Motorcycle enthusiasts from many different generations showed up for the ninth annual Inland Empire Motorcycle show and sale on March 9-11. The event featured Spokane-based motorcycle stunting group, the High Ridaz, showcasing the extreme side of riding on a two-wheeler.
The High Ridaz performed nine times over the weekend. Each performance was limited to a nine-minute routine of popping wheelies, riding a wheelie no-handed, one-wheel spinning tricks and balancing acts standing on the seat of the motorcycle.
Carbon dioxide sensors were the main reason that time was limited on each performance. If the sensors went off from the fumes, they would have to close down the event for a day.
“I feel a little sorry for the crowd because they show up, sit around for a half an hour and we ride for nine minutes,” said High Ridaz founder Demian Petretti. “Usually after about nine minutes, we are just now starting to find our groove out there. We call it right out of the box with no warm ups.”
The High Ridaz are a 12-man motorcycle stunting group founded by Demian Petretti and his son, Byron, who is also one of the riders. Pat Manzi, another rider with the group, and Byron have perfected a routine where they both pop wheelies and ride in circles around each other.
“We still hit each other,” Manzi said. “We have been riding together for more than four years, so we are pretty familiar with each other’s riding styles and tendencies.”
Manzi is 34 years old and bears proof that someone doesn’t need to be riding their whole life to be good at it. He didn’t even cruise the pavement on a motorcycle until he was 23. Where some riders would go from riding and motocross to stunting, Manzi did it in reverse and perfected stunting before he competed on dirt. He now pushes a new arena of stunting on ice, which requires studded tires.
“I was actually watching a motocross video and I had seen a short little 30-second [stunting] segment in the middle of it,” Manzi said. “I bought a bike, found these guys, found Demian, and it has been history ever since.”
With about 100 vendors and more than 11,000 participants over the three days, the Motorcycle Show and Sale brought a variety of people to experience the stunting group and gave them the opportunity to check out some of the industry’s new and old motorcycle designs. Steve Cody, a former radio broadcaster for Citadel Broadcasting, has been the host for the event since its conception back in 2004. He said that he enjoys seeing people come down to be part of the social event.
“One of the things is that [the fair] calls attention to all the good motorcyclists do,” Cody said. “The motorcycle community has the biggest heart out of any group I’ve seen.”
The Inland Empire Toyota Dealers, Monster energy drinks, Budweiser and the Spokane Indian Tribes were all sponsors to the event. Bikers Fighting Cancer and the Ride for Life groups were both present raising money for cancer patients spanning all ages. Cody said that he plans to continue the event next year.
