Handstands at 100 MPH—Celebrating Desert Motorcycle Racing, History, and Legacy

You click into sixth gear with the throttle still pinned. The shrubbery whizzing by blurs into a haze; the terrain is sucked under your front wheel nearly as fast as your mind can process the information. A hidden bump in the road sends a jolt through the handlebars and flings your rear wheel skyward. You’re bucked off the seat in a panic-revving pucker moment of feet in the air, hoping and praying that it will somehow all work out if you just hold on.

This moment is all too familiar to desert racers everywhere, whether they’re from Southern California, the wilds of Nevada, or the iconic Baja peninsula. Hence the event’s name: Handstands at 100 MPH.

Spearheaded by legendary desert racers Scot Harden and Johnny Campbell, the 2021 Handstands at 100 MPH event assembled the Baja and desert racing community together for a celebration of heritage and legacy in the largest gathering of desert racing motorcycle champions to date. That is, until last weekend, where the second annual Handstands at 100 MPH, held at the famous Blackmore Ranch in Murrieta, California, challenged the size and attendance of the inaugural event at Doffo Winery.

The sprawling Blackmore estate opened its doors and its accompanying motorcycle museum to more than 350 attendees, who came out to mingle, eat, drink, and benchrace with the greats. On hand were a host of motorcycle clubs and organizations, including AMA District 37 and its youth series, SCORE International, and Best in the Desert. Southern California clubs, including Hilltoppers, Invaders, Four Aces, Desert MC, SoCal MC, Jackrabbits, and Huntington Beach MC were in attendance, hosting displays that showcased the historic legacy of the clubs and the sport. Also making the trek for the 2022 Handstands at 100 MPH event were the Groundshakers from Nevada and Mexican representatives Los Ancianos, of Tecate, Baja California.

The clubs, along with the race organizations, displayed memorabilia, from finisher pins and race flyers of the ‘60s and ‘70s to vintage desert racing bikes, trophies, and historic photos. Desert racing champions from ages 9 to 92 shared stories and laughs, proving that no matter the age, this elite breed of off-road motorcycle racers have its own language and unique passion.

A new feature of the Handstands at 100 MPH was the introduction of certified legends, and a handful of special guests were honored with this first-of-its-kind commemoration.

“A Handstands at 100 MPH–certified legend is somebody who has considerable attributes to the sport of desert racing and the resume to back it up,” said Johnny Campbell, himself an 11-time Baja 1000 champion. “This year we had Jimmy Lewis. We’ve had Jack Johnson, we had Lori Conway, Dick Vick, and Chuck Miller. It was our honor to have them here to talk about their accomplishments in desert racing and chat with each of them.”

“Last year’s event was a huge success, one that exceeded every expectation,” said Scot Harden, a multitime desert champion and AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer. “This year’s event came together better than we anticipated, with so much enthusiasm and support from the Baja/desert racing community.”

If you missed out on the fun, no need to worry; there’s a second half to the event, the Handstands at 100 MPH Baja Borrego dual sport ride, that will be held on December 10 in Ocotillo, California.

“The Handstands at 100 MPH Baja Borrego Dual Sport ride will be 130-plus miles long and a true off-road/desert experience,” Harden said. “In addition to the actual ride, Johnny and I will be doing a riding seminar the night before for everyone who attends. The ride will be an epic one that will challenge every rider.”

For more information on the upcoming Handstands at 100 MPH Baja Borrego Dual Sport ride on December 10 at Ocotillo RV Resort, visit harden-offroad.com.