Thunder Roads Magazine Tennessee January 2017 by Thunder Roads Tennessee

Thunder Roads® Tennessee P.O. Box 645, Greenbrier, TN 37073 ThunderRoadsTn@gmail.com

Scott High Denise High 615-389-1149 615-389-1016 Scott@thunderroadstennessee.com Denise@thunderroadstennessee.com

Merry Hancock/Hancock Graphics

Cooper Chilton National Photojournalist “America the Beautiful”

Bill Davis Bill@thunderroadstennessee.com

5 Chaplain’s Corner – By Pastor Ron Baptiste 6 Thunder Paws 9 Bike of the Month 11 Bullet Points – By Mike Noirot 12 Wildfires Devastate our Motorcycle Playground – By Scott High 16 Thunder Cam 17 Cage Free – By Jake Ashley 23 For Your Safety – By Donna Farrell 24 Kiss in the Kitchen – By Toni McCoy Shearon 25 America the Beautiful – By Cooper Chilton 27 AMA Report 28 News Bytes 30 Jokers Wild 32 Biker Friendly Directory 33 From the Corner of Veteran’s Drive and Patriot’s Way – By Bob “Bulldog” Ousley 34 Events 36 Will Ride to Eat – By Bob “Bulldog” Ousley 37 Tennessee Thunder Run Off-Season Discount 38 Clubs-Organizations-Associations 40 Publisher of the Year

BECOME A THUNDER ROADS® CONTRIBUTOR – Bob “Bulldog” Ousley “From the Corner of Veteran’s Drive and Patriot’s Way” “Will Ride to Eat”

Ron Baptiste aka “Pastor Ron” “Chaplain’s Corner”

Mechele MacDaniel Alex82vette@yahoo.com

Mike Noirot “Bullet Points”

Donna Farrell “For Your Safety”

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Travis Hall Travis@thunderroadstennessee.com

NATIONAL FOUNDERS

Ronny Mangrum aka “Rebel Ron” “Flash Back”

Call Us With A Solid Lead, We’ll Close It Out And You Get 10% Immediately Upon Customer Payment. No Fuss, No Upkeep, We Handle It All! You Close It Out And You Get 20%! Big Supplemental Revenue $$$$ Potential!

Toni McCoy Shearon & Brian Shearon 1528 Matlock Drive Chapmansboro, TN 37035 Founders Office: 615-792-0040 Fax: 615-792-7580 e-mail: thunderroads@charter.net

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ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. NO PART OF ITS CONTENT MAY BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION. PUBLISHER ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILITY AND IS NOT TO BE HELD LIABLE FOR ERRORS BEYOND THE COST OF THE SPACE OCCUPIED BY THE ERROR, SLANDER OF ANY GROUP OR INDIVIDUAL, FAILURE TO PRODUCE ANY ISSUE AS SCHEDULED DUE TO REASONS BEYOND OUR CONTROL, ANY AND ALL SUITS FOR LIABLE, PLAGIARISM, COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT AND UNAUTHORIZED USE OF A PERSON’S NAME OR PHOTOGRAPH. OPINIONS AND CLAIMS MADE BY ADVERTISERS AND AUTHORS ARE THEIR OWN, AND DO NOT NECESSARILY REPRESENT THE POLICY OF THUNDER ROADS MAGAZINE OR THUNDER PUBLISHING. PUBLISHER DOES NOT PROMOTE THE ABUSE OF ALCOHOL OR OTHER DRUGS.

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Photographer: Allen Manus Model: Chelsea Nevill FB: http://www.facebook.com/CHELSEAaNEVILL Instagram: @mschelseanevill Bike: 2003 H-D V-Rod 100th Anniversary Edition Bike Owner: Donnie Vassar

January 2017

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

NAME:___________________________________________________ ADDRESS:_______________________________________________ CITY:____________________________________________________ STATE:___________________________ ZIP:____________________ Make checks payable to: Thunder Roads Tennesse, P.O. 645, Greenbrier, TN 37073

I find the New Year to be a good time to look back and look forward. 2016 was an awesome year for us and we look forward to what 2017 brings. Has it really been 2 whole years since we started publishing Thunder Roads® Tennessee? Wow! We just want to take a moment to thank all the many people who checked out our magazine and thanks to everyone who contributed to make it better, and those who in general have supported us in our effort to create the best motorcycle magazine for the motorcyclist in Tennessee. Without all of you this magazine could never have gotten to the place it is now. Thank you very much, and may you all have a fantastic new year! Easyriders Bike Show Tour rolls in to Nashville Saturday, January 28th, look for their ad in this issue for all the details. While you’re there PLEASE stop by our booth and say “hi”, we would love to see you! We will have games and prizes for you to win, you can also register to win one of four swag bags we will be giving away and don’t forget to pick up your Thunder Roads® Tennessee Thunderwear. If you haven’t “LIKED” our Facebook page, be sure you do, we will be giving away FREE tickets to Easyriders every Sunday night the month of January! Here’s something interesting… did you hear that Harley has discontinued the V-Rod? If you haven’t here’s the scoop, they stopped production in October 2016 and when they are gone, they are gone. Lots of people have said things about the V-Rod, some good some bad (Scott says he’s ridden them far enough to know he can’t have one) but they still sold about 10k a year for 15 years so there are about 150,000 on the road. We decided to pay homage and say goodbye to the V-Rod by featuring one on the cover this month. I’m sure by now you are aware of the fires in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. Thoughts and prayers going out to all those affected by the fires. Our prayers continue to be with EVERYONE who has lost loved ones, as well as their belongings, pets, etc. A special THANKS to ALL of the volunteers who have gone to help in this time of disaster. Please continue to keep prayers going for all that were affected by this terrible disaster. So now the New Year stands before us like a blank book. What will you write for the next chapter of your life? It’s entirely up to you. Take the first step to make sure that it’s a good great chapter by setting New Year’s resolutions. This year, pick one of worthy resolution, and stick with it, I know you can do it. Happy New Year everyone… May your 2017 be full of family, friends, and plenty of riding! Ride Hard Live Free, Denise, Scott & Thunder Dawg

January 2017

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GEICO MOTORCYCLE PROUDLY PRESENTS

January 28 10am - 7pm

MEET AND GREET WITH THE PURRFECT ANGELZ

LIVE PERFORMANCE BY THE ROYAL HOUNDS BAND

Nashville, TN Music City Center

DRIFT TRIKE DEMOS FROM NTC DRIFT TRIKES

JASON WILSON OF DISCOVERY CHANNEL’S SACRED STEEL BIKES

HOT ANNOUNCER LISA LIGON

EASYRIDERS BIKE OF THE YEAR “STARDUST” BY ANDREW URSICH

Purrfect Angelz

For Complete Event Info, Bike Show Entry Form & Exhibitor Application:

EasyridersEvents.com or 800-962-9857

CHAPLAIN’S CORNER Pastor Ron Baptiste Founder of Covenant Confirmers Ministries Inc. www.covenantconfirmers.org Founder of Tennessee Biker Medical Clinic Inc. www.tennesseebikermedicalclinic.org TN.COC State Chaplain www.tenncoc.homestead.com Member of NCOM Christian Unity Council www.facebook.com/NCOM.Christian.Unity Pastor Ron’s messages can now be downloaded off the website Leadership Skills can now be downloaded off the website

No Shame In My Game Every year God gives me a “WORD” for the following year. Last year’s Word was “Grace,” so Grace was inducted in all my sermons for 2016. Rom.6:14 “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for you are not under the law, but under Grace.” The Word I have received for 2017 is “SHAME.” Philp. 1:20 “According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed.” Rom.9:33 “As it is written, whosoever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed.” Rom.10:11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed. Our entire lives have been built on “Shame,” from the time we were young, we were told; you’re a bad boy-shame on you-you should be ashamed of yourself, how shameful. It does not matter how long you’ve been a Christian, how often you go to church, how much money you give, how many wonderful sermons you’ve heard, if you’ve got any shame on you, you’ve got a cracked foundation and you can’t build anything on it. Today we got too many religions beating you up with legalism and not teaching Grace, disgracing you with shame and not teaching you Faith. Like you don’t get beat up enough during the week, now you got to come to church and get beat up some more, then we wonder why church attendance is falling off! Luke 7:36-48 “And one of the Pharisees (Religion) desired Him (Jesus) that He would eat with him. And when they sat down to meat, a woman in the city, which was a sinner and stood at His (Jesus) feet weeping and began to wash His feet with her tears, and wipe them with the hairs of her head. The Pharisee saying, if He (Jesus) were a prophet, He would know that this woman that touches Him is a sinner.” Religion tried to shame her, but Jesus gave her a promise; “Thy sins are forgiven thee.” After Adam & Eve sinned in Gen.3:7-11 “And the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew they were

January 2017

naked (shame). Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord.” Shame will make you run from God, but you should be running towards God. Then God asked the question, who told thee that thou was naked (Shame) It wasn’t God that brought the shame, it was the devil. Jesus not only died for our sins, but for our shame also. Don’t allow anybody to place shame on you, not even yourself. Stand on the promises of the Word of God; 1. “It is written” that should settle it! 2. “Whosoever” that means you! 3. “Believeth” has accepted Jesus as Lord! 4. “Shall not be ashamed” Until next time, keep your face in the wind and your kickstand up. To be found faithful, Pastor Ron

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THUNDER PAWS® Myra- I’m an older girl (8yrs) needing a good home. I need calm, but I’m loving and affectionate. My adoption fee has been sponsored.

Cena- I’m an awesome boy. I’m going through training for obedience and manners. I like other dogs, but no cats or small children. I love to run. I’m 3 years old, neutered, heartworm negative, and great couch buddy. I like some dogs, so bring yours to meet me. My adoption fee has been sponsored.

Nevada- I’m a sweet girl looking for a fun home. I’m 1.5 years old, spayed, heartworm negative, and great for hiking. I don’t need a home with small children or cats as I’m a bit too playful. I like some dogs, so bring yours to meet me. My adoption fee has been sponsored.

Rachel- I’m a sweet girl who has weaned all my kittens. I need a home with love and fun, because I play. I tolerate dogs and like other cats. My adoption fee has been sponsored.

Gabriel- I’m a mellow boy with a love for running. I’m 2 years old, neutered, and heartworm negative. I’m pretty relaxed after a good walk and would do well with other dogs and kids. I like some dogs, so bring yours to meet me. My adoption fee has been sponsored.

Searge- I’m an active boy with a love for play time. I’m 2 years, neutered, and heartworm negative. I don’t need to be around small children as I play a lot. I like some dogs, so bring yours to meet me. My adoption fee has been sponsored.

Gala- I’m an awesome girl who plays well with others. I need love and attention because I am a princess. I tolerate other cats, but I don’t like dogs. My adoption fee has been sponsored. 6

Cheatham County Animal Control 2797 Sams Creek Rd, Pegram, TN 37143 (615) 792-3647 https://www.facebook.com/ccactn ccactn@gmail.com

January 2017

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January 2017

BIKE OF THE MONTH

2006 Harley-Davidson Softail Heritage FLST Congratulations to Dave Hackler on winning our monthly Bike Contest on Facebook!

Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m Dave Hackler and this is my 2006 Softail Heritage FLST. I bought this bike new and have made many modifications over the years. I picked this bike because this was a one year only production for this paint scheme. The bike still has the original paint with the exception of an extended rear Deluxe fender and custom pinstriping on both fenders. I also added Shotgun Shocks and Carlini apes along with custom wheels and seat. The front wheel is a 21 inch mammoth spoke with a 16 inch matching rear. The last modification was getting the cylinder heads hand cut. This bike (Affectionately known as Lowretta) has over 40K miles and has taken us on several road trips. I have made trips to the Harley Museum in Milwaukee and the Harley factory in York, Pennsylvania. I have taken multiple trips to the Smokies and even one trip that took us all the way to Texas. Although I also own a bagger now, I still enjoy getting this bike out for long cruises and going to shows and rallies. I have won several awards with this bike, but the most memorable would be placing second Street Class at the Easyriders final in Columbus, OH in 2016. If you have a cool custom bike you would like to have featured in our magazine, enter it in our monthly contest by submitting a pic of your bike to ThunderRoadsTn@gmail.com January 2017

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Bullet Points SO YOU HAVE YOUR HCP - NOW WHAT? If you do not already have a handgun carry permit, I’m sure you have considered it. Carrying a firearm brings a great deal of responsibility. First, and foremost, is that you must carry it responsibly. But there are many other considerations. Do you plan on open carrying your sidearm? If not, what kind of holster will you use? Will you carry on your side? Will you carry in the belly position? Will you use a shoulder holster? (One of my favorites during cold weather while I’m wearing a heavy jacket.) How much will your carry rig/pistol “print” through your clothing? But there are way more important considerations than these. You must follow the laws of your state, county and municipality. And you cannot follow laws you are not knowledgeable of. While I am not a lawyer, and will never be one, I have taken the time to understand the laws around carrying firearms in public. Speaking specifically for Tennessee, here are a few fairly common laws regarding concealed carry: You may not intentionally, knowingly or recklessly carry a firearm into any room in which a judicial proceeding is in progress. Eg. Courthouses - This is a Class E Felony (TN Code: 39-17-1306) You may not carry a firearm into a school, or on school property, whether concealed or open carried. This is also a Class E Felony. The exception to this law is that a non-student adult may carry a firearm while in their car on school property, but you may not handle said firearm or exit your vehicle with it on your person. (TN Code: 39-17-1309) You may carry your firearm on property designated a public park, natural area, historic park, nature trail, campground, forest, greenway or waterway if you have a handgun carry permit (HCP). The only exception to this regulation is when the area is being used by any board of education, school, college or university for the purpose of an athletic event, etc. (TN Code: 39-17-1311) NOTE: National parks, historic areas, wildlife refuges, national cemeteries, etc. all fall under the jurisdiction of Federal law and may, or may not, allow you to carry legally. It is against the law to possess a firearm while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. This is a Class A felony and may result in the suspension of your HCP for up to three years. (TN Code: 39-17-1321) HCP holders may now conceal carry their firearms in restaurants and bars. However, the permit holder cannot consume any alcohol. Doing so is a violation of TN Code: 39-17-1321. A HCP holder may not possess their firearm in any prisons or correctional facilities.

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A HCP holder may not carry into any type of childcare facility however, they may have their firearm in their car while they are inside. Much has also been written about open carry in Tennessee. While I am not a proponent of open carry, our firearms laws do not expressly prohibit openly carrying firearms. You must be a HCP holder to open carry. And while our firearm laws are silent about open carry, there is nothing in the law which says you cannot do so. This may cause an issue if you are not behaving yourself or are rude to a law enforcement officer who could cite you for brandishing your firearm. (This is an opinion of the author) Tennessee statutes also provide for “Stand Your Ground” defense. Specifically, “…a person not engaged in unlawful activity and in a place where the person has a right to be has no duty to retreat before threatening or using force against another person when and to the degree the person reasonably believes the force is immediately necessary to protect against the other’s use or attempted use of unlawful force.” Notwithstanding, “…a person who is not engaged in an unlawful activity and is in a place where the person has a right to be has no duty to retreat before threatening or using force intended or likely to cause death or serious bodily injury.” (TN Code: 39-11611) We are one of 24 states which enjoy this provision. However, if you use deadly force, your life will change forever. Even if you are not charged with a crime, you may well face civil lawsuits from the family and incur huge legal bills. Because of this, my personal opinion is that while I do not have an obligation to retreat, I will if I can. And obviously, there are plenty of potential situations which would cause me to not retreat: Eg. a friend or relative may be physically harmed and is in grave threat of serious injury or death. In this case, while I might safely retreat, I would not do so. Lastly, if you are like me, you may travel a lot. And just because I am traveling does not mean I leave unarmed. If you are a HCP holder and you are planning to travel out of state, there are many states which either recognize the Tennessee HCP or have full reciprocity. However, you must follow the laws of the state you are in. I recommend referring to the websites http://www.handgunlaw.us or http://www. usconcealedcarry.com/travel before you leave. Until next month, ride often and keep the shiny side up! Molon Labe, Mike Noirot

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Wildfires Devastate our Motorcycle Playground BY SCOTT THUNDER ROADS® TENNESSEE

By now everyone has heard about the devastating wildfires in and around the Gatlinburg Pigeon Forge area. Like many of you, Denise and I love going to the mountains. We go there to ride as often as we can from early spring through late fall and even for a quick weekend or overnight getaway during the winter without the bike. Whatever the reason, lots of people enjoy going to that part of East Tennessee. For us, it’s one of the places we go to turn off the world and just spend time together, so we wanted to go and see the damage for ourselves and report back to you.

Whenever we go we usually stay in Gatlinburg, it’s a little too “touristy” for some people but what we like about it is we can easily walk to everything we want to do when we park the bike for the day. The entire town is less than 2 miles long and the main part of the strip from Hillbilly Harley-Davidson to the park entrance is less than a mile long. There are tons of great restaurants and shops that are a short stroll from any one of the many hotels and some of the cabins. A late night game of miniature golf or a ski lift ride up the mountain is not far away, 12

free moonshine tastings and music are also easily found, and just a short drive up East Parkway brings even more places into the mix. We can easily walk to what we think are some of the best restaurants and bars in the area and the walk back to our room helps burn off some of the excess calories from dinner and drinks. I guess you could say it’s one of our happy places. When we watched the fires on the news and the internet it bothered us both a lot, having friends that live there and some who own cabins in the area didn’t help either. We stayed up half the night watching and keeping in touch with friends and waiting for it to be over, or at least get

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January 2017

better. Days later, after the smoke cleared and they started assessing the damage the news was worse than we could have imagined, 14 people lost their lives, 191 were injured, and there were 2,460 structures damaged or destroyed by the fires including some owned by friends. We now know how the fires started, we won’t get into that or the Park Service response here, but this is some of what is known. The last meaningful rainfall in the area was in mid-September, so with very dry conditions from the months long drought the original fire was started on the Chimney Tops trail on the afternoon of November 23rd. Chimney Tops is a mountain in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, it’s almost 4800 feet high and has a short, steep, and very popular trial leading up to one of the few peaks in the area that instead of being tree covered, has a distinctive rocky summit. If you’ve ever ridden U.S. 441 S. up or over Newfound

Sevierville and Pigeon Forge there wasn’t much indication that anything was different except for the much lighter than normal traffic. Traffic in the area is infamous for the bumper to bumper red light to red light crawl that begins just a few miles from I-40. We were able to zip right through the 16 miles all the way from the interstate to the spur, the winding wooded area between Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. There were several buildings damaged or destroyed in Pigeon Forge and behind Dollywood, but most aren’t visible from the parkway. On the spur you start to see burned areas on the mountainside that have already been seeded with hydro seeds (looks like green paint) and should be fine by the spring, Mother Nature has a way of recovering quickly from wildfires. Further on the spur you see a large resort that burned and you start to see foundations on the sides of the mountains where homes and cabins used to be.

Gap, Chimney Tops is almost directly to the right (southwest) just before you enter the 180 degree curve known as “The Loop” about 8 miles by road from Gatlinburg. The original fire was 5.5 miles in a straight line from Gatlinburg, over 6 miles from Chalet Village and over 8 miles from Cobbly Knob, the areas which had the most damage, and it’s even further from Pigeon Forge and Dollywood. While there is no way to know which fires started from where, we know the fires were spread over great distances in a very short period of time by the over 80 MPH winds that hit the area on the evening of Monday November 28th. Very quickly there were many fires in several places and some continued burning for days after. Normally, we avoid the parkway at all costs, but on this trip we decided we should try it. When we got off I-40 we started looking out the windshield waiting to see fire damage, from Kodak through

When you get into Gatlinburg, again it’s hard to find evidence of the destruction, signs are there, but they are spread out around town. While houses and cabins all around Gatlinburg in every direction are just gone, all in all the main part of Gatlinburg survived. We went to the Chamber of Commerce building and it isn’t damaged at all, but from the parking lot you can see black burned ground and burned buildings in almost every direction, some of the landscaping around the building was either burned or damaged from the heat, even their plastic mailbox melted into a puddle. Near the Chamber office is where the Alamo Steakhouse stood, and a jeep rental place nearby is gone with several burned up jeeps still in the lot. We drove through the strip and saw a wedding chapel and Church that had been destroyed and on River Road a hotel is gone. The popular Hillbilly Golf received very little damage, but right behind it the Tudor

January 2017

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Inn, a Bed and Breakfast we have stayed at many times is gone. Up Ski Mountain Road towards Ober Gatlinburg there is a lot of damage just as you start up the mountain, but further up towards Ober everything is still there. If you go to the right (northwest) from Ski Mountain Rd into Chalet Village, that’s one of the areas that was hardest hit and the destruction is terrible. Block and concrete foundations and stone chimneys of burned homes and cabins line every road on the mountain, usually after a fire there is something standing, part of a roof, walls, something showing that firefighters worked hard to stop the fire and save as much property as

Facebook, they are also giving 100% of the donations to affected families. The Sevier County Humane shelter burned down and would be a great organization to donate to. So please donate, but if you are really serious about helping out the fire victims, what may be the best way to help them out is also the most fun way for you, that’s the best part, you get to help the people affected and everyone in Gatlinburg by doing something for yourself, it’s simple, GO!! Plan a trip, grab the wife, husband, girlfriend, boyfriend, kids, dogs, neighbors, friends and go to Gatlinburg. Gatlinburg is alive and well and open for business. Stay in

possible but there was no way to stop these fires. Once they started burning in Chalet Village and the other cabin and residential communities they burned unchecked until all of the fuel (buildings and undergrowth) was gone. Burned cars and even several burned motorcycles could be seen still sitting in what once were garages. Now for the good news, cleanup and inspection is already well underway, a welcome sign that the area will be rebuilt, electric, water and cable are being repaired quickly and there were lots of insurance adjusters all over the place. Lots of people have asked us how they can help. If you would like to help victims of the fires there are several ways, there are many foundations and funds set up to help. The largest fund is Dolly Parton’s My People Fund and 100% of your donation will go directly to the families affected by the wildfires. There is the Heal & Rebuild fund, which is a GoFundMe and can be found on

the hotels, eat in the restaurants, drink in the bars, or stay in a cabin, buy some groceries there, shop in the stores, go to the shows, play games, go do all of the fun things to do and spend a few dollars. Almost all of the people in the area have a job that is either directly or indirectly tied to tourism. Tourist are staying away from the area for whatever reason but that is exactly what they DON’T need right now. The people of the area want to work, and if you think about it, taking care of us when we visit is what they do for a living. By planning a trip and going you can have a fun and/or relaxing time in the mountains, see the sights, eat the great food, enjoy the nightlife, walk around town, buy unique gifts, see the winter decorations and while you are having a great time you will be helping the people of the area keep their jobs and rebuild their lives. They will thank you for it!

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January 2017

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January 2017

CAGE FREE

A Year on Two Wheels: Finished

BY JAKE ASHLEY Since the halfway point of Cage Free in February, I have ridden out of the Winter, enjoyed the Spring thaw, and have had a great Summer of riding. 2016 has been fantastic! I’ll jump right into the highlights of the final 6 months of being Cage Free. How best to thaw out from winter riding?...... A trip to the Southern Most point of the United States! In Early May, my buddy Red Glider and I hit 65 South out of Franklin, TN right after work on a Friday headed for Key West! We hoped to make Montgomery, AL before calling it a day. We chased the backside of cold front pushing through from the west to east. We got through Spring Hill and Columbia without getting into rush hour traffic, but hit a traffic jam just outside Columbia due to an accident, a SUV rolled apparently. This held us up for 45 minutes to an hour and we got rained on while in the backup of traffic. From that point on we wore our rain gear and chased the rain storms south pulling off once we caught up to them, and repeated this from TN to Cullman, AL. It had gotten dark and with the reflection of the rain coated interstate and the spray from traffic, I got a gut feeling we shouldn’t go any further. This was about 10pm at night and 140 miles short of our goal to get to Montgomery. This delay set off a time crunch for what seemed like the rest of the trip. We needed to complete the round trip by Monday night to be back to work Tuesday morning. During this portion of the ride we saw a purple sunset with rainbows and some impressive lightning all at the same time! Once in for the night we toasted the start of the ride with some Gentleman Jack. We got up and on the road next morning by 7am. We planned to make Englewood, FL and stay with my dad. But as the day progressed it became apparent that that would be more mileage than we could chew in a day at a comfortable pace on the roads we had chosen to take south. Our route via AL was specific to avoiding Atlanta and the nightmare traffic of that city. We continued down I-65S to Montgomery. From that point we took 231 to Dothan, AL. We stopped at the local HD got a recommendation on where to get some good BBQ. Dobb’s BBQ was an old school place with some great food. Will definitely eat there again when passing through. Appetites satisfied we continued south on 231 into Florida and west on 10 to the other side of Tallahassee were we caught 54 at Lloyd and then jumped on 19/27 to Perry. My aunt said this was a great scenic route through Florida horse country as opposed to taking I-75. A slower route but really enjoyed the ride. Stayed on 19 all the way into Clearwater, FL, arriving close to midnight, and Englewood was still another 2 hours away. We had ridden about 600 miles or so, and decided to meet my dad in Englewood for breakfast the next morning. We were wore out! Started off at 7am the next day from Tampa/Clearwater and rode January 2017

the Sunshine Skyway Bridge across Tampa Bay. What a beautiful bridge and ride! A must do if you get the chance. From that point we got on to I-75 and rode fast to Englewood for breakfast with my dad. He then led us on his bike to Widow Maker HD, Port Charlotte, FL. This was only the second time I have ever gotten to ride motorcycles with my dad. Good times! From there he pointed us down the road to catch I-75 to make the Alligator Alley crossing and head down the Overseas Highway. Made it to Marathon Key by about 5pm and stopped at Key Fisheries for drinks and dinner. From the parking lot you could hear a guy playing an acoustic guitar and singing from the tiki bar. I said to my buddy, “that sounds like Cory”. Sure enough it was Cory Young, a guy I knew from sailing Percy Priest Lake in Nashville, and later on Ty Thurman showed up too, also from Percy Priest. These guys are now living in the Keys on their sailboats and playing music at small bars for fun. Small world! What a fun way to LIVE! Those guys are doing it right. After dinner, some drinks, and good music we headed out to ride 7 Mile Bridge during sunset. It was amazing! We couldn’t have timed it better. One of the best 30 minutes of riding I have ever experienced. We made it to Key West just after dark, maybe 9pm, and checked in to the Fairfield Inn. By 10 I was out of gas…. couldn’t even muster the energy for an hour or two on Duval Street. It was the best day of riding of the entire trip! Spent the next 2 days making time riding the interstates back to Nashville. The entire trip was about little over 2300 miles. I would do it again but with a 7 to 10-day time line. 4 days was too short for that much fun! The other trip taken this summer was to the 76th Sturgis Rally in South Dakota. A little over 3500 miles of riding. Wow! What a great time that was! 3 days riding to get there, 2 days of riding while there, and 3 days of riding to get back to Nashville. What a great way to end the Cage Free Year. It would be great if I could actually describe it in a manner that would truly represent the experience. Every day of riding was like a postcard moment that lasted all day long, or what I would image it would be like to be riding in heaven! I occasionally have those moments riding locally, but usually just fleeting moments. THIS WAS NON-STOP!!! Total mileage for Cage Free ended up being 24,831 miles! I started this whole adventure, to find out what is “IT” that defines someone as a Biker. I didn’t find a defining “IT”, I found a diverse community of Bikers from all walks of life that have a common passion for riding…………. I guess I did find the “IT”, a passion for riding! There you have it. Enjoy the ride!

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January 2017

RIDER SAFETY

Happy Safe Riding New Year!

During the ending days of December and the first days of January, we often find ourselves reflecting on the past and dreaming of the future. If you ask people who love to ride what they want for the New Year, most will say something like, “This year I want to ride more.” I’m not as fearless as I was in my 20s (or 30s) and I don’t take as many risks as I continue to get older. Safety is my primary concern. Becoming a motorcycle safety coach for the Motorcycle Safety Foundation and a Riding Academy instructor for HarleyDavidson have made a big impact on the way I ride. It’s also a huge responsibility coaching both new riders, and those riders who have a lot of miles on two wheels. I take it very seriously. As you look toward the New Year, if you have not taken a motorcycle safety course, I encourage you to do so. Here are some reasons you should consider taking the MSF’s BasicRider Course if you are a beginner: • When you pass the new rider course you will receive a certificate to take the DMV to get your motorcycle license. The only testing you may have to do is an eye test. (Check with your local DMV as testing requirements can vary based on the state.) • In the classroom you learn the types of motorcycles, where the basic controls are located and how to be a safe and responsible rider. • On the range you learn straight-line riding, shifting, stopping, negotiating turns, swerving and emergency braking. • You can save some money! Upon passing and completing the course, you will be given a document to present to your insurance company that can save you $$ on your insurance coverage. (Check with your insurance company and shop around, as the percentage of savings can be dependent on the company.) • You build confidence! • It is a lot of fun! (You’re riding a motorcycle!) January 2017

Often, I have an experienced rider that comes to the BasicRider Course to support a friend or spouse and nearly all of them comment on how much they enjoyed the course and will often start listing the things they learned. I’ll often see students that have participated in the BasicRider Course; with a big smile on their faces they tell me about a recent riding adventure and add that the course has also made them a better driver in their vehicles. How proud I am! The Motorcycle Safety Foundation and Harley-Davidson Riding Academy offers additional courses for experienced riders and you can find the entire curriculum at msf-usa.org. These include, but are not limited to, Street Smart: Rider Perception, the Advanced Rider Course and the Circuit RiderCourse. So, as your thinking of things you would like to accomplish this year, add motorcycle safety to your list of resolutions. Whether you’re a novice or been riding for more years than you care to admit, I’m confident you’ll learn something in your class to enhance and benefit your riding skills. Happy Safe Riding New Year! Donna, along with being an avid riding enthusiast, is a MSF motorcycle safety coach for the state of Tennessee and a HarleyDavidson Riding Academy Coach. She is a member of the Motor Maids, H.O.G. and Ladies of Harley. ** Photos from 2016 BasicRider Courses at Appalachian Rider Education Program in Kingsport, TN (www.appalachianridered. com) and Smoky-Mountain Harley-Davidson’s Riding Academy in Maryville, TN (smh-d.com).

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LUCKY BLACK EYED PEAS ON NEW YEAR’S DAY

1 Bag of Black Eyed Peas (tradition says put a shiny new penny or dime in the bottom of your soup pot or crock pot) 2 Cups of water 2 Cans of Quality Chicken Stock Half-Stick of Real Butter Salt & Pepper to taste Let the beans cook down for apprx. 1 hour until getting puffy, then add: Sautee’d baby carrots & sweet onion 4 Cans of Hormel Shredded Ham 3 Cans of Diced Potatoes Palmful of Cumin, Coriander & Smoked Paprika * Tbls. of Liquid Smoke is optional Let cook down for another hour on low; taste to see if needs more of anything. You should have a thickish broth. If not, just mix up half a cup of hot water w/ 2 Tbls. of flour until no lumps and slowly add to pot while stirring and should thicken up quickly. Make up a cast iron skillet of Jiffy corn bread and baby, you just sealed your luck and good fortune for the New Year.

ZIPPY REUBEN BALLS

1 Pound of Thin Cut Corn Beef from Deli; then dice it to medium chop 1 Medium Sweet Onion; minced 1 Palmful of Garlic Powder 1 8 ox. Tub of Whipped Philly Cream Cheese 2 Tbls. of Honey Mustard 2 Cups of Panko Bread Crumbs 1 Bag of Shredded Swiss Cheese

3 Large Eggs; divided 1 Cup of All Purpose Flour 1/4 Cup of Half & Half Canola Oil for frying + 2 Tbls. Butter Preheat large non-stick saute pan to medium add a dollop of butter and then add your medium chopped corned beef and then the onions. Let them get a little caramelization going on them and then just pour into cream cheese mix w/ garlic powder & mustard. Mix thoroughly, then take hands to form medium sized balls and drop into preheated Canola oil with 2 Tbls. of butter added to fry up to a golden brown. Remove to paper towels to absorb grease. Serve hot with a bowl of warmed Thousand Island dressing. If you love Reuben sandwiches like I do, you’ll love these Reuben Balls. SO good!, so make plenty!

Peppermint S’Mores Dip

Take a stick of butter and totally grease up a medium sized cast iron skillet. 12 Ozs. of Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips; divided 2 Ozs. of Whipped Philly Cream Cheese 8 Ozs. of Mint Chocolate mini bars 1 Bag of Mini Marshmallows 1/2 tsp. of cinnamon 1/2 cup of crushed candy canes for garnish 2 or 3 Boxes of Quality Graham Crackers broken up on the preformed breaking ridges. Adjust oven rack to the top and preheat on Broiler setting. In a glass bowl add half the chocolate chips and cream cheese and nuke for 30 seconds; stir to combine. Place remaining chocolate chips and mints in the cast iron pan, covering up the bottom. Pour the chocolate & cream cheese mix into pan. Cover totally w/ marshmallows and sprinkle with cinnamon. Place under the broiler until the marshmallows are golden brown; only about 2 minutes. Keep an eye on it. Remove and add crushed candy canes and serve up hot and gooey with graham crackers. D-amn, this is so phenom it’s addicting.

Happy New Year! Amaretto Sparkler

1 Ounce Amaretto, 1 Ounce Triple Sec, 2-3 Ounces of Prosecco (orange peels for garnish) In a pint glass filled with those cool round ice balls, add the amaretto & triple sec and stir to combine. Strain into a chilled martini glass and top with prosecco. Garnish w/ orange peel. Do the math and figure out how to make a pitcher. lol Remember to call an Uber when going out partying. HAPPY 2017!

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January 2017

Hoover Dam If you want to save some money or if you have lost your limit, drive the few miles from Las Vegas to Hoover Dam (formerly Boulder Dam). Half in Nevada and half in Arizona and forming Lake Mead on the Colorado River, the 726 foot high dam is a spectacular feat of engineering, especially for the early 1930’s. In 1994 it was designated as one of America’s Modern Civil Engineering Wonders. 600 miles of cooling pipes had to be installed just to offset the heat of the concrete, which was hoisted, via one of the five 20 ton cableways, at a rate of one 18 ton bucket every 78 seconds. Without the cooling pipes, a solid slab of concrete this size would take 125 years to cool. The 6.6 million tons of concrete poured would be enough to pave a road from San Francisco to New York City. Water from Lake Mead can irrigate 1 million acres and serve 18 million people. The power generated can power 1.3 million homes and earned the revenue to pay off the debt on the project. The project cost $49 million or $700 million in 2016 dollars. Many unemployed workers, during the Great Depression, set up camp near the community of Boulder City, a town built specifically to house the dam workers, in hopes of getting a job. A total of 21,000 people worked on the project, of which 112 died during construction. The working conditions, in this desert area were horrendous. Even the first step in the construction entailed blasting four diversion tunnels in the sheer canyon walls and working in the 140 degree heat inside the carbon monoxide filled tunnels. The remaining steps didn’t get easier. The 1 million annual visitors can enter the dark tunnels, in the bowels of the dam, and descend, in a packed elevator, to see the 17 turbine generators in action. In contrast to the tunnels, the generator room is spotless and brightly lit. Vehicles used to drive across the dam, but, in 2010, the four lane bypass was opened, including the soaring Mike O’Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge. Access by visitors is still available from the old roads. This is a must see destination and is in sharp contrasts to the gaming tables. Also, the beautiful Lake Mead is a marvel in the middle of the desert! Ride Safe and Have Fun!! Cooper

January 2017

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January 2017

REPORT U.S. International Six Days Enduro Qualifier Series set to groom current and future champions

Photo: Shan Moore

PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- Future U.S. International Six Days Enduro team members will prove their mettle in the AMA ISDE Qualifier Series, designed to provide a world-class test for American offroad racers with an eye on international competition. The American Motorcyclist Association has sanctioned qualifier rounds for the ISDE since the world championship event was known as the International Six Days Trial. The qualifiers have changed over the years to meet the needs of the U.S. team. For 2017, the AMA is returning to a series format. The AMA ISDE East Qualifier Series will have rounds in Florida, South Carolina and Tennessee. The AMA ISDE West Qualifier Series will be held in California, Idaho and Washington. Each round of the East and West series will run a two-day format with four of the six days used to qualify riders. The top-five riders in each ISDE series will qualify. Following the regional series, an additional three-day qualifier will be held in Tennessee with all three days plus the best oneday finish from the East or West series being used to qualify eight additional riders. “Not only are we making it tougher, while giving riders more opportunities to qualify, we are also working very hard on raising funds to reduce costs across the board,” said AMA OffRoad Manager Erek Kudla. “I want the U.S. teams to sweep the podiums at the 2017 ISDE in France, and making our qualifying competition even stiffer, plus helping our riders get there, is the best way to accomplish that.” At the 2016 ISDE in Spain, the U.S. World Trophy Team won the event for the first time in ISDE history, which dates back January 2017

more than 100 years to 1913. “After our big win at the 2016 ISDE in Spain, it is really important to ride that momentum and strengthen the USA team spirit, as well as bring back the prestige of the qualifiers themselves,” Kudla said. In addition to reconstituting the qualifiers in a series format to qualify riders who submit a Letter of Intent to ride at the ISDE in 2017, A, B and C classes will compete for regional championships while developing the skills needed to be future ISDE qualifying riders. Additional rules and selection details will be announced soon and published at www.americanmotorcyclist.com. AMA ISDE East Qualifier Series Round 1: Jan. 21-22, Seville, Fla. River City Dirt Riders Round 2: Feb. 11-12, Gaston, S.C. Full Gas Enduro Series Round 3: Feb. 25-26, Greeneville, Tenn. Full Gas Enduro Series AMA ISDE West Qualifier Series Round 1: Jan. 28-29, Gorman, Calif. Ventura County MC Round 2: March 11-12, Payatte, Idaho. Boise Ridge Riders Round 3: April 1-2, Washougal, Wash. Lobos MC AMA ISDE 3-Day Qualifier May 12-14, Johnson City, Tenn. Full Gas Enduro Series For more information, visit www.americanmotorcyclist.com

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NEWS BYTES

THE AIM/NCOM MOTORCYCLE E-NEWS SERVICE is brought to you by Aid to Injured Motorcyclists (A.I.M.) and the National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM), and is sponsored by the Law Offices of Richard M. Lester. If you’ve been involved in any kind of accident, call us at 1-(800) ON-A-BIKE or visit www.ON-A-BIKE.com. NCOM BIKER NEWSBYTES Compiled & Edited by Bill Bish, National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM) DUMP TRUMP EFFORT IN THE DUMPS In a last-ditch effort by Democratic strategists and the Hollywood elite to derail President-Elect Donald J. Trump’s ascension to the presidency, U.S. Electoral College delegates have been swamped with requests to ignore their pledge and “vote your conscience,” but longtime bikers’ rights advocate Jim Rhoades of ABATE of Michigan, one of that state’s 16 electors, says they’re cries are falling on deaf ears because he’s obligated to speak for the voters of his state. Appearing on FOX News network’s “Your World” wearing his ABATE shirt, Rhoades revealed that he’s gotten over sixty thousand emails, phone calls and basketfuls of form letters calling on him to vote against Trump, as well as some threats, but believes fellow electors also feel steadfast about their duty and will support the will of their states’ voters when they cast their ballots on Monday, December 19th. Calling the pressure tactics a “waste of time,” Rhoades told FOX News host Neil Cavuto in the nationally televised interview on December 15 that “I’m not intimidated by any of this stuff,” and added “I’ve been riding Harleys since the sixties, so I’ve been around a long time, I’m a grass roots political animal… and I love what Trump says, and he’s got me fired up looking for great things and looking to make America great again.” In the aftermath of a norm-busting 2016 Presidential campaign, Trump won 306 Electoral College votes to Hillary Clinton’s 232, but if 36 “faithless electors” changed their ballots it would send the election to the U.S. House of Representatives to be determined, where Republicans hold a majority. In the past, some electors turned “faithless” in nine out of the last 17 elections, and a total of 179 times throughout American history, but no electors have ever changed the outcome of an election by voting against their party’s designated candidate.

ANALYSTS ADVISE INVESTORS TO BET ON MOTORCYCLES AND PIZZA Every U.S. presidential transition brings a change in priorities, forcing market gurus to bet on which sectors of the economy might benefit from the new administration, but with corporate analysts admittedly baffled by Donald Trump, prognosticators are doing some intellectual gymnastics. Joseph Spak, a Royal Bank of Canada analyst, thinks Donald Trump’s $1 trillion plan to rebuild American infrastructure will ultimately provide construction workers with extra cash. And what do construction workers like to spend money on? Motorcycles, of course. “If the economy is stimulated and construction jobs increase,” Spak recently predicted that Harley-Davidson Inc. “could see some better demand.” According to the Wall Street Journal, another firm advises investors 28

that pizza-delivery companies that benefited from a high-drama campaign that kept many diners glued to their televisions might continue to profit from the drama of a Trump transition.

FEDS SEEK TO REQUIRE NEW VEHICLES TO TALK TO EACH OTHER U.S. auto-safety regulators have proposed new rules requiring automakers to adopt crash-avoidance technology that allows all new vehicles to communicate with each other, a move that could help accelerate the development of self-driving cars. The requirement of so-called vehicle-to-vehicle connectivity (“V2V”) on all consumer vehicles within the next five years is viewed as central to the development of a new age of cars that can avoid accidents by wirelessly monitoring each other. V2V technology uses short-range radio communication to allow vehicles to identify each other’s speed, location, direction and acceleration or braking, within a radius of about 300 meters. The move marks a concrete step by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration toward its goal of eliminating roadway deaths within 30 years, and agency officials told USA Today that vehicle-tovehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure technology could eliminate or greatly reduce the seriousness of up to 80% of crashes that don’t involve driver impairment. NHTSA pledges that the new technology would not divulge any personal information regarding drivers.

EUROPEANS TO TEST AUTONOMOUS CARS WITH MOTORCYCLES Vehicle authorities will cooperate with European motorcyclists’ organizations to conduct their own test program with different brands of semi-autonomous cars. “The Dutch are authorizing further testing to see if these ‘semi-autonomous’ cars can operate safely with motorcycles on the road,” says Oregon A.I.M. (Aid to Injured Motorcyclists) and COC (Confederation of Clubs) Attorney Sam Hochberg, who alerted the National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM) about this important issue here and abroad. “This is going to be a real issue here in the USA in the not-too-distant future.” In response to a letter motorcyclists’ organizations FEMA (Federation of European Motorcyclists Associations), MAG NL (Motorcycle Action Group – Netherlands) and KNMV (Dutch Motorcycle Association) sent to RDW, with regard to the European type approval of the Tesla by RDW, a meeting took place recently where the motorcyclists’ worries were addressed. RDW is the Netherlands Vehicle Authority that issued the European type approval for Tesla. A driver of a Tesla - and other advanced cars - can leave key actions to the vehicle itself, while in the opinion of the motorcyclists’ organizations this equipment is not, or not sufficiently, tested with motorcycles. In the discussion about the concerns that motorcyclists have with admitting (semi-) autonomous vehicles on the roads, it soon became clear that many of the concerns of the motorcyclists’ community are shared by RDW. RDW proposes - in cooperation with the motorcyclists’ organizations - to conduct their own test program with different brands of cars with Advanced Driver Assistance Systems. RDW also believes - as do the riders - that testing with motorcycles should be part of the test protocol for European type approval.

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January 2017

NEWS BYTES

Dolf Willigers, General Secretary of FEMA: “We are very pleased with the outcome of this first meeting with the experts of RDW. We are going to act together and we will see in the field tests to which extent the technique takes motorcyclists into account.”

NEW YEAR, RENEWED EFFORTS IN D.C. With the 114th Congress set to adjourn, and a new congressional session beginning in January, some federal bills that motorcyclists have been advocating will expire and need to be reintroduced. House Resolution 831 was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on July 13, 2016 to “Promote awareness of motorcycle profiling and encourage collaboration and communication with the motorcycle community and law enforcement officials to prevent instances of profiling.”

ethanol blend wall under the renewable fuel program.” Specifically, the bipartisan bill would cap the ethanol content of fuel at 9.7%, and would also effect the EPA’s Renewable Volume Obligations under the Renewable Fuel Standard. In addition, in January Congress banned the use of federal funds for controversial Motorcycle-Only Checkpoints as part of a $305 billion highway bill called the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, as well as allocating more than $4 million towards motorcycle safety programs, and going forward into the next Congress and an all new Administration bikers must work to protect those advancements we’ve already made.

WEIRD NEWS: WITCHDOCTOR SUMMONS BEES TO STOP MOTORCYCLE THIEF

The National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM) is working with other state and national motorcycle organizations to address profiling legislatively, and with Washington State enacting the first anti-profiling law in 2011, followed by Maryland this year, a national motorcycle antiprofiling measure would advance the efforts in every state to prevent discriminatory enforcement.

Local news reports from Mbooni, Makueni in Kenya claim that a motorcyclist has managed to recover his bike from a thief after asking the local witchdoctor for help.

HR 4715 & S 2659, the RPM Act (Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act of 2016), would ensure that the American tradition of modifying vehicles into dedicated racetrack competitors is not only continued for today, but will be protected for future generations of race fans as well.

According to motofire.com, the spell worked, and the thief is said to have run off ‘for dear life’ as the bees began settling onto the yoke and tank of the bike, as depicted in photographs of the scene. The reports then go on to suggest that the bees “also protected the bike from any further interruption for over half an hour until the owner could arrive, who then took his motorcycle home.”

Although the federal EPA bowed to political pressure and public outcry this past April by removing provisions from proposed regulations that would have prohibited street-legal vehicles, including motorcycles, from being modified for racing, members of both chambers of Congress have introduced bipartisan legislation to protect the sport of racing by blocking the EPA from over-regulating the industry and ensuring that it remains legal to convert street legal motor vehicles for racing purposes. Responding to the controversy over the proliferation of E15 fuel, which is not approved for use by any motorcycle manufacturer and can invalidate warranties, Congress is considering HR 5108 (the “Food and Fuel Consumer Protection Act of 2016) “to alleviate the January 2017

The witchdoctor allegedly contacted a large swarm of bees that had already begun to invade a local market, and sent them to track down the stolen motorcycle instead.

Some say the swarm was merely an act of nature and nothing supernatural at all, and Assistant Chief Patrick Mwanzia said that the swarm simply arrived after the queen of the hive got stuck within the bike’s handlebars. And, in fact, “a similar incident had happened just days before when another bike was covered in a swarm for over two hours”… but how does that explain how the queen bee just happened to get stuck in that particular stolen bike? QUOTABLE QUOTE: “MERRY CHRISTMAS!” ~ PEOTUS Donald J. Trump, 45th U.S. President

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Ever since I was a child, I’ve always had a fear of someone under my bed at night. So I went to a shrink and told him: “I’ve got problems. Every time I go to bed I think there’s somebody under it. I’m literally paranoid. I think I’m going crazy.” “Just put yourself in my hands for one year, said the shrink. Come talk to me three times a week and we should be able to get rid of those fears.” “How much do you charge?” “One hundred fifty dollars per visit,” replied the Doctor. “I’ll think about it,” I said. Six months later the Psychiatrist met me on the street. “Why didn’t you come to see me about those fears you were having?” He asked. “Well, $150 a visit, three times a week for a year, is $23,400.00. A bartender named Bubba cured me for $10.00. I was so happy to have saved all that money!” “Is that so?” With a lot of arrogant attitude he said, “and how may I ask, did Bubba the bartender. cure you?” “He told me to cut the legs off the bed. Aint nobody or nothin’ gettin’ under there now.” ____________________________________________________ A nice, calm, and respectable lady went into the pharmacy, walked up to the Pharmacist, looked straight into his eyes, and said, “I would like to buy some Cyanide.” The pharmacist asked, “Why in the world do you need Cyanide?” The lady replied, “I need it to poison my husband.” The pharmacist’s eyes got big and he exclaimed, “Lord have mercy! I can’t give you cyanide to kill your husband. Absolutely not! You can’t have any Cyanide!” The lady reached into her purse and pulled out a picture of her husband in bed with the Pharmacist’s wife. The Pharmacist looked at the picture and said very professionally; “You didn’t tell me you had a prescription.” ____________________________________________________ Daffy Duck is staying at a local hotel. He calls down to the front desk and askes for a condom... the clerk says” Shall we put that on your bill?” Daffy Duck answers “ Are you thucking thupid, I’ll thucking thuffocate. 30

Rooster called 911 and said wife was dead. They asked how he knew and he said well, the lack of sex is the same but the laundry is sure piling up. ____________________________________________________ A Canadian salesman checked into a futuristic hotel in Tokyo, Japan . . . Realizing he needed a haircut before the next day’s meeting, he called down to the desk clerk to ask if there was a barber on the premises. ‘I’m afraid not, sir,’ the clerk told him apologetically, ‘but down the hall from your room is a vending machine that should serve your purposes.’ Skeptical but intrigued, the salesman located the machine, inserted $20.00, and stuck his head into the opening, at which time the machine started to buzz and whirl. Fifteen seconds later the salesman pulled out his head and surveyed his reflection, which reflected the best haircut of his life. Two feet away was another machine with a sign that read; ‘Manicures, $15.00’. ‘Why not?’ thought the salesman. He paid the money, inserted his hands into the slot, and the machine started to buzz and whirl. Fifteen seconds later he pulled out his hands and they were perfectly manicured. The next machine had a sign that read, ‘This Machine Provides a Service Men Need When Away from Their Wives; $10.00.’ The salesman looked both ways, put 10 bucks in the machine, unzipped his fly, and with some anticipation, stuck his “wanker” into the opening. When the machine started buzzing, the guy let out a shriek of agony and almost passed out. Fifteen seconds later it shut off. With trembling hands, the salesman was able to withdraw his tender unit...... which now had a button sewn neatly on the end. ____________________________________________________ This morning I was sitting on a park bench next to a homeless man. I started a conversation by asking him how he ended up this way. He said, “Up until last week, I still had it all. I had plenty to eat, my clothes were washed and pressed, I had a roof over my head, fresh bed clothes 3 times a week, a flat-screen tv and internet, and I went to the gym, the pool, and the library. I was working on my MBA on-line. I had no bills and no debt. I even had full medical coverage.” I felt sorry for him, so I asked, “What happened? Drugs? Alcohol? Divorce?” “Oh no, nothing like that,” he said. “Nah, I just got released from prison.”

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January 2017

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BIKER FRIENDLY DIRECTORY Catalyst Cycles 1074 Courier Place, Ste 402 Smyrna, TN 37167 (615) 984-7969 www.catalystcycles.com

If You Are A BIKER FRIENDLY BUSINESS And Would Like To See Your BUSINESS LISTED And Receive Thunder Roads Tennessee Magazines Each Month

Colboch Harley-Davidson® 1830 N Davy Crockett Pkwy Morristown, TN 37814 (423) 586-5343

Call 615-389-1149

(BFD LISTING ONLY $300 PER YEAR) READERS Pick Up Your Copy Of

H-D of Columbia 1616 Harley Davidson Blvd Columbia, TN 38401 931-540-0099

Magazine Each Month At These Fine Locations

Abernathy’s Harley-Davidson® 1703 West Main Street Union City, TN 38261 866-452-2775 Appleton Harley-Davidson® 2501 Hwy 41A Bypass Clarksville, TN 37043 931-648-1607

Knoxville Harley-Davidson® 5800 Clinton Highway Knoxville, TN 37912 865-689-2454

Boswell’s H-D Country Roads 1424 Interstate Dr Cookeville, TN 38501 931-526-3139

S&G Custom Cycles 1114 Galloway St Columbia, TN 38401 931-381-7282 www.sgcustomcyles.com

Bumpus Harley-Davidson® of Murfreesboro 2250 NW Broad St Murfreesboro, TN 37129 615-849-8025 Bumpus Harley-Davidson® of Memphis 2160 Whitten Rd Memphis, TN 38133 901-372-1121 Bumpus Harley-Davidson® of Jackson 326 Carriage House Dr Jackson, TN 38305 731-422-5508 Bumpus Harley-Davidson Of Collierville 325 S Byhalia Rd Collierville, TN 38017 901-316-1121

Highway 12 Motorsports 5110 Ashland City Highway Nashville, TN 37218 (615) 891-7850 www.Hwy12Motorsports.com Across From Lewis Country Store

Rocky Top Harley-Davidson 105 Waldens Main St Pigeon Forge, TN 37863 865-774-3445

Boswell’s Ring of Fire H-D 2200 Gallatin Pike N Madison, TN 37115 615-855-1001

Sloan’s Motorcycle & ATV 2233 Northwest Broad Street Murfreesboro, TN 37129 www.sloansmotorcycle.com (615) 893-0150 Smoky Mountain Harley -Davidson 1820 Lamar Alexander Pkwy Maryville, TN 37801 865-977-1669

BARS & RESTAURANTS Bent Wrench Roadhouse 4724 Ashland City Road Fredonia, TN 37146 931-362-4774 www. thebentwrenchroadhouse.com Chopper’s Grill & Bar 1200 Donelson Ave Old Hickory, TN 37138 615-894-7020 www.choppertn.com Double E Bar/Grill 4957 Lebanon Pike Old Hickory, TN 37138 615-885-3400 Silverado 709A Rivergate Pkwy. Goodlettsville, TN 37072 (615) 851-4490 www.silveradonightclub.com

Cacklebery Campground “Home of the Big Rooster” 560 Tomoka Farms Rd CR 415 New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168 386-428-5459

FINANCIAL

Bootlegger Harley-Davidson® 605 Lovell Rd Knoxville, TN 37932 865-671-2454

Boswell’s of Nashville 401 Fesslers Ln Nashville, TN 37210 615-242-6067

CAMPGROUNDS

Hidden Creek Camp Ground 2576 W Antioch Road Springville, TN 38256 (731) 641-0034

H-D of Cool Springs 7128 S. Springs Drive Franklin, TN 37067 866-667-8836 hdcoolsprings.com

DEALERS & SHOPS

The Shed 1820 Lamar Alexander Pkwy Maryville, TN 37801 865-977-1669

Legacy Payroll Solutions 40 Industrial Park Drive Hendersonville, TN 37075 (615) 826-1583 http://hrguys.net

GROCERIES Lewis Country Store 5106 Old Hickory Blvd. Nashville, TN (615) 255-7755 Gas-Up, Unique Shop, Fresh Food

GUN SHOPS Tennessee Gun Country 1435 Fort Campbell Blvd Clarksville, TN 37042 www.tnguncountry.com (931) 552-2118

LEGAL Garza Law Firm PLLC 550 West Main Street 550 #340 Knoxville, TN 37902 Phone: 865-329-6982 Toll Free: 866-893-8413 www.garzalaw.com AIM/NCOM Richard M. Lester 800-531-2424/1-800-on-a-bike www.onabike.com

LEATHER & REPAIR Buckle and Hide Leather 197 Enon Spring Road West Smyrna, TN 37167 www.bucklehideleather.com 615-768-5041 Charlie’s Leathers 108 W Main St Lebanon, TN 37087 615-449-6065

MINISTRIES Covenant Confirmers Ministries, Inc. Pastor Ron Baptiste A “Biker Church” for All Bikers & Their Families. (615) 384-9010 www.covenantconfirmers.org

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PAINT/PINSTRIPING Paint By Lemon 3524 Central Pike Ste 308 Hermitage TN 37076 www.paintbylemon.com 770-344-7279

POWDER COATING A & A Powder Coating Inc 1207 Louisville Hwy Goodlettsville, TN 37072 (615) 859-9479

SERVICES Avon the company for women & now men too! For Easy On-Line Ordering Visit: www.youravon.com/denisehigh Amsoil info@myguy4oil.com 615-389-1149 www.myguy4oil.com Reference #1569065 FTD Customs 156 Commerce Drive Hendersonville, TN 37075 www.ftdcustoms.com (615) 824-2811 Stereo City 6725 Ringgold Road, Suite B Chattanooga, TN 37412 423-504-9874 Tennessee Biker Medical Clinic 300 10th Ave E Springfield, TN 37172 www.covenantconfirmers.org Wash-Zilla 271 New Shackle Island Rd. Hendersonville, TN 37073 3855 Dickerson Pike Nashville, TN 37207

TRAILERS Hayes Trailer Sales 102 Fischer Dr. Russellville, KY 42276 (270) 726-7034 www.hayestrailersales.com

TRAVEL 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.

January 2017

by Bob “Bulldog” Ousley

Dear Fellow Veterans and Patriots of Tennessee: So, you ask, how are things at the Veterans Administration(VA)? Okay, maybe you didn’t ask but I’m riled up so if you read this you’ll know what I think about affairs at the VA. Before I get too far afield let me state up front there are some really good people who work for the VA. A large percentage of those who work there are veterans and care about the veterans who come for medical help. That doesn’t mean they all go out of their way to give good service but many do. First let me say how disappointed I am with the “excellent” politicians of both parties who led me to believe in 1967 that I would receive free healthcare for life if I stayed in and retired from the military. They lied to me!! While I was serving, and putting my life on the line for my country our elected politicians changed the game. I retired in 1992. Before I hit age 65 I was covered by Tri-care as a military retiree. At age 65 I was required to enroll in Medicare. Tricare had co-pays that increased over the years but no subscription fees. Medicare requires monthly payments deducted from my social security. It’s obvious those who put their lives on the line to protect our nation and keep us free are just an expense line in a budget to politicians. Loyalty to country was emphasized in all my military training but loyalty is not required from politicians to the military. I now use Medicare and the VA and do my best to control what it costs me but using the VA has its risks. Many veterans are hesitant to use the VA for various reasons. Maybe you remember when a couple of years ago, the VA in Murfreesboro was found to be reusing colonoscopy equipment and had exposed a bunch of veterans to HIV and other serious diseases. A review panel ordered the V.A. to notify 6,387 veterans who had undergone colonoscopies at the hospital dating back to April 23, 2003. A broader investigation found that medical staff at the Bruce W. Carter V.A. Medical Center in Miami also endangered patients by failing to perform required cleaning of the colonoscopy equipment between procedures from May 2004 until Feb. 12, 2009. In that case, the VA sent letters to 3,260 veterans warning them they could have been infected. Sixteen other V.A. facilities

January 2017

also reported that that they had not been compliant with colonoscopy “reprocessing” (cleaning) guidelines. In July 2010, the John Cochran VA Medical Center in St. Louis mailed letters to 1,812 veterans telling them they could contract hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV after visiting the medical center for dental work. Nearly 600 patients who received dental care at a Wisconsin Veterans Affairs medical center may have been exposed to HIV, hepatitis B and C. Officials said a dentist at the Tomah VA Medical Center improperly re-used his own dental equipment instead of using the sterilized, disposable tools as VA rules require. The VA does things in a big way! Personally, I had a VA doctor prescribe statin based cholesterol drugs and send them to me without telling me. I looked up statin drugs, saw the possible effects and refused to take something that could destroy other organs just to lower my cholesterol. My latest doctor (they change periodically) again tried to talk me into it. I told him I was waiting for a cholesterol control that wouldn’t kill me. He said it’s already here but the VA won’t pay for it. Again, we’re just an expense line in a budget. The VA is required to prescribe many medications in dosages that require you to cut the pills in half. I questioned this and was told that it saves the VA money. I believe the veteran hospital system should be dismantled and veterans should be able to go to the doctor or medical facility of their choice with a veteran medical card. Veterans should at least get the same care that the general public does. A separate VA system allows the government to deny compensation for combat related disease and injury for years. The VA system is a government tool used to stall veterans until enough die that the cost of veterans fits what the government wants to pay. Veterans deserve the same care our politicians receive!!! It shouldn’t be about the money. 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. 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.

ThunderRoadsTennessee.com

EVENTS

22nd Annual Polar Bear Run Date: 01/01/2017 Time: 9:30 AM Location: Maury County Senior Citizens Center, 1020 Maury County Park Dr., Columbia, TN 38401 Join us for the first Motorcycle Ride of the year! Registration begins at 9:30 am, KSU 11:00 am. The event cost $20 per scorecard, lunch is included. Will be held Rain or Shine. All vehicles welcome! Ride begins & ends at the Senior Citizens Building, 1020 Maury County Park Drive, Columbia, TN. 100% of the proceeds will go to a local charity. Schedule: 9:30-11:00am - Registration at Senior Citizens Building in Maury County Park; 11:00am - First Motorcycle out; 2:00pm - Last Motorcycle in; 2:30pm – Awards. Prizes are to be awarded by the scorecards with the highest total points accumulated at 3 stops. Weather will determine length of ride. FMI contact: mklame01@gmail.com

Knoxville H-D Frosty Toes Ride Date: 01/01/2017 Time: 11:00 AM Location: Knoxville H-D, 5810 Clinton Hwy, Knoxville, TN 37912 Join us for the Annual Frosty Toes Ride on Sunday January 1st! Check website for details on timing and route. Chopper’s Grill Funtastic Sunday’s Date: 01/01/2017, 01/08/2017, 01/15/2017, 01/22/2017, 01/29/2017 Time: 3:00 PM Location: Chopper’s Grill, 1200 Donelson Ave., Old Hickory, TN 37138 Funtastic Sunday’s at Chopper’s are awesome with Free Food till it’s gone, Shot and Beer Special’s and a great way to end your weekend! Looking forward to seeing everyone. Chopper’s Grill Crystal Karaoke & Bike Night Date: 01/04/2017, 01/11/2017, 01/18/2017, 01/25/2017 Time: 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM Location: Chopper’s Grill, 1200 Donelson Ave., Old Hickory, TN 37138 Come sing with Crystal every Wednesday night! Always a great time with Crystal Karaoke at Chopper’s Grill. Chopper’s Grill Saraoke Friday Nights Date: 01/06/2017, 01/13/2017, 01/20/2017, 01/27/2017 Time: 8:00 PM – 12:00 AM Location: Chopper’s Grill, 1200 Donelson Ave., Old Hickory, TN 37138 Gonna be a great time every Friday Night at Chopper’s Grill with Saraoke! Come on down for a great time! Chopper’s Grill Karaoke Saturday Nights Date: 01/07/2017, 01/14/2017, 01/21/2017, 01/28/2017 Time: 8:00 PM – 12:00 AM Location: Chopper’s Grill, 1200 Donelson Ave., Old Hickory, TN 37138 Saturday Nights at Chopper’s Grill! Come sing your favorite songs and enjoy an awesome atmosphere or just relax by our fireplace and have a drink… always a good time at Chopper’s Grill!

GOT EVENTS?

Smoky Mountain H-D Inventory Blowout Sale Date: 01/13/2017 – 01/15/2017 Time: All Day Location: Smoky Mountain H-D, 1820 W. Lamar Alexander Pkwy, Maryville, TN 37801 In-store sale. See store for details. Bootlegger H-D Indoor Bike Night Date: 01/14/2017 Time: 5:30 PM – 9:00 PM Location: Bootlegger H-D, 605 Lovell Road, Knoxville, TN 37932 Join us for the 1st Indoor Bike Night of the year! The sweet sounds of Southern Steel will fill the air and ice cold beer will be available. This is a Free Event and kicks off at 5:30pm! Indian Owners Group -Meet & Greet at Buster’s Place Date: 01/18/2017 Time: 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM Location: Buster’s Place, 1615 NW Broad Street, Murfreesboro, TN 37129 Sponsored by Indian Motorcycle Riders Group of Middle Tennessee (I.M.R.G. - Mid TN) & Indian of Murfreesboro. It all happens at Buster’s Place, 1615 NW Broad St, Murfreesboro, TN. All Riders welcome to participate, it doesn’t matter what brand you ride!! Indian Motorcycle Riders Group - Mid TN (I.M.R.G.- Mid TN) will answer questions about membership, dues, joining, etc. in addition to upcoming rides & event information. You can find their community group on Facebook at www.facebook.com/IMRG.MiddleTennessee or email them at imrgmidtn@gmail.com for more information. Bumpus H-D of Memphis New Year, New You: GM V.I.P. Shopping Event Date: 01/21/2017 Time: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM Location: Bumpus H-D of Memphis, 2160 Whitten Rd., Memphis, TN 38133 Come out and test ride all 2017 models all day. “You’ll forget to go to the gym. You won’t forget to ride a Harley”. Smoky Mountain H-D Swine Ball Date: 01/28/2017 Time: All Day Location: Smoky Mountain H-D, 1820 W. Lamar Alexander Pkwy, Maryville, TN 37801 In-store specials all day. Special events leading up to concert at The Shed! Easyriders Bike Show Nashville 2017 Date: 01/28/2017 Time: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM Location: Nashville Music City Center, 201 5th Ave. South, Nashville, TN 37203, Halls C & D The Hottest Custom Motorcycle Show in America rolls in to Nashville Sat., Jan. 28th! Show Hours: 10am-7pm. Tickets: Sold at the door the day of the show. Admission Adults: $20, Active Military Discount *$5 Off with Military I.D.* Admission Kids: Ages 6-12: $10, Ages 5 & Younger: Free *Meet Jason Wilson of Discovery Channel’s Sacred Steel Bikes *Check out the latest and greatest from Paul Yaffe’s Bagger Nation *Watch the Purrfect Angelz perform and get a photo op with them *Drift trike demos by NTC Drift Trikes! *Live performance by The Royal Hounds Band!

SUBMIT YOUR EVENTS AT: THUNDERROADSTENNESSEE.COM ThunderRoadsTennessee.com

January 2017

Appleton H-D 12th Annual Chili Cook Off Date: 01/28/2017 Time: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM Location: Appleton Harley-Davidson, 2501 Hwy. 41-A ByPass, Clarksville, TN 37043 Who will be the Hottie of the Year? $200.00 Gift Card for Best Overall. Please register early. Only the first 10 entries will be allowed. Must be present from 10:30am-2pm. Gift Cards will be awarded for the following categories: Most Unusual - Wild Game - Most Unique Name- Best Display. Jalapeno Eating Contest - 1:00PM. Winner Receives $100.00 Gift Card. Bootlegger H-D Indoor Concert: Leftfoot Dave and the Magic Hats Date: 01/28/2017 Time: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM Location: Bootlegger H-D, 605 Lovell Road, Knoxville, TN 37932 Left foot Dave and the Magic Hats hit the Bootlegger Indoor stage and kick off the White Lightin’ Winter Concert Series! Tickets are only $5 dollars and will be available at Bootlegger H-D. Beer and food will be served at all shows so come ready to eat and down a couple cold ones! The Shed Indoor Show: Southern Drawl Band Date: 01/28/2017 Time: 7:00 PM Location: The Shed Smokehouse & Juke Joint, 1820 W Lamar Alexander Pkwy, Maryville, TN 37801 SDB is coming back to The Shed and they are throwing a party! Concert inside the Smokin’ Monkey Lounge. Indian Motorcycle Group Chapter Meeting Date: 02/04/2017 Time: 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM Location: Sloan’s Motorcycle & ATV, 2233 NW Broad St., Murfreesboro, TN 37129 Check the online calendar for future meeting date locations - details to be determined. #1921 Indian Motorcycle Riders Group – Middle Tennessee is a local charter group for Indian Motorcycle lovers and riders. Indian Motorcycle Riders Group - Mid TN (I.M.R.G. - Mid TN) will answer questions about membership, dues, joining, etc. in addition to upcoming ride & event information. You can find their community group on Facebook at www.facebook.com/IMRG.MiddleTennessee or email them at imrgmidtn@gmail.com for more information. NoogaStrong Memorial Ride 2017 Date: 07/15/2017 Time: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Location: Thunder Creek Harley-Davidson, 7720 Lee Highway, Chattanooga, TN 37421 NoogaStrong Memorial Ride 2017 Saturday, July 15th 2017 8:00am: Registration begins @ Thunder Creek HarleyDavidson, 7720 Lee Highway, Chattanooga, TN 37421 10:30am: Registration ends 11:00am: Kickstands up. Ride Begins 12:00pm: Presentation at Chattanooga National

GOT EVENTS?

January 2017

EVENTS

Cemetery 1:30pm: Celebration of Life party at Thunder Creek Harley-Davidson. $15.00 online early bird registration (ends 6/30/2017). $20.00 onsite registration. www.facebook. com/NoogaStrongRide - www.NoogaStrongRide.com Host Hotel: Rodeway Inn, 7620 Hamilton Park Dr., Chattanooga, TN 37421 ph. #423-499-1993 **Must Mention NoogaStrong Ride** *Please arrive early to eliminate any registration delays. All times noted are Eastern Time zone. Rain or shine. All vehicles welcome.

Nashville Bike Week 2017 Date: 09/14/2017 – 09/24/2017 Location: Loretta Lynn Ranch & Campground, 8000 Tennessee 13, Hurricane Mills, TN 37078 We Are Proud To Present Nashville’s and Tennessee’s 1st Annual 10-Day Motorcycle Experience… 3,000 Acres, 49 Mapped Roads, 9 Stunt Shows Daily, 101 Bands on 4 stages! Country, Rock, Blues, and Bluegrass plus other local acts and entertainers stages at honky-tonks built on site at the Loretta Lynn Ranch. We have the best stunt shows in the business. The Loretta Lynn Ranch is larger than “The Chip” with fishing, tubing, canoeing, and hiking trails. We have the greatest roads to ride to see waterfalls, civil war sites and more. During the rally, certain streets in downtown Nashville will be blocked for motorcycle parking, and daily stage outside for bands and more. Contests - $10,000.00 to win “Bagger Show”, $5,000.00 for 2nd place all cash. Located on the Walk Bridge Downtown Nashville. $5,000.00 to win old school chopper show cash. We are having a new type of motorcycle experience one designed for biker’s customer service. More honky-tonks and bars in 5 blocks than any other city there’s a rally! FMI visit nashvillebikeweek.com

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 Tennessee 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 ThunderRoadsTennessee.com

WILL RIDE TO EAT

BY BOB “BULLDOG” OUSLEY

DRIFTER’S BBQ

Ever been to Five Points? Today “East” Nashville is being reborn as a mecca of music, great food and energy. All over Nashville you see sky cranes and new high rise buildings going up but for now you can still find bars, restaurants and historical Nashville just East of the Cumberland River. If you are familiar with Nashville you’ve probably heard of the five points area. The blocks in this area are centered on a five-road intersection. There are places to hear live music, eat great food and have a good time in a part of Nashville that hasn’t turned into New York City yet. One of the long-standing biker friendly establishments at Five Points is Drifter’s BBQ at 1008-B Woodland Avenue, Nashville, TN 37206. Drifters is legendary for savory Barbeque that’s smoked on site, an atmosphere that knows no strangers, live music, fun and real biker parking. This is one of the have to spots when you are in the five points area. Whether you’re just there for a night out, to grab a bite to eat or settle in for some cool ones with friends, Drifter’s will be a favorite. The menu includes brisket nachos, pulled pork, pulled chicken, smoked sausage, hand rubbed ribs, smoked whole three joint wings, stew, chili, soups and a large vegetarian selection including tofu, burritos, burgers and nachos. You can top off your selection with fruit cobbler or banana pudding. If you are ordering from the bar they have something for everyone. In addition to popular domestic brews there is a good selection of bock, ale’s, IPA’s, stout and premium crafts. You can get most popular brews in tall boys. If you prefer something distilled, you can take a tour of Kentucky and Tennessee without ever getting up from your seat. The bartenders know what you want and how to make it right. Being at the nerve center of East Nashville they have a great list of attractions: Happy hour runs till 7pm most days, Monday is trivia and live music with the Bullfrog Boys, Tuesday is vinyl record night with 2 for 1 beer all night, Wednesday is live music with the Bullhorn Boys and 2 for 1 beer til 7pm, Thursday is Tim Carol and Luella with happy hour til 7, Friday you can rock to Johnny Crow and the Kickstands, Saturday brings a variety of groups and genres, Sunday it’s The Willies doing swing and happy hour all day long. 36

While Drifter’s hosts special gatherings and events they also host the Ton Up Motorcycle Show Memorial Day weekend and are a great place to refresh during the Tomato Fest Art Festival in August. There is always something going on around five points and Drifters makes a great place for mission control. Its veteran friendly too. Marscha Seraphine is the manager. Her father was a Marine Vietnam Veteran and Mathew Charette, the owner, is a veteran. Great food, good drink and down home atmosphere that’s biker friendly – it doesn’t get much better than that. Tell’em Bulldog sent you and go ride to eat!! If you are out riding to eat and see me please come up and tell me 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.

ThunderRoadsTennessee.com

January 2017

THUNDER ROADS® TENNESSEE

OFF-SEASON DISCOUNT WITH RIDE CARD

(November 2016 – March 2017) Don’t let your Thunder Run Card collect dust over the winter! Visit participating locations for discounts with your Ride Card from November 2016 through March 2017. If you do not have a Ride Card, you can get one at any of the Stops below marked “Registration.” The Ride Cards do NOT expire. Keep it with you at all times for the OFF-SEASON DISCOUNT and next seasons TENNESSEE THUNDER RUN! Present your TENNESSEE THUNDER RUN RIDE CARD at the destinations below marked “Discount Stop” for Off-Season discounts.

OFF SEASO DISCOUNT N OFF-SEASON

& STOPS EXCEPT WHERE NOTED ALL STOP REGISTRATION STOPS ARE ALSOADDRESS DISCOUNT HOURS DISCOUNT NAME STOP TYPE PHONE NUMBER

WITH RIDE CARD

Appleton Harley-Davidson®

Registration Stop Only

2501 Highway 41A Bypass, Clarksville, TN 37043 (931) 648-1607

Bootlegger Harley-Davidson®

Registration Stop Only

605 Lovell Road, Knoxville, TN 37932 (865) 671-2454

Mon - Fri: 9am-6pm Sat: 9am-5pm, Sun: 12pm-5pm

Boswell’s Harley-Davidson® Country Roads

Registration Stop Only

1424 Interstate Drive, Cookeville, TN 38501 (931) 526-3139

Mon - Fri: 9am-6pm Sat: 8am-4pm, Sun: Closed

Boswell’s Harley-Davidson®: Nashville Location

Registration Stop Only

401 Fesslers Lane, Nashville, TN 37210 (800) 475-0737

Mon - Fri: 9am-6pm Sat: 9am-5pm, Sun: 12am-4pm

Boswell’s Ring of Fire Harley-Davidson®

Registration Stop Only

2200 Gallatin Road, Madison, TN 37115 (615) 855-1001

Mon - Fri: 8am-5pm Sat: 8am-4pm, Sun: Closed

Bumpus Harley-Davidson® of Collierville

Registration & DISCOUNT Stop

325 South Byhalia Road, Collierville, TN 38017 (901) 316-1121

Mon: Closed, Tues - Fri: 10am-6pm Sat: 9am-4pm, Sun: 11am-4pm

Bumpus Harley-Davidson® of Jackson

Registration Stop Only

326 Carriage House Drive, Jackson, TN 38305 (888) 477-2212

Mon - Fri: 9am-6pm Sat: 9am-5pm, Sun: 12pm-4pm

Bumpus Harley-Davidson® of Memphis

Registration Stop Only

2160 Whitten Road, Memphis, TN 38133 (901) 372-1121

Mon - Fri: 9am-6pm Sat: 9am-4pm, Sun: 11am-3pm

Bumpus Harley-Davidson® of Murfreesboro

Registration Stop Only

2250 N.W. Broad St, Murfreesboro, TN 37129 (615) 849-8025

Mon - Fri: 9am-6pm Sat: 9am-4pm, Sun: 11am-3pm

Highway 12 Motorsports

DISCOUNT Stop

5110 Ashland City Hwy, Nashville, TN 37218 (615) 891-7850

Mon: Closed, Tues - Fri: 8:30am-5:30pm Sat: 8:30am-4pm

Knoxville Harley-Davidson®

Registration Stop Only

5810 Clinton Hwy, Knoxville, TN 37912 (865) 689-2454

Mon - Fri: 9am-6pm Sat: 9am-5pm, Sun: 11am-5pm

Rocky Top Harley-Davidson®

Registration Stop Only

105 Waldens Main St, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863 (865) 774-3445

Mon - Fri: 9:30am-7:30pm Sat: 9:30am-8pm, Sun: 10am-6pm

Smoky Mountain Harley-Davidson® Kodak

Registration Stop Only

3607 Outdoor Sportsman Pl, Kodak, TN 37764 (865) 225-0050

Mon - Sat: 9:30am-7:30pm Sun: 10am-6pm

Smoky Mountain Harley-Davidson®: Maryville

Registration Stop Only

1820 W Lamar Alexander Pkwy, Maryville, TN 378 (865) 977-1669

Mon - Sat: 10am-6pm Sun: 12pm-5pm

Tennessee Gun Country

DISCOUNT Stop

1435 Fort Campbell Blvd, Clarksville, TN 37042 (931) 552-2118

Mon - Sat: 10am-8pm Sun: 1pm-7pm

Mon - Sat: 9am-6pm Sun: Closed

10% Off Total Purchase (Motorclothes Only)

10% Off Store Wide (Excludes Sale Merch & Vehicle Sales)

10% Off Any Purchase

(Excludes No Discount Items)

THUNDER ROADS® TENNESSEE OFF SEASON DISCOUNT WITH RIDE CARD PROGRAM - NOVEMBER 2016-MARCH 2017

THUNDER ROADS® TENNESSEE OFF SEASON DISCOUNT WITH RIDE CARD PROGRAM - NOVEMBER 2016-MARCH 2017 January 2017

ThunderRoadsTennessee.com

CLUBS

Confederation of Motorcycle Clubs of the The Great State of Tennessee www.tenncoc.com

Board of Directors State Chairman Tommy 1%er AOA State Vice Chairman Reagon 1%er AOA State Secretary Kato American Steel MC State Treasurer Doc 4 Way In MC State COC Chaplain Pastor Ron Baptiste Covenant Confirmers MC AIM/NCOM Attorney James Ramsey (Pops) Keltics MC Tennessee Member Listing 2014-2015 4-Way In MC American Steel MC ARM MC Bikers For Christ MM Black Pistons MC Bond Slaves MC Boozefighters MC Brothers of Believers MM Brothers of the Wheel MC Cohorts MC Confederate Drifters MC Confederates MC Copperheads MC Covenant Confirmers MC Currahee MC Double Knuckle MC E.B.G.B MC Fire and Iron MC Grim Reapers MC Highlanders MC His Laboring Few MM Iron Horsemen MC Iron Riders MC Keltics MC Leathernecks Confederation MC Leathernecks International MC Marines MC Misfits MC Mountain Rebels MC My Brothers Keepers MC New Attitudes MC Nightriders MC Outlaws MC Peaceful Few MC Peacemakers MC Soliders for Jesus MC Sons of God MC Sons of Pennyrile MC Southern Journeymen MC Southern Sons MC Southern Souls MC Tri-Cities MC True Sons MC U.S. Military Vets MC Unforgotten MC Vendettas MC Veterans of Vietnam MC Vietnam Vets MC/ Legacy Vets MC Wind and Fire MC Widowmakers MC Zombies MC

ORGANIZATIONS BACA www.bacausa.com Volunteer State Chapter-Lebanon, TN (865-951-4224) E Volunteer State Chapter-Vonore, TN (615-715-5039) BIKERS WHO CARE www.bikerewhocane.org Bikers Who Care is a organization of motorcycle enthusiasts dedicated to supporting The Dream Factory of Clarksville, TN by sponsoring Camp Rainbow, a summer camp for seriously ill children BLUE KNIGHTS The BLUE KNIGHTS® is a non-profit fraternal organization consisting of active and retired law enforcement men & women who enjoy riding motorcycles. www.blueknightstnv. bizland.com CMT/ABATE CMT/ABATE, Inc. is not a •Biker Club”, but a nonprofit, political organization that was formed to preserve feedom and safety for all Tennesseans who enjoy motorcycling. Our major goals are to modify existing laws that are detrimental to motorcycle safety and enjoyment, and to enact new legislation in support of motorcyclists who ride in Tennessee. If you are concerned about preserving personal freedom and motorcycle safety, we urge you to join. Local charters play a major rote in making CMT/ABATE, Inc. an effective organization by contacting their area legislators to inform them of how the local membership feels about issues affecting motorcyclists. PO BOX 1991 MADISON, TN 37116 615-860-1991 Email: lnfo@cmtabate.com MOTORCYCLE AWARENESS FOUNDATION OF TENNESSEE WWW.MAFT.US MAFT is a non-profit 501-C-3 tax-exempt organization. We believe that educating the public to have the proper respect for motorcyclists as well other highway users will reduce accidents and deaths on our highways. We hope to reduce motorcycle accidents caused by inattentive

drivers resulting in avoidable right of way collisions. Our Campaign Save A Life program is teaching new drivers in our High Schools awareness and defensive techniques to avoid these accidents. MAFT honors the survivors, the lost and the families of these accident victims at a Vigil each autumn. = Awareness, Respect and Education MAFTINFO@AOL.COM 615-799-8600 MOTOR MAIDS, INC. A diverse group of women motorcyclists united through a passion for riding while fostering a positive image and promoting safe riding skills. www.motormaids.org PATRIOT GUARD RIDERS www.PatriotGuard.org If you have any questions, please feel free to contact PGR State Captain Annette (Dreamcatcher)  615-974-3046 ROAD WARRIORS RIDING CLUB, TICB Contact@theroadwarriorsrc.com ROLLING THUNDER TENNESSEE www.rollingthundertn1.com Rolling Thunder®, Inc.’s major function is to publicize the POW-MlA issue. To educate the public of the fact that many American prisoners of war were left behind after all past wars. To help correct the past and to protect the future veterans from being left behind should they become prisoners of war-missing in action. We are committed to helping American veterans from all wars! ROLLING THUNDER®, INC., CHAPTER 1 TN Pres. Jay Barnes, Murfreesboro 615-364-1029, www.rollingthundertn1.com ROLLING THUNDER®, INC., CHAPTER 2 TN Pres. Gerri Tramel , Soddy-Daisy 423-843-1061 www.rollingthundertn2.org ROLLING THUNDER®, INC., CHAPTER 3 TN Pres. Clay Tumlin, Knoxville 865-457-4507 rttn3@comcast.net ROLLING THUNDER®, INC., CHAPTER 4 TN Pres. Alan Sipe, Johnson City 423-329-3152, www.rollingthundertn4.com ROLLING THUNDER®, INC. Rolling Thunder Chapter 6 Pres. Jim Phelps, Gleason 731-514-0733, jimphelps@charter.net SONS OF LIBERTY RIDERS Action Not Words - NOW! Riders organizing to support and defend this country. A political movement of riders. All riders welcome! In addition to welcoming members of any other organization or affiliation. Welcoming non-riders and supporters as well. sonsoflibertyriders.com T.H.R.C.A. The Tennessee Honda Riders Club www.mthrc.org Kerbela Motor Corps Donnie Anderson 865-806-2097 www.shrinershq.org TN VALLEY RIDERS Fayettevilte,TN Web page: tennesseevalleyriders.org Doesn’t matter what you ride or who you are everyone welcome. No dues, Fun Riding Group helping those in need. For more info triplef@cafes.net   GWRRA We are the world’s largest single-marque social organization for owners and riders of Honda Gold Wing & Valkyrie motorcycles and, some would say, the world’s largest family. Dedicated to our motto, Friends for Fun, Safety and Knowledge, GWRRA members enjoy the freedom of belonging to a not-for-profit, non-reigious and non-political organization. http://www.gwrra.org MID SOUTH RIDERS Meetings held the 2nd Sunday of the month @ Shady Rest Biker Bar,Timbte,TN www.midsouthriders.com MUSIC CITY AMCA Music City Chapter of the Antique Motorcycle Club of America http://www.musiccitychapteramca.com/ ASSOCIATIONS VFW Post 5266 Morristown, TN Riders Association Open to all active duty, reservists, guards, and retired military members who are eligible to join the VFW. We meet at 11AM the 2nd Saturday of each month at the Morristown VFW Post 5266. We are a Veteran driven Association, that supports the surrounding areas Veterans. We also support locally “The Daily Bread and Food On Foot.” Contact Michael Jacobs, President VFW Riders Association @ 423-312-6220 or on FaceBook @ VFW Riders Morristown, TN Christian Motorcyclists Association Organized in 1975 for the purpose of reaching the motorcycle world with the gospel of Jesus Christ. The only requirement for becoming a member of CMA is that you be a Christian. For more info contact the TN State Coordinator, JW Allgood, 615-830-3183 or jwa400@comcast.net. TENNESSEE CHAPTERS Athens/Trinity Warriors #994 Kingsport/Rays of the Son #199 Chattanooga/Choo-Choo Wheels Knoxville/Inspiration Riders #64 of Worship #204 McMinnville/Holy Spirit Clarksville/Prayerborne Reigns #887 Eagles #467 Memphis/Wheels of Grace #710 Cleveland/Gatekeeper #615 Morristown/Lakeway Warriors #999 Columbia/Knights for Christ #448 Murfreesboro/Cornerstone Cookeville/Blood Bought Riders #940 Bikers #614 Mt. Juliet/Steel Witness #1205 Covington/Ransomed Riders #898 Nashville/Lions of Judah #405 Crossville/Cumberland Cruisers Paris/West TN Cruisers for Christ #802 for Christ #1002 Cumberland Gap/Clinton Pulaski/Redemption Riders #1100 Forming Chapter #2508 Springfield/ Bikers of Grace Dover/Iron Horse Revelators #1210 Forming Chapter #2738 Dyersburg/Dyersburg Tullahoma/Outriders for Christ #616 Disciples #978 Union City/Reelfoot Light Jackson/Steelhorse Prophets #709 Riders #897 Jonesborough/Fellowship of the Unashamed #1208

Revelators Motorcycle Ministries Bristol TN Meeting and ride 1st Sat each month @ Burger king on west state st @ 830 am more info frank@ 423-963-5850 chaplin john @423-323-8812 www.revelatorsmm.com   Road Riders for Jesus Ministries Road Riders For Jesus is an independent, Christian faith based, motorcycle ministry that began in 1999 near St. Louis, MO. We now have over 4,000 members worldwide. To find a local chapter, call Mike at 615-828-6446 or go to the national website at www.roadridersforjesus.org. Also check us out on Facebook! Confederate Sons Association Cookeville, Tennessee see our web site for more info www.ConfederateSonsAssociation.com or e-mail larrybarnes@ConfederateSonsAssociation.com Mercy Hands Street Ministries P.O. Box 1515 Dickson, TN 37056 931-670-2351 Hog Heaven Ministries Harley Riders for Jesus Vic Richardson 931-729-1091 hogheavennmislries@yahoo.com GOLD WING TOURING ASSN. CHAPTER HARPETH VALLEY RIDERS Contact Damy & Joyce Emter, Chapter Directors Phone: 615-244-1456 e: DannyEmter@msn.com American Legion Riders (Post 95, Eastridge,TN) Open to American Legion Members and Associates. We participate in parades, ceremonies, and promote motorcycle safety. We also provide a social atmosphere for Legion members who share the same interests. Join us for Fun, friendship and interesting motorcycle rides. ezriderintn@aol.com Black Sheep Black Sheep Harley-Davidsons for Christ is more than just a motorcycle club. It’s a motorcycle ministry of men and women that ride for Jesus: helping and serving H.O.G. members and chapters across the country. For more information contact Jeff Pierce 615.653.5065 or visit our web site: wwwblacksheephdfc.org Road Riders for Jesus Motorcycle Ministries Chattanooga, TN. Meeting and ride 3rd Sat each month @ City Cafe on corner Lee Hwy and Bonny Oaks @ 11:00 AM more info Johnny @ 423 605 5026 ,www.roadridersforjesus.org The Biker Church Covenant Confirmers Ministries Inc. www.covenantconfirmers.org Three Degrees Masonic Motorcycle Club Contact: Grang Chapter Secretary @ e-mail: ironmason@hotmail.com or Past President: Free Bird @ freebird3d@yahoo.com Southern Cruisers www.southerncruisers.net #435 Beech River #273 Bristol #034 Chatanooga #058 Clarksville #410 Copperhill #323 Covington #285 Crossroads #320 Cumberland Gap #423 Eagle Bluff

#246 South Central #001 Tennessee Valley #130 Upper Cumberland #193 West Tennessee

Wheels Of Faith Ministry A nondenominational organization with the purpose and goal of spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ through word & work, and to provide a Christian atmosphere where we gather and ride our motorcycles. www.wheelsoffaith. com W.O.W. Women on Wheels Cool Lady Cruisers Chattanooga, TN joandcharlie@bellsouth.net HOG CHAPTERS The Dragon Chapter, Maryville 865-977-1669 Eastern TNChapter 865-457-7893 Ghost River Chapter Collierville, TN www.ghostriverhogchapter.com

Mule Town Chapter 931--540-0099 www.muletownrider.com Nashville Music City Chapter 615-242-6067 Northwestern 731-885-1792

Golden Circle Jackson Chapter 731-627-2288 www.qchoq.com

Thunder Creek Chattanooga Chapter 423-892-4888

Middle Tennessee 615-771-7775

Tri City Chapter 423-283-0422

Murfreesboro Chapter 615-849-8025 615-242-6067

Tuckessee Clarksville Chapter (931)648-1607

The Dragon Chapter, Maryville 865-977-1669

Twin Lakes Morristown Chapter 423-586-5343

Memphis Chapter webguru@memphishog.com

Upper Cumberland Chapter 931-526-3139

THUNDER THUNDER ROADS ROADS MAGAZ MAGAZ 28 28

ThunderRoadsTennessee.com

#211 Golden Circle #250 Greenville #282 Highland Rim #000 Memphis #006 Middle #059 Montgomery Bell #077 Northeast #483 Northwest #153 Shiloh

January 2017

Wow!!... 2016 Publishers of the Year, what a wonderful and unexpected honor! We are so proud to be a part of such a great group of publishers that work so hard to put out the best possible motorcycle event magazine for their state each month. To be awarded Publisher of the Year is really a tremendous honor and today we are more committed than ever to pub lishing this magazine that has brought us so much the past 2 ½ years. It's also an honor we wouldn't have received without a lot of help from some people that we would like to give a HUGE THANK YOU to: Cooper Chilton, Bob Ousley, Pastor Ron Baptiste, Mike Noirot, Ronny MangNm, Donna Farrell, Allen Manus, Ed Monroe, Mechele MacDaniel, Travis Hall, and Bill Davis. And last, but certainly not least, Merry Hancock, our amazingly talented Graphic Design Artist! Also, thank you to all of our wonderful advertisers that support us and keep this magazine going and free to our readers, without you this maga· zine would not be possible. To the Biker Community and our readers that pick up a copy each month and spread the word about our magazine, you guys rock! Along the way, we have made so many friends. To each and every one of you, a heartfelt Thank You. It's been a fun, wild ride so far and we can't wait to see what 2017 brings! Again, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!! Denise & Scott High, Owners/Publishers Thunder Roads® Tennessee

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Framlhe � We cficln'teven havetothink twice aboutwhowastobe Pub lishers of the Year2016 as Denise &Saittcretheepitomeofwhatcuhemc: Tean Playerscreall about. TheyalwaysshcregoodirnlMhthe enrelhunderRoads Netwoiicandonetimewhen Scdtwasvery sickw/ theflu (and he's neversickL he actualytalkedtoa new Publisherferan hex.-&½ justtoease heranxiety. Thatand the fact they arejustgenuinely good. decerl,Imel people. lheytoakour r1111e mag that slalted ital and � r.re back irm itand have socred &Ice an Eagle and that makes usso proud that I have aied justfcrthe factthattheywereplaoedinourrn,estomnyonMh"ourbaby'', whid, isnowther baby,andwemulmYtbe any �fcrthern bolh. We have a feeling 2017 is goingtobe �s ferthem! Theyhavecer1ai�earned it.

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