The 3rd Annual District 37 Riders’ Reunion took place today at Simi Valley’s best kept secret, the stunning Hummingbird Nest Ranch. The amazing venue was second only to the beautiful race machinery on display (and legendary District 37 racers). Kudos to all the riders who braved the gale-force winds to ride to the event. Here are just a few of the bikes that caught my eye.
I don’t tease my readers, so I’ll get right to the point. This beautiful Triumph wins my “Best In Show.” I wish the owner had fired it up. I’ll bet it makes a beautiful noise. The bike is from Jack’s Vintage Cycle Parts (in Simi) but I couldn’t find a website for the place. Their number is (805) 551-4982.This old Beezer is for sale. Call the owner at (818) 219-7960. I didn’t see what he was asking.There was a lot of memorabilia in the display area. This shot from back in the day was epic, but what was sitting next to it was more epic…Yes, that is the same bike today and it looks ready to rage. The bike is part of Rod Lake Racing.This pretty Triumph (wish mine looked so good) was restored and owned by Walt Riddle. Walt had a career at Disney to fund his motorcycle habit. Check out his website. Walt is the real deal.Jordan Burns is the owner of MotoXXX. I did a story on his motocross team when I was at Motocross Journal and we’ve been friends ever since (it is hard not to like this guy). There is still time to get your Christmas shopping done.Sitting off in a corner was this bike that was raced by the late Skip Van Leeuwen. Aside from being an amazing TT rider, this guy could spin a yarn. He told a story of his vasectomy operation that had his audience on the ground laughing (and feeling a little uncomfortable at the same time). He was one of a kind.I’ve watched Scott Heidbrink work his camera magic at the races for years, but it took me this long to get a photo with him. Scott was shooting District 37 Races before he had a driver’s license. I could spend a year going through his archives.This Yamaha got so many kids into racing. Didn’t matter if it was flat track, TTs, motocross or desert racing because without breaking the bank, you could modify it to do whatever you wanted to do.Fast Eddie Castro stands next to his time machine. He races speedway to stay young. The sixty-year-old racer refuses to slow down. A talented and super-personable brand ambassador.Here is a bit of cool history for you. The man kneeling is Fred Hoblit, who designed and fabricated the swingarm on that Bultaco. Eddie Cole raced one, said to Fred they should make five more and sell them. That friends, was the beginning of Answer Products.I’ve seen this Honda at a few shows and I drool every time. I want to meet the owner to shake his hand. This bike is a work of art.Motocross champion David Bailey (right) was in the house and being interviewed by 99.1 The Ranch, Simi Valley’s own radio station.A stunning Triumph desert sled.How’d you like to find this under the tree on Christmas morning?I’m leaving off with the bike that my buddy Norman and I are going to race, I mean “ride,” at next year’s B to V. The question is who is going to be the monkey?
