Palm Springs Third Annual Bike Weekend
(did the Earth move for you, too?)

By"Miss BB"
(C)1999

The night before Palm Springs Bike Weekend my friend and I arrived for a night of pre-party fun. The night was perfect for riding; cool, clear with a hint of wind in the air, just heavenly. Motorcycles lined the streets by the hundreds while their leather bound partners packed all the local bars.

When we entered the Palm Springs Biker Bash Nightclub Chi Chi Club and Cantina, the band A WOL (World of love) was entertaining the crowd of bikers. They also played the next night and to everyone’s pleasant surprise Billy Gordon of The Blue Rockers (www.motorcycleentertain.com) was in town for the run.  With permission from A WOL he joined them on stage. Jamming with his Sax and mixing with the band as if they’d played together for years, the magic flowed forth from his horn. Bikers crammed the floor until there wasn’t room to move anymore. Twistin’ and a turnin’ leather and lace dominated the nightclub. I was sorry I had to split right after A WOL got off stage but I knew I had to call it a night because morning would be here before I knew what hit me. 

Called it a night, yeah right!  Little did we know that a 7.1 earthquake was going to rock n’ roll us later on! Around three am Mother Nature awakened us, right out of bed. Sitting up in bed with just a sheet wrapped around my naked body I watched while my friend frantically searched for his jeans in the dark! 

I said, “Honey, if it was our time to go I’d know it, now get back here and think of it just like a “E” ticket ride in Disneyland. Wheeeeeeee!!”  

Beautiful weather, beautiful bikes, beautiful people lined Palm Canyon as far as the eye could see. The morning was gorgeous; the Biker gods had smiled down on the Palm Springs Bike Weekend event. Vendors and bikes, weekend warriors and outlaw clubs such as Mongol’s, Hells Angels and Vagos mixed in peace among all the motorcycle groups.

The event proceeds go to benefit three local nonprofit organizations; Palm Springs Boys & Girls Club, Palm Springs Fireman’s Association and the Palm Springs & Rescue Fund. 

In my opinion when a large event donates for not only one but three of its local community nonprofit organizations it is out standing! I’d like to see more runs do just this and give out a helping hand to those who not only need it but appreciate it as well and live next door to all of us.

Vendors lined both sides, one such vendor was Al Martinez Custom Paint.  Al will do a beautiful custom paint job for your motorcycle that will proudly show off your love and respect of the bike you ride as you fly down some ruff and rocky road. Bikes parked all up and down the middle of the street as we walked in-between them, weaving in and out of those big magical machines. Positioned in the middle of the event’s mainstream, a huge stage stood before the crowd put on by The Musicians Outlet, live music entertained the crowd throughout the afternoon on into the darkness of the night.

The day bought lots of smiles, laughter and a good time for everyone who attended. Not one accident, not one ticket did I see a police officer hand out, not one fight among any clubs or individuals. That’s right, no police harassment towards riders did I see or hear about!  

The policemen I talked with were polite and funny. When my friend asked an officer if it was against the law to not have eye wear (sun glasses) they said no I spoke up then, “Well then do I still have to wear this stupid helmet?” One officer replied, “I don’t care if you do or don’t.” he said that with a smile. His partner then patted me on the helmet which was still on my head and said, “I think it’s a stupid law myself and don’t believe in it either.” 

Was I dreaming, did an officer of the law actually say that and mean it! Anyway I do have to say the law enforcers of Palm Springs are truly friendly and not your ordinary cops, which go to show me, I can be wrong and helps this event out a lot for future participants who may decide to ride in knowing they won’t be hassled by a lot of cops.

This was really a great event for the nonprofit organizations.  The coordinators deserve a lot of praise for putting on such a nice event.  All who were there had a pleasant time.  

I’ve been to a lot of events both big and small and I know I will be riding in for this one year after year! 

Great job Paul Casey, you did well my friend.