Ride Hard: Amarillo Is Calling
Authored by: Thomas Zermeno, PCI #1390T-B EMSCI #412T-B, Norman (OK) Police Department, IPMBA Board of Directors, Vice President
“Yippi Ki Yay,” Public Safety Cyclists! I am, of course, paraphrasing the well-known quote from the movie Die Hard starring Bruce Willis. He plays John McClane and, in the scene, he is accused of being a cowboy, and he responds by saying the above to Hans Gruber, but with an expletive at the end. Why am I talking about cowboys? Well, that is because the IPMBA 2026 Conference is going to be held in Amarillo, Texas, this year! So, it is time to start thinking like John McClane and come out to Amarillo and be a cowboy!
This year’s conference dates are July 13-18. Now, before you start thinking that it is going to be way too hot and that, like McClane, who stated “now I know what a TV dinner feels like,” while crawling through the vent, you need to know the preparations that have been made for the conference. You also need to be aware of the fun that is going to be had.
First, the Amarillo Police Department has a premier location for the training. There is a fully covered, giant 200’x300’ outdoor pavilion concrete area for all of our outside cone courses. It is in super close proximity to the classrooms and restrooms, and due to the constant wind in the plains, it stays well-ventilated. There is also a historic train depot that is primed for BRTT scenarios right by the pavilion.
Second, Amarillo is home to very notable destination locations. There is the famed Big Texan, where one can try the "72oz Steak Challenge." A patron is allowed to attempt to eat a 72-ounce steak with a salad, baked potato, three shrimp, and an iced tea within one hour to earn it for free. Oh, and one of our hospitality nights might be held at the Big Texan, giving anyone a chance to try the challenge! There are even talks of an IPMBA prize for any attendee(s) that attempt it and complete it!
Third, the contracted hotel is directly across the street from the training venue AND is in close proximity to multiple eateries that are within walking distance. They have been tested for tastiness, and each has passed. Right next to the training location AND hotel is a minor baseball team known as the Hodgetown Sod Poodles that is a farm team for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Oh, and they are going to host one of the hospitality nights, complete with outside games and batting cages! You might not be able to write “Now I have a machine gun, HO HO HO” as McClane did, but at least you will have a good story to share.
Something else that is in the works is that Amarillo PD is bringing back the competition. That’s right! They are planning to set up a competition course that will have local sponsors building the obstacles. They have videos that you can see on their social media of how exciting these competitions can get, so check them out! You may be asking yourself, as McClane did, “What kind of odds am I getting?” You will just need to come out to Amarillo and find out.
Oh, and there is this little place called Palo Duro Canyon that is nearby. It’s only the second-largest canyon in the United States, no big deal. But it’s a very big deal! At least ONE of our off-road rides will be held in Palo Duro Canyon. If you don’t know about it, check it out! There are also some local trails that we will utilize for off-road riding. So don’t be like McClane, “just a fly in the ointment, the monkey in the wrench, and the pain in the [area].” Just go to the IPMBA website and register for the conference already. There will be no regrets to be had.
As John McClane stated, “Come out to the [Midwest], we’ll get together, have a few laughs,” and share great experiences. You will be saying “thanks for the advice” like McClane, trust me. The venue is great, the area is great, and our host has really put together an unforgettable experience for IPMBA attendees. They really set the gold standard as a host agency. I hope to see you in Amarillo, so I can be like McClane and shout, “Welcome to the party, pal!”
Thomas joined the Norman Police Department in 2009. He is currently assigned to night shift patrol and is the training coordinator and instructor for the bike team. He has been active with IPMBA since 2011, after taking the IPMBA Police Cyclist Course. He was certified as a PSCI in 2013 at the Baton Rouge conference and cross-trained as an EMSCI in 2017. He became an Instructor Trainer in 2019, BRT certified in 2020, and BRT instructor certified in 2021. He currently serves on the IPBMA Board of Directors as the Vice President. He can be reached at Thomas.Zermeno@yahoo.com.