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BikerDown offers new stickers to try and get the message to distracted drivers
BikerDown Foundation’s mission is always to help injured motorcycle riders. A large part of that mission is getting out motorcycle awareness, distracted driving in all its forms including driver’s using hand held mobile devices and texting and driving.
Every year our community suffers many accidents due to careless drivers. To continue to support our mission, BikerDown has created these motorycle helmet or vehicle stickers with a very strong message. GET OFF THE F**CKIN PHONE!
BikerDown just released some new awareness t-shirts that they hope the community will purchase to support BikerDown. You can purchase them on our website store
BikerDown Foundation runs on the generosity of the biker community. If you know of someone who has been injured in a motorcycle accident, please do a help request on their website www.bikerdown.org
Business Card Directory
Colorado Rider News is offering a new way to advertise your business thru our Business Card Directory. Published monthly and distributed to targeted biker-friendly businesses across the Denver Metro area, your ad will be seen! Pricing is $25 per month or $300 per year. Contact us via email at info@coloradoridernews.com for more information
Rider Justice
Colorado Motorcycle Expo Cancelled for 2021
By Scott Schulz
It is with sadness and frustration that we announce the cancellation of the upcoming Colorado Motorcycle Expo “The Swap Meet” (due to take place January 30-31, 2021).
We know this will come as a tremendous disappointment to all sponsors, exhibitors, and attendees, and we want to assure you this decision was not taken lightly. The overriding factor leading this difficult decision is the city and county of Denver reverting back to “Safer at Home/Level 3” and the updated guidelines and restrictions around events and gatherings announced on October 27, 2020. The most debilitating restriction limits event attendance to no more than 25 people per room. Historically, our attendance has been in the 10’s of thousands and based on your recent survey responses and the fact that the upcoming Expo was not scheduled on Superbowl weekend, we were expecting an exceptional turnout in 2021. With increasing COVID numbers, we do not anticipate Denver will lift or lighten these restrictions in a timely enough fashion for us to properly plan this event as it takes several months to pull it all together.
We want to take this opportunity to thank all of you who have historically helped make the event possible through sponsorship, purchased booth spaces, and ticket sales, and to also thank you for your outpouring of support through these challenging times. We feel extremely fortunate to be a part of what feels like extended family.
Despite the disappointment and impact we know you all feel, we want you to know that we are fully committed to serving this industry and community that we love. We can say with confidence that we will be back stronger than ever at the next Colorado Motorcycle Expo (scheduled for January 29-30, 2022). This also is a weekend that does not conflict with the Superbowl, so we can hardly wait!
Once again, we thank you all for your support and know that we are here to support others in the industry as we all work through these difficult times.
See you in 2022,
Scott
Growing COVID cases leads Gov. Polis and local counties to raise to the caution level red. Changes go into affect Friday Nov 20th
COVID cases are on the rise again in Colorado and it appears that more drastic measures for citizens and business owners is coming our way this Friday, November 20th. Local health and political officials have confirmed that Jefferson, Arapahoe and Adams counties will be moving to the higher level.
What does this mean? Here are the changes that will affect all of us.
- Elementary schools are still able to hold in-person classes and middle schools can do either in-person, a hybrid program or remote learning. But it is suggested that high schools go to hybrid or virtual learning, if they haven’t. For colleges and universities it is recommended they go to remote classes.
- Restaurants can no longer do indoor dining, but they can still do curbside pickup and takeout. They can also do outdoor dining by limiting groups to only members of their households.
- Last call for alcohol is moved from 10 p.m. to 8 p.m. and bars remain closed.
Local groceries stores are beginning to see shoppers starting to stock up on food and other necessities as the fear of another shutdown looms in the unforseen future.
If Denver and other counties move to Level Purple restrictions, outdoor dining will no longer be allowed at restaurants, according to the new guidelines. Polis says he believes the Level Red restrictions will be effective in flattening the current coronavirus spike.
Of the newly created highest Level Purple, Hancock said, “We expect to be there.”
The state health department recorded 30,843 cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, last week. It’s the sixth consecutive week that the state has recorded a record number of new coronavirus cases and reflects how infections are now at the highest level since the state had reliable data from testing.
There were 1,294 people hospitalized with confirmed COVID-19 and another 130 people with suspected COVID-19, according to the health department.
Before publishing this article, I spoke with Rob from Dirty Dogs Roadhouse in Golden and Rob confirmed that Dirty Dogs will continue to stay open with outside dining, however alcohol will have to stop at 8pm from the 10pm when Jefferson County was at the Orange Level.
What makes a business Rider Friendly?
By Belt Drive Betty
As a rider, I am sure you have experienced those in business who are wary or uncertain when it comes to people on motorcycles. If you have not, it is probably because the image of riders is improving.
I have been turned away at a motel because I was on a motorcycle and it was an extremely uncomfortable experience. I was angry and hurt, insulted, offended and COLD that day. Another motel took me in and made me feel valued.
That Motel was the Walking Eagle Inn in Rocky Mountain House AB.
Trust me, no customer should ever be made to feel the way I felt that day.
The Walking Eagle Inn made a horrible experience better because they knew to put me in a cabin where my bike could be parked out front, they took my wet clothes and dried them out for me. They cared, and it showed.
There are some businesses like Dirty Dogs Roadhouse in Golden that really get it.
They are riders, they have the heart of riders and therefore their customer service, community involvement, entertainment and food hit every hot button a rider has.
Here in Canada, despite some not so great places, we have a lot of businesses that share those values in their business practices.
Blackjack’s Roadhouse in Nisku Alberta is comparable to Dirty Dogs Roadhouse in Golden. Great food, wonderful service, awesome entertainment, HUGE community involvement – their bike nights Pre-COVID were 700+ bikes every Tuesday, their Ride for Mom event sees 300+ bikes turn out
Just over the overpass from the service road that leads to the Edmonton International Airport, Blackjacks Roadhouse is located next door to the Airways Country Motel and the Airways Airport Parking, all owned by the Clarence Shields family.
So, when the border finally opens up, if you are thinking of heading to Alaska or want to see all that Canada has to offer, you need to come up on the Alberta side of things and experience the hospitality of Blackjacks Roadhouse, check out their listing in our Rider Friendly Directory! riderfriendly.com/blackjacks-road-house
Motorcycle Shows will have a different look and feel but appear to be moving forward in 2021
As we get closer to saying Good riddance to 2020, one has to wonder what the future holds for 2021 events, shows and rallys. We have spent a year of our events cancelled, rescheduled and many will be unable to survive due to COVID-19 and the shutdowns put in place.
Harley-Davidson U.S. sales have plunged in their 2nd and 3rd quarter of 2020. The steepest decline in the past 6 years. Yamaha sales are down 7.8% compared to 2019, and many dealerships are struggling to keep the doors open.
What does this mean for our industry?
International Motorcycle Shows have announced that they are taking your 39th year into a new chapter. They have announced yesterday, after 5-years in the making, Progressive® IMS Outdoors – a tour of immersive powersports events that connects your brand with riders and prospective riders of all ages that share a passion for riding 2 and 4-wheel vehicles or wish to learn. The events will offer a weekend full of interactive experiences to aid in buying decisions, exploration of new products and lifestyles, and hours of family-friendly fun.
These events will replace the long-standing series of indoor events that we have traditionally held November – February and will begin next Summer in 2021. The previously scheduled 2020-2021 indoor events have been canceled in light of concerns around COVID-19 and to pave the way for this new, exciting and groundbreaking series. We will announce the complete Tour Schedule and more details on December 4th. Until then, feel free to reach out to your Account Representative to get in on the “ground floor” of Progressive® IMS Outdoors.
Colorado Motorcycle Expo – Scott Schulz recently posted a survey to all of the Expo’s attendees and vendor updating them that as of right now, the 2021 Colorado Motorcycle Expo is a GO with certain changes to be in compliance with city, and county of Denver enforced by the Health Department.
The major changes will include:
- The number of attendees inside the building at one time will be limited to 700. This will increase to 1000 if we use more space on the lower level and 3rd floor. The good news is vendors and employees are not counted as attendees. Our plan is to stagger admission times with 2 hour blocks so the overall attendance is not significantly impacted.
- All food and beverage consumption will be confined to designated areas. This means people cannot walk around eating or drinking.
- Facial coverings will be required at all times with the exception of designated food and beverage areas.
- Isle sizes will increase and be designated for one way traffic only. Additionally, the spacing between vendors will be increased. Our plan is to spread the bike show out throughout the entire vendor areas in order to increase traffic throughout the expo and to fill the increased spaces between vendors.
- Plexiglas barriers will be required for all vendors where financial transactions take place. You can provide your own or the facility will rent these to you.
- A quick temperature scan will be included with daily vendor check in/screening.
- Proper social distancing will be expected and enforced with attendees.
- Concerts and entertainment are not allowed at the facility. Our plan is to have after hour parties that are relocated off-site for 2021.
Dayton Bike Week is scheduled for March 5-14, 2020.
Dubbed the “World’s Largest Motorcycle Event,” Daytona Bike Week is a 10-day event filled with high-octane street festivals, concerts, motorcycle races, bike shows, rallies, manufacturer showcases and much more. The event was established more than seven decades ago and has grown into a crowd of over 500,000 motorcyclists who make it an annual pilgrimage.
Whether you’re seeking custom bikes or just great camaraderie, Daytona Beach delivers an all-out experience in a legendary beach destination. While you’re here, check out all the amazing arts and culture opportunities, too!
Visit OfficialBikeWeek.com for more event information.
Arizona Bike Weeks started this week…What changes will riders see?
Arizona Bike Week is a time honored tradition for many riders in our region. Normally held in March at a time where Colorado riders long to get away from the cold and ride with no jacket or heated gear. Held in Scottsdale, Arizona, riders can check out a minor league baseball game, balloon races and amazing sunsets while listening to great music.
ABW was rescheduled to October 7th thru 11th after receiving a special permit from the City of Scottsdale with the understanding that they would have to adhere to local and national guidelines. This had to be quite the negotiation as most of the Phoenix valley’s music venues and festival remain in limbo.
So what will riders see different when they arrive at Arizona Bike Week? Most the guidelines that were put into place is very similar to what riders saw at Sturgis with the exception of the mandatory mask wearing.
Masks – The event’s website states that everyone is required to wear a mask at all times while inside the gates. They can be removed while sitting at a table.
Concerts – The RockYard will feature a series of sections separated by security barriers and at least 6 feet of distance. Groups of up to nine people will be allowed in each and a high-top table will be available
Vendors – The event will not be missing a beat with the number of vendors and it appears that most if not all that have attended in the past have come back to support ABW and to try and survive. Our small biker owned businesses have really struggled during COVID with all the events cancelled in 2020.
We wish ABW a successful event and if you attended, please leave your comments below.
Dirty Dogs Events October 2020
