Bigger ‘Ride for the Blue’ planned on Aug. 1

Photos by Tom Rivers: Vehicles head down Route 31 in Holley’s Public Square on Sept. 14, 2020 during a “Back the Blue” ride in Orleans County. A second ride is planned for Aug. 1.

HOLLEY – A second “Ride for the Blue” in support of law enforcement is being planned for Aug. 1, with the procession to travel more than 50 miles throughout Orleans County.

Last year the first “Back the Blue” event attracted about 500 vehicles, including 300 motorcyclists. It took the procession about 25 minutes, from start to end, to pass through the Public Square in Holley. But on Route 104 in Gaines, where the speed limit was 55, it took 14 minutes for the vehicles to pass by.

David Paul is helping to organize the event which will start at his property at 3823 Countyline Rd. in Murray. He is expecting a bigger turnout this time.

Participants in the ride are welcome to Paul’s property to begin staging at 10:30 a.m. on Aug. 1. There will be speakers from 11:15 a.m. to noon with the ride to start at noon.

“Someone needs to stand up and support the police,” Paul said. “They are the first ones you call when you need help.”

The route is planned to go from Monroe-Orleans Countyline Road to Route 104 west to Route 63 south to Medina (with a detour due to bridge being out on 104 near Culvert Road), then Route 31 eastbound towards Albion and Holley with the ride ending on Monroe-Orleans Countyline Rd. (Paul said he believes the Route 31 bridge in Knowlesville will be open briefly for the fair and the ride. If not, an alternative will be worked out.)

The ride order includes an Orleans County Sheriff’s Office patrol car, the Holley Fire Department, motorcycle, other fire trucks, vintage cars and trucks, “everybody else” and all big trucks and dump trucks.

About 300 motorcyclists participated in last year’s ride.