The weekend just past was a pretty quiet period in Baker City if you discount the presence of several thousand motorcycles, most of which, it seemed to us, were Harleys which even at half-throttle produced sonic waves capable of dislodging screws from drywall.

By andquot;quietandquot; we don’t mean the absence of decibels.

We mean the absence of felonies.

For an event that brings to Baker City so many people and so much noise, the Hells Canyon Motorcycle Rally is a remarkably civilized event.

Except for cash registers, some of which beeped, clanged or buzzed incessantly during the weekend.

The motorcycle rally, along with its two-wheeled but motorless and thus less auditory counterpart this weekend’s Elkhorn Classic Bicycle Race contribute greatly to Baker City’s economy.

Equally important, neither event diminishes the value of its financial contributions by forcing city residents to put up with a lot of obnoxious, and occasionally criminal, nonsense.

Although most of Baker City’s police force patrolled during the motorcycle rally, Chief Wyn Lohner reported few problems, none of them serious, related to the bikers.

Such was the case during the past two rallies, as well, both of which also attracted thousands of riders to Baker City.

We appreciate all those riders bringing their good manners, and their money, to our city and county.

We expect a similar situation this weekend when the bicyclists congregate in Baker City.

We invite both types of riders to come back every year.

We’ll even try to arrange perfect weather again.