America lost one of the toughest motorcycle riders there ever lived.

From the Associated Press...

Evel Knievel, the red-white-and-blue-spangled motorcycle daredevil whose jumps over crazy obstacles including Greyhound buses, live sharks and Idaho's Snake River Canyon made him an international icon in the 1970s, died Friday. He was 69.

Knievel's death was confirmed by his granddaughter, Krysten Knievel. He had been in failing health for years, suffering from diabetes and pulmonary fibrosis, an incurable condition that scarred his lungs.

Knievel had undergone a liver transplant in 1999 after nearly dying of hepatitis C, likely contracted through a blood transfusion after one of his bone-shattering spills.

Longtime friend and promoter Billy Rundel said Knievel had trouble breathing at his Clearwater condominium and died before an ambulance could get him to a hospital.

Labels: Evel Knieval, Obituaries

Richard Quigley, who made a name for himself fighting the mandatory helmet law in California, passed away today after a long battle with lymphoma. He was 63 years old.

Over the past several years, newspapers around California reported on his success in getting a string of helmet tickets overturned or declared unconstitutional. He later advanced his efforts into the creation of a motorcycle rights organization called, California BOLT (Bikers of Lesser Tolerance).

In 1999, he decided to start riding his motorcycle wearing a trucker's cap, instead of the typical head gear other riders tend to wear. Between the years 1999 to 2006, he had been stopped over a 100 times by police, cited only 34 times for helmet law violations, and managed to get 25 of those citations dismissed or declared unconstitutional.

Each time he was stopped, he turned on his pocket tape recorder and then proceeded to interrogate the officer's understanding of the helmet law and what a "DOT Helmet" actually is. His intricate knowledge of the helmet law and how the DOT is involved with helmets, along with these tape recordings, is how he managed to get so many tickets overturned.

In August 2005, Quigley's lymphoma was diagnosed as terminal. A few months later, a "living" wake was held in his honor where 200 bikers showed up. Among those also showing up was a police officer that had written a couple tickets to him, who wanted to pay his respects and shake his hand.

Such respect has grown over time and today Quigley is viewed by many riders in California as a folk hero, a guy who took a stand against intrusive laws, and led a fight for freedom. He's viewed by some as having done more for the fight against helmet laws than anyone else.

Quigley's legacy continues on through California BOLT. The organization's website still publishes a wealth of information, mostly court transcripts, explaining how he was able to defeat helmet tickets, and how the helmet law cannot be constitutionally enforced.

Visit California BOLT online at...
http://www.usff.com/calbolt/

Labels: California BOLT, Obituaries, Richard Quigley

Via press release...

Templeton CA, January 18, 2007 - The motorcycle industry unexpectedly lost one of its best known and most loved veterans, Marcel Fortney, who suffered a fatal heart attack at his ranch in Templeton, CA near Paso Robles on Monday, January 15th.

Fortney, 49, was most recently the U.S. agent for AGV, the prominent Italian helmet maker responsible for protecting Valentino Rossi's head throughout his career. Fortney worked with AGV's exclusive American distributor, Parts Unlimited.

"It's unbelievable that Marcel is no longer with us," said Parts Unlimited chief Jeff Fox. "I've known him since he was representing Pirelli back in the '80s and there wasn't a more knowledgeable or personable guy in the business."

Fortney's career in motorcycling spanned nearly 30 years, dating back to his first job with Cycle Guide magazine. He worked in various sales and marketing capacities with many of the industry's most respected firms including Fox Racing, Pirelli, Yoshimura, Artehouse, and most recently, AGV Helmets. Fortney had also owned and operated several San Francisco Bay area motorcycle dealerships.

"'Shocking' doesn't begin to describe Marcel's passing," said Justyn Amstutz, Executive Vice President and COO at National Powersport Auctions and a close friend of Fortney's. "Scott Cox and I were just with him last weekend preparing for the third Monterey Classic Bike Auction."

"Calm, cool, and creative; that was Marcel," continued Amstutz. "I just can't believe he's gone. Not only was he a leader in our industry but those of us blessed enough to also know him as a friend will miss him very much."

Marcel Fortney leaves his wife, Christie, and daughter Mackie, 14. A private memorial service is scheduled for noon on Sunday, January 28th in Ojai, CA and all of Marcel's friends are welcome to attend. A potluck meal will also take place for those who would like to participate. For further details about the memorial please call 760-436-9937.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in behalf of Marcel's daughter to:

The Mackie Memorial Fund
c/o Mid State Bank
1207 Maricopa Hwy, Ojai, CA 93023

For information regarding the fund contact Patti Michaels at 805-646-0111.

Labels: Obituaries

The Rapid City Journal reported today that Pearl Hoel, affectionately referred to many as the "First Lady of Sturgis" died Sunday at Sturgis Community Health Care Center at the age of 99.

Pearl Hoel cooked dinner for all 150 people who attended the first Sturgis motorcycle event in 1938. In 2004, she remained a high-profile supporter of the Sturgis motorcycle rally, an event that now draws as many as half a million bikers from all over the world.

"Everyone in town referred to her as the First Lady of Sturgis," Pepper Massey-Swan, head of the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame, said. "She loved the event, she loved the people. I don't what we'll do without her."

Labels: Obituaries, Pearl Hoel, Sturgis Motorcycle Rally