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Road Captain’s Report.............................................. 12
NCOM Newsbytes...................................................... 24 Bullet Points................................................................ 27
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Across The Pond............................................................8
Featured Bike............................................................. 20
Mike ”Bighead” Abbott 443-875-7597 Bighead@BigCityRhino.com
Big City Two-Wheel Testament.....................................6
Center Calendar......................................................... 18
EDITOR / OWNER / PUBLISHER
Diary of a Biker Chic.....................................................5
REDD 540-398-7551 Amanda 540-539-1492 Unity@BigCityRhino.com (Western MD / Northern VA / WV Crew) Cathy Curran 410-251-5438 Cat@bigcityrhino.com (Eastern Shore Sales Crew)
Joker’s Wild................................................................. 31 Biker Friendly Directory............................................. 32 Upcoming Events....................................................... 34 Need To Know............................................................ 36
LAYOUT & DESIGN Meredith Hancock Hancock Graphics
CONTRIBUTORS Preacher Gordon Bacon “Two Wheel Testament” Joyce “Biker Chic” Marc Ritchie & Rose Grant “Road Captain’s Report” Leon Brittain “Throttle Life” Andy Tallone “Across the Pond” Jim Bull “Brappmag.com” Off-Road/Racing Editor (717-951-5620) DISTRIBUTION Suzy “Carebear” Leighton Mike “Smiles” Johnson David “Barney” Barnhouse NATIONAL FOUNDERS Toni McCoy Shearon & Brian Shearon 1528 Matlock Drive, Chapmansboro, TN. 37035 Office: (615) 792-0040 Fax: (615) 792-7580 thunderroadsfounders@yahoo.com
ON THE COVER: Model: Alicia Photography by: Bill Vrtar
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HIS YEAR, the TRMA Road Crew will be at more events to meet our readers. Be on the lookout for us, stop us and introduce yourselves, and let us get a picture. Let’s make you famous! Or, just giving you bragging rights over you friends! We also want YOU to be a bigger part of the magazine this year! Get involved! This is your magazine too! If you want to see something, let us know! And don’t be afraid to take some pictures, and write down your stories, and send them to us. You never know, it might end up in the magazine! We are always looking for a good story, or a new road, or a helpful tip on new parts or just routine maintenance on the bike. Help you fellow Brother and Sisters out, don’t be selfish, share what you learned with everyone. For a full list of all the local events in the MidAtlantic area, be sure to check out our website - www.thunderroadsmidatlantic.com. We have all the information you will need to plan your season as we update our calendars weekly with new rides and rallies. As always, feel free to submit your event to be listed on the site at no charge. Just go to the web page events tab and click the submit your event tab. We will get it up on the site asap. The Road Crew here at Thunder Roads® MidAtlantic works very hard at keeping you up to date with all the local events in your area. We attend as many events as we can, more than any of our competitors, but we can’t be everywhere. Submit your photos and stories to bigcity@bigcityrhino.com and be a part of the THUNDER!!
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BY JOYCE ELAINE
DIARY OF A BIKER CHIC
April 2018 Spring is here…I’m not sure it’s really sprung yet but it’s here and that’s a start. I have to take a minute to reflect. This was the first winter in a while that I didn’t do any riding. I started my bike up every once in a while and only got discouraged to see the antifreeze leaking yet again. I still need to set up an appointment to get it in to the shop to hopefully get it fixed for good. As I pondered not being a rider anymore, I asked myself this question today: “Did I miss not riding these past few months?” The answer to that question is, “yes and no.” There were the days when the weather was spring like outside and I thought about how nice it would be to be on the bike at that moment but I didn’t have the yearning that I normally do when I haven’t ridden in a while. I would be lying if I said that I didn’t find relief in not having to get in my car, drive 25 minutes to get to my bike, gear up, and hope I’m layered up enough to stay warm. Not to mention, having to worry if my bike was even safe to ride with the antifreeze leaking again. So I have to get my bike to the shop and wait to see if they can fix the leaking problem. The thing is my bike is almost paid off. I owe less than $600! My plan was to keep this bike for a long time because I do love the
bike. It was unfortunate that I messed it up. If they can’t fix it, I’m left with the decision of whether I want to buy a new bike and start with payments all over again or just stop riding. I have plans to do some traveling and I want to spend my extra money on trips to places like Ireland, Germany, Italy, France, and even all the states in the U.S. So the chances of me buying a new bike anytime soon are slim to none. I think I’d be okay with that because I’d be feeding a new love (traveling). So if my bike can be fixed…I’ll keep riding. I’ll ride to new places this season and hopefully make some new friends. I’ll enjoy every minute of the rides I go on. If it can’t be fixed, then I will say goodbye to my bike but I don’t think my riding days would be over. I would rent bikes where possible while on my trips. In fact, I’m hoping to try my trip again this spring to ride Tail of the Dragon but it won’t be on my bike. It will be on a rented bike. I have no desire to ever try to tow a bike again and I have no desire to do a ten hour trip on the bike. I have nothing to prove to anyone. I’m not entering an “iron butt” contest! I guess as I’ve gotten older (I turn 40 this year!) I see things differently and want to do things differently. I’m not saying I’ll never take a long trip on my bike but I don’t plan to do many. They will be few and far between…that is if my bike will even be fixed. Stay tuned…
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THE MIRACLE OF SPRING (John 3:1-3) There was a man named Nicodemus, one of the Pharisees. He was an important Jewish leader. One night he came to Jesus and said, “Teacher, we know that you are a teacher sent from God. No one can do these miraculous signs that you do unless they have God’s help.” Jesus answered, “I assure you, everyone must be born again. Anyone who is not born again cannot be in God’s kingdom.” Have you ever contemplated the Miracle of Spring? If like most of us the answer would be no. yet the New Birth of life in the spring is nothing but a miracle. It is something that happens every year without fail. The Miracle of Spring is not any different than the New Birth and regeneration of your heart. Don’t overlook the significance of the Spring time. As insignificant as it may seem to some, The Miracle of Spring makes a huge impact in our lives. Sometimes “small miracles” can have tremendous impact. A physical healing is a dramatic and unarguably miraculous event. But so is an unheralded change of heart. There is just such a miracle in the story of Peter recorded in Acts chapter nine. We are told that Peter, a Jew, was staying in the home of a Gentile man named
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Simon. And Simon was, by profession, a tanner! Tanners handled the hides of dead animals, and were considered unclean by Jewish rabbis. But God was beginning to change Peter’s heart, and would soon show him that the Gospel was (and is!) for everyone…not just for good, law-abiding Jews. Peter’s “sleep-over” at Simon’s home might seem insignificant…but it was a micro-movement toward a larger goal: the opening of the door of salvation to the Gentiles. A huge transition was taking place, one small miracle at a time. God can—and does—work in dramatic ways. But He also works in ways that are very nearly invisible until the work is done. If you have experienced a slow change of heart like Peter’s, you know this. Don’t make the mistake of thinking you have never witnessed a miracle because nothing has happened in your life that would make the nightly news. God’s small miracle in Peter’s life became the means by which every non-Jew since has come to know Jesus Christ as Savior. Even me.
APRIL 2018
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1959 A10 Rocket 650 twin. This was BSA in her prime.
FROM ACROSS THE POND
“THE BSA GOLD STAR”
dyno today). Hand-building, then bench-testing every engine would become a Gold Star tradition.
BROADENING THE GOLD STAR LINE BY ANDY TALLONE Classic-British-Motorcycles.com
GOLD STAR LORE The BSA Gold Star was one of the most successful motorcycles of all time, both in the showroom and on the track, and certainly one of the most versatile. It succeeded as a street bike, a dirt bike, 1954 BSA Gold Star factory road racer a desert racer, a road racer, a touring bike and a sport bike. It’s ancient design was outdated almost at its inception and yet it thundered through the decade of the 1950s, taking on all comers. It was the big single that ruled the era that was ruled by big singles (ie: single-cylinder motorcycles). Light, powerful and bulletproof, the “Goldie” gained a loyal following over its 25-year lifespan. When it was finally retired in 1963, nothing ever sold as well again for BSA or did as well at the track. The Gold Star, as it turned out, was BSA’s seminal and most successful model and the one they became best known for.
EARLY GOLD STAR HISTORY In 1937 the fastest BSA was the 350cc Empire Star. Wal Handley came out of retirement to ride one in a 3-lap race at Brooklands, with his fastest lap recorded at 107.5 mph. That was stellar performance for the times, even for a race bike. In those days, any bike that broke the 100 mphbarrier earned a coveted “Gold Star” pin. BSA was so proud of this honor that they named their top-of-the-line single the BSA Gold Star. The first Gold Stars started out as 500cc BSA M24s, with an all-alloy engine (most engines had cast-iron top ends in those days), an Electron alloy gearbox and a lightweight frame. Alas, just as production got underway, World War 2 intervened and all civilian manufacturing was diverted into producing war materiel. These pre-war BSA Gold Stars simply didn’t have the time to find their market and fewer than 500 were produced prior to the War.
WAR’S OVER, RACE IS ON! After producing some 126,000 motorcycles for the British war effort, by the end of World War 2 BSA was the largest producer of motorcycles in the world and one of the largest companies in the British Empire of any kind. As civilian markets This pre-war 1938 Gold Star roadster became starved for had plunger rear suspension. Swing motorcycles, BSA ramped arms arrived in 1953. up production to meet the demand. At the time, they were producing only single-cylinder models. In 1948, BSA revived the Gold Star name with the B32 in 350cc. These were custom-ordered, then built by hand to the customers’ specifications and each engine was bench-tested (the equivalent of running it on the
The BSA Gold Star was available in two displacements, the 348cc B32 and the 499cc B34. The new Gold Star engines used an all-alloy cylinder barrel and head which was 20 pounds lighter than the cast iron unit of the other B-series singles. These custom-ordered, hand-built engines were available with different compression ratios, cams, carburetors and exhaust systems, along with two different cylinder heads, one for the Trials version and the other for everything else. They were then run on a dynamometer and the test results with the actual horsepower output were shipped with every bike. A BSA Gold Star could be ordered in Touring, Trials, ISDT (International Six-Day Trials), Scrambles, Racing or Clubmans (cafe racer) trim.
WHAT’S SO SPECIAL ABOUT A GOLD STAR? The Gold Star engine evolved out of BSA’s existing heavyweight single-cylinder engine family of the 1930s. It broke design tradition for the times with a nearly-square bore and stroke of 85mm X 88mm. Most engines of that era had very long strokes relative to their bores, and this allowed the Gold Star to rev higher. Indeed it achieved Gold Star engines were hand-built by its maximum output of 42 Old World artisans. horsepower at a lofty 7,000 rpm. That’s a lot for a big single with pushrods. This was supported by a freeflowing cylinder head with larger-than-stock valves and hand-finished combustion chambers, a compression ratio of 8.75:1, in a heavilyfinned alloy top end, all fed by the biggest carburetor that Amal made. It was a torque-monster that also loved to rev, but above all they were indestructible. Precise (for the times) manufacturing tolerances and meticulous hand-assembly by skilled craftsmen gave the Gold Star its magic, but it also required a skilled craftsman to work on it. In an era that was defined by big British single-cylinder bikes, street bikes, dirt bikes and road racers, the BSA Gold Star was exceptional. While it’s title of the best road racer of the 1950s might be challenged by the Norton Manx (also a 500 single), the Manx was only a road racer. The Gold Star was a road racer, a street bike, a sport bike, a touring bike, a desert racer, scrambler and the equivalent of a motocrosser at the time. And it was highly competitive in every role.
GOLD STAR DEVELOPMENTS
Starting in 1949, the Gold Star received a steady stream of improvements making it faster and more reliable. Following British industrial tradition, no major changes were made, but constant improvement and refinements of the existing design were enacted year-by-year. A stronger crankshaft, better main bearings, an 8-inch front brake, a new Bert Hopwood-designed cyl-
This 1960 DBD34 Gold Star is the Clubman version, which was the ‘sport bike’ of day. It was a barelystreet-legal road racer.
inder head, a new swing-arm frame, a better gearbox with optional gear ratios, and many more improvements were made during the 1950s. In 1954 BSA introduced two new versions of the Gold Star, the CB (Clubman) and the BB (road racer), each with a revised crankshaft and shorter connecting rod, a new alloy cylinder head with more cooling fins and a distinctive rear-swept exhaust. Valve adjustment was now conducted via eccentric rocker arm shafts, which allowed lighter rocker arms devoid of adjusters. The ultimate Gold Star was the DBD which came out in late 1955 with a 1-1/2” Amal GP carb and making 42 horsepower at 7000 rpm. It turned out to be the pinnacle of Gold Star development and is one of the most sought-after Gold Stars today by collectors. The DBD continued until Gold Star production ended in 1963.
COMPETITION SUCCESSES The BSA Gold Star was always intended to be a purpose-built, hand-assembled race machine, not a street bike that was transformed into a racer. In fact, The ultimate Gold Star dirt bike, the the official 1961 BSA Catalogue “Catalina”, so-named for its 1956 is quoted as saying: “The victory on Catalina Island. Clubman’s model Gold Star has been developed for competitions in road and short circuit events, and its specification is such that it is neither intended nor suitable for road use as a touring motorcycle.” Despite being available with lights, these bikes were factory racers, no question about it. As mentioned earlier, even the name was derived from its racing lineage when in 1937 Wal Handley won the Brooklands TT and was awarded a Gold Star for averaging over 100mph. When postwar production resumed, BSA needed to meet a homologation requirement for the 1949 Clubmans TT. So just over 100 348cc Gold Stars were hand-built (they were all handbuilt). 21 bikes were entered in the 1949 350 Junior TT, an event that would be dominated by Gold Stars for the next 8 years. BSA took 1st- and 4thplaces first time out. The new swingarm frame in 1953 ushered in more success, including the 1954 Senior TT which was won by Eddie Dow on a 500 Goldie. To boost sales, in 1954 BSA brought a team to the Daytona 200-mile beach race with a mix of Gold Stars and Shooting Star twins assembled by Roland Pike. They took 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 8th & 16th places. In 1956, a DBD34 with its 110mph top speed (they could hit 60mph in first gear!), won the Isle of Man Clubmans TT. In America, BSA Gold Stars also dominated off-road racing, motocross, scrambles and desert racing well past the end of their production in 1963.
MODELS THIN DOWN
At the end of 1956, the Gold Star Touring and Road versions were dropped, and in 1957 the Road Racing, the DB and the entire 350 Gold Star line followed. This left only the DBD34 Gold Star Clubmans and the Scrambles models for 1958, with little change from ‘57. The DB32 350 Gold Star returned in 1959 but by 1960 was only being built by special order.
THE END DRAWS NEAR
Despite a brilliant career and incredible success both on the track and in the showroom, the BSA Gold Star had run its course and the end was inevitable. One of the Goldie’s greatest strengths was that each engine had been hand-assembled by craftsmen, and this also became one of its greatest weaknesses. They were very expensive to build, and couldn’t be produced in This 1957 Goldie is typical of the large quantities. The big single road bikes, or ‘roadsters’ was also no longer competitive in
road racing against twins and off-road racing was now being ruled by lightweight 2-strokes. The Goldie had been passed up by technology. BSA could have squeezed another year or two out of it, perhaps, there surely was enough demand. But Lucas Electrics had stopped making the mag-dynos (a combination magneto for spark and a dyno for the charging system) that the Gold Star used, and BSA was running out of their stockpile, and redesigning the Gold Star engine to accommodate a modern alternator and points was deemed cost-prohibitive. At the end of the 1963 model year, BSA ceased producing Gold Stars. It was replaced in 1964 with a new line of unit-construction singles, the most famous of which being the 441 Victor. They revived the Gold Star name on a 500cc version just as the company was closing its doors (the 1971-72 B50 Gold Star). While more modern in every way, these new big singles failed to attract the kind of attention and respect that the original Gold Starhad, and became one more slow-selling model in BSA’s lackluster product portfolio, contributing to its slow decline into extinction. BSA went from being one of the world’s richest companies in the late 1950s to insolvency by 1972. The BSA Gold Star was their most famous and iconic model, and surely one of their greatest financial successes. The BSA name was recently purchased by Indian tractor giant Mahindra, who has big plans to revive it as an upscale brand, built in India, for the US and European markets, much like Triumph has done in modern times. While little is known about their product plans, the brand equity in the BSA Gold Star name will almost certainly lead to a modern-day Gold Star when they launch the brand in 2019. This Goldie is a modern-day street
tracker. I rode with this guy last week & it hauls ass, proving the versatility of BSA Gold Star even in modern traffic.
For more like this, please visit Classic-British-Motorcycles.com
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IGNITING THE DREAM ROAD CAPTAIN’S REPORT
S
LIVING THE DREAM
FIRST BIKE
TARING AT A SNOW-COVERED pasture and bare trees, watching the birds all having a go at the feeder, isn’t exactly the inspiration for a riding story. In fact, there hasn’t been any riding at all this month. The battle of the air masses has resulted in a full-on retreat and evacuation of all warm fronts with ensuing snow. Even the hardened and experienced cavalry of adventure riders has been nonexistent in March’s assault on any beginning of riding’s season.
WINTER SUCKS FOR BIKERS It is no easy capitulation for Rose and I. The almost daily routine of donning helmets and gear, eager to explore, has been replaced by the slow rot of winter’s domestication. I am reminded of a quote, “To everything, there is a season.” And even though there would be no riding today, I was able to reflect back on the events that became the inspiration for my very own season: a dream ignited by my very first ride. Growing up as a kid (a work still in progress) in the 60s and 70s, you didn’t have very many friends if you didn’t have a bicycle. We didn’t have video games or computers, and on any given day, 12
BEFORE THE X GAMES weather permitting, there were displays of bikes scattered on the yards of the lucky parents, whose turn it was to host their kids friends for peanut butter sandwiches and sodas. Fast forward a few decades, and the only thing that has changed is; instead of Johnny’s house, his yard and sandwiches, is a bar and grill, a parking lot of chrome and carbon fiber, and burgers and beer. This did not happen by chance. There was something that we each experienced early on, that inspired us to become bikers. I lived at the bottom of a hill. And pretty much wherever I went, I always had to pedal uphill to get somewhere, whether it be to school, a friends house, or just to get away. I remember my first bike. It was big and red, and very intimidating, so my parents fitted it with training wheels. I remember riding it and feeling like that setup was completely unnatural. After begging my folks the next day to remove the Orwellian devices, I was taking off down the remainder of the hill we were on like a bird fleeing its nest
APRIL 2018
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STILL GATHERING AT JOHNNYS HOUSE
for the first time. I still feel that to this day. Like an airplane departing a runway, when a bike is finally able to balance while moving with me on it, it’s like emerging in to a more natural state. Soon, after a few years, a few bikes, a few cuts, scrapes and episodes of road rash, my football and wrestling coach, and friend’s dad, bought a Honda CB360. I remember going over there just to look at the bike, and stare in amazement at the awesome machine, wondering if I would ever be lucky enough to ride one. I was about 11 at the time, and all those years of pedaling up hills and Bogarting around turns avoiding more road rash, wondering what it was like to be pushed up a hill, or have the front wheel actually stick in a turn, was answered with a brief and spirited ride around the block. The dream was fully ignited, and my world was forever changed. A major turn at the crossroads had just occurred. It would take a few more years of pestering, begging and chores, but my parents finally broke down and got my brother and I two dirt bikes. Honestly, there are times, when I wonder what my parents were thinking. Most, if not all of us, have cringing moments, when we think back to how we ever made it this far. I broke my arm later that summer, the day after the last day of school, falling off a skateboard. By the time I was finally in just an arm cast, I was fit to be tied. No longer able to ride the local construction sites before the injury, having not ridden in weeks, my folks let us boys, make a circuit, while healing from what was originally diagnosed as a 70% chance of amputation, out of our front and back yards. Ron White voice, “I had somehow convinced them I’d be safe.” The eight-foothigh homemade skateboard ramp sitting in the road out in front of the house had already primed the HOA for future bylaw regulations. My parents really were cool after all. Like a John Steinbeck novel, my winter of discontent seems to coincide with that summer of my youth. Coinciding as well, are the emerging buds on the bare trees contrasting the snow covered fallen ones, signaling the end of winter’s final breaths. This is the first time Rose and I haven’t ridden year-round in a long time. As a result, we really haven’t felt that eagerness and excitement, of that opening day anticipation either. It’s kind of refreshing in a way, to have something to look forward to again, after taking it for granted for so long. And being able to reflect upon the things and events that made it happen in the first place, well that’s just something only each of us can put a price on. Soon my friends! SOON!!! Cheers and thanks for reading! Marc Ritchie - facebook.com/friendsof211 Thunder Roads® Mid-Atlantic
APRIL 2018 13
RAFFLE BIKE!
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SIDECAR MOTORCYCLE 2017 GEAR-UP 2-wheel drive!
Visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com/Ural to enter online or call (800) 262-5646 for more info. A minimum donation of $5 per ticket, or $20 for five tickets, is suggested. Featuring custom parts, accessories and gear from these companies: This 2-wheel drive sidecar from Ural Motorcycles is a special “Adventure Together” edition, outfitted by the Wilkinson Brothers of Good Spark Garage. It was carefully set up and dialed in by one of the nation’s top Ural sales and service dealerships, Heindl Engineering of Eaton, Ohio. UPGRADED PARTS & ACCESSORIES: + LED Sidecar Lights /Custom Guards + Black Engine and Drive-Train + Engine Skid Plate + Sidecar Nose & Fender Rack + Aluminum Reinforced Hand Guards + Heindl Engineering Rear Sidecar Bumper + Ural First Aid Box + Headlight & Spotlight Rock Guards + Leg Shields / Mud Guards
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Sidecar Spot Light Sidecar Power Outlet Sidecar Tonneau Cover Gas Tank with Built-In Storage Jerry Can Utility Shovel Luggage Rack Universal Spare Wheel Sidecar Front Bumper
Winner will be selected in a random drawing to be conducted during the 2018 AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony weekend scheduled for September.
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APRIL 2018
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MOTORCYCLE RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS If you ride a motorcycle, you should be involved in one of these organizations. Stand up, Get involved, Be a Part of the Solution! Preserve your rights as a biker!
DELAWARE 61 B McMillan Way, Newark, DE. 19713 Email: abateofde@aol.com www.abateofde.com
MARYLAND ABATE of Maryland, Inc. 71 Franklin Street, Annapolis, MD. 21401 Email: info@abateofmd.com www.abateofmd.org
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Motorcycle Riders Foundation 1325 G Street NW Suite 500 Washington DC 20005 Email: mrfoffice@mrf.org www.mrf.org
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n o i s s a P e l p r u P e Th OWNER – RANDY CECIL
Builder – Valley Harley Davidson, Belmont Ohio 2014 Harley Davidson Deluxe 103 Twincam HD Wheels – Ride Wright 18” Rear 21” Front – 40 Spoke Pulley Finish – Voodoo Purple Hardcandy
ACCESSORIES –
Floor Boards – HD Banana Boards Seat – Lepera Exhaust – Samson 29” Fishtails Air Ride – Progressive Air Cleaner – Progressive Air Cleaner – Velocity Stack Swingarm – Chrome HD Handlebars – Burly Beach Model – Alicia Photographer – Bill Vrtar
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This isn’t just a hobby. It’s who I am. Rider gets it.
Share how deep your passion runs.
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Ride with Rider. Get your quote today. Visit rider.com or call (844) 276-0161. Available in Delaware, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia. Thunder Roads®Mid-Atlantic
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NCOM BIKER NEWSBYTES Compiled & Edited by Bill Bish, National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM) NCOM CONVENTION IN MOBILE INVITES NAMES FOR FALLEN RIDERS TRIBUTE With the 33rd Annual NCOM Convention in Mobile, Alabama just weeks away, the National Coalition of Motorcyclists is requesting that MROs, motorcycle clubs, and riding associations submit the names of those members and supporters who have died since last year’s Convention, so that we may honor their memories with the traditional “Ringing of the Bell” tribute to fallen riders during the opening ceremonies. Dedications should be e-mailed in advance to Bill Bish at NCOMBish@aol.com, or can be hand-delivered at the Convention to “Doc” Reichenbach, NCOM Chairman of the Board. Attendees are also encouraged to bring an item on behalf of their organization for the Freedom Fund Auction, with proceeds benefiting the motorcyclists’ rights movement nationwide through Getting Our People Elected donations, NCOM Speaker Program, lobbying activities and other pro-motorcycling projects as determined by the NCOM Board of Directors. The 33nd annual NCOM Convention will be held Mother’s Day weekend, May 10-13, 2018 at the Renaissance / Riverview Plaza Hotel, located at 64 S. Water St., in Mobile, Alabama. This annual gathering will draw bikers’ rights activists from across the country to discuss topics of concern to all riders, so reserve your room now for the special NCOM rate of $114 by calling (251) 438-4000. Registration fees for the NCOM Convention are $85 including the Silver Spoke Awards Banquet on Saturday night, or $50 for the Convention only. All motorcyclists are welcome and encouraged to attend. Meetings, seminars and group discussions will focus on legislative efforts and litigation techniques to benefit our right to ride and Freedom of the Road. To pre-register, call the National Coalition of Motorcyclists at (800) 525-5355 or visit www.ON-A-BIKE.com. 24
TWIN PEAKS UPDATE On the eve of a Feb 7 hearing at which two Twin Peaks shootout bikers were seeking to disqualify McLennan County District Attorney Abel Reyna from prosecuting their cases, on a variety of grounds, Reyna instead dismissed one of those cases and recused his office in the other to avoid the disqualification hearing. Subsequently, Reyna announced on Feb 28 that he’s seeking the dismissal of cases against 13 more bikers indicted for engaging in organized crime in connection with the deadly melee in Waco nearly three years ago, and dropping charges against 24 others who weren’t indicted. Also, in early February, 73 indicted bikers had their cases dismissed, and eight unindicted bikers had their charges dropped. Only one of the scores of bikers indicted in the shootout has gone on trial; Jacob Carrizal, President of the Dallas Bandidos chapter, whose trial on RICO and murder charges ended with the judge declaring a mistrial in November after a hung jury was unable to reach a verdict. The May 17, 2015 shootout Ieft nine bikers dead and 20 more injured. Police arrested 177 bikers after the incident, all of whom were charged with engaging in organized crime and all of whom were initially ordered held in lieu of $1 million bonds. DA Reyna has been highly criticized for his handling of the cases, and recently lost his re-election bid. TRADE WAR COULD IMPACT HARLEY-DAVIDSON President Donald Trump’s recent announcement of tariffs on steel and aluminum would likely lead to global retaliatory consequences for iconic American industries such as Harley-Davidson motorcycles, Levis jeans and whiskey. In response to Trump’s announcement of his intention to impose tariffs of 25% on imported steel and 10% on aluminum to reduce an $800 billion trade deficit and protect the interests of American workers, European Union leaders threatened to target quintessential American goods such as blue jeans, bourbon and motorcycles. H-D could suffer from a negative two-pronged effect from the tariffs on steel and aluminum; the costs of production will rise, causing the cost of the bikes themselves to increase; both of which
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would be passed along to the consumer. “A punitive, retaliatory tariff on Harley-Davidson motorcycles in any market would have a significant impact on our sales, our dealers, their suppliers and our customers in those markets,” say HarleyDavidson officials. Roughly 16% of Harley-Davidson’s sales are to Europe, representing more than half of its international sales. American-made Polaris is not as concerned because 50% of its sales are made to Canada where, like Mexico, the country would be exempt from the tariffs, so no retaliation is expected. The U.S. has previously threatened to hike import duties up to 100% on European motorcycles in response to an EU ban on American bred beef from cattle raised on growth hormones. HONDA ‘RIDING ASSIST’ SYSTEM COULD ADVANCE MOTORCYCLING New patent images give a glimpse of Honda’s self-balancing technology that could be seen as a significant step forward for motorcycling. Although unthinkable until recently, the growth of automated systems such as traction control, stability control and anti-lock braking systems could soon lead to a bike that is virtually impossible to crash. That could be a massive step for motorcycling and its acceptance on a wider scale, as most non-riders would cite the perceived risk as their number one concern. Honda’s Riding Assist system, which adds a computer-controlled steering system between the bars and the front wheel, is the next step. Modern bikes can already intervene in your application of the throttle and brakes, but to really save us from ourselves they need to be able to override the stupidest of our steering mistakes as well. “If a novice could jump on a bike with zero fear of toppling off it, even if they come to a halt without putting a foot down, then it becomes as user-friendly as a car while offering all the congestionbusting and emissions-reducing advantages of a bike,” predicts Visordown.com. While the new designs patents, just published on the European Union Intellectual Property Office website, shouldn’t be taken as evidence that the Riding Assist system is going to go into production anytime soon, they provide a fascinating glimpse into one of the most radical projects in motorcycling at the moment. RIDERS RISK PERMANENT HEARING DAMAGE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS Motorcyclists are at risk of permanently damaging their hearing after just 15 minutes of riding at 62mph, seven minutes at 74mph or three minutes at 87mph, research has found. The study, carried out by Germany’s automobile association, ADAC, has shown that riding a motorbike at 62mph typically generates a wind noise of 95dB, which can permanently damage hearing after a quarter of an hour. At 74mph, the wind noise can be expected to reach 98dB, which will prove harmful after just seven minutes of exposure. Motorcyclists who regularly ride at highway speeds without earplugs are at risk of Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL), which can occur when exposed to long or repeated sounds 85dB or above. Prolonged exposure could result in tinnitus, a form of permanent ringing in the ears. Helmets don’t help, and it isn’t the sound of the motorcycle causing Thunder Roads®Mid-Atlantic
all the noise; “It’s the wind noise that can cause permanent hearing loss,” explains Ohio A.I.M. Attorney Ralph Buss, who has represented a client who was ticketed for wearing earplugs. Using earplugs in Ohio while operating a vehicle has been illegal since 1989 and the law, which was enacted largely in response to stereo headphones in cars, doesn’t allow earplugs to be worn by motorcyclists or motorists. That may soon change if ABATE of Ohio has its way, as legislation has been introduced to permit motorcyclists to wear earplugs for hearing protection. HB548 was introduced on March 13 by Representative Riordan McClain (R-Upper Sandusky) and would add motorcycle riders to a short list of mostly emergency personnel who are exempted from the law. Similarly, a law in California allowed only for “custom earplugs,” but was amended in 2004 to allow individuals to wear earplugs that don’t block the sounds of horns or emergency sirens. ALOHA FREEDOM OF CHOICE Resolutions have been introduced in the Hawaii legislature on March 1st “Urging the Department of Transportation to submit legislation for a universal helmet law in Hawaii requiring all operators and riders of motorcycles, motor scooters, mopeds and bicycles to wear safety helmets.” The partisan Democratic measures, House Resolution 41 and House Concurrent Resolution 53, call for the DOT to expedite implementation of its strategic goal for motorcycle, motor scooter, and moped safety by submitting legislation for a universal helmet law by the Regular Session of 2019. Both await consideration in the House Transportation Committee. The Aloha State is currently one of 31 states that allow adult riders to choose to wear a helmet, with 19 states requiring all motorcyclists to wear approved headgear. CALIFORNIA INTRODUCES ANTI-PROFILING BILL Anti-profiling legislation, Assembly Bill No. 2972, has been introduced in the California legislature to define the term “motorcycle profiling” and prohibit peace officers from engaging in motorcycle profiling. Introduced February 16, 2018 by Assemblymember Anna Marie Caballero (D-Salinas), AB2972 would define the term “motorcycle profiling” as the illegal consideration of the fact that a person is riding a motorcycle or wearing motorcycle or motorcycle club-related clothing as a factor in law enforcement decisions. Further, the bill stipulates that “A person who has been subjected to motorcycle profiling in violation of this section has a private right of action to enjoin that action and to seek damages, including punitive damages and reasonable attorney’s fees and court costs, against the peace officer and the employing agency of the peace officer.” Several other states have considered bills to prohibit profiling motorcyclists, but Washington became the first state to pass such a law in 2011, followed more recently by Maryland in 2016. In addition, two bills in Congress seek to end profiling of motorcycle riders on the federal level; H.Res.318 and S.Res.154 -- “Promoting awareness of motorcycle profiling and encouraging collaboration and communication with the motorcycle community and law enforcement officials to prevent instances of profiling.” QUOTABLE QUOTE: “Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.” ~ Warren Buffet, Investor and Philanthropist
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BULLET POINTS NEGLIGENC E ARTICLE BY: BRODY KENNEN
IMAGE FROM: GETTY’S IMAGES
Unfortunately, violence has again struck in a school within the United States of America. The news is full of fast-paced, maddening and alienating headlines even after these last few weeks. Quite literally, you can watch nearly every existing faction fight each other while whole new factions split off and join the fray. Politicians have submitted new Federal legislation to renew the Assault Weapons Ban, raise ages for purchasing of specific classes of firearms, and continue to seek a ban on accessories. SCHOOL DEFENSE The firearms community is highly divided due there being two interpretations of the 2nd Amendment: either all current restrictions should be rolled back or that “reasonable restrictions” should be had. One side wants to arm students (at the college level) and teachers and roll back decades old infringements on certain classes of firearms. The other side wants to continue to allow the Democrats to receive any demand they can come up with at a moment’s notice: such as banning bump stocks (“rate-increasing devices”), “assault weapons” and “improving” background checks (see: “NICS Fix Act”). And, of course, there’s arming people in the schools. Presently, the talk is focused on faculty at grade schools, but it would also include armaments by students at the college level. There has been back-lash to calls by President Trump, again, to implement the arming of teachers in schools around the nation. Rep. Mark Sanford mentioned something about the teachers “not wanting to shoot a student”, but I don’t see the relevance when an assailant is gunning down your other students. I’m not sure what his point is. An understanding needs to be had on schools. Colleges and grade schools are PRESIDENT TRUMPH (R) AND SENATOR FEINSTEIN (D-CA) two totally different animals to plan a defensive strategy around. For instance, if the average grade school has one to two Resource Officers (usually from “certain individuals deemed to be dangerous.” “Take the guns first, go through due process second...” the sheriff’s office), you may merely double your stock of armed personnel by Unfortunately, it means whoever the Federal government deems to be allowing firearms in the hands of the faculty. The problem is that your additional personnel are likely static. The teachers, at least in my day, used one classroom dangerous. If any such bill is passed with that kind of wording, I fully expect the the entire school day. The students may have moved around, but you could multiple Three-Letter Agencies to botch a detainment when they have enough time that movement down to the second due to the routines. Unfortunately, compelling evidence, like in the case of the multiple reports they were made it allows for any potentially armed faculty members to be specifically targeted aware of regarding the Florida shooter, and all while arresting someone who is completely innocent. I believe it to be a fact that the wording will inevitably be or planned around. In a college, there are a handful of Resource Officers (think two to four). directed at whichever group of “dissenting” voters crosses every president after Again, I assume that you will possibly double that number by adding an Trump if enacted. President Trump could be playing the Democratic Party, as well as the RINOS, allowance for faculty to carry. Most, if not all, campus carry that has passed has allowed students with concealed handgun licenses to also carry. The difference but it is every liberty-promoting American’s job to do their due diligence is a larger uptick in who can carry and how fluid the campus is. The number of and let their politicians know that it the mere suggestion of such controls is carriers fluctuates over the day, classes are skipped and or cancelled, and the unacceptable. Regardless of whether you voted for him or not. On what grounds am I basing this statement? The fact that he is enabling the Democratic Party, carriers are harder to pinpoint for elimination. and other left-wing organizations, to continue their fight. It’s a dangerous game BLOWBACK Sean Davis summed it up, on Twitter, simply: “This week’s gun control and it could be lost. If we let one president go through with a violation of any argument in a nutshell: because government failed at every level, you need of the Amendments, it provokes thoughts in others that it is alright to do so. to have your rights curtailed… by the government that just failed at every Trump spoke to violating multiple Amendments, thus violating multiple aspects level.” And, these are new goalposts. Moved from “the government and law of your individual sovereignty. FOX’s Tucker Carlson brought up a valid point when asking: “Imagine if Barack enforcement are evil and shouldn’t have weapons or war” posts. President Trump asked Sen. Diane Feinstein to include her latest Assault Obama had said that.” Violating the Constitution and the Bill of Rights is not how you “Make Weapons Ban as an amendment to an up-coming bipartisan bill. I hadn’t ever seen it before, but Feinstein was as happy as a 10-year old allowed to have ice American Great Again” and you should be messaging all your local politicians cream after dinner. Reportedly, in the same meeting, he was short of supporting to let them know that. the ban. He rightfully mentioned the black market, in that statement. He called If you want to see extended versions of these articles, then visit for the minimum age of long-gun purchases to be raised to 21. He spoke to www.thearmednovelist.com. bump-stocks “[being] gone soon”. He also called for firearms to be taken from Questions or comments? Email thisistheline3@gmail.com. Thunder Roads® Mid-Atlantic 2018 27 Thunder Roads Magazine Louisiana/Mississippi | March 2018 |APRIL www.thunderroadslams.com 16
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There are two statues in a park; one of a nude man and one of a nude woman, posed to elegantly cover their privates. They had been facing each other across a pathway for a hundred years, when one day an angel comes down from the sky and, with a single gesture, brings the two to life. The angel tells them, ‘As a reward for being so patient through a hundred blazing summers and dismal winters, you have been given life for thirty minutes to do what you’ve wished to do the most.’ He looks at her, she looks at him, and they go running behind the shrubbery. The angel waits patiently as the bushes rustle and giggling ensues. After fifteen minutes, the two return, out of breath and laughing. The angel tells them, ‘Um, you have fifteen minutes left, would you care to go again?’ He asks her ‘Shall we?’ She eagerly replies, ‘Oh, yes, let’s! But let’s change positions. This time, I’ll hold the pigeon down while you crap on its’ head.’ --------------------------------------------------------------------A biker couple, just married during Bike Week, were in their honeymoon suite on their wedding night. As they undressed for bed, the husband, who was a big burly man, tossed his pants to his hot bride and said, “Here, put these on.” She put them on, and the waist was twice the size of her body. “I can’t wear your pants,” she said. “That’s right!!” said the husband, “and don’t you forget it. I’m the man who wears the pants in this family!” With that she flipped him her panties and said, “Try these on.” He tried them on and found he could only get them on as far as his kneecaps. He said, “Hell, I can’t get into your panties!” She said, “That’s absolutely right, and that’s the way it’s going to be until you adjust your attitude, big boy.” --------------------------------------------------------------------A man boards a plane with six kids. After they get settled in their seats, a woman sitting across the aisle leans over to him and asks, “Are all of those kids yours?” He looks bewildered at her and replies, “No. I work for a condom company. These are customer complaints.” Thunder Roads® Mid-Atlantic
A man and woman were having a quiet, romantic dinner in a fine restaurant. They were gazing lovingly at each other and holding hands. The waitress, taking another order at a table a few steps away, suddenly noticed the woman slowly sliding down her chair, under the table and under the table cloth but the man stared straight ahead. The waitress watched as the woman slid all the way down her chair and totally out of sight under the tablecloth. Still, the man stared straight ahead. The waitress, thinking this behavior a bit risqué and worried that it might offend other diners, went over to the table and, tactfully, began by saying to the man, “Pardon me sir, but I think your wife just slid under the table.” The man calmly looked up at her and said, “No she didn’t, she just walked in.” --------------------------------------------------------------------A teacher asks the kids in her 5th grade class: “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Little Johnny says: “I wanna’ start out as a Fighter Pilot, then be a billionaire, go to the most expensive clubs, find me the finest ho’ money can buy, give her a Ferrari worth over a million bucks, an apartment in Copacabana, a mansion in Paris, a jet to travel throughout Europe, a no-limit Visa Platinum, and all the while...banging her like a screen door in a hurricane.” The teacher, shocked and not knowing what to do with this horrible response decides not to acknowledge what he said and simply continue with the lesson. “Alright then, and how about you, Sarah?” “I wanna’ be Johnny’s ho’”. --------------------------------------------------------------------A Doctor asks his patient; whom is a pregnant prostitute, “Well, do you know who the father is?” Prostitute looks at the Doc and very exhaustedly replies, “Oh, for goodness sake, if you ate a can of beans, would you know which one made you fart?.” ---------------------------------------------------------------------
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biker friendly directory
Dealer & Shops
Bars & Restaurants
Bayside Harley-Davidson 2211 Frederick Blvd Portsmouth, VA 23704 757-397-5550 www.baysidehd.com
Seabreeze / Swampy’s 27130 S. Sandgates Rd Mechanicsville, MD 301-373-5217 The Tavern 4975 St. Leonard Rd. ST Leonard, MD 20685 410-586-2225 www.thetavernofstleonard.com
CPC Powder Coating 6800 Mid Cities Ave. Beltsville, MD 20705 443-336-2105 Old Glory Harley Davidson 11800 Laurel Bowie Road Laurel, MD 20708 www.oldgloryhd.com 301-575-0575 Patriot Harley- Davidson 9739 Fairfax Blvd Fairfax, VA 703-352-5400 www.patriothd.com TG Automotive 8176 Telegraph Road Suite E Severn, MD 21144 443-795-4733 www.tgautomotivemd.com The Twisted Spoke 97 Milford Street Clarksburg, WV 26301 304-326-4644 www.twistedspokeinc.com Whirled of Color Customs, LLC Body, Paint and Custom Airbrushing 116 Roesler Road Glen Burnie, MD 21060 410-553-0953 www.WhirledofColor.com Zipper’s Performance Products Elkridge, Maryland 410-579-2828 www.ZippersPerformance.com
Apparel / Retail Best Impressions Advertising 3325 Taylor Road, Suite 101 Chesapeake, VA 23321 (757) 638-7100 www.bestimpressions4u.com Blaze Leather 2239 Randolph Avenue Elkins, WV 26241 681-298-5055 www.Blaze-Leather.com Renegade Classics Biker Outlet 7950 W. Broad Street Merchants Walk Shopping Center Richmond, VA 23294 804-501-BIKE (2453) www.RenegadeClassicsRichmond.com
Tattoo Big City Body Art 154 C Lafayette Ave Laurel, MD 20707 240-482-6162 www.bigcitybodyart.com
Lodging Francis Scott Key Family Resort 12806 Ocean Gateway Ocean City, MD 21842 800-213-0088 www.fskfamily.com
Insurance Agents Rider Insurance www.Rider.com
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Clubs, Organizations & Riding Groups
American Motorcyclist Association (800) AMA-JOIN AmericanMotorcyclist.com C.E.’s Helping Hands (Old Fields, WV) A non-profit organization enlisting the help of other good hearted people wanting to contribute to the cause of helping others in need. The organization holds monthly meetings and several fundraising rides every year. Donations are always appreciated. www.cehelpinghands.com Saints & Soldiers Motorcycle Riding Club Meetup.com/Saints-Soldiers Facebook.com/groups/ saintsandsoldiersrc
Places of Worship Iron Horse Fellowship
414 Battlefield Blvd South Chesapeake, VA 23322 www.ironhorsefellowship.com Rushing Wind Ministry Meets 11am Sunday’s Location: Charlotte Hall Farmers Market We are a Biker friendly church focusing on uplifting and encouraging others to follow Jesus Christ. “We believe we live in a real world with real people looking for real answers “ Thunder Roads® Mid-Atlantic If you would like to be listed in the Biker Friendly Directory, please contact Sales and Marketing or email BFD@BIGCITYRHINO.com for more information. If you’re Club, Foundation, or Association would like to be listed in our Directory, please email BFD@ BIGCITYRHINO.COM with your name and contact information and someone will be in touch with you. Thunder Roads® Mid-Atlantic
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upcoming events
Thunder Roads® Mid-Atlantic is not responsible for inaccuracies or the specifics of the information provided. If you would like your event listed, please email details and your contact information to: Events@BigCityRhino.com
DELAWARE Bike Nights:
Wednesday’s Hooter’s New Castle, DE. 6-10PM
Events:
Ride to the Tide Sunday, April 22, 9:30 AM Rommel H-D Smyrna, 450 Stadium St, Smyrna, DE Police escorts enable riders to continue nonstop the entire length of the Ride to the Tide. The ride ends at Jake’s Seafood House in Rehoboth Beach at approximately 1 p.m., where bikers and passengers will enjoy a complimentary lunch. Benefiting Special Olympics Delaware More than $297,300 has been raised in the event’s 11-year history.
Kundratic Motorcycle & Hot Rod Swap Meet Sunday, April 8, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM BUY, SELL or SWAP! FREE Admission & FREE Parking The areas only traditional old school swap meet with just motorcycle & hot rod parts. No jewelry & leather vendors, insurance agencies, crafts, peek-a-boo dolls…..Tons of vendors will be buying, selling and swapping used parts, vintage parts, new parts, hard to find parts, fenders, tanks, frames, accessories, chrome, steel and everything in between! Registration is $25 per 10x10 space - first come, first served. As always, it’s FREE to come and shop plus lots of FREE parking. Call us or stop by the shop to reserve your space today. 410.633.3113 Blessing of the Bikes Saturday, April 14, 2018 from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Battley Cycles – Gaithersburg, MD the Black Jacket Cruizers are hosting a Blessing of the Bikes at 1pm. We’ll have hamburgers and hotdogs on the grill. Join the Black Jacket Cruizers on a ride afterwards at 2pm. Everyone is welcome! Pete’s Cycle Annual Spring Open House Friday and Saturday April 20 & 21 Pete’s Cycle – 7511 Belair RD, Baltimore, MD For More info - www.petescycle.com
2nd Annual Bike Blessing Sunday, April 22, 10 AM to 12:30 PM New Destiny Fellowship 906 E 16th St Wilmington DE Come on out and hear singing that the angels in heaven can’t match. Hear a powerful word of God from an AWESOME pastor, Apostle Thomas W. Weeks, Sr. Get prayed over, prayed with, and prayed for that we ALL have a safe and fun riding season. This is open to ALL MC’s, SBC’s, and independent riders. If you ride, you’re invited. To all the SC’s who ride as passengers, you’re invited as well. The blessing that will be on you will cover you and the rider who may not make it to this event. Burgers (beef and turkey) and hot dogs (all beef) will be served afterwards. A photographer will be on the scene for those that may want to take pics with their team, solo, etc.
13th Annual Ride for Life Cycle & Family Fun Day Saturday, April 21, 2018 9:30 AM Parkton American Legion Post 256 WE RIDE TO STOP CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE Registration begins at 9:30am, ride departs at 11:30am $20.00 for rider and $10.00 for passenger, fees includes RFL patch, 018 rocker, door prize ticket www.thehopeandpeacefoundation.com/page9
Electrical Workers of Delaware Local 313 bike and car show Sunday, April 29, 12-5 PM International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, 814 West Basin Rd, New Castle, DE 19720 Bike and car show ,venders and bike show inside
2018 Bikefest at The Woodstock Inn Sunday, April 29th , Noon to 5PM Woodstock Inn, 1415 Woodstock Rd, Woodstock, MD Live Bands - Farm Fresh Food from Braglio Farms 4/29 - Midnite Run
MARYLAND 4th Annual Bull Roast for The Living Legacy Foundation Saturday, April 7th from 7 PM to 11 PM Richlin Catering & Event Center, 1700 Van Bibber Rd, Edgewood, MD Honoring the Memory of Greg Knapstein Legacy of a Heart Tickets: $45 per person - $400 per Table Ticket Includes - Soup and Salad, Pit Beef, Pit Ham, Buffet Dinner, Dessert and ICe Cream Bar Draft beer, Wine, Soda, and Coffee Cash Bar Available for Mixed Drinks More Info - John - 410-692-9823 34
6th Annual Breast Cancer Run What You Brung Poker Run Saturday, April 21, 2018 9:30 AM Sea Breeze Restaurant, 27130 S Sandgates Rd, Mechanicsville, MD Bikes to the Beach Spring Rally 2018 Starts and Ends at Sea Breeze - Kick Stands Up at 11 AM Live Music - 50/50 Raffle – Auction
May 3 - 6, 2018 Live Music · Outdoor Venues · Custom Bike Show · Poker Run www.oceancitybikestothebeach.com Blessing of the Bikes Sunday, May 6, 2018 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM Renegades Classics of Annapolis BLESSING OF THE BIKES DRIVEN BY THE SPIRIT Bikes Blessed by: Reverend Father Martin “Pops” Berman 17th Annual British & European Classic Motorcycle Day Sunday, May 20, 2018 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM High Point Farm – Clarksburg, MD British & European Classic Motorcycle Day is one of the largest events of its kind, with a field full of APRIL 2018
all types of Classic British & European motorcycles; swap meet vendor area; Tech Talks; and much more. We are located in the rolling countryside of Maryland, close to Washington, DC and Baltimore. There are over 15 Brit & Euro classes for the judged concours and over 75 plaques and ribbons to be awarded, and door prizes awarded to select Concours winners. The vendor area has Classic British & European parts and accessories, complete bikes, project bikes, maybe even that elusive piece you need to finish a bike you’re working on. www. classicmotorcycleday.org 2018 East Coast Thunder Saturday, May 26, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM Old Glory Harley-Davidson – Laurel, MD Annual FREE CONCERT on Rolling Thunder/ Memorial Weekend with 3 live bands, vendors, food by GIGGY’S BBQ, PEOPLES CHOICE BIKE/ CAR SHOW and In-House POKER RUN. VISIT www. hogsheroesfoundation.com or call 240-832-5148 for more informatoon.
VIRGINIA Bike Nights:
Tuesday’s Tidewater Motorcycles – Chili Dog Social– Suffolk, VA Thursday’s High Tides – Colonial Beach, VA. 6-11PM High Tides is kicking off the riding season by starting a bike night that promises to be a very good time. DJ Rockin Roger will be providing the tunes for now but as the summer starts arriving look for live music to be on the menu. The Tiki Bar is almost an arm’s reach away from the water and there is usually a fire going in the firepit on those chilly evenings. CLUB COLORS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME! No Drama, No BS and have a good time. El Rodeo Restaurant – Fredericksburg, VA. 5-9PM Big O Bike Shop LLC sponsored Bike Night Weekly 50/50 drawings. Proceeds to a different charity each month. Games, contests, raffles, and giveaways. Great authentic food and homemade ethnic desserts. More info - Kerry O’Shields - 703 963 0697 Big Woody’s - Virginia Beach, VA Great specials, biker buckets, live music and prize giveaways Oceana Cycles – Virginia Beach, VA Legendary Hot Dog Night 1st Thursday of Every Month! 6:00pm Buffalo Wild Wings – Culpeper, VA. 5-11 PM - Saturday – 4/17, 5/12, 6/9, 7/14, 9/8 Sons of Blackwater Military MC For more Info - Vice – 423-304-4294 Sipe’s Restaurant and Bar – Harrisonburg, VA. 6:30PM-?? – Saturday – 4/28, 5/26, 6/23, 7/28, 8/25, 9/22 - $5 Cover – Live Music Sons of Blackwater Military MC For more Info - Tailgate – 540-246-3365
Thunder Roads® Mid-Atlantic
Shenandoah Valley Motorcycle Expo Saturday April 7th & 8th, 2018 Shenandoah County Fair Association, 300 Fairground Rd, Woodstock, VA 22664 Indoor heated Motorcycle Expo with many Venues: Gate admission: $10 / FREE parking / Children 12 and under FREE - Motorcycle Show - Live Entertainment (TBD) Tattoo Contest - Bikini Contest - Many More Contests! Vendors / Dealers / Detailers/ Swap Meet WATCH FOR MORE DETAILS TO COME! Looking to be a Vendor? Contact us for a Vendor form. Looking to enter your bike? Contact us for an Entry form. jwwmotorsports.com/ Blessing of the Bikes 2018 Saturday, April 7, 12:00 PM L & B’s Sports Bar, Woodbridge, VA Once again L&B is honored to welcome Brothers in Christ Motorcycle Ministry as they host the 2018 Blessing of the Bikes 7th Annual MDA Poker Run Saturday April 7th, 9 AM – 4 PM Bayside Harley Davidson, 221 Frederick Blvd, Portsmouth, VA Free t-shirt and pinwhile supplies last. After party 12-3PM at Bayside Harley Davidson. Livemusic, food, door prizes, raffles, vendors and more! All proceeds benefitlocal kids and adults with muscular dystrophy. For more information sendemail to hjaheadroadcaptain@gmail.com Navy SEAL Tribute Ride 2018 Saturday, April 14, 2018 9:00 AM 615 Bar & Grill, 1615 General Booth Blvd, Virginia Beach, VA Scenic Ride that ends at Barry’s on Walnut Island Grandy, NC where riders can enjoy Barry’s Bike Rally Breakfast available 0900-1030 - Ride departs 1100 This year’s Navy SEAL Tribute Ride will 100% Benefit the Trident House which is part of the Navy SEAL Museum Complex located at Fort Pierce, Florida. This is a CHARITY EVENT that participants Donate $25/Bike to the fund. www.navysealtributeride.com 2018 Finish The Race Spring Car & Motorcycle Show and Cruise-In Saturday, April 14, from 12 PM to 4 PM Calvary Temple Church in Sterling, VA Finish The Race Ministries is excited to host its 2018 Spring Car & Motorcycle Show on Saturday, April 14 from 12:00 noon – 4:00 pm. This is a Free event for Car and Motorcycle enthusiasts of all ages. Held on the grounds of Calvary Temple Church in Sterling, VA this is a fun filled day for spectators as well. **New for 2018- newly paved and lined parking lot!!!** All participants who register their vehicle receive a “welcome bag” with voucher for a free BBQ sandwich platter. Dash Plaques for the first 100 Car registrants to arrive. Family fun for everyone. Raffles for spectators and participants. Music. Kids Games and Activities. Moon Bounce, demonstrations from Missions Teams; music and entertainment. Lots of food and other vendors. Free trailer parking. Awards: Car: Top 10 and Top 25 trophies \ Best of Show \ Best Paint \ Best Engine \ Best Interior \ Top 5 for Trucks \ Top 5 for Imports \ Top 5 for Late Models Thunder Roads® Mid-Atlantic
(1993 and newer) \ Top 5 for Exotics - Motorcycle: Top 15 \ Best of Show \ Best paint. Registration is FREE! Admission is FREE! Vendors are welcome. If you are an interested Vendor please email your contact information. Pre-registration available online at www.finishtherace.org Registration on day of event opens at 10:00am. For questions: events@ calvarytempleva.org or (703) 430-7307. Run for the Son Saturday, April 28, 9 AM – 3 PM Tractor Supply Co., 6499 Market Dr, Gloucester, VA 23061 4th annual Run for the Son Motorcycle & Car show. Open to all motorcycles. This is a professionally judged show by G S Grifana. The show is located at Tractor Supply, 6499 Market Dr. Gloucester, VA 23072 We will have vendors and music. So come and help support Run for the Son. Sponsored by: Hampton Roads Harley, Action Insurance, Jax Wax of VA. John Henry Printing.$15 entrance fee. All proceeds go directly to CMA Charites. Salty Dawgs poker Run Saturday, May 5, fom 9 AM to 4 PM Eagles Nest – Chesapeake, VA 12th Annual Salty Dawgs Poker Run to support the Portsmouth Fisher House. Bike Show, Live Auction, Gun Raffles, vendors, 50/50 and Pker Run More info – Clint – 757-462-0711 24th Annual Richmond Riders Poker Run Sunday, May 6, from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM 2018 Richmond Riders Poker Run, our 24th annual event supporting the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation and the Ride for Kids program. This year’s event will be beginning at our supporting dealer, Richmond Honda House, located at 7906 West Broad St. As always, our poker run features a tour through some of the best roads Central Virginia has to offer. At each of the end points along the way, you’ll draw cards to make your poker hand. The end point for this year’s event is Mission BBQ, located at 5440 Glenside Dr. Food will be available for sale in the restaurant and outside, we’ll hold our “awards ceremony” where we’ll award prizes for best hand and worst hand. As always, we’ll also have plenty of great door prizes to give away, too. All proceeds from this year’s Poker Run go to the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. Each day, 13 children are diagnosed with a brain tumor. Since 1984, The Ride for Kids program has supported the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation through a national series of motorcycle rides. The money we raise provides critical support to scientists searching for a cure and improved treatment options for children. For the Richmond Riders, we can’t think of a more worthwhile use of our time and money. We hope you’ll join us to raise money for this very worthy cause. Click here to learn more about our event: http://www.richmondriders. com/2018-poker-run/
Riders drive a designated route and draw playing cards at each planned stop. At the final destination, riders play their hand of poker and a cash prize is awarded to the best AND the worst hand. CVMA 27-3 6th Annual BASH Friday, May 18, 2018 - Saturday, May 19 Ed Allen’s Campground - Lanexa, Virginia VMA 27-3 6th Annual BASH. Super event with a 80-mile Poker Run through historic Virginia, Live Bands, Food, vendors, Beer Truck. Kicks off on Friday, 18 May, 4 pm to midnight. Saturday, 19 May 2018, 7 am, Poker Run 1000 am through approximately 3 pm; live bands throughout the day until midnight. https://www.combatvet27-3.org/ battlefield-bash/pre-registration/ For more info, contact: Dr. Ken “Doc” King, CVMA 27-3 PRO, cyberdoc39@gmail.com
WEST VIRGINIA Bike Nights:
2nd Friday of every month @ 7PM Sorry Souls MC WING NIGHT 9505 Williamsport Pike, Falling Waters WV. Come out for a great Time and GREAT EATS!! Try al the flavors
Events:
The Stolen Pig Rally Thursday, April 26,- Saturday, April 28, The Stolen Pig Rally is for Street Legal Adventure Enduro Bikes. The SPR18 will be held at The McCoy Pig Farm Simi-Primitive Campground. Located in McCarr Ky 2 miles from Matewan WV. Hosted by: Donald and Kathy McCoy D/B/A The Real McCoy Trails / a division of Hatfield McCoy Enterprises. For all size Dual Sport adventure bikes, there are endless miles of riding. For street riding there’s not a single quarter mile section of strait road in the region and plenty to see and do. Routes are Available from 60 -150 miles including The Feud Loop for History Buffs. There will be rides available that include some awesome Backwoods Single Lane Twisty B -Top as well as some Dirt/Gravel Roads and all located within 10 - 25 miles of Base Camp at McCarr Ky. Best of all there’s BACON! Complimentary Lunch both Friday and Saturday includes Bacon Roasted over a camp fire ALL YOU CAN EAT / Help Yourself “Roasting Sticks Provided”. To top off the event Saturday Late Night there will be Complimentary BACON GALORE. ALL YOU CAN EAT!!! “Help Yourself”. That is if the Hatfield’s don’t still the Bacon! LOL www.therealmccoytrails.com/2018-stolen-pig-rally.html Lets’s Ride 1000 for Make-A-Wish Foundation Saturday, May 5-6 Wheeling, WV 26003 Let’s Ride 1000 conducts certified Saddle Sore 1000 motorcycle rides for charity. 100% of proceeds go directly to the charity. This event will benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation as we will ride to Hell, Michigan. This Saddle Sore 1000 is called the “Almost Heaven to Hell” Ride. Check out will begin at 4am on May 5, 2018 and riders will proceed on a predetermined route to and from Hell, Michigan. The entire 1000 miles must be completed within 24 hours. All rides are certified by the Iron Butt Association. More details available at Www.facebook.com/letsride1000
Ride Virginia Habitat for Humanity Poker Run - 11th Annual Saturday, May 12, 9:00 AM Habitat ReStore – Fredericksburg The RIDE VIRGINIA Poker Run is an annual fundraiser to engage motorcycle groups as well as local bikers who want to support Habitat. This half-day event takes participants on a motorcycle tour of Habitat projects and local landmarks, and tickets purchased help support local build projects. APRIL 2018 35
upcoming events
Events:
PUTTING THE RECENT RISE IN MOTORCYCLE FATALITIES INTO PERSPECTIVE By Matt Danielson The Motorcycle Law Group
O
UR FRIENDS at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have put out their yearly report on motorcycle crashes and fatalities. The latest report focuses on data collected for the year 2016. According to NHTSA, motorcycle fatalities rose 5.1% between 2015 and 2016. The report also states that 25% of those fatalities were related to alcohol impairment. Finally, NHTSA indicates that the lack of mandatory motorcycle helmet laws nationwide is a contributing factor to the rise in motorcycle fatalities. When you read the report, it is easy to conclude that motorcyclists have a serious safety problem on our hands, and to some degree I concur. All motorcyclists should be concerned when we see motorcycle fatalities rise. However, when we look at the 2016 data as a whole we get a more accurate picture. When we look at the overall 2016 motor vehicle crash data that NHTSA published in a separate report, we see that while motorcycle fatalities were up by 5.1% in 2016, motor vehicle fatalities as a whole rose by 5.6%. The truth is that traffic fatalities as a whole have been on the rise for the past few years. For some reason, either intentionally or unintentionally, NHTSA seems to publish data on motorcycle fatalities in a subtly different way than it does data on motor vehicle fatalities as a whole. In its overview of fatal motor vehicle crashes, NHTSA reported that the 5.6% increase in motor vehicle fatalities in 2016 is lower than the 8.4% increase from 2014 to 2015. No such language appears in NHTSA’s publication concerning motorcycle fatalities, despite the fact that the 5.1% increase in motorcycle fatalities in 2016 is lower than the 8% increase in motorcycle fatalities from 2014 to 2015. Similarly, when we read the two NHTSA reports together, we see that fatalities due to alcohol impairment are an overall traffic safety problem, not just a motorcycle problem. Because NHTSA issues a yearly report which focuses only on motorcycle fatalities and injuries, it is easy for people to conclude that many contributing factors are unique to motorcyclists. In its latest report on motorcycle traffic fatalities, NHTSA claims that the 25% rise in alcohol related motorcycle fatalities is the highest percentage of any other vehicle classification. Yet in its overview of fatal motor vehicle crashes, NHTSA reported that 28% of overall motor vehicle traffic fatalities in 2016 were due to alcohol impairment. That represents a 5.6% increase from 2015. From 2015 to 2016, there was only a 0.1% increase in motorcycle fatalities due to alcohol impairment. Let’s be clear: any traffic fatality due to alcohol impairment is one too many. That being said, alcohol impaired driving is not a problem unique to motorcyclists. 36
Finally, and here is where I get in trouble with some of my readers, there is the assertion that the lack of motorcycle helmet laws nationwide is contributing to the rise in motorcycle fatalities. I am not advocating that anyone wear or not wear a motorcycle helmet if they happen to be in one of the thirty-one states that allow adults to make their own choice on the matter; I am merely presenting NHTSA’s own data as a whole so that each reader can make up his or her own mind. First, NHTSA fails to explain why the lack of helmet laws has had an impact on the rise in motorcycle fatalities but not on motor vehicle fatalities as a whole, which have risen at a greater rate than motorcycle fatalities. Secondly, when we look at the motorcycle fatality rate per 100,000 registered motorcyclists between the jurisdictions that have mandatory motorcycle helmet laws and those that don’t, we see less than a 1% difference. Finally, and perhaps most troubling, is what NHTSA considers to be a motorcycle for the purposes of the entire report on motorcycle fatalities. The report on motorcycle fatalities includes data from crashes involving not only two and three-wheeled motorcycles, but off-road motorcycles, mopeds, scooters, mini bikes, and pocket bikes. Data from accidents involving off-road motorcycles, mopeds, scooters, mini bikes, and pocket bikes, should not be used in any serious study of motorcycle fatalities, nor should such data be cited in any serious discussion on ways to reduce motorcycle traffic fatalities; doing so would be comparable to using data from fatalities involving four-wheelers and go-carts to formulate safety strategies for our nation’s highways. At the end of the day, motorcycle fatalities have been up, and that is a bad thing. We motorcyclists have the primary responsibility to reverse this troubling trend. But it is not a trend unique to us; it is a problem shared by all motorists, and it is the responsibility of all motorists to solve the problem. While we could debate this complex issue for years, let me offer my personal advice. First, if you want to have a drink, leave the alcohol for after you are finished riding or driving for the day. Secondly, slow down and pay attention to others on the road. Put down the telephone, that message can wait. Look less at the GPS and more at traffic around you. Missing a turn won’t run you nearly as late as plowing into the car or motorcycle in front of you. Stop playing with that sleek touch screen that your new vehicle came with (Yes motorcyclists, I’m talking to you too). Whether we are riding or driving, our primary responsibility is the safety of ourselves, our passengers, and each and every other motorist with whom we share the road. Matt Danielson McGrath, Danielson, Sorrell & Fuller 1-800-321-8968 Motorcyclelawgroup.com
APRIL 2018
Thunder Roads® Mid-Atlantic
Dedicated to protecting the rights of injured motorcyclists. We ride so we understand. If you’ve been injured through no fault of your own, call the Motorcycle Law Group.SM
1-800-321-8968 www.MotorcycleLawGroup.com Licensed in Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Georgia. Thunder Roads®Mid-Atlantic
APRIL 2018 37