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Spectators fill Redding Convention Center for Big Bike Weekend
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Saturday's spectators got to see hundreds of motorcycles that were parked outside and inside the Redding Convention Center for Big Bike Weekend 2008 as cars filled every available parking space.
The mass of shining, pampered bikes drew admiring stares and sparked conversation among cycle enthusiasts.
For the past nine years, Big Bike Weekend has offered visitors a chance to see old friends and enjoy plenty of motorcycle-related entertainment. The event also brings together a slew of vendors, who offer services and accessories related to the lifestyle.
There are bikes - stock from the showroom floor or wildly customized, like those from Haze Custom Choppers.
Dave Haze of Medford, Ore., creates powerful low-slung eye candy. His half-dozen, high-gloss choppers drew photographers like yellow jackets at a barbecue.
One "black beauty" was dressed out with a hand-tooled leather seat created by Haze's vendor booth neighbor, Ace High Leathers.
Nanci Rogers of Montague developed that business from scratch. She began creating beautifully tooled leather chopper seats and bejeweled chaps, for both cowpokes and motorcyclists, after losing her job a few years back. Her husband encouraged her to pursue the business. She now provides work for a half-dozen other women.
"We're all lady riders," Rogers said.
Under the banner "dare to be different," Rogers affixes leather appliques, jewel studs and custom embroidery to the basic leather road gear. The rhinestone studs aren't only about making the outfit pop.
"Bling is safety," Rogers said. "The jeweled studs refract light and make a rider more visible on the road."
Val Hall, 52, of Weed is one of Rogers' helpmates. Hall, whose dad was a rider, has been into motorcycles most of her life.
"I've been riding legally since I was 16," she said. "But I started riding when I was 12 years old."
Hall's 2007 Harley-Davidson Street Bob is featured in an Ace High Leathers portfolio. In addition to a dazzling paint job that includes streaks of lightning, a wolf and an eagle, the bike is adorned with one of Rogers' leather tank bibs.
"We cater to women," Rogers said. "Though we do custom work for men and nonriders, too."
Marsha Winbeckler of the Redding Harley Owners Group wore her black leather chaps with long lines of gold jewel studs and a cut rose design stitched in gold thread. She raved about Rogers' work.
"The gold and black perfectly match my bike," Winbeckler said.
Big Bike Weekend continues today with an 8:30 a.m. morning worship service hosted by the Freedom Riders Chapter of the Christian Motorcyclist Association. At 9 a.m., riders will roll on a 60-mile poker run and follow it up with the chili cook-off hosted by the Redding Harley Owners Group.
Constance Dillon can be reached at 225-8372 or at cdillon@redding.com.
Posted by crzyscotish1 on October 12, 2008 at 6:54 a.m.
Best event in Redding so far this year. Able to take the whole family and something for everyone to do. The kids playzone, excellent idea, layout of bikes and vendors, couldn't be better. We can't wait for next year, hopefully the weather will be better than this year.
Posted by Bravoman on October 12, 2008 at 7:31 a.m.
"Hopefully the weather will be better than this year"? Lets see, Sunshine, cooler temps and some wind, I believe they call that FALL! If you want warmth, then hold it in August.
Posted by itsmyturn on October 12, 2008 at 8:07 a.m.
We brought our Goldwing Trike out and had a blast. There were about 11 of us "Bikers" who went out on a ride throught out our area, it was so much fun to see old friends, and to meet new ones. Yesterday couldn't have been better, the weather was great, lots of beautiful bikes to see, so looking forward to next year.
Posted by jimdangle on October 12, 2008 at 8:17 a.m.
I went, yes this is a good event but do we really have to stand in line to fill out waivers just to get in. Come on..... If you can't provide a level of safety that you feel confident in, don't have the event. I shouldn't have to sign away my families rights to enter a public event on public property.
Posted by dingweed on October 12, 2008 at 9:17 a.m.
in response to jimdangle
you might have been entering a "war" zone
Posted by not2bright on October 12, 2008 at 10:22 a.m.
Bring it back to Hilltop and involve the general public again. If Hilltop can be closed off for Kool April Nites, it can be closed for the bikes.
Posted by stillrollin on October 12, 2008 at 11:06 a.m.
in response to dingweed
What's that supposed to mean? The cops gonna shoot people? They were the only ones there dressed for combat.
Posted by dankster on October 12, 2008 at 11:52 a.m.
in response to crzyscotish1
yea... this guy must not be from redding... little buddy scottish in redding after a summer of 100+ that was good weather... ahhhh I just want to slap some people
Posted by walterwhite on October 12, 2008 at 12:27 p.m.
in response to stillrollin
I'm sure none of the bikers were armed......duh
Posted by another_alice on October 12, 2008 at 12:36 p.m.
Too bad this event also attracts the lowlife scum who prey on regular folks. My son was pick-pocketed yesterday by some "spectator" at this event, even with the tight "security" provided by RPD. Thieves and bottom-feeders!
Posted by gonealot on October 12, 2008 at 2:11 p.m.
I loved the coverage the Dim Bulb gave this. Look at the photos. One artsy fartsy mirror shot, a couple of kids sitting down catching flies and a shot over a tank of some guy resting his feet. Makes a person proud that we have such a first class, on subject paper here in Redding.
It was one of the better events of the year, I know I enjoyed it more than turtle bay's bodies but I'll have to agree, what the heck is with the waver?
Posted by stillrollin on October 12, 2008 at 2:22 p.m.
in response to walterwhite
No kiddin. That would be illegal without a permit. Duh!
Posted by crazzynorcalchick on October 12, 2008 at 4:12 p.m.
I drove through downtown Redding off of California street Friday night and their were hundreds of bikes, it was nice to see. Some people put alot of money in their baby's and it's awordeing to show them off! I think this event is very nice. Due to gas prices everyone is buying bikes or skooters these days
Posted by walterwhite on October 12, 2008 at 4:21 p.m.
in response to stillrollin
And everyone knows the hells angels or mongols or vagos never do anything illegal.
Posted by stillrollin on October 12, 2008 at 5:20 p.m.
in response to walterwhite
And neither do Priests, Pastors, members of the Elks, Moose lodges, Boy Scout leaders, politicians, or oh yea... COPS!!
Posted by crzyscotish1 on October 12, 2008 at 6:40 p.m.
in response to dankster
Born and raised in Redding. If I want to live in a wind storm I'll live in Weed. I was merely suggesting that the event gets moved to near end of September. Oh by the way if you don't like 100+ weather how about you move back home to your mommy in the bay area and take the rest of them with you!!!!!
Posted by crzyscotish1 on October 12, 2008 at 6:44 p.m.
in response to stillrollin
Maybe the cops picked the kids wallet, wouldn't put it past them
Posted by walterwhite on October 12, 2008 at 9:09 p.m.
in response to stillrollin
None of those people you mention are currently at "war" you ignorant moron. I am done with your idiocy.
Posted by stillrollin on October 12, 2008 at 9:53 p.m.
in response to walterwhite
Touched a nerve did I? Sounds like you are privy to something the rest of us are unaware of. Why don't you share your vast knowledge with us? So I state a fact and I'm an idiot? You're pretty quick with the name calling. Is that the best that you've got?
Posted by gonealot on October 13, 2008 at 11:25 a.m.
Oh crapazoid! You two sound like a couple of kids on the playground. Knock off your personal BS and go back to the thread about the Big Bike Weekend. Who gives a rodents rosy red rectum about who's at war, or not at war with whom. historically, they all call a truce at events like this, unless they want to cause major public outrage, and both of you know it.
Posted by gonealot on October 13, 2008 at 11:33 a.m.
To Another_Alice:
Lady I had my wallet lifted at Win River and had to chase the punk down and stick a knife in his crotch to get it back. Guess what, it wasn't a special event and Win Rivers rent a cops were to busy checking out some bimbo falling out of her blouse to pay any attention to me chasing the little thief. So don't say this event brought out the bottom feeders, your son could have had his wallet lifted at church just as easily.
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