Hollister Independence Bike Rally Returns for 2025

Hollister, California, USA (January 9, 2025) - The Hollister City Council has unanimously approved the return of the Independence Bike Rally for 2025 during a special meeting on Tuesday night. Hollister’s annual downtown Independence Day motorcycle rally has drawn large crowds of bikers and spectators for the summer holiday since the city began officially sponsoring it in 1997. The rally dates back more than 70 years, starting out as an informal gathering that was more loosely organized by the Hollister biker community.

 

Formerly an annual occurrence, the last formal rally event took place in 2017. Since then, various factors including financial concerns and the Covid-19 pandemic have derailed plans to host an organized rally. Johnny's Bar and Grill owner Peter Lago spoke at the meeting speaking about how the rally would be beneficial to the city. "If you're wondering if it's just we, the people, or just business owners, it is in fact every single business in San Benito Street wants this rally back," Lago said.



Rally supporters touted the event’s proven financial boon to local businesses, and stressed the advantages of hosting such an ingrained tradition that draws visitors from far outside of Hollister. Mike Corbin, founder of the Corbin motorcycle saddles company which is based in Hollister, thanked the council for considering hosting a rally in 2025. “This is all done with a high cooperative spirit,” Corbin said of past motorcycle rallies in Hollister.

Corbin and other observers said the city shouldn’t expect large crowds for this year’s rally, largely because of the short notice in organizing and promoting the event before July 4. City Councilmember Rudy Picha voiced his support of the rally at the meeting with hopes that it can be done safely. "I'm very optimistic that it can and I can see this being a very powerful thing for our local businesses," Picha said. City Councilmember Rolan Resendiz also proposed a motion that to ask Amazon to sponsor the fireworks show due to the company having a warehouse in Hollister.

Charlie Brechtel Dies In Crash

Copperopolis, California, USA (April 27, 2020) BSB — Charlie Brechtel tragically died in a motorcycle crash on O’Bynes Ferry Road on Saturday at 5:52 pm near Duchess Drive.

Charlie was riding his 1987 Harley-Davidson motorcycle northbound on O’Byrnes Ferry Road south of Duchess Drive, when his motorcycle crossed the double-yellow line, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Charlie Brechtel

Charlie’s motorcycle collided with the front left corner of a 2013 Chevy Equinox being driven the opposite direction by Briana Mason, 29, and Evan Gorder, 29, both of Davis.

Charlie was ejected from his motorcycle and was pronounced dead at the scene. Neither Mason nor Gorder were injured. No arrests were made, and the CHP accident report states that drugs and alcohol do not appear to be factors in the collision.


Brechtel was a nationally known figure among motorcycle enthusiasts, and was nicknamed “Good Time Charlie.” Charlie Brechtel’s music is in an honest to goodness tribute to the biker lifestyle that he loved. His top notch musical group, the Charlie Brechtel Band, had been featured in many motorcycle films.

Charlie’s music has been featured on the Sons of Anarchy TV series as well as many other biker movies, books and events. Charlie worked with the likes of John Lee Hooker, Deacon Jones, Gregg Allman, B.B. King, Dr. John, Buddy Miles, Aaron Neville, Freddy Fender, Steppenwolfe and much. He had his own stage every year at The Buffalo Chip in Sturgis and headlined every night.


Charlie has opened for artists such as Dave Mason, Foghat, Edgar Winter, Jackyl and a host of others. He was also a Composer, Arranger, Songwriter and Producer.

Brechtel was 62-years-old.

Motorcycle crash kills two

Albuquerque, N.M.USA (May 28, 2019) BSB — New Mexico State Police say two people are dead and four others are in critical condition after a head-on crash involving two motorcycles near Red River Saturday.

Hundreds of bikers were headed to the 37th annual Red River Memorial Day Motorcycle Rally.

"Motorcyclists are about riding, chasing the wind, riding free," said Raymond Gallegos, president of the New Mexico Motorcyclist Rights Organization. "It's a weekend to recognize those that have fallen for us. It really is a rally it's about the brotherhood and sisterhood of riding motorcycles."

Gallegos has a passion for keeping bikers safe and alive. "This is Memorial Day weekend, we've lost some dear friends in the past, when there's a ride," Gallegos said. "We are very attentive to what's going on especially safety and alerting the public that there is going to be more riders on the road."

"We saw four ambulances pass us and immediately we had that feeling that something was wrong," said Annette Torrez, who was one of the hundreds of riders gathered at Red River.

She got a text on her phone: "6 motorcycles down, two fatal, three critically injured."

New Mexico State Police say the motorcycle crash happened on Highway 38.

"It was someone that I knew," she said. "It was someone in our community that lived close to my parents and you just you know, your heart breaks."

Police say two people on a Harley Davidson were killed.

The driver of the motorcycle was 58-year-old Lawrence Robert "Tiny" Cortez. His family said he loved to ride, was very giving and was always there for his friends.

His passenger was identified as 43-year-old Jennifer Lynn Ashley. "Hold your memories closely and tell your family you love them," Torrez said.

Police say Cortez crossed the center line into traffic and collided head-on with another Harley Davidson. "We would like to express our sincere condolences to the families of those that lost their life," said Jessica Cisneros with the Red River Visitor's Center.

"We have a slogan this year 'If you live to ride, you need to ride to live,'" Gallegos said.


He has some reminders for all drivers: make sure to do safety checks on bikes or cars, check braking distance and check blind spots. "I want everyone to make it home safe," he said. "We have some incoming weather that's going to impact the ride home, just make sure you're taking your time. Don't become a memory on Memorial Weekend."

Since January the organization has recorded 128 crashes, 16 of which were fatal.

As for Saturday's crash, police don't believe alcohol was involved. Four other people are in critical condition.

SOURCE: KOB4