FEATURES

By Tim Anderson

Every once in a while an event comes into everyone’s life that asks you to drop everything and dedicate yourself to it for a while.

That’s what happened this past winter and spring to Denver members of the Patriot Guard Riders and some airbrush artists at Rat Art in Englewood.

SFC David Ezell, a member of an Army explosive ordinance Disposal unit, was killed in action in April 2008. The Patriot Guard Riders attended SFC Ezell’s funeral, paid their respects and moved on.

Editors note--Given that May 1, 2009 is the Third Annual International Female Ride Day, and that May is Motorcycle Awareness Month, and because May has been deemed Women Riders Month, we thought it appropriate to relay the story of a true motorcycling pioneer, and a legendary woman who rode—the indomitable Genevieve Baker. Her story is briefly told here by another legendary woman rider—Barb Manka. We hope you enjoy it and find it inspiring.

By Barbara Manka

Written by Genevieve Baker in 1970, this is her account of her New Year's Eve ascent of Pikes Peak by motorcycle on December 31, 1937. This is an impressive feat by any standard, but it is even more incredible when you take into account the motorcycle technology of the day, the "road" to the summit, and the weather conditions. Genevieve is truly a motorcycling pioneer to look up to, and has rightfully earned a place among the biker greats.

BY GENEVIEVE BAKER

I came into the living room and joined Roy in front of the fireplace to enjoy last of the warmth from the burning logs.

A few more photos from this undertaking are posted in the gallery section

By Tim Anderson

There was barely enough time to realize something had been thrown over the wall that summer day in the Iraqi village, let alone react to it. In the instant Sergeant Jeremiah Johnson recognized that something dangerous had come over the wall at him and the rest of his patrol, he tried to cover. In that same instant, whatever had been thrown over the wall exploded.

More Ice racing photos are available in the galleries section

By Tim Anderson

Kids get to have all the fun.

That’s why some of us never grow up.

When the Harry’s Roamers motorcycle Club began racing motorcycles on ice in 1966, it was just a club thing. Adults, bored with Colorado winters, found a way to have a little fun with their bikes in the dead of winter.

Such was the beginning. As the races evolved, so did the people racing. It wasn’t long before kids were out on the ice taking a few laps in whatever class worked for them.

By Tim Anderson

The Bonneville Salt Flats claimed another “addict” last month. Better yet, that “addict” is Colorado Springs, Colorado, resident Jerry Pokorny, and he is now the proud holder of a land speed record.

“It’s addicting,” Pokorny enthused. “I can’t wait to go back…it’s just a great experience. Everything about it was incredible.”

By Tim Anderson

When 19-year-old Bobby Maes was shipping out for duty on his first deployment to Iraq with Fort Carson’s 2nd Infantry Division, he told his father Eli he wanted a motorcycle.
When the 20-year-old soldier returned home from Iraq some 15 months later, on New Years Eve, 2007, he got a little more than he might have expected.

“I was shocked,” said Bobby. “I didn’t expect this.”

What he didn’t expect was a completely rebuilt custom chopper, lovingly rebuilt by his father and a few of his friends.

By Tim Anderson

Once upon a time, a couple of guys saw an opportunity to have a little fun putting together a motorcycle party, and maybe make a few bucks in the process. Before they knew it, thirty years flew by.

"In some ways, the time has gone by really fast," said Jack Portice. "It's kinda hard to believe that we've been doing this for thirty years. You'd think we'd be smarter than to keep doing it that long.

"Really, though, it's been fun so far, and you know, they say time flies when you're having fun."

By Joe Maher

When I found out I’d be covering the Run For The Wall’s trip through part of New Mexico, the decision to accept the assignment was a no-brainer: I’ve be in the military for almost 24 years now, my uncle was in Vietnam, and many of the people I worked with when I first joined the Air Force in 1983 were veterans of the conflict and shared their experiences with me.

The more I thought about it, this became not so much a want to thing, but a need to situation for me to make this ride.