PASSING THE TORCH

Fathers, sons, and grandsons take on the Motion Pro Nevada 200 Trail Ride, and reaffirm the fact that roosting in the desert with 200 friends and family is muy caliente

BY JOHN BURNS WITH THAD WOLFF PHOTOS:

If you’ve been paying attention, you’ve probably heard of the Motion Pro Nevada 200 Trail Ride. It’s been in every magazine (including this one) at least once since it began in 1985, and Dirt Bike once ranked it “The Best Trail Ride in America.”

Famed off-roaders and old pals Casey Folks and Scot Harden (main photo) ginned up the first Nevada 200 just so they could ride with each other the way they’d done as youths growing up in Las Vegas, with a select group of friends. In the ensuing 39 years, this AMA-sanctioned event has taken on a life of its own. It’s typically close to 200 miles spread out over three days of riding, and involves about 200 participants — which keeps the gathering intimate. Ish.

Caliente, Nev., about 150 miles northeast of Las Vegas, serves as base, since the area around the town offers up a unique combination of high desert and mountain terrain that Harden says is perfect for the tight, technical riding he and Folks liked most. High desert, sage, mountains, Juniper and Ponderosa pines, sand washes, single track through the trees — there are thousands of miles of single track and jeep trails running through the historically rich yet sparsely populated Lincoln County.

Casey Folks’ passing in 2017 was difficult for family and friends, but AMA Hall of Famer Harden has kept on keepin’ on, as Casey would have wanted, and the ride continues stronger than ever these days, with plenty of family members — including wife Kristi Harden and brother-in-law and fellow AMA HOFer Jack Johnson — taking part. You know what they say…the family that rides together, rides together.

“Literally a third of the entries each year are family members,” says Harden (a 2008 AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer himself). “Fathers and sons, fathers and daughters, husbands and wives, brothers, etc., etc. This year we were blessed to draw some of the biggest names in desert/Baja off-road racing.”

We decided to profile a few of them, see what makes it all work.

Chuck And Ryan Miller

Chuck is a multi-time Baja 1000 and 500 champion as well as a recently retired executive at American Honda who helped launch its Baja racing program back in the early ’80s. “Chuck’s parents, Leroy and Kathy Miller, were fixtures in Baja and desert racing, who were like surrogate parents for many of us growing up through the sport,” says Harden. “Always 100% behind Chuck; you can see the positive influence they’ve had on him and, in turn, his son Ryan. The Millers are living proof that you really do meet the nicest people on a Honda.”

Ryan: I was born in Huntington Beach, Calif., in October of 1987, and a month later my parents took me down to Mexico because my dad was racing the Baja 1000.

Chuck: I grew up camping and riding with my family in the desert — and that turned into a lifetime job in the motorcycle industry. I rode for Yamaha in the late ’70s and early ’80s with my partner Bruce Ogilvie, before we started at American Honda in 1983 — the year they built the new XR500R. Somehow, racing turned into a job at Honda that lasted 36 years. I recently retired, and now I get to enjoy riding motorcycles, mountain bikes, and spending time with my family and friends.

Ryan: My dad and I used to push my Honda Z50 to the school by our house, and I’d ride circles on the soccer field until I fell over…and decided 15 minutes of “practice” was enough. He’d take me on race weekends and I’d hang around the pits, riding. On weekends he didn’t have a race, we’d go to the desert, where he taught me the basics. We still go out to our favorite riding spot in the desert every month — Bell Mountain, Calif.

Chuck: Ryan and I have ridden together since he first started, and he’s still my best riding partner. We ride every week or month, and it’s like clockwork; loading, unloading, driving together, it’s easy, as we know each other so well.

Having a sport (or anything) you can do together is such a blessing for a family, as it keeps your love and bond strong. Motorcycling is such a great sport that the whole family can do together. I learned that from my mom and dad, and we now have three generations riding together.

As far as the Nevada 200, I’d heard about it for years through Scot and the industry media. This year, my wife and I decided to give Ryan the trip for his Christmas present, as it was something we’d always wanted to do.

Ryan: The ride was unreal. Partly through the first day, my dad and I stopped for a water break 20 miles in, and we both realized this is not going to be easy like a regular dual-sport ride, but was going to be technical and like a “real” trail ride. After a short break we got going again at a comfortable pace, and just settled into our groove for the following days. It was one of the best riding trips we’ve done, and now we can share the stories with ourselves and whoever’s around to listen.

Chuck: It’s no cakewalk! Scot said at the riders’ meeting it was gonna be a real ride, and he wasn’t kidding. A few miles in we had a pretty tough rocky uphill, and right there I thought, “get your sh&% together, Miller, or you’re gonna be in trouble.” After some time we got into a groove that was fun and enjoyable. Overall, the trails were awesome, with a bit of everything. Plenty of smooth trails, some more aggressive sections, with great gas and lunch breaks along the way. Lead and chase riders were always there for a helping hand, too.

Ryan: The coolest thing for me was seeing all my dad’s old friends and racing buddies. I love hearing old Baja, ISDE and D37 stories no matter how many times I’ve heard them.

Chuck: Spending those four days with Ryan was really special. We got to hang out with some old racing friends, and we met some really great new ones, too. Camaraderie is a big part of this event. And hey, if you can’t do this ride, just get out and ride and camp for the weekend with friends or family.

Ryan: My advice? Just do it! Fathers and sons — or daughters, or wives! — will have an experience of a lifetime, with some of the greatest trails Nevada has to offer. You will share memories for a lifetime. Thanks to Scot and Kristi Harden for hosting such an awesome event, and I’m looking forward to participating in the future.

JOHNNY & PRESTON CAMPBELL

Harden says: “Johnny is simply the King of Baja, having won the Baja 1000 11 times, more than any other rider in history, along with a slew of other race wins. He, too, is closely associated with Honda’s Baja — and now Dakar — racing efforts. His son Preston is an up-and-coming young racer in his own right, competing as one of the top riders in the AMA National Hare and Hound series. Johnny did a special presentation at the NV200 on Honda’s Baja racing program and the development of the XR600/650 line…super interesting for everyone.”

Johnny: I was born and raised in the beach town of San Clemente, Calif., where I grew up surfing and bodyboarding, and going to the desert or races on weekends. We camped and recreated on dirt bikes my entire life. When I was 16 my dad suddenly passed away, and I lost my mentor. My mom kept my brother and I racing, though, and I was soon introduced to Baja through my thengirlfriend’s uncle, Craig Adams, who became my idol and mentor. Later on I crossed paths with the late Bruce Ogilvie from American Honda, and he took me under his wing. Bruce taught me everything about off-road racing, from bike development to how to win in Baja. He was an extraordinary teacher and a Baja icon. Under his tutelage, I somehow became something of a household name in off-road, and synonymous with the Honda brand. We won races for two decades as a racer and team owner of the American Honda-backed JCR/Honda program. I’ve had a remarkable career in the motorcycle industry, partnered with an amazing company that is ongoing today.

Preston: Obviously, I grew up in a racing family. Most childhood memories are of traveling to races in a Honda box van and being at the races. I have been around dirtbikes my entire life learning from my dad, professional riders and mechanics. I currently race for JCRHonda at NHHA and NGPC.

My dad taught me to ride when I was 3 years old. From there, he has taught me how to become a better and safer rider/racer. He has tons of knowledge and experience. We have ridden together in amazing places and amazing countries all over the world.

Johnny: I’ve known about the NV200 for years, but we were always racing so we never took the time to come out and ride it. Preston and I were finally able to squeeze Day One in this year, and it was a blast. Unfortunately, we had to bail after that due to HRC’s — and my — participation at the Sonora Rally.

Scot lays out an amazing trail and event, and is one of the most organized humans I know. He reminds me of Bruce Ogilvie in some ways, and it’s comfortable for me to work alongside him. Riding this event with Preston was a blast. He’s a great rider and loves technical riding, but he’s also good at high speed stuff. We love it, and Preston likes to roost his dad. We both love the East Nevada desert, as it has some of the best terrain in the West!

The dirt bike is an amazing vehicle to bring people together. Whether it’s father and sons, or mother and daughters, or friends, buddies or associates, dirt bikes provide the challenge and adventure we need as brothers and sisters in humanity to get us away from our overstimulated society. Dirt bikes require full concentration because there are risks. Where there is an element of risk you have true freedom. We need this for our souls. We need this for peace.

Preston: I’d heard of the Nevada 200, but this was my first time attending, and it was great! Super-nice scenery, amazing trails through the trees, and some beautiful lookout points. We are always so busy racing that we don’t get much of a break to get to go explore as much as we would like. It’s always nice to go somewhere new you’re not familiar with. And riding with my dad is special. Almost every time we go we have a good experience, and memories that last forever.

Johnny: Thanks to Scot for his efforts and continued pursuit of the preservation of riding dirt bikes on open lands. He is one of the best ambassadors for our sport, and his passion is second to none. He has done a remarkable job and continues to advocate for all of us dirt monkeys!

JEFF, ALDEN, AND TATE KAPLAN

Scot Harden again: “I’ve known Jeff for close to 50 years. We were teammates on the factory Husqvarna Baja effort that dominated desert racing in the ’70s and ’80s, and he still races in Baja to this day, having just won Class 60 at the 2023 San Felipe 250. Alden and Tate are literally chips off the old block. You can tell that riding together is important to them, and a way for them to remain connected no matter what life throws at them. They always stick together on the trail, and you can tell they are having a really good time.”

Jeff: I grew up in Woodland Hills, Calif. playing numerous sports. By 10 I discovered riding, with a Yamaha 125 AT1. I started racing District 37 desert races at 12, and won my first AMA Championship plate at 16, in 1976. I also started racing Baja in ’76, and continue to race on Class 60. I started as a factory KTM rider, then rode for Husqvarna and American Honda. I am a general contractor and build high-end custom homes, and am fortunate to work with both of my boys. Besides motorcycles, I enjoy surfing, snow and water skiing.

Alden: I grew up in Thousand Oaks, Calif. My dad taught me how to ride on a PW50 at 5 years old. From that point on I loved riding; we had a small minibike track in our backyard, and I looked forward to riding after school. I took 4th overall at a LACR race at age 10 on a KTM 50 SX. We didn’t even sign up for the race until we got there and found out that was the only way we could ride the minibike that day.

“The dirt bike is an amazing vehicle to bring people together. Whether it’s father and sons, or mother and daughters, or friends, buddies or associates, dirt bikes provide the challenge and adventure we need as brothers and sisters in humanity to get us away from our overstimulated society.”

I rode throughout high school, then moved to Oahu to go to university. In 2020, I moved back to California and started riding again. I’m currently working as a carpenter and managing jobs for my dad’s construction company. My other passions are soccer, surfing, snow skiing and water skiing.

Tate: Dad did all the cool sports and wanted to give us the same opportunities, so we pretty much did it all. We rode bicycles and motorcycles, snow skiing in our moto helmets (looking like bobble heads btw), waterskiing and wakeboarding in the summer months and surfing year-round. It’s safe to say we had a very fortunate upbringing! But it wasn’t without some convincing on Mom’s end. Eventually she agreed to let us ride, and as a family we learned how with a couple of rules. No. 1: Mom would get the first bike (it was a Honda XR100, which we still rip around on today). And No. 2: We had to be taught safety and have the right gear. In other words, do it right or don’t do it.

Our first bike was an older Yamaha PW50. I remember going to Glen Helen, Gorman, Piru, LACR, plus mini motos after school with friends on our backyard track. I’ve been to all sorts of places on a dirt bike, from trips to Baja pre-running and chasing with dad, to the Nevada 200 trail ride with a great group of talented riders on some epic single track; it really is amazing all the places a dirt bike can take you. These days I get to see my dad and brother just about every day at work, and when we aren’t working we’re talking about past rides, planning an upcoming ride or another sportsbased event, or having fun and laughing with our buddies on our dirt bikes.

I’ve been from top-to-bottom of Baja with my dad on several rides and raced a handful of GPs over the years, but by far the best rides we have all done together are these Nevada 200s. It truly is a world-class event, from organization of rest and fuel stops, to course markings all the way to dinner and the fun that goes along with it. All while enjoying the best single track I have ever ridden.

Jeff: About three years ago I started riding the NV200 with my boys. I had participated about 20 years ago and knew it would be a great event. The things I like most are the variety of trails, from fast desert with open sand washes to tight technical washes, wooded areas, and fun, flowing sections through the pines. Spending the whole weekend with my boys, seeing so many long-time friends, and being with a great group of talented riders is hard to beat.

Alden: The ride is a great experience every year, full of amazing single track, fast washes, and tight, technical and flowing tree sections. The best part is the camaraderie among all the participants. Everyone there truly has a passion for dirt bikes.

Jeff: For many years when I wanted to go riding, I would go with Tate, and when I wanted to go surfing, I would go with Alden. This ride not only gives me a chance to ride with both of them, I have seen their riding skills grow over the years, especially Alden who is starting to keep up with Tate and me! I know my days of keeping up with them are limited, but I’ll enjoy them while I can!

Alden: I really enjoyed riding with my brother and dad pretty close to the front of the pack the majority of the weekend. I learned a lot of technique from both of them, giving me pointers between rest/group stops. I gained a lot more confidence, and was able to push myself and go faster on trails that I normally would have been cautious of.

Tate: It’s always a good time when you get to ride your dirt bike, and doing it with family makes it that much more fun. This year was particularly fun because we all got to ride up front and chase each other down the washes with water flowing, and through the trees with no dust.

Jeff: Don’t put off the opportunity to do a ride like this.

It’s a special event! It’s so cool to see and ride with so many legends! Live life and don’t wait…you never know what tomorrow brings.

Alden: I would highly encourage any family that rides together (or not) to absolutely sign up for an event like this. You can’t put off an experience of a lifetime like this, and as Scot reminded us over the weekend, “Life is short, and nothing is guaranteed.” Big thanks to Harden Off Road for a great event, the town of Caliente, Nev. and all the volunteers who helped out!

MAX, ERIC, AND JARED SWITZER

“When it comes to desert racing, no name is more respected than Max Switzer,” says Harden. “He was an inspiration to many of us growing up in Las Vegas. In 1975, as a teenager, I teamed with him in the Mint 400, an event he had previously won overall, teaming with J.N. Roberts. We finished third overall, second in Open bike. It was a dream come true for a kid growing up with visions of racing glory in his head. Today, Max is more of an inspiration than ever before. At 84 years of age, he still rides two to three times a week, and he never misses a Nevada 200. To see him riding with his son Eric and grandson Jared shows how full circle the sport can be, and the tight bonds that can only be formed through a shared riding experience.”

Max: I started riding when I was 14 on a 200cc Zundapp. I rode it in a Hare Scrambles race for the first time, got lucky and won the class — and was hooked forever more.

Betty (Max’s wife): He was going to California for District 37 races a couple of times a month when I met him in 1960. He belonged to the Checkers M/C club. One of our first dates was the Big Bear race. We got married in 1962 on a Saturday evening, and went to the races the next morning. That should give you a hint of what our life’s been like. Max rode and won Baja races, the Mint 400, and went to Europe for the Six Days three times, winning a silver in 1971. There was always a race or a ride or camping. Whatever we did as a family, it was usually about the motorcycles, no matter whether it was Baja, Virginia

City, watching Ascot or the local races in Las Vegas, or trail riding in Colorado.

Eric (Max’s son): As far back as I can remember, I’ve always been around motorcycles. Even before I can remember, I was put in a crib while Dad was racing, or so I’m told [laughs]. I have nothing but fond memories of all the weekends we spent at the races.

I was born and raised in Las Vegas, and started riding in the early 1970s in the vacant lot behind the house. On Sundays, if we weren’t racing, we were riding. I had the privilege of pre-running a few of the Baja 1000 and Baja 500s in the 1980s with Dad. What an incredible experience.

I raced a few local desert races and was in a motorcycle club, the Silver City Scramblers.

Jared (Max’s grandson): I’ve been riding with my dad for as long as I can remember. He started my brother out riding on dry lake beds in Nevada. Once we moved to Nebraska, my brother and I mostly rode on my grandpa’s trails on his farm. [Max and Betty have a farm in Nebraska they retreat to in the summer.] Attending the 200 was the first actual event I’ve ever been to.

Max: I’ve been to 35 of the 39 Nevada 200s. Casey Folks, who started the thing with Scot, was one of my best friends. We were partners together in a lot of races. The 200 is always special, as generally there’s lots of good sand washes, single track through the trees, good desert riding. It’s always great to see good friends and have fun.

Eric: I’ve known about the Nevada 200 almost forever. Although I didn’t ride the first one, I remember talking to dad about it 39 years ago; who was there, who were the fast guys, who crashed their brains out trying to keep up. It was just a trail ride...yeah, right. Since then I’ve been lucky to ride several 200s with my dad, and everyone has been a blessing. This year was especially rewarding; I got to ride with my dad and my oldest son Jared. It was definitely a weekend to remember. The trails were awesome, the food was delicious, and the weather was fantastic. And nobody got hurt!

Jared: I knew what the Nevada 200 was through my dad and grandpa, and it was super fun overall. I got to ride terrain I’ve never experienced before. It was also cool to see the heritage behind the event, as well as hearing stories about my dad and grandpa from other riders.

Max: Grandson Jared has been riding for years, but this was the first time for him in the desert, and he did really great. Riding with him and Eric….it was special, and kind of brings things full circle.

Jared: The opportunity to learn to ride in the desert with my dad and grandpa was great. This was my first time riding in those conditions. It was really cool to get tips from both of them, and watch both of them ride.

Eric: Whenever you can spend time with your dad or your son — or both — riding dirt bikes is building memories for a lifetime. Thanks, Dad!

Jared: I’d say just get out and ride together. It was an awesome experience to be able to ride with my dad and grandpa.

Max: As far as riding with your family, there’s nothing better. Go for it! But I also really enjoyed riding with Thad Wolff. On dirtbikes, we’re all family. AMA