A motorcycle rally Saturday at Carson City Harley Davidson may cause a traffic nightmare for law enforcement, but it's all for a good cause, said an organizer.
Wayne "Books" Hennefer, a Gardnerville accountant and treasurer of the Carson City Chapter of the Vagos Motorcycle Club, said Saturday's event is a coat drive for needy children and an attempt at breaking the world record for the most Harley Davidson motorcycles in a parade.
The plan is for the motorcyclists to leave the Carson City Harley-Davidson store on Research Way at 1 p.m. via Goni Road, turn west on College Parkway to the freeway, head south on the freeway and exit Fairview Drive, re-enter the freeway north from Fairview Drive, exit on College Parkway and return to Harley Davidson. The entry fee is $10 per bike with the proceeds going to the Eagle Valley Children's Home and Austin's House, an Indian Hills group home.
According to the Guinness Book of World records, the current record was set in 2002 in Denver when a parade of 2,118 Harley Davidson motorcycles took part in a toy run. Hennefer said the Guinness Book of World Records has been notified of the attempt and the Vagos club paid the fees associated with that.
Officials said for a gathering of that size here, a group should obtain a permit from the city.
Unfortunately, said Hennefer, someone dropped the ball in applying for the permit. The city manager's office received notice last Friday that a world record attempt was being advertised.
Whatever the club's motivations, said Sheriff Ken Furlong, the group's failure to apply for a permit has the city in jam when it comes to coordinating traffic support.
"It's unfortunate that this event did not allow Carson City prior notice. The municipal code states very clearly that an event of this magnitude requires 60 days notice for city officials to organize support. This organization only allowed us seven days," he said.
"We are preparing to have additional staffing on hand for the event, as we are concerned about traffic safety and congestion. We do not anticipate anyone having to change any of their plans for the weekend, including a shot clinic at the National Guard Armory off Fairview Drive. We have no indication that they will be able to break the world record."
Hennefer said he also thought it unlikely that the world record could be beat, but it's worth a try.
While the Vagos are considered a motorcycle gang by law enforcement, including the Carson City Sheriff's Office, Hennefer said that characterization is wrong.
"We're not trying to disrupt anyone's day," he said. "We just want to do something for the community and that's all we're trying to do."
Furlong said anyone who attempts to interfere with traffic will be cited.
"The roads will not be closed for this event so motorcyclists will have to follow posted traffic laws," he said. "If people don't want to get stuck in long delays they should avoid the area."