Colorado Rider News

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Laurie Montoya

Letter from the Publisher – We Must Never Forget 9/11

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Laurie Montoya, Publisher

It’s hard to believe that 20 years have passed since the September 11 terrorist attacks in 2001.   I know that most of us can remember exactly where we were on that day and how they frantically rushed home to be with their families to ensure that we were all together, as none of us knew what the future held.

Everything changed on 9/11, and it made us understand that there will always be evil in this world and that we must fight that fight abroad and not in our country. It was a time in our country where we all flew a flag on our homes, cars/trucks, and for a very short time, it was us against evil.  

For 20 years, our country hasn’t had an attack of that magnitude, and it seems that pride in our country has faded.  We spend more time arguing and being divided than we are doing to be proud to be American.  There is a reason that millions flock to the United States every year because whether you agree with the government or your neighbor, you have a right to express your opinion and voice against your government.

Colorado Rider News wanted to commemorate the 20th anniversary of this devastating attack and losses with remembrance photographs and a timeline to remind us of the sacrifices that so many made and the lives lost.   Some riders will read this publication that wasn’t born before 2001, and hopefully, they will learn that this country should be more united than divided moving forward

In Colorado, our community annually honors these lives lost in rides and personal remembrance.  Since 9/11, we want to thank those who have served for protecting our freedom by attending the  Colorado 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at Red Rocks.  This event is a way to connect, honor, and remember the FDNY firefighters who selflessly gave their lives so that others might live on 9-11-2001.  Each participant pays tribute to an FDNY firefighter by climbing the equivalent of the 110 stories of the World Trade Center.   We must also not forget the brave souls of Flight 93 that overcame the terror.  Mile-High Harley-Davidson will also be hosting first responders, fire, and police at the Aurora dealership with a free BBQ meal, compliments of Taste of Texas BBQ.

Colorado Rider News and BikerDown Foundation will be compiling a team of other motorcycle riders to come and climb these stairs to honor the fallen and veteran and active military that have fought for our freedom and keeping terrorism at bay from our country.

This will be a day of hope and healing, remembrance and reflection, honoring the heroes, victims, and resilient spirit of everyone affected by 9/11.

Please ride safe out there!

Laurie Montoya

Publisher

Colorado Rider News

info@coloradoridernews.com

WORLD RECORD POKER RUN 2021 Raises over $12k for BikerDown Foundation

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On July 31st, over 144 Registered riders left Port Charlotte, Florida, with the sole desire to break a world record for the longest poker run.  This poker run would take these riders over 3,200 miles, eight states as they made their way to their final destination, 81st Sturgis Rally.

The riders completed their poker run on August 6th at the Buffalo Chip. Their Coppertone tans and pure adrenaline could finally relax and begin to let it sink in what they had accomplished. 

At every stop, they were welcome by dealerships, biker bars, and sponsors.  They did their best to soak up all the local color they could in the short time they had there.  They averaged over 500 miles per day, so they had to rest and be up bright and early the next day to do it all over again when they stopped.   During their evening festivities, these tired riders raised money for the charity of choice, BikerDown Foundation.  To date, these riders and organizers have raised over $12,500 to help injured motorcycle riders nationwide.

A Little History

In January 2021, Sonny and Angie (known as “The Badgers”) from supportbikers.com had the vision to break a world record for the longest poker run and wanted to raise money for a charity that helped the biker community.  Sonny said, “you would be surprised when you take a look at what is out there; there are hardly any charities that help the biker community.” After some suggestions from their steering committee of riders, Sonny began reaching out and writing emails.  BikerDown reached out to me within minutes of me hitting send on my keyboard.

After a few emails and conversations, The Badgers were confident that they had found the right charity.     

One of the biggest frustrations BikerDown experiences is an overwhelming number of help requests nationwide where we do not have chapters.  BikerDown Bylaws prohibit them from releasing funds outside of our chapter states.  The Badgers and WRPR riders have now made it possible for us to give services to riders all over the country.

Starting point for the World Record Poker Run in Port Charlotte, Florida

As President and Founder, I took a flight out to Port Charlotte, Florida, to send off the riders, meet The Badgers and their crew and do all that I could to let the riders know just how appreciative I was on behalf of future injured riders.  I was so impressed with how focused and ready they were for these riders; many had already ridden over 800 miles just to start this ride in Port Charlotte.

My next meeting with the crew and riders was in Golden Colorado at Dirty Dogs Roadhouse, where you could see what the riders’ were experiencing.   They had almost 2,500 miles under their belt, they had been thru the heat, rain, hail, breakdowns, a couple of accidents, but most importantly, they had overcome every challenge as a group.

Conclusion

On Friday, August 6th at 6 pm, all the riders had to report to the Buffalo Chip for their final check-in; they were happy, hugging, and had such a feeling of accomplishment.

BikerDown will forever be grateful to these riders, organizers, and sponsors for what they went thru for their fellow bikers.

All I can say is the next time Angie and Sonny get a crazy idea; I will say I am ALL IN.  Rumor has it they want to do it again next year and break their record.  

It’s a HOT One!

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With temperatures over 100 degrees, and riders taking long trips and getting ready to head to Sturgis in August, riders must understand that riding can come with challenges such as dehydration.  Dehydration can happen quickly in motorcyclists, decreasing your ability to ride safely and even threatening your life if not properly treated.  Motorcycle riding, like other sports, is a physical activity putting strain on your muscles and causing your body to release heat through sweat. If you must ride during the day or are traveling thru, we encourage you to go on our website (www.coloradoridernews.com) and read the June article by Shannon “Dazzlin” Venturo called 10 Tips to Stay Cool on Hot Motorcycle Rides.  This article gives great tips on planning your ride and staying hydrated.

This month our online publication starts our 3rd Annual Colorado BEST of the BEST contest; we ask the readers to vote each year and tell us who has the BEST of the BEST in each of our categories.  Starting in July, voters will write in their favorite business in each category.  August, we will tabulate the Top 3 for a semi-finalist round and readers will have an entire month to vote for the Top 3 semi-finalists.  Final voting will be published in our September CRN issue. 

Suppose Arizona is on your destination list this year. In that case, we have two great articles from riders who recently took trips to Arizona and shared with us some great history about their destinations.  If you took a Bucket List trip this year and would like to submit a story to Colorado Rider News, we would love to hear from you.  You can submit your article by emailing us at info@coloradoridernews.com

Motorcycle riders are still being injured or killed in record numbers surpassing the 33% increase in fatalities in 2020, and this publication will continue to put a FACE on this injustice.  Our sponsor RiderJustice.com helps riders with insurance reviews on their current motorcycle coverage, living wills, and BikerDown Foundation offers an Aflac Accident policy inclusive in their monthly $35.00 per month Roadside Assistance membership.  As riders must consider these types of upgrades in our coverages before their next ride. Driver’s are still out driving distracted, leaving the scene, and continue to have limited insurance or no insurance at all.  The injured riders are left alone to bear the burden of their recovery on their own.  If riders increased their insurance to include under-insured or uninsured motorist coverage on their car or bike, this would provide them with some assistance to help them recover.

Our Calendar of Events section is also growing as mask mandates. COVID restrictions have been removed, so we look forward to your continued addition of events to the calendar.

Please ride safe out there!

Laurie Montoya

Publisher

Colorado Rider News

info@coloradoridernews.com

International Female Ride Day raises money for local charities

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The first Saturday in May (May 1st this year) was a day for the record books.  Drivers could see over 200 badass female motorcyclists roaring through Denver this past weekend.   A girl from the Littleton area who had walked over with her mother to see what all the rumble of bikes was about said, “They look like superheroes.”

What’s cooler than cool helmets, ponytails, sunglasses, leather jackets, Harley-Davidsons and 200+ badass women crushing stereotypes as they soar through the streets of Denver on motorcycles? Yeah, I hear crickets too. Nothing is cooler.

The event was scheduled to start at 9:00 a.m. in the parking lot of Rocky Mountain Harley-Davidson in Littleton, but women riders and volunteers were so excited for this event that they started showing up at 7:30 a.m.  All morning as the number’s increased, you could see how happy the women riders were to have a day of their own, a day to empower one another, to see girlfriends and to forget about this past year.  It felt so great to be outside and to feel normal again, said Cathy, a new rider to Denver.

Photos by Stevie G. Photography

Audrey Paulas, co-founder of the event scheduled an amazing ride for the women, but her volunteers and team leaders executed the ride perfectly and safely.  When the women returned to Rocky Mountain for the afternoon activities, everyone commented that it was just a great ride!

Rocky Mountain Harley-Davidson hosted this year’s event and was chosen because Kathy Yevoli for over 40 years, has owned the Harley dealership and inspires women riders to go for your dreams and enjoy the ride.  Women riding groups and club as well as women biker related businesses are growing in our motorcycle community every year.

“Being a female rider in 2021 is awesome, but there is still some prejudice and stereotypes towards women bikers and a lot of improvements which need to take place in the industry,” Laurie Montoya, who co-hosted this event, has experienced those types of challenges herself, but continued to say to herself during those low times, you might not want to deal with me now, but years down the road, you will know who I am.”

Photos by Stevie G. Photography

“These kinds of events are a perfect moment for us to make a statement and show that women riders are more than ever-present on the road.”

Montoya also said she is excited to “see a bunch of women from different worlds and different day jobs come together on a very special day.”

International Female Ride Day has been around 15 years, but this is just the 1st one of this size to come to Denver, and an event that Audrey, Kathy and Laurie said we will make it bigger and better next year!

Marina Yevoli, who oversees marketing for Rocky Mountain, said they would be happy to make it an annual event after seeing the success this year. 

If there is something we need in 2021, it’s a reason to celebrate.  This ride raised over $4,000.00 with the proceeds being split between the Jefferson County Food Bank and #2wheels4meals that feeds 1st responders and injured riders.

A special thank you to all of our sponsors who donated to this event, so we had no expenses and 100% of what was raised was distributed.  Our  event was sponsored by Rider Justice, Rocky Mountain Harley Davidson, Colorado Rider News, and Cool Biker Lunch and Rides.

See you ladies next year and remember…..JUST RIDE!

BadGirlsBling – Biker Owned Business

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BadGirlsBling is an independent women’s business that’s focus is finding women’s motorcycle accessories and apparel.  Our primary focus at BGB is in rhinestone handbags, jewelry, and clothing.  We scour suppliers from all over the country and abroad to find women’s items that they will not normally see at the events they attend.  In fact, some of our items would not be described as biker clothing at all, more stylish and trend setting. 

Created in 2010 after being unable to afford the higher priced items I found at biker events, shows, or rallies.  There were many times that I would see something at an event and could not afford it that weekend, and I would not be able get it until the following year when I saw that vendor again.

BadGirlsBling set out in 2010 to be your local supplier in the Denver area that you would see at bike nights, events, and rallies locally.  BGB does not have a store front because I did not want the overhead that comes with a store that requires owners to add that cost on to customers.

I also found that many women related items and clothing did not fit my style or my size.  In general, most of the biker related clothing is made overseas and sized to fit the super petite woman.  I was not large, but when I went to purchase items, I suddenly felt bigger than I was.   When you go to a rally or vendor booth, most of your sales people really are not informative or knowledgeable about the products you are interested in.

At BGB, I personally wear and try on everything to ensure sizing is correct and that product are made to last.  I feel that I am the best advertiser and billboard for BadGirlsBling because as a woman I know what to expect from a product and how I want it to feel.

Since re-launching the business this year, we have received an overwhelming response from women riders thanking us for coming back.  We hope that you will take a moment to visit our website www.badgirlsbling.com or thru Facebook page.  We welcome you to see our collection of new items for 2021.

Letter from the Publisher – Spring is in the Air

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Laurie is Publisher and Editor of Colorado Rider News

March is here and with the warmer temperatures here, its hard to not start looking forward to spring rides, events and trying to get back to normal.  Today it was in the news that the governors of Texas and Mississippi both announced that TODAY they would be lifting their states’ mask mandates and rolling back many of their Covid-19 health mandates, just one day after the CDC warned against complacency in the face of emerging coronavirus variants.

The future of our motorcycle events in Colorado are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel and more events are being added to our Event Calendar in the hopes that restrictions will continue to loosen up. 

In this issue we will share with our readers The Colorado Motorcycle Swap Meet held at Dirty Dogs Roadhouse in February.  This was a combined effort of the Motorcycle Expo, Dirty Dogs Roadhouse, Rider Justice and Colorado Rider News whose only goal was helping our local biker owned business get thru these winter months due to the official Expo being postponed to 2022.

Colorado Riders News is proud to work with charities, riding groups and biker businesses to help promote your event.  Please visit our website and submit your event on our calendar and we will make sure it gets on the calendar at no-charge.

On a safety note, please ride safe out there, even with the beautiful weather, there is sand in the mountains and on the roads.  Watch the conditions of possible black ice in the shade.

As always enjoy the ride, let us know what we can do better and BE SAFE OUT THERE

Laurie Montoya, Publisher

Colorado Rider News

info@coloradoridernews.com

Publisher, Colorado Rider News

There is always a Light at the End of the Tunnel

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Colorado Rider News is so pleased to be back to hard copy issue and getting back to all things Colorado!  For the past 60 days, we have watched this motorcycle community bond together and weather the storm of this pandemic.  

Laurie Montoya, Publisher

The riding community supported our biker owned restaurants like Dirty Dogs Roadhouse, The Piper and The Stagecoach and others through take-out, delivery and our #2Wheels4Meals program to generate enough revenue to keep the lights on.   

We will overcome the short term affect this pandemic had on our powersports community, our charities and events that have had to cancel and as always we will take of our own.

This month we will do our best to update everyone on how our biker owned businesses are surviving and the possibility of future events this summer such as Sturgis and our local events.

Lastly, we have updated our Biker Owned Business (B.O.B.)page with some new business that bring more diverse products and businesses to our page.  It has always been my hope that riders would look to our B.O.B. page when you need a service done, keeping those biker dollars within our community.

As always enjoy the ride, let us know what we can do better and BE SAFE OUT THERE

— Laurie Montoya, Publisher
Colorado Rider News
info@coloradoridernews.com

The Times They are a Changing

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Laurie Montoya, Publisher

I was sitting here as I have done for the past 3 weeks trying to think about what to write about. What positive spin or thoughts that I could share with you. All I could come up with is that history has a way of repeating itself and hopefully this world, our country and we, as citizens, will learn this time.

We are in unsettling times. We will speak of this global virus pandemic, the stay-at-home orders, food shortages, gas prices possibly going back to 99 cents per gallon, highest unemployment in recent memory and the aftermath this pandemic had on our economy.  Before this, how many of you knew the word Essential business or ventilator? The simple word COVID-19 will flow off our tongues like WWI & The Depression and we will all remember where we were and who we lost. This virus knows no color or race, no religion, no gender and doesn’t discriminate… sounds like a John Lennon song. 

Future generations will roll their eyes when we try to tell them the stories of the day when there was no toilet paper and food was being rationed.  How manufacturing plants were converted from making pillows or beer, to making hand sanitizers and hospital masks/PPE clothing to save the lives of Americans. GM and Ford converted their plants to make not guns and ammo for WAR, but medical equipment.  They will humor us, and half listen at the unimaginable sacrifices people have made to save the lives others.

I remember when I was younger, I went down into my Italian grandparents’ basement, and would see everything that they stocked up on.  Every weekend, they would take the Sunday newspaper ads and coupon and spend the whole weekend going to stores picking up the Buy One-Get One free products and then they would proudly stock them on massive shelves in the basement.  They would only go out to eat at restaurants they had a coupon for.  My beautiful Grandma Ginny was our family Italian drug dealer, because she would pay you to refill your prescriptions and then stock them up in her private home pharmacy.  I remember thinking that they were just a little bit crazy, but now I understand that they had lived thru the depression, they had lived in a house with several married families and struggled every single day.  My grandma worked at a plant in St. Louis and paid double on her mortgage every month so that she could pay her house off early and the bank didn’t own her.  She believed in living within her means, and I can’t tell you the countless times my parents borrowed money from them and thank god they always had it to give.  They didn’t have credit card because they didn’t want to owe anyone.  If they wanted something, they had an envelope and they SAVED until they could go in and pay cash.

It is my belief and deepest hope that this pandemic and shut down will be a life lesson to world leaders, our government and all of us in some small way and will bring CHANGE in how we deal with things. 

I have personally learned a lot about how I will deal with things moving forward and to be the rock for my family and friends.

Our estimated goal date to getting back to some semblance of normal is now April 30th, and I pray each day that more people will honor the stay-at-home orders and practice safe social distancing. Group rides are not encouraged, and we ask all riders if you are going to ride to make sure you take the necessary steps to keep yourself and others safe.

The sooner we all sacrifice and bring this curve of infection down, the sooner we can all get back to the living and rebuilding our lives and our country.

#2WHEELS4MEALS

Colorado Rider News is working with a collective group of biker owned business to form #ColoradoRidersCare.  Our first initiative was our #2WheelsforMeals program to ensure that our small business biker owned restaurants survive so that we have them when this is over.  We are working with businesses like Dirty Dogs Roadhouse, Wide Open Saloon, and Takoda Tavern. Each of these businesses are open for carryout and delivery and we encourage all riders to try your best to support your local biker owned business. If you know of someone  that needs a hot meal, please let us know by sending an email to info@coloradoridernews.com

Motorcycle Business Directory

CRN has also created a directory of businesses that have modified or adapted to the shut-down.  Many of our dealerships are still open and while the showroom may be closed, they are still open for service and parts. 

We will always be #COLORADOSTRONG and stand side-by-side.

As always enjoy the ride, let us know what we can do better and BE SAFE OUT THERE

Contact Laurie: info@coloradoridernews.com

Spring 2020

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Laurie Montoya, Publisher

As we enter in to March and the see the snow still on the ground in Colorado, I am beginning to believe that Phil the Groundhog from Punxsutawney Pennsylvania who revealed that “Spring will be early” isn’t just a fun thing to do on Groundhog Day. Most of us are beginning to feel a little cabin fever and itch to ride but we must remember this is still Colorado, and it appears nature is replenishing its resources in 2020.

[Read more…] about Spring 2020

Where did the season GO?

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Laurie Montoya, Publisher

September is here, Sturgis is over and for many your kids or grandkids have started back to school. While not the end of the riding season, Colorado weather can quickly change without notice so we ask all riders to be careful on the routes that they take. September is when many motorcycle riders start planning and anticipating the fall colors and the rides in Colorado that make living here extra special.

Biker Owned Businesses

We wanted to remind any Biker Owned Businesses that you can list your business in our “BOB” directory for FREE, and Colorado Rider News would love to do more features on what your business offers so that our readers who need services know they don’t have to go far to find a biker owned business that can help them.

Motorcycle Awareness and Safety

BikerDown, Abate, CORD and Rider Justice will begin discussion with Sen. Lois Court again to try an modify and introduce new legislation to attempt to take hand-held mobile devices out of the hands of cagers to lower the number of distracted drivers out there to make the roads safe for our riders.

Charitable Events

As we mentioned last month, we chose 2 charities this month to do FREE advertisements. Our first charity that CRN chose the Hornbuckle Foundation. The foundation is hosting their 5th annual Soul Repo Run with the help of the Sober Souls, MC. Their ride is scheduled for September 7th. Addiction is something that affects every aspect of your life and to know that our community can get the sober living grants to help them re-enter society sober is a great cause and helps our biker community. 

Our second charity is Whitehorse Riders ministry, and they are hosting a Love Run on October 26th out of Colorado Springs. This Love Run will ask all riders to bring warm items including socks, back pack, gloves/hat and items that will help the homeless endure a Colorado winter. While I have never been homeless, I have known the FEAR of being homeless. Our growing economy in Colorado has forced many families out of their homes, not because they don’t pay their rent, but because landlords can double the price of their rent due to the overwhelming demand for housing.

Enjoy the cooler weather to come and remember, we welcome your comments and thoughts on what CRN can do better in the future and enjoy the ride!