Storm pounds Ignacio, but bikers bond in wake of bad weather
The Four Corners Motorcycle Rally’s Motorcycle and Car Parade roared down Main Avenue on Sunday in downtown Durango. Sunday brought sunny skies to the rally, after rain drenched the rally grounds Saturday evening in Ignacio.
Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Guy Melrose, 52, gets thrown during the Biker Bull Riding competition Sunday in Ignacio at the Four Corners Motorcycle Rally.
Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Brigitte Gallegos arrives at the Four Corners Motorcycle Rally grounds in Ignacio on her custom 2008 Harley-Davidson. Gallegos painted her bike with the help of her husband, Malin Gallegos, right.
Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Luis Avalos, left, and Qwirt Morrison box with inflatable gloves at the Jump-N-Fun booth at the Four Corners Motorcycle Rally on Sunday in Ignacio.
Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Jerry McBride/Durango Herald<br>09/06/2015- Durango- All shapes and sizes of motorcycles participated in the Four Corners Motorcycle Rally Motorcycle and Car Parade that went down Main Avenue in downtown Durango on Sunday.
Jerry McBride/Durango Herald<br>09/06/2015- Durango- The Nomad Mountain Outlaws, from left, Donald, Jerome, Perry, and Riot, performed on the sidewalk during the Four Corners Motorcycle Rally Motorcycle and Car Parade that went down Main Avenue in downtown Durango on Sunday.
Jerry McBride/Durango Herald<br>09/06/2015- Durango- Peg Wilson wipes down a blown 383 Chevy motor that produces about 700 horse power that sits in Tom Nodzak's 1967 Chevrolet Novo on Sunday morning before the Four Corners Motorcycle Rally, Motorcycle and Car Parade.
Jerry McBride/Durango Herald<br>09/06/2015- Durango- The Hardy Angles participated in the Four Corners Motorcycle Rally Motorcycle and Car Parade that went down Main Avenue in downtown Durango on Sunday.
Jerry McBride/Durango Herald<br>09/06/2015- Durango- Zip lines at the Four Corners Motorcycle Rally carries people above the rally grounds in Ignacio on Sunday.
Jerry McBride/Durango Herald<br>09/06/2015- Durango- Every shape and size of motorcycles are parked at Four Corners Motorcycle Rally at the rally grounds in Ignacio on Sunday.
Jerry McBride/Durango Herald<br>09/06/2015- Durango- Every shape and size of motorcycles are parked at Four Corners Motorcycle Rally at the rally grounds in Ignacio on Sunday.
Jerry McBride/Durango Herald<br>09/06/2015- Durango- Luis Avalos, left, and Quirt Morrison, box with inflatable gloves at the Jumpin n Fun at the Four Corners Motorcycle Rally in Ignacio on Sunday.
Jerry McBride/Durango Herald<br>09/06/2015- Durango- Justin Krumwiede gets thrown during the Biker Bull Riding at the Four Corners Motorcycle Rally in Ignacio on Sunday.
Jerry McBride/Durango Herald<br>09/06/2015- Durango- James McWhinney gets stepped on during the Biker Bull Riding at the Four Corners Motorcycle Rally in Ignacio on Sunday.
Jerry McBride/Durango Herald<br>09/06/2015- Durango- James McWhinney, shows the result of getting stepped on by a bull after being thrown off during the Biker Bull Riding at the Four Corners Motorcycle Rally in Ignacio on Sunday.
Jerry McBride/Durango Herald<br>09/06/2015- Durango- Guy Melrose, 52, gets thrown during the Biker Bull Riding at the Four Corners Motorcycle Rally in Ignacio on Sunday.
Jerry McBride/Durango Herald<br>09/06/2015- Durango- Guy Melrose, 52, gets thrown during the Biker Bull Riding at the Four Corners Motorcycle Rally in Ignacio on Sunday.
Jerry McBride/Durango Herald<br>09/06/2015- Durango- Blaine Rogamore shows good form during the Biker Bull Riding at the Four Corners Motorcycle Rally in Ignacio on Sunday.
Jerry McBride/Durango Herald<br>09/06/2015- Durango- Bull fighter, Cody Herrera, "Rez Dog" gets a lift as a bull chases him down after the rider was thrown during the Biker Bull Riding at the Four Corners Motorcycle Rally in Ignacio on Sunday.
Jerry McBride/Durango Herald<br>09/06/2015- Durango- Zip lines at the Four Corners Motorcycle Rally carries people above the rally grounds in Ignacio on Sunday.
Jerry McBride/Durango Herald<br>09/06/2015- Durango- Oz, was talked into by his friends to get into the dunk tank at the Four Corners Motorcycle Rally at the rally grounds in Ignacio on Sunday.
Jerry McBride/Durango Herald<br>09/06/2015- Durango- Brigitte Gallegos arrives at the Four Corners Motorcycle Rally, rally grounds in Ignacio on her custom 2008 Harley Davidson that she painted along with her husband Malin Gallegos, right, on Sunday.
IGNACIO – Colorado’s unpredictable weather dampened the turnout at the Four Corners Motorcycle Rally, and a tornado scare Saturday night sent attendees running for shelter.
On Sunday, the rally’s new owner, Johnny Valdez, said event organizers expected about 12,000 paid admissions at the rally grounds, but as of Sunday afternoon, he doubted the rally would hit that number.
“We definitely got hurt by the storms on Friday and Saturday,” he said.
Around 6:45 p.m. Saturday, a turbulent storm formed north of the Sky Ute Fairgrounds. Clouds began to funnel, Valdez said, and there were about five lightning strikes every few seconds.
Valdez said event organizers told the bikers to seek shelter in bathrooms and under the grandstand. Attendees described the mad rush as “chaotic” as people looked to get out of the storm’s way.
“It was a mess,” volunteer road captain Brenda Durkan said, adding that in the 15 years she’s attended the rally, Saturday’s storm was the worst she’s ever seen.
As a result of the scramble, one man fell and hit his head. He was taken to a local hospital for treatment. And although no tornado officially touched down, the storm dropped about 4 inches of rain in 30 minutes, Valdez said.
But despite the foul weather, rally-goers did exactly that: rally to make the most of a wet, muddy situation. Some people left, Valdez said, but those who stayed bonded.
“It was a muddy mess, but I think people really came together,” Valdez said. “It was the kind of experience you don’t forget.”
Jeff Murray, general manager at Durango Harley-Davidson, said the rain didn’t have much impact on business. Labor Day weekend is still the biggest three-day stretch of sales for the company.
“The bad weather slowed things down for a bit, but it picked back up pretty quick,” he said. “(The Four Corners Motorcycle Rally) benefits the whole community: restaurants, camping, hotels.”
Durango resident Shari St. Michaels, enjoying the food and music at the Harley dealership, said rain is part of riding, and most bikers trudge through bad weather anyway.
However, she did reflect on the slow decline of attendees over the years. St. Michaels, who has been participating in the rally since 1995, said the event used to draw tens of thousands of bikers.
“It used to be a lot bigger, but they’re trying to get it back again,” she said. “This event is great for all of us. Motorcycles tie us all together.”
Sunday marked the last day of the rally, now in its 23rd year.
Making use of their surroundings, organizers pulled a last minute switch for the “lube wrestling” tournament, which became a mud wrestling contest.
Valdez, who purchased the rally eight months ago, said planning the event is an all-year ordeal, and it’s a strange feeling as things wind down.
“You always want it to go a little longer, and wish you had one more day,” he said Sunday.
“But that’s with everything in life that comes to an end. You want that one more day in the sun. Hopefully, we get that day in the sun today.”
