Wishing John Penton all the best as he nears the finish line for his 100th lap around the sun! Happy Birthday!
HAPPY 100TH BIRTHDAY JOHN !!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JP!!!
I first saw John Penton at a ISDT Qualifier in Potosi, MO back in the early 70's. A friend of my oldest brother, Tom, was riding in the event and we were waiting for him at the first gas stop/check on a gravel road. A couple across the road from us was doing the same, and had a wooden 6ft ladder set up with an orange flag hanging off of it so their rider could pick them out of the quite crowded sides of the road. John and some others, came walking down the road, saw the flag, and took it down and rolled it up and put it in his pocket, then told the surprised couple that that flag could confuse the riders as to whether they were coming to the check at that point. They never said a word, but just stood there with their mouths open and eyes as big as saucers!!
The next time I saw JP was at the 1999 ISDT Reunion Ride in Cass, AR. He was sitting under a Easy-Up and chatting with Kevin LaVoie, another one of my enduro heros from that time period. I had a Penton banner with me, and John graciously signed it for me, and then Kevin signed it for me also. I have collected many autographs on that banner since that day, including Jack, Jeff and Tom Penton!!
The meeting at Cass, AR was the result of two events. One began where I was working at the time. I worked as a maintenance tech at a large, local commercial printing company, and the company printed the BMW Owners News magazine. I was walking down the aisle next to the press that was running signatures for the next issue, and each print unit had the printing plates for that specific color leaning against it, as was the practice of the press crews. As I walked down the aisle, I saw the word "Penton" out of the corner of my eye, stopped, picked up the plate and read an article by Ed Youngblood and a book he was writing about John's life and he also mentioned the upcoming ISDTRR event in Cass, AR. I had two Pentons as a teenager, a '72 125 Six Days and a Steel Tank Berkshire that I think was a 68 or '69 vintage, and while I had not riding any motorcycle in over 25 tears, that got some juices flowing!!
The second event was a chance meeting with the late Dave Mungenast at a local race track that was hosting an AMA half mile flat track race. I learned how to ride at Dave's Doe Run Cycle Park not far from where the Potosi Qualifiers were held, and he was familiar with my family and out group that spent a LOT of time there! I had also purchased a brand new 1975 250WR Husqvarna from his Dirt Bike Headquarters. We had a nice chat, asked if I was still riding and such, encouraged me to get back on a bike and join in the fun!! Dave was such a nice guy and a great ambassador for the sport! And he was also one of the early Penton factory riders and dealers, and good friend of John Penton. That chance meeting got the juices flowing even more!!
As the last 25 years has passed, I have learned more about John's life and involvement in the motorcycle industry and the great influence and impact he had on it and on people's lives, as I'm sure many have. I am thankful and honored for my opportunities to meet John, chat with him and other Penton enthusiasts through the P.O.G. and the ISDT Reunion Ride events. Ot's a time that I will always cherish and remember!
Thank You Again John!!
Dan McEntee
🏆 Happy Birthday John! Thank you for being an inspiration to your industry and the sport, and for a lifetime of innovation and success. Personally, I'll never forget seeing you cheering on us Reunion Rider-wannabe racers as we finished our day 1 ride in St. Louis some 22 years ago—-so generous of you! All the best on your milestone birthday. 🎉
Jon McLean
Lake Oswego, OR