ROAD MC - Thunder Roads Magazine

Transcription

ROAD MC - Thunder Roads Magazine
Thunder Roads® Magazine of Iowa
www.thunderroadsiowa.com
P.O. Box 29
Kimballton, Iowa 51543
(712) 249-5630
[email protected]
Owner/Editor
Tina (TT) Schwarte
(712) 249-5582
[email protected]
Letter To The Editor………………………......…...4
Skin Art……………………………………........…...5
99 Counties: Boone County................................6
Turkey Run 2010...................................................6
Joker’s Wild..........................................................8
Military Riders.......................................................9
Biker Friendly Directory.....................................10
Girls of Thunder..................................................12
Editor
Vernon Schwarte
(712) 249-5630
[email protected]
Will Ride to Eat...................................................13
Let There Be Rock……………………………......15
Representatives
Josh (Stampede) and Pam Brown Regional Sales
(SE Iowa Area)
563-571-1617
[email protected]
Omaha’s Largest Custom Bike Store
Dyno Jet Approved Tuning Center
V-Twin Factory Technicians
Pickup & Delivery Available
Complete Line of Parts, Accessories & Clothing
See our Affordable Line
of Hyosung Motorcycles, Scooters & ATVs.
Two-year Warranty on Motorcycles
Financing Available
Prices start as low as $1599.00
Phone 402.894.3050 I Fax 402.894.3055 I 14410 Frontier Road I Omaha, NE 68138 I www.wernercycleworks.com
February Calendar..............................................18
Northern Iowa Bike Show..................................20
NCOM News Bytes.............................................22
ABATE Update....................................................24
Reader’s Submissions……………………....…..25
Photography
Girls Ride Too…………………………………......28
Kandi Schlensig
[email protected]
712-249-0713
Road MC..............................................................29
Sudoku................................................................30
Thunder Illusions
Rich
[email protected]
Cast Iron Ride.....................................................32
CMA.....................................................................24
Fron the Woman’s Seat......................................26
KISS in the Kitchen............................................31
Subscription........................................................33
Alcohol Poisoning..............................................34
Event Listing.......................................Back Cover
ON THE COVER
Design & Layout
Barbara L. Garner art director
Check out our New Line
of Victory Motorcycles
Financing Available
ThunderCam ......................................................16
Event Coverage/Magazine Distribution
Ad Sales
Richard (Murph) and Annette Murphy
[email protected]
Contributors
Craig Little-Will Ride for Food Dude
[email protected]
Retailer of
Letter from the Editor...........................................2
National Founders
Toni McCoy Shearon & Brian Shearon
1528 Matlock Drive
Chapmansboro, TN 37035
Office: (615) 792-0040 Fax: (615) 792-7580
[email protected]
All rights reserved. All content is covered by copyright and ownership of said right
is retained by Thunder Roads Magazine of Iowa. Photographs may be purchased
on www.thunderroadsiowa.com Neither magazine or website materials may be
reproduced, distributed, altered or posted to any other websites without the express
written permission of Thunder Roads Magazine of Iowa. Publisher assumes no
responsibility and is not to be held liable for errors beyond the cost of the space
occupied by the error. Slander of any group or individual, failure to produce any
issue as scheduled due to reasons beyond our control, any and all suits for liable,
plagiarism, copyright infringement and unauthorized use of a person’s name or
photograph, opinions, and claims made by advertisers and authors are their own and
do not necessarily represent the policy of Thunder Roads magazine. Publisher does
not promote the abuse of alcohol or other drugs, advocate any unsafe practices, or
encourage breaking of any laws.
My name is Sarah and I am 27 years
old. I am from Omaha, Nebraska,
I went to Capitol hair School and
have my license in cosmetology. I
have been with Fringes Salon for
four years and love being in the hair
and fashion industry. With my job,
I get to help people achieve their
ideal look. It is very rewarding to see
my clients leave happy, sometimes
with a whole new look! Through the
opportunities with Modeling, I get to
have fun with being the one in the
chair. My co-worker and my stylist,
Tiffany Welch and I have had a blast
creating all the different looks for all
the shoots I’ve done, especially this last one for Thunder Roads Magazine
of Iowa. It was exciting dressing up as cupid for this February issue. I look
forward to the opportunities this may bring my way. Happy Valentine’s Day!
To get a hold of me please contact [email protected]
www.thunderroadsiowa.com
FEBRUARY 2011 TRM - 1
Wow, February is upon us, and that means that we have a little bit of this
dismal weather left before we can get out and ride. Hell, maybe February will bring an early spring? We can only hope I guess. We will see
what the little rodent does, and if he sees his shadow or not, and go from
there. At least the January through April timeframes give us some stuff
to do in the biker world. Swap meets and shows are all over the place,
and they are a great way to at least hang out with other scooter hounds.
This is not quite as good as riding, but the best we can do living in a four
season state. We have been out and about to a couple events so far,
and you can sure tell people are getting in the mood for riding weather
already. It is always great to see the wide variety of parts and accessories available, and only at a swap meet or trade show can you see this
amount or types of stuff. Most have a bike show along with it, which is
another way to appreciate the biker world in all its creativity. Cool paint,
dressed up, chopped down, interesting fabrication, or even all the above
mixed together, there always seems to be something cool to see. We
plan on making a lot of the events around the state, so if you see the
Thunder Roads crew, stop and say hey, and tell us your story. We always love to meet more bikers, and hell, we may even take a pic and get
you in the magazine.
How do you know where all the shows and meets are going on? Well
we have been searching high and low, and taking submissions from
readers about stuff going on, and have compiled quite the list so far.
We found as many as we could for the January issue, and plastered
that right there on the back cover for easy reference. We will keep the
events list pasted on that back cover for an issue or two yet probably.
Hang onto the whole mag, tear off back cover and tack it on the fridge,
or fold it up and put it in your saddle bag, wherever you wanna keep it
for easy viewing. For the March issue we are working on getting a list of
the bike nights across the state. If you know of any events we missed
or any bike nights to get listed email [email protected] to
make sure we get them listed.
We now have a new website that is up and running. Same web address
at www.thunderroadsiowa.com but with a new look and we feel a lot
better presentation. We have to thank Dan and Cindy at DAC Designs
for that. They ride as well, and you may even see a picture of her cuteness on a cover sometime in the future. You will see more from them
on these pages as well. They had the expertise to take the information
and make it look better. Some of the changes you can see when you
check it out is an expanded photo section. With the new site, we finally
have the ability to post a ton of the event pictures for everyone to peruse. There is also the option of purchasing digital copies of any if you
2 - TRM FEBRUARY 2011
so choose. Looking is free
though, and we wanted to
give the readers what they
ask for, and a common
theme is, “more pictures
please”! When we do hear
any suggestions on how to
make things better, we try
like hell to make it happen.
Sometimes it may take a
bit due to time or the almighty dollar, but we want
you to know that our reader’s opinions count. Check
out the new website, look
around and enjoy.
This is also the time of
year that a lot of bike projects are hopefully humming right along. How are
your bike projects coming?
We always love to see
and hear what people are doing, and how things are going. If you have
some interesting modifications, paint schemes, or just want to send a
pic, email it away. Share your ideas with the readers; it may inspire others to be creative in this off time we call winter.
and swap season is here, then into the spring when riding takes off, you
will see all of us out and about more. Don’t ever be afraid to come up
and tell us hi, and to shake our hand and introduce yourself. It takes all
kinds of bikers to make this world go ‘round, and we would not have a
problem meeting all of them. That is what makes the biker community
what it is, the bikers themselves.
and lived to tell the tale? Is it a lady rider that gained the courage to become a rider instead of a passenger? Is it the couple that rides together
and lives by the credo, “those that ride together, stays together”? Let
us know who it is and why you think so highly of them. Just may grace
pages of a future issue. Email any submissions to [email protected]
For all of you hot biker chics, there will be a casting call for calendar girls
at Quaker Steak and Lube in Council Bluffs on February 10th. Sign up
for interested ladies will be from 5 to 7 pm, with judging to follow. The
calendar is going to be published for M/C Mags for Military as a fundraiser to send more care packages over to the troops. Dana got this ball
rolling with M/C Mags just over a year ago, and it is going strong and
growing. They send magazines and creature comfort packages to the
troops across the big water. You may even notice a picture of one of
them with one of my favorite magazines in the Thunder Cam section. It
should be a great time, so come on out and help support the cause and
have some fun.
Until we meet again, be safe
tt and V
E
V
E
N
T
One last thing for you for this month’s letter from us. We would like you
to let us know about someone cool in our biker world that exemplifies
the biker lifestyle. Let us know about someone that you know, respect,
look up to, or admire for some reason in this Iowa biker world we live in.
What makes a biker? When you look up biker in the dictionary, it says
see “??????”. Is it your local District coordinator? Is it the old gray
beard down the road? Is it a friend that never misses a month of riding?
Is it someone that has come close to paying the ultimate price for riding,
As always we would like to throw a thank you out to our advertisers.
Without them, you would not be reading this. Please patronize the
businesses and places listed in the Biker Friendly Listing. They have
all gone above and beyond to get the word out that they are truly biker
friendly, and that they not only sell to, but cater to the biker world. It is
sure nice to know where you can stop and feel welcome when you are
out on the road. When you go into one of the advertiser’s place of business, tell them Thunder Roads Iowa sent ya.
We would also like to throw a thank you to our staff. Some you see
more than others, but they are all there helping to make this rag what
it is. Murph and Annette have been out and about as much as any of
the staff, and we want to pass on a special thank you to them. You may
have seen Murph doing some magazine distribution and ad sales. He
hails from the Menlo, Iowa area, but he cuts a wide swath with getting
the mags out and about all over central and western Iowa. As the show
www.thunderroadsiowa.com
www.thunderroadsiowa.com
FEBRUARY 2011 TRM - 3
To The Editor,
I am 61 years of age, served during the Vietnam Era. I have seen many
changes in our culture as did my parents and theirs before them. Life has
always been tough for the Blue Collar and Champagne for the wealthy.
There have been extra lean times all through our history beginning with
the Pilgrim Age, Disease, Indian Conflicts, and wars of some sort. The
Depression of the 1930’s and the Dustbowl of the 1940’s not to mention
other earthly natural disasters. So, our past has endured hardship and
famine. But through all this one thing has remained constant, “WE THE
PEOPLE.” Today one must ask – Who are “WE THE PEOPLE?” Who is
really in control of our destiny? I believe there is no single answer. But,
I am sure there are many questions that many know the answer but are
hiding behind a transparent curtain. This leads me to voice my opinion
as follows:
Don’t Let Them Take Down Our Flag
In these troubled times, “WE THE PEOPLE,” do fear what lies in our future, we sense some type of end maybe near. Even if you think that our
nation will stand tall and free, with all the high office promises and plans, it
looks sad – what “WE THE PEOPLE” see. “WE THE PEOPLE” have built
this nation by the standards of the past. Who would have thought that
how we evolved could do anything but last. We’ve built and served this
nation through good and bad, shed blood and died. But now newcomers
and the young don’t care, don’t hear the cries.
We do not hear the Liberty Bell, it may be broken. Every year “WE THE
PEOPLE” loses another Liberty – Another Freedom. The statue of liberty
is now on her knees. Will we wake tomorrow from a night of sleep to find
things have so changed, everyone will weep? Our way of life has already
changed; the past will be no more. Our History, our Heritage, may soon
become old folklore. If this nation does not soon get a grip, our heart from
our chest will be stripped. And so, while the back door is being left open
for those to enter, the front door is blocked by leadership fraud.
It is the only symbol left for “WE THE PEOPLE” that we know who we
are, Americans of the USA! “WE THE PEOPLE” Stand For us. Do not
take the Bus!
Custom work
1000’s of
designs to
choose from
God Bless What is Left of the USA
Gary R. Robb
Annette and Murph,
Professionally
trained artists
Words cannot express our thanks for covering our BAD Ride Event and
writing such an awesome article in Thunder Roads Iowa! It was a pleasure to meet you both and I look forward to working, and riding with you
in the future.
Private rooms
Carla
BAD Ride Chair
The open road is almost open.
The new 2011s are in-stock now. We’re your full-line dealer for
sales, service, parts and accessories.
Harley-Davidson® of Carroll
1327 Plaza Drive - Carroll, Iowa
(800) 792-1610
at www.carrollcycle.com
4 - TRM FEBRUARY 2011
Walk-ins
welcome
Our back is to the wall, the Nation is in grid lock lag: Now all we can do is
say – please Mr. President – do not let them take down our flag!
www.thunderroadsiowa.com
CALL
TODAY!
HOURS:
Mon-Thurs. 2-8
Fri. 2-11 Sat. 11-11
Find us on facebook!
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99 Counties to tour on the bike, 99 counties
to tour, take one down, drive on around, 90
counties to tour on the bike. A few years back,
a summer riding goal of ours, also our summer
vacation that year, was to ride through each
of Iowa’s counties, and what was found was a
wealth of interest and beauty. Each month we
will feature a different county, and new things
to go see, and hopefully spark a little touring
curiosity for our own wonderful state.
BREMER COUNTY
On a hazy day, we took off to go check out
Bremer County to see what it has to offer the
loyal readers of Thunder Roads Magazine of
Iowa. It is a little stretch away from our home,
but the beauty of this great state is worth a
little time and an ambitious spirit. We have
found that you can make it about anywhere
and back home in a day. Bremer is located in
northeastern Iowa, just north of the Waterloo/
Cedar Falls metro area. As we have both
previously lived in the Black Hawk County
area, we know the area pretty well and have
visited there many times in our lives. Our first
date actually involved some of our time in this
county. Picture this if you can a spur of the
moment blind date running around the area
with a great group of good friends. One of our
stops was at the Rite Spot. This restaurant
has a great atmosphere, good food, and a
6 - TRM FEBRUARY 2011
small price. This is where we had split our first
meal; due to neither one of us were all that
hungry, with our bellies full it was a great time
to get out and dance. Well tt wanted to dance
and we both wanted enjoy the company of
friends so we walked the short distance to the
Whiskey Junction in Denver, so this place has
kind of a fond spot in our hearts.
The county is intersected by Highway 3 going
east and west and Highway 63 going north and
south. It includes the County Seat of Waverly,
with Denver, Frederika, Janesville, Plainfield,
Readlyn, Sumner, and Tripoli rounding off the
list of towns. The geography of the area varies
about as much in any one county as we have
seen with flat as a table areas that allow you
to see for miles and take in the sights, to some
slight rolling hills, to some neat curves winding
along river bottoms. The county has some
significant rivers crossing it, the Cedar and
the Wapsinicon. The Wapsi makes for some
interesting sights in Waverly with the bridges
and the dam right along the main drag. An
old rail bridge is now a walk bridge that spans
quite a distance on the Cedar, and is a very
pretty bridge to watch the scenery from.
Not far north of the old rail bridge is the Nestle
factory that produces a variety of beverages
and beverage additives. Tours are available
and you may even be able to grab a big cup
of hot cocoa. This industry here is just one
example of why the area was settled to begin
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with. The rivers that pass through offered
power for saw and flour mills, and the close
proximity to the railway system. Power and
transportation made for an ideal area to settle
and develop industry. This of course was
the settlement by the Anglos; the original
settlement had different causes and effects.
The original settlers of the area in and around
Bremer County did not choose this location
to permanently settle of their own free will but
were actually here against their will. Originally
this area was an Indian Reservation. The
first settlers were called the Winnebago or
aka Ho-Chunk. Their land was stripped of
them when they were suspected of helping
Chief Black Hawk during the Blackhawk War
in 1832. Original numbers recorded of the
Winnebago were about 20,000 in 1634. They
were to receive compensation via land and
money paid in the amount of $270,000 for the
loss of their lands east of the Mississippi River.
Also at this time the Winnebago/Ho-Chunk
were forced to lose several of their tribesmen
that were thought to have murdered whites
during the Blackhawk War. Iowa became
a state in 1846 and the Native Americans
were moved by troops from Fort Atkinson,
Iowa to Minnesota. This went on again and
again totaling a number of five times with the
following states involved which included Iowa,
Minnesota, South Dakota and currently located
in Northeastern Nebraska.
A great deal of information can be found on Waverly. As the county seat, it is the
most populated city in Bremer County, but still with a modest head count of about
9,100 people. Some interesting facts found were the current Waverly House/
Bremer County Historical Society Museum was built in 1862 as the first large
hotel and stagecoach stop in the area. The motel has had a long life and I am
sure has seen many things over the years. It is now a home for pioneer artifacts.
If you have interest in pioneer artifacts this would a place to kick out the kick
stand and stretch your legs for a bit.
Sumner is home to one of the few remaining ambulance companies in the
United States. There are only a couple dozen builders of ambulances that
are in business in the US today. Lifeline is one such company. They take
modified cab and chassis units, and then custom build the aluminum box with
all of the cabinets and accessories to produce an ambulance ready to be sold
to customers. When it is built, wired, equipped, and ready to go, it gets a nifty
paint job, and on to the customer. Their units are bought by Cities, Counties, Fire
Departments, EMS services, and other entities across the country. The squads
are then equipped locally and put on the street. We have both worked in the
back of a Lifeline ambulance that was manufactured right here in Iowa. If you are
ever in Sumner, stop by and check out how an ambulance is made. Hopefully it
will be the only time you see the inside of one.
Another point of interest in the Emergency Services world is right north of the fire
station in Waverly. All over this state we have true volunteerism of Firefighters
and Emergency Medical Service personal. Without these volunteers stepping
forward and giving of their time to train, protect, teach and provide a service to
the general public we would truly be at a loss. As volunteers, this is done without
any pay or compensation or at best a token amount. This area is no different
in Waverly, Iowa. Here is located a Fire Fighters Museum. This four thousand
square foot building that is adjacent to the towns fire department houses some
of the equipment of the fire service of days gone by. This museum is owned and
operated by the Volunteer Firefighters and is a pretty neat stopping point.
Next month we are off to Buchanan County! tt
References available upon request.
www.thunderroadsiowa.com
FEBRUARY 2011 TRM - 7
Military Riders
Ten Top Up & Coming Country Songs for 2009
10. I Hate Every Bone In Her Body But Mine.
9. I Ain’t Never Gone To Bed With An Ugly Woman; But I Woke Up With a
Few.
8. If The Phone Don’t Ring, You’ll Know It’s Me.
7. I’ve Missed You, But My Aim’s Improvin’.
6. Wouldn’t Take Her To A Dogfight ‘Cause I’m Scared She’d Win.
5. I’m So Miserable Without You.... It’s Like You’re Still Here.
4. My Wife Ran Off With My Best Friend And I Miss Him.
3. She Took My Ring and Gave Me the Finger.
2. She’s Lookin’ Better with Every Beer.
And the Number One Country & Western song is...
1. It’s Hard To Kiss The Lips At Night That Chewed My Ass All Day.
Yesterday I had a flat tire on the interstate.
So I eased my car over to the shoulder of the road, carefully got out of the
car and opened the trunk.
I took out 2 cardboard men, unfolded them and stood them at the rear of
my car facing oncoming traffic. They look so lifelike you wouldn’t believe!
They are in trench coats exposing their nude bodies and private parts to the
approaching drivers.
I started to change my tire, and to my surprise, cars started slowing down
looking at my lifelike men. And of course, traffic started backing up.
Everybody was tooting their horns and waving like crazy. It wasn’t long
before a state trooper pulled up behind me.
He got out of his car and started walking towards me. I could tell he was
not a happy camper!
“What’s going on here?”
“My car has a flat tire,” I said calmly.
“Well, what are those obscene cardboard men doing here by the road?”
I couldn’t believe that he didn’t know. So I told him, “Hello-o-o-o-o-o, those
are my emergency flashers!”
A guy is 72 years old and loves to fish. He was sitting in his boat the
other day when he heard a voice say, ‘Pick me up. ’He looked around and
couldn’t see any one. He thought he was dreaming when he heard the voice
say again, ‘Pick me up.’ He looked in the water and there, floating on the top,
was a frog. The man said, ‘Are you talking to me?’ The frog said, ‘Yes, I’m
talking to you. Pick me up then, kiss me and I’ll turn into the most beautiful
woman you have ever seen. I’ll make sure that all your friends are envious
and jealous because I will be your bride!’
The man looked at the frog for a short time, reached over, picked it up
carefully, and placed it in his front pocket. The frog said, ‘What, are you
nuts? Didn’t you hear what I said? I said kiss me and I will be your beautiful
bride, forever and ever.’
He opened his pocket, looked at the frog and said, ‘Nah, at my age I’d
rather have a cool, talking frog.’
(* With Age Comes Wisdom.)
8 - TRM FEBRUARY 2011
Once upon a time a man appeared in a village and announced to the
villagers that he would buy monkeys for $10 each.
The villagers, seeing that there were many monkeys around, went out to
the forest and started catching them. The man bought thousands at $10
and, as supply started to diminish, the villagers stopped their effort. He next
announced that he would now buy monkeys at $20 each. This renewed the
efforts of the villagers and they started catching monkeys again. Soon the
supply diminished even further and people started going back to their farms.
The offer increased to $25 each and the supply of monkeys became so
scarce it was an effort to even find a monkey, let alone catch it!
The man now announced that he would buy monkeys at $50 each! However,
since he had to go to the city on some business, his Assistant would buy on
his behalf. In the absence of the man, the Assistant told the villagers: “Look
at all these monkeys in the big cage that the man has already collected. I
will sell them to you at $35 and when the man returns from the city, you can
sell them to him for $50 each.” The villagers rounded up all their savings
and bought all the monkeys for 700 billion dollars. They never saw the man
or his Assistant again, only lots and lots of monkeys! Now…….. you have
a better understanding of how the WALL STREET BAILOUT PLAN works.
A magician landed a good gig on a cruise ship.
The audience was different each week so the magician did the same tricks
over and over again. There was only one problem: The captain’s parrot saw
the shows each week and began to understand how the magician did every
trick. Once he understood, he started shouting in the middle of the show,
‘Look, it’s not the same hat!’ or, ‘Look, he’s hiding the flowers under the
table!’ or ‘Hey, why are all the cards the ace of spades?’
The magician was furious but couldn’t do anything.
It was, after all, the captain’s parrot.
Then one stormy night on the Pacific, the ship unfortunately sank, drowning
almost all who were on board. The magician luckily found himself on a piece
of wood floating in the middle of the sea, as fate would have it ... with the
parrot. They stared at each other with hatred, but did not utter a word. This
went on for a day... and then 2 days and then 3 days. Finally on the 4th
day, the parrot could not hold back any longer and said .... ‘OK, I give up.
Where’s the f****in’ ship?’
other than American Made in his garage. He joined the Marine Corp
in 1951, and then when on leave, had a serious motorcycle accident,
and was discharged because of it. He stayed in and worked in Vinton
and began his life. Riding motorcycles, becoming a car racing fan, and
riding and racing whenever he got the chance became his passions.
He would ride with friends, and travel to the local dirt track, Knoxville,
and even Daytona when he could to take in the races. He still attends
regularly at the local track in Vinton during the summer, cheering on
Modified driver Scott Hogan and others.
This month we bring you Dick Bridge from Vinton, Iowa as the featured
military rider of the month. He is 80 years young, and has lived in Vinton
in Benton County his entire life, with the exception of his 2 years of
Military service. He was a Corporal in the Marines that served in 1952
and 1953. He was stationed at both San Diego and the Great Lakes
during his tour, and his primary MOS was performing small arms repair.
After the Military, he worked and retired from his work as a janitor at the
Vinton School. He is still a member of the American Legion in Vinton.
Dick no longer rides, and has not regularly for quite some time, but still
has a love for motorcycles. This past summer one of his friends got a
new bike, and gave him a ride, Dick stated “Sure a lot different ride than
my old ’39 EL.” That 39 was one of his former bikes, as well as owning
a 1951 61, a 1947 74, and even a little 165 Pacer. He has some very
interesting stories, and is quite the historian for the Vinton area, among
other things. If you want to try to glean some of this information from
this cool cat, you can find him every morning at the Ron-Da-Voo in
Vinton at 9 am for coffee. Friends state that if there were a club for
good old guys, that Dick could be the President!
If you see Dick out and about, give him a nice Veteran’s wave, and if
you get a chance, shake his hand and thank him for his service. Ride
Free Thanks to our Military!
We first had contact with this gentleman via a phone call quite a few
months back. He just wanted to pass on that he liked the magazine,
and was very helpful with some hints for places to go in Benton County.
Later he sent us a four page hand written letter about more interesting
stuff in and around Vinton, as well as a couple of pictures of him on past
motorcycles that he has owned. It was not that he wanted or needed
anything, but just sharing life stories and some interesting things in his
area. We fully encourage this, and really got a kick out of his photos
and correspondence. We know a couple of people in Vinton, and we
gathered some information to do our military write up about Dick this
month. Thanks Larry and Tom!
Dick was raised on a farm northeast of Vinton, graduated High School
there, and became a member of the Vinton Motorcycle Club. He was
always a Harley rider, and still to this day has a strong feeling of always
buying American. His friends state that there has never been anything
M.B., an energized and horny legend of 75, walks into his local Community
Bank and notices that the new Receptionist is quite fetching. He walks up
to Shayne, the bank President and inquires, “Quite the pretty lass you have
hired on…..what’s her name? Shayne dryly replies, “Really, M.B., the girl is
only 22!”, and M.B. never missing a stroke replies, “Oh, that’s too bad. Does
she have a younger sister?”.
HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY TO ALL YOU SEXY LADIES
WHO HAPPEN TO LOVE CHROME !
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FEBRUARY 2011 TRM - 9
It’s important for you to know who your friends are
out there when you hit the road! Welcome to our
Biker Friendly Directory. The following is a list of
our establishments throughout Iowa that want you
to know that they’re here for YOU. Whether it’s a
bike dealer, service shop, restaurant, bar or any
other type of business that welcomes our biking
community through their doors, you can count on
our family of friends to always welcome you in. The
staff here at Thunder Roads greatly appreciates
our advertiser’s support each month- they are the
sole financial supporters of this magazine. WE
WOULD NOT EXIST WITHOUT THEM! So please
give them the support that they truly deserve for
being with us & drop by to see them for a visit. Let
them know that you saw them here in Thunder
Roads. If you know a business that would like to
join our Thunder Roads family of Biker Friendly
Places, please give us a call at 712-249-5630 or
email [email protected]
Shops & Fabricators
Batt’s Cycle
American V-Twin Service
1006 Linn Street
Boone, Iowa 50036
515-298-0375
[email protected]
www.battscycle.com
Twisted Grip Cycle
Your Dynojet & Tire Center
2444 L Avenue (I-29 & 25th St. Exit)
Council Bluffs, Iowa 51501
712-256-7323
[email protected]
Throttle Shop LLC
1988 Arion Avenue
Arion, Iowa 51520
712-674-3325
[email protected]
Trustworthy Cycles
3781 Balk Road
Fulton, Illinois 61252
563-249-1777
Specializing in Making the “Old Iron” Trustworthy
Bike Pit Motorcycle Services
2694 5th Ave, Building B-Unit 2
Marion, IA 52303
319-651-8835
[email protected]
Guthrie Auto Body
John Beer owner
1804 State Street
Guthrie Center, Iowa 50115
641-332-2484
10 - TRM FEBRUARY 2011
F & J Racing
Fred & Jackie Ingraham
701 N 3rd Ave
Marshalltown, Iowa 50158
641-752-8651
www.fandjracing.com
XTreme Cycle & Off Road
206 E Main St
Panora, Iowa 50216
641-755-4288
[email protected]
J & S Custom Cycles
Des Moines, Iowa
515-779-4632
M&M Garage
408 Market Street
Audubon, Iowa 50025
712-563-2425
[email protected]
Metal Ink
911 7th Street Ste 102
Harlan, Iowa 51537
712-235-2453
www.metalink.org
Nelson Machine & Forge
General Machining, Ornamental Iron, Weld/Fab
70 Washington Street
Marne, Iowa 51552
712-781-2220
Bail Bonds
Doc’s Bail Bonds
Your 24/7 Prescription to Freedom in Minutes
Adel, Iowa 50003
515-993-4773
Iowa Bail Bonds
200 4th Street
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 243-4411
Services
RJM Trucking
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
319-360-5433
Southwest Iowa Sandblasting
Mike Magers
65162 Oxford Rd
Atlantic, Iowa 50022
712-249-3995
BCS Computers
100 Industrial Road
Guthrie Center, Iowa 50115
641-747-3344
www.brubakercomputer.com
www.thunderroadsiowa.com
Biker Accessories
Leather & Hawgs
316 Main, Hornick, Iowa
121 1st St, Soldier, Iowa
[email protected]
www.leatherandhawgs.com
Crispy’s Biker Apparel
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
www.bncbikerwear.com
319-241-0916
Photo & Video
Thunder Illusions
Photo and Video
From Mild to Wild
Des Moines, Iowa
[email protected]
www.thunderillusions.com
Ulrich Photography
PO Box 1842
Clinton, Iowa 52733
563-243-8715
www.natanic.com
Dealers
Baxter Cycle
311 4th Street
Marne, Iowa 51552
712-781-2351
www.baxtercycle.com
Werner Cycle Works
14410 Frontier Road Exit 440 I-80
Omaha, NE 68138
(402) 894-3050
www.wernercycleworks.com
Carroll Cycle Center
1327 Plaza Dr
Carroll, Iowa
(712) 792-1610
www.carrollcycle.com
Big Barn Harley Davidson
I-80 Exit 135
Des Moines, Iowa
515-265-4444
www.bigbarnhd.com
Food & Drink
Sparetime Bar & Grill
136 West Main Street
Ute, Iowa 61060
712-885-2226
Doc’s Roadhouse
309 East 7th Street
Logan, Iowa 51543
712-644-3636
Open 365-8 am to Close
Off Sides Pizza
1119 Thomas Street
Redfield, Iowa 50233
515-833-2900
Thomas Street Tap
1109 Thomas Street
Redfield, Iowa 50233
515-833-2379
Montgomery Street Pub
207 East Montgomery Street
Creston Iowa 50801
641-782-2165
Sidetracked
206 West Union Street
Creston, Iowa 50801
641-782-8534
Wet Goods Food & Lounge
113 N. Chestnut Street
Jefferson, Iowa 50129
515-386-2111
Do Drop Inn
403 3rd Avenue
Under the Water Tower
Jamaica, Iowa 50128
515-314-0783
ToJo’s Jamaica Bar & Grill
408 Main
Jamaica, Iowa 50178
641-429-3007
[email protected]
Pearl Street Social Club
110 Pearl Street SW
Shellsburg, Iowa 52332
319-436-7100
Nitro’s Bar & Grill
310 Main Street
Gravity, Iowa 50848
641-418-0004
Home of Sunday-Funday
Rusty Duck Bar & Grill
723 Marshall Street
Dexter, Iowa 50070
Tue-Sat 4-10pm
515-789-4142
Quick Rick’s Rib Joint
406 East Lincoln Highway (Highway 30)
Missouri Valley, Iowa 51555
712-600-6161
Tue-Sun 11:00am-8:00pm
Beer Barn and Grill
226 State Street
Kirkman, Iowa 51447
712-766-3395
Open Mon 4, Tue-Sun at 11
Phil’s
20oz Prime Rib Friday Nights
9956 Swanson Blvd
Clive, Iowa
515-270-0959
Sambetti’s Bar and Grill
1430 2nd Avenue
Des Moines, Iowa 50314
515-245-9780
Mon-Sat 11a-2a, Sun 11a-7p
Texas Roadhouse
8744 Northpark Drive (I-80 at 86th street exit)
Johnston, Iowa 50131
515-251-4597
Escape Lounge
8843 Northpark Ct,
Johnston, IA 50131
515-276-2209
RJ’s Lounge
109 North Main Street
Conrad, IA
(641) 366-2687
Hours: Mon-Sat 10am-2am
Sunday 12pm-12am
The Haverhill Social Club
202 1st Street
Haverhill, IA 50120
(641) 475-3321
Hours: Mon-Sat 10am-2am
Sunday 12pm-12am
Riverside Tavern
450 E Main St
Lehigh IA, 50557
515-359-9998
Email: [email protected]
Good Sons
2815 Beaver Ave Ste 102
Des Moines, IA
(515) 681-5375
Papa Joe’s
117 South 6th Street
Missouri Valley, Iowa 51555
712-642-9015
Midway Tavern
206 1st Street, Soldier, Iowa
712-884-2230
www.midwaytavernsoldier.com
Tattoo
Corner Tap
35 North Center Street
Marshalltown, IA
(641) 753-9925
Hours: Mon-Sat 10am-2am
Sunday 12pm-2am
Crave Tattoo
201 S 12th Street
Fort Dodge, Iowa 51501
515-576-8289
FB Crave Tattoo, Inc.
Goat Ranch Saloon
105 South Main Street
Baxter, IA
(641) 227-3502
Bad Girlz Ink
1217 Willis
Perry, Iowa 50220
515-465-2205
O’Kelly’s
106 North Main Street
Baxter, IA 50028
(641) 227-3013
Attorneys
Screaming Eagle American Bar & Grill
228 East 4th Street
Waterloo, Iowa 50703
319-235-8865
www.partyattheeagle.com
Rumours Sports Bar & Grill
309 South 12th Ave. Place
Marshalltown, IA
(641) 752-5477
Steve Priske-Owner
14th Street Tavern
3418 East 14th Street
Des Moines, IA
(515) 266-3446
Open Weekdays 8am-2pm
Sat 10am-2pm and Sun 11am-2pm
www.thunderroadsiowa.com
AIM/NCOM
Richard M. Lester
800-531-2424 / 800-on-a-bike
www.onabike.com
Events
Across the Border Raid
Bedford, Iowa
August 4-6, 2011
Nitro’s Bike Rally
Gravity, Iowa
July 7-9, 2011
Circle of Pride
Conesville, Iowa
Hog Wild Rodeo May 26-28
Independence Bash July 1-2
T.I.T.S September 1-4
To buy ad space for your business or service in
our directory, give us call at 712-249-5630 or email
[email protected]
FEBRUARY 2011 TRM - 11
Girls Of Thunder
flying mango
restaurant
and catering
Dinner: Tuesday – Saturday from 5:00 PM
4345 Hickman Road, Des Moines, IA 50310
Reservation Requests and
Carry-Out: 515-255-4111
Renee Gross Ferguson
Harlan, Iowa
1992 Harley Softail
Laura Wine
Lake City, Iowa
2009 Harley Fat Bob
During my visits to places to eat and review, I’m
generally accompanied by my wife Lynnette and
frequently we are joined by tt and Vernon. Believe it or
not it’s difficult to find new and interesting places to go to
for review (the tendency is to be lazy and go to the usual
favorites). Since tt and Vernon were going to be in Des Moines anyway and
Lynnette would be flying back into Des Moines from a work conference in Dallas,
TX I would let the Schwartes decide on the venue for the evening’s culinary
delight. When Vernon called and said they had decided on a place called Flying
Mango, upon the recommendation of a friend, my first reaction was “Um, I’m not
really into fruit that much!” I refrained from expressing my feelings, determining
to keep an open mind, and immediately upon hanging up I went to the internet
to see what I could find out about this fruit place. My search landed me at the
restaurant’s web site, www.flyingmango.com. Check out their site for more info
Upon arrival at the restaurant’s location I found that this place is EXTREMELY
popular and has limited parking so a large majority of the parking is relegated
to the side streets so be prepared for a bit of a walk. When I drove past I
noticed an ambulance parked in the alley behind the restaurant... hmm, that’s
interesting! Upon investigation it used to be an ambulance, now it’s a novelty
vehicle used for catering... whew! You definitely want to make a reservation
here, as I mentioned this place is VERY popular and a wait for seating could
take a little while.
Customer service is the cornerstone of this establishment; the waitresses are
very helpful and friendly. The owner, Michael Wedeking, makes it a habit to
come out and interact with his customers... tell a few jokes, fix a wobbly table
and just make sure you are enjoying your meal (he also rides so he’s got to be
OK, right?)
Dixie Harrison
Anthon, Iowa
2005 Honda Shadow 500
Pat Staples
Carroll, Iowa
Black 2005 Yamaha V-Star
Are you from Iowa?
Are you a Girl of Thunder?
12 - TRM FEBRUARY 2011
Email us your pictures
(highest resolution possible) to
[email protected]
Be sure to include the year, make, and model of your ride and what
town you are from!!! Look for more Girls of Thunder next month.
www.thunderroadsiowa.com
delicious... the honey
butter was like the icing
on the cake! Lynnette
had the Big Chop and
I have to tell you it was
the largest chunk of pork
chop I have ever seen!
Although I had checked out the menu online ahead of time and had narrowed
my selection down to a couple of different dishes the final decision was still
difficult. The menu is packed with so many delectable dishes that even eeny,
meeny, miny, moe will land you on a delicious dish every time! My final selection
Looking for a meal of
was the Pick 3 BBQ platter so I could get a taste of more than just one dish.
fruit? Although the name may indicate it Flying Mango isn’t the place to go.
I chose ribs, chicken and brisket as my 3 BBQ selections. You also get your
However if you’re looking for an interesting change in your BBQ diet then Flying
choice of 2 side dishes of which I chose the cowboy beans and the cornbread
Mango should be your destination!
with honey butter. Allow me to start with the ribs, tender and tasty are the two
words that best describe them. The chicken was moist and tender and very
Until next month, ride safe and eat hearty!
delicious. The brisket was fall-apart-with-your-fork... no-knife-required tender
Craig Little
and delectably tasty. As long as I’m talking about meat I would like to touch on
the homemade sauce in the squirt bottle on each table, this stuff is amazing! It
[email protected]
can be put on any of the meat and it actually enhances the flavor of anything
PS If you have someplace you think we should check out in your neck of the
it’s applied to. The cowboy beans is a mixture of several different types of
woods, shoot me an email.
beans in a sauce, they were awesome and the cornbread was mouthwateringly
FEBRUARY 2011 TRM - 13
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Let There Be Rock!
If you are anything like me, I like to have music on all the time. I have a system in my
house, and, of course, in my car
and I listen to my iPod while I’m
on a plane. I like my music…
I really, really like my music. What better way to enjoy
life then listening to your
favorite artists while riding
your motorcycle?
jam out to your favorite tunes.
Upgrading your speakers in you motorcycle
can be a great way to
maximize the stereo
system currently on your bike and increase your enjoyment cruising down the
highway. Doesn’t matter if you are rocking out to some AC/DC and Uncle Ted
Nugent, feeling the base with some Gucci Mane, or keeping the rhythm to Lady
A. There are some great manufacturers of some high quality speakers out there
such as, Hogtunes, Harley-Davidson’s BOOM Audio, J&M, Hawg Wired, Kicker,
and many others.
The most popular brand now is Hogtunes. They cover everything from simple replacement speakers for around $100 to complete amplified upgraded systems for
$550. The most popular speakers we sell are Amp and Front Speaker kit for the
FLHX, FLHTC and FLTR/X models and the “3-Way for the Freeway” Complete Six
Speaker kit for the FLHTCU, FLHTK, and FLTRU. The Amp and Front Speaker
kit includes 24 watt x 2-channel amplifier with a pair of their high quality replacement front speakers. This kit can increase your sound level up to 50% over stock.
The six speaker kit includes all four replacement speakers, fairing lower speakers
with proper hardware, and a MAXXBASS amp to power all four front speakers. If
you see Vernon out and about ask him what he thinks of this kit. He runs the Six
Speaker kit on his FLHTK along with the Hogtunes “Hog-Pod”. The Hog-Pod is
a complete add on tweeter kit that drastically improves your high-end sound and
after being installed on your motorcycle looks like it came there from the factory.
If you’re worried about it looking out of place on your painted inner fairing it can
be easily disassembled and painted to match. Hogtunes also has speaker kits for
the bikes without radios so that you can plug your iPod or other MP3 player in as
you travel down the road.
J&M have been making speaker since the 1960’s. They have always been an
excellent quality product and keep adding and changing their speakers to keep
up with needs and trends. Their new BIG thing now is the 7 ¼” upgraded fairing
speakers instead of the 5 ¼” from the factory. These are the largest speakers that
can be installed into OEM Harley fairings and come with an adapter to be able
to mount to the 5 ¼ mounting hole. They carry a 140 watt max power per speaker and the tweeters are mounted in the grille work instead of the center of the
speaker itself. When installed with their 250 watt amp that puts out 125Wx2 they
can put some serious vibrations in the air. And if that isn’t enough for you Hells
Foundry has what they call the “Woof Pak” which is an 8” JL Audio subwoofer and
200 Watt amplifier in a custom enclosure that fits right into your tour-pak and still
leaves plenty of room for your other belongings. If they can’t hear your exhaust
they will be able to hear your radio coming down the road.
These are just a few your options of better sound systems available for your bike. I
have covered the choices I think are some of the best on the market. Come into
Carroll Cycle Center and witness the Six Speaker kit by Hogtunes and the BOOM
Audio system in person; we have both options installed in bikes on the show floor. We are also here to answer your questions
and help you make the best choice for you
and your bike. So when spring comes, do
Ozzy proud and wave the devil horns while
listening to a fantastic system on your bike.
Tony Parts Manager,
Carroll Cycle Center
Harley-Davidson’s Boom Audio is another heavy hitter on the market. Released
just last year, I’ve been getting some good feedback on these. Simply switching out the factory speakers has been a huge improvement. With their new 40
watt per channel amplifier on the Tour-Pak equipped models your system will be
distortion-free at freeway speed. This year they also released the BOOM Audio
Cruiser Amp and Speaker Kit that mounts two 3.5” speakers on your handlebars
or the windshield mounted version that you can hook up to any MP3 player and
www.thunderroadsiowa.com
FEBRUARY 2011 TRM - 15
16 - TRM FEBRUARY 2011
www.thunderroadsiowa.com
www.thunderroadsiowa.com
FEBRUARY 2011 TRM - 17
Bike: 2010 Ness Jackpot
Model: Sarah Langfeldt
Photo: V
IOWA
February2011

March 125:00 pm
Ladies only event for potential riders
North Iowa Motorcycle Expo 2010 ~ April 10th-11th, 2010
It’s no secret that
wintertime through out the
Midwest can get pretty
hairy. Folks in Iowa know
this all too well and have
dealt with their share of
mountainous snow falls
and bitter cold, so come
the first part of April, the
season’s change is in
the air and cabin fever
has made us all a little
crazy-er! It’s not unusual to see a few snowflakes this time of year, but by April
spring fever sets in, and it’s hard to keep us biker folk locked up in a cage any
longer!
For many years, folks with ABATE of Iowa’s District 7 have hosted their annual
Northern Iowa Motorcycle Expo on the 2nd weekend in April, which always keeps
folks watching the weather man. Past years have shown the frigid face of old
man winter, which is why the event is held indoors at the North Iowa Fairgrounds
in Mason City, Iowa. This past year’s event took place April 10th-11th, but for a
change in pace, the weather couldn’t have been better. It’s pretty safe to say that
more people attended the event on 2 wheels, rather than 4, which made for some
show quality bikes sitting outside in the sunshine too.
The show is housed in two buildings on the grounds, with the swap meet
and vendor area in the main building, where vendors packed into every nook
and cranny of the joint. Any unusual parts, leather goods, biker artwork, and
accessories could be found, with DJ music all weekend, along with food and cold
beer served all day. The crowds rolled in on Saturday to witness the excellent
assortment of artwork on display in the tattoo contest, and rumor has it that a few
ladies might’ve shown some ink in unmentionable areas of their shapely bodies
after the show.
The town of Mason City opened up its doors for bikers, and the local watering
holes were happy to keep folks entertained. There’s a killer bar-b-q joint just down
the road, and if the beers hadn’t been flowing so heavily, a fella might remember
the name of that particular establishment. Oh well, guess they should’ve combined
the place with a titty bar, ‘cause just the other direction sits a hole in the wall called
Willow Run. Now, after a few too many cocktails a handful of hotties decided to
bare some chest hair for any watching soul, so a person can’t forget the name of a
fine establishment like that! Come Sunday morning back at the Expo, folks showed signs that they must’ve
tied it on a bit too hard, ‘cause a best beard contest was slated, but cancelled for
lack of contestants. But then again, with the weekend’s warm weather, all the
20 - TRM FEBRUARY 2011
www.thunderroadsiowa.com
Develop skills, meet new friends
feel comfortable with the
sport of motorcycling.
For any woman who is looking to take
the next step to get behind the handlebars…
Space is limited. RSVP Required.
(515) 265-4 4 4 4
Big-Barn Harley-Davidson®
81 NW 49th Place
Des Moines, IA 50313
www.bigbarnhd.com
hairy biker folks might’ve shaved their winter
coats. That’s OK though, ‘cause over in the
bike show building a couple of long legged
brunettes were spotted prancing around the
place, and stopping to pose on folks rides,
and for some reason they really took a liking
to a killer Triumph chopper!
Bike show awards were handed out around
3PM Sunday, with nearly every contestant
taking home a trophy. Shouts need to go
out to Kent Clemons, Mike Cmelik, Phil
McCormick, and the numerous volunteers
from District 7 that make this happen every
year. Oh shit, just about forgot to mention
that blonde babe in the pink dress who was
handing out trophies. Damn sure wish I
could remember her name!
This year’s Expo will be held at the same
location, on April 9th-10th. For more info
contact Mike at 641-529-0466.
We Do Custom: Hats, Can Cozies, T/shirts, Patches etc..
We also Offer Leather Repair & Sewing..
(319) 241-0916
Nate Ullrich (www.natanic.com)
www.thunderroadsiowa.com
FEBRUARY 2011 TRM - 21
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News Bytes
RIDER TRAINING TRUMPS RIDING EXPERIENCE
A new study utilizing a motorcycle simulator has found that formal
advanced training is better than the school of Hard Knocks
regarding how a rider reacts to emergency situations on the road.
A Triumph mounted on a custom rig designed and built at the
University Nottingham’s Centre for Motorcycle Ergonomics & Rider
Human Factors in England was used to investigate the attitudes,
behaviors and skills of different types of riders according to their
level of experience and training, with simulation software projecting
different riding scenarios onto a large screen in front of the rider.
Three groups; novice, experienced and those who had taken
advanced motorcycle training, were put through identical scenarios
on the simulator as well as other tasks in the laboratory to test
aspects of their hazard perception and behavior.
The researchers discovered that experience on its own does not
necessarily make riders safer on the road, while those riders who
had taken advanced motorcycle safety training used better road
positioning to anticipate and respond to hazards, kept to urban
speed limits, and actually made better progress through bends than
the other groups of novice and experienced bikers.
“This is one of the most in-depth studies of its kind ever conducted,”
said Dr. Alex Stedmon from the Human Factors Research Group.
“Whilst experience seems to help develop rider skills to an extent,
advanced training appears to develop deeper levels of awareness,
perception and responsibility,” Stedmon noted. “It also appears to
make riders better urban riders and quicker, smoother and safer
riders in rural settings.”
Amendment rights to due process, equal protection and freedom
from unreasonable searches and seizures.”
NTSB CALLS FOR STATES TO REQUIRE HELMETS
The National Transportation Safety Board stated on Tuesday,
November 19, that all states should require riders to wear federally
approved helmets.
Christopher A. Hart, the NTSB’s vice chairman, called motorcycle
accidents ”a public health issue.” and said that helmet laws have
been added for the first time to the NTSB’s “Most Wanted List” of
safety improvement priorities. The list is considered a powerful tool
by which the NTSB forces legislative change.
But highway safety laws are largely left up to the states, which have
been increasingly resistant to many federal recommendations,
and the transportation agency’s appeal comes at a time when
motorcycle deaths have actually been on the decrease since 2009.
This is not the first time there has been federal pressure exerted on
states to pass helmet laws. In the late 1960s, Congress threatened
to withhold highway funding for states failing to adopt universal
helmet laws, and within a few years almost every state had a
helmet mandate.
But by the late 1970s, political resistance and pressure from
motorcycle groups convinced Congress to break the link between
motorcycle laws and federal highway funds, and over half the states
repealed their helmet laws.
NHTSA STILL PUSHING MOTORCYCLE-ONLY
CHECKPOINTS NATIONWIDE
In 1991, Congress decided to try again, offering safety grants to
states that enforced helmet and seatbelt laws. States that didn’t
enforce such laws had three percent of their federal highway money
redirected to their highway safety programs. Still, only two states
re-instituted helmet laws and by 1995 the federal effort was again
overturned and five more states soon repealed their helmet laws.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has
ignored congressional requests to halt or delay a plan to implement
and fund motorcycle-only checkpoints nationwide.
Today, only 20 states require all riders to wear helmets, and last
year more state legislatures considered laws to repeal helmet laws
than to enact them.
The first federally-funded checkpoints, dubbed “roadside
motorcycle safety checkpoints,” will be launched by the Georgia
Department of Public Safety, via a NHTSA grant to the Georgia
State Patrol. NHTSA has implemented the checkpoint funding
plan despite being asked by members of Congress not to fund the
program until the merits were explained.
Forcing states to implement safety regulations is not territory the
safety board want to enter, according to Steve Blackistone, NTSB’s
state and local government relations specialist, who said “We are
not prescriptive; we cannot mandate implementation.”
NHTSA has requested applications from law enforcement agencies
across the country to conduct “safety checks” that specifically target
motorcyclists to pull aside for a lengthy inspection of their vehicle,
equipment and paperwork.
The New York State Police have been conducting motorcycleonly checkpoints since 2007, often targeting major motorcycle
events such as Americade. Seeking a legal remedy to stop the
constitutionally questionable roadblocks, Aid to Injured Motorcyclists
(A.I.M.) Attorney Mitchell Proner of NYC has filed a class action
lawsuit against the NYSP and New York State on behalf of ABATE
of New York and the National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM).
Proner believes the Federal Court will agree that the stops are
designed primarily for law enforcement purposes as opposed to
public safety purposes. “Rather than promoting any legitimate
public safety concern, the checkpoints are intended to harass
and intimidate motorcyclists attempting to attend motorcycle
events thereby depriving them of their First Amendment right to
freedom of assembly as well as their Fourth, Fifth and Fourteenth
22 - TRM FEBRUARY 2011
News Bytes
But on the same day as the NTSB proclamation, the insurance
industry advocacy group Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
called upon Congress to observe the NTSB recommendation and
“enact federal legislation that would result in all states adopting allrider helmet use laws.”
NEW JERSEY ESTABLISHES STRINGENT
GUIDELINES FOR NEW RIDERS
A measure sponsored by Senator Nicholas J. Sacco, chairman
of the Senate Transportation Committee, which would establish
safety guidelines for new motorcycle riders in the Garden State was
approved by the Assembly recently by a vote of 67-7.
The bill, S-736, would enact several motorcycle safety regulations,
including a tiered licensing provision. Under the bill, if a person is
issued a motorcycle license for a vehicle with a smaller-size engine
-- less than 231 cubic centimeters -- they would be legally prohibited
from operating a motorcycle with an engine displacement of more than
500 cc. Senator Sacco said that this provision would ensure that new
motorcycle riders are restricted from operating vehicles with engines
www.thunderroadsiowa.com
that are too powerful for that driver’s skill level.
Among other provisions, the bill would also require all applicants
under the age of 18 to complete a motorcycle safety program as a
condition for licensure or endorsement.
The bill was approved by the Senate by a vote of 31-3 on August
23, but must be returned to consider Assembly amendments which
were largely technical in nature. If approved in the Senate, it would
head to the Governor to be signed into law.
MOTORCYCLE SALES DOWN, RIDERSHIP UP
Motorcycle sales continue to be hard hit, despite the declared end
to the recession, but according to the Motorcycle Industry Council
there are other indicators that point to a brighter future for the twowheel industry.
Although year-to-date market data reveals an 18.3% drop in new
unit sales, tire sales are up 6.6% in 2010 versus 2009, indicating
motorcyclists are still enthusiastic about the sport and riding.
In addition, motorcycle miles travelled increased by “approximately
5% last year, some 1.3 billion more miles than in 2008,” according
to the MIC’s 2009 Motorcycle Owner Survey.
“In many ways, we are better poised for a comeback than ever,”
said Ty van Hooydonk, communications director for the council.
CHINA BECOMES THE WORLD’S LARGEST
MOTORCYCLE PRODUCER
China has now overtaken Japan as the largest producer of
motorcycles in the world. Yearly, 50 million motorcycles are produced
worldwide, and China now produces at least 27.5 million of that figure
or a little more than 50% of the total world production. China has
already taken over the top spot in world automobile production by
producing more cars than Japan and the U.S. combined.
Interestingly, some historic American companies like HarleyDavidson are moving ahead for plans to produce motorcycles in
China, but whether they will be exported to the U.S. or simply sold
in this Asian market is not quite known yet.
The city of Chongqing has become China’s motorcycle production
center, with more than 10 million motorcycles a year coming out of
this modern city alone. In fact, four of five of the largest Chinese
motorcycle brands that produce over 1 million units a year come
out of this city. China has more than 130 motorcycle brands.
Expect to see more powerful and modern motorcycles coming
from China as this nation seeks to become the largest and most
powerful economy in the world.
WEIRD NEWS: HEAD GAMES
In Lagos, Nigeria, motorcycle taxis called “okada” are so dangerous
in that local hospitals have special orthopedic wards meant just
for people who have suffered accidents while riding them. So
you’d think a law requiring passengers to wear helmets would be
welcomed.
But it turns out that, for many Nigerians, the only thing scarier than
a motorcycle taxi is a motorcycle helmet. Many people refuse to
wear them out of fear of juju, or supernatural powers. Some fret
that previous passengers may have put nefarious juju spells on
the helmets to steal someone’s good fortune, or to make a person
disappear in order to be used in a sacred ritual.
“Our people are quite superstitious about anything dealing with their
head,” says Ralph Ibuzo, who created the “Original Lapa Guard”,
a cloth cap that he claims can protect wearers from disease and
sudden disappearance. “People believe that if you put on a helmet,
[others] can take away your brain, or your good luck,” he told the
Wall Street Journal, so the hygienic cap provides a thin layer of
separation between the head and a helmet full of potential trouble.
Aside from preventing paranormal paranoia, Mr. Ibuzo also has the
law on his side as this sub-Saharan city enacted a traffic regulation
last year that requires okada passengers to don helmets. But
despite efforts at enforcement by city officials and traffic police,
most passengers refuse to wear them out of concern about juju,
widely feared throughout West Africa.
QUOTABLE QUOTE: “The two enemies of the people are criminals
and government, so let us tie the second down with the chains of
the constitution so the second will not become the legalized version
of the first.”
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FEBRUARY 2011 TRM - 23
ABATE
readers’ submissions
Dream Rider
Update
To start I would like to wish everyone a late Merry Christmas and
a Happy New Year! The start of new Legislative decisions is upon us and we need to
stay alert. There are many new people in the State House and
we need to watch them closely. Lately, there has been much talk
about a helmet bill and we need to keep a watchful eye to ensure it
remains just talk. I would like to encourage you all to join ABATE of Iowa if you are not
already a member. After you join, make a point to attend your local
meetings and see what ABATE is doing to protect your rights. Come
and help us as we fight for Iowa to remain a helmet free state. Your
rights are on the line here. I hope you all have a good and safe year ahead, Assistant State Coordinator
Abate of Iowa
Steven “Rambo” Schilmoeller
It’s probably a fairly safe assumption that if you are reading this you survived the Christmas holidays. There we are, in the middle of everything,
focused on Christmas and the twelve gazillion parties and get - togethers
and all of a sudden -bam - it’s over and time again to get the calendars
out and start planning a new year. It’s time to start the process of deciding
where to go, who and what to see, what worked and what didn’t. As the
sage American philosopher Clint Eastwood so aptly put it, “A man’s got to
know his limitations.’’
CMA starts the New Year with regional and state meetings that are designed to get everyone on the same path. I was asked to put together a
class for one of these on road captains for some of the new chapter officers coming on and I got thinking about the journey of life and the parallels
between the natural and the spiritual.
In the beginning there is preparation and planning to get ready and to
know where we are going. A good road captain knows the route; he has
traveled the path and is aware of the dangers. He has great concern for
his riders, he knows where they are, their ride levels and the condition of
their equipment. He is a good communicator before, during, and after with
words, signals, and by overall example. A good road captain also knows
the value of having other experienced riders along to help watch and instruct the novices. The safety and well being of the riders is important. You
have to remember that Sportster tanks don’t go as far on gas as a Road
King, and that ladies like more bathroom stops, which is okay because it
promotes visiting and bonding along the way. Flexibility is important because you have so many variables to take into account. No matter how
well you plan there is the unforeseen that may manifest as break downs,
illnesses, and the inevitable changing weather. The group needs to talk
at rest stops to see how everyone is doing, if there are potential problems
ahead, and what is coming up along the road.
You may have seen the patch around that says “Jesus is my road captain”. It’s important that we have him leading us in this journey. He has
gone before us to scout the route. He came as a baby, lived life, was
tempted in all ways that we have been and then he provided a safe way
home. He is not limited in the ways of our natural Road Captains. Being
omnipresent and omniscient, Jesus knows where we are at all times and
that we are in different places. He can handle that and knows exactly what
we need for our situation, whatever we may be facing.
The book of Jeremiah says, “ For I know the plans I have for you says the
Lord, They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future
and a hope’. He cares for us. So as we look forward to a new season,
whatever your situation now or down the road, don’t forget where to look
for help and direction. God is bigger than all your problems whatever they
may be. He has seen it all before and has made a way for us all. Look to
Jesus.
Like a lover
Sneaking looks
Through cracked doors
Separating me
From dream filled desires.
Shafts of light Cut through
half dark spaces
chrome and polish
Reflecting rhythms in my soul. Impatiently
She rests
With haunting need
To find Open air and flowing roads.
In reluctance
I resist
Mounting her
and awakening
Memories of motion and sound.
My needs
Outweigh cold
But ice
And snow
Rule reason this day. With remorse
And determination
I avert my eyes
Stepping away
From her insistent calling.
Soon I lie
To her and I
We shall Once again
Share entwined adventures.
Behind the door
My partner anxiously
Awaits
As dreams of escape and explored
limits take me away.
EAR
Everybody
has a story!
Another year has ended,
A new one just begun.
How many lives were given,
For how many battles won?
It seems never ending,
The “casualties” of war.
When will the World stand up and say,
“We won’t take it anymore”?
We all pray for miracles.
Not just now, but everyday.
It shouldn’t take a miracle,
To make war go away.
Why can’t we all just get along?
How often someone says those words.
It takes a conscience effort,
To be seen…and not just heard.
Dana Vincent
Join Thunder Roads®
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(highest resolution possible) via email
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We want to hear your tales of the road. If you
would like to have your story published in Thunder
Roads Iowa send it our way!
Blessings,
Mark
Mark and Karla Cornick
are Area Reps with the
Christian Motorcyclists
Association. Find out more
about CMA and God’s plan
for you at www.cmausa.org.
24 - TRM FEBRUARY 2011
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FEBRUARY 2011 TRM - 25
From the Woman’s Seat
ride down to Hamburg, Iowa and back
to Omaha. It was a great time and all
of the ladies were awesome. We bonded and
ended up doing a few rides together that year.
My name is Gretchen... (G for short).
This year will be my fourth year riding solo. I ride a 2001 Fat Boy. This
was the bike I started on and have loved every minute riding. I’ve always
known that I would someday have and ride my own Harley. I had met a
woman rider named Lisa a few years back and was so envious of her. I
think I told her once “I want to be just like you”. She would tell her story
about how she started riding and she seemed so confident and secure
with herself, I knew in the back of my mind that someday I WILL riding. I
think if you set your mind to something you will always find a way to make
it happen. It may take a while but it is well worth the wait.
I was a passenger for a couple of years and loved being able to go for
rides. But after awhile (being the Miss Independent that I am) I just didn’t
feel like waiting around for someone to take me out for rides. I wanted to
go when I wanted to go. So I bought my bike, yes I did that first, took the
Riders Edge class and have been riding ever since. What an experience
that class was. I was the only female in the class. It was so cold that
weekend and I think it was even sleeting during our riding time. I wanted
to quit so bad. But I couldn’t be a wimp in front of the guys and my Bad
Ass bike was waiting for me in the garage. So I passed the class and got
my endorsement!! The first year I started riding I had no women rider
friends. I always rode with the boys. Fortunately my riding partner was
very understanding to my learning needs. He let me take my time and
always had helpful advice.
During the following year I would meet a new lady rider who
would come through the dealership just about every week if
not more. So for the 2nd annual ride I had a signup sheet a few
months in advance, hoping to get at least 25 ladies signed up,
then when that number quickly got filled my goal was 50. But by the time
May rolled around, I had just about 100 ladies wanting to join in on the
ride!!!! It officially ended up being 50 ladies because it was soooooo cold!
It was a great day though. We had a light breakfast, took some cool group
pictures then had a police cruiser escort us up to 72nd and Harrison.
What a great feeling that was. I had goose bumps seeing all of the ladies
in my rear view mirror all the way down 72nd. It was an awesome sight to
see. The day was great and the sun finally came out when we got to our
final destination, Route 66 for our after party which we had an all women’s
band “The Clincher” playing for us. It was such a great time.
Molly’s 30th Feb 5th
Live Music Feb 12th
Tim’s B-Day Party Feb 26th
I cannot wait for our 3rd ride coming up in May 2011 on the 14th. I am
so fortunate to have met so many great women. It is unbelievable when
I think about how many of us are out there living our dream. It’s not a
“men’s” only world anymore in the biker community. I often find that the
women are doing more RIDING then the men. Don’t get me wrong fellas,
I love riding with you too. It’s just a great feeling to know that there are so
many of us out there and we are all sisters with a common bond. Keep
riding ladies and keep building those friendships.
It is never too late in life to start riding. If it is something you can dream
about, it is definitely something you can make happen. I am so excited
for future rides and being able to be involved in LOH (Ladies of Harley)
this year. I was nominated by the Omaha/Council Bluffs chapter to be the
LOH Officer. One thing I have learned about the biker community, men
and women riders are the most caring generous people when It comes to
helping people out in need. I plan on giving as much to the community as
I can in my new position. I can’t wait to meet more of you lady riders and
you always have a riding partner as long as I’m on two wheels.
Peace Out, Ride Safe. G.
The more and more I became confident with my riding ability the more
and more I started wondering…….where are all the ladies at, I know I’m
not the only one out here. Having the advantage for working at the Holstein’s Harley Davidson dealership, I started noticing and meeting more
and more lady riders. After talking with some of the ladies it sounded as if
a lot of them were longing for a connection with other women riders also.
So I had this idea of getting a ride together just for women to meet other
women riders and maybe build friendships, support systems and have
some riding buddies. Our first year we had 17 lady riders on our run. It
was a beautiful day in May. We picked May because it is Lady Riders
Month. With the help of my very first lady rider friend Marge (my very own
personal GPS) who helped me with mapping out the route, we had a nice
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FEBRUARY 2011 TRM - 27
Girls ride too
ditch my beautiful, unmarked, not-a-scratch-onit, Sporty flew. I skid across the pavement on
my knee and left hip. And I cried.
My boyfriend, Kevin (49 years old) and I (50
years old) decided to buy Harley motorcycles
the winter of 2008. My initial motive was to
be able to ride with my son, who has ridden
motorcycles for years. June 2008, he was
deployed to Iraq for 18 months with the Iowa
National Guard. I wanted to spend as much
time with him as possible when he returned.
He loves his time on his Harley. I knew that he
would spend many hours on his bike that first
summer home.
I had never driven a motorcycle; I had ridden a
couple of times (as a passenger) which scared
me to death! My boyfriend, on the other hand,
had had a serious motorcycle accident at the
age of 21, which left him in a coma for three
months. He had not ridden since then. After
he was released from the hospital, he said he
drove his bike around the block and never got
on another motorcycle again.
So we started looking for bikes on Craigslist. I
really did not know what I wanted. I just knew
I wanted a Harley, and the smallest would be
a Sportster. Kev found an ad on Craigslist
for a sporty that was owned by a woman my
size. She looked really cute on her bike! We
went down to look at it. Here was the kicker.
I needed my boyfriend, who had not ridden in
27 years, to test drive it. Down the driveway
he went, wobbling to and fro, jumped the curb,
and out of sight he went. The lady began
28 - TRM FEBRUARY 2011
screaming, “He’s going to drop my bike!” I
reassured her that all was fine, even though
that was not how my stomach was feeling.
When Kevin did return, he pulled in the
driveway like an old pro. Once he was out
on the road, he said it all came back to him
and it felt great to be riding again!! That
cold November day, I bought my first Harley
Davidson motorcycle. It is a 2003 883
Sportster 100th anniversary model, gun metal
blue. It has a lowering kit, forward controls,
and handlebar risers so that the handlebars
are closer to the rider. It fits me like a glove!
Shortly thereafter, Kev also bought a 2000
1200 Sportster on Craigslist. This bike he test
drove with snow on the streets!
Now I needed to learn how to ride and he
needed a refresher course. We turned to our
local Harley Dealership and signed up for
classes in April 2009. That was a long winter.
After the snow melted, Kevin was out on his
bike riding up and down the road, back and
forth, back and forth. Then after a while, he
would drive to one of the small towns close to
us and just drive around practicing on stop and
go, and turns. I was feeling a little left out. So
I begged him to show me how to start and stop.
I wanted to just go up and down the drive. I
have a Miata that has a stick so I understood
the basics of shifting gears. Bad idea! The
bike took off and across the road and into the
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Kevin told me maybe I was not meant to ride.
Don’t tell me I can’t do something!!!! I took that
as a challenge, but I did wait to get on the bike
again until after my safety class in April.
The class was very exciting. We had 2 days
of class work and we were ready to start
riding! There were 5 guys ranging from 16
to 49, and myself. I had new chaps, gloves,
helmet, and a leather riding jacket. I was
soooo excited. The teacher was about my
age. After the first hour, he pulled me off to
the side and told me to get off my bike. I did,
but I did not understand. Yes, I was having
difficulty keeping the bike running, but I had
paid $300.00 to learn how to ride! The teacher
said I should never ride a bike!!! Determination
was setting in hard. I WILL RIDE A
MOTORCYCLE!!! And I will be good at it!! I
spent the rest of that weekend watching Kevin,
and engraving into my brain every instruction
the teacher gave the guys.
Monday morning I had Kevin get my Sporty out
and take me to the farm yard. By the afternoon
I was driving my Harley around the burn
pile and up and down the farm drive. I rode
every day, and as I became more and more
confident, I ventured out into what used to be
horse pastures, around the house, the barn,
and the machine sheds. I was very happy. A
girl friend of mine saw me riding in the horse
pasture one day. She said I needed to be on
the road, “it will be a lot easier”. What do you
know!! It was easier on the paved road. I
signed up for another safety class to be taught
in June.
The second class was being taught by a young
man in his twenties. This class had other
women that, for one reason or another, had
flunked out of their first class. He was great.
When I had difficulty with something, he would
laugh at my response which was, “Am I done?
Are you going to kick me out?” I passed the
course with flying colors, and he said I am a
good rider!!
I live in the country so we would drive to one
of the little towns or the state parks that are
within an hour from our home. One day there
was a strong wind from the south. I had a semi
coming towards me (on a two lane east-west
road) and my boyfriend was behind me. At
the same instant that I passed a house on the
south side of the road, the semi also passed
me. What a rush. The house blocked the
wind and I was leaning so hard that I was
instantly driving on the gravel on the side of
the road. Once again, the cardo-riders that we
bought to be able to talk to each other, paid
for themselves. Very calmly Kev said, “Karen,
hand off the throttle, no braking, slow down,
and get back on the pavement.” I would like to
know what went through that semi drivers head
when I left the road, or if he even saw me.
The idea that you have to look the way you
are turning was difficult for me to grasp. Kev
would ride behind me and as I would turn
there would be a running commentary from
him saying things like, “Don’t look at the ditch;
turn your head, look the way you are turning.”
We were riding with a friend of Kev’s one day.
Kev was the leader, I was behind him, and
the friend was behind me. We stopped at a T
intersection. Kev turned left. I looked at the
ditch and drove across the road right down
into the ditch. His friend was messing with his
earplugs and looked up and I was gone from
sight! It’s a good thing I learned to ride in a
horse pasture! I just rode down the ditch to the
next driveway and got back up on the road.
The early days were eventful for me. Kev
says riding with me is never a dull moment.
Once I pulled up to a stop sign and fell over.
That was probably the most embarrassing.
OK, OK! That wasn’t the most embarrassing
moment. We were at a bar with friends, you
know, new riding buddies. I had a drink but I
was in no way drunk. The bar was on a steep
hill, so that when I parked, the kickstand was
uphill. I came out, sat on my bike, and when
I stood it up, the bike and I fell downhill! That
is my most embarrassing moment. I did learn
that once the bike tips, you have to turn the
bike completely off, and back on, to reset some
switch. Then it will restart.
Another time we were headed to a t-ball game
for my grandson. Kev made a left turn and
I was supposed to follow him. However, I
overshot the turn, there was a car coming and
cars parked on both sides of the road. Once I
started my turn, I realized I could not make that
sharp of a turn at my speed; on to plan B. I
hopped up on the sidewalk. Kev looked in his
rearview mirror and he couldn’t see me. He
said, “Where are you?” I answered, “Look to
the right, I am on the sidewalk!” He said “What
the hell are you doing up there?” So if you see
a biker riding on the sidewalk or through your
neighbor’s flower bed, don’t be so quick to
judge. Maybe he just couldn’t make the turn.
LOL
2000 miles under my belt was my goal that
first summer. We rode to work, went to bike
rallies, patriot guard events, and just wandered
aimlessly. I actually put over 8,000 miles on
my Sporty, and Kevin logged 13,000 on his that
summer.
My son came home from Iraq safe and sound
to a new bike of his own. He is very proud
of me, and is proud to introduce me to his
buddies when we ride together. And I am very
proud to be the mother of an American soldier!
God Bless America,
Keep it on two!
Karen Shepard & Kevin Powell
ROAD M.C.
Well, ROAD M.C. was founded in Germany while some of our boys
were stationed there. We are one of the older clubs still in existence. Our chapter here in Iowa has become known for helping people in need. There are many ways to help others, and one way is
to do benefits to raise some funds for those who need a little boost.
We do a fundraising breakfast once a month, usually the second
Sunday of the month, throughout the winter, and then a dance in the
spring of the year. We used to give our profits to large foundations,
such as Spinal Cord Research, Alzheimer’s, A plastic anemia, and
Diabetes Association, but we decided to keep our profits closer to
home, and help people locally that are having a tough time and a
troubled time in life. We’re not a large chapter by any means, but
we pull together and work hard at fund raisings. Our next breakfast
is the 13th of Feb, and our last breakfast is the 13th of March. All of
our breakfasts are held in Brayton, Iowa. If you are worried about
finding it in Brayton, don’t worry, there are signs, and Brayton is a
very small town. Our dance will be the 2nd of April and it will be at
Uncle Jerry’s in Exira, Iowa. We are raffling off a Toshiba Laptop,
with a Cannon printer, and 1/2 of a hog, and 1/4 of a beef, along with
a live auction, and a silent auction. Travlin Light will be playing. I
wish to thank everyone who has donated and trusted us to put their
donations to good use. Come see us sometime! On behalf of ROAD M.C., Thanks
Mayor Erv
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FEBRUARY 2011 TRM - 29
BACON
LOVERS CHEESEBURGER MEATLOAF
In large mixing bowl, combine:
3 Hefty Handfuls of Thickly Shredded, Extra Sharp,
Cheddar Cheese
Add in 2 Slightly Whisked Eggs (as a glue base)
2 Tbls. Worcestershire
10 Pieces of Thick Bacon, Fried Up Crisp & Crumbled
1 Large Purple Onion; large chop
1/2 of an 8 oz. Can of Tomato Sauce
2 Pounds of Ground Round
Dash of Garlic Powder & Dash of Rosemary
Salt & Ground Pepper to Taste
1 Pkg. of Pre-Sliced Fresh Mushrooms
4 Beef Bouillon Cubes Dissolved in 1/4 Cup Hot Water
2 Tbls. Liquid Smoke (*optional)
BROWN
SUGAR & SPICE GLAZED SALMON
2 Tbls. Brown Sugar
4 Tbls. Butter
2 tsp. Honey
2 Tbls. EVOO
2 Tbls. Dijon Mustard
2 Tbls. Soy Sauce
Salt & Ground Pepper to Taste
2 Salmon Fillets (apprx. 2 to 2-1/2 lbs. each)
Mix it all up good. Transfer to a baking ban with higher sides than a cookie
sheet. Line your pan with double foil for easy clean-up. Pat firmly to form
a loaf shape. Bake in 350 degree pre-heated oven for 1 hour. 10 mins.
before time to pull, pour remaining can of tomato sauce all over it to cover
well and return to oven. When you pull from oven, allow to “rest” for no
less than 10 minutes. Because you used the Ground Round, it will far less
greasy and the bouillon gives it a good, hearty taste to offset the cheesy
taste. * Remember...it’s the month for lovers...don’t let your “meat” loaf. :)
CURRIED SWEET POTATO LATKES
(Basically, Russian style hashbrowns)
1/2 Cup of All-Purpose Flour
2 tsp. Sugar, Splenda or Truvia
2 tsp. Curry Powder
1 tsp. Baking Powder
1/4 tsp. Ground Pepper
1 tsp. Brown Sugar
1 tsp. Ground Cumin
1/2 tsp. Cayenne Pepper
2 Eggs, Slightly Beaten
1/2 Cup Whole Milk
4 Cups of Grated, Peeled Sweet Potatoes
3/4 tsp. Salt - 1/4 tsp. Ground Pepper
Light Oil for Frying
In a small saucepan over medium heat, cook and stir the brown sugar,
butter & honey until melted. Remove from heat and whisk in the EVOO,
mustard, soy sauce & salt & pepper. Cool for 5 minutes.
Place salmon in a foil-lined broiling pan; brush generously with glaze
mixture. Bake, uncovered at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until fish
flakes easily with a fork. Remove from oven and after plating up, pour
more of the glaze sauce over top of fillets. * Even if you’ve never really
liked or even tried salmon before, you will absolutely love it if you make it
this way.
LEMON
LOVERS COOKIES FOR LOVERS
3/4 Cup of Real Butter, Softened
3 Tbls. Sugar, Splenda or Truvia
2 tsp. Real Lemon Juice
1-1/4 Cups All-Purpose Flour
1/2 Cup Cornstarch
1 tsp. Grated Lemon Peel
LEMON FROSTING:
1/4 Cup Butter, Softened
1 Cup Confectioner’s Sugar
2 tsp. Lemon Juice & 1 tsp. Grated Lemon Peel
In small bowl, cream butter & sugar. Beat in lemon juice. Combine flour,
cornstarch & lemon peel; gradually add to creamed mixture & mix well.
Shape into 1-1/2 inch roll & wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 1 hour.
Unwrap & cut into 1/4 in. slices. Place on un-greased baking sheet. Bake
at 350 for 9 minutes. Cool completely.
In small bowl, beat all the Lemon Frosting ingredients until silky smooth.
Spread over totally cooled cookies & sprinkle with additional lemon peel.
Let stand until frosting is set. * These are perfect w/ coffee or hot tea.
In a small bowl, combine the first (9) ingredients. Stir in slightly beaten
eggs & milk until blended. Add grated sweet potatoes, toss to coat. Heat
oil in a large, non-stick skillet over medium heat. Drop batter by heaping
tablespoonfuls into oil; press lightly to flatten out. Fry for 3-5 minutes on
each side or until golden brown & crispy, adding a tad more oil if needed.
Drain well on thick paper towels.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
TO ALL OUR BRAVE, PROUD TROOPS... YOU’RE IN OUR THOUGHTS & PRAYERS DAILY. God Speed You Home.
30 - TRM FEBRUARY 2011
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FEBRUARY 2011 TRM - 31
32 - TRM FEBRUARY 2011
Main Street Savanna.
Jerry also owns another bar just
a couple doors down called Hog
Dogs, where he supplied free
burgers to everyone after the
ride, and event T-shirts for only
$5 bucks! He also rolled up the
front doors of the building, so that
everyone could sit around the
tables with beers in hand, and
watch the traffic stroll through
Sunday’s ride this year was also
changed up a bit… The ride
crossed back over into Iowa, and
took a trip across Highway 64 to
Anamosa for their hill climb. The
National Motorcycle Museum
and J&P Cycles are also located
in Anamosa, so it seemed like a
“no brainer” to point the ride that
direction. The ride later returned
back to the Iron Horse Sunday
afternoon, where local favorite the
Cal Stage Band was entertaining
the crowd.
The ride will likely take place again
in early September 2011, and for
more info you can check out www.
castironride.com, or call the Iron
Horse at 815-273-2600.
Nate Ullrich (www.natanic.com)
Saturday’s ride so much last
year, that it was decided to do the
exact same route again. Only
problem was that during lunch in
Balltown, word spread that the
Cassville Ferry was closed, so the
ride redirected through Dubuque,
and continued on towards New
A few years back, a couple by the
names Earl and Julie Reichmann
got together with some friends,
and started what they called the
Cast Iron Ride. Earl and Julie
both ride Shovelheads, so the
idea was a ride for 1984 and
earlier bikes, and everyone was
encouraged to ride at their own
pace, rather than feel pressured
to ride at a pace with others who
wanted to hot rod it up from stop
to stop.
For years, the event was always
held on a Sunday in September
in central/northern Illinois. Last
year, Earl decided to ad the
Saturday before, and start the ride
at the Iron Horse Social Club in
Savanna, Illinois. The Iron Horse
is a beautiful watering hole with
about 35 antique bikes on display,
so it seemed like a natural spot to
start. First stop from there was at
Jim Long’s shop in Bellevue, Iowa.
Jim’s shop is in a great location
right along the Mississippi River,
Diggins and the Iron Horse.
Bring the open road
to your mailbox....
Order your subscription today!
and he’s been restoring antique
motorcycles for over 30 years.
His shop is literally like taking a
step back in time!
a stop in the old mining town of
New Diggins, Wisconsin, before
heading back to the Iron Horse for
a nightcap.
From there, next stop was in
Balltown, Iowa for lunch, and to
take in Iowa’s highest point of
elevation, which looks across
the river into Wisconsin. From
Balltown, everyone took the
Cassville Ferry across the river
into Cassville, Wisconsin, with
Last year, the ride left the Iron
Horse on Sunday morning, and
continued to the Vintage Spokes
motorcycle museum in Rockford,
Illinois. This year however, Earl
and Julie couldn’t make the trip,
so Jerry from the Iron Horse took
the reigns. Everyone enjoyed
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Thunder Roads® Magazine Iowa.
Here is my Check or Money Order for 1 Year of 12 Issues for $30.
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www.thunderroadsiowa.com
FEBRUARY 2011 TRM - 33
Alcohol Poisoning
– What Ethanol is
doing to your bike
By Gary Westphalen
By Gary Westphalen
Thunder Roads WV
It has happened to one of my bikes. It has happened to one of
Donna’s bikes. It may well have happened to yours. We fed them
Italcohol,
has happened
to onethem
of my
bikes. It has happened to one of Donna’s
and it made
sick.
bikes. It may well have happened to yours. We fed them alcohol, and it
It sounds like a great plan, at first glance. By converting corn and
made them sick.
other crops grown on American soil into ethanol, we can reduce our
If you can find a filling station with a
banner like this, patronize it.
The full text of the U.S. Environmental
Protection
Agency
announcement
regarding the approval of E15 gasoline
is available on our website at www.
thunderroadswv.com.
lower temperature than gasoline, yet it burns hotter. Inside your
engine, this combination can lead to premature detonation – engine
knock – which robs power and harms engine components. In our
April, 2010 issue (see The $1,000 Fill-Up, on page 24) we brought
you the story of a bike that had its head gaskets burned away. The
service technician who rebuilt the engine attributed this to excessive
heat in the cylinders, probably caused by ethanol blended gasoline.
Itdependence
sounds like aongreat
plan,oil.
at first
and other
foreign
Thisglance.
alcoholByisconverting
currently corn
blended
into
The shelf life of gasoline blended with ethanol is questionable.
most of
the gasoline
we buy.
Regulations
crops
grown
on American
soil into
ethanol, we can reduce our depenWhile the American Petroleum Institute
enforced
by
the
Environmental
Protection
dence on foreign oil. This alcohol is currently blended into most of the
says ethanol does not affect the longevity
Agency we
(EPA)
state that enforced
each gallon
gasoline
buy. Regulations
by the Environmental Protection
of a properly stored tank of fuel, most
of gasoline
consist
up oftogasoline
ten
Agency
(EPA) may
state that
each of
gallon
may consist of up to ten
other knowledgeable sources disagree.
refers to ethanol blended gasoline as a
percent ethanol.
ethanol.Simple
Simplemath
mathsuggests
suggests
a
percent
a corresponding
savings of ten testing related to this subject,
The American Automobile Association,
corresponding
savings
of tenalong
percent
believe that an ethanol blended tank of
percent
of our fossil
fuel supply,
with aofsimilar reduction of imported “temperamental product.” Others
which has done extensive testing related
our fossil fuel supply, along with a similar
gas
remains
viable
for
no
more
than
90 to 100 days after the mixture was
oil. Who could argue with that?
to this subject, refers to ethanol blended
reduction of imported oil. Who could argue
first blended.
gasoline as a “temperamental product.”
But
withalcohol
that? is not gasoline, and many of its properties are downright detOthers
thatand
another
ethanol
blended
Ethanol
is
a
powerful
solvent.
It can believe
loosen rust
contaminants
rimental
to the operation
of your motorcycle,
But alcohol
is not gasoline,
and manyand the longevity of its parts. that might otherwise lie undisturbed
tank of ingas
remains
viableIt for
no to
more
your
fuel
system.
is
able
disThere
are five main
that make
ethanol just plain unsuitable for most
of its properties
arepoints
downright
detrimental
than 90 and
to 100
daysOver
after time,
the mixture
was
solve
rubber
hoses,
seals,
plastics,
resins.
ethanol
can
bikes.
to the operation of your motorcycle, and
blended.
even eat away at soft metals first
like brass
and aluminum. All of this dissolved
the longevity of its
parts.produces
Thunderabout
Roads
Gallon-for-gallon,
ethanol
a third less energy than gaso- material must then be pushed through
engine.
Ethanolyour
is a
powerful solvent. It can
West
Virginia
first
examined
this
issue
in means you will see a deline. With a ten percent blend of ethanol, that
loosen rust and other contaminants that
a seriesinof
reports
lastpower
fall. Inofour
October
ethanol brings to into your gas tank is its
crease
your
engine’s
about
three to six percent, along with a Finally, the worst behavior that
might otherwise lie undisturbed in your
and November,
2009 issues
(see Passing
it attracts water. In fact, ethanol would accorresponding
decrease
in mileage.
If you’re driving a gas hog cage that hygroscopic property, meaning
fuel system. It is able to dissolve rubber
Gas Parts I and II) we uncovered the dark
When enough moisture has been drawn
only gets ten or twelve miles per gallon, you probably won’t take much tually prefer to blend with water.
hoses, seals, plastics, and resins. Over
side of this clear distillate. There are five
into
the
ethanol/gasoline
blend,
ethanol
actually
surrender
its
thebe
epa
is obvious,
proposing this label for e15
note
of the loss. But in a bike, where the difference can
quite
time,the
ethanol
canwill
even
eat away
at soft
main points that make ethanol just plain
chemical
bond
with
the
gasoline,
in
favor
of
the
water.
Then,
the
alcohol
pumps.
a
skull
and
crossbones
might
metals like brass and aluminum. All of
you
could lose
much
as 20 or 30 miles from every tank of gas.
unsuitable
for as
most
bikes.
be more appropriate.
and water mixture drops out of
suspension
withmaterial
the gasoline,
sinksbeto
this
dissolved
mustand
then
Ethanol
has a lower flash
point, which
means it explodes at a lower tem- the bottom of your fuel tank. This is a process called phase separation.
Gallon-for-gallon,
ethanol
produces
pushed through your engine.
perature
yet it than
burnsgasoline.
hotter. Inside your engine, this com- When the alcohol and water mixture is pumped into your engine, you will
about a than
thirdgasoline,
less energy
Finally, the worst behavior that ethanol
bination
can percent
lead to premature
– engine
knock
which
With a ten
blend of detonation
ethanol, that
means
you– will
seerobs
a experience hard starting, a significant loss of power, and engine misfires.
brings
to
into
your
gas
tank
is
hygroscopic property, meaning it
power
andinharms
engine components.
In a three
past issue,
we brought
you That’s assuming you can even getitsit to
decrease
your engine’s
power of about
to six percent,
along
start
in the first
place.
attracts
water.
In
fact,
ethanol
would
actually
prefer
to Additionally,
blend with
the
of a bike that decrease
had its head
gaskets burned
away.
The service
withstory
a corresponding
in mileage.
If you’re
driving
a gas since the ethanol provides about three rating points worth of octane, therwater. When enough moisture has been drawn into the ethanol/
hog cage that
gets
or twelve
miles
pertogallon,
youheat
probably
technician
who only
rebuilt
theten
engine
attributed
this
excessive
in the emaining gasoline will be well below the octane rating your engine needs.
gasoline blend, the ethanol will actually surrender its chemical bond
won’t takeprobably
much note
of the
Butblended
in a bike,
where the difference
cylinders,
caused
by loss.
ethanol
gasoline.
withuntil
the October
gasoline,
in favor
the year,
water.
theStates
alcohol
and water
Up
13th
of thisofpast
theThen,
United
Environmental
can be quite obvious, you could lose as much as 20 or 30 miles from
The
shelf
life
of
gasoline
blended
with
ethanol
is
questionable.
While
the
mixture drops
out (EPA)
of suspension
withgasoline
the gasoline,
and sinks
to the
Protection
Agency
had
allowed
distributors
to
blend
no
every tank of gas.
bottom
of
your
fuel
tank.
This
is
a
process
called
phase
separation.
American Petroleum Institute says ethanol does not affect the longevity more
than ten percent alcohol, by volume, into the fuel supply. That’s the
a lower
flash
whichknowledgeable
means it explodes
a When the alcohol and water mixture is pumped into your engine,
of Ethanol
a properlyhas
stored
tank of
fuel,point,
most other
sourcesatdishighest concentration of alcohol approved by any motorcycle manufacagree.
The American
Association,
which 2010
has done extensive
6 ThUnder
roads®Automobile
WesT VIrGInIa
deCeMBer
34 - TRM FEBRUARY 2011
$25-thousand fine, and the consumer
could be fined up to $2,500 for a single
incident, although the enforcement
mechanism in unclear.
www.thunderroadsiowa.com
But, even if the new E15 gasoline
never comes near your bike, the
problems presented by the ten percent
ethanol blend remain. “This year we’ve
seen more poor running conditions
with fuel injected bikes than we’ve ever
seen,” says Chuck Wiseman of JT Cycle
and Hoodlum Garage, in Beckley. Chuck
thinks the short time frame in which
ethanol-blended fuel remains viable is
the biggest problem his customers are
facing. “A lot of our riders are weekends
the bike might sit for two or three weeks.
turer for use in bikes. But, under pressure from ethanol industry groups, weekends only, and sometimes
only, and sometimes the bike might
where the majority of it came from. We did find
such as an organization called Growth Energy, the EPA has changed its I’m thinking that’s probably sit
for two or three weeks. I’m thinking
the customer is like, ‘How can that be? The
Energy
andstarting,
54 ethanol
manufacturers
theand
EPA to bad fuel in lots of them, and
that’s probably where the majority of it
yourules.
will Growth
experience
hard
a significant
losspetitioned
of power,
bike has only sat for a few weeks.’” Additionally, Chuck has found numerallowmisfires.
for a blend
of 15assuming
percent ethanol,
or E15
it isitcalled.
The
engine
That’s
you can
evenasget
to start
in petition
the came from. We did find bad fuel in lots of them, and the customer
ous bikes
plugged
gas has
cap vents,
which
alsoweeks.’”
attributes to
was
submitted
under
the
Clean
Air
Act,
which
says
the
petitioner
must
‘Howthis
canyear
thatwith
be?
The bike
only sat
for he
a few
first place. Additionally, since the ethanol provides about three rating is like,
the
presence
of
ethanol.
show
that
the
altered
fuel
“will
not
cause
or
contribute
to
the
failure
of
an
points worth of octane, the remaining gasoline will be well below the Additionally, Chuck has found numerous bikes this year with plugged
emission
system needs.*
to achieve compliance with the emission stan-gasSo,
cap
vents,
attributes
to the
presence
of ethanol.
octane
ratingcontrol
your engine
what
can which
you dohe
to also
protect
your bike’s
engine
from ethanol
damage?
dards to which it has been certified over its useful life.” The act makes no So,
There
are can
a fewyou
things.
what
do to protect your bike’s engine from ethanol
Up until October 13th of this year, the United States Environmental
mention ofAgency
protecting
engines
damage,
nor doesdistributors
it address loss
There
are
a
few things.
Protection
(EPA)
hadfrom
allowed
gasoline
to ofdamage?
performance,
or thealcohol,
solvent and
related First and foremost, make sure you buy good gasoline. There are still a few
blend
no more fuel
thanshelf
ten life,
percent
by hygroscopic
volume, intoissues
the fuel
First
and foremost,
you buy
There
are If
gas stations
around make
sellingsure
gasoline
that good
is not gasoline.
blended with
ethanol.
to ethanol.
supply.
That’s the highest concentration of alcohol approved by any still a few gas stations around selling gasoline that is not blended
you can find a station selling ethanol-free gasoline, patronize it religiously.
motorcycle
use
bikes. But,
under
pressure
The EPA manufacturer
partially agreedforwith
theinpetition,
issuing
a waiver
of itsfrom
regula-with ethanol. If you can find a station selling ethanol-free gasoline,
Ideally, the
ethanol-blend you are probably going to have to settle for is
ethanol
industry
groups,
such
as
an
organization
called
tions to allow for E15 to be sold for use in cars, light-duty Growth
trucks, andpatronize
it religiously.
reasonably fresh, since the lifespan of blended gas is questionable. It
Energy,
has changed
Energy
and
SUV’s the
fromEPA
the model
year 2007its
andrules.
newer.Growth
However,
the EPA
has54with- Ideally,
the ethanol-blend
arerating
probably
going
to have toengine.
settle for
ethanol manufacturers petitioned the EPA to allow for a blend of 15
be the proper you
octane
for your
motorcycle
Conheld approval of E15 fuel for cars from the model years 2001 through should also fresh,
since
the lifespan
offor
blended
gas isbut
questionable.
percent ethanol, or E15 as it is called. The petition was submitted is reasonably
sult
your
service
tech
or
bike’s
manual
the
answer,
I’m
betting
your
2006, pending further testing, and does not plan to approve it for use in
also be the proper octane rating for your motorcycle engine.
under the Clean Air Act, which says the petitioner must show that the It should
tech
will
tell
you
to
run
premium.
Since
ethanol
accounts
for
about
three
older cars, heavy duty vehicles, motorcycles, and off-road motors such as
your service tech or bike’s manual for the answer, but I’m
altered fuel “will not cause or contribute to the failure of an emission Consult
of the octane rating points, the more octane the actual gasoline brings to
lawn system
mowers.to achieve compliance with the emission standards betting
your tech will tell you to run premium. Since ethanol accounts
control
the equation, the better.
to which
it has been
certified
over
itsbe
useful
life.”
The act
no asfor about three of the octane rating points, the more octane the actual
The problem
is, while
E15 fuel
is to
clearly
labeled
andmakes
dispensed
brings
to thefrom
equation,
better.
Buy your
gasoline
stationsthethat
pump the three different grades of
mention
of protecting
damage, at
nor
address
such, that
dispensing engines
is going tofrom
be happening
thedoes
sameitpump
islandsgasoline
gasoline
Odds
thatdifferent
the guygrades
in front of
loss
of use
performance,
fuelThe
shelf
the solvent
andhigh-ethanol
hygroscopic
your through
gasolinethree
from different
stations hoses.
that pump
theare
three
you
to fill your bike.
firstlife,
gasorstation
to sell the
blend Buy
you
pumped
the
cheap
stuff
into
his
minivan.
So,
when
you
roll
in and
issues
related
to
ethanol.
of
gasoline
through
three
different
hoses.
Odds
are
that
the
guy
in hit
was in Vinton, Iowa. Within a couple weeks of the rule change, E15 was
the
Hi-Test
button,
those
first
few
slurps
your
bike
gets
won’t
be
the
top
front
of
you
pumped
the
cheap
stuff
into
his
minivan.
So,
when
you
being
offered
at
the
very
same
pump
as
all
other
grades
of
gasoline.
AlThe EPA partially agreed with the petition, issuing a waiver of its
shelf
juice
you’re
paying
for.
How
much
low-grade
you
get
depends
on
the
regulations
allow for
E15 atoseparate
be soldhose,
for use
cars, light-duty
though it istopumped
through
E15 in
is selected
in the sameroll in and hit the Hi-Test button, those first few slurps your bike gets
delivery
system
employed
that station.
be the
top shelf
juice at
you’re
paying for. How much low-grade
trucks,
and
SUV’sasfrom
theother
model
year
anduninformed
newer. However,
row of
buttons
every
grade
of 2007
gas. An
biker couldwon’t
you
get
depends
on
the
delivery
system
employed at that station.
theeasily
EPA opt
hasfor
withheld
approval
E15 fuel
for cars
model
this cheaper
blend,ofwithout
realizing
thefrom
risks the
being
taken.
I like this one: Don’t let the gas sit in your tank for very long. This is a good
years 2001 through 2006, pending further testing, and does not plan
I like this one: Don’t let the gas sit in your tank for very long. This
The federal
ruling
sale
of E15
forvehicles,
use in bikes,
and there are thing. The only way to keep a healthy turnover rate in that tank is to ride,
to approve
it for
useprohibits
in older the
cars,
heavy
duty
motorcycles,
is aride,
good
thing. The only way to keep a healthy turnover rate in that
ride.
penalties
involved.
retailer
allows E15 fuel to be pumped into a
andstiff
off-road
motors
suchAas
lawnthat
mowers.
tank is to ride, ride, ride.
vehicle not approved for its use can face a $25,000 fine, and the consumer Those are all fairly common sense suggestions. They help, to a certain
The problem is, while E15 fuel is to be clearly labeled and
fairly
common
sense
suggestions.
help,
to proba
could be fined up to $2,500 for a single incident, although the enforcement Those
extent. are
But, all
even
if you
follow those
suggestions,
youThey
may still
have
dispensed as such, that dispensing is going to be happening at the certain extent. But, even if you follow those suggestions, you may still
mechanism in unclear.
lems. Ethanol and water can still lead to phase separation, for example.
same pump islands you use to fill your bike. The first gas station have problems. Ethanol and water can still lead to phase separation,
you can still end up with a tank of old gas.
The the
full text
of the U.S.blend
Environmental
Protection
Agency
to sell
high-ethanol
was in Vinton,
Iowa.
Withinannouncement
a couple forOr,
example. Or, you can still end up with a tank of old gas.
weeks
of thethe
rule
change,
E15gasoline
was being
offered on
at the
very same
regarding
approval
of E15
is available
www.epa.gov/otaq/
The only other option is the use of a fuel additive. Some bikers swear by
The only other option is the use of a fuel additive. Some bikers
pump
as all other grades of gasoline. Although it is pumped through
regs/fuels/additive/e15/
them, and others swear at them. There are very real reasons why some
swear by them, and others swear at them. There are very real
a separate hose, E15 is selected in the same row of buttons as
fuel additives
will onlyfuel
make
your ethanol
worse.
That’s
the easy
why some
additives
will problems
only make
your
ethanol
But,other
even grade
if the new
E15 gasoline
never comes
bike,opt
thefor
prob-reasons
every
of gas.
An uninformed
biker near
couldyour
easily
part.
This
issue
gets
trickier
when
you
look
at
some
additives
that just
presented
bywithout
the ten percent
blend
remain.
“This year we’veproblems worse. That’s the easy part. This issue gets trickier when
thislems
cheaper
blend,
realizingethanol
the risks
being
taken.
might
be
what
the
doctor
ordered.
Are
they
salvation,
or
snake
oil?
We will
seen more poor running conditions with fuel injected bikes than we’ve everyou look at some additives that just might be what the doctor ordered.
The
federal
ruling
prohibits
the
sale
of
E15
for
use
in
bikes,
and
examine
the
subject
of
fuel
additives
in
part
two
of
Alcohol
Poisoning
Are
they
salvation,
or
snake
oil?
Thunder
Roads
West
Virginia
will in
seen,” says Chuck Wiseman of JT Cycle and Hoodlum Garage. Chuck
there are stiff penalties involved. A retailer that allows E15 fuel examine
our
March,
2011
issue.
the
subject
of
fuel
additives
in
part
two
of
Alcohol
Poisoning
thinks the short time frame in which ethanol-blended fuel remains viable
to be pumped into a vehicle not approved for its use can face a in our January, 2011 issue.
is the biggest problem his customers are facing. “A lot of our riders are
www.thunderroadswv.com
deCeMBer 2010 ThUnder roads® WesT VIrGInIa 7
www.thunderroadsiowa.com
FEBRUARY 2011 TRM - 35
Feb 6
Parts Girl Promotions Swap Meet Rock Island, IL
Jun 15-18
Sturgis on the River Davenport, Iowa
Feb 10
M/C Mags Calendar Girl Casting Call Quaker Steak Council Bluffs, Iowa
Jun 16-18
Awesome Biker Nights Sioux City, Iowa
Feb 12
M/C Mags - Troops Love Children Collection Party Grant St Bar Omaha, NE
Jun 18
Spring Open House Big Barn HD Des Moines, Iowa
Jun 18
Fathers Day BBZ Hawkeye HD Coralville, Iowa
Feb 12-13
Capital City Show and Swap Meet Des Moines, Iowa
Jun 25-26
J&P Cycles Open House Anamosa, Iowa
Feb 15
Cabin Fever Dance Desperado’s Wheatland, Iowa
Jun 30-Jul 2
ABATE Freedom Rally Algona, Iowa
Feb 19
Hawkeye HD Chili Cook Off Coralville, Iowa
Feb 25-26
AMCA swap meet Fremont, NE
Jul 1-2
Circle of Pride Independence Day Blowout Conesville, Iowa
Feb 26-27
Bike and Car Show Monticello, Iowa
Jul 7-9
Nitro’s Bike Rally Gravity, Iowa
Feb 26
ABATE D16 Wild Game Feed Evansdale, Iowa
Jul 9
Motorcycle Rodeo and Ride in Bike Show Missouri Valley, Iowa
Mar 6
Parts Girl Promotions Swap Meet Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Mar 4-13
Daytona Bike Week
Jul 9
3rd Annual Moose Riders Benefit Poker Run Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Mar 13
Road MC Breakfast Brayton, Iowa
Jul 16
ABATE D15 Taco Run for Charity
Mar 11-13
Lefty’s Cedar River Tattoo Expo Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Jul 14-16
Iowa HOG Rally Pella, Iowa
Mar 11-13
World of Wheels Des Moines
Jul 23
END 2nd Annual 100 Day Poker Run Party Soldier, Iowa
Mar 18-20
AMA Arenacross Council Bluffs, Iowa
Jul 23
Almont Run Clinton, Iowa
Mar 18-20
World of Wheels Omaha
Jul 30
Slopfest Beachfront Bar Wever, Iowa
Mar 26-27
Donnie Smith Bike Show & Swap Meet St Paul, Minnesota
Aug 4-6
Across the Border Raid Bedford, Iowa
Apr 2
ABATE D14 TGIS Party Ottumwa, Iowa
Aug 8-14
Sturgis
Apr 2
ABATE D15 2 Wheel Trauma Class Davenport, Iowa
Apr 2
Road MC Dance Uncle Jerry’s Exira, Iowa
Aug 13
ABATE D15 15 Rodeo “Too Broke for Sturgis” Donahue, Iowa
Apr 9-10
AMA Arenacross Des Moines, Iowa
Aug 19-20
American Victory Rally Spirit Lake, Iowa
Apr 9-10 ABATE D7 North Iowa Motorcycle Expo Mason City, Iowa
Aug 20
10th Heartland Hemophilia Run Papa Joe’s Missouri Valley, Iowa
Apr 16
Blessing of the Bikes Big Barn HD Des Moines, Iowa
Aug 20
ABATE D21 Rodeo Miles, Iowa
Apr 16
START 2nd Annual 100 Day Poker Run Soldier, Iowa
Aug 27
Fall Open House Big Barn HD Des Moines, Iowa
Apr 16
Spring Run Off Ride Blue Port Junction Davenport, Iowa
Apr 29
Iowa Motorcycle Safety Forum ISU Scheman Bldg Ames, Iowa
Aug 26-28
4th Annual Iowa Lincoln Highway Assn Motor Tour Council Bluffs to Clinton
Sep 1-4
Davenport Antique Motorcycle Rally
Apr 29-30
Vintage Torque Fest Maquoketa, Iowa
Sep 1-4
Circle of Pride Thunder In the Sand Conesville, Iowa
May 7
Bi-State Motorcycle Awareness Ride Quad Cities
Sep 2
Vintage Flat Track Motorcycle Races Davenport, Iowa
May 7
Spring Open House Hawkeye HD Coralville, Iowa
Sep 2-5
Iron Horse Bike & Music Festival Sabula, Iowa
May 14
3rd Annual Women’s Fun Run Holstein’s HD Omaha, NE
May 14
ABATE D16 Motorcycle Awareness Ride Waterloo, Iowa
Sep 3-4 Midway Tavern Soldier Valley Run BBQ, Street Dance, w/ Hairball Concert Soldier, Iowa
May 14
Revolution Cycle Open House/Band/Hog Roast Baxter, Iowa
Sep 9
Vintage Flat Track Motorcycle Races Knoxville, Iowa
Sep 10
AMA Pro Flat Track Grand Nationals Knoxville, Iowa
May 21
Blessing of the Bikes Cedar Memorial Church Davenport, Iowa
Sep 11
Anamosa Hill Climb and Swap Meet Anamosa, Iowa
May 27-30
Iron Horse Bike & Music Festival Sabula, Iowa
Sep 9-11
Davis Motorcycle Rally New Hampton, Iowa
May 26-28
Circle of Pride Hog Wild Rodeo Conesville, Iowa
Sep 9-11 Loess Hill Motorcycle Rally, Pacific Junction, Iowa
May 28-29
Midway Tavern 13th Annual Fun Run, BBQ, Street Dance Soldier, Iowa
Sep 16-18
State Line Rally Keosauqua, Iowa
Sep 24
Leaf Run The Quarry Davenport, Iowa
Jun 4
National Motorcycle Museum Open House/Dedication Anamosa, Iowa
Oct TBD
RIP’s BAD Ride
Nov 11-13
ABATE STEAM Marshalltown, Iowa
Jun 4
2nd Annual Loud Pipes for the Silent Cancer Ride Metro HD Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Nov 25
Turkey Run Clinton, Iowa
Jun 5
Anamosa Hill Climb and Swap Meet Anamosa, Iowa
Jun 10-11
Bikes at Blackhawk Lake Rally/Rodeo Lake View, Iowa
This list is what we have found and what has been submitted. Before heading to any
event, please check weather and make sure the event is not cancelled for some reason.
Not responsible for misprints and typos. If you have any other events to list, please email
them with as much information as you have to [email protected]