Reflections, observations on Colorado Motorcycle Show and Swap

A different sort of three-wheeler on display at the Show and Swap (Photo: Ken Bingenheimer)

The 32nd annual Colorado Motorcycle Show and Swap continues today, after enjoying a gorgeous day yesterday that is always guaranteed to bring out the bikers. Not being a stop on the Cycle World International Motorcycle Show circuit, this is the biggest and best thing Colorado has to offer each year. For photos, see the slide show below.

In addition to checking out the show bikes and, as always, totally losing my orientation while meandering through the aisles, I spent some time this year working the ABATE of Colorado booth. The following are some thoughts and impressions of my time at the event.

• More leather, tattoos, long hair, and whiskers than you'll ever see anywhere else in Colorado.
• Of all the stuff on the tables, people gravitate most to the bowl of candy, especially kids. The ABATE key rings are second in popularity. Always running out of the pink ones.
• While everything on the table is free for the taking, many wonder if there is a charge, and many are happy to throw a buck in the jar for the injured rider fund (the Randy Ride) if you suggest it.
• With ABATE of Colorado reaching out to sportbikers, the booth is shared with the Motorcycle Roadracing Association, with two race bikes on display. Young guys in textile jackets, rather than leather, stop to gaze and talk, which has surely never been the case in the past.
• A fellow tells his buddy as they walk away from the booth that "If it wasn't for these guys you'd be wearing a helmet in Colorado, and that's a fact!"
• At one point, for more than 10 minutes a steady stream of Bandidos passes by, three and four abreast, apparently having arrived en masse. There must be at least 250 of them.
• Talking with one Bandido who stopped at the booth, I asked about the diamond-shaped "13" patch so many of them wear. He tells me M, as in motorcycle, is the 13th letter in the alphabet. Up close I can see the small print underneath that reads "Motorcycle is M." Apparently there are other interpretations of the meaning.
• One other popular item at the booth: bumper stickers reading "Look Twice - Save a Life -- Motorcycles are Everywhere. A good thing for cagers to keep in mind.