Everyone who rides a motorcycle knew or knew of Cisco. Elliott “Cisco” Valderrama was president of Oakland Hell’s Angels MC for decades. He was born on December 1, 1941, and he died on February 6, 2014. My deepest sympathies go to his friends and family. There is a wise saying that an epitaph will give the day you are born and the day you die with a dash in between. The day you are born and the day you die are not significant because you have no control of them. It is the dash in between that is important. It is what you do with your life that counts. No one can ever say that Cisco didn’t give his dash his all. He was a very interesting and multifaceted person. If you’ve watched the TV show Sons of Anarchy you may have spotted Cisco, who appeared as “Frankie Diamonds.” Cisco was also given credits for stunt work in The Money Pit, Lethal Weapon and Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Although he was best known for his leadership in the Hell’s Angels MC, you may not know that he did not like to ride motorcycles. In his book, Hell’s Angel: The Life and Times of Sonny Barger and the Hell’s Angels Motorcycle Club, Sonny said that before Cisco wanted to become a Hell’s Angel, he had never ridden a motorcycle. Once a member, Cisco loved working on bikes and building bikes. In fact, he owned a lot of them, but he only rode so that he could be in the club. Never doubt it; from the beginning, Cisco never wavered. He was a 100%er Hell’s Angel… It is not too late. You can still get to Arizona Bike Week, but you have to get a move on. All of the pre-rally events took place in late March, but Bike Week is officially April 2–6. Arizona Bike Week takes place pretty much all over the state, and if you have not ridden in Arizona, you have missed out on some of the best riding country. It is definitely my favorite. Bike Week includes every kind of motorcycle event you can imagine. Scenic poker runs are daily; there are mountains of food and drink, a beauty contest, vendors and much more. Only the best entertainers will be giving concerts. Two of my favorite will be there—Lynyrd Skynyrd and ZZ Top. You can get tickets online at www.azbikeweek.com, or buy them at the Harley dealership in Scottsdale. You will love it!… Happy birthday to all motorcycle riders who celebrate in April. Happy birthday to IHR members Chuck Brassfield from Los Gatos and Tim Young from Santa Cruz. Also from Santa Cruz, happy birthday to Dan DeLeuw, and from San Jose, happy birthday to Leoni Watts and Steve Roi. Happy birthday to Jani Albers in Woodland and to Laury Chimerofsky of the Modesto H.O.G. chapter. Happy birthday to Bob Dubois and Craig Reynolds of the Iron Steed H.O.G. chapter in Vacaville. Happy birthday to Clete Wanner and to Debbie McGinnis of ABATE Local #17. Happy birthday to Enoch (Nick) Holland in Salem, Oregon, and to Bob Dell in San Ramon. It is a big one this year, isn’t it, Bob? Ends in a “5,” I believe. Happy birthday to celebrity riders Ann-Margaret and Jesse James… Here is a big shout out and get-well wishes for Tom Watson in Dunnigan. Tom is having a rough go of it with chemo treatments, but he is tough and will fight through it. Tom, better days lie ahead… It is time to pack up for Laughlin again. The 32nd Laughlin River Run will be held April 23–27. An event pass will cost $25, and it includes a T-shirt, run pin and an entry for the poker run. And, hey! Here is another chance to see Lynyrd Skynyrd, as they will be performing in Laughlin after Arizona Bike Week. Go to www.laughlinriverrun to check it out… Before you strike out for another year of riding, get your bike blessed. The Top Hatters MC in Hollister will be holding their 21st annual bike blessing and party on April 13. Sign in for the party will be at Whiskey Creek Saloon between 11:00 and 12:00; the blessing will be at Sacred Heart at 12:30… Frances Trujillo in Fresno will have the 24th annual Bike Blessing at St. Helen’s Church & Fresno Rescue Mission on the 5th of April on Belmont Avenue at 12:00.
