Issue link: http://trailridermagazine.uberflip.com/i/1540850
Flashback! October 2025 5 As humans, I believe we all need someone to look up to. Some- one to inspire us, someone we strive to be. As a young kid who grew up in a home consumed with all things that burned fuel, of course, my heroes were those who excelled at motorsports. The 60s were a magical me to be a kid. Life was simple and fun. Like most, my passion for two wheels began on a bicycle. Then the minibike craze hit. I remember the moment like it was yesterday, when my neighbor woke to a brand-new Honda Mini Trail under the Christmas tree. Within minutes, phones were ringing around the neighborhood, and we all took turns riding that shiny new Honda around their house. Not much longer a er that, your editor Kurt bought his own minibike (with his own money), and that li le minibike was the catalyst for a lifelong passion for riding dirt. Only a few years later, I was ready to step up to a real motorcycle with a clutch and shi . It was a Hoda- ka that caught my eye, and I soon became fast friends with the owner of our local Hodie dealer, Cape Ann Cycle in Beverly, MA. His name was Charlie Hildebrand, and he ran a ght ship selling nothing but top-quality bikes and parts of the day. Along with Hodaka, Charlie was a Penton dealer, and Cape Ann Cycle was my first introduc on to what would become an obsession in my life. Although my Hodaka did the job, it didn't scratch the itch, as it was a Penton that I truly lusted a er. I'd gather the brochures and study the specs during class, along with doodling pictures of what my favorite Penton would look like. At more than twice the price of the average Japanese bike of the day, it would take many years before I earned the scratch to enter the world of Austrian-built dirt scoots. I was in my 20s when I finally owned a Penton, and by then it was way out of date, but it meant a lot to me, given the fact that I spent so much me reading about John Penton and his sons, travelling the world riding and racing motorcycles bearing their family name. One Penton wasn't enough, and soon the collec on spread to what some would consider a ridiculous amount. When John Penton was in- ducted into the AMA Hall of Fame in 1999, I took the trip to Ohio to finally meet the man whom I held in such high regard. The party was held at KTM in Lorain, Ohio, and the event was magical with then KTM President, Rod Bush being the host. John and his youngest son, Jack, soon had all in a endance mesmerized with their stories. I'd also learned John, like my dad, was a World War II veteran, and I found it uncanny how similar these two men relayed their experiences. That was a special night for me, and I le in awe of the man and his accomplishments in life. Over the following years, and as I became even more consumed with the world of off-road riding and the people behind it, I was lucky to be able to interact with John on many occasions. His tales never ceased to amaze me, and it was always such a treat to chat with him when the opportunity arose. John was the humblest of heroes and again, like my own father, a people person of epic propor ons. I'd ad- mire his energy and devo on to the sport we all enjoy so much. For John, it was clear that he loved the people of our sport even moreso. Sadly, John Alfred Penton le this world surrounded by his family on September 7 th, only weeks a er his 100 th birthday. What a remarkable life lived, Mr. Penton, and I'm so thankful for the opportuni es over the years to spend me with you and listen to your always interes ng stories. A great man has le this earth.