Contents
November Issue 57
Features ‘66 Caleb Shovelhead 15 Rob Brooks First Impression 21 The Distiquished Gentlemens Ride 27 Blue Ridge Skyline Drive 33 Sonic Bike Nights-Thanks You 38
Columns
15
Woman’s World-Myra McElhaney 11 41 The Motorcycle Law Group Craven Moorehead 46 Christian Motorcycle Association 48
Departments Ride Safe, Ride Smart 7 Born To Ride Events-www.BornToRide.com 42 BTR Kids 48
Reports G & G Cycles of Roswell 8 Sena-Bluetooth Integrated Half-Helmut 13 Renegade Classics 31 Dukes Day at Cycle World Athens 37 Is Your Fuel Tank Rusty? 45
27
On The Cover Pro Rider-Ken Anderson Police Motorcycle Skills for Civilian Riders The 8hr Course that can Save your Life www.ProRiderAtlanta.com
Ad Index
AAA IFC Alpine Motorcycle Tours 45 BTR Advertise 32 BTR Facebook 47 BTR Lifestyle 30 BTR Patch 6, 32 BTR Pin-Up Girls 32 BTR Radio 47 BTR Magazine Subscription 45 BTR VIP Text 10 BTR Youtube 5, 12 Copperhead Lodge 26 Cycle World of Athens 36 FreeWheeling Powersports 29 G & G Cycles of Roswell 9 Georgia Motor Trike 6 Great American Motorcycle Show 14 HD Fraziers 3 HD Raging Bull IBC HD Tifton 20, BC LawBike.com 1 Leather, Love & Freedom 45 Love Jugs 4 Motorcycle Law Group 40 ProRider 7 Rampless Motorcycle Trailers 30 Renegade Classics 31 Saddle Creek 47 Sonic Bike Nights 38 Sprah Gear 30 St. Pete Beach Bikefest 23 Toys Wanted 45 Wanted GI Joe 45
WHY BORN TO RIDE? WHY NOW?
Start an extraordinary relationship
888-795-5779 Start Born To Ride TV and Magazine in your city! Call 888-795-5779 The information contained herein is provided by Born To Ride Magazine or by its advertisers. BTR makes every effort to present accurate and reliable information in the issue. Born To Ride Magazine does not endorse, approve, or certify such information, nor does it guarantee the accuracy, completeness, efficacy, timeliness or correct sequencing of such information throughout this magazine. Use of such information is voluntary on your part, and reliance on it should only be undertaken after your independent review. Reference herein to any specific manufacturer, company, commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, service mark, or otherwise does not constitute or imply endorsement of or recommendation of said by Born To Ride Magazine.” “Born To Ride Magazine (including its employees, contributors and agents) assumes no responsibility for consequences that may result from the use of the information herein, including the use of the information obtained at www.borntoride.com and it’s linked sites, or in any respect for the content of such information, including (but not limited to) errors or omissions, the accuracy or reasonableness of factual or scientific assumptions, studies or conclusions, ownership of copyright or other intellectual property rights, and the violation of property, privacy, or personal rights of others. BTR Magazine is not responsible for damages of any kind arising out of use, reference to, or reliance on such information. No guarantees or warranties, including (but not limited to) any express or implied warranties are made by BTR Magazine with respect to such information contained throughout the site.” No part may be copied without written permission of the publisher, Born To Ride, Inc. P.O. Box 3021, Brandon, FL 33509. 888-795-5779, Fax 813-689-2996.
BORN TO RIDE Magazine
PO BOX 3021 Brandon, FL 33509
PUBLISHER
Ron Galletti rg@borntoride.com Cell: 813-785-3895 888-795-5779 CO PUBLISHER
Deb Galletti dgalletti@borntoride.com 888-795-5779 ART DIRECTOR
Shawn Jones art@borntoride.com EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
Jesse Williams jwilliams@borntoride.com DISTRIBUTION ROAD BOSS
Craven Moorehead cm@borntoride.com 813-778-8747
WEB DESIGN/SOCIAL MEDIA
Juan Guzman
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
Jesse Williams jwilliams@borntoride.com CONTRIBUTORS
Craven Moorehead, Billy Wright, Eric Albright Susan Hurst, Robert Brooks, Misfit Millie, Paul Pence Roger Wiles ROAD DIRT
Robert Brooks SALES OFFICE ADVERTISING
888-795-5779 CENTRAL
Paul Pence 770-876-3542 SOUTH WEST
Paul Murray 229-344-4482 SOUTH
David Carmichael 478-951-1469 BORN TO RIDE
P.O. Box 3021 Brandon, FL 33509 info@borntoride.com 888-795-5779 ADVERTISE IN THIS MAGAZINE
Sales Office 888-795-5779
BORNTORIDE.COM | BTR 5
RIDING POSTURE
Maintaining good posture in the saddle is an important component of good riding. Not only will paying attention to your posture help you stay comfortable over long distances, it will also enhance your control of the motorcycle by helping your body stay relaxed. Sit on the motorcycle in an upright position with your back straight, your head
up, and your eyes focused on the roadway ahead. Ride with your knees and elbows turned inward. They should be comfortably bent (not locked) so you can quickly move or respond to changes in riding conditions. Keep both feet on the footrests at all times so you can quickly position them to operate the rear brake pedal or shift lever. Grip both handgrips firmly with your wrists turned downward and knuckles pointed up. Make a conscious effort to keep your body limber and relaxed. Tensed muscles will cause you to fatigue quickly, and will lessen your ability to respond promptly to any obstacles that might appear in your path. A relaxed rider is a ready rider. The better your skills are, the more relaxed you’ll be. A wrist-down position on the throttle hand is recommended. It will help avoid overrevving the engine and will make it easier to reach for the front brake lever when it comes time to slow down. In a standard turn, lean with the
motorcycle for smoothness and stability. In a slow, tight turn, such as turning around in a parking lot, it helps to counterweight by leaning in the opposite direction of the motorcycle and direction of the turn. Put pressure on the outside footrest.
For more info, go to www.msf-usa.org
G & G Cycles of Roswell is a one-stop, full-service shop for all American V-Twin and Metric models. We can do wreck repairs for most insurance companies and are a certified extended warranty repair shop. We are committed to giving our customers the best service at an affordable price so that they can keep their motorcycle running year after year. Because we are an aftermarket shop we are committed to forming a lasting relationship with our customers through our honest and upfront interactions. At G & G Cycles of Roswell you get a one-of-a-kind experience where you can come in and meet the owner, the technician and anyone in between. We opened the doors in 2017, but we are not new to the trade. Shawn went to MMI and then spent 11 years working at a dealership gaining valuable knowledge before he decided to make his own path. At G & G Cycles of Roswell we believe that any time your motorcycle is in the shop, whether for service or just passing through, that it should get a free 56-point inspection to ensure that it is properly BTR 8 | BORNTORIDE.COM
maintained and safe to go down the road. During our inspections, the most common issue we find is under inflated tires which can cause cupping, premature tire wear, and bad handling. A few reasons to ensure motorcycle tire upkeep are to boost fuel efficiency, prolong tire life, identify problems early, and to promote road safety. Another common tire issue is dry rot and the age of tires. Most companies recommend changing tires if they are 6 years or older. This ensures you always shave fresh rubber on the road. We offer some of the best prices for tires and have very competitive pricing on installation for all major brands. Whether you get the recommended work done on your motorcycle or not, the inspection is always free. We can also assist you with customizing your ride. You get the most satisfying results with a plan for how you want it to look. We customize bikes all the time, so let us help you design yours! Stop by and enjoy friendly service for all your parts and accessory needs. We are dealers for many brands including, Drag
Specialties, S & S Cycles, Tucker Rocky/ Bikers Choice, V-Twin/Tedd Cycle, Coker Tire, Costal Moto, RideWright Wheels, Techno Research, KST Enterprises, Rinehart, D & D Performance, Biltwell INC., T-Man Performance, Dirty Bird Air, and many others. If we don’t have something in stock we will try our best to get it to you next business day! At G & G Cycles of Roswell you will find a unique experience with more customer interaction and no miscommunication. We are independently owned and operated and are always looking for a way to make motorcycle maintenance and repair more affordable to the rider. We strive for a five-star experience with every customer and it shows in the reviews on our social media page. Our customers were the first to spread the news about our shop by word of mouth and we couldn’t be happier because we’ve been busy since the doors have opened. So stop on in to check us out, get your inspection and meet the guys at G & G Cycles of Roswell. Tell them Born To Ride sent you for a Free T-Shirt.
www.gandgcyclesofroswell.com • 11235 Alpharetta Hwy Ste. 125 Roswell, GA 30076
Women’s World
Smokey Mountain Women’s Motorcycle Summit, Myra McElhaney
Transformational! Inspiring! Life changing! Amazing! These are some of the adjectives I heard as women were preparing to leave the Women’s Motorcycle Summit – Smokey Mountain Edition in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. The summit, held October 6th through 8th, was hosted by the Steel Horse Sisterhood Charities (SHSC), a recognized 501c3 charitable organization. SHSC’s mission is “to provide opportunities for women to develop and refine their skills while encouraging the art of women mentoring women and serving people in the motorcycle community.” After hosting several summits in the Rocky Mountains Joan Krenning, founder and director of Adventure and Lynn Martin, vice president of the SHSC Board of Directors wanted to bring the event to the Smokey mountains, too. About thirty women (and a few good men who love and support them) rode in from Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Michigan, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont and Wisconsin. From women in their early thirties to one in her mid-seventies and everything in between. Married, divorced, widowed and single. Women who had ridden for over forty years and women who had gotten their
license just months ago. The bikes, three-wheelers, trailers and a sling-shot in the parking lot attests that SHSC welcomes all types of riders. Women who ride their own, women who co-ride with their partners and women who aspire to ride someday are all welcomed and encouraged. BMW’s, Harley-Davidsons, Indians and Victory’s parked side-by side and shared the road. “With our faces to the wind, we enjoy, collaborate, inspire each other to live life with no limits and die with no regrets,” says founder Joan Krenning. The Hearthside Cabins “Big Moose Lodge” provided a spacious and luxurious base camp with a spectacular mountain view. With sixteen bedrooms, two hot tubs, a theatre room, pool table and an electric fireplace it provided ample space for the whole group as well as smaller areas for entertainment, conversation and connecting. The kitchen and dining area was the gathering place for a homecooked breakfast with everyone pitching in. The early risers helped with cooking and late risers took care of cleanup. There were always plates of fresh baked cookies on the counter! The days were filled with rides around the local area, visits to nearby motorcycle shops for demonstrations, T-Clock workshops
If you would like info on Born To Ride Womens Club, Email info@borntoride.com
BORNTORIDE.COM | BTR 11
and motorcycle maintenance by Verhulst Motorcycle Service. Inspirational speakers set the tone for the event. The founder encouraged women to become S.T.R.O.N.G. Smart, Tenacious, Radical, Outrageous, Natural and Grateful. Humorist, June Cline entertained with stories she calls IMO’s (Idiot Moments) about learning to ride. Happiness expert, Sandy Weaver taught techniques for living a happier life. Dr. Laura Ellis shared the Science of Peak Performance. During the evenings there were dinners, a wine tasting and sharing stories around the fireplace. That still left time for sitting on the deck to enjoy the view or to soak in the hot tubs. Guests enjoyed visiting Dollywood Theme Park and the Wheels Through Time Motorcycle Museum. A few braved the legendary Tail of the Dragon at Deals Gap, navigating 318 turns in 11 miles. The event closed with the blessing of the bikes. Attendees met fellow motorcycle enthusiasts, made new friends and took home many memories to cherish. Many agreed to meet in the summer at the Rocky Mountain summit. Don’t you hate that you missed this incredible jam-packed event? Don’t despair!
They are already planning next year’s events. You can get your tickets and plan your next vacation around riding and experiencing one or both incredible events alone or with your riding buddies. The Rocky Mountain Women’s Motorcycle Summit will be held June 10-16, 2018 in the San Juan mountains of Colorado where you can ride
the “Million Dollar Highway” and the San Juan Skyway Scenic and Historic Byway. The Smoky Mountain Women’s Motorcycle Summit will come back to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee in October of 2018. Visit www.womensmotorcyclesummit. com for information and to sign up for the newsletter to keep you posted on upcoming events. Myra McElhaney
The Cavalry Half Helmet comes fully equipped with Bluetooth 4.1 technology in a sleek and easy to use half-helmet design. IRVINE, Calif. (February 1, 2017) – Sena Technologies, Inc., the global leader in Bluetooth innovation for the motorsports, action sports and outdoor sports lifestyles, has announced today the release of the new Cavalry Helmet. The Cavalry is a motorcycle half-helmet with Bluetooth technology integrated to meet the connectivity needs of those motorcycle riders who prefer the lowprofile helmet style. With its sleek design and simple functionality, the Sena Cavalry is changing the game for riders everywhere. Forget the hassle of installing a headset, the Cavalry is an all-in-one helmet and Bluetooth communicator that comes ready to go. The DOT approved Cavalry Helmet was created with the rider in mind to meet the communication and connectivity needs of those who prefer the half-helmet style. Rock out to your favorite music, answer phone calls, listen to GPS navigation, and use the built-in half-helmet Bluetooth intercom to talk with four of your buddies up to 900 meters away, all through your helmet and without sacrificing your personal style. Kick back and relax on longer rides. With up to 10 hours of talk time, the Cavalry is the perfect Bluetooth half-helmet. The Cavalry comes equipped with HD quality speakers and is engineered with Sena’s Advanced Noise Control™ technology for wind noise reduction and a wide volume
control in order to get the most out of any ride. The Cavalry also comes with optional ear pads in order to boost audio while you’re out on the open road. Enhance your riding experience by linking the Cavalry to the Sena Smartphone App, available for free in the iTunes App Store and on Google Play, the Sena Headset App will simplify your ride. Configure device settings, create FM radio and speed dial presets, and even access the interactive Quick Start Guide all through the easy to use Sena Headset App. The Cavalry will be available for the retail price of $349. Features DOT approved Bluetooth 4.1 Built-in speakers & mic 10 hours of talk time Universal Intercom 900 meter intercom Four-way Intercom Group Intercom Advanced Noise Control FM radio Music Sharing Voice prompts Water resistant Firmware upgradable Like all Sena products, the Cavalry is firmware upgradable and comes with Sena’s industry-leading two-year warranty, and is now available on BuySena.com. For more information as well as the full Sena product
Enter To WIN the NEW SENA 10R Headset, Email: info@BornToRide.com
line, please visit: www.Sena.com. About Sena Technologies Inc Sena Technologies, Inc. is the global leader in Bluetooth Communication Devices for motorsports and industrial solutions – enabling real-time communication and optimal performance in the thick of the action. Since its first flagship product, the SMH10 Bluetooth intercom/headset for Motorcycle helmets, the most cutting-edge technological designs have allowed riders across
powersports and motocross to change the way they communicate while charging tracks and courses worldwide. With cyclists, action sports and outdoor sports enthusiasts taking advantage of its impressive communications and onboard technologies – Sena is enhancing the lives of speed demons and action-seekers for the better. Sena currently offers its products worldwide through its global network of distributors, retailers and OEM partners. BORNTORIDE.COM | BTR 13
BORNTORIDE.COM | BTR 15
BTR 16 | BORNTORIDE.COM
Born To Ride Magazine, Real Editorial Content, Real Value for you the Reader. 888-795-5779
BORNTORIDE.COM | BTR 17
Like so many other youngsters growing up, I was drawn to bikes because at some point the “cool” factor made me wild eyed. We’ve all heard the stories about the young kid seeing a big group of patch members blowing down the road as he peaked over the doorframe out the window. At some point though, at least for me, my love for old scoots took a turn in a slightly different direction. After being away from bikes for a long time I was drawn back to it at a point of great turmoil, the details aren’t important, but it was one of the most difficult times in my life. Upon building a new scoot I found myself healing, in a way. I found a sort of piece and rhythm to it … it felt very similar to playing music. I’ve been a drummer for ages and I made a living in Miami playing in BTR 18 | BORNTORIDE.COM
a number of different bands. When I played the kit sometimes I would get into a zone and time would stand still. I unexpectedly found that same feeling in the bikes. In a way, bikes saved my life. So began a deeper connection to building and riding. The cool factor was now just an afterthought; it was all about the “Zen,” all about finding the groove, the pocket. At some point there was synchronization of all these things I was drawn to at a young age … blues, jazz, art, old cars, drums, and old choppers. For me all of these things began to connect and make sense. Sure, I went through the “f@@@ the world” punkskate phase. But that never lasts and it’s counter to the idea of finding the “groove.” It’s like long board surfing vs. short boards. One is about the flow and connecting with
the wave, the other is about attacking and dominating it. So for me, the less is more idea always inspired me … jazz trios, three notes on a blues solo, two wheels and a motor. Coltrane said it best, “You can play a shoestring if you’re sincere.” When approaching a new project I have all these things in my mind in some form or another. Most of the time you are not thinking about it, it just happens and much like the ride when it’s done you learn things on the way. Every week I would walk to my favorite bar in Venice and along the way I would pass a local body shop. All the year’s I lived in the area I never saw a bike in there, but this day I turned and saw what looked like a shovel sitting on a lift. I walked up and as I got closer I realized it was a cherry 1966
Born To Ride Magazine, Real Editorial Content, Real Value for you the Reader.
TECH SHEET
sitting in a raked frame. I asked one of the helpers what the deal was. After a phone call, an old-timer came over and proceeded to tell me a story about the owner. The owner moved to a Third World country somewhere in Asia where he could be surrounded by as many women his U.S. dollar could afford. It seems the duty on getting the bike to this country was way too pricey so it was for sale. The old man said it had been sitting for a while, but one kick and it turned over. Cash in hand the bike was mine! I tore it down, kept only the motor, tranny, and wheels … sold everything else. The bike sat for a bit while I could drum up cash and other parts to get it done. The frame and gas tank came in as a trade for some work on a bike build I was doing for Matt Davis of Dice magazine. Matt scored the frame from Scott
Craig. The frame came with some history; just about every bike Scott built was with this frame. I narrowed and frisco’d the tank and added some funky handmade mounts. The front end came in as a trade for some fab work on a gas tank. The oil tank and donor fender were traded for an old bass drum pedal. With everything lying there, I turned on some Coltrane, drank some scotch and searched for the groove. I rode the bike unpainted for a while. It would have stayed that way, but after being asked to bring it the Stay Gold show at Sturgis in ’08, I felt the least I could do was paint it. While I am not a purist and enjoy riding these old bikes more that anything I wanted a little head nod to the era. A quick call to Scott Craig and he painted it up complete with funky acid drops. Photo by Josh Kurpius
If you have a cool bike to be featured, let us know. 888-795-5779
General Owner: Fabrication: Year and Make: Model: Assembly:
Caleb “CRO” Owens Caleb 1966 Harley-Davidson FLH Chooper Caleb “CRO”
Engine Year: Model: Builder: Ignition: Displacement: Lower End: Pistons: Cases: Heads: Cams: Carb: Air Cleaner: Exhaust:
1966 FLH Shovelhead Caleb Morris Magneto 74 and a little H-D Wiseco Forged 10 over H-D H-D Andrews A/B SU Caleb Caleb
Transmission Manufacturer: Year: Type: Engine: Trans: Wheel:
H-D 1978 Rachet Top Sprocket Belt Sprocket 24 Tooth Sprocket 49 Tooth Chain
Painting Painter: Type: Color:
Scott Craig and T Markus House of Color Funky Acid Drop Purple
Frame Manufacturer: Year: Type: Rake: Stretch:
Early V-Twin 1955-1957 repop n/a n/a n/a
Accessories Bars: Risers: Fenders: Headlight: Taillight: Pegs: Electrics: Gas Tank: Oil Tank: Seat:
Caleb Flanders Caleb Small 1950s Turner Microphone Caleb Caleb 1950’s Narrowed Wassell Panhead West Eagle
Forks Type:
H-D Offset Springer
Wheels Front Wheel: Brakes: Tire: Hub:
21” Downshifting Old Dunlap Star
Rear Wheel: Brakes: Tire: Hub:
16” Disc Coker Shovel
BORNTORIDE.COM | BTR 19
2018 Harley-Davidson Road King & Heritage
The quintessential American motorcycle company radically remodeled their Softail line for 2018, and shoehorned the Dyna line into it, introducing 8 all-new models. This, after debuting the brand new Milwaukee Eight 107ci last year in their touring line. With a new stiffer chassis, a monoshock suspension under the seat, and some models getting the bumped-up 114ci powerplant, fans of both the old Dynas and Softails should find much to love. Harley-Davidson unveiled the new line in August. I was straddling one, blasting off into the central Alabama foothills, courtesy of our friends at Mt. Cheaha Harley-Davidson in Oxford. For comparison, I was also loaned a 2018 Road King, which had been among the models to receive the Milwaukee Eight 107 for 2017. It promised to be an abundantly entertaining day. In the midst of Mt. Cheaha’s 3rd Annual Rumble on the Loop, I first took off on the Road King, to sample the 107ci mill. Immediately, I was enthralled with this bike.
Instant, head-snapping acceleration at the wrist-twist; thrilling, brutal power on tap up through each cog of the 6-speed gearbox. Granted, I ride a little more aggressively than some, being a sport as well as cruiser rider, so I was a little heavy with the roll-on. But this bike delivers! Up through the hill
Born To Ride Magazine, Real Editorial Content, Real Value for you the Reader.
country, the Road King dives into curves easily, brakes extremely well, shifts up/down solidly, and of course, that throttle! The bike felt like a comfortable touring cruiser with the heart of power cruiser. Next, I took a spin on the newly remodeled Heritage, which actually wears the new 114ci
BORNTORIDE.COM | BTR 21
motor. Thinking this bike would ride similar to the Road King, but with a power bump, I lit out hard like I had on the King. The Heritage quickly settled my raucous energy. Roll-on is more measured, spread out, and smoother. The 114 is clearly tuned for a more relaxed, laid-back ride, as I discovered while motoring along the same roads I had traversed on the Road King. Don’t get me wrong, I completely BTR 22 | BORNTORIDE.COM
enjoyed the new Heritage, once I synched with her vibe. Smooth, even power delivery, a solid yet compliant suspension, and gentle flickability through mountain curves, the Heritage was a dream to ride. My one issue with the Softail, at every stop, I could not click into neutral, from 1st or 2nd. No positive neutral finder? Of course, the bike only had 3 miles on the ODO when
I pulled out, so she’s still well within the break-in period, which may sort the situation. Harley-D has done a phenomenal job with these new 2018 models, and the Milwaukee Eight engine is another giant leap forward for the iconic brand. I strongly encourage sampling these bikes. They do not disappoint. Get your 2018 Harley-Davidson, check em out at a dealer near you.
If you have an interesting story, product, destination ride event or location let us know. 888-795-5779
NOVEMBER 15-19, 2017 PRESENTED BY THE ALL NEW:
TM
ENTERTAINMENT LINE UP Wednesday - Saturday:
Daily & Nightly LIVE entertainment plus Nightly Beach Bar Crawl!
Thursday Nov. 16th
Colt Ford
Friday Nov. 17th
queensryche
Saturday Nov. 18th
Visit www.StPeteBeachBikeFest.com to find out more! Official Headquarters: #StPeteBeachBikeFest
Scan to see Copperhead Lodge come to Life
Full disclosure: I lost a lifelong friend to prostate cancer in 2012. I am a two-time bladder cancer survivor (so far). Recently, an old classmate of my wife’s committed suicide. This is personal to me. When I learned last year about the annual international Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride, for men’s cancer and mental health, held globally on a specific Sunday every September, I knew I wanted to join in. So, I jumped online and signed up for the ride nearest to me in Greenville, South Carolina.
A great ride, among great people, for a great cause. It doesn’t get much better than that. The Distinguished Gentlemen’s Ride was started six years ago by Mark Hawwa and several mates in Sydney, Australia, who conceived the idea of conducting a benefit ride for male prostate cancer. They came across a photo of fictional “Mad Men” character Don Draper, astride a vintage Matchless motorcycle in coat and tie, and the theme of well-dressed, “dapper”
Born To Ride Magazine, Real Editorial Content, Real Value for you the Reader. 888-795-5779
riders on classic motorcycles was born. Supporting the Movember Foundation for Men’s Health, this year’s DGR encompassed over 93,000 registered riders in 581 cities and 92 countries across the globe, raising over $4.7M USD, to date. With the support of sponsors Triumph Motorcycles and Zenith Watches, DGR 2017 surpassed all expectations. My friends at Hourglass Cycles in Buford, Georgia sponsored me by providing a bikeowner Kyle Campbell’s own 2016 Triumph BORNTORIDE.COM | BTR 27
Thruxton R. Sleek, café racer-looking and crazy-powerful, the Thrux served me well among all the vintage, classic, and “modern classic” bikes on the ride. In only its second year, the Greenville event grew from 50 registered riders in 2016 to over 180 this year, a quantum leap in participation. Our ride began and ended at Trailblazer Park in Travelers Rest, just north of Greenville. With control riders, lead and sweep riders, plus full police escort, the whole entourage BTR 28 | BORNTORIDE.COM
navigated through Travelers Rest, looped down through Greenville proper, then took a break under the tall oaks of Furman University before returning to Trailblazer Park for awards, recognitions, music, prizes, food and drink. A “splendid affair.” In this age of division, animosity, growing intolerance, and even spreading violence, the DGR epitomized everything a society can and should be. Men and women, young and old, wealthy and working class, every ethnicity,
every cultural and political persuasion, all riding together, sharing a common cause, focusing on our commonalities rather than our differences. We rode, we talked, we enjoyed the day together. It was a beautiful sight to behold. For more information on how you can “Support the Gentry,” visit the official DGR websitewww.gentlemansride.com Rob Brooks
If you have an interesting story, product, destination ride location or event let us know. 888-795-5779
“Whether you need new gear, new equipment, or want to improve your look with patchwork, Renegade Classics has you covered! Renegade Classics in Georgia is a local family owned biker apparel and accessory outlet store. They cater to cruiser and touring bikes. They carry everything you need to look your best on and off your ride. Being associated with a nationwide group of independent stores allows them to bring you top quality national brands at outlet prices. Their sewing department is always available for patches and repairs. They believe you
should finance your ride, NOT your gear. Renegade Classics truly is the number one choice in motorcycle gear for the biker community. Located in Buford, GA riders should stand out whether they are riding locally or cross-country. If you believe that you should invest in high quality, unique, and affordable gear that helps to accent your ride, Renegade Classics is your source. Not only do they offer engaging and interesting apparel to draw the attention of fellow bikers; they also offer bike accessories to accentuate and even improve the quality and
look of your ride. From years of experience, Renegade Classics has learned what motorcycle riders in Buford, GA are looking for, and can get you outfitted today. They also offer repairs and improvements in their sewing department’s patching services, so if you have your look but need to touch it up a bit, they are ready to help you. Stop by Renegade Classics and start looking your best when you ride! This is the time of the year to get some new leather. www.motorcycleapparelbuford.com
What better way to come back south from Rolling Thunder, than down Skyline Drive and the Blue Ridge Parkway. I had been on it from Cherokee to Asheville, but never completed the entire run and it was on my “bucket list.” Leaving Rolling Thunder and on Memorial Day, Dana Ashberry and friend, Beth Ingram and I left Washington, DC for Front Royal, which was the area where the 105mile Skyline Drive starts from the North to South. When you are in Virginia, even on the Interstate, the stations are not on the highway, but can be a mile or more off the Interstate. I had already gone over 220 miles since I last fueled which was the limit for my bike and couldn’t find a station, so I got off Interstate 66. As soon as I did, the engine sputtered and I came to a halt. Dana had bought a ½ gallon can of gas and was able to fuel me enough to get to a gas station. That was our first adventure and we hadn’t even gotten to our destination yet. We stopped at the Old Mill Restaurant at Front Royal for lunch and then continued to
one of the top ten rides in the US and one of the best through the Appalachians. Dana had been talking about Seneca Rocks over and over for the past two years. From Front Royal, we headed up Route 55 west and made our way through Strasburg and over the interstate. From this point, Route 55 becomes a pleasure to navigate, with virtually no traffic and perfectly-banked curves that come one after another, over and around the contours of the Shenandoah and Allegheny Mountains towards Wardensville. Out of Wardensville you’ll find another 25 to 30 miles of even better riding, crossing numerous mountain ridges and following rivers. Route 55 joins U.S. Route 220 at Moorefield and follows it south for a few miles before returning on its westerly course at Petersburg. Route 220 is a good road itself, following narrow valleys through West Virginia and well into Virginia. It is often named by numerous motorcycle magazines as one of the best unknown roads in America. This must still be true, because there was hardly any traffic.
Starting somewhere before Petersburg and with increasing frequency you’ll notice signs for the Smoke Hole Caverns, Crystal Grottoes, and Seneca Caverns. There are probably more attractions of this type in this region than any other because many of the ridges in this area of limestone caves. After Petersburg, Route 55 spends its remaining time chasing a series of rivers before intersecting with U.S. Route 33 at Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area. This is a popular destination for those who come to climb the rocks. Seneca Rocks’ ragged edges stand out from the smooth ridge lines of the hills that surround them. Often in cases like this, the rock that remains was molten rock that was pushed to the surface by geologic forces below. The heat and pressure made it harder than the surface it pushed through and when that surface wore away, the harder rock was exposed. The Park Ranger told us that the U.S. Army Rangers used the rocks for training and it was the site of the recent movie, “Hacksaw Ridge.” The trip to Sena Rocks had been
Born To Ride Magazine, Real Editorial Content, Real Value for you the Reader. 888-795-5779
BORNTORIDE.COM | BTR 33
completed and hopefully was now out of Dana’s system. Next is a great section of Route 33 between Seneca Rocks and Harrisonburg, Virginia. The first ascent you’ll make is long. It will bring you to a fantastic panorama of the Germany Valley. Wait until you get to a spot along the road that has a “Germany Valley” marker. It’s near the top it offers the best view. To the left and right are the high, impressive ridges of the Alleghenies, while in the valley below, a series of small, uniform ridges. From Franklin, the route settles for a minute and then makes another ascent before dropping into Brandywine. From here, the last great ascent is soon upon you as you ride up the Shenandoah Mountains. After a few miles of switchbacks, you can pull off to the side of the road and retrace your path, finding Brandywine in the valley below. Once over the hills, it’s another 20 miles or so to Harrisonburg, where we spent the night. After eating breakfast, we proceeded from Harrisonburg up Route 53 through BTR 34 | BORNTORIDE.COM
Elkton to the Swift Run Gap entrance of the Shenandoah National Park and rode north 15 miles on Skyline Drive to the Byrd Visitor Center to gather some souvenirs and to eat a light lunch. We then backtracked south 55 miles over Lewis and Loft Mountains, past numerous overlooks to the Rockfish Gap South entrance. The trip south would take us by a number of named gaps, overlooks, trails and valleys. While on this trip south, we ran into some Canadian veterans on a Can-am Spyder, that we had met at Rolling Thunder. Talk about a small world. While Rockfish Gap ended the Skyline Drive portion of the Shenandoah National Park heading south, it was also the north entrance of the 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway. The nice thing about the Blue Ridge was while we passed a few trucks and tankers on Skyline, no commercial vehicles are allowed on the Blue Ridge. Our next stop was the James River visitor center for a break (and more souvenirs), then the Peaks of Otter visitor center. The last run of the day was to Roanoke Mountain where
we pulled off to stay in Roanoke, VA. Dana and Beth were so tired, they passed on the excellent Mexican restaurant, El Toreo, that I ate supper at. Riding 240 miles in the mountains is a lot different than riding on the interstate. The next morning, Dana and Beth went on, while I got some gas. On the way down the parkway, I stopped off at different spots to take pictures, one of which was Rakes Mill Pond. I met up with the two at the Rocky Knob visitor’s center which is near Mabry Mill, of which we took a tour of. Near the intersection of the Blue Ridge and highway 634, we stopped at the Mayberry Trading Post, near Meadows of Dan, which claimed it was the original from the Andy Griffith show. It was a post office in the early 1900s. They have knick-knacks, snacks and a wide variety of jams, jellies and apple butter. Our next stop was at the Blue Ridge Music Center, where we watched a group playing Bluegrass music on a dulcimer. From there it was a stop at the Northwest Trading Post
Born To Ride Magazine, Real Editorial Content, Real Value for you the Reader. 888-795-5779
and then off the Blue Ridge to Boon, NC for a late lunch. Getting back on the parkway, we of course, stopped and took pictures of the famous Linn Cove Viaduct. This is a 1,234foot concrete segmental bridge which snakes around the slopes of Grandfather Mountain. Due the traffic and few turnoffs near it, it was difficult to take decent pictures. It was the last section of the Blue Ridge to be completed and has received 11 design awards. Linville Falls was our next stop which was definitely worth the walk up to the
a tavern (ABC license), lounge and deck and one of the most beautiful mountain views right outside your balcony. It is also conveniently right off the Blue Ridge Parkway. The owner, Mike, is friendly and has a great sense of humor, especially with the breakfast menu. See info at www.skylinevillageinn.com and contact thriftymike@gmail.com. The next morning, we were off again and this time it was a morning ride up to Mount Mitchell which is the highest point East of the Mississippi. We ate lunch on the mountain
falls. The end of our next 240 miles was at the Skyline Village Inn in Little Switzerland, NC. When we stopped for lunch in Boone, we called ahead to the Skyline Village Inn for accommodations. This is a motorcycle friendly hotel which has touring and sport bike rentals, as well as outdoor adventure guide services in Little Switzerland, near Spruce Pine, NC. This is a down-to-earth hotel offering clean rustic rooms that has
which was surprisingly good and for an area frequented by tourists, was priced very reasonable. I would highly recommend it. My last stop was the Folk Art Center, around 5 miles north of Ashville which we toured. Beth and Dana went on to Cherokee and further on to the Dragon’s Tail, and I bid goodbye to both of them at Asheville and headed to Myrtle Beach for business. I had already done the 80-mile ride from Cherokee to Asheville numerous times, so I felt that my
trip on the 575-mile Skyline Drive and Blue Ridge Parkway was completed. The consensus of most riders is that they like the Blue Ridge Parkway better than Skyline Drive. Which is the better road, has better scenery and less traffic? Right after Memorial Day, there was hardly any traffic, since much of Skyline has blind curves, you will find it hard to pass. They allow commercial vehicles on Skyline, but not on the Blue Ridge. The roads conditions are comparable and very well maintained. Skyline mostly is through forested areas with trees
on both sides, while on the Blue Ridge, you can ride on the ridges and have a view down the mountain/ridges on both sides. There are more straight areas on the Blue Ridge that go through meadows and roads that are lined with rhododendrons, trillium, fire pink, crested dwarf iris, trout lily, mountain laurel, tulip tree, mountain ash and dogwood flora. So, based on these observations, I agree with them. Either way, I would not pass up another opportunity to do both. By Paul Murray If you have an interesting story, product, destination ride location or event let us know. 888-795-5779 BORNTORIDE.COM | BTR 35
Dukes Day at Cycle World Athens
BORNTORIDE.COM | BTR 37
BORNTORIDE.COM | BTR 39
5 Motorcycle Safety Tips By Matt Danielson, The Motorcycle Law Group
Being safe means being prepared, alert and cautious while on and off the road. Here are five tips to keep you and others safe on the road. 1. Know your tires. Some motorcycle tires are tubeless and some are not, so it’s important to become familiar with the type of tires you have on your bike. You should know your tires and whether or not you can give them a quick fix if you get a flat tire. One of our partners carries a CO2 cartridge and a tool that allows her to give her tires a quick blast of air should she need it. 2. Check your tire pressure. Be sure you know what the optimal tire pressure is for your bike’s tires and check it every time you ride. Riding when your bike’s tire pressure is too low can damage the tire. Pressure which is too high reduces the contact patch with the road and tends to make your ride feel rougher. 3. Assume that you are invisible. Just because the person behind the wheel of that SUV at the stop sign is looking at you does not mean that they are seeing you. Assume
that the vehicles around you do not see you. As you approach intersections think about what you would do if the car stopped at the light suddenly pulled out. Be prepared to execute a panic stop, and identify possible escape routes. Just because you see them does not mean that they see you. 4. Leave an escape route. Speaking of escape routes, when you come to a stop, watch your rear view mirror for approaching vehicles who may not see that there is a motorcycle ahead. Leave enough distance between you and the vehicle in front of you so that if that happens you can get out of the way. Don’t wait at a light or stop sign with your bike in neutral. Have your bike in gear so that if you do have to quickly get out of the way of a car that does not see you stopped you are ready at a moment’s notice. 5. Practice. Practice. Practice. Nothing hones your skills like actually riding. Find an area with curvy roads and practice negotiating curves. Find an empty parking lot and practice panic stops and slow speed maneuvers. Consider taking a refresher
Have you been injured in an Accident? Contact our Law Firm1-800-321-8968
course to rid yourself of the bad habits that we all acquire over time. Riding skills diminish if they’re not used. Keep yours polished. Stay safe, be prepared and enjoy the ride. Matt Danielson McGrath, Danielson, Sorrell & Fuller The Motorcycle Law Group Motorcyclelawgroup.com 1-800-321-8968 Matt Danielson is a partner at the Motorcycle Law Group, a personal injury law firm whose attorneys all ride motorcycles and represent clients in VA, WV, NC, SC and GA. Matt has successfully represented clients in cases ranging from simple property damage to complex multi-million dollar personal injury claims. He also serves as a lobbyist, adjunct professor and works with motorcycle rights organizations throughout the country. BORNTORIDE.COM | BTR 41
Events www.B November 2 - November 5 Jack, AL Backwoods Thunder Rally. Join us for an adult only (21 and older) rally. We have limited RV hookups and plenty of FREE primitive camping, shower house, hot water and electricity. 850-481-6603 November 3 - November 5 Rockingham, NC IDBL World Finals. The 2017 International Drag Bike League (IDBL) tour will include five events with four taking place at its flagship location, Maryland International Raceway (MDIR), and the addition of a race at Rockingham Dragway. November 4 Buford, GA ACE Classic Cruise-in and Show 10am-3pm (Benefits the North Gwinnett Food Bank Co-op). Modified cars, vintage cars, street rods, muscle cars, motorcycles, race cars, rare rides of all kinds and yes classic drivers too! Oldies DJ, tons of door prizes, silent auction, and fun for the whole family. 770-932-1458 November 4 Dallas, GA Warehouse of Hope Poker Run 9:30am-5pm Rodney’s BBQ & Catering. Cost is $25 which includes 1 lunch, $5 each for extra hand or lunch. All proceeds go to Warehouse of Hope. 770-652-4733 November 4 Dawsonville, GA Abba House Ride for Recovery 9am-6pm. Abba House is a 15-month program in Cumming Georgia where lives of women and their children are being transformed, rebuilt and restored daily. Ride begins at our thrift store with breakfast, and ride up through the beautiful Georgia mountains. Return to our thrift store; prizes, food, fellowship and live music after the ride. 678-208-2000 November 4 Smithfield, NC Shelton’s HarleyDavidson HOG Toy Run 11am. Please bring a new unwrapped toy. Lunch included for all riders who bring a donation. 919-731-2776 BTR4244| |BORNTORIDE.COM BORNTORIDE.COM BTR
Borngreat To Ride market, promote, and your next event; There are Let some events coming up, so getadvertise out there and meet up call with404-788-3907. old friends!
s, Rides & Destinations BornToRide.com/events November 4 Lithia Springs, GA HarleyDavidson of Atlanta LED Workshop 10am & 2pm. Learn how LED Lighting can brighten up the performance and style of your riding experience. For more info 770-944-1340 November 4 Wilmington, NC Carolina Coast Harley-Davidson 26th Anniversary Bike & Car Show. Bike & car show, vendors, food & drink, Demo rides and more. 910-791-9997 November 4 Goose Creek, SC Support Our Soldiers Ride 9am Red Bank Club. Ride to deliver supplies to Veterans Victory House in Walterboro and enjoy a Veteran Meet and Greet. Ending at Low Country Harley-Davidson for Chili Cook-off, $35 rider, $15 passenger. Includes Ride t-shirt, full hot breakfast, entrance to Chili Cook-off with live bands, food and drinks at Low Country H-D. 843-452-9920 November 4 North Charleston, SC Rockabillaque Classic Car & Vintage Bike Show 9am-6pm. A day-long block-party festival with Live music, trophies car show awards, contests & more! The event takes place E. Montague in the Park Circle neighborhood. Benefits Valiant Animal Rescue and Movember. 310-801-2727 November 5 North Charleston, SC Law Riders Toys for Tots Ride 12pm. Please bring a new unwrapped toy or $20 donation to help someone less fortunate have a Merry Christmas. There will be music, food, door prizes and more. 843-554-1847 November 5 Carthage, TN Horsepower by the River 6 8am-3pm Smith
County Ag Center. Custom Car, Truck, Bike, Rat Rod Show & Swap Meet. 615-489-3236
Davidson. Poker Run to benefit Veterans Charities, $20 Rider $10 Passenger. 252-717-8563
party, contests, vendors, daily poker run and more. StPeteBeachBikeFest.com
November 5 Manchester, TN 21st Annual Highway 41 Toy Convoy. Lineup begins at Raiders Academy. Please bring a new toy or two unwrapped to help brighten Christmas for the children in middle TN. Door prizes will be given away thru out the day, with trophies given between 3:30pm4pm. ADMISSION: $10 per vehicle. 931-857-3643.
November 11 Greenville, SC Rettew Family Run 12pm 119 Beverly Rd. Annual support ride, hosted by Greenville Chapter of SC, to benefit the Rettew family, a family near and dear to our hearts. Please bring Target, Publix, Walmart, Lowe’s or Home Depot and other gift cards to help family with household expenses. Dry goods, towel sets, full size sheet sets, etc. are also helpful.
November 18 Augusta, GA Toys for Tots 9am Timms Harley-Davidson. For more info 706-651-0444
November 8 Ladson, SC Bike Night at Honky Tonk Saloon 6pm-10pm. Raffle prizes, bike show, Saloon girls, beer specials and more! For more info call 843-554-1847 November 9 Lithia Springs, GA HarleyDavidson of Atlanta Bike Night 6pm-9pm. Live Music by Taylor Stringfield, Free food, and Free beer*! Sponsored by Lawbike (*please ride responsibly). For more info 770-944-1340 November 11 Clayhatchee, AL 16th Annual Veterans Day Poker Run. Best hand/worst hand, 50/50, door prizes, auction & more. RV & tent camping, vendors, live band, bonfire, food, refreshments and a great time for a great cause! Registration 9:30am-11am $20 rider, $10 passenger, $5 additional hand. 334-470-9255
November 11 - November 12 Blairsville, GA Copperhead Lodge Veterans Day Weekend celebration. Ceremony Nov. 11 at 11am, followed by free BBQ lunch for all veterans and a Freedom Ride KSU 1pm. 706-835-7433 November 11 - November 12 Salisbury, NC CBA Fall Bike Show & Swap Meet 11am-6pm Rowan County Fairgrounds. Buy, sell, trade - new & used motorcycle parts and accessories. Bike show, contests and more. For more info 704-455-6245 November 12 Mobil, AL Vietnam Vets Legacy MC Veterans Day Run. Escorted ride from Battleship Park to American Legion Dauphin Island Parkway; $10 event fee includes Parking. All Proceeds benefit Mobile Veteran organizations.
November 12 North Charleston, SC Roar 2 November 11 the Shore 4 Epilepsy 12:30pm, Lithia Springs, GA Harleykickstands are up at 1:30pm, Low Davidson of Atlanta Veteran’s Country Harley-Davidson. Ride, Day Event 12pm-4pm. Live prizes, games and more. Benefits music, free food, vendors and more! Atlanta HOG Chapter Chili SC Advocates for Epilepsy. For more info 843-554-1847 Cookoff. 770-944-1340 November 11 Winterville, NC Veterans Memorial Ride & Poker Run 10am Hometown Harley-
November 18 Cave Spring, GA Toys for Tots 21st annual Toy Run 9am Rolater Park. KSU at 11am, Ride to Coosa Valley Fairgrounds in Rome, GA. Admission: One new, unwrapped toy or $10. Lunch will be served. We will ride, Rain or Shine. For more 706-767-2099 November 18 Stockbridge, GA Charity Ride for Jeff & Judy Floyd 9am Stockbridge Community Church. The ride should last around one hour and it will be police escorted. Right now, they need our help with their situation. Admission is $25 per rider, $10 for passenger. 770-656-6373 November 18 Durham, NC BCHOG Salvation Army Toy Run 10am Raging Bull Harley-Davidson. Registration opens at 10am; $10 and a toy. 919-596-9511 November 18 Fayetteville, NC Steele Angels 14th annual Toy Run 11am Legend’s Pub. Food, music, door prizes & more. Please bring a new unwrapped toy. For more info 910-818-0458 November 18 Irmo, SC Cottontown Crew Sugar High Showdown 10am Harley Haven. Ride, food, raffles and fun $15 single rider, $20 couple. All $$ will go to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. For more info 803-781-1837
November 15 - November 19 November 18 St. Petersburg, FL (11/15 10/19) Bert’s H-D St. Pete Beach Franklin, TN Cool Springs Harley-Davidson Chili CookBike Fest. Free nightly beach
To Send submitinand eventomore events visit www.GeorgiaBikeEvents.com yourview events info@BornToRide.com, help us help you.
BORNTORIDE.COM || BTR BTR 43 45 BORNTORIDE.COM
www.BornToRide.com/events off 11am. Live music, raffle prizes. Minimum $5 donation to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. 615-771-7775 November 24 - November 25 Buford, GA Black Friday & Chrome Saturday Frazier’s Harley-Davidson. 770-945-6011 November 24 Lithia Springs, GA Harley-Davidson of Atlanta Black Friday 9am-6pm. Best day of the year to cross off those Harley lovers on your list! Raffles, treats, and complimentary gift wrapping all day long. 770-944-1340
Reserve’s Toys for Tots! Bring a new, unwrapped toy as your admission to ride with us and ride to our Toys for Tots Classic Car & Bike Show at Lone Star Steakhouse in Knightdale! Chili will be provided for riders! Toys can be dropped off at the Dealership between Nov. 1 and Dec. 2nd. 919-832-2261
December 2 Myrtle Beach, SC Myrtle Beach Harley-Davidson 7th Annual Toy Run 10am. Join Myrtle Beach Harley-Davidson for our Annual Toy Run Ride benefitting Horry County Red November 25 Buford, GA Santa’s Pictures Frazier’s Cross! 843-369-5555 Harley-Davidson 11am-3pm. For more December 3 info 770-945-6011 Asheboro, NC Randolph County CBA Toy Run 10am November 25 Randolph Mall. One of the New Bern, NC Kennedy Home Toy largest Toy Runs in NC. Ride Run 24th annual 10am New Burn goes to Mills Children Home in Harley-Davidson. Donation of $15 Thomasville, police escorted. cash or gift card or a gift for a teenager between the ages of 12-18 Ride is free but please make a monetary donation or bring an yrs. 252-633-4060 unwrapped gift for a teenage boy or girl. Come by even if November 25 you don’t ride and make a Gaston, SC Chosen Brotherhood Toy Run 10am T’s Country Beer Bar donation then find a spot on parking lot. We have united with The HWY 64 and wave at all the motorcycles as they go by. Salvation Army to help the need of Toys to the local area in the Midlands December 3 and other counties. 803-794-9665 Greenville, SC Greenville ABATE 32nd annual Christmas November 26 Toy Run 12pm 119 Beverly Rd. Shallotte, NC Toys for Tots Ride 11am Beach House Harley-Davidson. Line up starts at noon, parade Join us for our annual Toys for Tots leaves at 2pm sharp; led by ride helping less fortunate kids have a the Parker Fire Department, escorted by Echo Patrol of Merry Christmas. 910-575-9997 GCSO. Ride ends at The County Square on University December 2 Raleigh, NC Toys for Tots Ride 9am Ridge where the JVC is Ray Price Harley-Davidson. Bring a waiting with a truck to fill and refreshments. Don’t forget to toy to donate to the Marine Corps
get warmed up and filled up at Event to benefit the Julie Valentine Center. December 9 Athens, GA 3rd annual Barrow County Toy Run 9am Cycle World of Athens. KSU 11am, ($20 rider, $10 passenger) or new unwrapped toy. Ride to Winder Fire Department. Post ride part at Wingmen Nega Clubhouse. 678-357-3960
classic car enthusiasts, local churches, businesses, and concerned citizens of the community. 910-754-5144 December 16 Lithia Springs, GA Santa Lands at Harley-Davidson of Atlanta 11am-3pm. For more info 770-944-1340
January 20 Concord, NC Easyriders 2018 Bike Show Tour. The Biggest, Baddest Bike Show in North December 9 America. The 2018 Easyriders Greensboro, NC Brenner Bike Show Tour is coming Children’s Hospital Toy Run to Charlotte, North Carolina. 11am Harley-Davidson of Featuring the world’s top bike Greensboro. Please bring a builders, the industry’s top new unwrapped toy to help someone less fortunate have a manufacturing Reps showing Merry Christmas. 336-273-1101 of all of the industry’s latest products. Live Music from your favorite bands. 800-962-9857 December 10 Columbia, SC Vets’ 17th annual January 27 - January 28 Christmas Charity Ride 11am Carolina Honda Powerhouse. Atlanta, GA The Great American Motorcycle Show has Help bring Christmas to our Veterans at Dorn VA Hospital been the place to buy a new Donate a Gift, Give a Christmas motorcycle and the accessories you need. Join us for Georgia’s Card, Make a Donation or Volunteer. Whatever you can BIGGEST indoor bike show! do to help make this a Happier The show is full of new motorcycles brought to you by Season for the Vets Gates open at 10 am - Ride leaves at Georgia’s leading dealers. This is your chance to see what’s noon. vetRide.org new. See & Compare The New Cycles For 2018 Plus Parts, December 12 Surfside Beach, SC Brunswick Accessories, & Everything You Need To Get On The Open County Toy & Poker Run Road! Saturday: 9am-8pm; 8:30am Walmart parking lot. Poker run, door prizes, raffle, Sunday: 10am-5pm. For more food and more. Since 1992 we info 770-279-9899 have raised $265,000, allowing February 15 - February 18 more over 2,100 children to shop at Christmas. We are all Sarasota, FL Thunder By The volunteers who enjoy bringing Bay. “The Festival Where Rock happiness and relief to those Meets Country” Born To Ride less fortunate. The volunteers Kick-off Party, Block Party and are made up of motorcyclists, more. thunderByTheBay.org
Fuel Tank Rusty? Craig Can Fix It!
On a motorcycle, your fuel tank is the heart and soul of your machine. What do you do when it’s rusty, when it leaks? Radiator shop over-the-counter stuff? You know it doesn’t work, try anyways and guess what? It doesn’t work. I offer an alternative service for the inside of your tank, I remove all rust clean them out and coat them with epoxy tank liner that’s clear and works, I guarantee it with gasoline and even methanol. I even repair failed Kreme and Redkote liners. I save vintage tanks that leak, rusty tanks that nobody would ever think of using again. I turn them around quickly within three days Many of the leading motorcycle dealers use me on a regular basis, (Tampabay Powersports, Tampa Triumph, and Eurocycles Tampa) when they’re tired of cleaning carburetors they call Craig. Prices are 129 any tank any condition, three day turn around.
www.CraigPaintsBikes.com • 813-407-2226
Craven Moorehead Be Prepared!
You never know what’s going to happen, so you do what you can, right? I had no idea that there was going to be a major storm here in Florida but after seeing what happened in Texas, I started thinking. Harvey tore through there like a banshee and did major destruction before Irma was ever born in our opinion. It opened my eyes to a lot of stuff but I never realized what was yet to come. This article then is a tribute to all the lives and property lost in both of these catastrophes. And the others that followed. The idea and concept that a major storm could hit Florida was something that a lot of people did not take seriously until the forecasters assured us that there would be landfall in our state. And at that point a state of panic ensued and people went somewhat nuts trying to get prepared. I suppose that I was among those ranks, but I never realized how difficult it would be to survive this event. Remember the term “Preppers” ?? The preppers always predicted a major war, bombing or other event that would ‘end the world’ as we know it, but at least they built bomb shelters and stocked MRE’s and ammo plus a myriad of other stuff to survive the end of the world. Well, I suppose they weren’t so far off in their thinking because the panic that I saw here in the middle of the state was inconceivable. There were several things that everyone needed to survive that could NOT be purchased or bargained for. 1. Gas • 2. Water • 3. Ice • 4. Bread • 5. Peanut Butter • 6. Nonperishable foods (canned goods) • 7. Charcoal and lighter fluid These items – just to name a few are simply on the short list of things that you could not get in the ‘before Irma’ days. In my search for other commodities I realized that even though I was prudent, a lot of items could not be purchased anywhere. My trip took me to seven or eight stores, five gas stations (not for gas) and other businesses where I thought I could get some stuff. I was greeted by empty store shelves, chaos and idiocy beyond belief. When something like this happens, I figured people would come together and try to help one another. I suppose I was wrong. I scored four cans of chili at one grocery store and a nice panicked lady told me that there was one case of water left in the discount store right across the parking lot. I ran over there and got it and BTR 46 | BORNTORIDE.COM
was thankful to have drinking water should the power go out. It eventually did. I went to several other stores within 10 miles of where I lived and was lucky enough to get some other staples that I thought we would need. At one store, I was able to get two jars of peanut butter and at another, three cans of soup. Every store I went to was the same scene – empty shelves, panicked citizens and chaos beyond belief. I needed bread. I couldn’t find any anywhere. After visiting what seemed like a million places I stopped at a Publix near Brandon as I was pushing my cart toward the canned food isle, a worker brought out four or five bags of bakery cooked bread that were fresh. I grabbed two of them and I think if I weren’t so big and ugly several terrified shoppers would have killed me for them. But I escaped. With 80% of my list completed I decided to get my spoils back to the house quickly. But I needed ICE!! When I went to the ‘fill your cooler for 99 cents’ place there were a couple of guys out there trying to help. They had a large straight-job refrigerated truck full of pallets with ice on them. For six dollars, I got 40 pounds. That’s a lot of ice for that amount of money and I was thankful. On the way home, I stopped at a small gas station and scored two small bags of charcoal for eight dollars each. Not a bargain, but I thought my prep-trip may be through after eight hours of scavenging. When the lights go down in the city … (a song) When you are without power things change. Yeah, I had a battery powered radio, several flashlights and lanterns that work plus a limited supply of charcoal. But you could only do so much in the daylight so at night you gotta wing it. I have a huge freezer and moved all the perishable food into that with all the ice, frozen pitchers of water and dozens of small bottles of water. Soon, it defrosted leaving a river of water in the house. Items were moved into a couple of large coolers with the frozen bottles, bags of ice and other frozen commodities so that we could survive. We didn’t know how long it would take to get the power back on. For some reason, I thought it would only be off for a few hours, boy was I wrong. It’s tough to sleep at night with the windows open and no breeze but I was a survivor of that misery. On the fourth day, I decided to venture out in the old truck to see if anyone else had electricity or other storm related damage. We weren’t damaged here and no one in the neighborhood seemed to have any either, just tree debris and not too much damage or other stuff. When I passed by the high school that was being used for a shelter until the lights went off, I was surprised to see about nine electric company trucks in the parking lot. They were from ‘Pike’ and not our local company but they had traveled far to help us in this disaster. They eventually got the power back on and I was so thankful. Taking a bath with gallon jugs ain’t no fun, and losing all your food isn’t either. But we all survived and I hope you all did too.
So, until next month, speed safely and don’t stare at the sun for any reason. … CRAVEN Let us know what you think of Craven Moorehead, info@borntoride.com
Christian Motorcyclists Association
Traffic is a universal challenge that we all face; for many of us it is a daily headache, going back and forth to our jobs. Have you noticed that traffic seems to be getting worse each year, with more congestion? Truth be told, we can’t blame the snow birds for our difficulty on the roads. The traffic challenge is a year-round issue, not just a winter problem. The real issue isn’t even about the volume of traffic; the biggest difficulty is more about how people drive. The volume of traffic just helps us better see the trouble with traffic. The biggest challenge is that it seems like people think the roads are their own personal racetrack, and they are willing to push their way to conquer the roads daily. Just yesterday, a pickup truck with landscaping equipment cut me off to cut across three lanes of traffic to get on an entrance ramp for the highway. Did he not know until the last possible moment that he would be needing to make that move to approach the entrance ramp? The worst part of it is that the company name was on the truck and trailer, really makes folks excited to do business with someone driving like that! The other incident yesterday was a smaller bike, probably BTR 48 | BORNTORIDE.COM
a 250cc or 350cc, that was sitting on International Speedway (appropriately named) waiting for the light to change. Mind you, this is a seven- lane road, and heavily traveled, and this rider decided when the light changed that he should pop a wheelie and ride in traffic, taking a real risk of a serious accident. I don’t know about you, but these kinds of issues drive me crazy! In the Bible, in Psalm 37:1, we are told, “Do not fret because of evildoers.” This means that when I witness such driving or riding, rather than get all excited, or displaying an angry attitude, I should pray for that person’s safety, despite themselves. Rather than speeding up to prevent being cut off in traffic, I should just let the person go on ahead, possibly keeping me from being involved in an accident they may cause. Perhaps this sounds weak to wimp out and let the other guy go ahead, but whose neck will it ultimately save? Do you perhaps have a bumper sticker that points to a group or church you are involved in, is that really how you want them to think of your group, that the group members managed to block them in traffic. Folks, what the Bible is trying to say here is that life is short, chill! If you have a kind, positive attitude while driving, your ride will be much more pleasant for you. I think that is the message Jesus would have us live out in our daily lives! Try it, it will make a difference! In The Wind, Denny Dingler
Check out BornToRide.com for more articles from Christian Motorcyclists Association