High Country HOG Chapter
2002 - the year in review
By Twig (Rich Stanger, Chapter Historian)
We started out the year (like any other year, right?) a little slow waiting for longer, warmer days. So Hagar threw an
October & November was also slow with mainly Sunday get together rides
happening and the Hawg Wild show & swap meet. In December us bikers
showed our generosity with gift giving to Mountain States children's
home and Children's Hospital. And don't let me forget our Christmas (Holiday) party with our safety
officer "Scotty" getting the special prize. A few days later our former leader "Dean
Brown" got T-boned in Estes Park and is still recovering from
it. "Rabbi" got honored in Jan. HOG magazine for all his help with
the State rallies. Also some of us joined the over 700 riders in the
annual "Brass Monkey" run Dec. 31st to get our brass nuts. We ended
up at the Grizzly Rose on this run with our own "Rich Jack" helped
bartenders perform CPR on a biker some called "Roy" who probably had a
little to much chili there (Hope it wasn't his last ride). All in all, a decent year to
prepare us for Harley's 100 year celebration.
annual
(er, anal) pool tourney since the ABATE's Valentine's dance was cancelled. Also
to pass the time, some of us shopped for parts, etc. at the Denver and Hawg Wild swap meets. Snowy streets kept most of us from riding to
the "Undaytona" & "Can't do Daytona" parties. We were all sad to hear the passing of High Country's GM/Saleman Ron Stramel in April.
In May, a few of us joined the CO leg of "Run 4 The Wall" with TT(Tom Tucker) riding all the way to D.C.. Frank's Ride was successful with
over 1,000 riders & FOX radio showing up and raising $30,000 for Make-A-Wish. During this time, one of our own (Paul Kieffer) teamed
with other riders around the country to tour 48 states nicnamed "Iron Butt Ride". June brought us the state rally in Grand Junction with
Rich Jack getting snubbed from winnng the "most mileage for age of bike" contest by the little guy. And with the Glenwood Springs fire
closing down I-70, we all had to take longer rides home, bummer?, yea right. With Jammer & Hagar heading up the "United We Ride" aka
"Ride To The Sun" rising more money for childern foundations. Rounding ot the month, we rode around Buffalo Bill's grave then headed
to Kirk's place for a picnic & games. 4th of July week some started out with the WY state rally in Laramie and ended the week the annual
Vet's run. Later in July we tried (hopefully will continue) a "Fins & Twins" at the Ft. Collins Drive-In and while we waited for the
Drive-In to open us Twins chat with the Fins (Antique car club) there. Begining of August , as I head up to Sturgis, I got caught actually
riding my bike there (maybe you saw me in Micheal Lichter's piece in Easyrider). Since most riders were arriving in S.D. at different
times, there wasn't any organized local chapter meet there this year. Cripple Creek Vet's run came a week later. With no 4-corners run
this year put a daper on Labor Day touring, but ABATE threw their annual "End of Summer" BBQ the following weekend. I rode with my comrads
also in Sept. to honor the Fallen Firefighters to CO Springs.
Twig