Comments on: The Yuma Prison Run 2010; a Great Time

By: Norman Gregory Fernandez

Norman Gregory Fernandez — Sat, 22 May 2010 14:20:56 +0000

Good comment Blondie. However on one point I beg to differ. The gang graffiti I saw in the bathroom was hardcore and fresh. I live in the LA area and see the graffiti a lot.

I trust my instincts. The next time I do the trip, I will make sure it is in the daytime or early evening.

Norm

By: Norman Gregory Fernandez

Norman Gregory Fernandez — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 05:18:19 +0000

On the contrary I have been an avid hunter and gun collector for many years. The cops could have been carrying AR15's, but they sure looked like the M16's we used in the Air Force. It is basically the same gun, 5.56mm, .223 caliber. The action may be different who knows.

With respect to using the term clip instead of magazine, in the circles I run in the term is used to mean the same thing.

Ed my point in mentioning the cops and the firepower that they were packing was the fact that there were basically kids, women, and men at this rally. It was for charity. I did not see any reason for cops to be there in tactical gear. Even the old timers were surprised. I was surprised as well. I have gone to hundreds of rallies and never have I seen the cops walking around with automatic weapons. It is a shame.

Norm

By: Norman Gregory Fernandez

Norman Gregory Fernandez — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 16:45:44 +0000

Thanks for your comments Sandie. I will try to put up more pictures. I even have video from this trip but it will take time to convert from HD to youtube. On the wedding picture front, I will write up an article on the wedding and upload the pictures soon.

Norm

By: Sandie [Member]

Sandie [Member] — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Norm sounds like you had a good time and another safe trip. Your wife is beautiful!! Not to worry…you will get used to the word “wife”!! I am still waiting on the wedding pictures!!! You did say you would put some up for us!! I wish that you would upload more pictures of your trips. I remember my Grandmother telling me pictures and books take us to places we may never go and tell us things we would not know otherwise!! It is like we are seeing your trip through your camera!! You were on the Bike Run and I was watching the remake!!

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Norm,
Interesting blog. I take it you are not interested in firearms….Are you sure Police were not carrying around an AR15. And many military/law enforcement people hate the term clips. It’s a 20 round magazine. A clip is something different. Nice ride. I saw very little police presence at Thunder Beach in Panama City,FL. last year. However, that is my only rally experience.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Cool… I was ragging you a little as well. I wonder if it had anything to do with the Nazi protest in LA. http://laist.com/2010/04/20/the_nazi_rally_anti-protest_as_dial.php

By: VTX five Oh

VTX five Oh — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

As for the police presence, I too observed them walk in, all in tactical gear and in force. The reason for this was simple. Police officers are required to attend daily briefings prior to going on duty each day. When there is an event in town, any event, special information will be given that is pertinent to the event and to the officers covering that area. As a member of the Law Enforcement community, I am keenly aware of the potential for “problems” to occur at events such as motorcycle rallies. Not because the people are bad, or trouble makers, but because there are a bunch of them, and they are hot, and often intoxicated… not to mention full of testosterone and club pride. Specifically at the Yuma rally, there had been rumors floating around that the Mongols were talking smack and that there was a possibility for trouble from them at the rally. The officers that showed up at the rally were courteous and as unobtrusive as they could be, while still illustrating to anyone who thought they would rise above the law, that they would have a long way to rise to be clear of the M4-A3 assault rifles they were carrying. (on a side note, they were loaded with 30 round magazines)
It is a bit amusing to see people who preach tolerance so vehemently get so irritated at the mere presence of a specific group of other people. Cut those guys a break. They weren’t there to oppress, or control. They were there simply to show boneheads that there were people willing to stand between them and anyone they planned on victimizing. Obviously, either the rumor about the Mongols was false, or they were deterred by the possibility of their fun being spoiled by someone who would fight back.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Norm,

Never been down to Yuma, but I do want to make a run Tombstone one day. I can't say I'll ever make it to the Yuma Prison Run - but you never know.

My nearest rally is Street Vibrations up in Reno. Try to make it to Virginia City in the same trip this coming September. Good times.

Anyway, good call on how you dealt with those Mexican gang bangers. Leave those a-holes alone if you can, unless you want a whole crowd taking you on at once as they say. No doubt that car load of them would have jumped you.

Makes me nervous especially with the drug wars going on just south of the border. Who knows, those guys could have been part of those gangs in Mexico,... Man, we just don't need that element here - but it seems that's where we're headed.

Good post. I've been enjoying your blog. Keep em coming!

By: blondie

blondie — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Haha! I live in Brawley and found your gang-banger story kind of amusing. Yeah, this is a border town, but it’s also a town full of riders… motorcycle, quads, sand rails… you name it, we ride it. On my little street, alone, there are at least 4 houses that own bikes. Yes, the chick across the street has a Harley… her hubs doesn’t! That makes me laugh cuz she definitely wears the pants in the family, if you know what I mean.
There are a lot of Mexicans here, but they were probably looking at your bike AND your old lady. I’m not trying to be rude, but that’s it. Trust me, gang members here don’t mess with your type. You don’t have anything they want. People come into this town ALL day long on bikes and they make it out alive… most of the time.
We feel the illegal immigration problem here, big time! But Brawley is small and sometimes all there is to do is go cruise around town with your friends and stare at out-of-towners like you! You and the wifey are always welcome in Brawley… November is the best time for bikers. It gets fun and festive around here. Be safe. ;^)