Colorado Rider News

Colorado Powersports

 

 

Ride

Lunch Break Rides

By Leave a Comment

Scott O'Sullivan - Founder of Rider Justice
Scott O’Sullivan

Let’s all just take a moment to enjoy all our beautiful state of Colorado has to offer. Could there be a more beautiful place to ride on 2-wheels?

Rider Justice recently started a new video series called “Lunch Break Rides” that features local Colorado rides that you can squeeze in over a lunch break if you choose. More than likely you’ve done both of these rides – which is your favorite: Lookout Mountain or Evergreen?

Either way, take a few minutes and enjoy this beautiful scenery from wherever you are now!

Endurance Ride – Cool Biker Lunch and Rides Completes 1.5k Riding Challenge

By Leave a Comment

By Stormy

Cool Biker Lunch and Rides motorcycle group announced another challenge that they are hosting!  You have to ride 1,500 miles in 36 hours.  The ones that completed the 1K last year were invited to inaugurate the 1.5K in 1.5 Days challenge before it opens up to the rest of the group.  The participants were: Dave Setter, Stephen Gonzales, Steve Wilson, Rachel Baldwin, Ed Collins, Jason Ennis, Austin Prather, Kristi Strother, and myself.  Jason Massey and Steve Skalski did their 1K challenge the same day and joined the 1.5K challenge.  The route was from Watkin, CO, to Corpus Christi, TX, to spend the night and head back to Amarillo, TX.  We reached 1,500 miles near Snyder, TX, and pulled over to document it and stop the clock.  We celebrated in Amarillo over steaks and drinks at The Big Texan Steakhouse.

After I did the 1K last year with Krisi Strother to Sturgis and back, I told myself that was the last time I would do that again.  It was exhausting both mentally and physically to the point where I found myself needing to talk out loud to stay awake.  But I am glad I did this 1.5K challenge. It feels great that I can accomplish something only a few people can do.  There is no one way to measure it or weigh it, but feeling accomplished is so closely tied to our needs, desires, ambitions, and drivers that it becomes a personal achievement.  I know a lot will not understand why we, motorcycle enthusiasts, do these kinds of challenges, but we do, which is all that matters.  

Stephen Gonzales

“It sure sounded like fun after completing the 1k in a day last year.  Just like last year, after about 5 hrs. I’m wondering  what I was thinking.   After a few lost items, a check engine light, a small mishap that temporarily put one person on pause, and a couple of fill-ups, all was good.  We had taken our places in line and commenced on our trip.  Great guidance, leadership, and teamwork helped us get through it with two small celebrations of completing another 1k under 24 hrs and then the milestone of 1.5 k in under 36 hrs.  A great trip, can’t wait for another one.”

Jason Massey

“So people going for a 1K or a 1.5K challenge should be experienced riders.  It will challenge you mentally and physically.  Hydration and whatever the individual needs to stay focused are important during the ride.  5-hour energy drinks are beneficial.  Would I do this again?  Yes, absolutely!”

Kristi Strother

“The Limit

I thought I would sleep better the night I got home from a 1.5k challenge motorcycle ride. We traveled over 1,500 miles in a day and a half. My body was tired, exhausted. I tossed and turned all night, thinking about my adventure, our adventure, of pushing it to the limit (that song was stuck in my head too). I should have slept, but the road with all its hidden treasures flashed through my brain. 

Poet T.S. Eliot once wrote: “Only those who risk going too far can possibly find out how far they can go.” 

I am grateful for this trip. I learned I could push through exhaustion. Plus, I made lasting memories with new and old friends, who also took the leap and pushed themselves to conquer the road, the heat, the endless miles.

We left at the crack of dawn, still dark, only the peering eyes of wildlife followed us down the road. We set out on an adventure, none of us precisely sure how we would do…or how our bikes would do. All we knew was that we were leaving Colorado for Corpus Christi, Texas with a full tank of gas and many early morning biker grins. 

We had setbacks, mostly flying off bikes; an ice chest full of sandwiches, bandanas flying off heads, a bungee cord, and even a helmet.

On the outside, we navigated the road like experienced warriors roaring through the Wasteland; on the inside, each of us had our reason for taking part in the challenge. For some, it was to put their feet in the ocean, others to beat a record; I didn’t want to pass up seeing a part of our great country that I have never seen before. Yes, the merciless sun was relentless. Gallons of water drank, too many to count. But the hundreds and hundreds of miles of green hills, golden valleys, peaceful lakes, and unspoiled panoramic views kept me aching for more. Even the long stretches of interstate, staring at the parched land and decaying houses, kept me intrigued. Who lived there? Why did they let the house fall apart?

Colorado. Oklahoma. Texas. We kept moving. Time slowed. 

I enjoyed seeing gallant horses throw their heads up as we thundered by picturesque farms; I loved the wide-eyed looks of wonder from young kids in the back seats of mini-vans, and I was touched by the show of solidarity other bikers gave as we passed through towns and even on the highway. It may seem like a simple ‘biker wave,’ but the symbolism of safety never left me. It’s a good feeling to be home… and that we all got home safe! 

In the end, it doesn’t matter why each of us took on this challenge.  But I have to admit I do feel stronger. Sleepy but stronger. I pushed myself more than I ever have before. I learned a lot. Saw a lot. And I am grateful for my 1.5k friends who helped me find out how far I could go!

So put me on a highway

Show me a sign

Take it to the limit

One more time”

Steve Wilson

“This trip was many months in the making for me.  I’ve been planning to do a 1500 mile trek and tried to find destinations to go to.  My brother’s house, for example, is 1530 miles away from mine.  When Ed started planning this trip to Corpus Christi and back, I was excited.  About a month prior, I decided to bring my son, Gummy Bear, with me.  My wife and I lost him on 4 November 2017.  I brought his urn and made a little bed with his stuffed puppy in one of the fairing compartments.  He was as snug as a bug in a rug.  Having this memory with me made it all worth it.  Sure, I was hot, dirty, stinky, and tired… but I wouldn’t trade it for the world because I got to have an adventure with my first son.”

Steve Skalski

“This soul is more fulfilled after following leader Ed, and riding with the others for 1.5k miles in 1.5 days.  I expected it would be both physically and mentally challenging, and I wasn’t let down.  I couldn’t and wouldn’t have done it if it weren’t for you and my fellow riders. THANKS TO ALL!”

Dave Setter

“What a great team effort by an excellent group on a mission!  Doing this 1.5K in 1.5 days with 11 bikes with folks on a bike for 40 out of 60 hours (with over 2,200 total miles) was just awesome.  Everyone pulled together and got it done.  Ed Collins (a/k/a the great cat herder), thank you for your leadership efforts.  You made it happen smoothly despite a few bumps but most of all, you made it fun.  Thanks again.”

Rachel Baldwin

“This was a fun event; with this many people going, it was a challenge that we had stacked against us.  We rolled through, and the ride was well organized from the start, which was our advantage.  Everyone played an essential part.  I was overwhelmed with joy that morning; everyone was prompt, ready, excited, awake, and passing out goodies to one another for encouragement on this ride.  We were a team!   We were focused.  We paid attention to detail, and I was so impressed we had a way to check codes on our bike, holy cow!  Prepared is the word that comes to mind, even with reminding everyone to add roadside assistance, bring batteries for key fobs, first aid, battery jumper, air compressors, and the like. The stop in Corpus woke my senses with the chirps of the seaside birds and the gorgeous water view from our hotel window.  I was able to run into a childhood classmate at our gas stop in Comfort, named Matt Herrera; I haven’t seen him since 2002. It was all by chance!  I had no idea he worked there, dope!  We kept in great communication with each other.  Leaders took the lead when the dynamics changed, and we all accomplished this great task together!  Thanks for this great opportunity!  What a ride!”

Ed Collins

“Bike is ready, and I am ready; everyone is ready!  And away we go into the dark morning, eleven bikes in formation headed for the Gulf of Mexico.  Twenty-one hours later, we had come through fog, a 100-degree stretch, a few turns, and the best McDonald’s burger I can remember to arrive at our hotel.

After the group congratulated each other on making it to Corpus Christi, we went straight to bed so we could ride 500 more miles in 36 hours.  The following morning I learned the definition of a CBLR member.  We had a member develop mechanical issues the day before; we got them a tow and safe before moving on.  I had set it up to grab parts and let the group move on to accomplish their goal.  They would have none of it – as a group, they decided to wait for me … that act of “selfless group sacrifice” set the tone for my experience.  I was honored and humbled to ride with this group.”

Austin Prather

“I broke down 550 miles into day one.  I got a tow to a motel from some cool rednecks. Then I diagnosed and repaired a broken wire to my electronic throttle body.  I rode back to Amarillo to meet with the rest of the team after they completed their mission.  I rode motorcycles, fixed stuff, met people, ate steak.  It wasn’t the worst experience I’ve had.”

Join Cool Biker Lunch & Rides on Facebook and get the guidelines if anyone wants to try this challenge.  It will be an epic experience that you will remember for a lifetime.

WOMEN’S WORLD RECORD ATTEMPT

By Leave a Comment

by Laurie Montoya

The Guinness Women’s World Record second attempt was held at Bandimere Speedway on August 21st.  The goal of these women was to break the UK’s women’s record of 1132 riders, but event coordinator Susan “Miss Bubbles” Udero had another personal record she wanted to break.  Most women riders gathered in Colorado.  The Guinness world record wasn’t broken on this attempt, we believe she did create a record of most women at a biker event/ride here in Colorado.

More importantly, this world record attempt supports the Firefly Autism charity based right here in Denver.  Firefly treats children and adults with autism throughout the Front Range. Their services include clinical assessments and the development of individual treatment plans, an intensive early intervention program, a school-age program for students up to age 21, a home and community-based program, and weekly social skills groups.  Firefly serves children (as young as 18 months of age) and adults, and every program in their clinic has a 1:1 student-to-teacher ratio. Firefly’s treatment is based on leading, empirically-based interventions, primarily using Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) to teach functional skills.

While disappointed that they didn’t break the record, the attendees at this year’s attempt were just happy to be there in solidarity and raise money for Firefly.  Susan made sure that there were plenty of volunteers, vendors, and entertainment to make it a great day of fun.  

Janet Cook, Chief Executive Officer for Big Iron Sports and a main sponsor of the event said. “We are here to support Susan and the sisterhood of women riders.  Women are the fastest-growing demographics in the riding community, and 20% of all riders are now women.”

Rider Justice Motorcycle Lawyers

Trophies were awarded for Farthest Distance Travelled, Biggest group from Colorado, Biggest group from out of state

Extra thanks go to the key sponsors Max & Elaine (Zaidy’s Deli $15,000), Platinum Sponsor Scott O’Sullivan (RiderJustice.com), who sponsored the Bandimere Speedway parking lot, Big Iron Sports, and Janet Cook (2021 Royal Enfield Giveaway). 

Our gross revenue for our event was just over $35,000, in part to the generous sponsors. Our benefit Firefly Autism! We will do a final accounting and let our ladies know what is donated to Firefly.

There were many costs associated with an event of this caliber, but it was a resounding success, with 22 states joining Colorado. National media attention and the camaraderie and fellowship was priceless!

Hogback Twister Challenge

By Leave a Comment

By: Audrey “Stormy” Paulus

When I saw a challenge with the word “twister” in the title spreading around Facebook, I had to check it out and enter.  When it said it had to be completed in 9 hours, I wanted to do it in 8 hours.  A few of us from Cool Biker Lunch and Rides participated and had a blast!  It was a true challenge of endurance, with the combination of breathtaking scenery and endless twists and turns.  I even learned about two routes that I never knew about, Rist Canyon and Devil’s Gulch.  I felt like I was in a foreign country surrounded by green pastures and quaint little ranch homes.  It was amazing!!

I interviewed the man behind this challenge.  Graeme Wallace left his home in Scotland and moved to Colorado to pursue a life-long dream.  That was when his Hogback Distillery was established, and his goal to make Scotch-style whiskey in America began.  The name Hogback is inspired by the Dakota Hogback Ridge that runs along the entire length of the Colorado Rockies.  Traditionally, the spirit for blended Scotch whiskey is sourced from the most independent distilleries throughout Scotland. This is the model followed by Hogback, with the bulk of their blended whiskey coming from other U.S. distilleries.

Graeme expressed his passion to me, “as someone that has been riding motorcycles for over 40 years in Scotland, riding curvy roads is what motorcycling is all about for me.  Part of the reason for moving from Scotland to Colorado was to ride the mountain roads, so the first thing I did when I arrived four years ago was to buy a Harley Davidson Fatboy.  It did not take long to discover four canyons, including Clear Creek Canyon and Golden Gate Canyon.  Gradually, I explored more canyons to make a circuit.”

As Graeme toured me around his Boulder distillery, he explained how he came up with this twister challenge. “It occurred to me that others might enjoy the same roads, so I road each one in both directions to feel out which direction flowed the best.  The idea kept developing and growing until I reached the current 9 canyon route with minimal overlap and maximum enjoyment for riding curves.  The fact that the canyons cut through the Dakota Hogback Ridge and that my Hogback Distillery has the same name is a pure coincidence but an apt one.”

A few of the participants had some great stories to share about their experience:

Steve Wilcox

“I mostly ride alone to ride at my own pace, but I’ve been itching to branch out and ride with others on some local motorcycle events.  Luckily, I came across the Hogback Twister Challenge on the web and decided to sign up to meet other local riders and to ride not just a few but all of the canyons in the front range of the Rocky Mountains between Fort Collins and Evergreen.

With all events, you start the day on your own and end it on your own, but the in-between is all about riding with others.  Arriving at 6 a.m. at the Hogback Distillery parking lot with 30 plus motorcycles with their lights on in the late dawn is a wonderful feeling.  I’m not the only crazy one!  It’s great to see all these other riders coming out to challenge themselves with 350 miles of twists and turns.

I have ridden most of these canyons as part of my quiver of local rides but never gave it a thought to ride ALL of them in one day.  That seemed insane!

The first two canyons I rode alone.  Then three Harley riders caught me in Lyons, and I decided to tag along for the ride.  And what a ride it was!  It was great to ride with a group of very experienced riders and looked out for each other.  They had no idea who I was, but they paved the way for a great ride together!  I hung on for a few more canyons and then decided to ride on my own again for a while.

My 2020 Harley Street Glide Special threw some engine codes at Meeker on the Peak to Peak Highway.  I decided to continue on the route, which went close to a Harley dealership to stop by and see if it was anything serious.  The codes resulted from some temporary glitch, and I cleared the codes and resumed the Twister Challenge at the bottom of Lookout Mountain, where I joined up with a group of adventure riders.  Traffic was now an issue.  My left thumb started to cramp from all of the clutching throughout the day in the canyons – much more than any average long-distance road trip.  I got through Evergreen, and then the rest of the ride was doable since the traffic was less and the roads were freer of cages.

It was a great feeling when other bikers in the challenge were coming towards you, and you acknowledged them with the motorcycle greeting.  Although separated by our motorcycles on the road together, we were experiencing the great ride of the Hogback Twister Challenge.”

Becky Bradley

“Sometime in July, I saw an event that intrigued me!!  A twister challenge?  I love the twisties and often go out of my way to incorporate some into my route when I get a chance to ride – just to ride.  I wasn’t sure who was going and the 300-bike limit lit a fire under my butt.  I signed up.  I may have psyched myself out a few times, awaiting August 7th, but I have ridden more than one canyon in a day ride before this.  I was going to complete the ride regardless.  There was a 14-hour time limit on this 350-mile challenge.  More than enough, I thought to myself.  I decided to take an early wave to ensure I had plenty of time.  As luck would have it, I knew a few people planning to ride, and I could team up with a friend.  That always makes the ride a little more fun, in my opinion.  Our wave was at 6:05 a.m. We turned on our Rever apps to track our ride and time as we left the parking lot.  In my mind, the challenge was: to complete the ride unscathed and in the best time possible.  

The morning light was just starting to brighten when we left the Hogback Distillery with 8 other bikes.  We hit the first canyon before we had time to get warm in the safety gear we had donned.  At first, the bikes were pretty grouped up, and we caught the last of the 6 a.m. wave, but soon small groups of bikes were traveling at their own pace, and my riding companion and I were just two bikes taking the twisties with ease and enjoying the ride.  Lefthand, St Vrain, Big Thompson, Rist, Coal Creek, Bear Creek, Clear Creek, Golden Gate, and Boulder Canyons.  The option to stop was not one we took, as we both wanted to see what time it would take for us to complete this ride.  We stopped once for gas when we doubled back through Estes Park to just stand up and take off our helmets at the top of Lookout Mountain.  We did make it back to the Hogback Distillery in 8 hours and 33 minutes – including both stops.  Eight hours and six minutes was our riding time.  Not too bad if I do say so myself.  The Hogback Distillery put on a good event with BBQ, music, and whiskey at the end of the ride, making this a destination worthy of the ride itself.  Next year I plan to ride it again.  I may slow down and observe the scenery a little more.  Maybe even stop for lunch somewhere.”

Edward Collins

“It was dark as we turned our two Road Glides into the staging area at the Hogback Distillery in Boulder.  We were preceded by a woman riding a Ducati sports bike.  This exemplified the range of riders and machines gathered to accept the Hogback Challenge.  The times, the turns (1,300+) melted away effortlessly as our navigator negotiated every intersection, every route perfectly laid out.  It seemed we had only left the starting line moments before when we crossed the finish line.  We now have stories to tell, friends made, friends met, and memories shared.  It all made for a great day.  I am looking forward to participating in this challenge next year, although I would like to suggest that the route be run in an exact sequential order, and if there is any variance from the route, the rider should be disqualified.”

Kristi Strother

“This challenge wasn’t a challenge to me, but just a fun day riding the canyons.  We were in no hurry and even took an hour for lunch.  If I do this challenge next year, I will make this a challenge and earn my prizes and certificate.”

Shirley Kuuipo Soares 

“The Hogback Twister Challenge was exactly that, a challenge.  It challenged my endurance, riding skills, and facing my fear of heights while experiencing Colorado’s beauty.  It was an amazing ride with my group smiling every time we took a break and talked about what we saw through a canyon or over the lookouts.  The Hogback Twister has is now a great addition to our yearly riding must-dos.”

Tony Doukas

“If I didn’t follow the couple riding in my 6 a.m. group, I would have been lost because the Rever app was making me turn at roads that didn’t even exist on the map.  We had a great time riding the curves at fast speeds.  At the finish line, someone had asked me ‘what was my favorite canyon’.  I couldn’t answer because to me, it’s not so much about the road or the challenge from Point A to Point B, but it’s the people you ride with is what was important.”

Cheryl Lynn & Kui Bean

“The Hogback Twister Challenge was an awesome experience!  It was fun, interesting, and of course, challenging.  It was an unknown territory for us that turned out to be invaluable.  At first, we didn’t think anything about doing it.  We’ve never ridden the mountains or been on any long distance runs.  Coming from Hawaii, the longest we rode was twice around Oahu.  Not the same!  We started just talking about it then all of a sudden, we began our journey to the Hogback!  We made new friends, got some dinner whiskey and a cool shirt; we went to places that we will definitely head to again, and most importantly, learned a little bit more about each other.  The Hogback gave us the confidence to push past our limits and grab hold of more challenges.” 

From talking to some of the participants, each came away with something different from this challenge.  Some discovered that their stronger than they thought they were, some found that friends watch each others’ backs, and some felt they are a piece of something more significant than they could ever be alone.  I often wondered how many people can go through the same thing or see the same thing, and yet the experiences are different as night and day.  That is pretty awesome.  

I am sure some learned quite a few things from this challenge and are already planning on what not to do for next year’s Hogback Twister Challenge.  I know I am.

By Stormy

Thunder in the Rockies is CANCELLED For 2021.

By Leave a Comment

Thunder Harley-Davidson announced today that due to circumstances beyond their control such as COVID concerns, staffing, and supply issues, they sadly must cancel their Annual Thunder in the Rockies for 2021. This will be the 2nd year in a row that Thunder Mountain has had to cancel, however, this publication commends them for doing what they felt was best for the community, as well as not settling on an event that doesn’t meet the standards of what attendees are used to.

Here is their post on their ThunderInTheRockies.com website:

a group of rvs parked outside a building

THUNDER IN THE ROCKIES 2021 CANCELLED


We are heartbroken to announce the cancellation of the 2021 Thunder in the Rockies bike rally. This extremely difficult decision was made based on many factors including potential restrictions and entertainer concerns related to the most recent rise in Covid-19 cases. Lack of support due to supply chain issues and labor/inventory shortages throughout our vendor, sponsor, and business partner communities were additional factors.

All 2021 concert tickets purchased through our official Ticketweb outlet will automatically be refunded within 30 days. Any tickets purchased at Thunder Mountain Harley-Davidson can be turned in at the Thunder Mountain front desk for a refund anytime within the next 30 days.

The Forever Family Ride will still happen on Monday, Sept 6th. It is very important to the Thunder Mountain Harley-Davidson team to support Realities for Children and encourage our customers to get out in the fresh air and ride! Check-in and breakfast will begin at 9 AM at Thunder Mountain Harley-Davidson, kickstands up at 10:30 AM. More information can be found at www.ForeverFamilyRide.com.

We have extended our Bike Night series an additional week to hold the 2021 Harley-Davidson Pan America giveaway. This event will be our last Bike Night of the season at Thunder Mountain Amphitheatre on Thursday, September 2, 2021, from 6 PM to 9 PM. The raffle prize drawing will be held promptly at 7:30 PM and the bike giveaway qualifier drawing/key turn at 8:30 PM. You must be present to win for both drawings.


The 2022 Thunder in the Rockies planning is already well underway so mark your calendars, Labor Day Weekend (Sept 2-5, 2022). We apologize for any inconvenience and thank you for your support. Ride safe!


THUNDER IN THE ROCKIES
4250 Byrd Drive
Loveland, CO 80538
Phone: (866) 646-6296
Fax: (970) 292-0440
For Questions Contact:
marketing@thundermountainharley.com

7th Annual Hornbuckle Foundation Poker Run Set for September 11th

By Leave a Comment

Substance use and overdose are consistently on the rise and it takes an army to fight back. With a team of Recovery Coaches and 3 recovery programs, they are doing just that. The Hornbuckle Foundation provides hope and support to people suffering from substance use disorder by assisting them in finding tools and resources to transition into productive and positive members of society. They provide sober living scholarships for those exiting residential treatment, run a transitional housing program for those in-between housing, and help people learn how to gain long-term sobriety using their lived experiences. 

This year’s poker run is on track to be the biggest one, yet, with 2 starting points. The run ends at Dirty Dogs Roadhouse in Golden for live music, vendors (including Biker Down!) a silent auction, and a bike contest, all hosted by Uncle Nasty from iHeart Radio. All proceeds support Hornbuckle Foundation recovery programs and the great work they’re doing in our community. Pre-registration is open at HornbuckleFoundation.org. 
Let’s ride! 

Bikers Lives Matter Blocking Team

By Leave a Comment

By Laurie Montoya, BikerDown Foundation

There is nothing more fulfilling than organizing a charity motorcycle ride and having riders show up!  All weekend riders pay for the privilege of riding on majestic Colorado roads to help every type of cause or charity. 

The planning involved in putting together a safe ride is very time-consuming, it is so much more than if we route it….they will come.  I have been preaching for years to organized charity rides and events that you must have more than just a first aid kit on a ride, you must have a moral compass and level of responsibility when putting a ride together.

When you are sponsoring or promoting a ride, you are taking the lives of those riders into your hands, waivers are of course signed, and every rider should ride their own ride, but it is important that organizers think about their ride and do everything possible to ensure SAFETY FIRST.

BIKERS LIVES MATTER BLOCK TEAM

Blocking or Leapfrogging is a term that most will not recognize unless you have done it.  The purpose of those terms is to get groups of riders thru intersections and not break up the group.  There are many that don’t feel bikers should be blocking intersections.  I am a proponent of safety first and apologies later.  I would rather see a group of 100 riders make it to their destination than worry about upsetting a few drivers who are inconvenienced for a few moments.

In 2020, Lyndell “Fuzz” Elliott founded Bikers Lives Matter Blocking Team with a few of his friends.  His sole purpose was to help BikerDown and a few other charity rides he attended with a team of blockers that shared the same vision of motorcycle safety in a group setting and to have a Facebook page where others could volunteer to assist him.  Fuzz has a long history in the biker community and has ridden on many charity rides in Colorado and has seen the GOOD, the BAD, and the UGLY when it comes to things that can go wrong on a ride.

MOLLY-DHARMA RIDE

A few weeks ago, I broke out and attended the 15th Annual Molly-Dharma Motorcycle charity run.  If you have never run this ride, put it on your calendar for 2022.  This event supports a variety of no-kill shelters in our community and draws a large crowd every year.  There were puppies and dogs/cats looking for their forever family running around the Resolute Brewery in Arvada, and it took all my strength not to bring Gerda home for Noel.  

150 riders attended this ride which started in Arvada and then headed up Coal Creek Canyon, a route that can be challenging for a large group of riders. 

Prior to the ride leaving, I watched Jeff Busch and Fuzz, detail every stop, and turn along the route and the duties and responsibilities of the Bikers Lives Blocking Team.  These types of pre-ride meetings can seem overzealous at times, and too much information for others who just came to ride.  However, watching Fuzz and Jeff layout everyone’s responsibility is something that most riders don’t get to see which is the goal of a good ride. 

The weather was warming up and Fuzz and Jeff did the safety meeting to the crowd, and I thought to myself, guy’s you are going too long…you are losing the crowd.  This ride thru Coal Creek has a lot of sharp curves at 10-15 mph and it was important that riders understand and be prepared for the ride ahead.

My responsibilities during the ride was to ride behind approximately 10 blockers (which to me, seemed like way too many) and when we did the 3 designated hard stops, I was supposed to leave enough room for the blockers to get back in the front.  I was up to the task but nervous as I have never had that level of responsibility.

As we proceeded thru Coal Creek it became clear that had any of the riders listened to the safety meeting, they should now be prepared for the tight curves and to watch their speed.  I would glance in my rear-view mirror and could see that everyone was leaving enough room and being patient with other riders that may not have had their skill level.

As we proceeded to the first hard stop Hwy 72 meets Hwy 119 – the road gets quite steep to the intersection, so the blocker in front of me stopped about 75 yards before the intersection.  I began to understand right away that the pre-riders had decided that they didn’t want the riders to come to a full stop on such a steep road.  I did my job and stopped the riders about 10 feet away from that blocker.  Suddenly all the blockers caught up and several went ahead to the intersection.  This break also gave all the riders time to catch up so that when we turned, we could get everyone thru at 1 time.   

Our ride on Hwy 119 to Black Hawk was beautiful and the weather while warm was cooler than in Denver and we all really began to enjoy the ride.  However, I still was pondering why did we have so many blockers in the front.  I was given my answer when we entered Black Hawk and I began to see Fuzz designate each blocker to go to each of the 3 intersections and block so that 150 riders could get thru with ease.   Hard Stop #2 was at Johnny Z’s Shell Station on our way down and again, my job was to stop and leave enough room for all the blockers in Black Hawk to catch back up and get in line.

I won’t finish the number of incidents where the blockers made sure the group got safely to the END stop.  What was noticeably clear to me was how important it is to have a good blocking TEAM with you on an organized ride.   The precision and planning to ensure that 150 riders didn’t get lost or left behind made the event all that more enjoyable for everyone.  Riders at the end of the event kept commenting that the ride was great and how much they enjoyed themselves. 

These are the comments that you want when hosting a charity ride.  A ride was so enjoyable that riders will come back the next year and support you again.  A huge thank you to Jeff Bush and Fuzz and their team of riders with Bikers Lives Matter Blocking Team.

The TEAM has accumulated quite a resume of rides that they have blocked for including

  • International Female Ride,
  • Cruizin for Kruzer,
  • BikerDown’s 9th Annual Look Twice Save a Life ride; and
  • 15th Annual Molly-Dharma Motorcycle ride.

A special thanks and honorable mention to their TEAM members including

  • Fuzz,
  • shiner
  • Steve Cox,
  • Superman John Dentin Asdourian ,
  • kickstand Joe Rivera,
  • Rick Bouska,
  • Jeff Bush,
  • Michael Valles 

And a special thanks to the Team for Molly-Dharma included

  • Rob Bagforb
  • Jake Marr
  • Charles Holland Jr
  • Joey Hackney
  • Dave Wynn
  • Chad McCullough
  • Randy Barnett

Sober Souls MC – Celebrate 30 Years – Saturday, July 17th

By Leave a Comment

On behalf of Colorado Rider News and BikerDown Foundation, a special Thank You and Congratulations to the Sober Souls, MC for 30 years in the motorcycle community. I personally want to let you know how much I appreciate all that you have done to help people with their battle of sobriety. Your support for BikerDown over the 10 years has never gone unnoticed.

Motorcycle Depot hosts 13th Annual Ride, Rally & Show

By Leave a Comment

Aurora, July 17, 2021 – As the world returns to “normal”, some of Denver’s finest officers continue to struggle with cancer, the disease that marches relentlessly on no matter what else is happening in the world. This year’s event is even more critical as we seek to support three Denver Officers who are all facing different cancers but with the same effects on their health, families, and careers.

  • Ofc. Sal Jaramillo- Ofc. Sal Jaramillo is a Desert Storm veteran and long-time DPD member (26 years!). He is an avid motorcyclist supported by his wife Lucia and five grandchildren. Recently diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma, he faces chemotherapy 6 times per month and will be undergoing a bone marrow transplant this summer.
  • Sgt. Lawrence Graham- Sgt. Lawrence Graham is a Gulf War veteran and has been with DPD for almost 25 years. Sgt. Graham, his wife, and two teenage sons (and a Pug and an English Bulldog) have been faced with a diagnosis of incurable Stage 4 Lung Cancer. As a non-smoker, he has been hit with a life-altering illness he never would have expected. Due to the extensive spread of his cancer, he is undergoing aggressive chemotherapy to try and give him as much time as possible.
  • Ofc. Georgia Cameron- Ofc. Georgia Cameron is a newer member of the DPD family with 4 years on the force. She is an avid animal lover and founded an animal rescue before her work with DPD, saving over 8,000 animals! Officer Cameron is a single mom to an 8 yo daughter and twin 5 yo boys. Diagnosed with Stage III breast cancer, she is undergoing chemotherapy and faces extensive surgery this fall.

The 13th Annual Ride, Rally & Show is hosted by Motorcycle Depot in partnership with Mile High Harley Davidson and Colorado Motorcycle Expo. The Ride, Rally & Show will take place on Saturday, July 17th, 8 am-3 pm at Motorcycle Depot, located at 16404 E 2nd Ave in Aurora, Colorado.

Motorcycle Depot is a family-owned and operated full-service motorcycle dealership that has been in business for more than 13 years. Owner Adam Levy has a history in law enforcement and started the Ride, Rally & Show event to support local police officers. Past events have supported individual officers and their families, including funeral services, paralyzed officers, and support for officers with life-threatening illnesses. This year’s Ride, Rally & Show will benefit the three dedicated officers above. All proceeds go directly to the officers to support the officers and their medical expenses.

Motorcycle Depot’s 13th Annual Ride, Rally & Show will kick off with a pancake breakfast followed by two police-escorted motorcycle rides at 9:30, and 11 am. The ride is great for new or experienced riders and will give participants a VIP Tour of Aurora and the surrounding areas. There will be lunch cooked up by the Harley Owner’s Group (HOG) following the rides. Enjoy some food while you visit the Vendor Village, listen to music, let your kids enjoy the jumping castle, and you bid at the Silent Auction.

Adam Levy, owner of Motorcycle Depot, wants everyone to know, “As a family-owned small business supported by Aurora and the surrounding communities, this is our opportunity to give back. What better way to do that than to support our local police officers. This is a family-friendly event, and we invite all motorcycle and non-motorcycle members of the community to come out for some fun, food, and relaxation.”

For additional information about this event, go to: www.facebook.com/motorcycledepot