Ogden, on ''First Coast News'' at WTLV/WJXX in Jacksonville, Florida, United States. She is also the "Healthwatch" reporter. Blaylock co-anchors the weeknight 5 and 6 p.m. newscasts of ''F ...

, the news anchor for First Coast News. In 2010 Riding Into History changed their charity to the

Wounded Warrior Project Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) is an American charity and veterans service organization that offers a variety of programs, services and events for wounded veterans of the military actions following September 11, 2001. It operates as a nonprofit ...

. As of 2013 they have contributed $105,000 to this charity. In 2014 Riding Into History again changed their charity to K9s For Warriors an organization that trains rescue dogs as service dogs for PTSD warriors. Riding Into History's first donation to K9s For Warriors will be a record donation. The donation will be matched by the Weaver Foundation. To date Riding Into History has donated over $300,000 to charity.

Activities

Riding Into History is held every year on the 3rd Saturday in May. The organization is independent and run by volunteers from BMW Motorcycle Owners of North East Florida (BMWNEF), and the Historic Motorcycle Society. Other area motorcycle clubs, such as the Jacksonville Beach Chrome Divas and the Christian Motorcycle Association have also given their support to the event. Riding Into History has several facets, including:

Concours d'Elegance

The

Concours d'Elegance ''Concours d'Elegance'' ( French: ''concours d'élégance'') is a term of French origin that means a "competition of elegance" and refers to an event where prestigious vehicles are displayed and judged. It dates back to 17th-century France, whe ...

competition attracts between 300 and 400 antique and vintage motorcycles each year. Collectors from all over America bring their motorcycles to the show, and they are displayed around the lake which forms the centerpiece of the

. There are numerous exhibitors at the Concours, as well as representatives from several motorcycle clubs. For the 15th annual Riding Into History, the

Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum Barber Motorsports Park is an multi-purpose racing facility located in Birmingham, Alabama. It was built by George W. Barber, and includes the Barber Vintage Motorsport Museum. It has been the site of the IndyCar Series' Grand Prix of Alabam ...

had a beautiful display of 9 very rare motorcycles. Their display included a 1926 Ace 4 cylinder in mid-restoration, a 1914 Indian electric start original and operational motorcycle! They also brought a 1961 Honda RC161/4 GP, a 1979 Yamaha TZ750 E, ex Henry DeGouw, a 1969 M.V. Agusta 250 twin scrambler, a 1973 BSA/Triumph

Dick Mann Dick Mann (June 13, 1934 – April 26, 2021) was an American professional motorcycle racer. He was a two-time winner of the A.M.A. Grand National Championship. Mann was inducted in the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 1993, and the Motorcycl ...

Daytona replica, 1967 Moto-Guzzi ISDT, a 2000 Lakewood custom, and a 1994 Harley Davidson VR1000.

Charity rides

These are charity rides for any motorcycle riders who wish to visit the event in North Florida. They ride from either Adamec Harley Davidson, Baymeadows or BMW Motorcycles of Jacksonville, Orange Park to the World Golf Village to see the Concours. VIP parking is provided, along with tickets to the Concours.

Grand Marshal dinner

This dinner takes place the evening before the Concours and it includes a

silent auction An auction is usually a process of buying and selling goods or services by offering them up for bids, taking bids, and then selling the item to the highest bidder or buying the item from the lowest bidder. Some exceptions to this definition ex ...

and the Grand Marshal as a

guest speaker Public speaking, also called oratory or oration, has traditionally meant the act of speaking face to face to a live audience. Today it includes any form of speaking (formally and informally) to an audience, including pre-recorded speech deliver ...

. The latter are always celebrities in the field. Craig Vetter was the 2004

Grand Marshal Grand marshal is a ceremonial, military rank, military, or political office of very high rank. The term has its origins with the word "marshal" with the first usage of the term "grand marshal" as a ceremonial title for certain religious orders. ...

of the event; he is a famous motorcycle designer and author,

Dennis Gage ''My Classic Car'' is a television show about classic automobiles, hosted by Dennis Gage. It was originally broadcast on TNN, and Speed Channel, followed by MAVtv and Velocity. As of 2019 the show airs on the Motor Trend network. It was produce ...

(2005) is the

Television producer A television producer is a person who oversees one or more aspects of video production on a television show, television program. Some producers take more of an executive role, in that they conceive new programs and pitch them to the television net ...

and host of TV shows on the Speed Channel,

Peter Egan Peter Joseph Egan (born 28 September 1946) is a British actor and animal rights activist. He is known for his television roles, including Hogarth in '' Big Breadwinner Hog'', the future George IV of the United Kingdom in ''Prince Regent'' (197 ...

(2006) is an author and columnist for ''

Cycle World ''Cycle World'' is a motorcycling magazine in the United States. It was founded in 1962 by Joe Parkhurst, who was inducted to the Motorcycle Hall of Fame as "the person responsible for bringing a new era of objective journalism" to the US. ''Cyc ...

'' magazine,

Kel Carruthers Kelvin Carruthers (born 3 January 1938) is an Australian former world champion Grand Prix motorcycle road racer and racing team manager.

(2007) is a former

world champion A world championship is generally an international competition open to elite competitors from around the world, representing their nations, and winning such an event will be considered the highest or near highest achievement in the sport, game, ...

motorcycle road racer, and Mert Lawwill (2008) was Grand National Champion and starred with Steve McQueen in ''

On Any Sunday ''On Any Sunday'' is a 1971 American documentary film about motorcycle sport, directed by Bruce Brown. It was nominated for a 1972 Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.

''. In 2013

Buzz Kanter Buzz Kanter (born February 1955) is the editor-in-chief and publisher of ''American Iron Magazine'', '' American Iron Garage'' and '' American Iron Salute'' magazine, and was inducted into the American Motorcyclist Association Hall of Fame in 200 ...

, editor of

American Iron Magazine ''American Iron Magazine'' was a Stamford, Connecticut based American motorcycle magazine specializing in the coverage of American-made motorcycles including Harley-Davidson, Indian and Big Dog Motorcycles. American Iron Magazine (or AIM) contai ...

and Dale Walksler from the Wheels Through Time Museum were dueling Grand Marshals. The 15th annual Riding Into History Grand Marshal was

Dave Despain Dave Despain (born 20 May 1946) is an American auto racing, motorsports journalist. He was the host of ''WindTunnel with Dave Despain'' on Speed Channel, and ''NASCAR Inside Nextel Cup'', until the former was cancelled during the demise of Speed ...

, the voice and face of motorcycle racing announcing.

Historic ride

This event is held on Friday morning before the Concours. The participants, who entered their motorcycles in the Concours, take their own motorcycles from the World Golf Village to Corky Bells in old Florida Palatka, for a lunch. The goal is to present the antique and vintage bikes to the public and to enjoy riding into history.

References

{{Reflist

External links

Official website
Motorcycling events