To compete in an event for 55 consecutive years requires a person to have a number of attributes – good health, longevity, strong will, persistence, timing, team support, and a lot of luck. The Greater Vancouver Motorcycle Club’s (GVMC) Caribou Trails Ride, held yearly in the Vancouver area, had the distinction of having one person compete in it for 55 consecutive years, Fred Pazaski of Bellingham, WA. His end to riding the run came in 2004 due to his passing at the age of 81 in November, 2003. Fred’s contribution to Pacific Northwest motorcycling extends beyond his participation in the Caribou Trails Ride. He was instrumental in starting the Mt. Baker Motorcycle Club and Hannigan Speedway, 20 miles south of Abbotsford, BC, in Bellingham, WA. Here, many Canadians cut their teeth racing either flat track around the ¼-mile oval or motocrossing around the club’s property. Fred was also an active member of the GVMC and made a conscience effort to promote their yearly events to the hundreds of motorcycle enthusiasts he knew.

Fred became active with motorcycles at the age of 15 due to his older brothers, John and Lewis, both accomplished racers in the 1930’s. He started his employment at Northwest Cycle in Bellingham in his teens and

FRED PAZASKI - Inducted 2004

Pioneer - Motorcycling

by Kevin Pazaski

Fred Pazaski, 1948  (photos courtesy of Pazaski family)

Fred Pazaski

eventually became part owner of the business that sold Harleys, Hondas, Kawasakis, Yamahas, and a variety of other brands. During his early employment at NW Cycle, Fred started racing and winning - hill climbs, flat tracks, mud runs, enduros from Portland, OR to Vancouver, BC and beyond. He had the distinction of going undefeated one year on his home track at Hannigan and was Washington State’s T.T. novice champion. While racing in the 40’s, Fred became life time friends with Trevor Deeley. Both were fierce competitors on the track but more

like brothers off.

When Fred sold NW Cycle in 1978, his passion for motorcycling did not end but actually became more intense. While in his “retirement”, Fred worked for Trev as Deeley Imports Harley-Davidson District Manager for Western Canada. Seldom did he have to introduce himself to Harley dealers from BC to Manitoba. They knew Fred and of his honest, reliable and friendly personality. During the 1980’s, Trev had the idea of establishing a motorcycle museum in British Columbia and here Fred’s decades of motorcycle knowledge came to use. He was given the opportunity to become the museum’s curator. Fred and Trev collaborated to assemble one of Canada’s premier collections of vintage and unique motorcycles. Fred was responsible for restoring many of the 275+ motorcycles on display. He invested countless hours bringing bikes back to their original condition and was a “walking encyclopedia” for visitors that toured Trev’s museum. Without his diligence and hard work, plus Trev’s generous funding, we would not have a quality museum for all to enjoy.

Fred may have been born in the States but he left legacy of memories, relationships, and motorcycles for many Canadians to enjoy.