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/125535
I 010
TOUR
Story and PholoS by George
(See
118)'S
On the weekend of November 25th,
over 1,000 riders headed for Indio,
Cali!. on the Third Annual Indio Tour
sponsored jointly by the Pacific Coasters
Motorcycle Club and the Chamber of
Commerce of Indio. The town really
made the cyclists feel welcome, and
anyone on a bike was .. IN ." As a local
caIe owner explained while refusing payment from a rider for coffee, .. The
Motorcycle Tour brings more money into
town in one weekend than we'd make in a
month."
The run terminated at the Riverside
County Fairgrounds in the center of
town. The location was ideal, with a
stadium, au d ito r i urn, caIeterla, and
camping and parking space to spare.
Some riders showed up as early as
Thursday, spending the four- day Thanksgiving boliday camping on the Fairgrounds. Others followed on Friday, and
by saturday morning the sign-up booth
was jammed. Riders came from as far
as Arizona, Nevada, and even New Mexico.
Last year's tour drew only 600 riders,
probably because of the rain that coincided with the run.. 'Ibis year the air
was a little cool while riding, and warm
clothes were in order, but once in Indio,
the weather was beautiful, with the thermometer near the "80" mark.
The fun and games started at 1:30
p.m. saturday, when the Motorcycle
Parade, led by Miss Indio, left the city
park; circled through town, and ended at
the Fairgrounds. At 2: 00 p.m., the Ace
of Clubs Drill Team started their thrillPIg performance with a display of precision riding and high speed stunts. The
Team ended their show with the famous
"Suicide Split," which is about the hairiest motorcycle stunt you'll ever see.
Spectators held their breath as a twoabreast column of a dozen riders charged
head-on toward another rtder who was
blasting along at about 40 mph. At the
last possible instant the rider" in the
column swerved violently aside, narrowly avoiding a collision. One v.Tongmove,
and the parking lot wouid have been
covered wit h smashed machlnes and
bashed riders.
Next the crowd gathered in the stadium for bike and best dressed judging.
At 4 p.m. everyone lined UP at the cafeteria building, next to the stadium, for
a delicious cbicken dinner, included in
the $3.00 entry fee. The dance and trophy presentation, held in the auditorium
across from the stadium, started at
7:00 p.m.
The Nuggets MC and the Rainbows
MC led the events by giving Doc Wright
the surprise of bis life, a warding him a
like-new '62 Harley 74 in recognition of
bis many years of hard work to better
the sport of motorcycling.
Miss Indio drew ticke~ and 25 tropbies were awarded to the winners. The
first ticket drawn belonged to lucky Joe
A. Jackson, the man who won the Harley
XLCH on the Death Valley Run. Then
followed the contests, with tropbies won
by the owner of the oldest motorcycle,
and the tallest, Shortest, heaviest, baldest, youngest riders, by the long distance
club and riders, largest dub, and best
appearing club, to name only a few.
The dance followed, with many riders
having a ball until the wee hours.
The tun started again Sunday...morning
at 8 a.m. in the stadium, with the traditional field events, plus a few new
games invented by the Pacific Coasters.
The best dressed club was chosen by
five police oIficers, representing the
Highway Patrol, Riverside County Sheriffs, Coachella and Indio Police Departments. Bill Miller and Doc Wright acted
as advisors to the officers, illustrating
the spirit of friendly co-operation between the law and the road riders. A
total of 120 handsome trophies were
awarded, a ratio of over one trophy lor
every ten riders.Some went home with
two or three.
Next year's Tour will be held the
first or second weekend in October,
before the rains start and when the
weather in the desert is ideal. The
better- weather will no doubt attract
more riders, and it looks like the Indio
Tour is well on the way to becoming the
next to largest road run, second only to
Death Valley. Motels were sold out, so
make your reservations early next year
if you don't dig camping.
(Results on page 16)
1/.' ~.##:.::
Voice" Ihis week)
Story and Photos b) George RaJ's
Riders slen In at Riverside Falrlrounds in Indio and re.celve a tour award and pin, a meal ticket,
and a pass to tape over their headlight, permittinl entry into grounds. The total crowd numbered
we II over 1000.
\
5ti II dazed by It all, Doc .ri&ht climbs aboard the Harley 74 plesenled to him by his many
friends. Seated behind Doc is his wife Marilyn, and Tipr, their little dOl that always loes
alonl for the ride too.
Sandy ,"",tnall added humor to tile be_ty contlst by dressinl In a Gay 90's type bikini. Tile
crowd howled and Sanely laughed so hard she had to wipe away II. turs. Belly lIIewman(far
left) tI.d with Sandy lor Ilrst place.
------
A small part of the parade through Indio, one of the traditional road run events. Facilities at
the Fairgrounds are ideal, and there Is campinl and par1