THE NEVADA 200

ALL

ABOUT FUN

The Nevada 200 Trail Ride has always been fun. This year it’s also about breaking free from 2020

By Mitch Boehm

Group, industry and charity trail rides are nothing new in the offroad segment of our wonderful sport, and they’re typically some of the most entertaining and memorable events you’ll find.

No surprise, really, as any time you gather enthusiasts, motorcycles, good food, spicy banter (aka lies) and (probably) a little post-ride beer in an epic

off-road environment, you’re likely to generate a whole bunch of grins, camaraderie and memories.

Such is the case with the nowlegendary Nevada 200 Trail Ride, which began as a small invitational endeavor put on by two men near Las Vegas nearly 40 years ago — and has grown in both size and stature in the decades since.

Those two men would be AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Scot Harden and the late Casey Folks, who grew up riding together in the hills surrounding Las Vegas. Life, racing and business separated Harden and Folks as they got older (Folks stayed in Vegas while Harden moved to So Cal to start his career in the motorcycle industry). Starting in 1985, the duo decided to set aside a weekend each year to get together and do the riding they’d enjoyed as kids — and they began by inviting twenty of their closest friends, as well.

“We selected the remote eastern Nevada community of Caliente as

Above: Former 500cc World Champion Kevin Schwantz traded slicks for knobbies for the weekend and had a ball. Right: Kevin, Kristi and Scot Harden, enjoying the Nevada sun. Right: Happy campers at the morning riders meeting on day one.

our base,” Hall of Famer Harden told American Motorcyclist. “The area around Caliente provides a very unique combination of high desert and mountain terrain that’s perfectly suited to the tight, technical riding we enjoy. And there’s the rich history of the area, as well.”

Originally a two-day event, the ride expanded to three days to celebrate its tenth anniversary in 1995, and has remained three days since. Riders experience every type of terrain imaginable: high desert, sage, mountains, Juniper and Ponderosa pine, sand washes, single track through the trees, and more. When Casey passed on in 2017, son Daryl and his company Trac-On stepped in as co-promoter of the event. The ride’s popularity among friends and industry colleagues grew to the point where, in the mid-’90s, a rider limit of 200 was instituted.

“It’s become really popular,” Harden added, “and we have a blast. Events like the Nevada 200, which became AMA-sanctioned in 2019, have a spe-

“It’s great that motorcyclists are starting to come together in groups again, and enjoy the fun and camaraderie group rides generate.”

cial place in our sport right now as we emerge from COVID lockdowns. It’s great that motorcyclists are starting to come together in groups again, and enjoy the fun and camaraderie group rides generate.”

The Nevada 200 has also provided substantial economic support — nearly $700,000 over the years — to the community and businesses of Caliente. Additionally, the ride has donated over $65,000 to local schools, sports programs and recreation projects. This community support, and the positive PR it generates, sheds a favorable light on all motorcycling.

The ride attracts plenty of star power, too. “Four AMA Hall of Famers attended the 2021 event,” Harden said, “including Kevin Schwantz, Rodney

Far left: AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer and desert legend Jack Johnson doing some last-minute prep work. Left (and from left): Daryl Folks, Scot Harden, Kevin Schwantz, Grant Langston, Rodney Smith, Jack Johnson and Max Switzer. Below left: Grant Langston navigates the Moon Rocks. Here: Harden, cooling off in Clover Creek on day two.

Smith, Jack Johnson, and myself. World Motocross and U.S. AMA Supercross/Outdoor Motocross Champion Grant Langston also attended, as did desert legend Max Switzer.”

“This year’s event was outstanding,” added Harden, “one of our best ever, and the camaraderie has never been higher. At the end of the day, the ride is just an excuse for everyone to get together and hang out and have fun, and it really helps when you have a lot of really quality people join us. And having heroes and legends like Kevin, Grant, Rodney, Jack and Max along certainly doesn’t hurt.”

“The story Grant told about meeting Kevin for the first time at our awards dinner on Saturday night was deeply moving. It really emphasized the whole idea of paying it forward, reaching out and inspiring others as Kevin did to a wide-eyed Grant by inviting him into his motorhome for a few minutes at a GP race when Grant was still a young boy. That’s the kind of impact we all should be striving for.”

Impact, yes. But fun, too. Big fun!

Left: A Kawasaki rider negotiating the Joshua Tree forest on day one. Above left: Dr. Bradley Baum giving the V-for-Victory sign. Above right: Gourmet grub got served up each day courtesy of the Nevada 200. Above: World Champ Schwantz checking out Area 51 from the scenic overlook. See anything strange, Kev?

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