BIKER NEWS

Any motorcyclist who’s been around Denver for more than a few years has a colorful story about the Berkley Inn. Some of us have lots of stories, and others have just heard stories. Some are embellished; others are fact.

One fact not in dispute is the Berkley’s back.

Long-time Berkey bartender Lisa Sanchez bought the joint back in February, and has been straightening things up, making improvements and preparing to welcome bikers back to what is arguably one of Denver’s oldest, and most colorful, biker bars.

Fort Carson motorcyclists participated in the MountainPost’s 4th Annual Motorcycle mentor & Safety Day April 18, 2012. The annual event is open to active duty military, dependents, DOD civilians and contractors and serves as a riding refresher and re-familiarization exercise before the riding season kicks off in earnest. Participants gathered at the new Iron Horse Fitness Center to visit with vendors and each other before heading out on the annual mentorship group ride through Colorado Springs and Garden Of The Gods. Photos Courtesy Ft. Carson Public Affairs.

By Tim Anderson

A pack of bikers rumbled ominously into downtown Denver March 22, 2012, and parked directly in front of the State Capitol, blocking an entire traffic lane with sparkling paint and glimmering paint chrome.

Inside the capitol, the buzz was palpable. “The bikers are here,” the whisper spread like wildfire. “They’re outside now. There are a bunch of bikers here!” legislative staffers and elected officials peered through windows. The Colorado State Patrol Capitol Guards strode outside to see.

Even though we never really completely stopped riding this past winter, spring is here, and that means the 13th Annual Scooter News Ride Guide is on its way!
The 2012 Ride Guide will be out May 1, 2012.

The Ride Guide has become the primary source for motorcyclists looking for what biker events are happening when…and where, and as such has become an indispensable marketing tool for motorcycle-oriented events and businesses looking for a successful riding season.

A bill to ban discrimination in public accommodations based on “unconventional attire” introduced in the Colorado State House of Representatives died a quick death March 7, 2012.

For now, the “No Colors” signs will stay up.

House Bill 1128, introduced by Representative Joe Mikloski, a Denver Democrat, sought to add discrimination based on “unconventional attire”—in this case motorcycle club patches and insignia—to the list of prohibited discrimination in Colorado.

The estate of big-screen legend Marlon Brando has reached a deal with Harley-Davidson Motor Company, resolving resolve a lawsuit. Brando’s estate sued the Milwaukee motorcycle giant, alleging it infringed the late actor's publicity rights in selling a line of boots called "The Brando."

Brando Enterprises sued Harley-Davidson in May 2011 claiming that the "Brando" boots looked similar to the pair that Brando wore in the 1953 classic The Wild One.

In a victory for motorcyclists, Virginia is the latest state to bar motorcycle-only checkpoints, the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) reports.

On Feb. 28, Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell signed into law H.B. 187, which was introduced by Delegate C. Todd Gilbert (R-Shenandoah). The new law, which takes effect July 1, prohibits law enforcement agencies from establishing checkpoints where the only vehicles subject to inspection are motorcycles.

A motorcycle specific noise ordinance enacted by the town of North Hampton, New Hampshire, has been struck down by a Rockingham County Superior court Judge last month.

The ordinance had set motorcycle exhaust noise limits at 80 decibels. The state of New Hampshire has a limit of 106 decibels. Passage of the law brought the town to court quickly, as Seacoast Motorcycles, Inc, which owns Seacoast Harley-Davidson, challenged the ordinance as unlawful.

The Mountain Shadow Riders, Colorado Springs’ chapter of Women On Wheels, will be out looking to meet new people May 12, 2012.

The gals who bring you the “Save The Twins!” run each fall will hold their annual spring open house and membership drive at Apex Sports, 327 South Weber Street just near downtown Colorado Springs.

A Supreme Court decision has caused a “sea change” in law enforcement, prompting the FBI to turn off nearly 3,000 Global Positioning System (GPS) devices used to track suspects, according to the agency’s general counsel.