Every year, around the second Saturday in September, the community comes together for the SOMC Hospice Memorial Ride, a special motorcycle event hosted by Southern Ohio Medical Center in Portsmouth, Ohio. More than just a ride, this gathering brings together motorcycle enthusiasts, families, and supporters — all with a shared mission: to honor a meaningful legacy while supporting a vital cause.
The Memorial Ride was created in memory of Ricky Bryan, a motorcycle‑loving hospice patient whose spirit remains a part of the SOMC community. Participants rally at the SOMC East Campus (behind the Hospice Center), where registration typically begins at 10:00 a.m., and motorcycles depart about an hour later — around 11:00 a.m.
What makes the ride meaningful goes beyond the roar of engines and the open road — every registration, donation, and sponsorship directly supports the SOMC Hospice Caritas Fund. The Caritas Fund serves as a safety net for hospice patients and their families, assisting with essential needs during some of life’s most difficult moments. From covering groceries to fulfilling end‑of‑life wishes, the fund helps ease burdens so patients can spend time with loved ones — what matters most.
The Memorial Ride was created in memory of Ricky Bryan, a motorcycle‑loving hospice patient whose spirit remains a part of the SOMC community. Participants rally at the SOMC East Campus (behind the Hospice Center), where registration typically begins at 10:00 a.m., and motorcycles depart about an hour later — around 11:00 a.m.
What makes the ride meaningful goes beyond the roar of engines and the open road — every registration, donation, and sponsorship directly supports the SOMC Hospice Caritas Fund. The Caritas Fund serves as a safety net for hospice patients and their families, assisting with essential needs during some of life’s most difficult moments. From covering groceries to fulfilling end‑of‑life wishes, the fund helps ease burdens so patients can spend time with loved ones — what matters most.
The ride is about more than charity: it’s about community, remembrance, and solidarity.
Riders — seasoned bikers and casual enthusiasts alike — join in tribute, often sharing stories, memories, and purpose. The camaraderie forged on the ride helps raise awareness about the role of hospice care and the challenges families face when caring for terminally ill loved ones. For many, it becomes a meaningful tradition, an outward expression of support and compassion that resonates deeply in our region.
As a “rain‑or‑shine” event, the Memorial Ride demonstrates that the commitment is not just symbolic — it’s real, tangible, and steadfast. Whether you ride a motorcycle or simply support from the sidelines, participating helps ensure that hospice patients receive dignity, comfort, and care when they need it most. In doing so, the SOMC Motorcycle Memorial Ride stands as a testament to the power of community, compassion, and the enduring human spirit.
Information About Southern Ohio Medical Center’s Hospice Fund
The Hospice Caritas Fund exists to provide financial support and compassionate care for patients under the care of SOMC Hospice, as well as their families.As the hospital is a not‑for‑profit institution, the fund plays a critical role in helping ensure that hospice patients receive comfort, dignity, and support — even when traditional insurance, Medicare, or personal finances don’t cover all needs.
Contact Info for Southern Ohio Medical Center Development Foundation:
Address: Southern Ohio Medical Center, 1805 27th Street, Portsmouth, OH 45662
Website: https://www.somc.org/support-us/our-events/memorial-ride/
