QUICK THROTTLE® MAGAZINE - SOUTHWEST EDITION
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By Famous Jake

I think that by now most know the story of Rip Rose - archetypal biker and seminal motojournalist for Easy Rider magazine who wanted to do something to aid those who, like him, suffered from diabetes. So, in cahoots with attorney Steve Schapiro and the American Diabetes Association, he started Rip’s BAD (Bikers Against Diabetes) Ride ten years ago in So. California. Since then the event has grown to include Arizona three years running with this year marking the first additional expansion to Denver Colorado, Houston Texas, and St. Louis Missouri with rides planned for next year in Hampton Roads Virginia and Atlanta Georgia as well. Rip is no longer with us, and while I didn’t know him, I think that he would approve of this celebration of his life with a great ride, a great party, and successful effort to raise awareness as well as funds to combat this debilitating disease. The ADA contributed over three million dollars to Arizona research facilities last year to aid in the search for improved treatment as well as an ultimate cure for diabetes so people can feel their contributions are helping close to home.

Starting from six different staging areas in Tucson and the Phoenix metro area - mostly big Harley dealerships - About 1200 bikes converged on the Pinal County Fairgrounds near Casa Grande on October 21st. Depending on the amount of funds raised, participants (and select VIP types) were rewarded with cool BAD Ride gear like bandanas, shirts, and jackets as well as a barbecue lunch provided by inmates of the Arizona Departments of Corrections. When you guys get out you should think about opening a restaurant - the food was great and you’ll stay out of trouble that way. Along with lots of outdoor vendors there was a bike show inside one of the buildings where a tattoo booth was also set up and where food was being served. Nothing like the smell of fresh blood and hot Harleys to pique the appetite.

As they have since 1936, the Victor McGlaglen Group rolled out their beautiful antique Harleys to perform precision riding drills and acrobatic moto stunts and feats of daring do. The crowd loved it and was just blown away by the things these people can do on motorcycles at snail’s pace speeds that would cause most of us to dump even if there was just one of us on the bike. They’re recruiting new members - all you have to do is own and maintain your own priceless museum piece on two wheels and ride around with a bunch of your new friends piled on with you and jump on and off while it’s still moving at great risk to skin and paint alike. Nothing to it for these old pros, with the oldest being 77 years young and still performing.

It’s not a party without tunes and the furry freak brothers - I mean the Fryed Brothers - know just how to hit that groove that bikers like. Arizonza’s own Mogollon knows a thing or two themselves about bikers and groovin’ as they celebrate thirty years together this year. However, their performance coincided with the commencement of the Santa Arizona winds which blew stinging dust off the surrounding cotton fields and thinned the crowd considerably. This also played havoc with the vendors selling anything smaller than a new transmission and totally shut down the Dirty Dog Girls bike wash. Drat the luck. Oh well, half of us had a bitchin’ tail wind on the way home and the rest ate dust and spit mud.

Most people will live many lives between birth and death but how do you want to be remembered when you’re gone? Like many, Rip was plenty sick towards the end with cancer and complications from diabetes but that is not the image that will endure. He will always be in the wind, a man with a dream of the Biker Nation, a man who put his motorcycle where his mouth was - one BAD rider. Let’s remember him that way.

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