Fewer riders get new vibes at revised motorcycle rally

It went from a downtown free-for-all to a laid-back afternoon in the park, but attendees and organizers seemed to enjoy the atmosphere of Rosalia’s revised motorcycle rally, the fifth edition of the event.

“Well, it’s different than it was the last couple of years, but it’s a lot friendlier and more laid-back vibe,” said Tim Carson, a Victory motorcycle rider from Spokane, as he looked over a line-up of chrome and steel Saturday.

Because of a lawsuit filed against the city by the original creator of the event Josh Bryan, the rally venue was changed from a blocked-off Whitman Avenue, Rosalia’s main street, to the city park. Bryan’s suit alleges his promoter contract with the city forbids anyone else from using city streets during the third weekend in August.

Many ralliers told the Gazette they enjoyed the event, but were troubled about the change of venue.

“It should be about having fun and getting together, but it turned into being all about making money,” said Paulette Aurand of Hillyard. “And that’s b.s.”

Even performers noted the difference.

“We had a lot of fun and could get a lot crazier down here in the basketball court,” said Demian Petretti with the High Ridaz motorcycle stunt team. “But you see all these people eating in the park and not downtown, and it makes you wonder how much money this change cost businesses.”

Organizers reported early attendance numbers were down, but they were still satisfied with how the event turned out.

“I’m pretty happy, considering what we were up against,” said Brody Babb, member of the Rosalia Motorcycle Association.

Babb said the changes cost the motorcycle association corporate support dollars.

“As soon as the city pulled the plug on the streets we lost our sponsors,” said Babb.

And when rain began to fall Friday, so did Babb’s spirits.

“It was almost an against all odds sort of thing. When the rains came, I thought ‘what else could hit this?’” said Babb.

Babb estimated Monday that 350 people paid the $15 admission fee to get into the park festivities. With other ralliers at events downtown and at the rodeo grounds, Babb estimated the total attendance could have been as high as 1,800.

Attendance at the 2008 rally, the association’s first after Rosalia officials dropped Bryan, was estimated at 2,500, and the association ended nearly $10,000 in the hole.

Though attendance was lower this year, Babb said, so were costs, so the association should fare better economically.

“I know we’re going to be down, but it’s not gonna be quite as bad as last year,” said Babb.

Bryan in 2007, his last edition of the event, claimed attendance that year was 15,000. However, the money generated from those numbers was allegedly smaller than it should have been, drawing doubts about where the majority of the money was - and that was cited in subsequent disputes which led to the breakup between the city and Bryan.

Costs of the rallies this year and last came out of the pockets of members of the Rosalia Motorcycle Association.

Some attendees Saturday suggested sabotage cut into attendance figures. Rosalians and visitors reported seeing black “cancelled” markings on posters promoting the rally in Spokane.

Petretti said he had heard the Rosalia rally was cancelled, and did not know it was still on until he was called by an association member, Brady Kiesz, two weeks before the rally.

Despite the obstacles and expected losses, Babb affirmed the association’s commitment to continuing the rally.

“Now it’s time to get to work lining up next year, whether it’s on Main Street or in the park,” he said. “It may not be a fun road to go down right now, but we’re going to keep it up.”