Travis to Race the Ronin at Pikes Peak

Not the most visually dynamic post, but read on.

The official entry list for the 2015 Pikes Peak International Hillclimb (PPIHC) was released earlier this week. There are 78 motorcycle entries and 74 cars. When my inbox pinged I immediately went looking for one name in particular, Sideburn's resident poet, Travis Newbold. Travis is a regular at Pike Peak, but this year he isn't racing his own Honda 450, he's competing in the Pikes Peak Heavyweight class an 1190cc Ronin racer.

This is an exciting deal that Sideburn had a hand in making happen (even if we do say so ourselves). When I visited Ronin last year I stayed at Travis's house. I was mightily impressed by Ronin's set-up and floated the idea of Colorado-based manufacturer competing in the world famous Colorado race with a Colorado racer on board. Travis grasped the opportunity, wrote a letter and set up a meeting. Ronin liked the idea, visited Newbold's Motorbike Shop, a few miles from their downtown base and did the deal. The plan came together.

Now Travis, #747, already a class winner, has the most support he's ever had, and will get two practice days prior to the race, something he's struggled to afford before. We'll keep you updated with the Ronin effort when we get news, but hopefully it's going to be a lot of fun for everyone involved. G

Read Travis's poem in every Sideburn since SB13.
Read about Sideburn's editor's visit to Ronin in Sideburn 19.
Read Gary Inman and Sam Christmas's report from the 2014 PPIHC in Sideburn 18.