This is probably one of the most difficult articles I will ever write in Colorado Rider News. My Mentor and best friend, Randy Savely is retiring. I asked Randy for permission to write this article. He isn’t one for computers or to make a fuss, but this community owes Randy Savely a debt a gratitude for over 10 years of service to the biker community but also the injured riders he has touched over the years personally and through the Randy Run for Fallen Bikers.
To those who know Randy, he is the reason the Randy Run for Fallen Bikers was founded and has been the face of the Randy Run for over 10 years. Randy always says, that while he was the face of the Randy Run, he could have never accomplished so much without the friends who started the run, and the friends he made along the way that continued year after year to support the Randy Run. I would be amiss if I didn’t share that in this article, as Randy has said that so many times.
For those that don’t know of Randy Savely, Randy was injured in a motorcycle accident losing his left leg from the knee down from a driver who made a left turn. His life was forever changed that day. His friends and Abate D-10 got together for Randy and did a run to help him with expenses, and ever since then, Randy and his friends, board members have kept that annual Randy Run going every July. Randy and Board members MISSION was to hopefully help injured riders and help them with a grant so that they could focus on their recovery. Randy Run’s grants were helpful to get the family thru the first 30 days after an accident.
The Randy Run has helped so many injured motorcycle riders through their non-profit. As the President of BikerDown, 3 years ago, Randy and I began a partnership and friendship of going to see injured riders at the hospital and together we have made the difference in many lives of injured riders. Many will say that I am a bit overwhelming when I come into a hospital to help a victim’s family, but Randy, is a good ole country boy and well, he could feel their pain and understood their what they were going through… because he lived it.
If that wasn’t enough service to this community, rumor has it, Randy is really Santa Clause and if you have ever been to the Children’s Hospital Toy Run, you now believe in Santa. Randy (Santa) has assisted the Adopt a Family for the Holidays for 4 years putting smiles on children’s faces and letting them come over to him and pull his whiskers and sit on his laugh.
Randy is a hardworking man that at times will work 10-12 hours, 6 days a week, and then head to a hospital or a bike event that evening. He is rich beyond his years because of the love he gives and receives from this community.
For several years, Randy has mentioned to his close friends that he thought he might be ready to retire, but his love for this community, the Randy Run and his friends always kept him anchored to Denver.
In December of this year, Randy called a meeting with friends and his Board and let them know that he was retiring and was going to move back to Missouri where he is originally from. While we knew this day would come, the thought of Randy Savely not being here in Denver to go to the next hospital to visit an injured rider, makes me incredibly sad.
SEE YA LATER RANDY EVENT – A group of friends are putting together a Farewell party at The Frontier Club on Saturday, February 23rd, from 2pm to 6pm, and have asked everyone to come out and send Randy off in Colorado style. The Frontier will have some appetizers and we ask everyone to bring a dish and share a meal with our forever friend Randy Savely. If you have any questions about the event, please contact Lisa Gill at 720-422-3987.
A few friends wanted to write something!
Dennis Tye – Randy came into my life when I was lying in a hospital bed about three weeks after I had lost my leg in a motorcycle accident. He changed my life with his smile, his words and his presence. I got to know Randy over the next couple of years and it allowed me to get involved with The Randy Run. In the beginning I was merely an onlooker, sitting in a wheel chair as the raffle went on or a speech was made. After I got comfortable on my bike again, I made a ride with Randy and his best friend Ed up to Beartooth Pass, on to Red Lodge and home through Sheridan. It was a great 4-day ride
stretched to 5 when Randy had to tinker with his bike for a few hours. I would make a joke about Harley’s here, but it would be too easy.
Randy is a mentor to a lot of people, an example to many of us and a friend to all of us. I now have a reason to visit Missouri, to sit and chat with a dear, dear friend Randy Savely. See you soon friend.
Lisa and Mark Gill – Mark and I have had the Honor and Pleasure of knowing Randy since right after his accident. We have been through a lot together, building the Randy Run, rainy campouts, riding, Christmas for Kids, too much to list. Thank You Randy for your brotherhood, friendship and Love. Thanks Brenda and Rod for sharing your brother with us. I can honestly say that Mark, Myself and your Frontier Family are going to miss you Randy. Enjoy your retirement, your new home, your road trips and your Family. Until we will see you again. WE Love You!