The Stampede Reunion

My ride to Cottonwood did not go quite as expected,
 but that's another story.

Packed and heading to Cornville.

Bob Marshall arrived in Cornville on his unique KZ1000 P. We hung out in Cornville, as other Stampeders arrived, visiting and talking till late. 

    

     Next day everyone rode to Jerome in the rain. The town of Jerome is stuck on the side of a mountain and was a copper mining town at the start of the 20th century. By the 1960's it was virtually a ghost town. Now it's a place with restaurants, bars, art galleries and wine shops. Touristy without the junk shops.

It was good to hang around The Spirit Room at the Connor Hotel, watch the rain come down and listen to the band.

On Sunday everyone got together for breakfast and some photos in the parking lot. Paul Corey brought out his drone and we all gawked at it like farm boys who just saw a horseless carriage for the first time.

Charles Davis, Charlie the Nomad, a man of many talents, who organized The Stampede and knows more about The Stampede than anyone. I sure hope he's got a book in him.

After breakfast John, Jessie, Paul and I decided to go for a little ride to Sedona and up Oak Creek Canyon.

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Paul's plan was to tour the Northwest, Jessie headed to the Southwest. John and I returned to Northern California. Everyone else went in their own directions. I think everyone had a great time. I hope there is another Stampede Reunion.

Stampede Reunion

      Few people know what The Stampede was, The Stampede was a cross country race for choppers,There were a total of 10 Stampedes. The last "Now or Never," Stampede was in 2015.
     The rules were that the bike had to be hardtailed, have a solid mounted motor with no windshields, fairings or hard saddlebags. No chase vehicles were allowed and anyone not in the race was considered a chase vehicle. Strutts were allowed.
     Each year the race started somewhere on the west coast and ended in Pine Bluff, North Carolina. Pine Bluff was near the Rockingham Speedway that hosted a chopper event called The Smokeout. 
     The Stampede was a race. It was illegal, dangerous and it was hard. For me, and I believe most of the riders that competed, a life defining event.            

     I learned about The Stampede just before Stampede 5, but not in time to get a bike together for that race. I rode my Electra Glide to Lake Tahoe to see the start of that race, which followed Highway 50 to the east coast and to Pinebluff, NC. I would compete in the next 4 Stampedes.
     At Tahoe, while taking photographs, I met Jim Hunchuck, who was working on the carburetors of his Kawasaki KZ750. I asked him if I could take a few photos. I found him to be a really outgoing and a nice guy, I knew that Jim and I would be friends.
     In November of 2017 Jim started a Facebook Group called "Stampede Race Alumni." Jim suggested a Stampede Reunion. He asked for suggestions for a location and time. Cottonwood, Arizona was set as the location and the dates were set, June 15-17, 2018. 

Stampede Bike to Proper Chopper

     I used this bike for Stampede 9 and 10. After Stampede 10, the last Stampede, I changed up a few things to make the bike what I wanted from the beginning. I kept a few things so that in a couple of hours, I could change the bike back into a cross country racer.

     With the Stampede ended, it is unlikely that I will ride this bike back to the east coast again...but...I might.

Smoke Out 16

     The Smoke Out is, by far, my favorite motorcycle event. It's not the largest rally by any means, but it has more going on than all the others.

     The palatial Stampede compound, where we were front and center on the happenings at Smoke Out 16. And there's a lot to take in.

It's always fun to check out the mini bikes and mini bike racing.

Diesel bikes, could be the next big thing. 

Two stroke choppers are cool. I sure like this one.

There are bands to listen to,

cute girls to enjoy,

and loads of bikes to look at.