By: Jeanna Brown
Driving on Scottsdale Road the week of April 14 through 18, passersby were bound to see more than a few limited edition Harley Davidson’s at WestWorld, in Scottsdale, located at 16601 North Pima Rd. Packed with vendors who displayed the most luxurious motorcycles and three wheelers to unique spiral pony-tail holders and personalized ear-plugs Arizona Bike Week also sponsored numerous charity events.
Of course, this wouldn’t be a biker festival without plenty of leather, some rock ‘n’ roll and an American Hell Riders sponsored booth where professional riders test the limit by riding the wall of death daily.
Starting the week off was a concert by Vince Neal of Motley Crew on Wednesday, and continuing the rock ‘n’ roll feel of bike week, there were additional concerts every night following. Performing Friday at 4:00 p.m. was Psychobilly Rodeo, at 9:00 p.m. was country star Dierks Bentley, Saturday at 4:00 p.m. was Calvin Jones, at 9:00 p.m. was George Thorogood and the Destroyers, then Sunday at 4:00 p.m. was Mogollon.
Apart from the nightly concerts, that were worth the $25 cover charge all by themselves, there was also plenty more going on all day including free giveaways from sponsors, games, bike shows, silent actions, the Miss ABW pageant and finally the event on Monday at Chase field was the Diamondback’s vs. the St. Louis Cardinals.
While at the event visitors also stopped by a tent for the Fallen Four bikers killed by a sanitation dump truck near 27th Avenue and Carefree Highway on Thursday March 25, 2010. Killed on the scene, of the worst motorcycle accident in Arizona history, were 67-year-old Clyde R. Nachand, 52-year-old Stephen Punch, 35-year-old Daniel L. Butler and later, Dayle Veronica Downs-Totonchi, 47, died at the hospital Friday evening from extensive injuries suffered in the multi-vehicle crash.
Due to the immense severity of this tragedy, bikers are teaming up to help. Joining the fund raising is TEAM Arizona who will be teaching Skills Under-the-Lights sessions from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. every third Tue
sday of every month, costing $25, of which $5 from every participant, for the next 12 months, will be going to the Fallen Four Motorcycle Victims and Family Fund. To find out more about how to sign up for Skills Under-the-Lights visit: motorcycletraining.com or call 480-998-9888.
