Ready to ride, rent

Karen McChesney has the job most guys, young and old, dream about.

She looks out her office window all day and there are 200 or more motorcycles sitting in the driveway. Harley Davidsons, Hondas or most any other "road bike" a man, or woman, could want.

McChesney, general manager of EagleRider Motorcycle Rentals, 5182 S. Arville St., and her team are gearing up for the 12th annual Las Vegas Bike Fest, which begins Thursday and continues through Sept. 30. It's a time every year when thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts converge on Las Vegas for one more opportunity to get together and enjoy the sport they love before cold weather ends their riding season.

"We will rent more than 200 motorcycles to some of the event riders who don't have their own bike in town. It just gives another way for our customers to enjoy the experience," said McChesney.

"All a rider needs is a driver's license with a motorcycle endorsement, a credit card and to be 21 years old," she added.

Bike Fest will account for only a portion of the thousands of motorcycles EagleRider will rent to visitors to the Las Vegas Valley.

"The majority of our business is Europeans. Some of them have saved their entire lives for an opportunity to come to America and ride a Harley across the country, or just through the desert or Grand Canyon. They are just so amazed that the opportunity is available to them and some are even moved to tears," McChesney said.

When asked about EagleRider's beginnings, McChesney said, "Did you ever hear the one about the two bikers sitting in a bar and a German walks in ... That is almost how this business started."

According to McChesney, "The company began 20 years ago when two motorcycle riders were approached by a gentleman from Europe asking where he could rent a motorcycle. After renting their personal bikes to him and his friends, they were pleasantly surprised when the bikes came back in pristine condition.

From that a business plan was formed. And maxing their credit and borrowing their friends' bikes to meet the demand, EagleRider was born.

Now, with more than 80 locations in America, Central America, Europe and many other international destinations, the ride is the important thing.

"Our customers can rent one way or round-trip, we supply everything they need, including a preprogrammed GPS, hotel reservations and, for shorter trips, a tour guide as well."

McChesney has the opportunity to go to work every day and do something she loves, "fulfill people's dreams." She also gets to do something else that is pretty important to her - she gets to work with a special member of her staff, her dad, Sammy Allen.