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2 Thunder Roads® Tennessee Staff 3 Index of Advertisers 3 From the Editors – By Denise High 4 America the Beautiful – By Cooper Chilton 5 Reader’s Rides 7 Bullet Points – By Mike Noriot 8 Chaplain’s Corner – By Pastor Ron Baptiste
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11 From the Corner of Veteran’s Drive and Patriot’s Way –
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2 ThunderRoadsTennessee.com APRIL 2021
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H
appy Spring! It’s that time… time to get out and head to your favorite bike night, attend events and rally’s or just get out and RIDE! You can certainly tell that Spring has arrived from looking at the event listings, there’s no shortage of events to attend! Whether you’re looking for something to do today, this weekend, or in the coming months. Take a look at our event pages to find the best things happening in Tennessee year-round. Like every spring, cage drivers have been out on the roads driving around all winter without a lot of motorcycles with them so they have gotten out of the habit of seeing us. We’ve been out of sight, out of mind so to speak, so as we get out and start riding we need to pay attention. Keep your head on a swivel, play the “what if” game constantly and all of the things we do to stay safe but it seems we have to pay even more attention in the Spring. Just a friendly reminder, if you haven’t been riding much over the winter, our skills may have gotten a little rusty. Maybe go in to turns a little slower at first, brake a little sooner, accelerate a little more slowly and ease back into riding like you were last fall. I know Scott goes to a church parking lot at least twice a month year around to practice low speed and panic maneuvers. Also, don’t forget it’s a great time to give your bike that may have been sitting all winter a good going over. Check the tire pressure and condition, look for cracks that may have developed, check fluids, charge batteries if they haven’t been on a tender, and change your FOB battery if your bike has one so you don’t get stuck putting in your code every time you start it. Sometimes we may take our bikes condition for granted and think it’s good because “it was when I parked it.” But sitting is one of the hardest things for most machines including motorcycles. So on these cool mornings, maybe let it warm up a little longer if it’s chilly. One other friendly reminder, Spring usually means unpredictable weather, the forecasters do their best but the day I’m typing this it was supposed to be partly cloudy with a 15% chance of rain and it has drizzled most of the day. Be prepared for as many different weather conditions as you can in Spring. It’s a little harder on a cruiser than a bagger but it’s easier to get creative than to ride miserable because the weather changed. Wishing you and your family a happy and blessed Easter. Be safe on the roads this riding season and we’ll see ya soon!
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ALONG THE TRACE S ometimes we take “adrenaline” rides, sometimes we make “destination” rides and sometimes we just make “wandering” rides. But in these times, where stress levels have been high, we sometimes need the distraction of things we have ridden past many times, but never took the time to stop and look around. Judy and I have ridden the popular Natchez Trace many times and have even ridden the entire 444 mile length from Nashville to Natchez, Mississippi, but made them rides, not sightseeing trips. While the unspoiled countryside of the Trace is magnificent, there are hidden gems along the way. The Trace developed from animal trails to Indian paths to a conduit for traders moving their goods to the Gulf of Mexico before the advent of one-way rafts and later, steamboats. A lot of history happened along this dirt path.
Just a few miles from the Nashville Terminus is the award winning cantilevered bridge. By taking the Hwy 96 exit (mile marker 438) you can get a full view of the bridge. The bridge, completed in 1993, was the first concrete arch bridge built of precast segments in the U.S. It spans 1,572 feet over Birdsong Hollow. This is quite a sight to see. Gordon House (mile marker 407.7) is one of the few original buildings remaining on the Trace. After making an agreement with the Chickasaw Chief, John Gordon operated a trading post and ferry across the Duck River. His 1818 home stands today. Jackson Falls (mile marker 404.7) are reached by a steep sloping, paved walkway. They are a peaceful retreat with sparkling water over
two falls. Although the falls are intermittent drying up at times, they are picturesque and in the hot summer, a place to slide down the upper falls to the cool pool below. Merriweather Lewis of Lewis and Clark fame is honored at his museum and grave site (mile marker 385.9). In 1803 Thomas Jefferson commissioned Captain Lewis and Lieutenant Clark to lead an expedition to explore and map the newly acquired land of the Louisiana Purchase, find a practical route across the western half of the continent, and establish an American presence in the new lands before the European powers tried to make claims in the region. After the expedition, Lewis was appointed Governor of the Louisiana Territory. He had a quarrelsome relationship with his territorial secretary, Frederick Bates, who accused Lewis of profiting from his position to his superiors. They withheld his reimbursements leaving Lewis in financial ruin. Traveling to Washington to clear up the charges, Lewis stopped at Grinders Mill, an inn near present day Hohenwald. October 11, 1809 Lewis died in his room at the inn of two gunshot wounds. The cause of death, suicide or murder, and rumors of conspiracies remain a mystery. A monument marks Lewis’ grave in the pioneer cemetery at this site. Adjacent to the museum is a restored section of the Trace. These are but a few of the noteworthy sites near Nashville on the Trace. Take a time out and visit parts of history. A map of sites is available at the terminus. Ride Safe and Have Fun!! Cooper
4 ThunderRoadsTennessee.com APRIL 2021
READER'S RIDES
2013 HARLEY-DAVIDSON STREET GLIDE
JAMIE PURSLEY Hopkinsville, KY The Bike:
Name of Bike: Scarlett Time Took to Build: Are they ever really finished? :) Engine: Stock Frame: Stock Primary Color: Ember Red Sunglo Painter: Racing Stripes on Fairing; by McKinney’s Body Shop in Hopkinsville, KY Seat: Saddleman Special Features: Rockford Fosgate System RC Components Wheels Rinehart Exhaust LED Lighting I used to sit around and listen to my Dad tell stories of riding 70s choppers and when I was in my 20s he bought a 1995 Fatboy that I would sometimes get to ride to the end of the street. He had the bike a couple years and then got an Electra Glide Classic and I bought the Fatboy from him which I still have. On weekends I would follow him around and get used to riding and he would show me all his spots he liked to ride to. Couple years later I bought my Street Glide. Dad and I would go to bike rallies together and that’s where I met my wife Billie. Her entire family has always rode too.
If you have a cool custom bike you would like to have featured in our magazine, enter it in our monthly Facebook contest by submitting a pic of your bike to ThunderRoadsTn@gmail.com APRIL 2021
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Bullet Points
VORTEX VENOM RED DOT SIGHT - REVIEW
H
appy April, bikers, friends and Patriots! I hope you had an awesome start to your spring and have had time to do some things you enjoy like shooting, riding or both! I have been quite busy over the past month doing what I do during the unpredictable month of March in Middle Tennessee – reading, shooting, reloading and when the opportunity presents itself – riding scoots. What have you been doing to stay busy in your neck-of-the-woods? So, I admit it! While I am a YUGE supporter of the Second Amendment – and our God Given right to protect ourselves and loved ones – I have resisted owning an AR platform rifle until 2020. I know, what the hell? Having grown up deer hunting, I have owned a small armory of rifles for years. But one thing is common with the rifles I have owned: they have always been bolt-action guns. I love the feel of sliding the bolt closed – slamming a cartridge into battery – and sending lead WAY downrange. I have shot long range rifle competitively and the simplicity of a bolt action rifle makes them very reliable and accurate. But, being that one of my best friends is a retired Army 5th Group special forces NONCOM, I have been immersed in AR platform rifles for years – and seen them built from the ground up. It has been a long road for me to decide on buying an AR and once I decided to do so, I determined the criteria I would use in selecting the rifle: 1. It would be a carbine length rifle – or perhaps an AR pistol 2. It would be in .300 AAC Blackout (I know, a lot of you are .556 NATO guys/gals – but I wanted a caliber I could shoot inside the house without losing what little hearing I have left! – And for those of you who are AR-10 aficionados – and prefer the hard hitting 7.62X51 cartridge – please see my previous sentence – I value what little hearing I have left and I want to be able to place quick follow up shots! 3. It would have to be able to handle both super-sonic and subsonic ammunition 4. It would be “Can” ready – as I will use a suppressor to protect my hearing So, with this criteria my custom AR-15 in .300 Blackout was born. I started with a Burris 4X scope, and found the rifle was quite accurate with hand rolled hyper-sonic ammo out to 150 yards. Using a pistollength gas tube, it also digested subsonic ammo well, so I started looking a combat style red-dot sights. After reading dozens of reviews, I decided on the Vortex Optics Venom Red Dot in the 3 MOA varietal.
The Review
Included in the box: • Venom Red Dot sight • Weaver/Picatinny mount • T-15 Torx wrench • Rain cover • Lens cloth • Mounting screws • CR1632 battery • Screwdriver (for windage/elevation adjustment and battery access cover) Besides purchasing the Vortex sight, I also purchased their AR-15 Riser Mount which properly positions the red dot on an AR-15 – the added benefit of which is the quick release lever – making removal of the sight very quick. One of the best-selling features of this sight, over competitive red dot sights, is battery access – you do not need to remove the sight, from its base, to install a new battery. Based on the specifications Vortex Optics provides, battery replacement will not be a common chore as the CR1632 battery is claimed to last 150 hours on its brightest setting and up to 30,000 hours on its lowest setting! Setting up the Venom Red Dot was quick and easy. I installed the battery, mounted the sight on the riser, disassembled the rifle and bore sighted the sight at 25 yards. The entire assembly and bore sighting took less than 30 minutes – including setting up my bore sight target. Several days later, I made a trip to the range. I was “on paper” at 50 yards and was able to quickly zero the sight with the screwdriver tool Vortex included in the box.
Conclusion
If you are like me, and take your home defense seriously, get rid of the scope on your AR-15 and go to a red dot combat sight. Target acquisition is quick, and a 3 MOA sight will still drive shots through a bullseye at 100 yards. The Vortex Optics Venom 3 MOA Red Dot sight is a Grey Beard Biker™️ top buy – as it is both a high quality optic and very reasonably priced. Until next month, keep the shiny side up! ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ Mike Noirot – The Grey Beard Biker™ gbb@TheGreyBeardBiker.com https://TheGreyBeardBiker.com
The views and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Thunder Roads® Magazine Owners/Publishers. Any content provided by our authors are of their opinion, and are not intended to malign any religion, ethic group, club, organization, company, individual or anyone or anything.
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CHAPLAIN’S CORNER Pastor Ron Baptiste Founder of Covenant Confirmers Ministries Inc. www.covenantconfirmers.org Covenant Confirmers Ministries; a “Certified Recovery Congregation” Founder of TN. Biker Medical Clinic Inc. www.Tennesseebikermedicalclinic.org Messages Available on Podbean https://covenantconfirmers.podbean.com Live You Tube https://www.youtube.com/user/ covenantconfirmers1/live
“DOUBT” The biggest tool that the devil can use against God’s people is “Doubt.” When Peter walked on the water then began to sink, Jesus asked Peter; “wherefore did thou doubt?’ There comes a time in all of our lives that we find ourselves in “Doubt.” The purpose of the article is not to cause doubt but to make you aware of it and when you enter into it; you’ll know what to do about it. Let’s first examine John the Baptist, the most powerful man of God in the entire Bible other than Jesus Himself. Even John was overcome by doubt. Let’s look at some very important points regarding John the Baptist: 1. There was an “Angel that announced his birth” 2. This Angel made some profound statements: “he shall be great in the sight of the Lord 3. “He shall be filled with the Holy spirit even from his mother’s womb” 4. “He spent his first 30 years in the wilderness just serving God” 5. He baptized Jesus 6. “He saw the heavens open up” 7. “He saw the Holy Spirit like a dove descend on Jesus” 8. “He heard the voice of God Himself speak; this is my beloved Son” 9. Jesus made a profound statement about John; “among them born of women, there has not risen greater than John the Baptist.” John was so bold that he rebuked the king for taking the king’s brother’s wife as his own, and it was none of John’s business, but John the Baptist called sin, sin. We need some more preachers like John today instead of “people pleasers and politically correct pastors.” But this got John locked up in prison and would end up costing him his life. After everything John had seen & heard, he begin to doubt Jesus, John sent two of his disciples to ask Jesus; “are you the one or should we look for another?” Like John, some of us are locked up in our own mental prison, we could be Christians and at one time had a close walk with God, but mistakes we have made have locked us away in doubt & unbelief. Luke 7:21-22 “In that same hour Jesus cured many of
their infirmities… the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached.” John didn’t need an emotional uplift, a pat on the back or a shoulder to cry on; he needed “a Word uplift.” The emotional uplift is what we all want but it’s like a sugar rush, it may lift you up but it won’t last long, but the Word of God will last forever. In that “one hour” Jesus fulfilled the scriptures Isa.35:3-6 and Isa.61:1 and Luke 4:18. Then Jesus told John’s disciples; “Go tell John what you have seen & heard.” After John’s disciples had left, Jesus said some great things regarding John the Baptist. When you feel trapped in your personal prison and everything seems lost, don’t seek out someone’s shoulder to cry on or a pat on the back, but turn to what will really deliver you, “The Word of God.” Until next time, keep your face in the wind and your kickstand up. To be found faithful, Pastor Ron
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APRIL 2021
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Dear Fellow Veterans and Patriots: In one of my recent articles, I told you about a new book called “Live Not by Lies” by Rod Dreher. The phrase Live Not by Lies is from the title of a short essay written by Alexander Solzhenitsyn and released in February 1974. Solzhenitsyn was a Russian dissident who courageously stood against the totalitarian domination of the Marxist Soviet state. His essay contained the following comments on Marxist life in Russia: “At one time we dared not even to whisper. Now we write and read samizdat, and sometimes when we gather… we complain frankly to one another: What kind of tricks are they playing on us, and where are they dragging us? Is there any way out? And they put on trial anybody they want and they put sane people in asylums — always they, and we are powerless… what can we do to stop it? He also wrote: “… for today’s modest ration of food we are willing to abandon all our principles, our souls, and all the efforts of our predecessors and all opportunities for our descendants — but just don’t disturb our fragile existence. We lack staunchness, pride and enthusiasm… We have already taken refuge in the crevices. We just fear acts of civil courage. We fear only to lag behind the herd and to take a step alone — and suddenly find ourselves without white bread, without heating gas and without a Moscow registration.” “The circle — is it closed? And is there really no way out? And is there only one thing left for us to do, to wait without taking action? Maybe something will happen by itself? It will never happen as long as we daily acknowledge, extol, and strengthen — and do not sever ourselves from the most perceptible of its aspects: Lies.” “When violence intrudes into peaceful life, its face glows with selfconfidence, as if it were carrying a banner and shouting: “I am violence. Run away, make way for me — I will crush you.” But violence quickly grows old. And it has lost confidence in itself, and in order to maintain a respectable face it summons falsehood as its ally — since violence lays its ponderous paw not every day and not on every shoulder. It demands from us only obedience to lies and daily participation in lies — all loyalty lies in that.” “Some, at first, will lose their jobs. For young people who want to live with truth, this will, in the beginning, complicate their young lives very much, because the required recitations are stuffed with lies, and it is necessary to make a choice. But there are no loopholes for anybody who wants to be honest. On any given day any one of us will be confronted with at least one of the above-mentioned choices even in the most secure of the technical sciences. Either truth or falsehood: Toward spiritual independence or toward spiritual servitude… It will not be an easy choice for a body, but it is the only one for a soul.”
APRIL 2021
“Let us refuse to say that which we do not think… we [will] be astonished how quickly the lies would be rendered helpless and subside.” What are the lies the Marxists in America are telling us today? Boys can be girls by saying so!! There is no crisis of illegal immigration, only a challenge!! $1.9 Trillion dollars is for Covid relief when most of it goes to things not related to Covid!! Racism is rampant in America when most of us get along just fine! That white people are born racists!! That children in kindergarten and elementary school know if they need sex change surgery!! Conservatives are racists for wanting children to go back into school classrooms!! There was no fraud in the last election!! Russia is our greatest threat, not China!! We have to quit using fossil fuels to save our environment but it’s okay for China to run on fossil fuel!! That America will run just fine on wind and solar power!! You can’t get closer than 6 feet from another person or you’ll die!! Hunter Biden didn’t take any bribes or use his father’s political influence!! That Joe Biden is mentally sound, in total control of his faculties and he’s not a crook!! That Kamala Harris has a clue about how to run anything! That the CIA and FBI are not an arm of the Deep State! That the color of your skin is the main qualification to head a government department!! It’s okay to kill unborn babies! Murderers don’t deserve capital punishment!! It’s safe to release violent criminals from jail!! Do away with the 2nd amendment and the government will protect you!! We must defund police!! Need I go on?? Every American needs to speak truth and stop accepting the daily volume of lies!! The truth will set us free!!! Keep the faith. Thank a vet for the freedoms we still enjoy and support politicians who will bring back the ones we’ve lost. Fly the flag of the people and be proud you’re an American. Hug the families of those still missing because their quest for closure has not ended. Live the good life and ride for those who can’t. You can comment at bousle19@comcast.net - Bulldog * My monthly column reflects my personal point of view and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Publishers of this magazine, but they, like me, acknowledge the sacrifices made for the privilege of Freedom of Speech, therefore, they gratefully let me rant. Thank you for reading my rants. Hope my opinions don’t offend anyone, but we all should be grateful for the right to have free opinions.
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CHOPPER'S GRILL FUNTASTIC SUNDAY FULL THROTTLE BAR & GRILL SUNDAY JAM SESSION
THOMAS JEFFERSON’S BIRTHDAY
CHOPPER’S GRILL 2-4-1 TUESDAY
NATIONAL LIBRARY WORKERS’ DAY
NATIONAL TARTAN DAY
CHOPPER’S GRILL 2-4-1 TUESDAY
CHOPPER’S GRILL 2-4-1 TUESDAY
CHOPPER’S GRILL 2-4-1 TUESDAY CHOPPER'S GRILL CHOPPER’S FREE POOL FULL THROTTLE BAR & GRILL GRILL FREE POOL, PIZZA & BEER SPECIAL 2-4-1 TUESDAY
CHOPPER'S GRILL FREE POOL FULL THROTTLE BAR & GRILL FREE POOL, PIZZA & BEER SPECIAL
CHOPPER'S GRILL FREE POOL FULL THROTTLE BAR & GRILL FREE POOL, PIZZA & BEER SPECIAL
NATIONAL VIETNAM WAR VETERANS DAY
CHOPPER'S GRILL FREE POOL
CHOPPER'S GRILL CHOPPER'S GRILL FREE POOL FUNTASTIC SUNDAY FULL THROTTLE BAR & GRILL FULL THROTTLE FREE POOL, PIZZA BAR & GRILL SUNDAY JAM SESSION & BEER SPECIAL
CHOPPER'S GRILL FUNTASTIC SUNDAY FULL THROTTLE BAR & GRILL SUNDAY JAM SESSION
CHOPPER'S GRILL FUNTASTIC SUNDAY FULL THROTTLE BAR & GRILL SUNDAY JAM SESSION EASTER SUNDAY
PALM SUNDAY
CHOPPER’S GRILL FUNTASTIC SUNDAY W/ CRYSTAL KARAOKE FULL THROTTLE BAR & GRILL SUNDAY JAM SESSION
CHOPPER'S GRILL BIKE NIGHT & CRYSTAL KARAOKE FULL THROTTLE BAR & GRILL BIKE NIGHT
BIKE NIGHT ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS DAY
FULL THROTTLE BAR & GRILL OPEN MIC NIGHT
TAKE OUR DAUGHTERS AND SONS TO WORK DAY
FULL THROTTLE BAR & GRILL OPEN MIC NIGHT
CHOPPER'S GRILL BIKE NIGHT & CRYSTAL KARAOKE FULL THROTTLE BAR & GRILL
SMOKY MOUNTAIN H-D FOOD TRUCK THURSDAY FULL THROTTLE BAR & GRILL OPEN MIC NIGHT TAX DAY
FULL THROTTLE BAR & GRILL OPEN MIC NIGHT
BRUSHY MTN. STATE PEN REOPENING FOR THE SEASON SMOKY MOUNTAIN H-D FOOD TRUCK THURSDAY FULL THROTTLE BAR & GRILL OPEN MIC NIGHT
CHOPPER'S GRILL BIKE NIGHT & CRYSTAL KARAOKE FULL THROTTLE BAR & GRILL BIKE NIGHT
CHOPPER'S GRILL BIKE NIGHT & CRYSTAL KARAOKE FULL THROTTLE BAR & GRILL BIKE NIGHT
FULL THROTTLE BAR & GRILL BIKE NIGHT
CHOPPER'S GRILL BIKE NIGHT & CRYSTAL KARAOKE
CHOPPER’S GRILL KARAOKE NIGHT MISS KAY’S TIM LYNCH BAND LIVE
CHOPPER’S GRILL KARAOKE NIGHT MISS KAY’S CATCH 22 LIVE
CHOPPER’S GRILL KARAOKE NIGHT MISS KAY’S NEIL BROCK & THE COVER-UP LIVE
MISS KAY’S KROOKED JESTER LIVE
CHOPPER’S GRILL KARAOKE NIGHT
GOOD FRIDAY
CHOPPER’S GRILL KARAOKE NIGHT MISS KAY’S LONGSHOT LIVE
LAW DAY LOYALTY DAY
CHOPPER’S GRILL CRYSTAL KARAOKE
THE SHED THE WILDFLOWERS CONCERT
SMOKY MOUNTAIN H-D CARS, COFFEE, AND CYCLES
RIVERSIDE SALOON BACKWATER REVENGE LIVE
MISS KAY’S LEGACY LIVE
FULL THROTTLE BAR & GRILL TWO BAD SONS LIVE
CHOPPER’S GRILL CRYSTAL KARAOKE
THE SHED TUESDAY’S GONE CONCERT
SMOKY MOUNTAIN H-D CANNONBALL RUN
MISS KAY’S LIVE BAND TBA
FULL THROTTLE BAR & GRILL DADDY LONGLEGZ LIVE
CRYSTAL KARAOKE NIGHT
THE SHED SEASON KICKOFF WITH BIG GUN CONCERT CHOPPER’S GRILL
FULL THROTTLE BAR & GRILL BREAKFAST RIDE & BLESSING OF THE BIKES
RIVERSIDE SALOON STONED MOUNTAIN BAND LIVE
MISS KAY’S PHALCONS LIVE
FULL THROTTLE BAR & GRILL FOUR ON THE FLOOR LIVE
CRYSTAL KARAOKE NIGHT
CHOPPER’S GRILL
MISS KAY’S RISKY BUSINESS LIVE
FULL THROTTLE BAR & GRILL KRIS ROWDY & THE HELLBILLY BAND LIVE
CHOPPER’S GRILL CRYSTAL KARAOKE
SMOKY MOUNTAIN H-D CARS, COFFEE, & CYCLES
After 10 years a Kentucky woman had been noticing for some time now that their daughter just did not look like either herself or her husband. She sent off for one of those home DNA kits and sure enough, the daughter did not have any DNA from either her or her hubby. She shared this shocking news with “Rocks” her husband, whom got his nickname from his mom & dad who always shook their head and swore he was dumber than a box of rocks. “Rocks” scratched his head and said, “You really don’t remember do you? When we had just left the hospital with our new baby girl she took a huge chit and we were gagging and you said “Take her back in there and change her.” “So, that’s what I done. I went inside and got a clean one and left the dirty one there.” -------------------------------------------------------------My new girlfriend got upset because she thinks that I don’t like her cooking. To prove her wrong I had another slice of gravy. ------------------------------------------------------------Hugh Hefner became a multi-millionaire staying home in his pajamas. Raise your hand if any of you are having the same result. -------------------------------------------------------------Cop: Do you know how fast you were going? Me: I kinda’ feel like that’s your job. -------------------------------------------------------------When I get to work, the first thing I do is hide. I was always taught a good worker is hard to find. -------------------------------------------------------------Funny how you can walk around WallyWorld eating grapes and nobody will bother you. But as soon as you pop open a beer, here comes Security. -------------------------------------------------------------If you get a home loan at a bank you’ll pay on it for 30 years. If you rob a bank and hide the money, you’re out in 10 years. Follow me for more financial advice. -------------------------------------------------------------To the rude woman who flipped me off when I honked at you. Never mind, your phone probably isn’t on top of your car anymore. -------------------------------------------------------------It’s so weird to think people who are 5 feet tall are only 5 Subways long. Food for thought.
A family is at the dinner table. The young son asks the Father, “Daddy, how many kinds of boobs are there?” The Father, quite surprised, answers, “Well son, a woman goes through three stages. In her 20’s her breasts are like round, firm melons. In her 30’s and 40’s they are like pears, still nice but hanging a bit. After 50, they are like onions.” “Onions?” the son asks. “Yes son. When you see them they make you want to cry.” This really upset Momma and the boy’s twin sister. “Momma, how many kinds of willie’s are there?” Momma smiles and winks at her daughter. “Well my sweet girl, a man also goes through three stages. In his 20’s his willy is like an oak tree, mighty and hard. In his 30’s and 40’s it’s like a birch branch, flexible but reliable. After his 50’s it’s like a Christmas tree.” “A Christmas tree?” the daughter asks. “Yes, dead from the root up and the balls are just for decoration.” --------------------------------------------------------------Who agrees with me that Liquor Stores need to start a Rewards Program cause’ I know me and all my buddies are due for a free 5th! --------------------------------------------------------------Passenger taps his taxi driver on the shoulder. The driver chits himself, swerves and nearly hits a bus and stops inches from a shop window. “Damn dude, you’re a bit jumpy aren’t you? All I did was tap you on the shoulder!” “Sorry” says the cabbie. “It’s my first day and I’ve been driving a damn hearse for the last 20 years!” --------------------------------------------------------------To Do List: 1. Buy 4 Pigs. 2. Paint 1, 2, 3 & 5 on their backs. 3. Release them in my local WallyWorld. 4. Sit back and watch Security desperately search for number 4. Ahh! good times. --------------------------------------------------------------A trucker’s wife sees 3 parrots for sale; $175. $125. and $25. She asks why the last one is so cheap. The pet store owner said it used to live in a whore house. The woman laughs and buys it. She gets home and the parrot says, “Wow! A new whore house!” The woman laughs. When her 2 daughters come home the parrot says, “Dang!! 2 new gals!” They all laugh. When her husband walks through the door the parrot perks up and yells out, “Hey Tom! Glad you found the new spot!”
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NEWS BYTES
NCOM BIKER NEWSBYTES Compiled & Edited by Bill Bish, National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM)
80TH DAYTONA BIKE WEEK HISTORICALLY SUCCESSFUL As businesses are still recovering from a devastating year of COVID shutdowns and lower capacity restrictions, Daytona Beach is coming off one of their best Bike Weeks ever. Bob Davis, president of the Lodging and Hospitality Association in Volusia County, said it was one of the best Bike Weeks they’ve ever had for revenue, rating it “among the top 5” in event history. Billing itself as “The World’s Largest Motorcycle Event,” Daytona Bike Week celebrated 80 years during the first full week in March, the 5th through the 14th, 2021, with crowds coming in a steady stream throughout the ten days of festivities. Last year, the nationwide lockdown to battle the pandemic began during the last weekend of Daytona Bike Week, and a year later the country is finally beginning to open for business. There are still health concerns, and signs encouraging social distancing and mask wearing were posted everywhere, but hopefully the successful turnout will signal better times to come as more and more events find their way back onto the ride calendar. CAPITAL HILL BRIEFING ON OUTDOOR RECREATION Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR), the country’s leading outdoor recreation coalition, is set to outline the $788 billion industry’s objectives and priorities for 2021 and beyond to Congress on March 24, including briefings presented by representatives of the motorcycle, RV, boating, outfitter, ski and other outdoor sectors. Much of the focus will be on the industry’s 21st century recreation agenda, capitalizing on soaring participation rates for job creation and economic recovery and particularly how recreation can create jobs in rural America. The group will also discuss implementing the goals of the Great American Outdoors Act and the process of choosing and implementing LWCF (Land and Water Conservation Fund) projects. SAVE MOTORSPORTS! SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) is challenging the EPA’s motorsports regulations in court, arguing against the federal agency’s contention that the Clean Air Act (CAA) does not allow any street vehicle - cars, trucks or motorcycles - to be converted into a racing vehicle used solely for competition. A recent lawsuit between the Environmental Protection Agency and an aftermarket manufacturer, Gear Box Z, is the agency’s latest action against racing. In the lawsuit, the EPA again maintains that once a vehicle has been certified as a street vehicle, it cannot be converted for racing even if that vehicle is trailered to the track and is never driven on public roads. The SEMA Action Network (SAN) says the EPA’s position left them with no choice but to strike back, filing an amicus brief in court arguing that the Clean Air Act does not apply to certified vehicles used exclusively on the track. “As racers and fans know well, members of Congress introduced legislation to confirm what had already been understood for the previous 45 years: that the CAA did not apply to vehicles modified for racing use only,” according to a SAN statement. Hundreds of thousands
of enthusiasts have since contacted Congress urging passage of the “Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act” (RPM Act). “Enactment of this important critical bill into law would remove any doubt that it is legal to modify a motor vehicle for exclusive use on the track,” writes SAN, adding that “It also would confirm that it is legal to produce, market and install racing equipment.” The SAN continues to work tirelessly to pass this important legislation to counter EPA overreach, and save not only the sport of racing, but performance modifications. OIL & GAS INDUSTRY FEARS BIDEN'S CLIMATE POLICIES There's deep paranoia in the oil and gas industry regarding the Biden Administration's ambitious plans to address climate change. President Biden is aiming for a net-zero electricity sector by 2035, which would require massive reductions in the burning of oil, gas and coal at power plants. Net-zero means there could still be some fossil-fuel use, as long as an equivalent amount of carbon is pulled from the air using technologies that aren’t yet fully developed. Biden aims for a net-zero economy by 2050, which would require the near-elimination of carbon as a transportation fuel. There are obvious, and worrisome, implications for businesses and workers in the traditional oil and gas industry, which supports roughly 10 million jobs directly and indirectly. Biden already killed the Keystone XL oil pipeline and halted new drilling permits on federal land, pending a review. He backs the mass adoption of electric vehicles that won’t burn gasoline or diesel. A huge Democratic infrastructure bill coming later this year is likely to include massive investments in renewable energy that would displace oil, gas and coal, while also repealing tax breaks for oil and gas drillers. Clear battle lines are being drawn between the Administration’s climate team and the carbon industries, and more fervent opposition will heat up as Biden fleshes out his ambitious transformation plan and winners and losers become more apparent. CALIFORNIA WILL BE BANNING SALES OF NEW NON-ELECTRIC VEHICLES Huge news, as the sale of new off-road combustion engine vehicles (including dirt bikes) will be banned in California by 2035 in an attempt to bring the state down to carbon-neutral, and reduce pollution in the most-populated state in the country. Golden State off-roaders will be looking at a future of electric power and no combustion engines, after Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order to ban the sale of any non-zero-emission passenger vehicle (cars and trucks) by 2035. On the face of it, this will be affecting 4-wheels only, but it was ruled off-road vehicles of all types will be included in the forthcoming ban - be it off-road motorcycles, ATVs, quads, or side-by-sides. Bummer, dude. MONTANA LEGALIZES LANE-SPLITTING Montana Governor Greg Gianforte signed Senate Bill 9 into law on March 3, which will allow motorcycles to “filter” through stopped and slow-moving vehicles beginning October 1, 2021. Lane splitting, lane sharing or filtering… whatever it’s called, Montana now joins California and Utah in legally recognizing the practice that allows motorcyclists to maneuver through traffic. Sponsored by state Senator Russ Tempel (R-SD14) and state Representative Barry Usher (R-HD40), S.B. 9 defines “lane filtering”
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as “the act of overtaking and passing another vehicle that is stopped or traveling at a speed not in excess of 10 miles an hour in the same direction of travel and in the same lane.”
starting signal, filtering remains ‘prohibited’ and as of February 1st riders could be fined and potentially even lose their license for weaving through traffic in France now.
The entire text of the bill is one page long, and reads; “An operator of a two-wheeled motorcycle may engage in lane filtering when:
FACE MASKS REQUIRED WHILE RIDING MOTORCYCLES IN THE PHILIPPINES These days, face masks are an all too common sight, and although studies have shown that wearing a mask can reduce the risk of Coronavirus contamination, the Philippine government has taken it a step further to mandate that face masks be worn at all times when outside of your residence - including while riding your motorcycle.
A) the operator of a two-wheeled motorcycle is on a road with lanes wide enough to pass safely; B) the overtaking motorcycle is not operated at a speed in excess of 20 miles an hour when overtaking the stopped or slow-moving vehicle; and C) conditions permit continued reasonable and prudent operation of the motorcycle while lane filtering.” While controversial and contentious, even amongst motorcyclists, a UC Berkeley study confirmed that lane-splitting is less dangerous for motorcyclists than being stopped in traffic. FRANCE BANS LANE SPLITTING; MOTORCYCLISTS PROTEST IN THE THOUSANDS Lane-splitting was never “legal” in France, but some urban roadways in Paris, Bordeaux, Marseille & Lyon trialed the practice over a fiveyear test period from 2016-2021; and following some “disappointing results” the country has now banned it, much to the chagrin of French riders who are protesting the move. On February 20, following the end of the filtering experiment, the French motorcyclists’ organization FFMC (Fédération Française des Motards en Colère) put 20,000 angry motorcyclists in the streets to demand the legalization of filtering between lanes of slow moving or stopped traffic, and the government is ready to listen to the bikers. On 25 February, at the initiative of the Road Safety Delegation (DSR), the FFMC (a member of FEMA - Federation of European Motorcyclists’ Associations) met the Interministerial Road Safety Delegate and was assured that a ban on this practice in the future was absolutely not envisaged; but for the state to validate this practice and for the Highway Code to be modified, more experiments are necessary. Since the last experiment did not give convincing results, it is necessary to conduct a second new experiment. While waiting for the signing of the decree which will give it the APRIL 2021
According to the Land Transportation Office (LTO) Memorandum Circular 2020-2185, the act of driving, or riding a motorcycle, while failing to comply with the minimum health and safety protocols is tantamount to reckless driving. Specifically, Article IV, Section 7, makes it clear that there are pretty hefty fines involved for those caught disregarding the sanitary protocols in place, with fines between PHP2,000-10,000 (@ $50-250 USD) -that's pretty hefty penalties for the average Filipino. BIKIES COULD BE BANNED FROM WEARING CLUB COLORS IN PUBLIC “Outlaw bikie gangs could be banned from wearing gang colours in public and subject to greater stop-and-search powers under laws proposed by police to “dismantle and destroy” WA’s criminal networks,” according to a March 17 article in WAtoday in Western Australia. WA Police Commissioner Chris Dawson announced the reform plan shortly after confirming detectives had made a breakthrough arrest in relation to the “outrageous killing” of a former biker boss in a crowded public place, resulting in 136 search warrants issued and 102 arrests. Anti-consorting laws are already in place in Queensland and New South Wales, where ‘bikies’ could face prison time for being caught talking to each other on a telephone call. QUOTABLE QUOTE: "Tyranny is when the population is imprisoned Freedom is when the politicians are." ~ Michael Malice (b. 1976), American author, columnist & media personality
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EVENTS Birdsong Resort & Marina Tennessee River Fresh Water Pearl Farm Museum Tour & Jewelry Showroom Date: 01/01/2021 – 12/31/2021 Time: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Location: Birdsong Resort Marina & Campground, 255 Marina Rd., Camden, TN 38320 Join us for a Free world-class tour of our pearl museum ~ uniquely its own. www. tennesseeriverpearls.com It is open 7 days/ week but please call ahead to schedule an appointment with our reservation hostess so she can book your tour guide! 731-5847880. We are proud to be the only freshwater pearl cultivating farm left in North America. You don’t want to miss this opportunity! www.birdsong.com Brushy Mtn. State Pen Reopening for the Season Date: 04/01/2021 Time: 10:30 AM – 7:00 PM Location: Brushy Mtn. State Pen, 9182 Hwy 116, Petros, TN 37845 Brushy will be re-opening on Thursday, April 1st! Our Spring hours will be from 10:30am to 7:00pm Thursday - Sunday. Last tour ticket sold at 5:00pm. Smoky Mountain H-D Food Truck Thursday Date: 04/01/2021 & 04/15/2021 Time: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM Location: Smoky Mountain H-D, 1820 W Lamar Alexander Pkwy, Maryville, TN 37801 Experience some of the best food trucks our area has to offer, specials from The Shed, and some Axe Throwing provided by Big Orange Mobile Axes! Stay tuned for more updates. Confirmed Food Trucks: BurgerRitos, Crazy Cubans, Lobster Dogs, DaddyO’s, Pizza & Amore. The H.U.T Bike Night Date: 04/01/2021, 04/08/2021, 04/15/2021, 04/22/2021, 04/29/2021 Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM Location: The H.U.T, 815 Parkway, Sevierville, TN 37862 Join us at The H.U.T every Thursday for Bike Night! Free entry, free parking, live music, raffles, door prizes, $10 32oz beer with select shot and half price appetizers!
Chopper’s Grill Karaoke Night Date: 04/02/2021, 04/09/2021, 04/16/2021, 04/23/2021, 04/30/2021 Time: 7:00 PM – 11:00 AM Location: Chopper’s Grill, 1200 Donelson Ave., Old Hickory, TN 37138 Friday Nights are Rockin’ at The Lil Shack on the Corner! Come sing your favorite songs with us and enjoy our Famous Chopper Burgers and ShackWacker’s! Hillbilly’s Wing Shack Karaoke Night Date: 04/02/2021, 04/09/2021, 04/16/2021, 04/23/2021, 04/30/2021 Time: 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM Location: Hillbilly’s Wing Shack, 26280 Hwy 69, Adamsville, TN 38310 Friday night karaoke is a lot of fun. We start at 7pm so you can come in early and eat so you have plenty of energy to get up and sing, ha ha, or just come in and watch as you eat and have a good time with friends and family. Come see why we are the #1 karaoke place around. We love to get out and talk to the crowd. Large groups, please call ahead and we will have you a table ready! Smoky Mountain H-D Cars, Coffee and Cycles Date: 04/03/2021 Time: 7:00 AM – 11:00 AM Location: Smoky Mountain H-D, 1820 W Lamar Alexander Pkwy, Maryville, TN 37801 1st Saturday of the month from March through September, cruise in for free coffee and donuts, stay for lunch at The Shed or the nightly concert series! 11th Middle Tennessee Blessing Of The Bikes Date: 04/03/2021 Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM Location: Barfield Crescent Park Pavilion #7, 697 Veterans Pkwy, Murfreesboro, TN 37128 All Bikes and All Riders are extended a most and sincere welcome to attend Middle Tennessee’s largest Blessing of The Bikes. We will have an array of Free Food, Fellowship, Fun, and a personal Blessing upon you and your Bike. Special guests Ronnie Woodall, 8-Time World Bike Drag Racing Champion, Acclaimed Winshield Tattoo Artist Gemini Giampe, and Acclaimed Pinstriping Artist Jim O’Brien will all be present.
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Chopper’s Grill Crystal Karaoke Night Date: 04/03/2021, 04/10/2021, 04/17/2021, 04/24/2021 Time: 8:00 PM – 12:00 AM Location: Chopper’s Grill, 1200 Donelson Ave., Old Hickory, TN 37138 Saturday Night just got better in Old Hickory with Karaoke 8-12! Come sing your favorite songs and have some awesome drinks and food at The Lil Shack On The Corner! Always a great time with Crystal Karaoke! Chopper’s Grill Funtastic Sunday Date: 04/04/2021, 04/11/2021, 04/18/2021, 04/25/2021 Time: 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM Location: Chopper’s Grill, 1200 Donelson Ave., Old Hickory, TN 37138 Funtastic Sunday’s at Chopper’s are awesome with Happy Hour open to close, $2.25 Beer, $3 Fireball and $2 Shackwacker’s! This is the place for all your sports and drink specials and a great way to end your weekend! Join us on Sunday the 11th to celebrate Tim’s Birthday with Skipper Grace from 4-7pm. Hillbilly’s Wing Shack Free Bingo Date: 04/07/2021, 04/14/2021, 04/21/2021, 04/28/2021 Time: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM Location: Hillbilly’s Wing Shack, 26280 Hwy 69, Adamsville, TN 38310 Every Wednesday from 5-7pm. Win drinks, appetizers, burgers...and Wings! Full Throttle Bar & Grill Bike Night Date: 04/07/2021, 04/14/2021, 04/21/2021, 04/28/2021 Time: 6:00 PM Location: Full Throttle Bar & Grill, 333 Swinging Bridge Road, Nashville, TN 37138 Join us every Wednesday for Bike Night and enjoy a cold one, good food, and some great music! Chopper’s Grill Bike Night & Crystal Karaoke Date: 04/07/2021, 04/14/2021, 04/21/2021, 04/28/2021 Time: 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM Location: Chopper’s Grill, 1200 Donelson Ave., Old Hickory, TN 37138 Every Wednesday all year it’s Bike Night with Crystal Karaoke and free beer dogs and fixings at Chopper’s Grill. Come on down and get a Shackwacker or an Ice Cold Beer! Best and cheapest in town! The Lil Shack on the Corner… The Place to Be!
SUBMIT YOUR EVENTS AT: THUNDERROADSTENNESSEE.COM
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EVENTS CMA Steel Witness Bike Blessing & Scavenger Hunt Date: 04/10/2021 Time: 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM Location: HDP Motorcycle Shop, 14346 Lebanon Rd., Mt. Juliet, TN 37138 CMA Steel Witness #1205 will host a charity event for Run For Son. Having a bike blessing and a scavenger hunt together. Food will be available. FMI: Bart Bledsoe (615) 500-6821 or bledsoebart@gmail.com Riverside Saloon: Stoned Mountain Band Live Date: 04/10/2021 Time: 9:00 PM – 12:00 AM Location: Riverside Saloon, 1945 US-25/70 E, Del Rio, TN 37727 The new Riverside Saloon in Del Rio, TN is hosting the Stoned Mountain Band. Come out for our $2 beer all day every day! Come early and rent some fishing tackle then enjoy this great band and venue! Nirvana Roadhouse 5th Anniversary Celebration Date: 04/16/2021 – 04/18/2021 Location: Nirvana Roadhouse, 704 Britton Hollow Rd., Pulaski, TN 38478 We survived 5 years! And getting better every year! Big blowout with food and games, Charity ride coming thru, bands Saturday night and Sunday afternoon with big lunch buffet. As always, plenty of primitive camping and some hook ups so plan on coming Saturday and stay for the fun on Sunday too! Come celebrate with us! FMI call (931) 309-2581 The Shed Season Kickoff with Big Gun Concert Date: 04/17/2021 Time: 6:00 PM – 11:00 PM Location: The Shed Smokehouse & Juke Joint, 1820 W Lamar Alexander Pkwy, Maryville, TN 37801 We’re kicking off what will be the most epic season in Shed history with the heavy sounds of AC/DC! Shake off the disaster that was 2020 and get ready for the most epic Season Kickoff in Shed history! Big Gun is finally coming back to The Shed! Gates open at 6pm. Support artist takes the stage tentatively at 7:30pm. Tickets will be available at the gate the day of show for $5 more than online tickets pending the show is not sold out. No outside food and drinks are permitted. All ticket purchases are final. Refunds and exchanges are not available.
Rustic Rumblers Car Cruise In & Swap Meet Date: 04/18/2021 Time: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM Location: Rustic Rumblers Garage, 4734 US Hwy 411 South, Maryville, TN 37801 Our monthly car and motorcycle cruise in and swap meet will resume on April 18th and take place every 3rd Sunday of the month (weather permitting). There will be food vendors and live music, great fun time for all! A trophy will be awarded to the car club with the most cars attended. We are currently working on other events including Tractor shows, Jeep shows and other special events. Please follow us on Facebook and Instagram @rusticrumblersgarage Hours are Friday, Saturday and Sunday 10am to 5pm. FMI: (865) 5913481 or (865) 591-5058 Smoky Mountain Cannonball Run Date: 04/24/2021 Time: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM Location: Smoky Mountain H-D, 1820 W Lamar Alexander Pkwy, Maryville, TN 37801 7 Hours - 80 Checkpoints - Thousands in cash and prizes! The Cannonball Run consists of teams of motorcycle riders using their navigation skills to hit as many of our checkpoints as possible within a 7 hour timeframe. Checkpoints are located all over East Tennessee within a 100 mile radius of SMHD. Registration for riders to participate is $25 for a single rider and $35 for 2 up. The event will occur rain or shine on April 24th with day of registration opening up at SMH-D at 8am. All riders must be registered by 10:30am to participate and out of the gates by 11am. Riders who pre-register online will be eligible for prizes and raffles. You must pre-register online to be eligible for raffle prizes at eventbrite.com/e/smoky-mountain-h-d-cannonballrun-tickets-137307944759. Proceeds fund the Summerfield Scholarship Fund. Appleton Harley-Davidson Wide Open House Date: 04/24/2021 Time: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Location: Appleton Harley-Davidson, 2501 Hwy 41-A ByPass, Clarksville, TN 37043 Join us Saturday, April 24th for our Wide Open House & Tennessee Motorcycles and Music Kick Off Party! Cold Brew, Great Food and Awesome Music with Over $1000 Given Away All Day! Prizes given in gift cards and cannot be used towards the purchase of a new Harley-Davidson. Chance to Win TN Motorcycles and Music Rally Tickets. Up to
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APRIL 2021
50% Off Selected Official Licensed Products. Many Vendors on Site. Check out our event at appletonharley.com or on FB. The Shed: Tuesday’s Gone Concert Date: 04/24/2021 Time: 6:00 PM – 11:00 PM Location: The Shed Smokehouse & Juke Joint, 1820 W Lamar Alexander Pkwy, Maryville, TN 37801 The most authentic Lynyrd Skynyrd sound touring today comes back to The Shed for their yearly show stopping concert! Gates open at 6pm. Support artist takes the stage tentatively at 7:30pm. Tickets will be available at the gate the day of show for $5 more than online tickets pending the show is not sold out. No outside food and drinks are permitted. All tickets purchases are final. Refunds and exchanges are not available. Riverside Saloon: Backwater Revenge Live Date: 04/24/2021 Time: 8:00 PM – 12:00 AM Location: Riverside Saloon, 1945 US-25/70 E, Del Rio, TN 37727 The new Riverside Saloon on the banks of the French Broad River will be showcasing the Backwater Revenge Band. Plenty of paved parking, $2 beer all day, pool, bowling and more! Waypoint Vets Motorcycle Ride Date: 05/01/2021 Time: 8:00 AM Location: VFW Post 8422, 10157 Old Nashville Hwy, Smyrna, TN 37167 Please join us for our Waypoint Vets Fundraiser Ride & Launch Party, in celebration of Waypoint Vets’ Official Launch, and in support of our upcoming Veteran Adventures! Live Music, Food & Drink, Silent Auction, and More! $30 per Bike, Includes Free Hot Breakfast for Riders!! Registration: 8-9:30am. Ride start: VFW Post 8422 in Smyrna. KSU: 10am. End & Party: Yazoo Brewing Company, 900 River Bluff Dr., Madison, TN. 11th Annual Bike Blessing Date: 05/01/2021 Time: 11:00 AM Location: OAA Worship Center, 876 Englewood Rd., Madisonville, TN 37354 Along with the Blessing of the Bikes there will be Music, Food and a Nice Ride.
SUBMIT YOUR EVENTS AT: THUNDERROADSTENNESSEE.COM
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EVENTS
The Shed: The Wildflowers Concert Date: 05/01/2021 Time: 6:00 PM – 11:00 PM Location: The Shed Smokehouse & Juke Joint, 1820 W Lamar Alexander Pkwy, Maryville, TN 37801 The Wildflowers return to The Shed in 2021 to bring the sounds of Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers to life in East Tennessee! Don’t miss The Wildflowers annual stop at The Shed! Gates open at 6pm. Support artist takes the stage tentatively at 7:30pm. Tickets will be available at the gate the day of show for $5 more than online tickets pending the show is not sold out. No outside food and drinks are permitted. All ticket purchases are final. Refunds and exchanges are not available. Knox County Sheriff’s Office Car and Motorcycle Show Date: 05/08/2021 Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM Location: Knoxville Expo Center, 5441 Clinton Highway, Knoxville, TN 37912 All proceeds to benefit the KCSO Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program. Pre-registration- $20, Day of show- $25, Vendor space- $40, Spectators- $5. Door Prizes, Event T-shirts, Goody bags, Food Trucks. Old and new welcome. Awards for Top 75. FMI: Officer Sheila Palmer at (865) 215-5619. Nirvana Roadhouse Shoot to Thrill Blowout Date: 05/15/2021 – 05/16/2021 Location: Nirvana Roadhouse, 704 Britton Hollow Rd., Pulaski, TN 38478 Come to our lil backwoods bar and outdoor music venue in beautiful Southern TN Saturday, May 15th, Shoot to Thrill, all-girl AC/DC band will be rockin the holler. Come in Friday and enjoy our backwoods bar on site, karaoke, and bonfire. Ride will go out at noon Saturday then back for our 100 ft. slip and slide, cornhole tournaments, chicken drop, raffles, adult contests, awesome food and the amazing Shoot to Thrill all-girl AC/ DC band!!! Plenty of primitive camping and some hookups, hot showers, awesome laid back place with no drama and the nicest people around on a gorgeous 100 acre farm. I didn’t name it Nirvana for nothing! Come party with us!! Ride and Roast Poker Run Date: 05/15/2021 Time: 10:00 AM Location: Tosh Farms, 1586 Atlantic Ave., Henry, TN 38231 Benefitting Unforgotten MC Adopt-A-Vet
Program. Registration begins at 10am, Kickstands up at 12 noon, Rain or Shine. Ride ends at Unforgotten MC located at 3030 Mays Bridge Rd. in Paris TN. Poker hands will be drawn at Unforgotten MC to keep the riders together, with live entertainment, meal, silent auction, and bonfire to follow. Cars and trucks are encourage to participate too! $25 for driver, $10 for passenger, and $5 for additional poker hands. Entry includes tshirt and meal. $500, $300, and $200 cash prizes awarded to the two best hands and the worst hand. Tennessee Motorcycles and Music Revival Presented by Harley-Davidson® & Surrounding Area Dealers Date: 05/20/2021 – 05/23/2021 Location: Loretta Lynn’s Ranch & Campground, 8000 TN-13 S, Hurricane Mills, TN 37078 Tennessee’s Ultimate Motorcycle and Music Event! All about motorcycles, music, comradely and the outdoors. Held at Loretta Lynn’s 3,500 acre Ranch, the Tennessee Motorcycles and Music Revival is a kick-ass four-day event with something for everyone. Hang out with musicians, custom builders & industry leaders at the event. Camp under the stars in your own tent or bring your RV - Glamping tent or RV rentals available. Centrally located off of Tennessee’s Music Highway (I-40) known as the most musically influenced road on the planet connecting Memphis & Nashville. FMI, visit motorcyclesandmusic.com Smoky Mountain Thunder Memorial Ride XXI Date: 05/30/2021 Time: 10:00 AM Location: Sevier County Courthouse, 125 Court Ave, Sevierville, TN 37862 May 30th motorcyclists will once again gather in downtown Sevierville at the Sevier County Courthouse for the 21st Annual Smoky Mountain Thunder Memorial Ride. The reason is to pay Tribute to all Fallen Military. This year’s theme is “Remembering All Those Whose Gave”. Opening ceremonies begin at 10am at the Courthouse with the National Anthem, TAPS, Patriotic Music, Guest Speaker, and Placing of the Wreath. The police escorted ride leaves at 11am on the 65 mile ride to Veteran’s Overlook on Clinch Mountain. Closing Ceremony begins around 12:30pm (as soon as we can get everyone safely parked) with Patriotic Music, TAPS, 21 Gun Salute,
GOT EVENTS?
Placing of the Wreath. There are No Fees on this ride! No Side by Sides or ATV’S!! FMI: Ron Giddis (865) 654-1851, (865) 453-6532, or rongiddis@smokymountainthunder.net 7th Annual Spring Redneck Rumble Date: 06/11/2021 – 06/12/2021 Time: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM Location: Wilson Co. Fairgrounds, 945 E. Baddour Pkwy, Lebanon, TN 37087 Hot rods, rat rods, customs, motorcycles and more! Huge swap meet, vintage and memorabilia. Flat Track Motorcycle and Cyclecart Races. The South’s greatest gathering of gear heads! Entry $15 - Show Entry $25. Camping $50 per Person - includes Fri & Sat entry. FMI: Call Tommy at (615) 364-1828 or go to www.bothbarrels.us Smoky Mountain Small Bore Rally Date: 06/11/2021 Time: 9:00 AM Location: 7321 E. Lamar Alexander Pkwy, Townsend, TN 37882 Come and enjoy the biggest small bore rally in East Tennessee! Super riding-Tail of The Dragon, Foothills Parkway, Cades Cove, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. Bike games, lots of giveaways, bike competition and more as it develops. Great hotels, camping nearby, river rafting and more.
EVENT LISTINGS ARE FREE Increase your attendance by posting your event in Thunder Roads® Magazine of Tennessee! All Advertised Events in our Magazine will have their event posted on the Centerfold Calendar (when admissible) and your Event will be Highlighted on the Thunder Roads® Events page of the Magazine. Thunder Roads® Magazine of Tennessee, Your TN Biker Connection (Call about our Special Discounts for Charity Events). To get your event listed in Thunder Roads® Magazine and on our website, submit the information on the Event Form on our website. Event information must be submitted prior to the 10th of the month preceding the event month to be posted in the magazine. Remember to call ahead before planning to attend any event as the information/ dates may change. Thunder Roads® is NOT responsible for errors or omissions.
SUBMIT YOUR EVENTS AT: THUNDERROADSTENNESSEE.COM
20 ThunderRoadsTennessee.com 20 ThunderRoadsTennessee.com APRIL 2021
WILL RIDE TO EAT
TRIGGER’S GRILL
A
By Ron Giddis
s everyone knows, Thunder Roads Magazine is totally committed to bringing you the most current information about everything in the motorcycle community. From upcoming events, bike nights, places to get your bike worked on and when you’re riding in the Smoky Mountain area, some good places to get something to eat. Trigger’s Grill is just such a place. Owned and operated by Retired Police Officer, Eric Runge and his wife Lisa. Lisa also owns and operates a cleaning service. Eric told me he loves to cook and for a long time has wanted to open his own grill. The one thing I think he takes the most pride in from his menu is the pulled pork. He takes the time to make his own rub with secret ingredients and hickory smokes it for 13 hours. That’s not all, there is homemade chili, mac and cheese and baked beans. If it’s a burger you want, try one of the 1/3 lb. Angus burgers, or maybe an all-beef 1/4 lb. deep fried hot dog. Everyone who tries the deep fried hot dog loves it. As a side order, you can have fries or loaded fries topped with chili, cheese, onions, bacon and jalapenos. Whatever you order from the menu, one thing is always certain, it’s “Always Fresh”. There are lots of choices for something to eat in the area, but this one is where a lot of the locals go for lunch breaks. Trigger’s Grill is located at Smoky Mountain Knife Works at 2320 Winfield Dunn Pkwy in Sevierville TN, just left of the second door entrance. You can also find them on their Facebook page or give them a call at (865) 340-6784. So if you’re at Smoky Mountain Knife Works to get a new hunting knife or maybe you need some ammo, check out Trigger’s Grill. They also work with Grubhub and can fill your food needs for events. If you know a place that might measure up to our column, let us know and we’ll check-em out. If you are out riding to eat and see us, please come up and tell us your favorite places to go when you’re hungry and thirsty. “Will Ride to Eat” is an ongoing article in Thunder Roads® Magazine of Tennessee and we want to put the spotlight on the great history and variety of Tennessee’s biker friendly establishments. APRIL 2021
ThunderRoadsTennessee.com
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BIKER FRIENDLY DIRECTORY
If You Are A BIKER FRIENDLY BUSINESS And Would Like To See Your BUSINESS LISTED And Receive Thunder Roads® TN Magazines Each Month, Call (615) 389-1149 **(BFD LISTING ONLY $300 PER YEAR)** READERS Pick Up Your Copy Of Thunder Roads® Magazine of TN Each Month At Any Of These Fine Locations DEALERS & SHOPS Appleton Harley-Davidson® 2501 Hwy 41A Bypass Clarksville, TN 37043 (931) 648-1607 Bootlegger Harley-Davidson® 605 Lovell Rd. Knoxville, TN 37932 (865) 671-2454 Boswell’s H-D Country Roads 1424 Interstate Dr. Cookeville, TN 38501 (931) 526-3139 Boswell’s of Nashville 401 Fesslers Ln. Nashville, TN 37210 (615) 242-6067 Boswell’s Ring of Fire H-D 2200 Gallatin Pike N Madison, TN 37115 (615) 855-1001 Bumpus Harley-Davidson® of Jackson 326 Carriage House Dr. Jackson, TN 38305 (731) 422-5508 Bumpus Harley-Davidson® of Memphis 2160 Whitten Rd. Memphis, TN 38133 (901) 372-1121 Bumpus Harley-Davidson® of Murfreesboro 2250 NW Broad St. Murfreesboro, TN 37129 (615) 849-8025 Colboch Harley-Davidson® 1830 N Davy Crockett Pkwy Morristown, TN 37814 (423) 586-5343 Crockett Powersports 4113 S Access Rd. Chattanooga, TN 37406 (423) 760-3670 Harley-Davidson® of Columbia 1616 Harley Davidson Blvd. Columbia, TN 38401 (931) 540-0099 Indian Triumph Of Knoxville 5820 Clinton Hwy Knoxville, TN 37912 (865) 689-4321
Moonshine Harley-Davidson® 7128 S. Springs Drive Franklin, TN 37067 (866) 667-8836 Music City Indian Motorcycle 1003 8th Ave S Nashville, TN 37203 (615) 401-9341 Rocky Top Harley-Davidson® 105 Waldens Main St. Pigeon Forge, TN 37863 (865) 774-3445 Sloan’s Motorcycle & ATV 2233 Northwest Broad Street Murfreesboro, TN 37129 (615) 893-0150
MUSEUMS
Birdsong Resort, Marina & Campground 255 Marina Rd. Camden, TN 38320 (731) 584-7880 www.birdsong.com
Birdsong Resort, Marina & Campground 255 Marina Rd. Camden, TN 38320 (731) 584-7880 www.birdsong.com
Punkin Center Motorcycle Resort 7304 Old Railroad Bed Rd. Maryville, TN 37801 (865) 856-5455
Brushy Mtn. State Pen 9182 Hwy 116 Petros, TN 37845 (423) 324-8687
GUN SHOPS/SHOOTING RANGE
Smith Brothers Harley-Davidson® 3518 Bristol Hwy Johnson City, TN 37601 (423) 283-0422
Chilhowee Sportsman's Club 7601 Old Railroad Bed Rd. Maryville, TN 37801 (865) 856-0565
Smoky Mountain Harley -Davidson® 1820 Lamar Alexander Pkwy Maryville, TN 37801 (865) 977-1669
Tennessee Gun Country 1435 Fort Campbell Blvd. Clarksville, TN 37042 (931) 552-2118
White Lightning Harley-Davidson® 7720 Lee Hwy Chattanooga, TN 37421 (423) 892-4888
BARS & RESTAURANTS Birdsong Resort, Marina & Campground 255 Marina Rd. Camden, TN 38320 (731) 584-7880 www.birdsong.com Chopper’s Grill 1200 Donelson Ave. Old Hickory, TN 37138 (615) 894-7020 Full Throttle Bar & Grill 333 Swinging Bridge Rd. Old Hickory, TN 37138 (615) 300-0645 Hillbilly’s Wing Shack 26280 Hwy 69 Adamsville, TN 38310 (731) 632-2222 Miss Kay’s Country Store & The Nutcracker Shed 960 Brownfield Rd. Dover, TN 37058 (931) 305-6064 Riverside Saloon 1945 US-25 Del Rio, TN 37727
Interstate 69 Motorsports 1703 West Main Street Union City, TN 38261 (731) 885-1792
The H.U.T 815 Parkway Sevierville, TN 37862 (865) 365-4979
Knoxville Harley-Davidson® 5800 Clinton Highway Knoxville, TN 37912 (865) 689-2454
The Warden's Table 9182 Hwy 116 Petros, TN 37845 (423) 324-8687
APRIL 2021
CAMPGROUNDS
iNSURANCE Progressive 1-800-Progressive www.Progressive.com
LEGAL AIM/NCOM Richard M. Lester 800-531-2424 1-800-on-a-bike www.onabike.com Garza Law Firm PLLC 550 West Main Street #340 Knoxville, TN 37902 (865) 540-8300 Toll Free: (866) 893-8413 www.garzalaw.com Law Tigers Motorcycle Lawyers 1-844-533-2913 1-800-LawTigers www.lawtigers.com
LEATHER & REPAIR Buckle and Hide Leather 197 Enon Spring Road West Smyrna, TN 37167 (615) 768-5041
MINISTRIES Covenant Confirmers Ministries, Inc. Pastor Ron Baptiste A “Biker Church” for All Bikers & Their Families (615) 384-9010
ThunderRoadsTennessee.com
PARTS & ACCESSORIES Amsoil info@myguy4oil.com (615) 389-1149 www.myguy4oil.com Reference #1569065
RV SALES/SERVICE Buddy Gregg RV’s & Motor Homes 11730 Snyder Rd. Knoxville, TN 37932 (865) 675-1986 www.buddygregg.com
SERVICES Bettencourt Originals Tracy Bettencourt Artist (931) 257-6938 Reliant Realty Keri Gilles Realtor 124 Dunbar Cave Rd. Clarksville, TN 37043 M: (931) 320-8028 O: (931) 245-8800 Tennessee Biker Medical Clinic 300 10th Ave E Springfield, TN 37172 www.covenantconfirmers.org
TRAVEL/ACCOMMODATIONS Birdsong Resort, Marina & Campground 255 Marina Rd. Camden, TN 38320 (731) 584-7880 www.birdsong.com Mechele MacDaniel AAA Travel 1701 Mallory Ln., Ste 200 Brentwood TN 37027 mmacdaniel@aaasouth.com (615) 376-1601 ext 265 Call for all your travel needs
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Progressive Casualty Ins. Co. & affiliates.
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