‘Quiet bikers’
RALLY IN GRANTS

GRANTS - Because of their low profile personas and quiet motorcycles, members of the Gold Wing Riders Association rally may have escaped the notice of some local residents this weekend.

    The District Rally, which encompasses the state of New Mexico, is set in a different community each year and this year the group chose Grants. “We'd never held a rally here before and it's close to Albuquerque, so it was convenient for a lot of our members,” said association representative Ted Gates.

    “There are so many geographical and historical features in this part of the state that we thought it would be an interesting location,” he added.

Gates explained that there are seven chapters in the New Mexico District, two of which are based in Albuquerque. “However, we had Gold Wing visitors from Colorado, Utah, Arizona and even California,” he observed.

    The Gold Wing Riders were escorted into town in parade formation by the Grants Police Department and rode down Santa Fe Avenue from Habiger's Service Printing to the Best Western Inn, where the rally was headquartered.

    Rally events included a competitive bike light show, which featured LED lights attached to the motorcycles in various designs.

    There were also competitions based on the style and class of the Honda Gold Wings, although Gates conceded that a few Harley Davidsons and Yamahas were among the entries.

    The group sponsored an ice cream social, which was open to the public. “We love to eat food and ice cream,” he noted. “Beer is not such a big thing with us.”

    There was also a free concert in front of the Mining Museum, with local group Common Ground providing the music.

    “We have ten local members in the Gold Wing Riders, including Milan Fire Chief Keith Austin,” Gates said. “Members live in Grants, Milan and Thoreau.”

    Gates gave much credit to the Grants/Cibola County Chamber of Commerce, Best Western Hotel and sponsor Dancing Eagle Casino for the success of the rally.“The event was very successful and we all had a blast. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves,” he concluded.