The lronbutt Rally was a motorcycle competition event that launched from Philadelphia and ran to checkpoints in Bangor, Maine, then to Seattle, San Diego, and Daytona Beach, Florida and finished back in Philadelphia. Pharaoh finished the competition in 242 hours, running his 1970 Shovel head at over 150 MPH most of the 14,000 mile course. Pharaoh rode the only Harley entered in the event, and unofficially represented an entire sub-culture referred to as“ Bikers.” Only 9 other competitors, including the Canadian National Champion, attempted the feat.
Pharaoh finished up the 20th Century as a major hot-rod Harley builder and started the 21st Century teaching the capstone course at a major motorcycle mechanics school in Phoenix for several years, then went to directing the engine and transmission department at Titan Motorcycle of America until they declared bankruptcy.
Partly because they are both American Indians as well as kindred spirits, over the years Knuckles and Pharaoh became very close friends. Pharaoh recently came to visit Knuckles at his shop in Englewood. Knuckles promptly put him to work and Pharaoh has been here ever www. thunderroadscolorado. com November 2015 Thunder Roads Magazine ® Colorado 13