By Earleen Hinton
Eighty-some riders didn’t mind the dust one bit at the Rock River Riders Motorcycle Club’s Father’s Day Hill Climb.
Gene Topliff of Murray, Nebraska climbed onto his 1970 Triumph motorcycle and promptly rode the 750 to the top of the hill, leaving a cloud of dust in his wake - all to the delight of the large crowd who watched from below.
Topliff was one of around 80 riders from several states who tried to conquer the hill, located across from White Pines State Park.
“We have riders here today from Nebraska, Indiana, Iowa…all over,” said one club official midway through the event.
Cullen Vice, 13, of Georgetown, near Danville, was one of the teenage riders who made it to the top of the hill on a KTM 125.
“He’s one of our riders,” said Clint Gouty of Danville who was busy giving high-fives after Cullen made it to the top. “We have other riders here today too.”
The club’s next event is another hill climb on Sept. 19 followed by mud bogs on Oct. 3.
The Rock River Riders Motorcycle Club was founded in 1935 and was known for its hill climb event, held just southwest of what once was the Pines Drive-In Theater. When the theater closed, the club purchased the land it was on, and eventually added other events. The club grounds are located east of Polo on Pines Road, across from the entrance to White Pines State Park.
The club is currently seeking new members. For more information on becoming a member, contact Chris Rasmussen at 815-347-7322.
For more information on events, visit www.rrrmc.org.