Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities

Bad ...to the bone

Kay Stanton is not your typical biker chick. She’s 52 and has been a school teacher in Farwell for 25 years. She’s been riding for almost 10 years after getting into the sport with her husband, Joe. With he on his Harley and she on her bright yellow Honda trike, they will ride more than 200 miles together for the Badlands Motorcycle Rally on Saturday.

Riders of all walks of life will attend this year’s Badlands Rally, according to event coordinator Sarah Zufelt, who is also the general manager of High Plains Harley Davidson in Clovis who is putting on the show. She expects around 300 riders this year.

“Today’s biker is not what you typically think a biker to be,” she said. “They are all ages, all incomes, from every profession. The sport of motorcycling is non-discriminatory.”

Zufelt said Badlands is for all brands of motorcycles and anyone can participate. There are even free activities for the non-rider beginning at 10:30 a.m. with music and vendors at the Harley store on Mabry Drive.

“The most exciting thing about the rally is all the riders that come to town,” she said. “People outside of Clovis coming (and) visiting the town. You’ll meet all kinds of people from brand new riders to those who have been riding for years.”

From the Friday night kick-off party to the fashion show including gear from different dealers in town, Zufelt said there’s something for everyone at the Badlands Rally.

“I just love the openness that you feel on the bike,” Stanton said. “There’s a peacefulness you feel. The smells are totally different than what you get riding in your car.”

Stanton will be the one at the rally Saturday with a little sign on the back of her trike that says, “School’s Out.”

Mike Hamilton will be on his 2003 Ultra Classic Harley with his wife Jan on the back. He said he also enjoys riding in the great wide open.

“I like getting out there by myself with the fresh air,” he said. “You can see everything around you. There’s no roof over your head blocking your view.”

A view that can be seen even better from the back seat.

“I enjoy the sight seeing,” said Kathy Wall who rides with her husband, Lonnie, on their 2003 Harley. “It can be awfully windy back there, but I enjoy the scenery and telling my husband about everything he’s missing.”

Wall said she generally helps with getting everyone registered Saturday morning at the beginning of the rally.

“I look forward to the attitudes of the people you meet,” she said. “The games are probably the funnest and making new friends.”