Rally kick-starts in Delta

DELTA — The potential birth of a tradition takes place this weekend at the Delta Round-Up Club Rodeo Grounds as the Grand Valley Rally kick-starts.

“Other areas have had huge rallies and most of those really boosted their local economies,” Black Canyon Harley-Davidson owner Dennis Scott said. “This one could do that as well, it really could. First year — I don’t know what to expect, but the vendors, they have shown up.”

The vendors were there Friday, but scarce crowds showed up for the festivities.

Grand Valley Rally occurs after Sturgis and before Ignacio Bike Week, which gives it potential to bring in high numbers. Friday’s turnout was certainly a far cry from either of these, but there were several pumping engines, tattoos, black leathers and silver studs nonetheless.

“Something like this is a perfect location as far as riding area,” Scott said. “There are some beautiful rides around here.”

Events continue through Sunday morning including a poker run today at 10 a.m., starting at Black Canyon Harley-Davidson in Montrose. Live music begins at noon at the Delta rodeo grounds and there will be a tattoo contest hosted by Miss Harley-Davidson at 6 p.m.

Rally proceeds are to be donated to at least four charities, including the Dolphin House child advocacy center and Unity Toys for Tots. Music includes the David Starr band, which is to perform in the rodeo arena.

Motocross ramps have been set up for some high flying dirt biking stunts and there are some mean bikes on display. The rally site has such RV accomodations as electricity, water and showers. Although the rally was first scheduled for Olathe, and many online ads still name that as the location, it was moved to Delta because the venue could handle more folks.

Nudity, firearms, drugs and alcohol are prohibited from the rodeo grounds during this event. Law enforcement agencies from Montrose, Olathe and the Colorado State Patrol as well as Delta have been put on standby in case it gets out of control.

But traveling vendor Larry Frank said there’s little to worry about.

“These people keep an eye on one another,” Frank said of the bikers. “They are accountable to themselves, whatever colors they may fly — be it military or otherwise — I’ll say the big ‘A’ word: accountability.”

Frank grew up in Colorado Springs but travels coast to coast vending knives, belt buckles and hair ornaments at biker rallies. He’s been to Sturgis 38 times.

He said that although Sturgis is the continent’s “largest congregation of motorcycle enthusiasts,” there are rallies that have more riders but not more people.

“You don’t go to the carnival because you want to be a trapeze artist, do you? Maybe you do. Grab your tights and go,” Frank said. “Yeah, it’s very much a see and be seen situation. Some days you can watch the parade and some days you are the parade.”

He said Sturgis’ numbers this year were lower than those of the past decade.

“Why? It was hot. Why? Gas costs a lot. Why? They didn’t get an extra 20 percent equity they could borrow against their house.”

Contact Robert Allen via e-mail at roberta@montrosepress.com