Baja Vet and Los Ancianos mainstay Dave Olen passed away while riding in Washington State over the weekend.

Dave was well known by many as an easy going comrade with a good sense of humor, fun loving and light hearted. He spent over two decades with Los Ancianos Motorcycle Club cutting and riding trails in the hills of the Sierra Juarez and surrounding area. He raced in SCORE and was a standard fixture in the Tecate Hair Scrambles, Racers and Ranchers and Borregos Negros RSV hammer down fund raiser.

Dave will be deeply missed by his close friends and not forgotten by the Baja Community.



Please use this thread to post photos and/or pay your respects to a Baja vet, servant and friend.

Godspeed Amigo

http://www.yakima-he...-off-cliff-dies

Godspeed Dave.

... He went out doing what he loves, RIDING!

RIP Dave Olen

Goat Trails, love em, hate em....

My condolences to family and friends.

mtz

Dave was not only a Baja vet - he was a multi time class winner in both 50 and 60 as a key part of Richard Jackson's "Team Caveman". Dave raced District 37 as well.

That said, Dave was about one of the best guys you'd ever want to hang out with. Since we first met at the Miramar Bar in San Felipe through numerous rides in Baja, , the Sierras, Utah and Washington he was a true friend.

Early on he joined with the Baja Fools when we were still pitting for Kawasaki and as he got more into riding in Baja he joined the Los Ancianos. Both groups will miss him and I will especially miss sharing a glass of Chardonnay with him around camp - you know any other guy who would pass on the beers and pour himself and you a glass of white wine? He was his own man and a great guy that you could always count on.

Vaya con Dios Mi Amigo!

Dave was a fantastic guy.
As tough and serious as they come but always smiling and having fun.

Accidents happen. At least he went out in a beautiful place doing what he loved to do.

At the '09 Baja 500 I was BSing with Dave and his team (3) and all of them were going off about other teams using so many riders. Dave was something to the effect of, "We're not wussies, and if I'm coming here to race, I want plenty of miles!". That attitude from a 60yr old guy, I loved it!

Since Sunday I've been watching the Northwest forum about it http://www.thumperta...ad.php?t=824394
Of course the pics posted aren't of the accident, but they show some incredible elevation.

My heart goes out to his buddies who had to watch this event. And to Dave's family. I live in the area, and the day Dave died was BEAUTIFUL. I can picture he and his pals sitting on top of Mount Clifty, having lunch and enjoying a spectular view of Rainier and the Stuart Range. Like the rest of us, I'm sure Dave wanted to be around for years and years to come...but if I am called home before my time...I hope I am doing what I enjoy and surrounded by friends that I love. Sounds like Dave had that. Rest in Peace, to a fellow enthusiast.

BajaBoundMoto said:

Very sad news about Dave. The pics certainly show how if you fell and kept tumbling how severe it could be. I can't imagine how his friends must have felt...helpless. My heart goes out to all of them.

Dave invited me on my first Baja ride about 10 years ago. Apparently I didn't embarrass myself or him and he continued to invite me along with his group on a bunch of cool rides. Dave was always up for any adventure when it came to bikes and Baja was his favorite.

Our group of 5 from the Palm Springs area started to show up at the Baja rides together and someone nicknamed us the "Sons of the Desert" While it was a a group of 5 riders, Dave was the leader and organizer. To be included in Dave's group was an honor.

We went on our annual Ramonas ride this last weekend and camped in our usual Sons of the Desert spot and it seemed somewhat quiet and empty without Dave's banter and bench racing. We'll miss him. The Sons will ride on and I'm proud to say Dave was my friend.

Only 3 times was I with Dave in Baja and all three times he took me under his wing like many others of you have. He was helpful and encouraging in a way that makes me proud to be a possible future baja vet.



Here are a few pics from the First R&R ride





Back at the truck, he shared some of that white wine.
I'd pour some out of my glass for you D but I bet you'd object.
My sincere condolences to any and all of Dave's "good" friends and family.

From the Sons of the Desert

====


Folks,

As you all know by now we lost a dear friend, Dave Olen, last week. Some
of his many, many friends, The Sons of the Desert, have organized a Dave
Olen Memorial ride set for October 10 and 11th. The details are contained
in the attachment, but in case you have trouble opening it here they are:

When: October 10th – 11th
Where: Johnson Valley Off Highway Vehicle Area
Bessemer Mine Road
“Rock Pile”
What: Saturday 35 Mile Marked Loop Trail Ride
Details: Join us for Camping
Bring your own Food and Drinks
??????: Dave Adams – 760-333-6660
Mike Groat – 760-250-0964

Hope many of you can make it to honor our friend.

Dave sounds like a great person to have known like all of you did. RIP

mx813 from Washington