I remember sitting in Kathi's kitchen with Phil discussing plans for the first Chilly Challenge. Having the ride here was fairly controversial at the time, and there were some hard feelings from the folks who put on the original Polar Bear ride. We weren't sure how many riders would be crazy enough to come out, but we were thinking maybe 25 or so. We were in for a surprise!
As the cars kept coming and coming to the parking lot at Franke, it was obvious that the one (or two, I forget) pot(s) of chili weren't going to be enough to feed everybody. Fortunately Karen Walker was there, and she and some others drove down to Wendy's and bought additional chili to feed the hordes. It was a cold day, but everyone was happy with the chili being served from the back of Stan's pickup.
The other vivid memory I have was when we had the first Chilly Challenge Chili Cookoff at Psi Ote Barn. I was a judge, along with Cheryl Mathews and another woman, I forget her name. But she insisted that we "clean our palettes" by eating a cracker and drinking some water between contestant chili's. There were 26 pots of chili I believe. By the time we got to 15 or so, I had abandoned the cracker and water nonsense so I wouldn't explode. Winners were decided, and I didn't eat chili for another year.
It's been several years since I've ridden on the ride, but Kathi and I usually show up on the Harley before we head out to the Park. It's our tradition now. So if you're looking for us, we'll be on the side of the hill in leathers watching with our (other) fellow riders.