This is the story of a two-man motorcycle gang known as “Hell’s Administrators” – University of Virginia deans busting loose on two wheels in a dream of being free to ride their machines without being hassled by “The Man.”
Philip Bourne, founding dean of the UVA School of Data Science, and Ian Solomon, dean of the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy, spent part of their summer vacation riding the heights of Colorado’s Trail Ridge Road, soaking up the sun and soaking in the rain.
Bourne and Solomon make up the heart of the UVA-centric “Hell’s Administrators” motorcycling society. Retiring University Librarian and Dean of Libraries John Unsworth was unable to go on the Colorado ride. (Contributed photo)
“We call ourselves ‘Hell’s Administrators’ partly in jest, but there’s something appropriately rebellious about two deans roaring across the Rockies on motorcycles, dodging elk, rainstorms and mediocre tacos,” laughed Bourne.
Until recently, the gang included a third dean, John Unsworth, who is retiring in September as University librarian and dean of libraries.
“John couldn’t make the trip with us, but he’s definitely part of this gang,” Bourne said. “We not only have fun riding together, but hopping off and discussing the ride over lunch often drifts into valuable work discussions.”
For Bourne, who has been riding for decades, a summer road trip on two wheels is a tradition. This year it was a 3,150-mile journey through the deserts, canyons and high altitudes of the West with School of Data Science mascot “Boo Bi-Gnomial,” a data-inclined gnome.
Solomon, who began riding just a few years ago, flew out to join Bourne in Colorado and rented a motorcycle for the trip. Solomon brought along a giraffe mascot, Spirit, because “giraffes aren’t afraid to stick their necks out.”
No motorcycle trip is complete without a mascot, and Bourne brought the School of Data Science’s own “Boo Bi-Gnomial,” a data-inclined gnome, along for the ride. Although it’s not shown, Solomon’s mascot, a giraffe named “Spirit,” agreed to stick his neck out and tag along. (Contributed photo)
Riding together through the Rockies, the deans visited Bear Lake and Estes Park and ascended Trail Ridge Road, which reaches 12,183 feet above sea level at its highest point. It can be cold up there, even in summer. It can pour rain. It can snow. Sometimes snow closes the road for more than nine months of the year.
“We waited every day to figure out if we were going to be able to take Trail Ridge Road,” Solomon said. “Finally, we got the notice that it had opened up, so we decided to make a play to meet in Idaho Springs and head up on the peak-to-peak route up to Estes Park.”
The road is a popular tourist route, and the mountain views are stunning, making it difficult to balance the scenery with watching traffic.
“I’m still a relatively new rider, so when I was going over a pass and the wind got a little heavy, my heart started beating faster,” Solomon said. “It was a reminder of the spectacular country we live in. We had to keep stopping, because if you’re looking at the views too much, you won’t stay on the road.”
