46 Years of History!

An Oral History of the Great Western Bicycle Rally
By: Ralph D. Boethling (GWBR Chairman form 1977-1994)

The GWBR was the brain child of Dr. Clifford Graves, a La Jolla California physician. Familiar with similar events in Europe, Graves invited several friends to meet for a weekend of bicycling in Solvang. The date.....1965. Over 20 folks shared his memorable occasion.

The early Rally format followed a basic two day program. Friday evening was a time to watch movies, and to renew old acquaintances. Hostel facilities were usually provided in local high school gymnasiums. Saturday's activities included a long, short, or medium bicycle ride to a local picnic area, followed by a picnic, and then return ride to headquarters. After showers, etc. a Saturday evening banquet was featured.

Typically, Sunday's activities included a short ride, or a for those competitively inclined.... a Velocio Day Hill climb, with prizes for the quickest in several age groups. Early Rally fees were $.50 per person.

For 1967 the GWBR moved to Santa Barbara, and was organized by Bill & Bob Lee of West Covina. The 1968 Rally site was Atascadero and the co-chairmen were Chris & Bill Ziegler of Menlo Park.

The 1969 event was again held in Atascadero, but with Dr. Graves back to the helm. Somewhere in the late sixties, many felt the GWBR was growing too large, and there was an unsuccessful attempt to split it into two Rallies. The other, called "The Hangtown Rally" held in Placerville, California, and discontinued after only one event.

1970 saw the GWBR, again under the direction of Dr. Graves, reunited into a single event. Moving closer to his home in Southern California Graves chose the Del Mar Race Track in Del Mar as the site. Activities continued to follow the usual two day format. This location was also used in 1971, again under Graves' leadership.

The GWBR, still under Graves' chairmanship, moved to Hemet, California in 1972. During this year's event a particular circumstance occurred which was to change the direction of the Great Western Bicycle Rally forever. It seems Dr. Graves and A.J. Wallis, then President of the Los Angeles Wheelmen became involved in a disagreement over the schedule of bicycle rides provided to rally participants.... when the dust settled, Wallis was Chairman of the next year's GWBR.

So be careful when you pick a fight with the Boss, you don't know where it will end up.

The rest is history.... At a meeting held in Redondo Beach, California, Ralph Boethling (GWBR Chairman 1977-1994), suggested that this new group now in control of the Rally, should take the opportunity to expand the old format into an entirely new program. Providing many new activities more along the lines of those enjoyed by the sports car people, bicycle roadeo, concors d'elegance etc. Change the dates of the rally from March to Memorial Day weekend to incorporate the extra day available to most bicyclists. Also to move the Rally venue back to the Central Coast area for the added convenience of the folks from the Bay area communities.

Everyone agree and the new format was endorsed by all.

In 1973 the revised Rally was implemented. Dates were moved from March to May, location was moved to the Cal Poly Campus in San Luis Obispo where the new format was enthusiastically embraced by all in attendance. A.J. Wallis was there, as Chairman... as he was again at the same location in 1974, but with a new headquarters away from the college campus.

After two years, Wallis retired from GWBR duties, and passed the rally reins to Grant Cotter, who returned the Rally to Solvang, in 1975. The century route laid out by GWBR planners is virtually the same route presently enjoyed by thousands annually as the Solvang Century .... acknowledging that several modifications have occurred over the years.

The rally was also held in Solvang in 1976, but with the date moved back the Easter Weekend in April to accommodate several Rally folks who wanted to participate in Bikecentenials's ride across the USA in celebration of our 200 year birthday. This move met with some resistance. Many people objecting to the high prices encounter in such a high traffic tourist location

An interesting anecdote relating to the 1976 GWBR. On the Friday of the event, the truck containing the entire Rally materials, equipment, paperwork etc. broke down in Santa Barbara. People showed up the Rally headquarters and there was nothing there for them somehow it all worked out OK. It was Cotter's last year as Chairman.

In 1977, Ralph Boethling became Chairman of the great Western Bicycle Rally, with wife Laverne acting as Registrar and asst. Chairman. The Rally was moved to the fairgrounds in Santa Maria, California. Attendance was the largest in history up to that date ... 1270 people. Many problems were to arise. Mostly, devastating winds prevailed over the entire weekend. The final 50 miles of Sunday's Century were into a 20-30 MPH headwind. Moreover, the bike rides, laid out by local Santa Maria bicyclists contained an enormous number of errors, sending riders down non-existent roads. It produced a lot of unhappy folks.

In 1978, undaunted by events of the previous year, Boethlings again took the GWBR back to Santa Maria. Determined to remedy the earlier problems, Boethlings and several friends corrected the errors in the bike routes, researched many new ones designed to take advantage of the local wind conditions. It turned out to be a super rally for everyone involved. The century ride on Sunday returning from Morro Bay was a tailwind experience to die for. PROBLEM: People stayed away in droves because of their unpleasant involvement with wind and errors the year before. Attendance dropped to 700. On the up side, those 700 had a great time!

In 1979, realizing Santa Maria was a losing situation, Boethlings with determination to develop the GWBR into the event they envisioned it to be... again broke new ground, moving the Rally to Paso Robles. It was bicycling heaven! The fairgrounds was every thing they'd been looking for. With the help of many of their friends, and many, many trips to the area, new rides were mapped out, the connections at the Ramage Ranch in Adelaide established, and the future now appeared to be assured. Word got out, advance registrations were pouring in... Exceeding all previous levels.

A few weeks before the Memorial Day Weekend.... disaster struck again!

THE DREADED GASOLINE CRUNCH!

Every day Boethlings' mail box was filled with requests for rally registration cancellations, people fearing an inability to complete their journey to Pas Robles and return without gasoline opted out, and wanted their money back. Attendance dropped to 900.

Fearlessly, the Boethlings packed the GWBR truck to the brim with all the Rally stuff and took off for Paso Robles not knowing how far they'd get, or where they'd run out of gas.

BOTTOM LINE: Great Rally! Everyone who came enjoyed themselves to the max, and although there were a few lines at the pumps, there was plenty of fuel in Paso and everybody survived just fine.

The following rallies from 1980 to 1994 wre all held in Paso Robles to the delight of bicyclists from all over California, the USA and even Europe. Boethlings introduced the concept of the Wine and Cheese party for Saturday night at the GWBR, and folks seem to enjoy the opportunity to mingle with one another in an informal atmosphere while not atop of their bicycle saddle.

After working on 23 Great Western Bicycle Rallies, and serving as its Chairmen for 18 of those years, Boethling, and wife, Laverne, decided the Rally was in need of some new leadership to take it to the next level of greatness the event so richly deserves.

Consequently.... the 1995 GWBR chairman was Rod Doty, and Associate Sharon Ware (formally Foreman), who produced last year's Rally, a very successful event during which many new innovations were introduced to the GWBR format. Bicyclists of California and elsewhere can look forward to exciting GWBR's in the future.

1995- 2006:

Rod Doty and Sharon Ware continued to Chair the Rally each year in Paso Robles keeping with the same traditions of the Rally is based on. And that is attracting all riders of all abilities that have a common goal. They love to ride their bike

Sharon and Rod

2007:

Rod Doty decided to retire from Chairmanship and passed the torch onto Laurel King and Sharon and Jim Ware. They have taken over the reins and have added some new features to the event. A supported Century and Metric Century Ride, A Women's Only ride (Velo De Femme) and a Saturday morning pancake breakafast. We look forward to running the Rally for many years, maintaining its tradition of quality, bringing new riders into the sport and to the Rally and improving it each year

Laurel and Sharon

Great Western Bicycle Rally
info@GreatWesternBicycleRally.com
866-909-4927