Big Bad John

[taber hodaka]

Big John; John Anderson cowboy, rancher, Hodaka rider. The last time I knew, John lived in cattle country, around Dillon Montana. Before that he lived in the Big Hole on his ranch, I think he was a professional Auctioneer also. One of his riding buddies was Mike Conner out of Darby Montana. I think Mike was among the fastest men in the world, riding in the bush. John ,myself and I think Mike all rode the Badrock . I sold John a Combat Wombat and still have the receipt for it and would have the numbers for him. I did hear once that the bike was in a museum in New York, It would be nice to see John, Mike and Clarence in Athena at Hodaka Days 2023. Jill and I have a gold mine at Dillon and I stopped and visited with John years ago. Memories of the past sooo good! ---------- Clarence

[Bullfrog]

Clarence,

Sorry it has taken me sooooo long to respond . . . there IS a reason.

It seems that I have stored my Bad Rock file in a location where it will never be lost again. Unforturnately, it is looking like it will never be lost again because it may never be FOUND again! Dagnabit!!

Getting back to the story . . . how did I NOT internalize that you rode Bad Rock?? Did you ride the same year that John won his Gold?

I don't know if you've heard about it - but John has started a search to find his Bad Rock bike. I remember a few years ago that someone was working at selling that bike (so not in a New York museum??? or maybe that's where it was sold??)

I exchanged some messages with the seller because he was telling a group of stories of John having a case of extreme anger at PABATCO regarding the condition of his bike when he got it (and other stuff). I described my history/knowledge about PABATCO/Bad Rock . . . and made it clear that I simply was not aware of any anger directed at PABATCO by John. It appears that any record of those messages may be stored right alongside the safely stored Bad Rock file. It is my guess that the story(s) told at that time may have been mountains which grew out of mole hills . . . and that they added drama to the sales effort. I haven't had a chance yet to compare notes with John, who only recently became "visible" to me over on the Facebook Hodaka Fan Club.
Ed

[MTrat]

I'd also like Clarence to share some of his observations on Mike Connor's riding prowess.