Al Hickman Al is one of our newest members. His love for motorcycles began at a very early age. He got his first bike in 1954. It was a Harley single. He was in Cheyenne, Wyoming at the time in the U.S. Air Force. He didn't have it that long because he was transferred to Riverside, California which was much too far to ride that bike. He got a 650 full race BSA in 1963. Over the next fourteen years he had many different street and off road motorcycles. Al and his son raced off road in several different kinds of races until he got hurt and quit riding.
After some years had passed without any riding, he was delighted when his wife of 42 years bought him a 1994 Dyna Wideglide for Christmas in 2005. Al was pleasantly surprised and couldn't believe it. Their son was in Iraq. When he came home his son acquired a new Softail Deluxe and talked Al into taking a ride. He was hooked all over again and is looking forward to many rides with the club.
Ryan recently joined our H.O.G chapter and is a welcome addition. Ryan rides a 2006 Black Road King. He works as a Liquor Salesperson for a reputable company selling products to Liquor Stores, Bars, and Restaurants. Ryan knows good tequila and enjoys some on occasion. Ryan is married to Denise who works at Merrill Lynch. Welcome aboard Ryan and Denise.
John works as a Sales Associate at the Grand Junction Harley Davidson Store. He recently made his escape from Indiana running from a barrage of stones being thrown his direction by his ex-wife. John is genuinely happy to be living, working and riding with the club in Colorado.
Keith was born and raised in Colorado. His family moved to Grand Junction in 1956. He completed high school and Mesa Junior College in Grand Junction, and finished his education at western state in Gunnison. He taught school here for about 14 years, and quit in 1980. He then worked in the oil and gas industry for about a dozen years. In 1992 they bought the rainbow roller rink and operated that for 9 years. Their lease expired in the year 2000, so they had to close it. At that time they purchased some land and built a liquor store on orchard mesa. They were in business with their son-in-law and daughter until October of 2005 when they sold their interest to the kids. They are now retired and enjoying their leisure time immensely. About two years ago Keith bought his first Harley, and last September traded it in on a new 2006 Heritage Softtail. He only has about 600 miles on it so far and is looking forward to putting on a lot more this spring and summer.
Dixie was born in Kansas, but moved to Grand Junction soon after the dinosaurs died out. She was educated in Grand Junction. They met as juniors at Grand Junction High School in 1957, got married in 1960, had three kids that are now grown and have two kids each of their own. Dixie became a beautician in 1960 and supported Keith while he attended college. She stopped cosmetology work in the late 1960's and has at various times worked as a teachers aide, waitress, secretary, fund raiser, etc. Her most important job was of course that of mother, and raising their three children. She is enjoying their retirement and leisure time. She is currently enjoying making quilts for their grandkids, and will enjoy being a helmet watcher on the back of their Heritage Softail.
Kalanda took the Motorcycle Operators Safety Training class about 3 years ago and found that she thoroughly enjoyed riding. She bought a BMW 650 GS as her first bike. The first time she took it for a long ride on dirt roads around Crested Butte, she crashed numerous times. She thought the bike was a little too tall for her. She kept the BMW for a couple of years and really learned how to ride and enjoyed it. Her friends, Dave and Bev Allen, encouraged her to get a Harley. She started looking at all the different models and found it very confusing as to what she should buy. Finally, she rode a Softail Deluxe and just fell in love with the ride. Also, it was the only bike that was low enough for her to touch the ground on. She bought her beautiful black cherry Deluxe in March and is working on getting her first 1000 miles on the bike.
It is a pleasure having Kalanda as a new member of our club and we look forward to enjoying her company on future rides. Welcome aboard Kalanda.