Bikes Live Music FOod Vendors Swag Attitiudes unwelcome
2nd Saturday each month
April thru September
7-10 PM at Chariots of Fire Customs LLC 2113 Alexandria Crossing, Troy, MO 63379
JUN 14 JJ Mag
JUL
AUG 9 Rumble Strip
SEP 13 After Midnight /STL
ARE ALMOST TO SPRING, PEOPLE
I know it is hard to believe with the snow & the 10-degree temps, but it will be here before you know it. We are all counting the days until we can pull our bikes & cars out of the garage & go for a long ride down a back road to our favorite bar or meet up with the group we ride with.
Let’s start this month off with a few Mardi Gras celebrations. Saturday 03/01 there is the epic Bud Light Grand Parade in Soulard. The parade will be a line of floats, cars, bikes, beads, beer & almost more fun than you can handle. But not quite!
Also, on the 1st Taytro’s Annual Festus Mardi Gras. You can’t beat their music line up. Hellen Back, Bad Habit & Infringement will be playing, so you know it will be a party like no other.
March 2nd Patti Polizzi Benefit 12pm to 6 pm at KT’s Saloon. Infringement, Hellen Back ,Torchlight Parade & 2 for Flinching have donated their time to help make this success. The benefit will help to pay Patti’s heart surgery & treatment bills.
On the 7th at Sky Music lounge, check out the Fade Outs playing Bowie, Pat Benatar, Joan Jett, Duran Duran.
Also, on the 7th Hellen Back STL. Their sets will be acoustic and they will be playing at The Speakeasy Cocktails and Spirits. Wentzville
Sat. the 8th Tribute to the Metal Gods at Pops with Conquest, our friends South Side 5 featuring lead singer Stump & the band Power Ace. Come bang your heads!
At Decatur Il. Civic Center on the 8th at 7pm The Razors Edge Tour. Wheel to wheel, fast & fearless racing action highlighting motorcycles & quad runners on the ice.
Let’s get our Irish on!!! March 15th start your St Patty’s Day festivities in downtown St louis at the 56th Annual St Patricks’ Day Parade.
Then, what you have been waiting for all winter long, St Patricks’ Day Irish Festival , Monday March 17th in Dogtown. Come early for the parade & wear your green. It’s always an awesome day.
Finish off the month with some great music. Join Bad Habit on 3/29 at River City Casino & Hotel.
I promise next issue there will be a ton of bike & car events to tell you about so hang in there.
Until then, Dina & Nick.
BROTHER JEFFERSON
Saturday, March 8
STL LEGENDS BROTHER JEFFERSON BAND
Americana blues and southern soul brought to you live at The Mill as part of our Blues Concert Series. Legends in the Midwest, Brother Jefferson delivers a powerful performance every time! Don't miss this dynamic show! SLOW RIDE
Saturday, March 15
FOGHAT TRIBUTE
Foghat comes to life with Slow Ride! You know the hits, now see the show! Slow Ride brings all the magic of Foghat to life in one big show! Opening the show is The Nightmare: An Alice Cooper Experience!!
CHAINED LIGHTNING
THE .38 SPECIAL EXPERIENCE
Saturday, March 22
From "Hold on Loosely" to "Caught Up in You" and every hit in between, Chained Lightning will keep you moving with hit after southern rocking hit! Opening up the show is everyone's favorite, Scott and Mechelle!
ELVIS IN THE AFTERNOON
Sunday, March 23
MATINEE SHOW
The Edge of Reality band performs the music of Elvis in this unique show! All your favorite Elvis memories come to life for the whole family to enjoy. Enjoy a Sunday afternoon matinee here in your hometown music venue!
WRESTLING AT THE MILL!
Saturday, March 29
PRO WRESTLING EPIC
Presenting WRESTLING AT THE MILL! Top wrestlers battle it out to win! See the thrilling action of pro wrestling up close and personal at The Mill! Get your tickets now for this special event. This is going to be EPIC!
FULL THROTTLE
THROTTLE THROWBACK
An American Ride
SmallTown,USA
The words “Small Town, USA” to me congers up thoughts of the Andy Griffith Show and Mayberry, RFD, or John Mellencamp’s timeless 1985 anthem “Small Town.” Imagine a place where family values, close friendships, kindness and respect for others, and community spirit thrive, and you are describing a utopia. I have traveled nearly 100,000 miles by motorcycle in the past 6 years, avoiding big roads and big cities as much as possible, seeking out new experiences in small towns across the country. Yes, you will find some ghost towns along the way (which are interesting in their own right), but most of the ones I have visited are glowing examples that you can live a full, meaningful life beyond the confines of the big city.
Traveling is usually thought of as simply moving from one place to another, with the destination being the goal of the trip. For me and my wife, the motorcycle changed that. The trek itself has become an important and integral part of the journey. We feel more connected to the road and to the country that we are carving our way through. It is almost as if we are riding back in time, into the folds of the fabric of our nation and gaining a new appreciation for the essence of our country, our cities, towns and people.
Small towns are not only defined by the size of their population, but it is also more about the character and charm that they exude. What we have experienced in recent years is a resurgence of small towns everywhere, not only close to my home here in St. Louis, but everywhere that we travel. There is (and has been) a revitalization of small towns everywhere. We’re seeing once empty buildings, store fronts and homes being rebuilt. New
businesses are opening offering goods, arts, and crafts, great food, fine wines, beers and spirits. New people are celebrating old ways by saving historical buildings and conserving a connection to our past.
Highlighted in this article are just a few of our favorite places that we have visited, some of which we’ve returned to many times. In the November issue of Full Throttle, I wrote about The Amana Colonies in Iowa, we’ve been back there twice, each time allowing at least a full day to explore the area and enjoy the local culture. A couple of favorites nearby are Hermann and New Haven in Missouri, or Grafton in Illinois. All popular for bikers thanks to the great roads that lead us there!
Afewhundredmiles north of St. Louis is the very cool city of Cedar Falls, IA. With a population of 40,000, it may not count as a small town but the vibe of the downtown area, especially along Main Street, certainly gives it that feel. We overnighted here in 2023 on our return from Sturgis and again in 2024, allowing a full day to visit the various shops and restaurants and bars, including a day trip to Waterloo for the 2024 Irish Fest (a short 8-mile shuttle trip).
Galena, IL is another favorite, and one that you would want to allow at 2 days on the ground to TheBlackHawkHotel,CedarFalls,IA
enjoy. We stayed in an Airbnb owned by a family friend right above Big Bill’s Sandwich Shop (a great place for coffee, breakfast and lunch), in the beautifully restored 1850’s Logan Building. In fact, over 60% of Galena’s buildings are in a National Register Historic District. Grant Park lies just across the Galena River and is home to the Galena Country Fair & Craft Show, usually held on the 2nd weekend in October. With a population of 3,300, the amount of restoration and preservation work that has taken place is remarkable, and the number of historic homes, including Ulysses S. Grant’s, are within an easy walk from downtown. Our route from St. Louis includes a good part of the Great River Road (IL-84), which we pick up on the Illinois side of the Mississippi just south of LeClaire, IA. If you’re feeling adventurous, stop in at Antique Archaeology just across the river in LeClaire before continuing north on The Great River Road. If you plan a trip around the Country Fair & Craft show, you won’t be disappointed. We enjoyed a good part of our Saturday exploring all the vendor’s tents and admiring the skill of local artists and craftsmen. Black River Falls, WI has become one of our annual destinations, usually riding over following the
end of the Sturgis Rally. A friend and former neighbor moved to the area several years ago, and we’ve been returning to visit her since 2018. While the ride over from Rapid City, where we stay during Sturgis week is on the highway most of the way, east of Rochester, it becomes a bit more enjoyable. We cut off I-90 onto MN-43 through Winona, cross the Mississippi and take WI-54 all the way into Black River Falls. WI-54 offers a very scenic route through rolling farmland and courses east mostly along the Black River.
Withapopulation of 3,500, this easily put Black River Falls in the “small town” category. Like many other small towns we have been to, we enjoy visiting the shops as we walk around town. A couple of favorites include Moe Hardware Hank & Sporting Goods, about as old-fashioned and rustic as you can get considering the big box stores that have pushed smaller businesses out in most parts of the country. No bar code scanners here, they help you find what you are looking for and ring you out at the register. I especially like to visit Karma New & Used where the owner has an amazing array of antiques (and a fine collection of old Harleys), and I always seem to find something to take home with me.
So, my recommendation to you is to find yourself a small town or two and get out and ride! Whether it is somewhere close to home, or somewhere across the country, pick a back road, something off the beaten path, where you will find RoadsWorthy!
Until next time, I’ll be out riding, itfeedsmysoul.
© 2025 all rights reserved
Galena,IL
Gnome carver,GrantPark,Galena,IL
Karma New & Used,BlackRiverFalls
OWNER
CAR
- DAVE CULLEN
PHOTOGRAPHER - SVEN WHITE
NEW MODEL THE
Harley-Davidson has long been synonymous with the spirit of the open road, and the 2025 Street Glide Ultra exemplifies this legacy by offering riders an unparalleled touring experience. Designed for those who crave long-haul adventures with premium comfort and advanced features, the Street Glide Ultra stands as a testament to Harley-Davidson’s commitment to innovation and rider satisfaction.
Design and Aerodynamics
The 2025 Street Glide Ultra boasts the iconic Batwing fairing, meticulously sculpted using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and wind-tunnel testing. This design not only enhances the motorcycle’s aesthetic appeal but also significantly reduces helmet buffeting by up to 60%, thanks to a clear windshield that is four inches taller than standard Street Glide models. Complementing this is the inclusion of new fairing lowers with adjustable air vents and larger, adjustable fork-mounted air deflectors, providing riders with improved aerodynamic comfort and control over airflow.
Comfort and Storage
Long-distance journeys demand exceptional comfort, and the Street Glide Ultra delivers with a redesigned two-up comfort seat. This seat ergonomically rotates the rider’s hips forward, alleviating spine pressure and ensuring hours of comfortable riding. For storage, the motorcycle comes standard with the King Tour-Pak® luggage carrier, featuring a robust passenger back pad. Combined with hard-shell luggage carriers, fairing cubbies, and large saddlebags, riders have access to 4.9 cubic feet of storage space—more than twice that of a standard Street Glide.
Performance and Handling
At the heart of the Street Glide Ultra lies the Milwaukee-Eight® 117 V-Twin engine, delivering more torque and horsepower than its predecessors. This liquid-cooled powerhouse ensures optimal performance, even when fully loaded. The motorcycle’s handling is further enhanced by SHOWA® dual outboard emulsion technology rear shocks, offering three inches of travel for a responsive and consistent ride. Remote hydraulic preload adjustments can be made quickly and easily by hand, allowing riders to fine-tune their suspension settings on the go.
STREET GLIDE ULTRA, FLHXU
Technological Advancements
Modern riders expect cutting-edge technology, and the Street Glide Ultra does not disappoint. The centerpiece is a crystal-clear 12.3-inch touchscreen color TFT display powered by the Skyline™ OS. This advanced system provides easy access to infotainment, navigation, and allows riders to switch between the bike’s four ride modes seamlessly. The hands-free Voice Recognition System simplifies navigation with conversational commands, such as, “Find me a gas station,” ensuring riders can keep their focus on the road.
Safety Features
Safety remains a paramount concern for Harley-Davidson. The Street Glide Ultra is equipped with advanced Rider Safety Enhancements, including Cornering ABS and Traction Control, which provide increased confidence in various riding conditions. Additionally, the Vehicle Hold Control feature is particularly useful when stopped on an incline or decline; by simply squeezing and releasing the front brake lever, the system activates to prevent the motorcycle from rolling, offering peace of mind during stops.
Conclusion
The 2025 Street Glide Ultra is for riders seeking the ultimate touring experience, this model represents a compelling blend of classic Harley-Davidson design and modern innovation.
In conclusion, the 2025 Harley-Davidson Street Glide Ultra is a masterful blend of tradition and innovation, designed to meet the demands of today’s touring enthusiasts. With its enhanced aerodynamics, superior comfort, robust performance, and state-of-the-art technology, it stands ready to deliver unforgettable journeys on the open road.
Thank you for reading!
Rocky
Pick Up Locations
AMVETS Post 6
CD Warehouse
Hooters (So County)
Inkbox Tattoos
Helen Fitzgerald’s
Borgetti's Bar & Grill
Holties Restaurant & Pub
St. Charles Harley
Tenbrook Station Lounge
TJ'S Bar & Grill
Joe Clark's Restaurant
Kenny's Bar & Grill
Tuners on Main Street
Cathouse Leather in Joplin
Gateway Harley Davidson
Crossroads Bar
The Hideout 21 Rock
Tuckers Place So County
Bobby's Place
Graf Group Insurance
Fairway Automotive
Chucks Boots -Fenton
Chucks Boots -St Peters
Diamond Music Hall
Chariots of Fire Customs
Big St. Charles
The Detail Shop
The Tavern at Clifton Heights
Custom Detail
Doc’s Harley Davidson
The Filmore CARQUEST Auto Parts-Arsenal
Chippewa Tire
KT’s Saloon
The Shanti
Hessler’s Pub & Grill
The Off Track Saloon
The Barn
Herman’s Automotive
Cycle Gear (So.County)
Shirley’s Bar & Grill
Fast Lane Classic Car
Memoreze at JR’s Saloon
The Car Audio Shop - Westport
The Car Audio Shop - Highridge
CRACK UP'S
THE MAID
A guy dials his home phone from work. A strange woman answers.
The guy says, “Who is this?”
“This is the maid.”, answered the woman.
“We don’t have a maid!”
“I was just hired this morning by the lady of the house.”
“Well, this is her husband. Is she there?”
“Ummm...she’s upstairs in the bedroom with someone who I just figured was her husband.”
The guy is fuming. He says to the maid, “Listen, would you like to make $50,000?”
“What do I have to do?”
“I want you to get my gun from my desk in the den and shoot that witch and the jerk she is with.”
The maid puts down the phone. The guy hears footsteps, followed by two gunshots.
The maid comes back to the phone. “What should I do with the bodies?”
“Throw them in the swimming pool!”
“What?” There’s no pool here?”
Long pause...”Uh...is this 832-4821?”
THE ELEVATOR
An Amish boy and his father were visiting a mall. They were amazed by almost everything they saw, but especially by two shiny, silver walls that could move apart and then slide back together again. The boy asked, “What is this, Father?”
The father (never having seen an elevator) responded “Son, I have never seen anything like this in my life, I don’t know what it is.”
While the boy and his father were watching with amazement, a rather heavy, not too attractive, older lady walked up to the moving walls and pressed a button. The walls opened and the lady walked between them into a small room.
The walls closed and the boy and his father watched the small circular numbers above the walls light up sequentially. They continued to watch until it reached the last number and then the numbers began to light in the reverse order. Finally the walls opened up again and a beautiful, young woman stepped out. The father, said quietly to his son, “Go get your Mother”.
THE DINNER PARTY
A wife and her husband were having a dinner party for all the major status figures in Rome, Italy. The wife was very excited about this and wanted everything to be perfect.
At the very last minute, she realized that she didn’t have any snails for this dinner party, so she asked her husband to run down to the beach with the bucket she was handing him to gather some snails. Very grudgingly he agreed. He took the bucket, walked out the door, down the steps, and out to the beach. As he was collecting the snails, he noticed a beautiful womam strolling alongside the water just a little further down the beach. He kept thinking to himself “Wouldn’t it be great if she would even just come down and talk to me.” He went back to gathering the snails.
All of a sudden he looked up, and the beautiful woman was standing right over him. They got to talking, and she invited him back to her place. They were at her apartment a ways down the beach, and they started messing around. It got so hot and heavy, that he was exhausted afterwards and passed out there.
At seven o’cllock the next morning he woke up and exclaimed, “Oh no!!! My wife’s dinner party!!!” He gathered all his clothes, put them on real fast, grabbed his bucket, and ran out the door.
He ran down the beach all the way to his apartment. He ran up the stairs of his apartment. He was in such a hurry that when he got to the top of the stairs, he dropped the bucket of snails. There were snails all down the stairs. The door opened just then, with a very angry wife standing in the door way wondering where he’s been all this time. He looked at the snails all down the steps, then he looked at her, then back at the snails and said: “Come on guys, we’re almost there!”
