End of an era

I had been hearing rumors that for the 100th running next year they were going to invite former motorcycle champions to compete on supermoto bikes. That is not to be though and I reckon I am a bit relieved. I wont have to find a sponsor to come up with the $3k to enter. I like how in their little press release history of bikes on the hill (Link here)they touch on mostly tragedy and only name the few record setters and multi time champs they want to. Seems cheap to me but maybe the hill just meant more to me than most. I will keep all my memories (mostly all good, a few bad.) very dear. Everything changes and moves on down the swirling shit pipe of progress. Nothing stays the same no matter how much we cling to it. While at Lands End I heard that Steve and Lisa the 2nd generation owners of my old race week paradise The Lone Duck Campground sold and I can't blame them one bit. But I sure will miss getting up at 3am everyday of race week, stumbling through camp to Steve's coffee machine percolating away like a beacon in the dark. After morning practice sessions Steve, Lisa, and family awaited us flipping flapjacks on the griddle located right behind the camp office desk. They loved the race as much as us racers. But with the paved over race course along with it came bigger pocket having race teams who would rather rent an entire house instead of a campground full of grass roots racers sleeping in tents, puking behind vans, and ripping mini bikes around. Oh the fun that was had. I am so thankful to have taken part in a treasure of American racing that was pikes peak. Dirt, blood,tears, champagne... Lots of love.

Edit/ Addition: from the next week's issue of Cycle News written by Rennie.

I remember Rennie always being a real gentleman racer and somebody I could talk with easily about anything. I think it was his first year competing when he smuggled a back pack of beer with his gearbag to the finish line and he was happy to share it with us as we waited up there all day before we could come down. Cheers mate.