Bud Northrup

Bud Northrup is a semi-retired CPA/College professor who loves motorcycles and motorcycle sports. He started riding in 1955. His first 2 wheeler was a 1951 Cushman Eagle, quickly replaced by a 1955 Zundapp 200.

He rode in my first hillclimb in 1968 at Neoga, Illinois on his 1957 Triumph 650. Bud charged the hill, went 67 feet and looped it – good enough for bent handlebars and a second place trophy - and he was hooked. He had pretty good success climbing until 1989 when multiple injuries (from a trail riding accident) brought an end to his serious hillclimbing. Bud started climbing again around 1997 or so on the easier hills – he doesn't beat anyone anymore, but he still loves to ride.

Bud says "My greatest pleasure comes from being with my boys (Kaleb and Jason), and watching them ride. They’re so much better than I ever was, but I like to think I had something to do with their development. We’ve traveled all over this country together in pursuit of our sport."

Bud is currently the District 17 Hillclimb Director and has been for over 10 years. He was also the D-15 Hillclimb Referee for several years, and still serves that district as their Alternate Hillclimb Referee. His articles and photos have also been published in Cycle USA, Cycle News, WHEELINGIT.com, and occasional local papers.

When asked how he got into moto-journalism, Bud had this to say:

After the crash of 1989 curtailed my racing, I still wanted to be involved in the sport – beyond just watching my boys ride. So I expressed an interest in the District 17 Hillclimb Director position and was elected. In that capacity, I realized that hillclimbing wasn’t getting much press coverage, so I started taking pictures and writing articles for CYCLE USA.

Bud also had these final thoughts:

Hillclimbing to me is the perfect sport for family fun and bonding. The sportsmanship and friendships formed in our sport are outstanding – better than in any other sport I’ve been involved in. There are many, many Father/son and even Grandfather/father/grandson combinations riding – and yes, many very serious and competent young ladies too. Tools, parts and even bikes are often loaned from one competitor to another without hesitation. It’s a fine sport.

Virtually all of the District 15 and 17 articles and results on King of the Hill are submitted by Bud, who also occasionally mans the camera but more recently has teamed up with Gordon Green for those duties.