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06/18

Colorado Riders Resist Discrimination and Win

June 3, 2018 By Laurie Montoya Leave a Comment

At any given moment, you can turn on the news or social media and find a new reason to be outraged. Recently, the biker community in Colorado had its turn to be furious and they drew a line in the sand against discrimination. Within 36 hours, they collectively managed to shut down Pikes Peak Bike Bash after announcements that “colors” and “clubs” would not be allowed to attend their motorcycle event.

What Happened

Pikes Peak Bike Week (PPBW) debuted at Pikes Peak International Raceway (PPIR) last summer with lukewarm results. Leading up to, and during the event itself, rumors raced through the riding community that colors were not allowed, but that was not the case. Vendors and sponsors were met with weak attendance and left with the hope they played an important part in an inaugural event that, next year, might grow and flourish.

In 2018, after firing last year’s promoters, PPIR rebranded the event Pikes Peak Bike Bash (PPBB) and scheduled it for June 29-July 1. It was over the Memorial Day weekend that ownership at PPIR, apparently, made the decision to officially ban clubs/colors from PPBB. While the decision was certainly more controversial than they could have imagined, they made the additional mistake of not alerting vendors and sponsors. So, on May 31st, when one biker went straight to the PPBB Facebook page to ask directly if Clubs/Colors were allowed and was told, “no” — the shit really hit the fan.

Social Media Backlash

Riders blasted social media with the news and it spread like wildfire across private and public motorcycle forums. Most rallied their people with the hope of boycotting the event itself based on bias and discrimination. Some wanted to organize a competitive event to cause financial pain to PPIR. Others went further and went directly to vendors and sponsors to voice their displeasure saying that they would not support a business that supports (by association) discrimination.

Once informed of the no club/colors policy, vendors and sponsors, including Colorado Rider News, BikerDown, and The O’Sullivan Law Firm, withdrew their support of this event.

What’s the Big Deal?

For the benefit of new or independent riders who may not have considered the club/colors ban to be any big deal, we assure you, it is. Any member will tell you that most motorcycle clubs (MCs) spend an enormous amount of time with charitable causes and good deeds for their community. Being in an MC is not the same as being in a gang, even if TV and movies would have you believe so.

What does it mean when you see a sign at a business that says NO COLORS or CLUBS allowed? 

  • It means no veterans biker groups may enter. Veterans, who have served their country, come home, and joined a Veteran or military motorcycle club should not be discriminated because they found a new place of brotherhood.
  • It means no Christian bikers may enter. Those who love the Lord and want to spread the message of God to other riders are not a threat to anyone.
  • It means no law enforcement bikers may enter. LEOs, who protect and serve our community, do not deserve to be discriminated against because they have a patch on their off-duty jacket.
  • It means no first responders who happen to be in a motorcycle club may enter. These people who protect us from fires and in other emergencies are pretty much the people we should want to have around us all the time.
  • It means if you are in any other type of women’s motorcycle club, heritage motorcycle club and yes, even a 1% motorcycle club, you cannot enter that business.
  • It means if you are a mother, father, doctor, lawyer, nurse, manager or any other type of law abiding employee or business owner that happens to be in a motorcycle club, you cannot enter that business.

Bar owners and other event promoters will say “that isn’t what the sign really means, and all are welcome.” But the fact is that is exactly what the sign means. We firmly believe, no business has the right to discriminate and refuse service against a motorcycle rider for the simple fact of a patch they are wearing on their vest or leather cut.

Colorado Rider News spoke with several MC members about the topic of banning clubs/colors. “I shouldn’t have to take off my vest, to go into an establishment,” one said. “I’m the same person with or without that vest.”

We have also spoken to several businesses who cater to the biker community but are reluctant to comment on the general policy. It was clear the ban is not based on a specific threat or incident. Rather, it was based on the stereotypical belief that club members were prone to violence when they gather in the same place.

Unified Motorcycle Community Can Affect Change

The motorcycle community comes together in times of tragedy and charity, but I believe that if our riding community had a better understanding of what a no club/colors policy really means, maybe it would change the business owner’s minds who currently enforce them.

While it is certainly their right to serve whomever they like, it is our right as a community of riders not to patronize establishments that discriminate against colors or clubs.

Legislative relief is ultimately the best way to protect motorcycle rights, but grassroots protests can be important for two reasons. First, successful protests generated more support and participation from the motorcycle club community because success instills hope and empowerment. Second, protests can change the perception and mindset of business owners and event organizers one establishment at a time. Grassroots political movements are proving to be the best mechanism motorcyclists must protect our civil liberties and our culture going forward.

Filed Under: Breaking, Community, Magazine Tagged With: 06/18, Events, Pikes Peak Bike Bash, Pikes Peak Bike Week, PPBB, PPIR

Look Twice, Save A Life Ride: Success!

May 31, 2018 By Laurie Montoya Leave a Comment

As an avid rider and Founder of BikerDown, a non-profit that supports motorcycle riders who have been injured, May: Motorcycle Awareness Month is a big deal to me. Each year the number of deaths for riders on Colorado roads continues to grow, and we must do everything we can to stop – and reverse – that trend! [Read more…] about Look Twice, Save A Life Ride: Success!

Filed Under: From the Publisher, Magazine, Non-Profit Tagged With: 06/18, BikerDown, CORD, Laurie Montoya, Look Twice

Freedom Fest 2018

May 31, 2018 By Laurie Montoya Leave a Comment

There are many veteran charities that the biker community supports. All of them are much needed for those who have served, but none are quite like the Freedom Fest every June. In 2014, 89 Industries and Freedom Fest LLC was founded on the belief that “Freedom is Not Free.” Founder Dean Gary sought to make a difference and discovered an amazing charity called American Soldier Network. Their founder, Annie Nelson, has dedicated her life to helping our service men and women. [Read more…] about Freedom Fest 2018

Filed Under: Community, Events, Magazine Tagged With: 06/18, Concert, Freedom Fest, Laurie Montoya

3rd Annual Tigger Bounce

May 31, 2018 By Colorado Rider News Leave a Comment

“The wonderful thing about Tiggers
Is Tiggers are wonderful things!
Their tops are made out of rubber
Their bottoms are made out of springs!
They’re bouncy, trouncy, flouncy, pouncy
Fun, fun, fun, fun, fun!….” [Read more…] about 3rd Annual Tigger Bounce

Filed Under: Community, Events, Magazine Tagged With: 06/18, Charity, Kelly Taylor, Tigger Bounce

Ramon Sepulveda Fundraiser

May 31, 2018 By Colorado Rider News Leave a Comment

By: Susan “Bubbles” Udero

On March 18, 2018, Ramon Sepulveda was out riding with friends, and it was a beautiful Colorado day. Then, in the blink of an eye, a car pulled out in front of him. Ramon woke up in the hospital, and his world would be forever changed. Ramon lost his right arm and his left arm was shattered. Ramon’s positive spirit, given the challenges he is facing, is nothing short of miracle. His love for life and the hope that he will ride again are a testament to the spirit of a motorcycle rider … no matter what you ride. [Read more…] about Ramon Sepulveda Fundraiser

Filed Under: Community, Events, Magazine Tagged With: 06/18, Bubbles, Charity, Colorado Love, Fundraiser, insurance, Poker, Susan Udero

Review: ROK Straps

May 31, 2018 By Colorado Rider News Leave a Comment

By: Chomper Montoya

Colorado Rider News strives every month to find new or unknown products that help solve riders’ issues and make things easier for you. This month we are featuring ROK Straps. Riders are beginning to pack up their bikes and head to rallys all over the country. How do we strap down all of our gear? Bungee straps. The problem with bungee straps is they get hot and break. [Read more…] about Review: ROK Straps

Filed Under: Magazine, Reviews, Safety Tagged With: 06/18, Chomper Montoya, Product, ROK, safety

Cool Biker Lunch & Rides

May 31, 2018 By Colorado Rider News Leave a Comment

We ride for ice cream

By: Audrey Paulus

It all started in the spring of 2013. Three Mile-High Sisters and great personal friends, Jacquey Tabcum, Jan Oglesby, and Audrey Paulus, began riding to work on Fridays and meeting at noon for lunch. The three of us worked close to one another, so riding to lunch was easy. Our weekly routine would be to check in on Facebook, state that the Cool Bikers were having lunch at whatever restaurant we were at that week, and invite anyone to join us. This is not a women’s group, we have just as many male riders as female riders. [Read more…] about Cool Biker Lunch & Rides

Filed Under: Community, Groups, Magazine Tagged With: 06/18, Audrey Paulus, Cool Biker, Groups

CWHR Remodeling Contractors

May 31, 2018 By Colorado Rider News Leave a Comment

CWHR Remodeling Contractors

Wes Hinds • (303) 210-7305

Tell us a little bit about yourself: I grew up in Oregon. Love the coast and traveled with the United States Air Force (USAF). I was raised with old school values that have never let me down. [Read more…] about CWHR Remodeling Contractors

Filed Under: Business, Magazine Tagged With: 06/18, BOB, CWHR Remodeling

Susan Udero “Bubbles”

May 31, 2018 By Colorado Rider News Leave a Comment

Susan Udero “Bubbles”

Comedian • 720-206-4438

Tell us about yourself: My name is Susan Udero, aka Miss Bubbles. I retired as a mechanic from Phelps Dodge Mining Company. I was the first female mechanic at the mine. I am now retired and found my other gift, being a biker comedian. I have performed at many biker events and comedy clubs. My niche is a biker audience. My passion is to ride my Indian Chieftain and perform all over the USA. I have ridden 22 states, and states to the east are on my bucket list. I moved to Colorado from Las Cruces, New Mexico. I moved to Colorado to perform at biker events and comedy clubs. I am a producer of comedy shows and coordinator of biker events. I am coordinating a bike rally 300 Iron Horse Bike Rally August 23-26th in Morrison Colorado. I will be touring many states in 2018. [Read more…] about Susan Udero “Bubbles”

Filed Under: Business, Magazine Tagged With: 06/18, BOB, Bubbles, Comedian, Susan Udero

Ride Canada FOOD – Charlevoix region of Quebec

May 31, 2018 By Colorado Rider News Leave a Comment

By: Belt Drive Betty

I am working on organizing a ride across Canada to celebrate my upcoming 60th birthday in June of 2020. Part of my research has involved looking at old articles I have written about Canadian locations I have already traveled to. I came across some of my articles on my various times in the Charlevoix region of Quebec with Moto Foodie Ken Aiken and then tourism director Francois Gariepy. [Read more…] about Ride Canada FOOD – Charlevoix region of Quebec

Filed Under: Community, Magazine Tagged With: 06/18, Belt Drive Betty, Charlevoix, Food, Ride Canada

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