This past weekend was the Ohio Valley BSA Owners Club's 34th Rally. And, part of the weekend's activities was the Reliability Run Dual Sport Ride, which itself has been taking place for over 30 years now.
I was first introduced to the event some ten years ago by our own Al Buehner, and have since become heavily involved in laying out the course and putting on the ride.
The Reliability Run features a great variety of back roads (paved, gravel, and dirt), along with some excellent trails. For this past run we pulled out all the stops and had some twelve different trail sections, and I personally believe it was a darned good ride. My understanding is that with all the optional RED (tougher) trail sections factored-in, total mileage was in the neighborhood of 125 miles.
Early Saturday morning, the day of the ride, I was all a-flurry, trying to assure everything went off as planned, with all riders signed up, briefed at the riders meeting, and released on a staggered start. Then, in the middle of all the preparations - I looked up and saw none other than Jake Fisher - wearing riding gear! And, sure enough - Jake rode with us, on a 1968 Husky!!!!
I actually went out on the course, on a late number, checking on everyone and looking for downed arrows. Bumped into Jake and his group and stopped to assure they were ok. Jake was all smiles, told me the course was great, and that he was having a wonderful time. Saw him again after the ride and he once again commented on how the Reliability Run was a great, fun ride. What a great endorsement!
Rider enjoyment is our absolute number one priority for these Reliability Run events, and each and every rider who comments favorably makes the whole effort worthwhile. Got to tell you though, for Jake Fisher to indicate he had fun and enjoyed the ride pretty much made my year.
And get this, kids - Jake is now 76 years of age, and rode those 125 miles on a nearly 50-year-old motorcycle. Is that awesome or what??? Please join in giving Jake MAJOR kudos for getting out there and getting it done.
Jake is the best and a Legend. He taught a lot of people how to go fast.
Ron Carbaugh
They don't refer to Jake as "Crazy Jake" for nothing. [:0]
He earned that nickname many years ago. And that was back when the bikes were heavier and had little or no suspension. He didn't believe in people who said "it couldn't be done."
Alan Buehner
Jake is amazing, great rider, great friend!:D
Would like to Thank the OHIO VALLEY BSA M.C. CLUB FOR HAVING A GREAT EVENT AND ALL THE PREPARATIONS AND LAY OUTS FOR THE GOOD RIDE ON SOME OF THOSE RED TRAILS AND GREEN ALSO,WHAT A RELAXING 100 PLUS MILES. YOU CAN TELL THEY BEEN THERE FOR THIRTY SOME YEARS, THEY KNOW HOW TO DO IT.SEE YOU GUYS NEXT YEAR THANKS JAKE