Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/125530
his balance and made a desperate grab for the handlebars, narrowly avoiding a spill. Following the Drill Team Show, a National Monument Ranger presented an interesting Illustrated talk, starting at 6 p.m. at the Visitor Center. There were so many activities crowded into saturday afternoon, tbat it was nearly impossible to take In everything. Perhaps the best plan is to choose a couple events and given them your full attention, then take in other the followIng year. The Evening Assembly was held from 8 to 10 p.m. Saturday evening, with trophies awarded for just about everything. This year's beauty contest brought out a number of beautiful young dolls, so fetching in their bikini bathing suits, it's a wonder it didn't start a stampede. The girls weren't the only ones to display their good looks; the men rolled up their pants legs and the judges awarded a trophy for the Best Looking Legs. Then another group of men lined up to compete for the Baldest Man 'T'rophy. Other traditional events followed. Bill "Big !)Lddy" Miller, wei g h i n g 325 pounds, had no trouble winning the Heaviest 'Man Contest, defeating some of his opponents by placing only one foot on the plank. Half-a-ctozen beautifully dressed groups lined up for judging of the Best Dressed Club. This year's shortest rider was Ruby Stoddard, who measures 4' 6". Tallest rider was Kent Bryan at 6' 9" • Trophies were a warded to the EarIiest Mail Entry, and the Long Distance Entry, John Pitt from Montreal, Canada. The ever-popular Flapjack Contest was held as usual, the winning team being the couple who built their fire, cooked and at their flapjack In the shortest time. The biggest winner of all was Joe A. Jackson of Santa Fe Springs, Calif., who won the new XLCH Harley. Weather on the Death Valley Tour 15 usually beautiful, but as the program ended saturday night, a strong wind began to blow. BY the time the riders reached their tents and sleeping bags, 40 mph gusts were whipping across the desert, blowing tin cans, cardboard boxes, and clouds of dust through camp. The wind blew all night and continued I I WI..er. In this Playboys Field IIHt COllt..t we" the tllm Ibat could snap the most cloth..pln. on the line IS tIIey rode by. The bla I. a rllr . . . a vlnllge MolG Guzzi 30.50 slnele. all day Sunday. Some lost their enthusiasm and headed for home Sunday morning, but there was still a large crowd on hand Sunday morning for the judging contest, starting at 8 a.m. Trophies 'Were awarded for the Best Looking Riders and Bikes In a number of classes. HIgh Point of the program was the display of classic and antique machines, most of them looking factorynew, even though they ranged from 20 to 58 years old. Sunday's program ended early this year, partly because gusts of wind sent clouds of dust swirling across the field, and by 10:30 a.m. the trophies were won and most of the riders were on their way home. As the riders left for various destinations, they were already making plans to attend the 15th Annual Death Valley Tour next year. It has been rumored however, tbat there will be no Death Valley Tour next year. The management of the Furnace Creek Ranch is said to getting a little up tight, feeling the Run is getting too big to control. It's also reported that the Governement has been making a survey to determine the feasibility of buying the Ranch property, adding the land to the National Monument. In either case, the Run could no longer end at Furance Creek. But it would take more than the loss of Furance Creek Ranch to kill" a giant like the Death Valley Tour, and wily 01' Dick Hutchins, Art and Jan Ch....,.. POOl", Skippy, values his head aad Is smart enoucb to wear a safety helmet. How about you? the Run's head man, has hinted that he has other locations in mind. In 1849, a wagon train of immigrants blundered into the Valley. This was in the days before genuine, dependable Harley- Dlvidsons, and they had a bad trip;' 19 perished. As they made their way out, they cursed the place and cried out "Goodbye, Death Valley." The name stuck, but how times have changed. Now, as the thousands of .motorcyclists leave on their way back home each year, they may say "Goodbye Death Valley," but it's with a smile, a wave, and a promise to return next year. (Results on page 20) Next Week in Cycle News: DIRTDIGGERS & SAN DIEGO MOTO-X's FISH FRY ATTRACTS 250 SUllY and Photo by Robert O. Fee 250 Southern California motorcyclists enjoyed trout dinner at Whitewater, Sunday, October 22nd. Sponsored by the Big Three Triumph Dealers, the 16th Annual Fish Fry followed its usual format of a leisurely ride to Whitewater Sunday morning, relaxation in the shade of Whitewater Park, and food - good food. The deep fried succeulent trout qualified for the title "gourmet" as It was done to perfection under the supervision of Ruthie Fordyce. Accompanying the trout were beans, slaw, bread, coffee and cold punch. At 2 p.m., following the dinner, tickets were drawn to award merchandise to the lucky riders. Most of the goods came from the shops of the Big Three; Skip Fordyce, Ed Kretz, and !)Lve Mason. Cycle News donated several subscriptions for the motorcyclists. One winner of a Cycle News subscription was George Hays, whose stories and photos regularly appear in these col- THE DEATH VALLEY COMMITTEE WISHES TO THANK all the participants in the 1967 Death Valley Tour for their wonderful congeniality and we look forward to seeing them all back next year at the 15th annual Death Valley Motorcycle TOUL Sincerely, umns. The sweepstakes trophy was won by Gilbert M. Bratlien of Fontana. By 3 p.m. af1 the cyclists were on the road home after a pleasant day. Chairman, Death Valley Committee DID YOU LOSE? your pin and lighter on the way home? If you want an extra Death Valley souvenir pin and lighter, send $2.50 with your name and address to Motorcycle Tours, Inc. 12738 S. Paramount Blvd., Downey, Calif. (Cash or Money Order only••. No Checks) They will be mailed promptly. Obviously enjoy Inc themselves after a pleasant outlnc that altrac"d 250 Soutllem California road riders, thl. smllinc croup displays tile awards tIIey won at the 16111 Annual Fish Fry.