LITTLETON, MA – The Hoenshell family invites the community to join the 16th Annual Kristen’s Ride on Sunday, September 13, 2026, a day of motorcycles, family, friendship and giving back. Whether you ride, attend the cookout, sponsor the event or simply want to support a great cause, everyone is welcome.
The day begins at O’Neil Cinemas, 1208 Constitution Ave., Littleton, with registration at 9:00 a.m. and kickstands up at 10:00 a.m. Riders will take part in a 75-mile police-escorted ride through Littleton and surrounding communities, with a midway bathroom stop in Westminster, before finishing in Ayer.  The ride concludes at the Ayer Gun & Sportsmen’s Club, 255 Snake Hill Road in Ayer where riders, families and community members will gather from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. for a cookout featuring food, music, raffles, a cash bar, face painting and a bounce house for children.
The cost is $25 per rider, including a T-shirt while supplies last and admission to the cookout. Non-riders can attend the cookout for a $25 donation, and children under 12 are free.

From a Family’s Fight Against Cancer
Kristen’s Ride began in 2008, shortly after the Hoenshell family learned that their nine-month-old daughter, Kristen, had been diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, a type of cancer that develops in muscle tissue. In Kristen’s case, the cancer was located in her eye. She underwent surgery followed by 43 weeks of chemotherapy and seven weeks of radiation. Kristen completed treatment in March 2009 and has remained in remission since March 2010.
The first ride was organized to help the family manage the financial challenges of a childhood cancer diagnosis. As Kristen recovered, however, the event evolved from helping one family to helping others. The Hoenshell family chose to “pay it forward,” turning the support they received into an ongoing commitment to families and communities affected by cancer.
Although the ride has not been held every year, including several years when COVID and other circumstances forced the family to pause, the mission has continued. In 2026, the community will come together for the 16th Kristen’s Ride.

Remembering Frank
Kristen’s Ride took on an even deeper meaning in 2016 when the family lost Francis “Frank” Hoenshell, Kristen’s father and a co-founder of the ride. Frank died of cancer on March 26, 2016, at just 47 years old.
Frank was a lifelong Massachusetts resident, a carpenter and successful small-business owner, and an avid motorcyclist. But to those who knew him, his greatest accomplishment was his family. He was known as a hardworking, humble and generous man who believed in perseverance, helping others and putting family first. As his family often says, Frank was “a Husband first and a Daddy always.”
After his passing, the family chose to continue Kristen’s Ride in his honor and carry his values forward through helping others. That decision led to the creation of the Frank Hoenshell Memorial Scholarship.

Continuing Frank’s Legacy
The scholarship is awarded to graduating high school seniors in Littleton and surrounding communities who demonstrate personal growth, resilience, hard work and a commitment to helping others. Over the past 10 years, Kristen’s Ride supporters have helped award $1,000 scholarships to 47 graduating high school seniors.
For the Hoenshell family, the scholarship is a meaningful way to keep Frank’s memory alive while helping young people pursue their goals and make a difference in their community.
Today, the scholarship is one part of Kristen’s Ride’s broader nonprofit mission, which includes supporting cancer research, helping local families affected by cancer and providing scholarships to graduating seniors.

A Tradition That Continues
Nearly two decades after that first ride, Kristen’s Ride has become a community tradition built on gratitude, remembrance and giving back. Each year, riders, sponsors, volunteers, families and friends come together not only to raise money, but to honor loved ones who have been lost, celebrate those who have overcome cancer and support families still facing the disease.
What began with one family’s difficult journey has grown into an opportunity to help others.
The Hoenshell family hopes the community will join them on September 13 to ride, remember, celebrate and give back. Motorcycle riders, families, friends and community members are all invited.
For registration, donations, the complete ride route and additional information, visit KristensRide.com.