Forget Work, Let's Ride Day

Every June, on the last Wednesday of the month, riders across the country do something radical — they ditch their responsibilities, fire up their bikes, and spend the day doing exactly what they love. No agenda, no destination required, just the open road and the people worth riding with. This is Forget Work, Let's Ride Day — a biker holiday born right here on Long Island, New York, and rooted in one of the most powerful reminders our community has ever produced: don't wait for the next ride.

The Story Behind "Forget Work, Let's Ride Day"

Every rider knows the feeling — the sun is out, the road is calling, and you're stuck at work. For most of us, we tell ourselves there will be other days to ride. Other chances. Other rides with the people we love to ride with.

For Long Island rider and longtime biker rights activist LJ James, one ride changed everything. It was the last Wednesday in June 2010. After losing his license for over 90 days, LJ finally had it back in his hands. He was headed to work when his friend and riding brother Big Tom Berg spotted him and asked the only question that mattered — "We going riding?"

LJ hesitated. He had work. Responsibilities. The usual reasons we talk ourselves out of doing the things that matter most.

But Big Tom had a better idea — and it sounded a lot like "Forget Work, Let's Ride."

LJ said yes.

The two brothers spent the day riding all over Long Island, eventually rolling into Montauk for lunch, soaking up the sun, the road, and the kind of easy brotherhood that only happens on two wheels. By every measure, it was a perfect day.

About a month later, on August 7th, 2010, Big Tom Berg was killed when a car struck him from behind while he was riding.

In the aftermath of that loss, LJ kept coming back to one thought — how close he had come to not taking that ride. How easy it would have been to say "next time." How certain he had been that there would always be more chances to ride with his brother.

There wasn't.

In Big Tom's memory, LJ James declared the last Wednesday of June an official Biker Holiday — Forget Work, Let's Ride Day. A day for every rider, regardless of what they ride or where they live, to put everything else aside and spend the day on the road with the people they love to ride with.

The only rule is simple — ride.

Whether it's a long run to a favorite destination, a leisurely lunch stop at a local landmark, or an evening at a biker-friendly bar with your crew — the point is to get out there. To not wait for next time. To ride today with the people who matter, and to remember the ones who no longer can.

Forget Work, Let's Ride Day takes place on the last Wednesday of June every year.

🏍️ Ready to Ride?

Whether you're joining an organized run, meeting up with a buddy, or just pointing your bike down an open road solo — the most important thing is that you ride. Check out the Kickstand Atlas Motorcycle Events map to find Forget Work, Let's Ride Day events happening near you. And if there's nothing on the map in your area yet, that's your cue to call a brother, fire up the bike, and make your own memories. Have a Forget Work, Let's Ride Day event in your area? Submit it to the map using the form on the Submit page and help riders everywhere find a ride worth taking.

Because the only ride you'll ever regret is the one you didn't take.