The roar of motorcycle engines will be heard throughout South County, as biker's get ready to roll in Mel's Run this Saturday.

This year marks the sixth year for the motorcycle run, which was organized in memory of Mel Bassetti, who passed away from cancer in 2004. The money raised in the run is split between the King City Young Farmers, as well as the Scripps Cancer Institute in La Jolla, where Mel Bassetti received treatment. The event is a biker poker run in the morning, which wraps up at the Salinas Valley Fairgrounds with a family barbecue and raffle.

“Registration is on track,” said Cody Bassetti, Mel's son, of the registration which is ongoing up to the morning of the event. “I think because we have it on the same day as the Salinas Rodeo, we might have a few less people there, and maybe a few less people for lunch.”

Attendance was also expect to be low last year, but it turned out to be one of the biggest turnouts in the event's history. Last year's total funds raised were $30,000, second only to the first year with $35,000.

“Everybody is really positive about it,” said Bassetti of the overall positive feel of the event. “A lot of people come because they knew my dad, and there's a lot of bikers who come because its a fair price for what they receive. It's a really good time and I've had no complaints about it.”

The event begins and ends at the Salinas Valley Fairgrounds, with the participants riding a route out to the Lockwood Store, then along Interlake Road to Paso Robles to ride by the cemetery, then up the 101 to San Miguel and the second stop at the Elkhorn Saloon, before heading back to King City.

“We have gas available for everyone free of charge, donated by Toro Petroleum,” said Bassetti of the donated fuel to assist the bikers at the two stops. “We are the only run in the area that is able to provide free gas to the riders.”

This year the Lockwood Store site has the addition of the new Lockwood Diner, meaning bikers are able to get a meal before hitting the road.

For the complete article see the 07-14-2010 issue.

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