'Keep those names alive,' Ride to Remember honors motorcyclists killed

ELYRIA — A group of more than 100 motorcycles made a somber journey up state Route 57 on Saturday as part of the third annual Ride to Remember. The ride, organized by local motorcycle club the Worthless Nuts, was founded in 2023 in the wake of the deaths of Xavier "Screech" Figueroa, 26, and Javier Alvarez, 23, who were both killed in crashes while riding their motorcycles in northern Lorain County. Their deaths came just two days apart. The Ride to Remember has been held on the last Saturday of July since their deaths, and it serves as a way for locals and riders across the region to gather and celebrate the lives of friends they have lost, Worthless Nuts President Jeff "Nitro" Tucker said. The group rode from Johnny K's Powersports in Elyria to East 38th Street in Lorain, where Figueroa died in 2023. There, they read the names of their lost friends and recited a prayer, before returning to Johnny K's for a celebration of life. "The turnout was great this year," Tucker said. "Unfortunately, we added more names to the list, in fact I just got two more names I need to add to the list next year, but all the local clubs came out and supported it, so we appreciate that. We try to grow it a little bit every year." Tucker said that in addition to being an opportunity to celebrate the lives of dead friends, the event was also a notice to local drivers just how many people in their community ride motorcycles. "The ride itself is important to let people know how many motorcycles are out in this area," he said. "That brings awareness, everybody in town sees a whole pack of bikes running down the road and they go, wow I didn't realize there were really that many bikes. As for the list, we really want to keep those names alive. We don't want any of our riders to be forgotten and I think it helps keep their legacies alive." Participant Lewis "Shango" Wade said the ride is important to him because it is easier to remember those who have died when memories and stories about them are shared together. Wade also said that he hoped the Ride to Remember and other community events could help show that motorcyclists were a part of the wider community, not separate from it. "I think this event is a great staple and a great statement for us," Wade said. "It's a way for us to show people that we are not a nuisance to our communities. We try to support our communities as best we can." Tucker said that he was deeply appreciative of Lorain and Elyria police and the Lorain County Sheriff's Office for supporting the ride and providing police escorts, especially in light of the ambush attack which killed a Lorain officer and wounded two others on Wednesday. "We know it was extra special for them to be able to take the time and come out and help," he said. Contact Owen MacMillan at (440) 329-7123 or omacmillan@chroniclet.com.