Issue link: http://trailridermagazine.uberflip.com/i/1048523
The Bohn's lived above the shop, so Ron literally grew up in the motorcycle busi- ness. One of his jobs was to keep the coal furnace in the basement of the shop stoked during cold Pi sburgh winters. Already fascinated with all things two wheeled, he remembers riding his bicycle around and around the basement while keeping an eye on the furnace. As he grew up, Ron helped with machining and odd jobs around the shop. Ron first rode a motorcycle at age 13 and by 15 he was compe ng in hill climbs on an NSU 250. At 16, Ron rode in his first Jack Pine Enduro in 1963 on a Triumph 500 twin. He rode Triumphs for a few more years, and then took overall wins in the event in 1970 and 1971 on Husqvar- nas. Ron competed in at least 10 or 15 of the 500-mile Jack Pine events in a row, which forced him to miss the first day of school for the first few years. Ron competed in enduros first on Tri- umphs then on Husqvarnas and became the U.S. Na onal Enduro champion in 1971. One of Ron's favorite enduro stories was at the Li le Burr Enduro. This 250-mile enduro was always difficult, but in 1969 it rained for days and became known as "the year of the flood," a er only two people finished - John Penton and Ron Bohn! Ron went on to compete in seven ISDT's from 1969 to 1977 and collected four silver medals and two golds on three Club teams: one Trophy team and three Silver Vase teams. One memorable year was in 1969 when John Penton invited Ron to compete in the ISDT in Garmisch, Germany in place of an in- jured Dave Mungenast. At that me, Ron had never even been on a plane, let alone been to Europe. When Ron got to Germany Dave was well enough to compete, so Ron was without a ride. John Pen- ton assured him he would have a ride and what followed was a mee ng at a pub in Garmisch with two FIM officials, John Penton, Ron's dad Mel, Dave Mungenast, Bud Green, Leroy Winters, and Lester November 2018 9