COHVCO Newsletter

Colorado 500 Invitational Charity Dirt Bike Ride - A Little History

May, 2006

Over 30 years have now passed since the Colorado 500 Invitational Charity Dirt Bike Ride was created, and we of the 500 feel the time of sharing has come to the many riders of the sport.

Our family of over 1700 riders throughout the years has created and experienced some of the most awesome stories and experiences on two wheels known to the sport.

Speaking of the sport, it doesn’t matter what you are, or who you are, you become one when you throw your leg over your red, green, blue or yellow machine. What’s ahead are the memories we are about to share with you.

The Colorado 500 started with two, Wally Dallenbach and Sherm Cooper, then became 9, and 30 years later over 300 that ride annually.

By the way, those of you who have no clue as to what the Colorado 500 is, check our web-site, give our office a call or email us and we will send you a 30 year book on our ride.

Back in 77, 78 and 79, I was still driving Indy type race cars and obviously my influence on my colleagues to name a few; Al Unser, Bobby Unser, Parnelli Jones, Rick and Roger Mears, Dan Gurney, Jerry Grant and Roger Penske came on the Colorado 500 and shared the excitement of the Rockies on a motorcycle.

We were obviously all in a risky business, so doing the Colorado 500 was just an extension of what we did on the weekends. In those days we had very little support, kind of "run what you brung". After visiting many mine shafts and old ruins throughout the Rockies, I reflected on how we could almost compare ourselves with the miners and men of the gold rush days, being risk takers and in search of that "pot of gold".

We did have a well used pick up truck owned by our friend Bob Larson so a few parts were available if the truck would make it. One day it caught on fire on its way up Italian Mountain on the way to Crested Butte. I wasn’t there but from what I heard it was spectacular. I enclosed a couple photos, one with Roger Mears helping Parnelli Jones change a tire in Ouray, the second photo is Roger Mears.

In case you do not know who these two dudes are, Parnelli won the 63 Indy 500 and damn near won it again in the 67 Indy 500 in the famous Granatelli S.T.P. #40 turbine, which was my rookie year there. Roger Mears, what can I say, he was an off-road champion, Baha & Indy cars. And by the way his son Casey Mears is doing us all proud in NASCAR.

We've come a long way since the 70's and learned how to share the country side and the towns we visit, who welcome us year after year. So we’d like to share with you some articles which we will publish from time to time mixing fact, human and stories that have helped in preserving the right to do this event every year.

This country gives us the privilege to buy what we want, ride what we want and with tongue and cheek, ride where we want. In order to preserve this privilege for our son’s, daughters and grandkids we need to be pro-active in how we present ourselves when riding. There’s an old saying you can do 10 things right no credits, but do 1 thing wrong, that’s what they remember. Janet, who runs the Colorado 500, would like to share a few things and I am sure you will be hearing more from her in this column in the future.

— Wally Dallenbach, President

Over the last 30 years, Wally's vision, drive and ambition to start this event and keep it steadily growing from 2 to over 300 riders annually are truly amazing, not to mention what the event has done to change lives of so many.

Anyone lucky enough to be invited to participate in the Colorado 500 Invitational Charity Events can describe them as experiences unmatched in the world of motor sports. Participants range from race car drivers to avid off road motorcyclists and from all walks of life. It's more than a 5 day ride in the beautiful Rocky Mountains of Colorado. Given the invitational atmosphere, there is such camaraderie, brotherhood and spirit that develop that novels can be written about the stories resulting from new or renewed friendships, business connections, father and son experiences, crashes and tall tales. The reason the event is invitational is because of the set limit contracted with the USFS, quality control and pre-planning purposes.

In 1981 the Colorado 500 started its Charity Fund. Since then its programs have grown to Scholarship Funds, Legal Defense Funds and Ministries Funds all of which support the local communities on the 500 route. To date, over one million dollars have been distributed to help support various organizations, schools and other needy causes throughout these small mountain communities. This is just one way of giving back for the rich experiences these communities offer to our riders. The Colorado 500 Legal Defense Fund has become a major influence in protecting OHV recreation in Colorado. It is one of the major donators to COHVCO, BRC and USA-All.

The Colorado 500 Legal Defense Fund donations are being used to protect the rights of all off road motorcyclists to enjoy the National Forest and BLM Public lands. The Colorado 500 encourages all riders in Colorado to join COHVCO in protecting our sport. Each event is AMA sanctioned and supports many other user groups such as ORBA to help create a positive force in keeping our sport preserved. The 500 also maintains a positive relationship with the US Forest Service in regards to grants, donated trail work and support from our riders.

The Colorado 500 was at the forefront in implementing noise control levels of 96 dB (A) for all of their riders. Each motorcycle goes through a ridged tech inspection and must be street legal before they can register for the ride. The Colorado 500 proudly promotes the preservation of quality recreational trails for future generations by adhering to the rules and slogans that promote responsible use. Along with fellow respectable riders and organizations, the riders of the 500 support such slogans as "Stay the Trail", "Tread Lightly" and "Less Sound = More Ground".

I could go on and on about the support the Colorado 500 has been given throughout Colorado. Many volunteers offer their time and money to keep this event a strong and unprecedented organization. The Colorado 500 Invitational Charity Road Bike Ride is following suit and is celebrating its 20th Anniversary this June. You may now understand a little of the magic and history that has transpired from the Colorado 500 Invitational Charity Events which remain hidden jewels due to their "Invitational" aspect.

The riders and family of the Colorado 500 wish to express how grateful they are that the Colorado trails remain open and the town's people are so welcoming to motorcycles in their communities. We ride because of and for you.

— Janet Lohman, Vice President

2561 Frying Pan Road
Basalt, CO 81621
(970)927-4010

www.colorado500.org
wallyd@rof.net

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