Hells Angels hold first ‘ride’ without seized East End clubhouse

For years, the East End chapter of the Hells Angels has hosted bikers from around B.C. for a commemorative “ride” in honour of slain Angel Dave “Screwy” Swartz.

Members of the notorious biker gang would arrive late morning — usually on the second Saturday of April — outside the East End clubhouse at 3598 East Georgia Street.

Then they would ride in a long line of Harleys to Swartz’s grave in Oceanview Cemetery in Burnaby, under the watchful eye of police.

But there was confusion over the meeting point Saturday after the bikers were forced to hand the clubhouse keys to the B.C. government last month, meaning they could no longer access the gated Vancouver special either before or after their ride.

Vancouver Police on motorcycles and in cars were stationed around the clubhouse, as were members of the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit.