Motorado: The Perfect Father’s Day Present
MOTORADO:
T H E P E R F E C T F A T H E R ’ S D AY P R E S E N T By Emmaly Wiederholt
Dads can be notoriously difficult to shop for. This Father’s Day, instead of wondering what he might want, give him a great experience by taking him to the annual Motorado Classic Motorcycle Show.
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Motorado founder Chuck West served as president of the nonprofit organization for two years. He lives in Eldorado, along with most of the committee members. Hence, the name of the organization and show play off the name of the town: Eldorado — Motorado.
“Basically we’re motorcycle enthusiasts,” says Motorado committee member Frances Sayre. “A lot of us collect, build and restore classic bikes. Many of us actually race them as well. Some people just have a couple of bikes that might not even be considered classic, but we’re all either professionals or enthusiasts.”
Open to everyone, about a thousand people attended the first year, growing to a couple thousand the last two years. If you’re interested in being an exhibitor, you need to pre-register, and in order to exhibit, your bike has to be at least 30 years old. Last year 120 exhibitors participated; 80 percent local and 20 percent from out of town. The oldest bike ever to exhibit was a 1927 BSA.
he event, now it its fourth year, is hosted by Eldorado’s Motorado Motorcycle Club, and will take place on Sunday, June 21 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at La Tienda Shopping Plaza in Eldorado. There’s no entry fee, and all proceeds go to the local animal shelter.
“There are other classic motorcycle shows in southern New Mexico, but no one else puts on a show in this region,” explains Sayre. “People have garages of rare motorcycles who shine them up, put the last fix on them and ride them out. I’m going to enter a bike this year. Though I don’t expect to win anything, I’m so excited to have my bike sitting out there. The Motorado’s a place for people who have a motorcycle hobby and want to share it with others who have an appreciation.” “I’ve entered some bikes in the past,” notes fellow Motorado committee member Marc Beyer. “There’s three years between when you can reshow a vehicle, and I don’t want to show the same bike over and over again, but I do have a project I might drag out there that’s part of a mentorship program through our shop, OCD Custom Cycles and Repairs. Our shop is going to be a sponsor, and then I’ll be a judge as well, so I’ll have my hands full. There are five judges. Though they change year to year, they’re all local. The judges have significant knowledge and expertise in the classic motorcycle field.” “I was brought up on two wheels. It’s the first experience I shared with my dad. Motorcycles are my passion,” he reflects. Like Beyer, you too can share in the motorcycle experience with your dad this coming Father’s Day at the Motorado Classic Motorcycle Show. For more information, visit Motorado.org.