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Choppertown Live & Born to Ride at Cherokee Blue Ridge Run

DAVE IS KNOWN WORLDWIDE AS “THE KING OF FLAMES” SINCE HIS AMAZING FLAME-PAINTED DESIGNS HAVE BECOME LEGENDARY.

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It all started in Montana back in 2012 when Flash offered to help raise funds so each Hellgate Elementary School District student could receive a T-shirt with the keep-an-eye-on bullying message. He also volunteered to ride into the school gym on his Harley to deliver that message in person.

Flash recruited Jefe, the road captain for Missoula’s Harley Owners’ Group, to join in creating a presentation for Hellgate. They have since brought that program to over 20 schools in Polson, Dixon, Butte, Anaconda, Helena, Darby, and throughout Missoula – usually with 1,500 to 2,800 students attending. “I was very nervous the first time. I didn’t know how the kids would receive the message,” recalls Jefe. “When we were done, I felt like a rock star with the warm fuzzies. Kids hear and feel that we’re genuinely interested in them and in what they’re doing.”

The more Flash and Jefe learned about the effects of bullying, from destroying self-confidence to taking one’s own life, that genuine interest grew like a wild fire. “Suicide resulting from bullying is the second largest reason for youth fatalities in America,” says Flash. “More than 60 kids a day commit suicide and about 15 of those deaths are a direct result of bullying.”

The BAB presentation Flash and Jefe created lasts less than an hour and works to reverse that trend for kids facing taunts and threats at school, in their neighborhood, or online. Included are a couple of skits communicating that bullies empower themselves by putting down others and that you don’t have to be mean to feel good about yourself.

“Instead of telling them what not to do, we talk about the positive ramifications of their actions,” Flash tells Born To Ride. “We let them know you can be cool and still make good decisions. Despite our looks, dress, and loud bikes, we’re not the bad guys; we’re the parents and grandparents who live down the street.” All bikers have a warm spaot for kids. Why not show up to ride with your friends from Born To Ride as well as “the King of Flames” Dave Perewitz and “Flash” from Bikers Against Bullies this coming September 10th at the Cherokee Indian Fairgrounds. You can pre-register at www.babusa.org.

—Dave Nichols

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his stable. Most importantly, he’s bringing ‘Boujee,’ the bike that took First Runner Up at our inaugural show. Also returning is Jared Weems of Weems Motor Co. bringing those beautiful David Mann-inspired choppers that will eventually be on permanent display at Barber Motorsports Museum.

Next up is George Girod out of South Florida bringing his fresh new Triumph build called ‘Endless Summer.’ Last, but certainly not least on this impressive list of Florida builders, is Nick Pensabene of Mad

What do you call it when you bring a bunch of bikers and fun-filled folks together to celebrate choppers, the chopper lifestyle and all the fun that goes along with it? Sprinkle in a few custom vans, hot rods, and really cool vendors? We call that Choppertown Live and baby, it’s back!

Choppertown Live, sponsored by Born To Ride, is headed to the beautiful countryside of Cherokee, North Carolina, and will be held concurrently with the Cherokee Blue Ridge Run on September 10th, 11th and 12th. Staying true to form with the first Choppertown Live event a few months back, Born To Ride will be highlighting some of the very best bike builders found in the entire Southeast.

First off, we have four very talented builders coming up from Florida, bringing along a total of 15 beautiful bikes. You’ll meet George Casale of Goodlooking Customs coming to the event with a bunch of beauties from

Pen Cycles out of the Daytona area. Every one of Nick’s amazing builds are the perfect blend of artistic creativity and style. We can’t wait to see what he brings.

We also have a great contingent of builders representing the entire Southeast. We have John and Kristin Shipwash of ‘The Rebel Spirit’ in North Carolina returning to Choppertown with their groovy Honda chopper build, as well as a couple others nice scooters.

Brandon Shipwash of Midnight Oil Cycles, also out of North Carolina, is bringing a bunch of great builds. Our friends at The Low Road Motor Co. will be there to show us how they do things in the Atlanta area, and Stay Humble Performance will be there from North Carolina with a couple of great rides. We also have Caleb Dula from the same area, bringing his sweet chopper. The Southeast will certainly be greatly represented, and the list continues to grow by the day.

As if all this wasn’t enough, we have our good friends the Chillbunnys and Chillbillys returning to Choppertown Live to turn the good time factor up to eleven! The Chillbillys will be there with chops, vans and anything else cool that contains a motor and wheels, while the Chillbunnys will be there to add just the right amount of stylistically good flavor to the pot to make things perfect.

If you can only make it out for one day, Saturday, September 11 would be the perfect day as we are also hosting the huge Cherokee Blue Ridge Run Born To Ride Choppertown Ride-in Show with our friends from FTW Kustoms. This event is open to all makes and models of

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