Each year in the bowels of San Francisco’s Hunters Point, known by some as The Bayview, The Dirtbag Challenge goes down without a hitch. The purpose of The Challenge is to build a bike for under $1000 in under 30 days, then ride the piss out of it. Plenty of bikes, beers, burn outs, bands, and broads were in effect at this year’s Dirtbag.

Last November was my first Dirtbag and I was so impressed I had to attend the 2011 version, forgoing the controversial 71st Sturgis T-shirt show. This is the first Black Hills rally I’ve missed in 30 or so years. Dirtbag contestants arrive at the registration spot early and go through a tech inspection, which is an eyeball check with dark sunglasses. Then there is the riders meeting at which the unofficial tour route is announced. The route of the tour is not given until this meeting where the organizers deny any responsibility for the riders or their rides. But, in order to enter the bike show the bike and rider must complete the ride.

This year, just two days before Dirtbag, the event was featured in both The New York Times and The San Francisco Bay Guardian. Talk about a positive shot in the ass. Every event should be so lucky.

It was a normal Frisco summer morning as I arrived on the scene, about 55-degrees and a brilliant sun. Poll Brown, the event organizer, welcomed me with open arms. I wandered around the check-in and registration area until Poll asked the assembled builders/riders if they would like to tag along with him as he was going to take a ride about 40 miles away to downtown Pescadero, gas up and ride to Alice’s Restaurant up on CA35 then back to the bike show and party. As they departed I wandered over to the party site on the next block and hung out till Poll and his fellow riders returned. Meanwhile thousand arrived to party and enjoy the band and kick tires. Finally the ride returned and pulled into the show area and performed the largest mass smoke out I’ve ever photographed. Smoke was so thick I felt momentarily trapped. Unbelievably great event while the City of San Francisco and its inhabitants wait for the eventual earthquake and tsunami that will destroy them (as they live on the San Andrea’s fault by choice). Oh yeah, during the street party a SFPD cruiser drove down the street more out of curiosity than official interest.