Ride to the Slimy Crud Run

I will be leading a ride to the Slimy Crud Run on October 5th, weather permitting. We will meet at the McDonalds in Delafield at 8:00, Kickstands up at 8:30. Don’t forget to bring a full tank, and an empty bladder, I hope to see you there.

Tim Koester

A little history about the Crud Run:

There are no big campaigns, no corporate sponsors, no local or regional newspaper or TV promotions, not even the usual obligatory one-size-promotes-all beer banners with the name of the event emblazoned on a huge blank white spot. Despite all the makings of what should be an unknown
event, the Slimey Crud Café Racer Run in southern Wisconsin is attended twice each year, on the first Sunday in
May and October, by riders from all over the country and routinely has participants from at least five states in the upper Midwest.
Its origins are nearly as murky as Stonehenge, dating back to the early Seventies according to one of its co-founders, former Triumph/Bultaco/Matchless racer and former Triumph dealer Lyall Sharer. From humble beginnings the event has become an organic thing that thrives on its own energy. At each gathering, it isn’t uncommon for anywhere from 1,000 to 3,000 machines to show up.
The Crud Run meanders across the scenic Wisconsin River valley from Pine Bluff in Dane County to Leland in
Sauk County. Th e distance between the villages is less than 30 miles in a straight line. but the road mirage can vary from about 70 to, well who knows? No specific route is prescribed, so the best way to go depends entirely on your imagination.
Despite the name, the event is not limited to the sheathedin plastic sportbike set. In fact, while there’s something for everybody in every class of bike, the event seems much more like a rolling vintage and classic bike show.
Flathead, knucklehead and panhead Harleys: TR-6, Daytona and Bonneville Triumphs: Lightning and Thunderbolt BSAs: Moto-Guzzi Falcone and 850 LeMans: Ducati SS-900 and Diana: Norton Commando: Vincent Black Shadow: Munch Mammut, BMW: Velocette Venom, Royal Enfield:
Indian Chief: Suzuki RF-5: Honda CB-77, Hondamatic, CBX; Laverda Jota: Kawasaki H1. Two stroke, four stroke,
rotary. Flat-trackers, touring, choppers, bobbers, adventure bikes, rat bikes, to name but a few of the types, brands and models seen at recent Slimey Crud runs. Its a scene you really need to see to believe.
Of course there’s no substitute for being part of the real thing, and fortunately, you’ve got two shots at it every year. SCMG Cafe’ Motorcycle Run for spring is the first Sunday in May Classic Lines…. Spaghetti… Schnitzel… Rice…. Leave Jake’s bar & grill, Pine Bluff at noon for Sprecher Tap Leland….Ride hard…..Ride short.
Original ad for one of the first Crud Runs