Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.
Date: 8/17/2022
MONSON – Following a nearly four-month closure of the Monson Hillclimb, the Quaboag Riders are picking up right where they left off, beginning with the 2022 Colin Krenzul Memorial Motorcycle Hillclimb on Aug. 21.
According to Bill O’Donnell, president of the Quaboag Riders, they have hosted this fundraiser for about eight years. He shared that Krenzul was an up-and-coming young man in the hill climb world, who tragically passed in a motorcycle accident at age 16.
“His dad [Gary Krenzul] was a board member for years,” said O’Donnell. With the memorial motorcycle hill climb, Gary uses the money raised to help riders buy gear, bikes and more, explained O’Donnell.
The event will take place at the club located at the end of King Avenue, off Route 32. Beginning at 11 a.m., O’Donnell said the day typically wraps up around 4 p.m., however, it depends on the number of competitors.
The day is packed with various bike classes racing up the hill, competing for the best time. O’Donnell added that the youngest competitors start at the age of four.
Standing 350 feet tall, the hill has jumps and obstacles along the way, making it “very interesting,” he said. “The kids do well.”
He went on to say that the club has full concessions to offer hotdogs, hamburgers, French fries and more. O’Donnell noted that they have their liquor license and serve primarily beer and wine from their fenced in beer garden.
Due to the size of the space, there is no limit to how many people may attend the event. O’Donnell shared they have hosted events in the past with a couple thousand people and have never hit capacity.
To partake in the event, the cost is $20 per person. Preregistration is required; however, riders can register the day of. For spectators, the cost is $14.
Operating as a nonprofit organization, O’Donnell said the only way the club stays afloat is by hosting various fundraising events throughout the year.
In past years, Krenzul’s memorial hill climb raised close to $20,000. O’Donnell noted that more than half of that money is used for expenses. This includes liquor license, food, trash fees and more. With annual bills of $100,000, O’Donnell said that not much money is left over at the end of the year.
Aside from the annual fees, the entrance money also goes toward trophies for the competitors and simply hosting the events, explained O’Donnell. If there is any extra money, he said they put it towards the grounds. What used to be a sand pit, now has grass and landscaping, which O’Donnell shares makes a “beautiful venue.”
While the closure of the club set them back this year, O’Donnell said they plan to host two other events in 2022. One will take place in September and one in October.
Every year, O’Donnell said they set their schedule in November or December for the upcoming year. When they received a cease-and-desist order from the town on March 22, this forced them to discontinue all operations, ultimately canceling several planned events.
On July 14, the Zoning Board of Appeals overturned their decision, allowing the Quaboag Riders to continue their work.
“We are extremely happy to be back,” said O’Donnell. He added that the hill is “grandfathered type use,” operating since 1944, and has been around longer than many Monson residents. Regardless of the prolonged battle with the town, he said, “We won in the end.”
Using Facebook as a source to spread the word of their return, O’Donnell expects a larger turnout than usual for their upcoming events. “Everyone wants to attend,” he added.
O’Donnell shared that the club promotes motorcycle safety and riding, and a place to do it. He said their goal is to attract more children, as he said, riding is much better than sitting at home on the computer.
For additional information on the Quaboag Riders and their upcoming events, visit https://monson.monster/.