Harry Niefus Award
The club has a little-publicized tradition: the Harry Niefus award. It's awarded occasionally to recognize the notoriety that one of our members has gained through some act exhibiting a complete lack of judgment. Oddly, this award is shrouded in mystery, and stories about past winners are hard to come by. But we try. Here is the shrine to Harry Niefus.
Information about the award's history and award winners has been somewhat elusive. Here's what we know so far, thanks to Robert Aydelott. Niefus knowledge is requested and welcome from anyone! Please help fill in the blanks below.
2004 : To be determined!
2003 : Andy Vaughan - Never ran out of fuel but instead after riding a long day decided to reach for the green handle at the gas station to fill up... that would be the diesel grade of fuel.
2002 : Bob Knutson - As Shaft Editor he gave himself the Shaft by running out of fuel several times and suffering thru many break downs and lost luggage, and still adds to his inventory of "vintage" partially running bikes.
2001: Rick Roney - As Co-President one of the duties is to remind the venue that we are coming. Otherwise the club gets to meet and eat down the street. Slowly.
2000: Terry Kellog - we are still waiting for Terry's official rebuttal, er, excuse, er denial, er, explanation of the award. Might have something to do with crashing through the express lane drop down barrier while heading out the wrong direction onto the highway.
1999: Paul Tollefson - should have won this award many times, but exact event that thrust him into this dubious limelight is unknown. From what we hear though is that after departing the riding group it was time to indulge in a dumpster dive searching for a lost air valve cap. Shows that the cheapest thing on a BMW might just be a tire air valve cap, right?
1998: ????????
1997: ????????
1996: ????????
1995: ????????
1994: Brad Walter - had a tough time ramping up for rally experiences. Went to the `93 Oregon rally a week too early and arrived at the `94 WSBMWR rally without a sleeping bag.
1993: Sherry Jenkins - while learning to ride in a parking lot that contained only one (unfortunate) car, lost control of her speed and hit the car three times: smashed into the front fender, broke the windshield and mirror, and dented the door. The good news: the car was repossessed three days later (notice how three seems to be the magic number?) and Sherry did not have to pay for any of the damage.
1992: Rick Oswald - while leading a ride to Vancouver, BC, was waylaid by six problems with his hack unit, which he had worked on just before the ride.
1991: Joe Bova - left his wife, Sue, at a rest stop during an Alps tour and failed to notice her absence. Sue had to ride to the next stop with someone else.
1990: Dan Barber - decided to check the load on his bike - got on the bike, removed the kick stand, could not get the bike back on the stand (a rider height to bike weight ratio issue), had to lay the bike down, and unload it before he was able to stand the bike up again.
1989: ???????
1988: ???????
1987: Dennis Crawford - while traveling from Havre, Montana, to the Tri-cities, intended to cross Lolo Pass but took wrong route out of Missoula - went about 150 miles out of his way - and never made it to the Tri-cities.
1986: Rick Carlton
1985: Gary Gilhuly
1984: Don Baker - was asleep on his bike while on the ferry, woke up, and fell off.
1983: Bill Buckingham
1982: ???????
1981: Ron Hosking - speeding at Maryhill camp-out and chased by Oregon State Patrol across the state line.
1980: Ron Hosking - knocked over a line of bikes at the 49'er rally that caused $2,500 in damage.
1979: ???????
1978: George A. Williams
1977: Ken Chapman
1976: Charles v. Young
