Ride and Cruise for Brandon Moreno

Danelle Brown Writer

On June 17, 2023, we headed out from Lemoore to Burris Park at 8:00am. The day started off with the sun out and some clouds, nice breezes. This ride wasn’t going to be a fun ride when it’s for a fundraiser for someone who lost their life, and riding in their memory to raise money to help lay them to rest. Especially when they are so young and have got a full life ahead of them. It’s a Ride for Love.

So our ride being pretty much quiet, sadness and grief with thoughts in are heads, with also some anger it could have been prevented if cars would just pay a little more attention and concentrate to watch out for bikers, its easier for a bike to fall then a car to wreck. And in this case Brandon” Bubbs” Moreno, passed away due to a car hitting him and his girlfriend on Highway 43 head on. His girlfriend lost her leg and will never be the same due to a car not paying attention and trying to pass. He would be here today; we wouldn’t be going to have to do a Last Ride and Cruise for Brandon. I wouldn’t be crying, and a mother wouldn’t have to lay her baby to rest. And Brandon and his girlfriend would be riding, but that’s not the case. We are with a grieving mother, family, and friends that needs our help and that is what we are going to do as one.

When we got to Burris Park the family was already there and setting up. We went to give our condolences and hugs. Some bikers had already showed up, we let the mom Rebecca know we had extra water, and sodas in the car she sent the young teens to help carry all the stuff and was happy and grateful for all we had done. The family had pictures out of Brandon so family, friends and people could see the kind of person Brandon was. I already knew he was a caring, sweet, loving, fun, and funny, and that he loved his family and loved to ride. Everyone could see that in his pictures.

Soon more bikers came riding in formation its always beautiful to see them come in that way and for a great cause makes it even better it makes your heart warm and you are know you’re not alone they got your back to help you at your worst and they all came out to ride for Brandon. They paid the fee for the fundraiser to ride and got tickets for 2 plates of food. Then they went to show love to Brandon’s Mama and give her their condolences. Independent riders, Pancho Villa Riders MC, CMA Hanford Chapter, La Raza MC, and Buffalo Solders MC came out to ride and even cars and trucks came to join the Ride and Cruise for Brandon fundraiser. Richard and I took pictures as everyone caught up and said hi and showed off their bikes. Before everyone knew it was 10am and a prayer for safe travel was given, we got our directions to where we were going, and it was Kick Stands Up and we were ready to leave. Richard and I headed out ahead of the people on the ride to get pictures of them Riding out. Once we were leaving Burris park, we took a different route to get ahead of the Bikers, Cars and Trucks so that when they got to Riverland Park we would have traffic stopped so the bikers could stick together and not have to stop at the stop sign or worry about any traffic and get pictures of them riding in. As everyone got close to the road where we had stopped traffic , I saw Brandon’s mom riding behind someone on a bike and tears fell as she took the ride for her son to honor his memory, to ride for her son a mother’s love is so powerful. Even after everything she rode for her son. With no fear but with pride and love, and a broken heart of losing her son. What a way to enter Riverland RV Resort, we hung out for about 15 minutes there and took in such a beautiful spot with the lake and the trees. Even though it was getting warmer. Everyone was having a good time even though it was the hardest of times and they all were giving love to Rebecca, Brandon’s mom. We took a group photo and then we headed out.

We took the lead going ahead of them before they were ready so we could stop and get great shots and stop the traffic so that the Line of Bikers, Cars and Trucks would not have to stop or be interrupted and keep the pack together. As we waited on the side of the road to hear them coming, the roaring engines, some had music, the ground vibrated as they got closer, we saw a car stop to look at some horses, and baby colts. We were just taking in the scenery, but then you could hear the bikes coming. But the people didn’t mind waiting in their cars as we asked them to wait as they saw the line formation of bikers, cars and trucks following in formation. At the back of the formation was a red car and in the back window said R.I.P. Brandon.

It was cool, the family and friends started what we were doing and begin holding traffic on one side as a biker held the other side until we pulled up to block the traffic in their place so that they could go ahead and catch up with the group. As we got back to Burris Park the food was ready.

Everyone was ready to eat and got in line. They had pulled pork sandwiches, salad, with your choice of chicken pasta or ravioli beef. After everyone was done eating Rebecca, got up and thanked everyone for coming out and gave an emotion heartwarming thank you.

I want to say thank you to everyone that helped Rebecca. On this day we all came together and did a Last Ride for Brandon, we made the ground shake, you could hear the sound of the bikes for miles the roaring of the engines, the music and love that made people come out of there houses to video us all coming down their street, horse’s running from the road to their corral because the rumble was so loud which was a beautiful site to see the horses running like that. The heavens and angels could hear that they have another biker brother with them up at the holy gates. R.I.P. Brandon, I know you are riding free up in heaven with all our brothers and sisters we have lost. I know you were with us on our ride and know you are looking down on your mama, you may be gone, and greatly missed, but you will never be forgotten you have gained family all around.