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/126439
Afton Canyon tum-off. From there they rode through Afton Canyon (including a couple of water crossing!I), until the roads fimdfy intersected with roads used in last year's ride, past Rasor Road. Although many riders did used the powerline road, the majority had followed ribbon ..,. again, like last year, we have no idea who put up the l'ibbon - PlJst the closed area and on to the route used last year. After . Kelbaker Road, the route followed a pipeline corridor and then a pole line road to Cima Road, the second gas stop. At the gas stop: two California Highway Patrol vehicles parked t!rere caused a few riders some concern, but no concern was necessary. The two officers joked and laughed with riders; their only concern was traffic safety. "We called up the sergeant, and he said he didn't want anybody going over the overpass at a hundred miles an hour and plowing into somebody getting off the freeway," said one. After seeing that the riders were keeping thing! cool, and engaging in a playful mock frisk (for the camera) of one Louis McKey, they left. Continuing on, riders rode down Cima Road, past the BLM vehicles. Some of the BLM rangers may have been a little surprised when a vehicle carrying the insignia and license plates of the California legislature pulled to a stop and Assemblyman J. Robert Hayes (R-San Fernando) demanded to see their identification. Hayes covered much of the route in his VW "Thing," although he spent some time between Cima and Stateline fixing an oil line. The route between Cima and Stateline varied, with most riders going far north of the freeway to pick up a series of fireroads far away from the Clark Mountain closed area, while others used the powerline road. Once past the state line,. the course followed much the same direction as it had the previous year, finishing just outside of Las Vegas. Due to the longer distance, and a great number or riders riding all the way to the finish, a lot of people got in after dark. Many tip-toed their way along with no lights, or joined up with those who did. Keith McKey, son of Louis McKey, the Phantom Duck of the Desert, had gotten separated from his father and was riding along whe he met up with a group from the Four Aces, and they followed his headlight. Louis McKey, who'd gone back to look for Keith after they'd gotten separated, also rode in with another rider using his headlight. The mood at the finish line was very gOod, except for the group who were waiting for riders still out in the dark. Dirt Bike Magazine's Rick Sieman, who made it to the finish before dark, said. "I broke my bac:' five mont~.s ago. I'm really happy to finish flUs, even if 1 couldn't go fast. That was one of the worst thin~ about getting hurt, thinking I was going to miss this." Louis McKey, riding with a newer bike this time. was one of t.he last to finish, and in a good mood. "This is the most fun ride I've been on," he grinned. There were a couple of injuries that we heard about. The first report was oj a woman breaking her collarbone before Kelbaker Road. The second was more serious. Ken Maru got hurt just before Cima Road. His riding G9mpanions called Cycle News on Monday moming and asked if we cpuld pass along their thanks to SoCal M.C. for their help. Ken was airlifted (yl ~ hospital and the report that we have is that, after surgery to repair some minor kidney damage, all he • needs to recover is rest. (Above) Over 190 street riders met at the Harvard Road exit to sign in. (Below) A few of the best poker players on two wheels. (Above) Winner Vernon Crookston.. (Below) CORPAC's Bob Hamm and his hawg. . Pavement pounders get Barstowto-Vegas Spirit By Charles Morey BARSTOW, CA, - SLOAN. NV, NOV. 24 More than 190 street riders enjoyed a Thanksgiving Weekend ride from Barstow to Vegas, sharing a c~mrtlon bond for at least one day of the year with off-road motorcyclists in the same area. Riding as guests of the Victor McLaglen Motor Corps who capably organized the first annual Cycle News Barstow to Vegas Poker Run, contestants also exercised their opportunity to "give a buck to the Duck." A Cycle News Quacker Box, set on the sign-up table, was fed over $!l00 by the street riders to support the Phantom Duck of. the Desert legal defensel attack fund. Of all the times of year for riders to unite, Thanksgiving weekend seemed most appropriate. Riders who ride only off-road might keep this kind gesture from the pavement pounders in mind when helmet law problems and other opportunities to support motorcycling in .general through our voting power present themselves. United we stand ... The Cycle News Barstow to Vegas (actually. the ride stopped just outside Las Vegas in Sloan. NV) ride got underway promptly at 10 a.m., and awards were presented when the final checkpoint closed at !l p.m. The nearly 200 riders met and signed in for the free poker run just off the Harvard Road exit near Barstow. Only one 'checkpoint along the way was. used all cards were drawn at the final check - and Bun Boy Restaurant manager Marjorie Colvin welcomed the heavily· bunQled riders at that check in Baker. After a cup of coffee and a bite to eat, everyone saddled up .and headed out for the fmal rendezvous at Dale Hamilton's mini mecca, an Arco gas station that also features, as his business card puts it, "Slot Arcade, Casino, Beer, Booze and Food." Total distance for the ride was 1!l5 miles, so everyone had plenty of energy left to applaud the winners and enjoy Dale's facilities. Three cash prizes were awarded: $100 for first, $75 for second and $50 for third place. Vernon Crookston, who'd been persuaded at the last minute by his brother Victor to join the ",10, pulled four threes from the official deck to win the $100 first place award. What would he do with the money? ''I'm gonna make the house payment," Vern responded as he sat astride his hard· ridden 550 Suzuki. ''I'm broke'" . Scooping up the $75 second place money was Scott Roberts. Scott drew a full house, aces and tens, but it wasn't quite enough. Third place fell to a Queen-high spade flush picked by Douglas Eudaly. Other prizes - Cycle News Action Wear Products - went to the next 12 best hands. In all, five jackets, three vests and four T -shiTts. Two ladies took home prizes. Lori Daignault, a vest winner, was riding her first-ever poker run as a passenger .on her boyfriend's Honda. Debbie Weatherford won a T·shirt. Russ Sanford of Motorcycle Owners, Riders and Enthusiasts also earned a vest with his three King!, ten high hand. ' CORVA/CORPAC honcho Bob Hamm didn't. win anything, but he was very pleased with the public's reaction to the message printed on the back of his Harley 74's trunk: "The Phantom Duck is alive and well in Barstow'" Bob said he got approval and general "go for it". comments from those he met on his ride down. He crossed out the "Barstow" and wrotein "Las Vegas" when he left Banitow that morning, headed for Vegas. Louis McKey, the Phantom Duck of the Desert, had already left. riding as he has done for years, his own road to Vegas. • Results OVERALL: 1. Vernon Crookston (Four threes); 2. Scan Roberts (Full houaeJace & tensl; 3. Douglas Eudaly (CluMn high spada flushl; 4. Jeen Riley (Straight, ace highl: 5. Pete Bollier (Straight, king high); 6. Doug Tvier (Straight. jack high); 7. Kevin Clark (Straight, si. high); 8. Ross Seymour (Three kings. ace highl; 9. Tom SpindallThree kings. jack high): 10. Russ Sanford (Three kings. ten high); 11. Lori. Daig..... (Three jacks, ace highl; 12. Victor Crookston (Three eightsl: 13. Leo Masters (Three deuc:eol; 14. Debbie Weatherford lTwo pair/aces & jacksl: 15. Richard Brunson lTwo pair/aces & tens). 9