By Eddieboy
As printed in the July 2000 Thunder Press
Under an overcast sky that allowed everyone to keep on their leathers without frying, yet was mild enough to encourage a record turn-out, the fourth edition of this Pacific Northwest rally saw the old downtown of Snohomish, Washington the third Sunday of May come alive with the sights and sounds of motorcyclists from near and far.
Bordered by turn-of the-century buildings on one side, and the deep-green flowing waters of the Snohomish River on the other, the six-blocks of old-town were cordoned off to motorcycles only. Police estimated some 1600 bikes on hand, but that was more likely the number of cops present than scoots. If the prize for 'furthest traveled' were truly analyzed, it was most likely a law-enforcement contingent from some outlying Northwest city. What-the-heck; from the looks of our boys in blue they were at least getting as much enjoyment out of the rally as were the participants. Maybe the sponsors from ABATE could encourage a catagory in Police Specials, but p-pleassse, no Kawasaki's just Road Kings!
If ya think back, to be fair, anybody's fourth birthday requires parental supervision when you got lots of friends coming over. I mean, do you remember the mess you made when your were that age ? Hell, look at ya now for that matter ! That's why we count on, you guessed it, Beryl and Buck, teamed-up with Sky Valley ABATE and North Snohomish County Chapter and lots of volunteers to put this thing together. The police were their to watch Beryl and Buck, I guess.
The big brother to this rally, the famous Oyster Run now in its 18th year, has the Bandidos every fall to watch-out for it, and its 5,000 to 10,000 party-goers. Not so bad, when your four, and get almost 3,000 friends to come over, huh !? Backing up the police on hand, were our boys in white-and-maroon, the famous Seattle Cossacks motorcycle stunt team. Marauders that they are, and pillaging the landscape since 1938 with their dare-devil antics on 1930's and 40's vintage Knucle & Flat-heads, they had the crowd lined six-deep surrounding the city block on which they performed. Watching the dozen riders avoid crashing the party is breath-taking. They truly constitute the premier motorcycle stunt team in the good 'ole USA, and when you combine riding-skill with the gymnastics they perform, coupled with true-to-the-era vintage uniforms and the bikes themselves, you got eye-candy enough to give ya mental cavities; don't miss 'em if ya ever get the chance.
Right when I thought I'd seen it all from the Cossacks, this old gent comes running out of the crowd, just as they are precariously balanced in a human pyramid a-top three moving Knucleheads...yup; in a photo deserving of Warren-Commission study, you can see the last uniformed Cossack getting on-board the front fenders of two of the bikes. Like I was saying, right into this very turn, this geriatric soon-to-be-gymnast goes for the one open spot on the other fender ('ya call that 'open' ?) and heaving his tennis-shoe and high school block-letter jacket clad-carcass at 'em, manages to jump aboard without crashing the party . Holy Shit, Batman !
Turns out, the fella-in-question is John Moser, age 76, for 45 years a Cossack and twenty-six of them Captain, now 3 years retired. And I was thinking at the time, where are the police when ya need'em ? " Not bad for a fat-boy! ", Mr. Moser said without prompting as he walked up to the Cossack I was speaking with. Isn't that patent infringement...?
The ride-in bike show got a record 135 entrys, involving 12 catagories. Unlike the past two years, where mother-nature provided the spit for your shine, this years overcast allowed just the right lighting for photos without glare. Speaking of glaring, were the efforts of some to gain just that edge of advantage to catch the eye of balloters. Manuvering, polishing, positioning and otherwise doing whatever it takes to get that one extra vote.
Chopper Class contestants were no exception; Big Al, a hrefugee from the Bay Area, was particularly shrewd with his use of a phlorescent-orange parking cone which just managed to always be beside his bike, making it the first in line. But who can blame him, when after being edged out of the competition last year, left suddenly just to break down a block away; I mean, geez, a guy needs a break sometimes don't he ? And as if to prove there is a God, not only did Big Al come in second with his classic black peanut-tanked chopped panhead, and have to put up with the standard 'Avis trys harder' jokes, but the very bike that just beat him out last year and temporarily took first this year, was proven to be still-born when it could not run. Way to go, Big Al ! -- or is it, way not to go (run)...? well, whatever ! With the record number of entries and winners in all catagories, the funds raised for ABATE and its various causes are well deserved.
When your only four years old, you expect a lot of guidance. During a rather long delay in the ballot-counting, ideas and suggestions were sought as to how to improve the show from the crowd on-hand; this is always a fool-hardy stunt to do with any large group of motorcyclists, to be sure. This time proved not to be the exception. Culled from the crowd were the standard call for wet T-shirt contests (why, doesn't it rain enough up here ?), as well as to line-up all the porta-potties and have Robbie Knievel jump 'em. In addition, custom air-brushing of toilet seats, as well as a river-dancing competition were suggested.
In a more serious vein, the large preponderance of late-model motorcycles on display were mentioned by a few as being a little disappointing for an 'antique and classic' show, though more than a few were parked out with the couple thousand lining the streets of the downtown. Perhaps to combine efforts with the Vintage Motorcycle Enthusiasts who always gather in-force every August for their Vashon Island run, could result in a more full venue in the older classes ? See, Buck, what'cha get 'fer asking ? How about once again, a big thanks to ABATE of Washington for putting on what is now the second biggest one-day rally in the Pacific Northwest...and is that big brother I smell grilling up Oysters for this fall ?
Note: The Bike Show rules state that all entries must be ridden into the show. The first place winner for Chopper class did not run and was disqualified. The first-place trophy was given to Big Al instead. Bike Show Committee
Read the ABATE Newsletter report from the July 2000 issue.
http://www.snohomishbikeshow.org/00reporttp.htm-- Revised: 18 JUN 2004
Copyright 2000-2004
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