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eRALLY Honda National Rally ~ The two-day dual sport ride took participants 'through the Rocky Mountain area bad country. The first day offered 85 miles of pleasure, the second 150 miles. Snow in Haggerman Pass forced a change in the original route, but even the "bail-out" trail had enough white stuff for a sUmmer snowball fight. While the dual sport enthusiasts were fording streams on the off-road portion of the event, road riders were also enjoying a twisty trip along forest highways. Stopping to admire and photograph Colorado's famous scenic beauty was an integral. part of the dual sport event, which covered 235 miles in two days of riding. '" Rocky Mountain high By Jim Pilon AVON, CO, JUNE 21-24 or four fabulous days, approximately 700 riders from acros.s the nation gathered in the' Rocky Mountain ski resort town of Avon to, celebrate a motorcycle "happening," American Honda's first National Rally, which included the Honda Sport Touring Association's (HSTA) 10th anniversary gathering, a Ride For Kids, and the Honda Rider's Club of America (HRCA) gathering, Ride The Rockies. Everyone had their own reason to be at this event. HSTA members were celebrating IO . years of being an organization that evolved from the early V-4 Sabre days into a full-blown everyone-welcometo-join association of sport touring/ riding enthusiasts. For others, by participating in the Ride For Kids they supported the Pediatric Brain Tumor Research Foundation. For the HRCA members, it was a time to meet with their fellow members and have a great time. And for dual sport riders ... well, it was a time for the back country rid.ing that Colorado is so famous for! The activities started on Sunday with the Ride For Kids which offered two separate rides: a road run from Lakewood (.a suburb of Denver) and a dual sport ride that started in Avon and ran through the White River National Forest. T\1e dual sport ride was led by Dick Burleson, the eight- F 22 time National Enduro Champion and eight-time ISDE gold medalist. Burleson was assisted by Chuck Miller and Paul Slavik of American Honda. As Sunday's road ride snaked its way along the spectacular mountain roads of Colorado, the dual sport riders were busily preparing for their two-part, 90mile excursion through the forest. The day started off cool, and at a brief riders' meeting, the route was explained and the riders were told what to expect on the morning's ride. After loading their roll charts, the participants were off to view what the road riders could not see, the absolutely spectacular vistas of the back country as seen from U.S. Forestry Service access roads. By the time the dual sport riders were to meet the road riders in Nottingham Park for the mid-day ceremonies, the weather had-turned rather warm. Off with the jackets! On with the ceremonies! A luncheon was served to all entrants after which Mike Traynor, president of the Ride For Kids Foundation, introduced officials and dignitaries and then proceeded to introduce 'children who have been afflicted oy brain tumors. Traynor also introduced their parents. He them told of some of their individual trials and tribulations, their victories and the courage they showed at such a young age. As the program proceeded, volunteers were busily tabulating the dona- ,:,!,"~. tions from the riders. A check for $21,000 was presented to the Ped.iatric Brain Tumor Research Foundation in the name of the supporters of this event and all those who contributed. What, is really inspiring about this event, and all of the other events which bear the name Ride For Kids, is that 100% of all contributions goes to research! American Honda and its dealer network assume the costs of administration. After the ceremonies, the dual sport riders remounted their motorcycles ' and headed off on the afternoon's ride. As is typical in Colorado, the skies darkened and after a short while came a brief afternoon shower. But a little rain never dampened the spirits of any dual sport rider. Riding briskly into the beautiful Colorado mountains via the access roads, the route traveled higher and higher to never-end.ing "photo.opportunities" overlooking Vail Valley. Remembering the "what goes up, must come down" theory, the riders then descended into the depths of Vail Valley by twisty and steep two track 4x4 roads. ' Alas, the day's ride was soon over. The "short" 85-mile Sunday ride was a mere "warm-up" for Monday's 150mile grand excursion! Monday's ride participants met at the Beaver Creek West parking lot, and all shared mutual high expectations, and a yearning to get started on the day's ride. Burleson explained that there would be "optional" routes for the more experienced riders and "bail outs" and/or shorter options for those not so inclined to test their skills (or lack thereof). The first section consisted of pavement to the town of Eagle, where a quick refueling of the bikes was performed and then it was time to head off to the mountains - up the road to the entrance of the White River National Forest, through the Brush Creek entrance and on to the high country. Nobody was required to travel at a speed that would tax their ability to enjoy the spectacular views' which were encountered at every turn. The lunch stop at Thomasville's. best (and only) burger bar had the riders bench racing at a fast rate that perhaps exceeded the speed of lightl The original plans to crest Haggerman Pass (ll,925 feet) had to be scrapped as the snow had not melted enough to allow passage. Instead, after lunch, the ride' looped around the mountains across a very rocky 4x4 road (if you saw -it you would swear that it was really a river becat!se of the melting snows) and everyone stopped to have a "trad.itional" snowball fight' during which most everyone ganged up on King Richard Burleson. After this brief interlude, the ride then proceeded to Elk Wallow Campground for refreshments (provided by HRCA and served by lovely Laurie and Cap'n Crunch, aka Dr. Dan Williams D.C.). Spirits and enthusiasm were higher than the surrounding mountains and although the rest stop was somewhat extended, riders remounted their motorcycles and continued with the day's excursion through the majestic scenery bordering the Holy Cross Wilderness. Was this dual sport ride fun? Was this ride scenic? Can you say, "YeeeeHawww?" If you missed this ride, don't fret, there will be others! But next on tap is the Honda and the HRCAhosted annual Honda Homecoming in August at Honda's Marysville, Ohio, plant. For information, call 800/3471289. CN