Sweet summer sounds

OFF THE WIRE
After multiyear Durango hiatus, motorcycles return to parade
by Patrick Young
Herald Staff Writer


The streets shook as the noisy two-wheeled beasts, a few hundred strong, revved and roared their way through downtown Durango. Sunday's Motorcycle Parade, arguably Durango's loudest annual event, could be heard blocks away.

Spokesman for the La Plata County Sheriff's Office Dan Bender estimated the crowd lining Main Avenue to number between 2,500 and 3,000 with attendees ranging from newborns to people in their 90s. He estimated the number of bikes and bikers in the parade to be 330 with more than 100 others on the sidelines watching as their compadres rode by.

But before the motorcycles could take over Main Avenue, dozens of classic cars and hot rods, some advertising candidates in the upcoming election, took to the street. Sponsored by the Durango Motor Expo and Durango Over-The-Hill Gang Car Club, the vintage vehicles warmed the crowd for the raucous parade that followed.

And then, at 11:05 a.m., parade organizer Bob Kunkel threw his hands in the air, signaling the crowd of waiting bikers to start their engines in a singular, deafening roar. Five minutes later and about 20 minutes ahead of schedule, the motorcycles were led down Main Avenue by Officer Ron Wysocki of the Durango Police Department atop a motorcycle of his own.

Heading the pack was former U.S. Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell, his wife, Linda Campbell, and Bennett Thompson in traditional native dress and war bonnet, who just moments before had delivered a blessing to the bikers.

The trio was followed by bikes and trikes of all shapes, sizes, models and colors. Many clad in leather, the assortment of bikers in the parade was just as diverse as the machines they rode. Some even rode with their dogs.

"It doesn't matter if a guy's a millionaire or he's broke or he's a farmer or he's an ex-con," Campbell said. "The common denominator is the bikes."

This year's parade was Durango's contribution to the annual Labor Day motorcycle rally. In past years, the city has reaped the economic benefits of the parade and the rally while not officially sponsoring any events.

But under Kunkel's leadership, the city has decided to take a more active role. Kunkel is the director and sole employee of the Durango Business Improvement District.

"In the past, we've not had an event, and we really weren't bringing something to the party for the weekend," he said. "We'd get a great return, our restaurants are full, our lodges are full. ... We were looking for a proper event to sponsor and thought the parade made sense."

Kunkel said he has spent months coordinating the event, which kicked off with a well-attended breakfast benefiting the organization Building Homes for Heroes, a nonprofit dedicated to providing wounded veterans with housing.

Arboles resident and longtime rally participant Al Serna rode his 1990 Harley-Davidson Screamin' Eagle Soft Tail Springer in Sunday's parade. He was happy to see the city taking a more active role in this year's rally.

"It's good for the city, it's good for the business people, it's good for the restaurants," Serna said. "You saw the parade. ... Everybody was waving, everybody I saw had big smiles on their faces, so it's a good thing."

A Vietnam veteran, Serna's bike featured an American flag and a flag honoring the soldiers who fought in Vietnam.

He said there is a natural connection between bikers and veterans. After serving two tours in Vietnam, riding a motorcycle offered him the escape he sought.

"I think it's the freedom of riding, the freedom of feeling the wind in your hair and being on two wheels," he said. "Bikers and veterans like to get away from it all, so they get on their motorcycles and go for a ride."

Kunkel said he enjoyed the process of organizing the parade and plans to do it again next year. The 2011 event, he said, will include a new participant: him. He purchased a motorcycle just a week ago but said he didn't dare drive it in this year's rally.

"Right now, I'm a danger to myself and anybody on the street, so my bike is in the garage until next week when all these folks leave," Kunkel said. "After a year of practice, I will definitely be in next year's parade because I missed it. ... I organized the whole thing, and I missed it. ... I hope it was a good one."

pyoung@ durangoherald.com

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