What: Motorcycle Mountain Jam.
When: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, April 16.
Where: Clark County Event Center at the Fairgrounds, 17402 N.E. Delfel Road, Ridgefield.
Cost: $5; 15 and under free with a donation of two cans of food. Parking is $5 for cars, free for motorcycles.
Information: clarkcoeventcenter.com
Motorcycle riders are as varied as the paint jobs on their bikes. Those curious about their world, or passionate about it, will find a welcoming community Saturday at the motorcycle Mountain Jam, according to the event’s organizers.
The Mountain Jam is one of the few motorcycle shows in the area that’s open to all types, brands or styles of motorcycle for a one day “show and shine.” Like a combination vehicle show, swap meets and community get-together, the Mountain Jam showcases different aspects of the motorcycle world. Macho Harleys, speedy sport bikes, even moped riders will join the jam. The vendors will be just as varied — products range from custom jewelry to vinyl windows to the more typical motorcycle gear.
What: Motorcycle Mountain Jam.
When: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, April 16.
Where: Clark County Event Center at the Fairgrounds, 17402 N.E. Delfel Road, Ridgefield.
Cost: $5; 15 and under free with a donation of two cans of food. Parking is $5 for cars, free for motorcycles.
Information:clarkcoeventcenter.com
A Grand National Champion Drag Motorcycle will be on display, with members of the race team on hand all day for autographs and pictures. They will start the bike up so everyone can experience the engine roar in person. Organizers expect to display 20-25 show bikes from local motorcycle builders, and even more outside in the parking lot. The bikes on the display floor will compete for trophies in different classes as well as for best in show. The winners will be announced at the end of the jam.
The jam will also include an indoor poker run, a traditional event at motorcycle meet-ups. Poker-run participants visit five to seven check points, drawing playing cards at each to try and assemble the best poker hand.
A leather jacket is not required to attend. “You don’t have to be involved in the motorcycle community to come over and appreciate custom and stock bikes,” said Ed “Top” Baker, the coordinator for Southwest Washington’s chapter of Abate, a nonprofit motorcycle organization. He came up with the idea for the jam in 2006 as a way to raise money. The Mountain Jam slowly grew in popularity, with over 700 attendees, 28 vendors and 40 show bikes in 2009. The money raised by the Mountain Jam goes to fund the chapter and its charity events. For example, the chapter’s “Christmas for All” event provides blankets, no-slip socks, pillows and teddy bears to the elderly in a local care center’s Alzheimer’s unit.
Though there are other motorcycle clubs and meets in the area, they tend to be specific to one type or brand of motorcycle. “We don’t hold anything against anyone for what they ride,” said Aaron Bridegam, deputy coordinator for the chapter and owner of local Thunder Mountain Motorcycle Rescue.
Bridegam launched his towing company four years ago to cater exclusively to motorcycles. Regular towing companies charge exorbitant rates to tow bikes, Bridegam said, and don’t know how to handle $10,000 custom paint jobs.
This is the fifth annual Mountain Jam, though to Baker it feels more like the first. Last year, the Abate state organization ran into some snags and the economic downturn caused further problems, forcing the chapter to cancel the event. This year’s organizers are hoping to recapture the momentum they had in 2009.
Beautiful roads
It doesn’t hurt that Clark County is smack dab in the middle of beautiful “motorcycle roads” that Bridegam describes as second to none. He’s met a lot of people who have never heard of these local secrets, like the road between Cougar and Carson, which travels through the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, taking riders for a beautiful but not too technical ride.
But you don’t have to own a motorcycle to understand the appeal of these road machines.
“You never see a Harley parked outside a psychiatrist’s office,” said Baker with a laugh. “While you’re riding, you have no worries, no responsibilities, nothing except what you’re doing at that moment. Ultimately it’s freedom, nobody is controlling it but you. You’re in control.”
