Tankside September 2015 Edition by Tankside

VOLUME ONE No. 5

20 DAM good PLACES TO RIDE

09/2015

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LIFE HAPPENS TANKSIDE STAFF MELANIE DAVIS Owner/Publisher melanie@brilliantmedia.company

GABRIELA KANDZIORA Director of Business Development gabriela@brilliantmedia.company

CHRIS ALVAREZ Production Manager

EDITORIAL AMANDA SCHURR Editor amanda@brilliantmedia.company

SALES LARRY LEWIS Sales Representative

larry@brilliantmedia.company

LYNDA WILKINSON Sales Representative

lynda@brilliantmedia.company

MARY SMITH ENGSTROM Sales Representative/Reporter

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS ALBERTO MORENO - Columnist, WOLFGANG VON HOHENZOLLERN - Columnist, DAVE ENGSTROM- Road Captain

MARY DAVIS Den Mom & S.A.G. Vehicle

LEILANI FINLEY WILDMAN

As Business Development for Tankside, I have the awesome job of spreading the word about our publication and of connecting with riders, people, supporters, partners and collaborations that help our motorcycling community in many ways, with Tankside as the hub. In the following months, Tankside will be talking to our readers in more depth about some of the great partnerships that have been solidified in the last few weeks, some events that are coming for the tail end of 2015 and early 2016, and the continued expansion of Tankside’s readership and recognition. Thank you, readers, for helping us grow, and thank you to our advertisers for their support. As we say here at Brilliant Media, LLC, “Life happens Tankside.” Trust that we will do our part to bring more “life” for you to engage in with each year! Make sure you ride or drive to the Tankside Tail Gunner Party on Saturday, October 10 starting at 3 p.m. at Cascade Bar & Grill in Vancouver, Washington. The Tail Gunner Party will have live music, complimentary appetizers, $3 well drinks, limited edition T-shirts, pins, patches and hats. This event will be an annual “end-of-the-summer-riding-season” party, so plan for it the second weekend of October every year. In 2016, Realtor Gabriela (RealtorGabriela.com) will be sponsoring a ride preceding the party. Check out the full page ad at the back of our publication. Tankside is also proud to announce that we have officially become owners of the DamTour—20 “Dam” great places to ride! If you have not heard of this event, you will become familiar in this issue. The DamTour will give you a Dam good reason to go out and ride. This event was started by Steve Folkestad and Cheryll Malish back in 2005. Tankside is proud to carry on its legacy and preserve its history. We hope you will partake in this ride. Look for the new website very soon: www.DamTour.com. There will be a special announcement at the Tail Gunner Party, and founder Steve Folkestad will be there along with a photo archive of past DamTours. Tankside’s Tail Gunner Party is gonna rock—don’t miss it! The Hells Canyon Motorcycle Rally, set for July 7-11, 2016 in Historic Baker City, has retained Tankside as the Official Motorcycle Magazine for the event. Plan on seeing more about this rally in future editions of Tankside. And look for HCMR to be even more

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INDEX

fun and exciting in 2016, with amazing rides in some of the most gorgeous scenery in the U.S.A. Book your camping space or hotel now (HellsCanyonRally.com), as these sell out fast! Tankside keeps growing, keeps reaching out to our biker community—it truly is “for riders, by riders.” We would love for YOU to share your photos, your journeys, your rides, why you started riding, who taught you, what bike you learned on, and other experiences. What did you think when you first felt the power of the bike and the wind on your face? Was it freedom? Was it love? Was it liberation and sanctity? Tell us. Please submit your stories to Tankside—we would love to hear them and share them with our biker community. Email them to me at Gabriela@BrilliantMedia.Company. Tankside will be revealing some awesome bike builds and gorgeous bikes in future 2015-16 editions. Submit yours—maybe it will make the cover! And finally, I bring to you a heartwarming, brand new partnership, what strikes to the core for many of our biker community, and a foundation that is extremely dear to our Publisher, Melanie Davis. A few weeks back, Melanie said to me, “Gabriela, make it happen,” and I am doing just that. Tankside is working with B.A.C.A.—Bikers Against Child Abuse International, an organization that “exists with the intent to create a safer environment for abused children.” All of us know a child who has suffered abuse. B.A.C.A. has been established to protect these children. Look for a cover story on B.A.C.A. in a future 2015 edition and an ongoing partnership between B.A.C.A. and Tankside. You will learn just how vital B.A.C.A. is to these children, and how vital these children are to B.A.C.A. I get choked up just thinking about the brawn and love behind these bikers who make a world of difference to these abused children. If you wish to get involved, please visit www.BACAworld.org. You can see that life really does happen Tankside! Thank you for sharing us with your riding pals. Tankside distributes 20,000 copies to more than 200 major dealers in Washington and Oregon, but if you know of a place that needs to carry Tankside, please text me at 503481-9870 or email me at Gabriela@BrilliantMedia.Company. Talk to you again, soon. In the meantime, make your life happen Tankside. —Gabriela Kandziora

FEATURE: STURGIS 2015: THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY IN RECAP

RUN FOR THE WALL: PART THREE

SPOTLIGHT ON: THE BRASS BALLS RUN

A DAM FINE EXPERIENCE: THE DAMTOUR

IT’S A GROOVY RIDE WITH LADY FRED: STURGIS BIKE RALLY

SAFETY CORNER: DEMON BELL

GULA MATARI: HOW I GOT “TANKED”

IN THE CAGE:

CALENDAR OF EVENTS: SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER

VOICES: OVER ON THE HIGH SIDE

SUBARU CROSSTREK

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September 2015 | 3

Feature

STURGIS 2015:

THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY IN RECAP

By Joseph Troncoso

MOST ESTIMATES PUT THE CROWDS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF ONE MILLION ATTENDEES THIS YEAR.

ith the 2015 Sturgis 75th Anniversary now behind us, we look back on some of the memories that this year’s event brought us. Although the official rally dates were August 2-8, many seasoned riders come the week before the rally officially starts. This year brought record crowds to the event, which caused some traffic problems. The official tally for rally-goers hadn’t been released as we went to press, but most estimates put the crowds in the neighborhood of one million attendees this year. The previous largest rally on record was the 60th Anniversary back in 2000. That year, 633,000 attendees were on hand to celebrate. We arrived at the rally on Tuesday, July 28, the week before the rally. For the past six years, we have volunteered to provide the medical services and first aid for one of the largest campgrounds there, Glencoe Camp. This year we had a team of six firefighters/EMTs and two paramedic supervisors. Most campgrounds were packed this year, and ours was no exception. In previous years, we had treated 116 campers, which was a record for us. This year, we saw more than 241 people needing medical attention. Once we’d set up camp, we headed into Sturgis before the huge crowds arrived. After a short three-mile ride into town, we were surprised to see how many people were already there. Bear in mind it was five days before the rally was to officially kick off, but 4 | September 2015

Main Street in Sturgis was already packed and the vendors were already in full swing. We bought some great souvenirs of the 75th Anniversary and spent the day in town. It only took us 15 minutes to get from town back to camp, but remember, it was still early and before the bulk of the attendees had arrived. As usual, there were some great bands and acts to see in Sturgis this year. Lynyrd Skynyrd, John Fogerty, Styx, Def Leppard, Skid Row, War, Brantley Gilbert, Puddle of Mudd, Colt Ford, and the Northwest’s own Hell’s Belles all performed at the 2015 rally. Some of the concerts are held in the campgrounds and require paid admission to attend, but many of them are held at free venues, allowing you to enjoy the music, surrounded by fellow bikers, at no cost. Among the best things about going to Sturgis are the rides you can take around the fabled “Black Hills” of South Dakota. Members of our team took turns riding on their days off and went to Devils Tower, Wyoming, Deadwood, Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse monuments, and the Badlands. An additional challenge we faced this year was some of the crazy weather that can come up on you fast out on the plains. On Monday, August 3, black clouds began forming to the south and east of us. We have access to the weather advisories on the radios issued to our medical team, so we tuned in to hear the forecast. The National Weather Service | STURGIS G oes to page 5

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|I’VE BEEN OUT THERE

was calling for heavy rainfall and flash floods, mainly in the Sturgis area. I’ve been out there every year for the past 10 years and it isn’t unusual to have a thunderhead roll through, but I’d never seen rain out there like we had this year. It started raining lightly and within five minutes had turned to a downpour, dropping 1.67 inches of rain in a threehour period from 8:30 to 11:30 p.m. The forecasters were proven right when we got a call to respond to treat somebody up at the front gate. The road across the creek had been washed away and Continued from page 4 the campground we were in was now an island, with the normally mild creek now a raging river. Fortunately, they rebuilt the road early the next morning and normal traffic resumed. With this year’s record crowds, getting around proved to be a problem. Once the rally officially had started and all the attendees were present, many people were frustrated that the three-mile ride from the campground to town was taking up to two hours. We spoke with a regular rally attendee who said it had taken him 1 hour and 45 minutes to make the two-mile ride across town in Sturgis. Although the record crowds were reflected in the traffic, the South Dakota Highway Patrol reported that drunken driving, or DUI arrests, were actually down this year—only 200 arrests compared to last year’s 229. Sadly, this year 16 people lost their lives in accidents related to the rally. Although officials had expressed concerns about possible violence after the episode in Waco, Texas earlier this year, no shootings or stabbings were reported at the 2015 event. Regional Health (a South Dakota health care provider that runs the area hospitals) reports that they saw and treated 1,100 patients in rally-related incidents. Sturgis Regional Hospital and Rapid City (30 miles away) Regional saw the largest numbers, with 471 and 299 patients, respectively.

EVERY YEAR FOR THE PAST 10 YEARS AND IT ISN’T UNUSUAL TO HAVE A THUNDERHEAD ROLL THROUGH, BUT I’D NEVER SEEN RAIN OUT THERE LIKE WE HAD THIS YEAR.

Although it was a very busy and interesting year, I personally look forward to the rally getting down to its normal size in 2016.

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“Results that move you!” MAY I HELP YOU WITH YOUR REAL ESTATE DREAMS?

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5000 Meadows Suite 150 Portland, OR 97035

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September 2015 | 5

Road Stories

RUN FOR THE WALL: THE CONCLUSION OF A THREE-PART SERIES

Vietnam Veterans Memorial By Kirsten Andrea Nicolette

fter we left St. Louis, we finally crossed the mighty Mississippi River and entered Illinois. We headed toward Mount Vernon, where the local Harley dealership and the residents of the area welcomed us for lunch, serving us fried chicken with all the fixin’s, and had a live band playing for our enjoyment. It was a warm day, and the riding was perfect. We had picked up more riders throughout the Midwest states, and now had more than 450 riders registered in the Central Route for the Run for the Wall. After the ceremonies acknowledging and thanking the local contributors, we said our goodbyes, staged our bikes for the ride and took off for our final destination that evening, Corydon, Indiana. As we rode into Corydon, I instantly fell in love with the quaintness of the town, and the homey feeling I got from the old houses, big inviting porches, spring flowers in bloom and Old Glory flying proudly from more homes than not. The townspeople cheered us on as we wound through the town and were led into the fairgrounds. We parked and were guided into the gathering buildings, where the Boy Scouts, among other groups, were busy frying catfish, along with homemade coleslaw and cornbread, for a bottomless bounty for us. The ride to Corydon was lush and green, and the weather was truly optimal. After the wonderful feast, we departed to the other end of town and settled in for the night. In the morning, at the meeting we learned we had gained a whole new platoon. Local soldiers who also happened to ride motorcycles would be joining in on the run, for at least that day. They would have to return to their base the next. We were proud to have men in uniform earn their participant patch for the RFTW; after all, it was young men and women such as themselves, from decades and wars earlier, whom we were riding to honor. The new platoon was assigned to a proxy captain and co-captain, and we headed out to our next stop. It was so amazing to see how the local officials closed the freeway on-ramps and traffic came to a screeching halt for the RFTW riders through Louisville, Kentucky. We visited the Robley Rex VA Center in Louisville. The center is named after a true American hero. Mr. Rex enlisted in the United States Army in 1919 as a young man and served in the European Theater for three years. After his military service Mr. Rex dedicated his entire life to helping his fellow veterans, both through his work with Veterans Service Organizations and through his activities as a Louisville VA Medical Center volunteer. Mr. Rex accumulated more than 14,600 hours in his 23 years of ser6 | September 2015

National Mall

vice. He passed away April 28, 2009, just days before his 108th birthday. The Robley Rex VA Center has a very special resident, Popcorn Billy. He has a smile that is contagious and a spirit that is incredible. He talked with us as long as we could stay and told us he had made his special popcorn just for us. Billy hugs everyone, and when he hugged us, his smile appeared to get even bigger. Billy then told everyone, “I must have died and gone to Heaven.” Billy has been at the VA hospital for 25 years and buys all of the popcorn himself, sells it for donations of a dollar a bag and then donates all of the money to his favorite charity that month. Popcorn Billy may be the single most talked-about friend of the Run for the Wall. Billy also has laminated copies of the newspaper article that tells of his twin brother, Robert, being KIA and of his own injury—he was shot— while they served together in Vietnam. He then handed us a laminated copy and asked us to place it at his brother’s name at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall. An amazing experience, is all I can say. After leaving Louisville, we headed off to Frankfort, the capital city of Kentucky. The Kentucky Vietnam Veterans Memorial overlooks the state Capitol and honors the 125,000 Kentuckians who served this nation so courageously and unselfishly during the Vietnam era (1962-75). More than 58,000 Americans gave their lives during the conflict. Among that number, 1,103 were Kentuckians. Thousands of those who served were wounded in action and hundreds are still listed as missing in action (MIA). The blue-gray granite plaza of the memorial contains the names of Kentucky’s 1,103 citizens who died. Each name is precisely located so the shadow of the sundial gnomon touches each veteran’s name on the anniversary of his death. Thus, each individual is honored with a personal tribute. Every day is Memorial Day for a Kentucky Vietnam veteran. After leaving the memorial that truly was awe-inspiring, we headed to our next and final destination for the evening, Hurricane, West Virginia. It was when getting ready to leave the memorial that suddenly I had mechanical problems and had to abandon my platoon and await a chase vehicle to pick me up. Another biker group was present at the memorial and tried to push-start me, but my bike was not having it. The chase truck picked me up and also picked up another bike and dropped us off at Lexington’s Man O’War Harley dealership. After several hours, the problem could not be discovered as to why my battery was down to a 10.5 volt from 12 V. They charged it up, checked, double-checked, charged me nothing, and soon the other rider who was towed in and I were on | RUN FOR THE WALL Goes to page 7

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Road Stories our way. It was kind of nice to ride the 160 miles to Hurricane and not have to concentrate quite so hard. PRECISELY LOCATED The small break was much appreciated. We arrived in Hurricane after dark. The group had already started to SO THE SHADOW OF settle in from the dinner they had attended, provided THE SUNDIAL by the generous citizens and veterans of Hurricane. GNOMON TOUCHES The next morning brought coolness and dampness, which required rain suits. We headed off to the capiEACH VETERAN’S tal of Charleston, West Virginia. There we encircled the NAME ON THE Capitol building’s front courtyard and took a group ANNIVERSARY OF picture on its steps. We were served coffee and Krispy Kreme donuts, and had an opportunity to take in the HIS DEATH. West Virginia Veterans Memorial, which pays respect Continued from page 6 to those who fought in all the wars and conflicts. As we departed Charleston we headed up the Appalachians to the town of Rainelle, West Virginia. Rainelle is a town that has long been supported by the RFTW. Although it is not as impoverished a town as it was 27 years ago when the RFTW began, it is an appreciative society that holds the tradition of the riders coming as one of its annual highlights. The schoolchildren look forward to seeing the riders, and they have all made autograph books, and come running up to us for signatures. RFTW has been instrumental in helping raise the funds necessary for the town’s new school and many other local amenities. The excitement in the children’s faces this year was priceless. I asked one little boy what he liked best about the RFTW coming to his school, and with such a gleam in his eye, he rejoiced that he waits all year for this one day. Again I asked him what he felt was so special, and his response was the vibration in his body as all the bikes rode in. Many of the children’s parents were children themselves during the first years the RFTW stopped in. The road to Rainelle had its own challenges. It was windy, and covered in a coal soot, and given the foggy and wet conditions of that morning could be treacher-

| EACH NAME IS

ous in its own right. Staying focused and staying off the brakes helped. During this leg of the ride we rode single file, and everyone had to ride his or her own ride for safety reasons. When we left Rainelle for Lewisburg, West Virginia, on the other side of the Appalachians, we continued the same practice—everyone rode their own ride. Once in Lewisburg, we found our hotels, parked our bikes, and walked to whatever dinner locale we chose and called it a night. The final leg of the journey was this day—Friday, May 22, 2015. We got up, fueled and headed for Washington, D.C. The countryside was fabulous as we departed West Virginia and crossed into Virginia. The sky was blue, dry, warm—some of the best riding to be done. We were fortunate to be led into D.C. by a veteran of Vietnam, but just as importantly, a veteran of the RFTW. He had also lived for many years in D.C. and brought us directly to our host hotel, up the street in Arlington. We got settled in our room, and then Janet and I located a laundromat and strolled the 1.5 miles, taking in our land legs for the day. That evening we took a cab and went to watch the Marine Corps Silent Drill team, and enjoyed seeing Southeast D.C. The next morning, being FNGs (Fine New Guy or Gal), we were among the 400 bikers allowed into Arlington National Cemetery, across from the Pentagon and the Air Force Memorial, to witness the changing of the guard of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and the placing of the wreath from the RFTW. Following Arlington Cemetery ceremonies, we rode across the Potomac and parked the bikes in West Potomac Park, and gathered on the Lincoln Memorial for a RFTW photo. It included the Central Route, which on the final leg numbered 594 registered participants, as well as the Middle and Southern routes, which all converged on Arlington that Friday, totaling close to 1,200 riders for the 2015 RFTW. After the picture, we made our way to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, where we each had an agenda of our own to fulfill, as well as that of our mission for the Run for the Wall. It was Memorial Day weekend. Our mission then completed, my platoon captain took my FNG button and turned it upside down, declaring me a member for life—I would never again be an FNG.

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September 2015 | 7

Events

A DAM FINE EXPERIENCE: THE DAMTOUR

By Gabriela Kandziora

e riders love to earn pins. Besides riding for the sheer fun and excitement (and good food at the lunch stop), earning a pin is a primary goal for so many of us. Looking at the cuts of some riders, you will see years and miles of riding invested in multiple states. Pins proudly displayed on our leather cuts tell people the miles, places, and years we have ridden. They also tell people our mindset—“DILLIGAF?” or “Smart-Ass White Boy” comes to mind. Some pins also proudly reveal a bit of our past—military affiliations, philanthropy to toy runs or charities, and in memoriam of fallen riders. Each one of these small but extremely valuable pieces of history tells a story. And the rider, wearing the cut they are attached to, can tell you the blow-by-blow account of how, where and when she or he earned each one. One of the most fun pin/patch collecting experiences is the “DamTour.” Steve Folkestad started this awesome self-guided tour back in 2004. His brother, Eric, was working at a motorcycle dealership and mentioned to Steve, “I need something for my customers ‘to do’ after they get their bike.” So Steve, being the entrepreneur and problem solver that he is, came up with the fantastic idea of creating a “scavenger hunt” for motorcyclists and decided to use dams as the destination. Thus the DamTour, “20 DAM good places to ride,” was born—eight dams in Oregon, eight dams in Washington and four bonus dams, March 1 through September 30. Steve’s vision for the DamTour was to create a tour for riders that is different each year, which can be done solo or with riding buddies, which allows the rider to enjoy riding at its finest, and allows the rider to achieve a sense of accomplishment. Steve also knows that most bikers will ride anywhere and do most anything for a pin! It’s a brilliant concept—there are thousands of dams, what allows the DamTour to change every year. Word spread of this great new event. Riders would send in their registrations, do the rides to the various designated dams, and snap a photo at the designated spot. Now remember, this was before digital cameras, so getting the photos back to the DamTour headquarters to provide proof of the ride was an accomplishment in itself. Back at HQ, when a rider completed the DamTour for the year— within the time frame, and with their supporting photos—Steve would then send out a trophy and the pin to the deserving rider. One rider, Cheryll Malish, became thoroughly engrossed with the DamTour and asked to help Steve. Cheryll had enjoyed the event since the beginning, but in 2006 she decided to help the DamTour grow. Cheryll is a computer programmer and built a website for the event. With this web8 | September 2015

site, the DamTour could post tours online, show those who completed the tours, post pictures sent in from riders, and house the stats for participants. As we know, websites also serve as an archive of sorts, holding the achievers from years past for all to see. Cheryll’s contribution was instrumental in exponentially growing the DamTour—now riders could compare with last year’s riders, with their buddies, and even their own accomplishments. Steve and Cheryll have cultivated an amazing event for the rider community and want to see it carried on and grow. As of August 2015, 10 years into the DamTour, Steve and Cheryll have brought on Tankside to enhance and expand the event. Tankside is proud to take the reins of this wonderful venture, and Steve and Cheryll will continue as contributing consultants on the various tours. The DamTour will work the same: Riders will sign up on the website; each spring the DamTour for that year will be revealed to participants; they will be sent their tour kit which contains a placard, complete with the list of dams, a short description of the location and GPS coordinates. Riders will ride to the various dams and snap a photo of the placard on the bike, with the dam in the background. When they send these in to Tankside, the photos will be posted and the standing updated for the whole “dam” world to see. At the Tankside Tail Gunner party—set for October 10 this year—at the end of the summer riding season, state finisher pins will be presented to riders who rode to all eight dams in each state. Those who ride to all 20 will receive the coveted crystal trophy, and the names of the riders who took part in the DamTour for that year will go down in DamTour history and be posted on the website for the world to see. Bragging rights achieved! If you have not done the DamTour yet, put it on your “dam to-do list” for 2016 and every year thereafter. Each year provides a fresh experience. The DamTour will get you out riding to unseen territory, challenging you to stretch your horizons and reach a new level of riding. Register with your buddies and make each DamTour a memorable time. Tankside is creating a new website that will make it easy to register, easy to view and archive past DamTours, easy to see where you stand compared to the other riders, and pictures will be posted on social media. And, of course, the trophies and pins/patches will be there for those of you who wish to achieve the goal of being known as one of the greatest DamTour riders out there. Please go to DamTour.com, and visit Tankside online (Tankside.com) and at our Facebook page (facebook.com/tankside) for more details as they come available. TANKSIDE.COM

Safety Corner

DEMON BELL By Steven Glickman

hortly after I got my motorcycle, my first, a co-worker of mine, Randy, walked me out to the parking lot where we all park our motorcycles. Randy pointed out that every motorcycle but mine had a little bell hanging from the bottom of its frame. He said it was a “Demon Bell” and that it scared off road demons that could cause something bad to happen to you. Randy told me that I had to have one and that it was critical that someone else buy it for me. Now I’m not a chain letter kind of guy, but I’m pretty superstitious. I wasn’t always, but when my first son was a baby, he needed a liver transplant and that burst my bubble. I became a lot more superstitious. People would ask me how he was doing and I would never say that he was doing well—only that he had been doing well and that I hoped it would continue. People would tell me they would pray for my son. I didn’t care what religion the person was, I would say, “Thanks.” No jinxes, no bad karma. So when Randy made me aware of the Demon Bell and its protocol, I had to get one. I couldn’t not get one. I came home and told my wife about it and she ordered one for me. I figured once it was even ordered, I was covered. The day it was delivered was the same day my bell went on my bike. The thing is that you don’t have to understand why a superstition works to know that it does work. You don’t have to understand how rain happens to know that you might not want to get your best outfit soaked in a rainstorm. On the other hand, it seems like it would be nice if I gave you some sort of explanation for getting a Demon Bell. So here’s what I think the bell is about. The Demon Bell addresses three things related to your motorcycle. First is the special experience a motorcycle provides. Second is the people who care about you. And third is safety. When you TANKSIDE.COM

get a motorcycle, you are getting something unlike anything else you own. When you get a Demon Bell and put it on your bike, the bell consecrates the bike. You now own something unique. You use it differently, you care for it differently, go different places, with different people. You’re now in a select group of people. Part of the club. Once you’ve put on a Demon Bell, it always serves as a reminder that when you get on your motorcycle, you are once again going to do something special. Because someone close to you has to get it for you, it is a reminder that your enjoyment has to co-exist with your responsibility to your friends and family to come home in one piece after you’re done with your ride. The bell is a contract between you and those who care about you. They’ll put up with the risk you take riding, but you have to remember to make decisions that will protect their interest to keep you part of their lives. The bell symbolizes the part of safety where your intuition is engaged and you have to be ready for things you can’t explain. Things are coming at you fast. There’s more going on than you can account for. It can get weird. You have to expect the unexpected. The key is to remember that your riding time is always to be treasured. You’ve got to be present, aware, and in the moment. That awareness will serve to both keep you safe and allow you to enjoy the time you spend riding. So, if you haven’t done so already, talk to someone close to you and tell them you need a Demon Bell. They’re available at your local motorcycle shop or online. They’re available with a wide variety of symbols or insignias. Whoever gets one for you will surely be able to get one that reflects your personality. Then you’ll be set to hit the road, riding safely and riding happy. Steven Glickman has been a UPS driver for 20 years and has served on his local safety committee. He’s put more than 6,000 miles on his bike just this year (and the year ain’t over). September 2015 | 9

Calendar of Events

OREGON AND WASHINGTON BIKER EVENTS IN SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER Saturday, September 5 10th Annual Patriot Run At: VFW Post 4116, 410 E. Main St., Rogue River, OR The 10th annual event features a poker run (high hand $250, low hand $100), raffle, 50/50, afternoon barbecue, silent auction, live music by Lavender Blue, and more, to benefit Rogue River High School scholarships. Win a hog (a real pig). Hog tickets are $2 each, three for $5, seven for $10. Raffle drawing tickets are $1 or six for $5, 50/50 drawing, need not be present for hog. Must be present to win for 50/50 and drawing. Time: 9-11 a.m. sign-up and breakfast buffet, 11 a.m. first bike out for poker run, last bike in by 2 p.m., entertainment starting at 2 p.m. Registration: $15 for rider, $20 rider with passenger, $5 second hand, $5 breakfast buffet For more information: 541-761-6336 Online: facebook.com/VfwPost4116PatriotsRun

Experienced to advanced riders only, please (this course has hairpin turns). Join fellow riders for a beautiful run up to Mount Hood and the Skyway Bar and Grill in Zigzag, Oregon, where Lars and the Roadshow will play a few tunes. There will be an after-party in Portland; details on the party will be given the day of the run. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Todd Rademacher Scholarship Fund. Time: 9 a.m. registration, kickstands up at 11 a.m. Registration: $20, $5 for an additional rider. T-shirts are available in limited quantities. For Tankside’s story on the Brass Balls Run, turn to p. 14. Online: Facebook.com/BrassBallsRun or email BrassBallsRun@gmail.com.

OR.

Saturday, September 19

Saturday, September 12 Fifth Annual Brass Balls Run At: Paradise Harley-Davidson, 10770 SW Cascade Ave., Tigard, OR

Thursday, September 3 Rumble Against Cancer Tour 2015 On September 3, the Rumble Riders will be leaving Sunnyvale, Texas on a 5,500-mile journey to raise awareness about cancer and help those battling this disease. They will rumble through nine states and parts of Canada, and the route will span the Pacific Coast Highway, including Washington, the most beautiful highway in the U.S. This tour also includes riding into Canada to reconnect with a cancer survivor the Rumble Riders met while traveling through Yellowstone National Park in 2014. Vincent Gladstone learned he had cancer in an amazing way, from his faithful dog Beau. Beau began waking Vince up by sniffing only one side of his face, and it caused great concern since some believe dogs can smell cancer. Beau was correct; Vince had sinus cancer and after many treatments, including surgeries, he survived. The Rumble Riders tour all over the U.S. and have helped raise thousands of dollars for the American Cancer Society and individuals in need during treatment. Rumble Against Cancer is a 501(c) (3) public charity and accepts tax-deductible donations, and they encourage all to help those touched

Antique Motorcycle Club of America – Oregon Trail Chapter Membership Drive At: Paradise Harley-Davidson, 10770 SW Cascade Ave., Tigard, OR

by cancer in their own communities. Online: rumbleagainstcancer.org and search “RumbleAgainstCancer” on Facebook. To follow them on Tour 2015, get the TrackMyTour app and open the Rumble Tour 2015 map; they post live as they travel.

Sunday, September 13 Puget Sound Ride for Kids At: Remlinger Farms, 32610 NE 32nd St., Carnation, WA These kids are our stars, and you can help them by participating in a Ride for Kids event as a motorcyclist, fundraiser, or volunteer. Donations benefit the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation’s medical research and family support programs. Riders on all makes and models are welcome to attend. The suggested minimum donation to ride is $40 per motorcycle. We encourage you to fundraise before the event to make a real difference for the kids. Online registration is open until noon eastern the Friday before the ride. Onsite registration opens at 8 a.m. and closes at 9:30 a.m. The escorted ride starts at 10 a.m. sharp, rain or shine. The ride will loop back to the start point. The more money you raise, the more incentive choices you have. Get a collectible T-shirt for as little

WA.

10 | September 2015

To help increase membership and advertise the club, the OTC will have a booth at Paradise Harley-Davidson (PHD) in Tigard. PHD has a live band and a food vendor each Saturday. This venue allows us to introduce ourselves to other motorcycle enthusiasts and recruit new members. We will have tables with club literature and multiple antique motorcycles on display. Members are encouraged to bring their bikes for display and be available to chat with prospective members. All bike brands are welcome. Time: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. For more information: Contact Tom Nielsen at nielsents@comcast.net or 503-522-3163.

Friday, October 9-Sunday, October 11 12th Annual Brittney Ride Event for St. Jude At: Seven Feathers Casino Resort, 146 Chief Miwaleta Lane, Canyonville, OR A poker run, live music, custom bike display, auctions, prizes, food and a whole lot more! For more information: 541-664-8585 Online: brittneyride.com

as $50 per person, plus a Ride for Kids hat at the $300 level. Depending on how much more you collect, you’ll qualify for prizes at different levels. At the event, we draw for a new Honda motorcycle and other great prizes (you must be present to win). All participants receive free beverages, a light breakfast and lunch. You’ll also get to meet your local stars! Time: 8-9:30 a.m. onsite registration day of event, 10 a.m. ride start Registration: $40 suggested minimum donation per motorcycle For more information: 800-253-6530 Online: curethekids.org/events/ride-for-kids/

Sunday, September 27 Oyster Run At: 12th and Commercial St., Anacortes, WA The Oyster Run is a huge event that takes place annually in Anacortes, Washington and is deemed “The Largest Motorcycle Run in the Pacific Northwest.” The event is completely free, and there are no required time limits. There are also no official starting points and no official routes that must be taken, just as long as they are “biker friendly.” For more information: 360-435-9103 Online: oysterrun.org TANKSIDE.COM

TANKSIDE.COM

September 2015 | 11

voices

OVER ON THE HIGH SIDE By Curt Erickson

few months into my riding career, before I knew a thing about riding, I had a high-side wreck. I had no idea why it happened until quite some time later. I’ve spent some time thinking about it, and I think it’s worth a column. When I was a kid I was never allowed to have a motorcycle. Mom viewed them as death machines and Dad didn’t think it was important that the progeny have a machine that was expensive, admittedly dangerous, and that would make Mom mad. So I didn’t get one. It was when I was 19, and working a summer during college, that I had money and some autonomy. I was working the night shift, and I had an old car I thought I was turning into a “race car” (basically taking the seats out and the headlights off, I guess, looking back on it). I got home from work one beautiful summer day about 7 a.m.—the birds were singing, the sun was shining, and I thought, “Forget this race car. I’m getting a motorcycle.” I knew exactly zero about motorcycles, except they should be big and black and have lots of chrome. So I drove my pickup into town and stopped at the first dealership I drove by. It was actually a lower-end used car dealership, but what did I know? I was 19. And it had a big, black, chromey bike parked in front. I marched in and bought it, for I believe $600. In retrospect, I think I probably paid too much. But the dealer didn’t tell me that. So now I was the proud owner of a 1976 Yamaha XS650. According to the Interwebs, the thing had 50 horsepower and weighed 500 pounds—by today’s standards a dog, but for the time, it was a fast, heavy machine. And I had honestly no idea how to ride it. So I called my friend Steve to come help me horse it in the truck, hauled it home, and parked it in the backyard, and for the first week I just drove it around in the yard, learning how the clutch worked and how to shift the gears. Eventually I licensed it, got my endorsement, and started riding it everywhere. I fell in love with riding from the start. The speed, the sound, and how cool (I thought) I looked were all worth the expense and the misery of riding

12 | September 2015

the thing around in the rain (I lived in the mountains an hour north of Seattle, and we got plenty of rain). There was no training back then—no Team Oregon, no Motorcycle Safety Foundation that I knew anything about, no private schools. Good gear must have existed, but I didn’t know anything about it. So I just got on the thing and bombed around—fat, dumb and happy—in blue jeans, some kind of leather jacket, hay-baling gloves, sneakers, and a $5 helmet I got at a thrift store. I had no skills and basically no protection; it’s a wonder I survived. It’s a wonder most of us survived, frankly. I was working night shift in Bellevue, and I had to drive about an hour to get home out through the pastures and the woods. This day, I decided to go home past the local airport. There’s a long straight stretch through the cow fields, and when you get to the end of the runway there’s a 90-degree left, right by the gunpowder factory. Yep. They had a gunpowder factory right at the end of the runway. The potential for excitement was near Biblical. I was tired, and I was doing that thing where you tell yourself, “I’ll just only close one eye for a little bit.” So I guess I closed both eyes, for a longish bit, on that straightway. I woke up just as I entered that 90-degree left turn; there was nothing to do (that I knew about) except lock on the binders and try to lean the murdercycle—which, of course, did exactly what you’d expect. I was ejected off to the right side of the road, really hard, like airborne. I’ve learned since that the position I was in is referred to as the “Flying W”—when one’s feet and hands are all up in the air and one’s butt is downward. It’s apparently the classic position for an unplanned exit of this type. Time slowed to a crawl. As I sailed peacefully through the air I spotted a barbed wire fence approaching me. Well, I guess I was approaching it, but… whatever. I had time to think, “Oh man, that is going to leave a serious mark on me,” but I cleared it. Then I had time to think, “I’ve been thrown off a motorcycle so hard I went over a fence. When I get back to Mother Earth, she’s going to be mad about my leaving for so long; I’m going to really pound in.” Then I hit. I was really, really lucky—I landed in a swamp in a cow field, which consisted of about two feet of water and a foot of “mud.” If you’ve been up close and per| OVER ON THE HIGH SIDE Goes to page 13

TANKSIDE.COM

voices sonal with the type of “swamps” you find in cow fields, you’ll be aware it wasn’t a cool, refreshing bog with a babbling brook and googly-eyed trout, THING AND BOMBED and the “mud” was not, in fact, damp forest soil, AROUND—FAT, DUMB AND not by a long damn shot. I went in like when you HAPPY—IN BLUE JEANS, cannonball off the high dive. My entire body was the mud. But I’m sure that vile fen saved my life SOME KIND OF LEATHER in or at least some serious hospital time, so I count myself insanely lucky to have hit it. JACKET, HAY-BALING up, covered in “mud,” my gloves fell off GLOVES, SNEAKERS, AND andI stood back into the swamp. I found them again; A $5 HELMET I GOT AT A they were “wet” inside. Then I squelched what THRIFT STORE. I HAD NO seemed like a quarter mile back to my bike which was still, oddly, running. It died the second I SKILLS AND BASICALLY picked it up. A nice lady school bus driver stopped to ask if I wanted help; I asked her to please go NO PROTECTION; IT’S A away, because I really had enough embarrassWONDER I SURVIVED. ment going on without 30 wide-eyed kids starContinued from page 12 ing at me. So she went away, I kicked the thing back to life (yes, it had an electric start, but the battery had always been dead and I didn’t know how to replace it nor have the money to do so, so it was a kick-only bike), and dripped my way home. I had no idea what had happened or what I could have done differently, so I put it down to excessive speed and, of course, inattention. It wasn’t till years later that I learned what had occurred—a classic high-side wreck. What I did was hit the back brake too hard. That’s utterly normal—we’re all car drivers, and our reflex when we have an “oh no” moment is to hit the “oh no” pedal— which is the right foot pedal—and in a car, that’s the right thing to do. But on a bike, it’s the Wrong Thing to Do. When you decelerate on a bike, the weight shifts forward, the front wheel gets heavier, and the back wheel gets lighter. Think of those folks you see doing “stoppies”—they hit the front brake so hard the back wheel comes right off the ground. This is perfectly normal, and fine, but it means you have to be judicious with your use of the rear brake, because the less weight is on that back wheel, the more easily the tire will break loose and slide. So basically, I turned the bike hard left and locked up the rear wheel. Since it was sliding, it wasn’t tracking behind the front wheel, so they were pointed different directions. Then I must have released the rear brake, which caused the wheel to “hook up” again—begin rotating as the tire found traction on the pavement. So now I had my front wheel turned to the left as seen from my body, and my back wheel pointing straight ahead as seen from my body, and they were arguing about which way the machine was going to go. In my case, as near as the machine could tell, I’d done the same thing as if I were going straight and level and jammed the right handlebar forward as hard as I could—the machine pitched hard to the right (remember countersteering? I’ll cover that in a later column), and since I was leaned left in a left turn and it outweighed me by just gobs, the rightward pitch flung me off like a booger. The lesson here, which I didn’t learn till much later because even after my wreck I still didn’t have any training, is: Don’t Lock the Back Brake in a Panic Stop. If the car wreck happens in front of you, or the deer runs out in the road, or whatever, be judicious on that rear binder and smoothly squeeze your front brake. As your bike decelerates, remember, the rear wheel’s getting lighter and lighter—remember stoppies?—and you’re going to have to reduce pressure on the rear brake, lest you break the thing loose as it lightens up. If it breaks loose, you can’t steer, and if the wheels get out of line and you let go of the back brake, you’ve got a good chance of being, say, hurled into a million gallons of cow swamp, if you’re lucky. Press down on that back brake, then start releasing pressure. Keep releasing all the way till you’re stopped. It seems counterintuitive, but it’s the gospel. Your front brake is the brake you want to use in a panic stop—and I’ll address that next time.

| I JUST GOT ON THE

Curt Erickson operates Northwest Motorcycle School (northwest-motorcycle. com); everything addressed in these columns is taught and practiced there, and (shameless plug) you should definitely sign up for a class. TANKSIDE.COM

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TANKSIDE.COM September 2015 | 13

Spotlight On

THE BRASS BALLS RUN Written by Sam Smith Edited by Michelle Rademacher

’m going to take you back to where you may have been before… I found a motorcycle that was perfect for me—however, as it turned out the timing wasn’t. A couple of years later I started the search again and to my surprise, I found the very bike I had fallen in love with. It was for sale at Paradise Harley-Davidson so I headed straight there, where I met one of their salesmen, (Larry) Lars Rademacher, for the first time. I felt at ease with him immediately. He’s not only a great salesman, he’s a great guy. He made the deal as smooth and easy as it could be, which helped make it happen without a doubt. While chatting with Lars, I learned he was a two-time testicular cancer survivor. Twice he was diagnosed with cancer, twice he took it on, and twice he beat it. In doing so, he and his wife, Michelle, decided they wanted to raise awareness and give back to the community, so they started the Brass Balls Run in 2011 The run has taken place every summer, with the goal being to raise awareness for cancer and men’s health, while raising funds for different charities each year. This year’s charity is personal for the BBR team. Lars and his family

14 | September 2015

have suffered some hard losses this year. In May, his brother Todd was diagnosed with cancer and tragically passed away May 19 at the age of 54. Three months prior, Lars’ mother, Lucy, died of an infection, so this year’s run is to honor his family, while raising money for the Todd Rademacher Scholarship Fund. The run changes slightly each year; this year, on September 12, we will head up Mount Hood to the Skyway Bar and Grill in Zigzag, from Paradise H-D. Once there, Lars and his Roadshow will play some music— did I mention he plays guitar and can sing like no other? His music is full of heart and soul and even if I couldn’t make the ride, I wouldn’t want to miss the music! Some of you might remember him playing at the Tankside launch. You can still participate in the Fifth Annual BBR, which is set for Saturday, September 12, kickstands up at 11 a.m. at Paradise H-D (10770 SW Cascade Ave., Tigard). It’s such a fun time and we hope to see you—if not this year, then in 2016. Oh, and stop by Paradise H-D and say hi to Lars! If you wish to contact the BBR team, you can email them at BrassBallsRun@ gmail.com or check out their Facebook page: facebook.com/brassballsrun.

TANKSIDE.COM

It’s a Groovy Ride with Lady Fred

STURGIS 75TH BIKE RALLY

nce upon a time, there was a hippie biker chick who dreamed well worth a do-over. My first time through, I made a peace sign out of of riding her iron horse steed, Lobo, pulling Wyatt (her tool-box rocks on one of the boulders near the small dam entering from Speartrailer) into the Black Hills, to Sturgis for the 75th bike rally so fish. I hope it brought a smile and joy to those who saw it, as it did when I created it. she could meet her idol, Gloria Tramontin Struck, and see I was tickled to see two waterfalls there I had not seen the vast sunflower fields she loves so much. Her fairy godMY IDOL, before. I was also happy to learn that I didn’t miss out on mother granted her this wish—the best part, she didn’t GLORIA TRAMONTIN seeing the Spearfish waterfall, as I was told it would no have to be home at midnight or leave a biker boot behind STRUCK, WAS THE longer be open to the public. The path of the waterfall to meet a Prince Charming or two. I headed for Sturgis, meeting up with a group of friends GUEST SPEAKER AND is on private property, and that property has been sold. The new owners will no longer allow the public access from Indiana, on July 23, 2015. We had sunshine for most WAS CELEBRATING to the path. Spoilsports! of the two-and-a-half-day ride with temps in the high The highlight of my trip was the Biker Belles event 90s. We traveled the back way into South Dakota riding HER 90TH BIRTHDAY. in Deadwood—the main reason I was there. This is an through Illinois, Iowa and Nebraska. GLORIA IS STILL event in which many influential biker chicks gather to We stayed in Deadwood for five nights at the 1899 RIDING ON TWO share their stories and new friendships are made. My idol, Inn, a B&B off the main strip within walking distance Gloria Tramontin Struck, was the guest speaker and was of downtown, which made it very convenient to enjoy WHEELS AND HAS celebrating her 90th birthday. Gloria is still riding on two the nightlife. We rode several of the main attractions, BEEN A MOTOR MAID wheels and has been a Motor Maid for 69 years. I am also Rapid City, Sturgis, Spearfish Canyon (by far one of my a Motor Maid and I couldn’t have been more honored to favorite places) and Mount Rushmore. We rented a taxi FOR 69 YEARS. be able to give her a hug. I loved listening to her presenand headed to Sturgis to celebrate a birthday—a rather tation of some of her adventures and, boy, has she had expensive ride for a 20-mile round trip, costing $200 for six of us. I met a guy with a dune buggy who offered me a ride. I grew up them! I asked for a pic with her and what Motor Maids I could round up on the dunes, so of course I couldn’t turn that down. We went for a mid- quickly, and got another shot of several others who wanted their pic with her, too. It was so much fun. night ride and I had a complete blast. On the way home I saw those sunflower fields I was yearning to see. I On the 30th, the group I came with headed home. I made my way over to Glencoe CampResort in Sturgis, which I would call home for the rest even brought my tripod along so I could get pics of me, Lobo and Wyatt of the rally. Weaving my way through the traffic jam, I ended up sharing all together. It turns out I didn’t need my tripod after all. I had met some a lane with some good friends of mine who were staying there, too. When riders at a gas station up the way and when they saw my ride pulled over they learned I was there alone, they invited me to camp with them and and didn’t see me, they stopped to see what was up. I was in the field 20 others. They were right on the main drag, also known as “Titty Alley.” taking pics. I was pleased to get that pic I was yearning for. I learned they were from Indiana, and I rode most of the way home Boy, oh boy, did we have a good time! I had many friends spread out all over Sturgis and the surrounding with them. My trip was complete, with 4,540 miles traveled, and my fairy towns. During my nine-day stay I rode in Custer State Park, Iron Moun- godmother did an awesome job of granting my wishes. I did meet many tain, Needles Highway (another of my favorite roads), Nemo and down- Prince Charmings, and no biker boots were left behind. town Sturgis more than once. I boarder jumped to Wyoming, taking in Lady Fred is a member of the Motor Maids and many other women’s Devils Tower, Hulett and Aladdin, which has a whopping 15 residents. On my way to Stoneville Saloon in Alzada, Montana, I enjoying watching a organizations/RG/Clubs. She is an A.B.A.T.E. member for 20 years, HOG/ LOH, Patriot Guard Riders and American Legion Axillary. You can find her herd of antelope running and playing. I rode some areas like Spearfish Canyon more than once, as they were at facebook.com/LadyFredBikerChick. TANKSIDE.COM

September 2015 | 15

Gula Matari

HOW I GOT “TANKED” By Missy Welch, handle “Indian Minty”

ula matari means “path breaker” in Swahili. Swahili is a Bantu language and spoken by millions in Africa. It is the first language of the Swahili people and the official language of several African nations, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. It is a dominant language in many other African countries. Let me introduce myself. My name is Missy Welch. I am hoping to be of interest to fellow “path breakers” who ride bikes for all kinds of reasons and in all kinds of places. My family moved back to the United States from South Africa two months before I was born. That was 1951. (Yes, I am an ol’ bike-ridin’ bionic grandma now!) I come from a family of adventurers. The blood of a “gula matari” runs through my veins. I have been back to Africa, where this life began. The taste of red dirt and the air in Africa are familiar. I have tasted it my whole life. I ride bikes, I have been lucky to have sailed many oceans, have worked on freighters and fished the Bering Sea. I spent most of my wayward youth, and to this day, as a professional singer. I have traveled much of the world. I consider all things a gift and sacred—often something to share and always to cherish. I started riding on the back of a bike behind my best date, my husband, mi esposa, a long, long time ago. Five years ago I bought my first bike. If you were to ask my family, they would likely say, “We are surprised only by how long it took.” I took the riding course in Washington State and passed. I had a leg up, as my best date has been riding since he was a young “dirt bike” guy and is a smart self-defense rider. I learned much on the back of our bike. Loud pipes save lives! Most everybody in our family rides bikes. As I write this, my husband and our grandson are out on the trails east of Mount Vernon, Washington at Walker Valley. This is a beautiful thing to behold, watching them enjoy this time and passing on the love of bikes. My first bike was a Boulevard C50… I loved that bike—big enough to be real, but as my skills improved and I developed my own style, I realized I needed that big torque throttle. This old “bag” needed a “bagger.” A C50 800 can only take so much, trying to run with a wolf pack of baggers! After riding on some long journeys and getting Jimmy Buffetted by wind and trucks, I knew I must have a new horse. I did not know what that bike would be. Like all bikers, we stop in all bike shops, just like we walk every marina, to see what’s out there. Most of our buddies ride Harleys and we love them. I knew I would have to fall in love and I would know love when I saw it. This spring we did our spring thing and headed to our local

Strung Out on Beads & Coffee Pam Mistretta 1343 NW 13th St.

motorcycle dealer for all the oil-change maintenance juice for riding season—our local resource is also, among many brands, the Indian, Victory and BMW dealer. So I strolled through the new Indian showroom while my maintenance-freak best date went to Parts. I heard my name called and a hallelujah chorus. On center stage, in the Indian showroom, was an Indian Vintage Classic in the new color for 2015, willow green. To me it is seafoam green, the color of my first car, a ‘62 VW Ragtop. ‘Twas love at first sight! When my husband found me, he saw me sitting on the bike and a couple of the sales guys taking pictures. He dropped the inexpensive bag of oil and filters, yelped a “Holy shitski,” and now I have the honor of riding a new Indian Vintage Classic. A solid Indian paint to ride! Her name is “Minty”—it is “mint green” to me. I swear she called my name—I heard it. That’s how it is with all of us bikers. We love our bikes. We love to ride. My husband, mi esposo, rides a new Victory. Having Minty in the corral forced him to get a new horse, too. A week ago he traded in his longtime Road Star Silverado. Adios, buen amigo! As to how I got “tanked” and ended up writing for Tankside? We rode down to the Hells Canyon Motorcycle Rally in July at Baker City, Oregon—rode down from the Seattle area in a wolf pack of Harleys. Minty was the alpha babe of the pack. Likely most bikers heard about the weather—it was tropical, thunderstorms dropping buckets and then moments of hot sun, and really quite spectacular. Fast-forward... I was standing in our room high above the street looking at the folks spilling back out onto the street after another deluge, and I heard them— two bikes weaving their way into the rally, and I knew they would be weaving past my window soon. Louder than thunder or equal to it, because both were going on. Then I saw them. Two women! Not just any two women… something-else women! Holy mother-of-pearl… way somethin’ else. When we hit the street, I knew I would see them again, and their bikes, and I did—Melanie (Tankside publisher) and Gabriela (business development) out working the street, and I could see they were known by many. I watched quite amazed as Melanie buffed her bike entered in the show, along with every other biker—so buffed she won her division. We all spend time wiping and licking our bikes clean. Uhhh, microfiber cloth business! Short story long... It was now pouring rain in the midst of the bike contest. But for this, no one left the scene—wet T-shirt, anybody? I had to meet them and, as fate would have it, I did. Sometimes you just know you will be friends. And here I be… my first article for Tankside. ‘Nuff said.

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September 2015 | 17

In the Cage

SUBARU CROSSTREK: WELL-THOUGHT MODERATION

By Roger Rivero

he Subaru XV Crosstrek and I met last year. The meeting left me with a certain distaste, some of which I justified because this was the first hybrid attempt of the Japanese manufacturer. The rematch has been recent, with the release of the gas version Crosstrek. This is a new model, which went on sale in the U.S. in 2013. It is the response to the apparent Subaru fever of small crossovers, and in its short life has become the third best-selling vehicle brand. This car does not impress anyone with the 148 horses generated by its small 4-cylinder engine with 2.0 cylinder capacity, but it will leave more than one with a dropped jaw with its ability to get to places and pass obstacles that others would envy. The Crosstrek is not measured by its horsepower. Its excellent Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (AWD), as Subaru calls it, along with this car’s height (8.7 inches ground clearance) are the secrets that make it shine. Although its greatest merits are demonstrable in the mountains and on backroads, the Crosstrek can be driven gently in the city. The engine is somewhat “cranky” and the continuous transmission (CVT) does not help, because keeping consumption in high numbers—26 miles per gallon/city, 34 mpg/highway—is the priority. I have encountered situations in which the Crosstrek, in passing another vehicle on the highway, has come off badly. In its defense I must admit that this car inherits the handling characteristics of other Subarus. It feels confident and safe on slippery roads, where 18 | September 2015

the control systems and all-wheel drive and stability make its reactions predictable. Although we would not call it sporty, the XV Crosstrek can be quite fun on dry pavement, too, thanks to its well-engineered suspension. The exquisite simplicity and functionality of its cabin also pleases me. It’s not a luxury car, but it has everything you need in a sober design. The Crosstrek is a beneficiary of Subaru’s new generation infotainment system. I don’t think I exaggerate if I rank this as one of the best in the industry. This is an area that has long been heavily recriminated by consumers. From Honda’s confusing twoscreen system, to tiny icons in the menus of small cars like the Mitsubishi Lancer, or huge as the Ford F-150, the disappointments and frustrations of these systems are tested. Subaru has scored points with its new, clean, functional and easy-tohandle version. In 2015, Subaru has added a new base model to the Crosstrek, leaving options 2.0i, 2.0i Premium, 2.0i Limited, Hybrid and Hybrid Touring. An excellent reverse camera, 17-inch alloy wheels, roof rails and a 6.2-inch touch screen are, among others, the standard features on base models. Expect to pay $21,595 for the basic model (2.0i) up to $28,500 for a 2.0 Limited with additional options. If you are an active person, like hiking, visiting intricate places or mountain biking, the 2015 XV Crosstrek may be the right choice. It’s true that it competes in a segment with many options, but the vehicle will keep gaining ground when the competition has been stopped. TANKSIDE.COM

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September 2015 | 19

Tankside Tail Gunner!! END OF SUMMER PARTY

The Kooltones started in 1979 as “Billy Scene” and the Kooltones. Put together by core members Marty McCray (guitar-vocalskeyboards), Jeff Munkers (bass-vocals) and Andy Campbell (drums-vocals) as a novelty 50’s & 60’s act. It went over so well that a local promoter began getting them gigs. Eventually they added other musicians to round out the sound and over the last 35 years have played hundreds of shows all over the NW. Opening for acts like the Kingsmen, Johnny Rivers and Tommy James. Currently, the 3 core members are still together along with Jon Lindahl (guitar-vocals) and Cam Dutz (Saxflute-vocals). With a song list of over 400 songs to choose from, they can cover everything from Bill Haley to Pink Floyd !

Saturday October 10, 2015 starts at 3pm live music • Appetizer Buffet • $3 well drinks

Cascade Bar and Grill

15000 SE Mill Plain Blvd, Vancouver, WA 98684 www.cascadebarandgrill.co

Sponsors:

20 | September 2015

EL HISPANIC NEWS

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