Bike Week Oklahoma 2009 - Sparks, Oklahoma

As I arrived at the entrance to Sparks America , I was pleased to see the American Hellriders Wall of Death set up just inside the main gate. I knew that I would be back to see the show sometime during the weekend, but at that point my first priority was to get to my favorite camping spot and pitch my tent. Then I would be ready to take in the final weekend of Bike Week Oklahoma for 2009.

Tony Ward and his staff always put together a stellar lineup of activities for B.W.O. Music included performances by Fran Cosmo (former Boston lead singer), Dr. Hook featuring Ray Sawyer, Pat Travers Band, Done Deal, and Geneva. A new entertainment option this year was Mixed Martial Arts Cage Fighting presented by 5150 Combat League and Sparks America Productions. M.M.A. superstar Chuck Liddell was in attendance to greet fans and sign autographs. Admission to the Saturday night fights required an additional ticket purchase. As always, daily motorcycle field events provided constant afternoon entertainment and rewarded the winners with very nice plaques.

Throughout the weekend, afternoon temperatures soared to the triple-digit level. The swim-suit-optional pond was a hugely popular spot for a bit of relief from the heat. Another option was the Christian Motorcyclist Association booth where a huge fan and a mister, along with free cold drinks (Gatorade, water, ice tea, and sweet tea), also provided a welcome respite. The extreme heat caused a few glitches including intermittent water shortages and temporary electrical problems. Many of the campers who resided in motor homes instead of tents had brought inflatable pools that required lots of water, especially when they were emptied and refilled on a regular business to keep the water fresh. Knowing Tony Ward, I’m confident that long-term solutions will soon be in place.

Saturday morning’s bike show, a fundraiser to help fight Marfan’s Syndrome, featured some sweet rides in every class. As always, “Legs” and her Motoring for Marfan’s crew did a great job putting on the show. In spite of the heat, there were plenty of riders competing in various games such as keg roll, straw in the bottle, potato race, slow ride (singles, doubles, triples, and even quadruples), plank ride, balloon toss, wienie bite, and key-hole race, just to name a few. There were also several games contested on foot such as the dizzy race, newlywed game, keg toss, and hula hoop. Saturday afternoon’s contests culminated in the always-exciting tire drags and Sparks America’s signature event, the “Titty Slide.”

Having some spare time in the morning hours and during the transition between afternoon and evening activities, I took in a few of the shows at the Wall of Death. After one of the shows, I was pleased to visit with the death-defying stuntman who had just wowed the spectators with an amazing performance.

CC: First, what’s your name and where are you from?
Patch: I’m Patch McGillicutty, 15-year professional stunt man, and I’m from Augusta, Georgia.

CC: How did you get started in the stunt business?
Patch: I met a man who was a very good friend of my grandparents and owned a wall. I used to race motocross, and he used to watch me. I was racing and doing wheelies one day, and he asked me if I wanted to learn to ride the wall. It was then that I gave up amateur motocross racing and started riding the wall.

CC: Did you start out as an apprentice like the young man who is working with you here?
Patch: Just like any other trade, you start as an apprentice. You learn to be a welder -- you have to be an apprentice. It’s the same with the wall.

CC: It’s a skill that not many people have these days. Do you know how many others there are?
Patch: There are 15 walls in the world and 5 in North America, There are only 13 riders in North America riding the wall today.

CC: How old is this drome and what are its dimensions?
Patch: This wall is only two years old. It was built by Ben Nagel, the owner of American Hellriders who put this show together. He has his own bike rally and wanted to include a wall, so he built it himself. It’s 24 feet in diameter and 15 feet high.

CC: How long does it take to set up?
Patch: Normally it takes eight to ten hours to set up and seven hours to tear down.

CC: Is this your first time in this area?
Patch: It’s our first time in Sparks. We did Bikelahoma earlier this year in Pryor. There’s never been a wall at Sparks before. Tony called Big Ben and got it booked. We’ve enjoyed being here so far.

CC: Do you spend all your time here at the wall, or do you get to join the Bike Week Oklahoma fun?
Patch: We are doing shows every hour on the hour. I spend about two-thirds of my day here, but take time once in a while to enjoy the event. The music here is great!

CC: How many events do you book each year?
Patch: My season is about nine months of the year, around 16 events. The schedule is on our website.

CC: You probably don’t spend a lot of time at home then.
Patch: No. It’s hard being on the road so much. I’ve got two little girls at home. One is in private school, and the other is three years old. Being on the road nine months, I don’t get to spend a lot of time with my family. I’m out here entertaining everybody else and letting their families enjoy my show.

CC: It’s a great show. Talk about some of the stunts you do.
Patch: I do side-saddle with no feet and no hands, stand on the pegs with no hands, the deadly dips and dives of death, the fastest ride ever on the wall, and other fancy trick riding like grabbing dollar bills from the spectators’ hands. I normally also do a two-man crisscross, but my buddy had to get another surgery for a past injury and couldn’t make it. The wall is kind of a dying tradition we’re trying to keep alive. We need to get more young people into this.

CC: Who is the young man who works with you?
Patch: I call him “The Tack on the Wall” Zack. He’s a good, young, hard-working kid. He’s learning. He makes sure the bikes are ready and helps announce the show as well as riding. Zack is from Breckenridge, Michigan. “CC Rider” is also a good kid. He’s the one who does crisscross with me.

CC: What about the bikes?
Patch: We can use just about any form of motorcycle in there. Personally, I like the little bikes you see in our show here. I have ridden everything from Hondas to Triumphs, Harley dirt bikes, Indian Scouts, you name it. I can ride anything on the wall. I’ve had three-wheelers on the wall. I’ve had a go-cart on the wall. I rode a 49 c.c. mo-ped on the wall. That’s why they call me the mad hatter. You never know what I’m going to do. I’ll try anything at least once.

CC: I believe you would. Thanks, Patch.

As always at Sparks America , I had a blast. Sunday’s ride home was dry and a little cooler and gave me plenty of time to reflect on the weekend’s activities. I am already looking forward to returning to Sparks for Oklahoma’s wildest, craziest Halloween party in October.

Story and photos by Stripe