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"The Baja King"
Les Haserot
Les and Friends.
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The Les Haserot Party…
Reflections from JQ…
What a great party that was…it just don’t get any
better than that!
I’ve attended wilder shindigs…the kind where we had hell-raising bands,
lots of risqué dancing, wet t-shirt contests, a lot of falling down drunks and
more sordid stuff.
This wasn’t one of those kinds of events.
There was plenty of booze, good music and “Snowman” (with “Big Daddy’s”
assistance) smoked a mountain of delicious BBQ ribs. The huge crowd engaged in
lots of conversation…and the close brotherhood was as emotional as I’ve ever
seen.
As a matter of fact, I think our camaraderie was at an all-time high. No
club politics were involved. No competitiveness between any of the
chapters…just a great bonding between all…and for one main focus…for one main
purpose…
We had come together at Gil Armas’ big beautiful castle on the mountain to
celebrate Les Haserot’s 86th year on this earth. We were there to party with
other “Original Wild Ones,” like 86-year-old Jack Lilly, original Boozette
“Dago,” Jim Cameron and some other of their old time biker friends they used to
ride with in the 40s. We were into celebrating life…those from the past and
those still present…
Les (the oldest remaining “original”) virtually “died” before his 86th
birthday last November 12th, and a couple of other times before New Year’s. His
family decided to put together a party in Les’ honor, not knowing if it would
be with him…or a tribute to his memory.
Family and friends encouraged Les to “hang in there” and attend his own
party!
It was initially scheduled to be at a nursing home if he made it out of
the hospital. Then, as Les gained strength and determination, the party date
was extended.
One issue became obvious; Les was not at all satisfied with the event’s
location. He hated the thought of doing it in a nursing home. Close friend, Gil
Armas (another BFMC “original”) and 84 years-of-age, said, “Heck with that!
Let’s just have the party at my place!”
I communicated with Les and his son, Bruce, and I made a deal with Les:
“If you will promise to attend your party alive I’ll promise to be there, too!”
The deal was agreed upon.
Ironically, just a few days before the “call of the Wild Ones” to come
together, I had an accident (I don’t want to talk about it, either…) and I
busted up my ribs. Even on my way to the airport I debated on whether I should
--or physically could-- make the flight. I could have easily crapped out with
an understandable excuse, but I kept hearing my promise to Les: “I’ll be there
if you will.”
I made the flight.
Just before leaving the party I had a private conversation with Les. With
an exuberant expression and a twinkle in his eye he stated with a proud smile,
“I bet you had your doubts about if I was going to make it, didn’t you?”
I told him, “I remembered what you said and I was determined to be here.
Les, I’m so proud of you. I think I had more doubts about whether I’d make it
or not…but that’s another story. I’m just thrilled that we both made it…this
has been the party of a lifetime. Wanna agree to do the same thing again next
year?!”
“OK…I will if you will,” he replied.
That was the greatest celebration of life party that I’ve ever had the
pleasure of experiencing…and I’m sure looking forward to doing it again!
"JQ being yelled at by original
Boozette, 'Dago'..."
Celebrating the "LONG RICH LIFE OF
LES HASEROT"
As you may know, Les Haserot turned 86 years old
last Nov 12th 2003. He has been in serious touch & go health in the
past few months, spend a long boring time in a hospital. His old Boozefighter
fighting spirit has helped him to rally and overcome his illness once again.
And I understand our cards and letters have meant a lot to him too. He is now
able to go back into the Living Center where he
is looking forward to the big CELEBRATION OF LIFE PARTY that has been planed for
him. You might say that’s what has helped keep him going. Looking forward to
partying once again with his old ORIGINAL WILD ONES friends and all of us
Boozefighters and Boozettes that can attend.
If at all possible try to make it to this ONCE IN
A LIFE TIME event. You will enjoy the brotherhood of being with Les, the other
ORIGINAL OLD TIMERS, and many attending BFMC members. If you can’t make it –
please send Les a card or letter letting him know he is appreciated and thought
of and that you wish him well. That does wonders for his pride and self esteem.
You can contact me at e-mail
housekeeping@radioshack.com
JQ `HISTORY’
However Bruce Haserot said that if his dad (LES) continues
to progress health wise they might move the party location to their house but it
will still be at time and date as scheduled above.
We will post any more
up-dates as to any possible changes. (So check back often).
To many times we wait until someone is gone before we go
see them. For any of us that can possibly go celebrate with LES while he can
enjoy it - let's please consider doing it. And it will give a good opportunity
to socialize with other OLD TIMERS and members of the BFMC on the West Coast.
JQ
As most of you know, Les Haserot, 86, the oldest
original surviving Boozefighter is having some serious health problems.
Right now he is in isolation for an infection but is expected to recover
soon and return to the Whittier Hills convalescent home.
So as befitting any wounded brother, the Haserot family
and original member Gil Armas are planning a Boozefighter party for Les. We
are shooting for the first part of January. Keep tuned to the web for
further info.
Also, THANKS for all of the pictures and letters!! It
really means a lot to a man who has been a wild dog all of his
life....please keep 'em coming.
Bruce Haserot
10245 E. Floral
Drive
Whittier CA 90606
Cell phone 714-552
3291
home 562-692-4068
A note from "JQ"
We encourage the Brotherhood to write
messages of appreciation & concern to Les at the address above And that if
you can contribute a few bucks to Les as a Christmas present he could use it
to pay towards his medical expenses ( that have over powered his
resources). Also he enjoys pictures of club activity.
Gil Armas 714-771-4132
Greg Haserot 909-8610625
The Baja King
January 1, 2001
Les Haserot was born in LA November 12, 1917. He is the oldest
living Boozefighter, beating Jack Lilly by 35 days of age.
Les’s Mother came from Missouri and his Father was from Iowa. They met and
married in California and had two sons. Les is the only survivor of that family.
Two of Les’s Uncles got jobs with the California Highway Patrol Motor Cycle
Division; which was the inspiration that got him interested in bikes.
At age 17, Les bought a 1932 Harley 45 C.I. He loved riding so much that the
next year he bought a brand new 1936 Knuckle Head 61 C.I. for $425.
Like many future Boozefighters, Les hung out at the Big "A" before the war.
That group of "Wild Ones" rode together and formed a close brotherhood, only to
be disrupted by the call to arms of World War II. Les was turned down by the
military because of a motorcycle accident had left him with a wired shoulder.
During the war, he made the next best contribution by working with distribution
of bulk oil.
All along Les kept riding experiences alive by being active in the 13 Rebels
MC, the more or less parent club for the future Boozefighter and Yellow Jacket
Motorcycle Clubs.
When asked if he ever made the Hollister, CA gypsy tour; Les responds "oh
yeah." The first time was in 1936. Les stated there were Hell Raising Drag Races
down the main street even back then. When the cops showed up they would stop for
a while. The minute they were gone, they would start drag racing again. Maybe
that’s why the city barricaded the San Bernito Street and let the bikers have it
when the Gypsy tour cranked back up in 1947?
When asked, "did you ever race professionally?" Les replied, "Naw, just
amateur stuff like most during the time. We did field meets and runs but mostly
just for fun. I did a lot of Baja runs. To my knowledge, I’m the first
motorcyclist to dare the full 900 mile distance from Ensenada to Cabo San Lucas,
known as the Baja Race." Did he win? Les goes on to "they didn’t give out awards
for that because Motorcycles were not included as a division or class. Only cars
and trucks were counted because no one figured a motorcycle could make it on a
900 mile stretch of desert dirt." When asked why did he participate, Les stated,
"Just for the adventure I guess and to prove it could be done." "I built up this
old 1937 Iron Head 45. Kept it stock but changed and added a few things. I put a
six-gallon gas tank on it, removed the battery box and put a 1.5 gallon oil
reserve tank in its place. I also rigged up a magneto for juice (Electricity),
filled my saddle bags with spare parts and tools, strapped a bedroll and some
clothes on the back, filled by canteen, and took off." "I’d have to find these
little towns or communities to get gasoline. None of them had gas stations, but
there were always barrels of gasoline that someone would siphon out of to fill
my bike."
"900 miles of rough, scorching hot desert seems to be tough riding to me;
then you had to repeat the ordeal to get back, didn’t you (asks History)?" With
a chuckle, Les replies, "of course." History then goes on to state that Les must
be proud of his accomplishment for what would be a once in a lifetime event. Les
replied, "yeah, and especially since I repeated the same adventure 20 times from
1950 through 1954."
In talking with another old time Boozefighter, Johnny Roccio, History asks
what he remembered most about Les from the old days? "In addition to being one
heck of a good guy; it was the perfection about his bike. We could ride through
mud one day and the next time you saw him his bike would shine. I mean even down
to the spokes on his wheels. They’d shine like new!" "Another thing. Every
spring and fall he’d make the Baja Run no matter what was going on – he’d do the
Baja. Most of us couldn’t justify taking off the time (from work). Les did the
Baja and made allowances for work and other things around that. He was the Baja
King!"
This story was compiled and written by J.Q. "History" -- Boozefighter
National Historian. It’s another example of what made the "Original Wild Ones"
unique. They had the right stuff! Les Haserot is definitely one of them to be
remembered and revered. He is unique!
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