River Run

[DILLIGAF]

Just thought I would post this news article....
River Run revs up today
By JIM SECKLER/The Daily News
Tuesday, April 24, 2007 8:25 PM PDT
Advance guard: A group of bikers roars into the Tri-state as the 25th annual Laughlin River Run begins. The big party lasts until Sunday. Bikers are reminded that Nevada enforces its mandatory helmet law. JEFF MANGUM/The Daily News
KINGMAN - More than 70,000 bikers are expected to descend on the Tri-state for the 25th annual Laughlin River Run.
What started as a weekend ride organized by the owner of a San Bernardino Harley-Davidson dealership in March 1983 has turned into the largest motorcycle run on the West Coast.
During the five-day motorcycle run starting today, motorcyclists from around the country - and even the world - will roar into Laughlin and the Arizona towns of Bullhead City, Oatman and Kingman.
Local law enforcement has tightened in recent years following a deadly brawl at a Laughlin casino during the 2002 Laughlin River Run that left three bikers dead and dozens injured.
Las Vegas Metro Lt. Tom Smitley said he expects the largest number of bikers to show up because of the quarter-century run of the event.
Similar to enforcement on New Year's Eve, uniformed and undercover Metro police officers will be assigned specific areas of Laughlin to ensure the safety of guests, residents and casino employees. Smitley also warns outlaw bikers not to break the law.
Smitley said a task force formed to combat the problem of motorcycle thefts has reduced the number of thefts from 27 in 2004 to 13 thefts in 2005 to just three motorcycle thefts during the 2006 River Run.
“Steal-me” motorcycles with GPS tracking devices will be placed in areas that will be monitored to act as bait to catch motorcycle thieves. Retired law enforcement officers will also supplement casino security in patrolling the casino's parking lots.
Mohave County Sheriff Tom Sheahan said all his deputies will be on duty with heavy patrols along the river including Highway 95 and the side roads especially to Oatman.
“You never know what to expect,” he said. “You prepare for the worst and hope for the best.”
Mohave County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Don Bischoff said for the first time in years, sheriff deputies will conduct sobriety checkpoints Friday and Saturday at multiple locations in the county. The sheriff's office will also increase manpower in its enforcement during the weekend.
Bullhead City Police Lt. Steve Smith said he expects 70,000 to 75,000 bikers to show up this year based on the area's hotel occupancy.
With all training and vacations postponed, Bullhead City police officers will be also be out in force, many in high profile areas in an effort to deter criminal activity.
Smith said the small percentage of outlaw bikers coming to the Laughlin River Run has declined since the 2002 shooting.
His officers also work with highway patrol officers of all three states as well as the county's multi-agency task force, Gang Intelligence Team Enforcement Mission.
Arizona Department of Public Safety Sgt. Tom Kern said his office has canceled days off during the River Run, adding another squad of officers to patrol Highways 95, 68 and 93.
All of the district's 35 highway patrol officers will be out on patrol.
Kern said most of the problems are traffic-related with most accidents involved motorcyclists not paying attention to roadways, especially the curving roads to Oatman. Being more vulnerable than cars, most motorcyclists don't drink and drive, he said.
With three states converging just south of Laughlin, motorcyclists should also be aware of the helmet laws. In California and Nevada, motorcyclists must wear helmets, but they are not required in Arizona.

[HavaSkank]

I was heading to Havi on the 40 this time last year and trust me when I say the drive was very entertaining. I saw a half dozen bikers standing along the shoulder waving siphoning hoses. When I'd wave back and honk they'd flip me the bone. After passing the third dirtbag I realized it must be part of the sport.... There's no way anyone could be so retarded as to NOT calculate how much fuel is needed to make it from point A to point Stupid.
When I reached the big city of Ludlow two leather-clad chicks started brawling in the Diary Queen bathroom. Apparently the fight was over some upstanding citizen named "Slaughter." Three beer bellied, bearded bozos stormed the ladies room to catch the show and in the process knocked the paper towel dispenser off the wall and into my forehead. Now Im pissed. I tell the tweaking beauty queens to take it outside. I threatened to rip the genitals through the chaps of one scared biker if he didnt exit the bathroom immediately. Shockingly enough, he looked a bit concerned and followed my orders.
This was the day that PMS saved my life.

[Jbb]

I threatened to rip the genitals through the chaps of one scared biker if he didnt exit the bathroom immediately.
Hey now.......I dont believe we've met......:D

[charlyox]

Thanks for the info Tom. I am leaving this afternoon as soon as the little woman gets home.

[BajaMike]

70,000 bikers.....wow.....:idea:

[Baja Big Dog]

If everyone remembers the golden rule....LEO does not want the biker element in the town, period. They bring in the big bad Metro douche bags in from Vegas. Some of the best sites are the Mounted LEO"s on horses, A couple of the horses should be paid hazard pay for hauling around the fat ass cops that ride them. I would love to see some of these guys in foot pursuit, they wouldnt last a hundred yards!!! They will do there best (as they have in the past) to make sure everyone knows that, you know 2 mile an hour over the speed limit...and its a ticket (I know the signs are posted and if you disobey them expect to get a ticket, blah blah blah...)
Half the fun of this event is the ride from So Cali...the amount of trailers is unbelievable, and the guys towing the Road Kings, Ultra's and other touring type bikes is amazing! And entertaining, the parking lot at the gas station if Goeff's is the best part, they all drive to the back of the lot to unload the mules park them up front, have a few beers, dress up in the Harley Boutique garb, and mount up for the long ride into Laughlin...it is the most entertainment you can have for free!!!
And remember, if you get stopped for DUI, (in Laughlin) request a blood test, they have no way to take blood, the hospital in Bullhead wont draw because its from Nevada.
Were gonna leave in the A.M. look for the blue and silver Ultra, with the "Big Dog" ridin...give us a honk!!!:D :(

[uvindex]

I was heading to Havi on the 40 this time last year and trust me when I say the drive was very entertaining. I saw a half dozen bikers standing along the shoulder waving siphoning hoses. When I'd wave back and honk they'd flip me the bone. After passing the third dirtbag I realized it must be part of the sport.... There's no way anyone could be so retarded as to NOT calculate how much fuel is needed to make it from point A to point Stupid.Some of those "custom" bikes have tiny fuel tanks, and as you know I-40 has some LONG stretches between gas stations. Those guys must think they're going to cross the desert by magic or something. :)

[beaverretriever]

Ah, the River Run... good times, good times.. actually I don't remember any of them because I was usually sooo fricken ripped. The last time I went, I woke up the next moring and couldn't find my bike for about an hour...LOL :D

[Bradman]

Were gonna leave in the A.M. look for the blue and silver Ultra, with the "Big Dog" ridin...give us a honk!!!:D :(
We're also leaving in the A.M. If you see this Roadking give us a honk as well.:cool: http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k81/msbladua/Misc%20Pics/DSC03376Small.jpg?t=1177542315

[Sportin' Wood]

Leaving in the am. After riding all over the last two days I have decided to solo it out thru Amboy and 29 palms. I figure that way I will be forced to make some new freinds:D

[ahhell]

Its 9:45 at night on wed eve and all I hear is RRRRRRRRRRRRRR..........up and down hwy 95
gotta love it...Im hitting the river tomorrow, should be all mine
also had the first Harley Crash come into the hospital today, nothing serious just an overcorrect off the shoulder
also...cop friend said multiple sobriety checks this weekend...no locations though

[cola]

I'am meeting a friend at Hutchins @ 9 am Thur. and riding out through Amboy. I'am riding my flamed Fatboy, solo with another blue Streetglide, two-up. Leaving Yucaipa about 7:30. Ride safe.
Mike
Hutchins' Harley-Davidson
55405 29 Palms Highway
Yucca Valley, CA 92284
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/500/162_6203ss.jpg

[Sportin' Wood]

If I can make it to Hutchins by 9:00 I'll try and meet up with you.
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/500/bike7.jpg
Jeff

[1 Baja Guy]

We're also leaving in the A.M. If you see this Roadking give us a honk as well.:cool: http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k81/msbladua/Misc%20Pics/DSC03376Small.jpg?t=1177542315
I will be riding with Big Dog in the Am... I will have a helmet cam filming the ride. Give us a shout along the way.
Ride safe :D
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p230/1bajaguy/Harley8405__4_.jpg

[Havasu Luvr]

Lets all remember what happen yesterday morning on EB I40...ride safe

[DILLIGAF]

What happened on the 40?

[DaddyMack]

Leaving in an hour!! See y'all there!
Looking forward to seeing the ladies.....
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j231/daddymacklv/Tough20Ladies.jpg
hehe
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j231/daddymacklv/e0cb7c94.jpg

[cola]

If I can make it to Hutchins by 9:00 I'll try and meet up with you.
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/500/bike7.jpg
Jeff
Jeff, nice hooking up at Hutchins. That ride could not have been much better. And the ride home today was top shelf. Hope everyone makes it home safe.
Mike

[HavasuSelect]

What happened on the 40?
I believe a group of bikers went down and there were some fatalities.

[Bradman]

Just got home myself and what a great weekend it was. We ended up putting over 1000 miles on the bikes. I will be posting pics soon!!!

[Baja Big Dog]

Just got back with the Cuz, we have been on harleys for over 35 years, and I gotta tell you, I have never been so glad to get home, and I only hope and pray that everyone else gets home safe, but I have to say, the odds are against them, I have never seen a bigger group of non-riders, no group riding skills, no business riding around people that know what they are doing--- riders....
I dont even have the time to describe what we saw on the road.....

[Havasu Luvr]

Just got back with the Cuz, we have been on harleys for over 35 years, and I gotta tell you, I have never been so glad to get home, and I only hope and pray that everyone else gets home safe, but I have to say, the odds are against them, I have never seen a bigger group of non-riders, no group riding skills, no business riding around people that know what they are doing--- riders....
I dont even have the time to describe what we saw on the road.....
I have to agree, WOW :mad: ! If you ride in a group then you ride as a team! ! ! ! ! ! !! There is no "I" in team. After this weekend I think I'll ride solo for awhile :idea:
Tom yes a few riders went down @ mile marker 40 (Hector Road), one fatality on scene and I heard 1 or 2 more didnt make it during life flight to the trama room

[lawbreaker2]

All I want to say is, nice pic's and today was a very nice day over here, But all the harley wanabe's bad a$$ riders, forgot, that they got out of their 4-wheelers on friday.:rolleyes:

[cola]

Just got home myself and what a great weekend it was. We ended up putting over 1000 miles on the bikes. I will be posting pics soon!!!
We rode about the same #. Had alot of fun.
Mike

[cola]

Just got back with the Cuz, we have been on harleys for over 35 years, and I gotta tell you, I have never been so glad to get home, and I only hope and pray that everyone else gets home safe, but I have to say, the odds are against them, I have never seen a bigger group of non-riders, no group riding skills, no business riding around people that know what they are doing--- riders....
I dont even have the time to describe what we saw on the road.....
I know what you are saying. I thought we were we were going to die before we got 10 miles out of town. It looked like we would never make it to the turn off to Essex/Amboy. The 95 & 40 was out of control, and we left at 7am.
Mike

[My Man's Sportin' Wood]

Mike, thanks for inviting Jeff to ride out with you guys. I was pretty nervous about him riding it by himself, especially since it was in pieces this time last week.
Thanks also to NoDigg and the wife for letting us hitch a ride on Friday and to Dilligaf for the BBQ and pool to cool off in. :D Hope to get some pics up tomorrow night.
Was it just me, or did attendance seem way down from last year? Traffic was bad, but not like it was last year. Maybe we just timed it right.:)

[nodigg]

Dilligaf did it again! What a dinner! Thanks Tom. Thanks to Sin-cal and wife for putting us up Wednesday! Good to meet Campbell Carl and Daddy Mack, thanks too for the boat help. Glad we got everyone to the Havi house for a cool down break and Tekillya shots Saturday after the Turtle. Jeff and Angie, thanks for all the help with the boat, great to spend time with all of you! Joe,Jr., Candy, Joey,Jr. and Shawntee (sp) and friends, Heavy D and wife, Froggy, Mid-Life, Irish Gal, KIM, Melissa, Misty and Crew thanks for the line dance...so many great peeps! I'm sure I'm missing some names but what a great weekend!

[cola]

Mike, thanks for inviting Jeff to ride out with you guys. I was pretty nervous about him riding it by himself, especially since it was in pieces this time last week.
Thanks also to NoDigg and the wife for letting us hitch a ride on Friday and to Dilligaf for the BBQ and pool to cool off in. :D Hope to get some pics up tomorrow night.
Was it just me, or did attendance seem way down from last year? Traffic was bad, but not like it was last year. Maybe we just timed it right.:)
No, thank you for letting us ride with Jeff. We had a good ride. (safe) Hope we didn't ride to slow for him.
Tom, thanks for the invite, we rode all day Fri & I was riding down to Havasu at 6am Sat.to meet my son & his group and for a ride & back up to Laughlin. I'll have to make the BBQ & see your home next year.
Mike

[DILLIGAF]

For whoever made it to my house thanks for coming and I had a great time. Definitly tired and I need a week or so of doing nothing but resting :)

[Sportin' Wood]

Cola, The speed was fine with me, thanks for showing me that little short cut by the airport. I like that.
To all the usual suspects thanks for a great weekend.
Baja Big Dog, I can not agree more. I rode home solo, and I felt that either some people riding bikes had a lack of respect or lack of experience. I'm new to riding on the road but can handle a bike fairly well. I was amazed at the danger people where putting themselves in. I just did what I always do and get the heck away from them as fast as I can. There was a stretch on 66 from essex to Amboy that was a zoo. Great ride from there home.
Damn it was hot on Sat. We stopped at the AVI to cool off and Angie and I wone $90.00 playing the nickle poker machine! LoL.:D Big Ballers:)