Laughlin motorcycle rally purrs to a halt

Eric Leake

Monday, April 25, 2005 | 11:08 a.m.

It was easy riding at the weekend's Laughlin River Run motorcycle rally.

Police reported fewer arrests than in years past and rally organizers said they had no complaints.

"People came in droves. The town was sold out months in advance. The crowd's demeanor was very cooperative," Las Vegas Metro Police Lt. Tom Smitley said on Sunday.

"It shows the crowds came to have a good time. There were no major incidents," he said.

He said arrests at the annual rally, which is in its 23rd year, were down this year at 89, compared with 127 a year ago. Motorcycle thefts were down to 14 from last year's 27.

"Fourteen people were not happy. Next year we hope to make that zero," he said.

Police increased their presence at the rally -- billed as the third largest in the country -- after a melee and gunfight between the Hells Angels and Mongols motorcycle gangs left three dead in 2002.

"Outlaws were observed this year," Smitley said. "They received the full and undivided attention of Las Vegas Metro Police as well as several undercover officers."

Police patrolled the rally, which ended Sunday, on horseback, motorcycle, foot, and in patrol cars.

Some motorcycle enthusiasts had feared the police presence would be overbearing, but event chairman Andre Carrier said he did not receive a single complaint.

"What was nice, you have a lot of Metro Police Department officers now who have participated in the run many years. They know what to expect. And they get better and better at preparing and hosting the guests that come from across the country," Carrier said.

"It was very well executed," he said. "I know people felt comfortable."

This year's attendance was expected to possibly top 70,000 people in the rally's five days.

Carrier, who is also president of the Golden Nugget in Laughlin, said Sunday that final attendance numbers for the rally are not yet calculated.

"All of us are very, very pleased with the attendance, the enjoyment," he said. "And really we're pleased with the broadening enthusiasm of this sport."

Carrier said improved roads and the number of displays by custom bike builders added to the rally's success. He said other than a little rain Saturday evening, everything went to plan.

Henderson resident Jordan Kieran, 35, attended the rally for the first time and said he was surprised by the crowd and scope of attractions.

"The number of people out there was phenomenal. Everybody was having a good time, shopping, eating, checking out bikes," Kieran said Sunday evening as he stopped for gas on his way back home.

"I had a great time, can't wait to go back next year."

Kieran said he especially enjoyed seeing the custom motorcycles at the rally. He rode his week-old custom Honda Shadow Sabre to the riverside town.

"It was the first long cruise I took on my bike and it went beautifully," he said.

Carrier said organizers will begin this week planning for next year.