May 2011 by Thunder Roads Ohio Magazine

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EVENTS

Comfort Inn Maingate

1711 Cleveland Rd. • Sandusky 419-625-4700 • 866-214-7658 1 block from Cedar Point • Lake Erie Shore & Islands and Jet Express 2 miles • Wireless Internet • HBO Continental Breakfast • Outdoor Pool All New Renovated Rooms Restaurants and Bars with-in walking distance!

Quality Inn

11020 Milan Rd. • Milan • 419-499-4681 • 877-424-6424 Cedar Point and Summit Motorsports Park 8 Miles 6 HBO’s • Wireless Internet • 14 Jacuzzi Rooms Family Rooms • Continental Breakfast Indoor and Outdoor pools • Indoor Whirlpool Sauna • Game Room!

Best Budget South

5918 Milan Rd. • Sandusky 419-625-7252 • 800–554-4904 Family Rooms with 1, 2, or 3 beds Cedar Point, Lake Erie Islands & Jet Express 5 Miles Outdoor Pool • HBO • Game Room Jacuzzi Rooms • Restaurants & Bars nearby!

Sandusky Travelodge

5906 Milan Rd. • Sandusky 419-627-8971 • 800-578-7878 Cedar Point 5 Miles • Lake Erie Shores & Islands and Jet Express 5 Miles • HBO • Wireless Internet Honeymoon Jacuzzi suites • Outdoor Pool • Express Breakfast!

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Main Office 300 East Water Street, Sandusky, OH 44870 Sales Office 24381 Aurora Rd., B-3, Bedford Heights, OH 44146 Owner / Editors Will and Julie Roeder

Letter from the Editor.........................................................................................................4 Road Tales.........................................................................................................................6 Tech Tips from Low Brow Customs......................................................................................8 NCOM Newsbytes............................................................................................................. 10 HD Rider’s Edge Course.................................................................................................... 12 Thunder Cam................................................................................................................... 14 Ask an Expert: Motorcycle Checkpoints............................................................................. 18 Ducati 1200 S Pikes Peak ................................................................................................23 Ohio Bike Week Rally Guide.............................................................................................26 Center Calendar...............................................................................................................46 CBB Stunters: Ohio Bike Week Feature Performer.............................................................56 IVES Brothers MX: Ohio Bike Week Feature Performer.......................................................58 Book Review: Pieces of my Heart.....................................................................................60 Thunder Cam...................................................................................................................63 Builder Feature: Charlie’s Thunder Cycles.........................................................................64 V-FORCE...........................................................................................................................66 IRAQ: Riding in a War Zone..............................................................................................68 Don Hostetler: My Mexican Vacation?...............................................................................70 Ohio Ink Gallery..............................................................................................................73 Builder Feature: Cleveland Motorcycle..............................................................................75 Rolling Bike Night 2011: Win the Iron Ink Bike.................................................................78 Let’s Saddle Up................................................................................................................80 Lone Star Rally................................................................................................................82 Biker Friendly Directory...................................................................................................86 Upcoming Events.............................................................................................................94 Biker Memorial Fund.......................................................................................................89 Clubs, Organizations & Associations.................................................................................90 Thunder Marketplace.......................................................................................................92 Joker’s Wild.....................................................................................................................96 RECIPE: Infamous Bue Devils............................................................................................99

Managing editor sales & marketing Derek Smith 440-785-7331 ThunderRoadsOhio@gmail.com FEATURES EDITOR Donn Shanteau editor@thunderroadsohio.com Photography Donn Shanteau, David Wingate, Craig Fetherolf Road Reps Scott H, Ron R, Amber K, Amanda W, Craig F, Sue L, Joe B, Terry T, Teresa L, and Kyle G CONTRIBUTORS Nikole Torres, Mary Ann Steffanni, Sue Lucas, The Iron Cowboy, Anthony Castelli, Don Hostetler Layout & Design Meredith Hancock / Hancock Graphics National Founders Toni McCoy Shearon & Brian Shearon 1528 Matlock Drive / Chapmansboro, TN 37035 Office 615-792-0040 / Fax: 615-792-7580 email: thunderroads@charter.net 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.

On the Cover: Legendary Photographer Michael Lichtner captured this view of downtown Sandusky during Ohio Bike Week.

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EVENTS While Spring Fever has Ohio riders anxiously waiting for the weather to break, the Thunder Roads Ohio team has been working at a feverish pitch to get ready for a Summer jam packed full of Rides and Events! We know full well that once the weather breaks it will be full speed ahead! The month of May is nationally recognized as Motorcycle Safety Awareness month. As the Motorcycle riding season gets underway, Motorcycle Ohio which is part of the Ohio Department of Public Safety, has kicked off its Ride SMART motorcycle safety campaign. Ride SMART will work to address all aspects of motorcycle safety including: Ride Sober. Ride Motorcycle Endorsed. Ride Alert. Use the Right Gear. Ride Trained. Ride SMART. Education and public awareness are the keys to reducing the number of motorcyclists killed and injured on our highways. Find more information at www. motorcycle.ohio.gov, where you can download a copy of the Motorcycle Operator Manual. The manual is an important tool for the inexperienced rider to gain the information necessary to operate a motorcycle safely in traffic. Even the experienced rider can find something new in this manual. The Motorcycle Ohio program provides motorcycle safety courses for riders, as well as public information campaigns. Information on the course is included in this manual or can be obtained by calling 1-800-83-RIDER. Another option for learning riding skills is Harley Davidson’s Academy of Motorcycling, the Riders Edge Program. Check out the feature on page 12. Since May has been dedicated as Women Riders Month, this issue of Thunder Roads Ohio salutes female riders. On Sat. May 14, Ladies Ride Day, women from across the globe will come together to celebrate women riders. So ladies, whether you head out solo, or organize something with your friends, let’s get out and ride! Watch for more details on the Women’s Ride events across Ohio at www.thunderroadsohio.com or on the Thunder Roads Ohio Facebook page. We’d love to hear your stories and see your pictures from your ride that day! Speaking of women riders, this month we introduce a new regular feature writer to Thunder Roads Ohio. Discover Ohio Roads with Sue Lucas. (See page 76) Ladies mark your calendars. Sat. June 4th is the 3rd Annual Road Sisters Ride during Ohio Bike Week. (See ad on page 25) The ride begins with a Bike Blessing and Coffee Hour at The Chapel, 4444 Galloway Road, Sandusky. After a scenic ride with a stop for lunch, our final destination will be at Sawmill Creek Resort in Huron. Katy Ishee, Author of Pieces of My Heart (see book review on Page 60) will be joining us on the ride and will host a book signing and reception at Sawmill after the ride. Celebrating Women Riders in May is very fitting as it is also the month that brings us a day to pay tribute to the most special woman in our lives, our mothers. The startup of Thunder Roads in Ohio has kept this mother extremely busy over the last few months, not leaving much time to spend with my daughter Jessica. After our third issue came out, I received a text from her razzing me about everybody else’s picture being in the magazine but hers. Jessica is pictured with me above at the Polar Bear Ride in March at Mad River H-D in Sandusky, where she is the Operations Manager. Next time you stop in there make sure you tell her you saw her picture in Thunder Roads! May also means that Ohio Bike Week is only a month away! It is with great pride that Thunder Roads brings to you the Official Ohio Bike Week Rally Guide! Inside these pages you will find the latest in what’s happening during the 10th Anniversary of Ohio’s premier motorcycle event. Start planning now on where to stay, where to ride, or where to just hang out! Hang on to your handlebars…It’s gonna be one heck of a ride!!! 4

Julie Roeder, Editor-in-Chief Thunder Roads Ohio Thunder Roads® Magazine OHIO

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By The Iron Cowboy

Daytona Bike Week f I was a golfer, I’m sure that league night would be a huge deal to me. For my friends that bowl, there are bowling nights – but I’m a biker, so during the summer, I have my bike nights! Bike Nights are a special thing to those that ride. It’s a time to escape the routine of the week and break free for a little wind in the hair therapy. It’s an opportunity to catch up with riding buddies and to make new friends with a similar passion. We work with a number of different bars and venues for hosting bike nights; and when we first get things started, I often find myself explaining what exactly it means to have a “Bike Night”. I explain that its much more then cheap beer and discounted food – although both are much appreciated. You also don’t have to have a big name band, although good music always helps. It’s all about the atmosphere.

Bike Night at Jed’s BBQ in Findley. (Thanks Dave!)

our favorite Bike Nights across the state. With this in mind, we have held off on our regular Biker Bar Feature – as we introduce the Bike Night page instead. This will be a new regular feature in the magazine, allowing us to highlight key spots across the state and places that we will be showing up at with our Thunder Roads team! If you are hosting a bike night or have a favorite that you attend, please let us know. As always you can send that information to us at thunderroadsohio@gmail.com or you can contact us on Facebook. We can even help you get one started if you want.

This is looking down the street at where the stage was the night before. Literally – the next day, after Ohio Bike Week ended. Kinda sad.

A good Bike Night will have plenty of space for folks to hang This is the view from the Main Stage looking down Columbus out and relax, hopefully Avenue on the last Saturday of Ohio Bike Week. in sight of their bikes At a Bike Night with two of the Ohio – but that’s not always Ohio Bike Week Bike Week Girls. necessary. It will have an area for people to As I’m sure that you’ve already noticed, you are not simply holdinteract with friends that they haven’t seen since last riding season. ing the May issue of Thunder Roads Ohio – but also the Official As far as the bar owner is concerned, though, there needs to be Ohio Bike Week Rally Guide! We are extremely proud of our relasomething for folks to do. Otherwise they will do what bikers do tionship with Ohio Bike Week – which goes all the way back to it’s – which is RIDE! You don’t even have to be a bar to have a solid inception when our State Editor, Julie Roeder, helped found the event! Bike Night. I know of some great ones that are held at Bike Shops, By incorporating the Rally Guide into the issue, we believe that Coffee Shops, and even Tattoo Shops! we’ve enabled them to reach far more riders then ever before and The most important aspect of any Bike Night is the people. If have provided a great service to our readers as well. there are cool people hanging out, that’s 80-90% of the battle. Ohio Bike Week is OUR Rally! Not only is it the largest moYou need to be able to attract them and keep em’ there! That’s torcycle event in the Midwest, it is one of the top ten motorcycle where the good food and drink at a reasonable price, solid enterevents in the nation! It’s struggled financially, as we all have, over tainment, contests or games all come into play. the past few years – but as we shared in last month’s article, it has This month we launch our Bike Night feature and begin pushing always been well attended and strong! Even with eight days of 6

rain last year, over 130,000 attended the event! That’s an AMAZING turn out and this year promises to be even bigger! So I would encourage anyone that rides a motorcycle in the Buckeye State to come out and support OUR On stage at The Iron Horse Saloon Rally. If you’ve been during Ohio Bike Week to Daytona, Myrtyle Beach or any other distant events – and not Ohio Bike Week you are missing out!

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The organizers have worked hand in hand with the city and other officials to enable them to relocate vendors and close streets – allowing them to park motorcycles up and down Columbus Avenue this year! (For those of you unaware of these specifics, just nod along and smile. It’s good news!) They’ve focused on making the event more and more friendly and cost effective for the riders attending – with most of the events free or very budget friendly. Their ultimate ticket – the VIP All Access Pass is back again and with more value then ever before! This year the pass not only gets you into see feature acts such as Jackyl, Slaughter, and Molly Hatchet – it also gets you in to see shows and events across the State, including BRAD PAISLEY in Cleveland as part of the Cleveland Indians Music Fest. It’s really a GREAT deal. (You can find out more about these at ohiobikeweek.com) You will find in depth schedules for the rally and information on places to stay throughout our pages this month. Next month we will be producing a special Rally Issue, which will be distributed all over the Rally as well as our distribution points throughout the state!

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Back stage prior to the VooDoo Show, when the rains came down!

Rally On The Rock

Put-in-Bay’s Rally On The Rock is back again this year – and it promises to be bigger and better then ever before. The format has changed some this year, as the Rally is hosted on the first weekend of June. Most of its events are centered around participating venues this year. I think that makes total sense. You have some of the most entertaining clubs and biggest party spots in the Midwest within a few blocks of each other – why try to pull people out into the park? If you’ve never been to Put-in-Bay, make sure that you take the time this summer to check it out. If you’re going to be on the North Coast for Ohio Bike Week – make sure that you schedule in a run out to the island. The Miller Ferry is offering discounts on taking you and your bike out to the island, or simply run across on the Jet Express. Either offers a great means of joining in the fun. If you’re a veteran of the island, all of your favorite stops are involved – The Boathouse, Crescent Tavern, Roundhouse, Mossbacks, Frosty’s… and many more. In addition to the great entertainment that they always have, the Put-in-Bay Chamber of Commerce has helped to coordinate fun events such as a Poker Run, Tattoo Contests, and other craziness all weekend long. Several custom builders will be on site showing their award winning bikes and rumor has it there may even be a Burn-Out-Pit poolside at Splash! It’s sure to be a great time! Rally On The Rock June 2nd-5th www.RallyOnTheRock.com

Wetzelland 2011

The Grand Daddy of Ohio motorcycle events is celebrating its 25th Anniversary this year and Lynyrd Skynyrd is coming out to help celebrate as part of Wetzelland 2011! And if those legends of Southern Rock aren’t enough to bring you out to this 100-acre motorcycle bash in July – you still need to mark it down, because the Thunder Roads crew will be on site! We will have a special area and are looking forward to a great weekend of ridin’ and good times with our friends. Wetzelland 2011 July 29th-31st www.wetzelmc.com

Thunder Roads Shop Bike

We will soon be announcing a “shop bike” that we will be touring with over the summer, as a means of promoting local shops and some of the cool things that folks can do with bikes – without breaking the bank. We are inviting Ohio builders, painters, fabricators, and manufacturers to get involved as a means of showcasing the talent and possibilities that exist within the buckeye state. We will be introducing the motorcycle next month, along with a few of the partners that will be conspiring with us to create a cool “shop bike”! If you’re interested in finding out more or becoming a part of this project, please email us at thunderroadsohio@gmail.com. 7

HOW TO INSTALL EXHAUST WRAP Here Kyle wraps the pipes on his 2007 Triumph T100. Many people use exhaust pipe wrap for looks, it can also help hide damaged pipes (such as those on a bike that was in a wreck...Kyle..) or to hide welds or bad chrome / rust. Supplies needed are exhaust pipe wrap (a 2” x 50’ roll used here) and safety wire and safety wire pliers (or hose clamps if you want to go that route). I pulled the exhaust pipe off to make it easier to show but you can do this on the bike as well. Some people use hose clamps to clamp the beginning and end of the exhaust wrap, but I decided to use safety wire instead fo ra cleaner look. The safety wire pliers make the job of twisting much easier than doing it by hand. I wrapped tightly around the pipe with an overlap of approximately 1/4”, following the manufacturer’s directions. I chose to wrap my pipes dry, though I know some people wrap the pipes with the exhaust wrap wet to get a tighter wrap.

Once you finish wrapping your pipes make sure to run the pipe to allow the exhaust wrap to cure. I would suggest not doing this in your garage or while riding it as it smokes like hell. Once it gets up to temperature it will cure and you will be all set. For more information go to lowbrowcustoms.com

When I came to the end point of where I wanted to wrap, I cut it a bit long and doubled the end over to keep it from unravelling before safety wiring the end of the exhaust wrap.

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Compiled & Edited by Bill Bish, National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM)

CONGRESS ACTS TO REINFORCE BAN ON NHTSA LOBBYING

News Bytes

May is Motorcycle Awareness Month across the country, and Congressional lawmakers are introducing a resolution on May 2 to continue current restrictions on NHTSA that prevent the federal transportation agency from lobbying state and local governments to enact helmet laws. The lobbying ban was originally amended into the Transportation Equity Act in 1998, but U.S. Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI) and his House colleagues want to reinforce the prohibitions on NHTSA lobbying and focus the agency’s efforts on crash prevention and rider education. According to the resolution, the U.S. House of Representatives “supports efforts to retain the ban on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s ability to lobby state legislators using federal tax dollars, encourages continued growth in the motorcyclist community, and encourages owners and riders to be responsible road users.” The resolution, similar to a version Sensenbrenner introduced last session, goes on to say that the House “recognizes the importance of motorcycle crash prevention as the primary source of motorcycle safety (and) encourages NHTSA to focus on motorcycle crash prevention and rider education as the most significant priorities in motorcycle safety.” “KIDS JUST WANT TO RIDE” COMPANION BILL INTRODUCED IN U.S. SENATE U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) has introduced an amendment to exempt youth motorcycles and ATVs from the “lead law” that will effectively ban the sale of these machines. Senate Amendment 264 would exempt youth off highway vehicles from the overly-restrictive lead-content provisions of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) of 2008, which has decimated the youth motorsports industry and will ban their sale at the end of the year unless the CPSIA language is changed. Meant to protect our children from imported toys with lead-based paint, the CPSIA prohibits the making, importing, distributing or selling of any product intended for children 12 and under that contains more than a specified amount of lead in any accessible part. The unintended consequences were that, because some parts such as brakes and battery components contain lead, dealerships were barred from selling motorcycles and ATVs intended for young riders, as well as replacement parts. The Klobuchar amendment is similar to H.R. 412, the Kids Just Want to Ride Act introduced in the House by Rep. Denny Rehberg (R-MT), and would amend S. 493, the Small Business Innovation Research Reauthorization Act. You can contact your Congressional representatives through the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 to urge their support. BIKERS PROTEST MOTORCYCLE-ONLY CHECKPOINTS Hundreds of motorcyclists from around Georgia rode to the Capitol to rev their engines in protest of a federal grant the Georgia State Patrol is using to conduct motorcycle-only checkpoints. 10

The crowd denounced the overly-invasive and discriminatory roadblocks as unconstitutional and chanted “No more profile stops” and “Education, not checkpoints!” The protest rally came two weeks after the state patrol conducted motorcycle checkpoints on Interstates 75 and 95 during Daytona Bike Week, during which troopers stopped motorcyclists at roadblocks to check for proper paperwork, approved helmet, and properly functioning equipment. “The roadblocks are a violation of our rights and are a pure attempt at profiling,” said Dan Forrest, State Director of ABATE of Georgia. “Having a registration, proof of insurance and an endorsement on our license does make us safe. Loud pipes never killed anyone.” Georgia is the first state to conduct such checkpoints under a federal grant from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration as part of a $350,000 pool of funds available to as many as five law enforcement agencies nationwide to test the effectiveness of a New York State Police pilot program. Several motorcycle organizations are urging riders to call on Governor Nathan Deal to cancel the remainder of the checkpoints, which will be scheduled over the next 20 months at undisclosed locations during unannounced times. Some in Congress have also questioned NHTSA’s grant and called for Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood to pull the plug on future funding for motorcycle-only checkpoints. Rep. Tom Petri (RWI), who recently co-sponsored legislation to prohibit such grants, called the checkpoints “outrageously intrusive.” Indeed, many of the protesters at the March 23rd rally held signs in support of US House Resolution 904 which would prevent the US DOT from providing funds to states which would be used for motorcycle roadblocks. In the meantime, motorcyclists are also awaiting a court ruling on the constitutionality of the New York checkpoints, being challenged by N.Y. Aid to Injured Motorcyclists (A.I.M.) Attorney Mitch Proner on behalf of his clients as well as representing the interests of ABATE of New York and the National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM).

News Bytes

tions - Although 90% of those involved in crashes were wearing helmets, 9% of helmeted riders lost their helmets in crashes due to improper fit, fastening or damage - Younger riders -- those between 18 and 25 years of age -- crashed at a higher percentage and riders aged 41 to 55 crashed less frequently - Riders wearing dark clothes were more likely to crash than others - Modified conventional street motorcycles were over-represented in crashes in the study, but engine size did not appear to be a factor - Unlicensed bikers were more likely to crash than properly licensed bikers - Weather was deemed to be a factor in only 7.5% of accidents. VIRGINIA LAUNCHES “RIDER ALERT” CARD Richmond Ambulance Authority (RAA) and Bon Secours Virginia Health System, in partnership with Motorcycle Virginia, Inc., have launched a new program designed to save the lives of injured motorcyclists. The program provides free identification data cards that will help first responders provide rapid and accurate medical assistance to riders involved in accidents. Motorcyclists who participate are provided a free Rider Alert card that contains their personal emergency contact and medical information in the event of a crash. The cards are kept inside the lining of riders’ helmets and come with a 1-inch round sticker placed outside the helmet to alert emergency responders of the card. The sticker also warns bystanders not to remove the rider’s helmet, which could prevent further injury. RAA officials say the Rider Alert card program is the first of its kind in the United States, and said that they modeled their program on an initiative in Great Britain known as “CRASH Card”, developed two years ago by that country’s Ambulance Motorcycle Club. On a national level, Aid to Injured Motorcyclists (A.I.M.) was founded on a similar premise over 25 years ago by California attorney Richard M. Lester, issuing free Emergency Medical cards to bikers across the country that are linked to a database of their important medical information and emergency contact. A.I.M. has notified ambulance companies and first responders across the country to look for the yellow A.I.M. Card in a downed rider’s wallet. “We applaud Virginia’s Rider Alert program and appreciate their

organizers’ level of commitment to implement such a life-saving project,” said Lester, whose A.I.M. program also networks with biker attorneys in every state to represent the interests of injured motorcyclists. “When a rider is down, they need all the help they can get as fast as they can get it.” More than three million A.I.M. Cards have been issued since 1985, and you can get yours free by calling (800) ON-A-BIKE or visit www.ON-A-BIKE.com. Free “Do Not Remove This Helmet” stickers are also available. WEIRD NEWS: HONDA WORKING ON MOTORCYCLE SEATBELTS Yes, you read it right…Honda is working on a system of seatbelts for motorcycles. Seems crazy, but it appears to be a serious project judging from the patents Honda has filed for the system, and images posted on BikersPost.com. According to the website, the belt arrangement is designed for larger touring bikes like the Gold Wing where the rider won’t be moving around much in the seat, and the belt can work with the airbag to more effectively reduce injuries. However, Honda apparently has recognized that in a lot of accidents it’s better to be away from the bike rather than attached to it, so their new seatbelt system also has elements of ejector seat: When the computer senses that the bike is irretrievably tipping over it releases the entire seat, with the rider still attached, and inflates an airbag backrest. “The idea is that having ejected you slide down the road in a sitting position, with the seat betwixt your hide and the asphalt. Sort of extreme tobogganing.” Of course, nobody envisioned airbags on a motorcycle either, before Honda’s R&D team put one on their Gold Wing as a factory option. QUOTABLE QUOTE: “How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak and strong. Because someday in life you will have been all of these.” ~ George Washington Carver, scientist (1864-1943)

EUROPEAN STUDY YIELDS INSIGHT INTO MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS European researchers discovered some interesting facts about the common causes of motorcycle accidents. The Motorcycle Accidents In Depth Study (MAIDS) was based on 921 motorcycle accidents, which included 103 fatalities, across France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain. While some of the findings were expected, others were unanticipated. Not surprisingly, the study indicates that the motorcyclists most often collided with passenger vehicles. Surprisingly or not, 70% of passenger vehicle drivers involved in accidents with motorcycles failed to perceive the motorcyclist. And while 73.1% of riders attempted some form of collision avoidance, 32% nonetheless experienced some form of loss of control during the maneuver. While all this may seem disheartening to riders, there are steps that can be taken to maximize safety; other findings from the study indicate: Over half of the accidents occurred at intersecThunder Roads® Magazine OHIO

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Rider’s Edge Motorcycle Riding Instruction

Since this is Rider Safety Month here at Thunder Roads Ohio, there’s no better time than now to shine some light on a wonderful resource, the Rider’s Edge Program. Rider’s Edge is Harley Davidson’s Academy of Motorcycling and it’s a good one. Just because the instruction is sponsored by Harley, don’t think that the instruction is HD specific. All riders regardless of the brand they ride are openly welcomed and encouraged to participate. This program isn’t just for beginners. Seasoned riders can also pick up some tips to enhance their cycle handling and accident avoidance skills. I was welcomed by Toledo Harley’s Rider’s Edge Program Manager Vickey Johnson. She offered to let me sit in on the New Rider Course to find out what they are all about. I checked out the lesson plan and noticed that it included a good balance between classroom sessions and actual riding instruction. The next thing I figured out is that instructors bestowed their considerable knowledge and experience to the class in a casual manner that made everyone present comfortable and confident that they could make it through this riding program unscathed.

Rider’s Edge Academies are available Nationwide. You can contact Toledo Harley Davidson at 888-743-3373. Other Ohio locations to sign up for the Rider’s Edge Academy include; Adventure Harley in Dover Ohio 800-828-2875 South East Harley in Cleveland Ohio 877-766-7343

The four day course started on a Thursday night and ran about 3 hours. Most of the attendees were new bike owners that had never ridden a motorcycle before. Others had rode in the past and wanted to sharpen their skills before embarking on two wheels again. The class began with an explanation of the course objectives.

3 Develop a safe Motorcyclist 3 Develop the mental skills for safe motorcycling 3 Develop the physical skills for safe motorcycling 3 Create an understanding of risk awareness 3 Develop a strategy to manage the risk 3 Have FUN After the orientation, the class was treated to some good old nuts and bolts instruction on riding basics.

Day 2 of instruction was Friday night from 6-9 pm. It consisted of classroom discussions on Rider Radar, Accident Avoidance, Common Riding Situations, Braking and Swerving, carrying cargo and understanding the properties of various road surfaces under different conditions. Class # 3 started at 8 am on Sat. morning. It was threatening to rain, but that didn’t dampen the spirits of the students or instructors. In fact the instructors kind of liked the fact that their charges might have to learn to panic stop on wet pavement. A serpentine route had been marked off to simulate all of the various turns and loops that a rider has to perform during the course of a motorcycle trip. Starting and stopping in a safe and smooth manner was one of the major themes of the day. One by one, each student followed the coaches instructions as they explored the new world of hand controlled clutches and throttles.

The final class began on a wet Sunday morning. None of it deterred the intrepid riders from mastering the shifting process or the infamous “quick stop”. Every student was put through the paces on the road course and was graded on speed and technique. Once everyone completed the road course successfully, they were presented a certificate of completion from Rider’s Edge. Having the certificate often qualifies riders for discounts on their motorcycle insurance and fulfills the states requirements for rider instruction before issuing a motorcycle endorsement. Rider’s Edge is important because it saves lives. Motorcycle riders are 15 times more likely to die in a traffic accident when compared to having one in a car. The fundamentals that are taught in these classes by instructors Kit Hedges and Mike Brown gives students the confidence to handle the situations that they will encounter when they are out and about on two wheels and everyone else has four. Young or old, male or female, seasoned rider or newbie, it doesn’t matter, any rider would benefit from this riding class. A Rider’s Edge Course is the perfect gift for a new rider. The Harley Davidson Rider’s Edge Academy consists of the: New Rider Course, Skilled Rider Course and Group Riding. Check around your local Harley Davidson dealerships to see if they can offer you the Riders Edge.

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Motorcycle Police Checkpoints Your Rights Are Being Taken Away Part 1

Motor vehicle fixed check points to check for DUI have long been declared legal by the United States Supreme Court in Michigan Police v Mitz, 1990. But now there’s something more pervasive. In the words of Buffalo Springfield:

was the use of aircraft to assist in the apprehension of any motorcyclist who might attempt to flee.

State troopers, along with officers from the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office and the East Fishkill and Kent Police Departments, conducted There’s something happenin here a motorcycle checkpoint at a rest area 17 miles What it is ain’t exactly clear west of the Connecticut state line. The checkThere’s a man with a gun over there point was conducted concurrently with an annual motorcycle event held approximately 25 Tellin me I got to beware miles to the east in Connecticut. This ensured a Anthony Castelli I think it’s time we stop, children, what’s that sufficient volume of motorcycle traffic to justify sound Everybody look what’s going down the substantial number of resources involved. Also participating in What’s going down is the Feds want to pay the States to stop mo- the checkpoint were investigators from the State Police Special Investorcyclists at random police checkpoints. Here is some of the grant tigations Unit (SP-SIU) and the Department of Motor Vehicles Division language the Feds put out. of Field Investigations Unit (DMV-FIU), both of which specialize in stolen motorcycles. Demonstration of a Promising Practice to Increase Motorcycle Safety

All motorcyclists were directed by three portable variable message signs (VMSs) to exit the Interstate into the rest area. Once in the rest In 2007, the New York State Police launched a pilot program for conducting motorcycle safety checkpoints to: (1) educate law en- area, riders were directed to a coned-off area, where they were inforcement on motorcycle safety issues; (2) increase law enforcement spected by members of the State Police Motorcycle Unit, SP-SIU, and communication with motorcyclists; (3) distribute motorcycle safety DMV-FIU. Traffic tickets were subsequently written by troopers and materials to motorcyclists; and, (4) enforce all laws associated with other law enforcement officers. Safety violations, such as illegal helmotorcycles and motorcyclists. The NYSP expanded this program mets and unlicensed operation, were the primary focus of officers, aland conducted a series of motorcycle safety checkpoints in 2008. though riders were cited for other violations as well, including illegal An article discussing this safety countermeasure was published in exhaust systems, for example. Investigators inspected selected bikes for suspected vehicle identification number (VIN) issues. Public inforPolice Chief Magazine. mation and educational materials were distributed to all riders and In an effort to increase motorcycle safety and law enforcement’s passengers. In fact, the safety and education aspect was stressed at a awareness and role in improving motorcycle safety, NHTSA will preoperation briefing, where all aspects of the detail were discussed. award up to five (5) demonstration grants to support the conduct The NYSP took great care to plan for fleeing motorcyclists and in of motorcycle safety checkpoints, similar to those conducted by the NYSP in 2007 and 2008 in other jurisdictions across the country. fact fully expected flights to happen. In an effort to apprehend any such fleeing riders, a NYSP Chevrolet Camaro (a designated chase These awards shall be made only to law enforcement agencies. car) was positioned near the entrance to the rest area. Another So the Feds want the states to copy New York. . Let’s look at what patrol vehicle with a license plate reader unit was also positioned New York did. Here’s the police “propaganda” near the entrance. At the first exit down the road from the motorHigh-risk and reckless operation poses a tremendous danger cycle checkpoint, the NYSP set up a seat belt checkpoint both to for motorcyclists, police, and the motoring public and contributes apprehend any fleeing bikers who attempted to jump off at the next to the grim trend outlined in this article. The death of New York available exit and to make use of the personnel waiting for them at State Trooper Craig J. Todeschini is a tragic example. On April 23, that site. Finally, an aerial speed enforcement detail was conducted 2006, Trooper Todeschini was pursuing a reckless motorcyclist on approximately five miles down the road from the motorcycle checkState Route 91 in Onondaga County (central New York). Trooper point, both to have aircraft already in the air in the event of a pursuit Todeschini lost control and crashed into a tree, later succumbing to and to use the aircraft for additional speed enforcement. his injuries. The motorcyclist was later apprehended, charged, and Briefings were conducted both before and after the checkpoint convicted of aggravated criminally negligent homicide and reckless event at the East Fishkill barracks nearby. These briefings were imdriving. He was sentenced to seven years in state prison. The un- portant for a number of reasons. Since this was a new concept for all timely death of this trooper resulted in legislation that created a new involved, the first briefing provided an opportunity to present an over“unlawful fleeing” law in New York. Before this law was enacted, the view of the program and explain all operational aspects, including ofmost serious charge that could normally be lodged against a fleeing ficer safety, communications, and motorcyclist safety information and motorist (absent the death of the pursuing officer) was reckless driv- education. The NYSP emphasized its desire to avoid pursuits, consising, a misdemeanor, and failure to comply with a police officer, a tent with existing policy. The use of aircraft as part of this operation traffic infraction. Although no law can bring Trooper Todeschini back was expected almost certainly to eliminate the need for pursuits. The to his loved ones, it is hoped that this new law will prevent at least post event briefing provided an opportunity for feedback and lessons some pursuits in the future. learned. A media release that again emphasized motorcycle safety None of this is news to the enforcement community. What is new provided relevant information to the public. Numerous newspaper is the approach taken by the New York State Police (NYSP) to com- and radio outlets reported positively on the event. bat this problem. On October 7, 2007, the NYSP conducted a very By most measures, this operation was a success. Most importantly, successful pilot motorcycle enforcement initiative on Interstate 84 in it was conducted safely, for the police officers involved and the motorDutchess County (in the Hudson Valley area). The purpose of this ing public, and no motorcyclist attempted to flee. Eleven motorcyclists pilot program was to measure the efficacy of conducting motorcycle did pass the entrance to the rest area without stopping, but once the safety enforcement checkpoints, which are much like commercial ve- marked patrol vehicle pulled out behind them, all of them stopped hicle enforcement checkpoints. An essential element of this program and were inspected (all claimed not to have seen the VMS messages). 18

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Approximately 280 bikes passed through the inspection zone, of which 225 were inspected. To avoid backups during heavy-volume periods, 55 riders were waved through the checkpoint. Of the 104 traffic tickets issued, the most common violation was for operating with an unapproved helmet (41 tickets issued), while the second most common violation was for illegal exhaust (7 citations issued). Three motorcycles were referred for further investigation for nonconforming VINs. So allegedly New York was targeting “motorcycle safety,” specifically looking for DOT helmet violations and unlicensed drivers. But in reality they were going after law breakers that might attempt to flee. Interestingly NO ONE TRIED TO FLEE. The state of Georgia so far was the only state to receive a grant although other states are conducting these “checkpoints.” The AMA has tried to take action. They asked the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), to suspend the grant program until questions raised by the motorcycling community are addressed such as, “How do motorcycle-only checkpoints increase the safety of motorcyclists?” Ed Moreland, AMA senior vice president for government relations, wrote in a letter to NHTSA Administrator David Strickland on August 9, “Where do the selected states draw their authority to conduct motorcycle-only safety checks? Will ‘probable cause’ be required to stop a motorcycle under the terms of this grant program?” Moreland asked. “If so, what will constitute probable cause. “The AMA said that if the NHTSA is truly interested in motorcyclist safety, it should fund proven programs that help prevent crashes -rather than checkpoints that single out motorcyclists. “The primary source of motorcycle safety is in motorcycle crash prevention, and NHTSA should focus on decreasing the likelihood of crashes from occurring in the first place,” Moreland said. NHTSA responded the State of New York’s findings of motorcyclists at one particular checkpoint (226 motorcycles inspected) were: using unsafe tires (11%), illegal handlebars (1%), and, illegal helmets (36%). Strickland, NHTSA’s spoke person, goes on to mention the efficacy of such traffic stops in enforcing seat belt usage in automobiles and generally deterring drivers from driving while intoxicated. However, the letter fails to address the AMA’s concerns about probable cause in these motorcycle-only traffic stops, which stop riders without discretion, and solely because of the fact their vehicle uses only two wheels instead of four. Besides the AMA and some sporadic efforts by Abate, there are two critical methods of attack on this activity. One is that on March 3, 2011, Representative Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI) introduced H.R. 904. This bill would prohibit the Secretary of Transportation from providing grants or any funds to states or local governments to be used for any program to create motorcycle-only checkpoints (MOCs). In addition to Sensenbrenner, Reps. Tom Petri (R-WI) and Paul Ryan (R-WI) are original cosponsors. This bill came about in response to the Motorcycle Law Enforcement Demonstrations Grant (DTNH2210-R-00386) program administered by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

risdiction to inspect vehicles registered in another state? And, how was the safety of motorcyclists improved by the use of MOCs? This bill is critical to ending the discriminatory practice of MOCs. The motorcycling community needs you to contact your Representative now to ask them to cosponsor H.R. 904 to end funding for MOCs. Write your representatives today asking them to support the bill. There is no doubt that these check points have the potential for abuse. Motorcyclists going to any large event will certainly become targets as the police do not want to use massive resources unless the pay- off is big. “Public safety checkpoints” are quickly becoming the roadblock of choice by enforcement agencies across the country to randomly stop individuals and search for whatever violation they desire. Roadblocks falling into this category may include any of the following: General Safety Checkpoints. Washington D.C. and other cities have started conducting checkpoints where enforcement agents record the identity of everyone in a vehicle along with date/time of stop, type of vehicle, etc to be used in crime/intelligence analysis at a later date.

3 Fireworks Checkpoints - in San Bernardino, California. 3 Equipment Inspection Checkpoints 3 Documentation Checkpoints 3 Public Awareness Checkpoints Individuals are no longer free from random government harassment or unreasonable search and seizure - even if they’ve done absolutely nothing wrong. This isn’t just a motorcyclist issue. All these check points are but another symptom of government’s intrusion on our lives. Maybe we don’t want to “Kill all the Lawyers” as was stated in Shakespeare’s Henry the VI. As we will see in Part II of this series there is another tactic that can be useful thanks to some resourceful lawyers. I’ll also discuss how to handle these roadblocks and give you the view from a cop that rides on how to get thru these roadblocks with a minimum of delay. By Anthony Castelli, an Ohio personal injury trial lawyer, with a focus on Ohio Motorcycle Injury Clients. Anthony helps serious injury victims throughout Ohio. Anthony rides a Harley Dyna Low Rider and spends much of his time focusing on motorcycle safety awareness. You can check him out at his web site, www.castellilaw.com, or on Facebook at Motorcycle safety awareness and Injury Help of Ohio. He also welcomes you to the www.Ohiomotorcyclegarage.com for biker tips and fun things to do including building your own bike. He is happy to answer your questions at no cost or obligation . 1-800-447-6549

Additionally, on September 30, 2010, Sensenbrenner, along with some of his congressional colleagues, sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. The congressional letter urged LaHood to suspend the grant program that would expand the highly criticized practice of creating motorcycle-only checkpoints by law enforcement agencies. They wanted to know specifically, how do MOCs ( Motorcycle only checkpoints) increase the safety of motorcyclists? Where do the selected states draw their authority to conduct MOCs? Will “probable cause” be required to stop a motorcycle under the terms of this grant program? If so, what will constitute “probable cause?” What types of infractions were recorded by New York law enforcement officials at these checkpoints? What criteria will be used to determine if the MOCs are successful? Do states have the juThunder Roads® Magazine ohio

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VINNIE/CODY - We are working on all sorts of things. One of our major focuses right now is establishing a TV show. Currently, we are working and filming a TV series called Throttle Junkies with Joe Capicotti of 2Xtreem and Will Kenefick of Retro SBK. We are also working on promoting more on the V-Force Power Block, which is a patented energy savings device. We love how much it saves us on our electric bill at the shop, so we produced a residential version for everyone who wants to save money without compromising on the efficiency of any appliance at home. And of course, we plan on more super custom bike builds.

May the V-Force be with you! By Joe Brinn Photos by Joe Brinn & Mindy Souhan

The word FORCE is

VinniE, FRED, JOHn, CODY

used with a lot of well known phrases that are very familiar to many of us such as; a Force to be reckoned with, a Force to behold, brute Force, driving Force, task Force, and of course “May the Force be with you”, just to name a few. And now we add another use for the word Force that may be destined to part of our vocabulary for years to come – V-Force Customs. You’ve heard the names Vinnie and Cody or even saw their faces a few years ago as part of the highly popular TV show “American Chopper”. But in 2007, Vinnie DiMartino and Cody Connelly branched out on their own to compete within the highly competitive bike building marketplace. The two formed their very own bike building company – V-Force Customs. This highly likeable twosome is shaking up the bike building world with one of a kind and very unique bikes that are not only functional but are also pieces of art to say the least. They are setting the bike building world on fire from their first bike build, the V-Force 1 to their latest build, The Diamond P Chopper, all without the typical fanfare and hype usually prevalent within the bike building market. Instead of building lots of bikes through mass production which seems to be the latest trend, they are building them one bike at a time, much like the old days of bike building where it was considered a trade and not just a job. One great example of their talent is their latest bike build, The Diamond P Chopper, built at the request of the owner, Fred Pickering of Midland, Michigan. One quick look at the Diamond P Chopper will tell you that this is one streamlined and fast looking bike but as you peer harder and take a closer look you soon realize that this is more than just another chopper. It portrays the heart and sole of its makers along with the passion of its owner in every bend of its frame, in every curve of its sheet metal, in every painted or chromed part of this bike. It’s not just another chopper. This bike has sole. The paintwork, which was done by Justin Barnes of JB Graphix, portrays the very essence of what Fred had hoped for and more in his vision for his dream bike. Pictures can not do the paint work justice or show the detail and graphic artistry nor the sixteen different color applications including Silver Leaf and Diamond Pearl that shimmer in the sunlight and help to make this bike truly a one of a kind. A masterfully delicate creation forged with the power of conviction. A memorial bike not only to the American Cancer Society and all that its stands for; but also a memorial to those who have fought and won and to those who have fought and lost their fight with cancer. The Diamond P Chopper is certainly a worthy tribute to so many and a tribute to the talents of Vinnie and Cody and V-Force Customs. Fred Pickering of Pickering Automotive Service in Midland, MI met John DiMartino, brother of Vinnie, about seven years ago and the two became good friends. It was their ultimate friendship that led Fred directly to Vinnie and V-Force Customs and with Fred’s idea for a memorial bike for the ACS becoming a reality. It did not take long for Vinnie and Cody to see the passion that Fred had for his ACS memorial bike and the idea behind his dream and to agree to build it for him. Now what was once only a dream of Fred’s is now a dream come true brought forth by talents of Vinnie and Cody of V-Force Customs. According to Fred, “the name chosen for this chopper, Diamond P, has many meanings: it is a logo used on Pickering’s company wreckers and equipment, so the “P” stands for Pickering and the diamond represents the glimmer of hope that every cancer patient and their families have during the fight to survive, the sparkle of life

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every smile brings through all the hard times and the shine in every survivors’ eyes”. Fred wanted to make sure the unveiling of the Diamond P Chopper with Vinnie and Cody attending in person would be something Mid-Michigan had not seen in sometime. Fred sought the assistance of Great Lakes Harley Davidson in Bay City with helping him to put together an event worthy of everything the bike stood for in its memorial tribute. Anthony D’Errico, Joe Yax and the rest of the staff at GLHD agreed to not only assist with the unveiling ceremony but went above and beyond to make sure that this unprecedented event for Mid-Michigan was more than Fred could have imagined. The unveiling, held at the Prime Event Center in Bay City January 15th, 2010 included hundreds of fans, both bikers and non-bikers who were eager to see the bike and to meet the bike builders in person. Those in attendance were also asked to donate and help raise funds for the American Cancer Society and their fight against cancer. Vinnie and V-Force Customs will be showing the Diamond P Chopper at Daytona Bike Week 2010 and Fred will be showing off his new bike around the state of Michigan at many local events so that others will get a chance to see his dream bike and the artistry of Vinnie and Cody and V-Force Customs. Showing the bike will help bring even more awareness to the American Cancer Society. The American Cancer Society has plans to raffle this bike off either later this year or early next year to help raise funds for their fight against cancer. Check out their web site for current raffle information. Be sure to check out the web sites listed below for all of the companies involved with the building and unveiling of this unique bike or for more info on the Diamond P Chopper.

TRMMI - What is your most memorable moment since starting V-Force Customs? VINNIE/CODY - The unveiling of V-Force 1, our first bike, back in Feb 2008 comes to mind. I am still grateful for all the companies that believe in me and V-Force that sponsored that bike and the great feedback and support we received from our fans during the unveiling. TRMMI - What makes V-Force Customs different that other Custom Bike Shops? VINNIE/CODY - I don’t know if it makes us different than other bike shops, but Cody and I believe in doing our best… being innovative with our designs with focus on functionality, being knowledgeable with the industry, using high quality materials… and we are fortunate to have the equipment we have in the shop that enables us to do all that.

Builder:

V-Force Customs

Year/Model:

2009 Custom

TRMMI - What was your overall inspiration for the Diamond P Bike?

Model:

Twin Cam-B

Displacement:

131 cid

Exhaust:

Vance & Hines Big Radius

Transmission Manufacturer:

Jims

Clutch:

Baker King Kong Clutch

Primary:

Baker Enclosed

Frame:

Rolling Thunder

Suspension:

Softail

Fork:

Meanstreet lowers / RC Comp Trees

VINNIE/CODY - One of my goals is to realize the visions of my customers and I’m really grateful that my brother, John, introduced me to Fred Pickering, which led Fred to choose us to be part of his vision for this bike. The inspiration for us during this build was mostly Fred’s goals to use this bike to raise awareness and money for America Cancer Society to give cancer survivors and cancer fighting patients and their love ones something to hope for as well as a memorial for all those who lost the battle to cancer. It is always rewarding to be a part of something bigger than just the build. TRMMI - What would you say is the one most important aspect of the Diamond P Bike? What makes this bike unique and different than any other custom bike?

SPECIFICATIONS

Motor Manufacturer: Jims

Wheels Front/Back: Renegade Wheels Tire Front:

Metzler 21”x 3.5”

Tire Back:

Metzler 18” x 10.5”

Brakes:

Performance Machine

Handlebars:

V-Force Customs

Hand Controls:

Harley-Davidson

Grips:

Performance Machine

www.diamondpchopper.com www.vforcecustoms.com www.cancer.org www.greatlakeshd.com

VINNIE/CODY - The Diamond P Chopper is important because of the purpose Fred Pickering wanted this bike built. It is unique simply because it is a custom, built ground up with the exact specifications Fred wanted along with an amazing paint job by Justin of JB Grafix.

We had the opportunity

TRMMI - Do you and Cody ever disagree on a particular part or piece for a custom bike? If so, how do you handle your disagreements?

Air cleaner:

V-Force Customs

Seat:

V-Force Customs / Pirate Upholstery

VINNIE/CODY - All the time… but we work it out… by paper, rock, scissors… just kidding… by mostly thinking what is best for the bike and what our customer wants.

Gas/Oil Tank:

V-Force Customs

Gauges:

Auto meter 2 in 1

TRMMI - Where do you see the motorcycle industry as a whole going in the future? What is the future trend or next fad for the motorcycle market?

ECU:

S&S

Wiring Harness:

Thunder Heart/ V-Force Customs

to speak with Vinnie and Cody and ask them some pertinent motorcycle industry questions that we think is a refreshing look at this dynamic duo: TRMMI - What was your background before the American Chopper TV Show? VINNIE/CODY - Before American Choppers, I was in auto mechanics doing custom car stereo installs. TRMMI - What is the long range or future plans for V-Force Customs? Thunder Roads® Magazine ohio

VINNIE/CODY - The motorcycle industry is definitely not getting smaller, but if I could predict the future trends and fads, I would be a millionaire.

Forward Controls: Jay Brake

Front/Rear Fender: V-Force Customs

Target Our Boats, We’ll Take Your Bike or How to Get Your Riding Fix In a War Zone

patrol, I said, “Hey Sir, why don’t we just take it home?” There was a brief pause and then, “Well, Gunny, if you think we can get it on the boat, sure.” I got back on the radio to the Sergeant on the ground, by Jason Shiflet “Red 5, this is Red 1, you think you can get that bike on the boat?” Like most riders, I’ve ridden a fair share of motorcycles Sergeant Brian Forse, the ground element leader, in a fair variety of locations. However, there is one ride responded exactly the way I expected him to. This was and one bike that really stand out in particular. Now, it a Marine who would have said “affirmative” if I had asked surely wasn’t the longest ride, and it definitely wasn’t the him to carry that bike home on his back. In short order nicest ride. But without a doubt it was a unique ride. and after some grunting, pushing, and a few chuckles In order for me to explain what made this ride special we had the motorcycle loaded on the boat. Now those I’ll have to provide a little back-story on the bike and how SURCs are 40 foot gunboats, not exactly meant for ferry I came to “acquire” it. It was early January 2007. Not duty. But we made it work, continued the patrol and then your typical riding season, unless you happen to be in returned to base. By then it was dark. It would be the Iraq. In that case, there’s pretty good riding weather next day before I could really check her out. year-round. Although if winter riding is not your thing, Morning came quickly, but I was anxious to get out you probably wouldn’t enjoy flying bullets any more than and see what we had. I made my way to our staging you would enjoy flying snowflakes. Anyway, it was the area and took my first real good look at the bike. As the winter of ’07 and I found myself serving as the platoon pictures can attest, she was no beauty. But she had two commander for a reinforced Small Unit Riverine Craft wheels and a motor and I couldn’t wait to ride her. But (SURC) platoon. Our job was to utilize our SURCs to pafirst, I had to size her up. Well, the glass was missing trol the Euphrates River and other waterways in central from all of the lights. In its place was cellophane, red Iraq for a variety of reasons, not the least of which was to over the brake light, clear over the headlight. I was both deny the insurgents the use of those waters. impressed with the Iraqis’ ability to jerry-rig, and disapOn this particular mission we happened to encounter pointed in the way that this poor bike had been treated. several Iraqis on a canal in small wooden rowboats. By We couldn’t tell much about the bike, but all the conorder of the Governor of Al Anbar province, this canal trols were “normal” (left foot shift, left hand clutch, etc). was off limits to all Iraqis. Needless to say, as we apWe figured out that it was a 250cc two stroke. We think proached the Iraqis, they quickly made their way ashore it was Czechoslovakian, but I’m still not sure. Based on and fled on foot. Two of them, military aged males, the ingenious measuring cup built into the underside of jumped on a motorcycle and after traveling about a the fuel cap, we guesstimated the fuel-oil mixture and hundred yards, ditched the bike and headed off on foot. decided to use 90 weight oil, since that’s the closest Several Marines went ashore, but as usual the Iraqis had thing to 2-stroke motor oil that we could find. Everything disappeared. However, the Marines did find the motorelse was in ugly, but functioning order. Since nearly all cycle. Furthermore, bungeed to the seat was a black of the fuel had spilled out during this beauty’s boat trip, pillowcase with eyeholes cut into it to make a hood. Now we topped off the tank and kicked her over. And kicked. if you see a makeshift black hood bungeed to a motorAnd kicked. And kicked some more. 47 kicks and one cycle here in the States you would probably assume that pulled hamstring later, I was surrounded by a cloud of some cracker couldn’t afford a real face mask for riding in the cold. But in Iraq, the guys who carry black hoods are the same guys who like to blow up Americans and their fellow countrymen. The Ugly Girl After checking out the bike, the Marines began to question some of the local residents who live along the canal. Throughout our operations in the area, we had established a pretty good relationship with the locals. In fact, we had even taken a medical team down the canal to inoculate the children and provide other basic medical care. So, after asking one of the local men about the bike, he curtly replied that we should “burn it and teach them a lesson”. Initially that’s exactly what we were going to do. Now I like to torch a vehicle just as much as the next guy, but some part of my motorcycle-loving heart just knew that there had to be an alternative. Turning to the Executive Officer and senior ranking Marine on this 68

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smoke but happily sitting on a running motorcycle in the middle of Mesopotamia. Needless to say, as I made my way up and down the muddy roads of our Forward Operating Base (FOB), struggling to find the next gear and blowing blue-gray smoke all over the place, a crowd began to gather. This was not authorized. This was not professional. But damn it was fun! So here’s the tally for my most unique ride. Total miles covered: maybe 1. Bike ridden: still not sure. Destination: that funny place in one’s head that only a rider has known.

We have ignition!

As a postscript, I’ll add that our Company Executive Officer, a Marine captain, submitted an official letter to the Army Colonel in charge of the base. That letter requested that we be permitted to keep the bike for use around the FOB. He cited logistical requirements, mission requirements, and some other official sounding reasons that we needed the bike for our operations. It was some of the most creative writing I had ever seen. The Colonel got the letter. I never rode that bike again. If any readers can positively identify the make or model of this motorcycle, or for any other comments, feel free to e-mail the author at leatherthroat@comcast.net.

The author, his boat, and 35 of the finest young Americans he has ever known. Thunder Roads® Magazine ohio

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Hostetler

My vacation began on Saturday March 27, 2010. My planned route was to cross the Rio Grande River into Mexico on."The only hand pulled ferry on any US border" the famous Los Ebanos ferry near McAllen TX. Once across the border I planned to hit the Mexican cities of Reynosa, Monterey, Durango and finally Mazatlan on the Pacific coast just south of the Tropic of Cancer. That’s where the 15th annual Mazatlan Motorcycle Rally, billed as the biggest motorcycle rally in all of Mexico was being held. Following that rally, my plan was to take a ferry across the Sea of Cortez to the city of La Paz on the southern end of the Baja peninsula. Ride up the length of Baja into California and then on to the Annual Laughlin River Run in Nevada. There, I'd meet up with four of my Homeboys who will be riding in from other points. En-route, I ducked into the Lane Motor Museum in Nashville for about an hour and a half to let a shower pass. Cool museum with over 150 vehicles. It focuses on mostly European Micro Cars, a strange but interesting batch of tiny vehicles. The next stop was the recently opened WWII D Day Museum in New Orleans Louisiana. This city was chosen because it was the home of the famous Higgins Boats. This boat/ landing craft were used at the Normandy invasion in WWII. Across the street was the Civil War Museum, but it is closed on Mondays, so I was out of luck.. I took a ride into the French Quarter and down Bourbon St. 70

My Mexican Vacation?

reliving some of my misspent youth. They sell carriage rides in the Quarter and I remembered my first time here. I found myself staring at one horse in particular and finally had to politely tell the driver, "That's the ugliest horse I've ever seen!" He replied, "Not a horse! Fool! It's a mule!" He continued, "Horse dumb, Mule smart." He further explained, "A horse will run or pull until it drops dead, a mule, when it gets hot or tired, will simply stop." The City Fathers ruled that the majestic horse be banished from hot muggy New Orleans, and replaced by its homely yet selfregulating cousin, the Mule.

Dalmatian colors, white with black spots.

I rode on to Beaumont, TX. While searching for a room I discovered, "The World's Largest Fire Plug". 24 feet tall and painted

Next morning 7:30 am, I backed out of my Motel 6 parking space, shifted into 1st gear and CRACK. ???? The drive belt had broken on my bike and was coiled up on the ground behind the bike like an angry snake. Luckily, directly across the freeway was Cowboy Harley Davidson. It was about ½ mile down to the intersection under the overpass and then up the frontage road to the dealership. I started pushing. A car whipped into the Waffle House parking lot that was nearby. A fellow rider on his way to work jumped out and fell silently in behind me helping push all the way to the shop. Promptly at opening time of 9am, the service writer came out and took my information. He said it was a 5 and a half hour job. They were busy but might be able to help me. I spent the day chatting with the salesmen, parts people and other customers. At one point a fellow asked "Where y'all from?" Then said, "I knowed you wasn't from around here 'cause you don't have that Texas slow talk." 8 hours later, my freshly repaired and washed bike was returned. $771.00 later I was ready to roll. Thunder Roads® Magazine OHIO

Tech Note: About 50,000 miles ago a small pebble, about ¼ inches in diameter was found embedded in the exact center of the belt. Now, years later, this is where the break occurred. I just wanted to make it clear because these belts normally last over 100,000 miles. I rode 80 miles out to Port Bolivar Texas. The carnage of a past hurricane is still apparent there. The residents are rebuilding. All new construction including the school is being built on stilts 20 to 25 above ground to help guard against future visits by Mother Nature. I took the free ferry across the bay to Galveston TX for the night. The next day, on the ride down to McAllen, TX, I was considering all the violence going on in Mexico. It started with the drug cartels feuding with the army, but now has extended to warring between the cartels themselves and spilled over onto the Mexican citizens. I called to the Los Ebanos ferry to find when the first trip would be on Friday morning. “Oh”, the lady said, you haven't heard? The ferry isn't running. One person was shot last night and another this morning. It will be on the news tonight and in the paper tomorrow. Hamm? It was a big article in the morning paper. "Seven people were killed in a shootout between armed civilians (cartel) and the Mexican army near the highway leading to Monterey on the west side of Reynosa. Another 5 were killed in Valadeces, where gunmen burned the city's fire engine and ambulance and the town's police headquarters took heavy gunfire. Gunmen in a truck engaged with Mexican army soldiers' in a street battle which lasted 45 minutes. Despite rising body counts, no reports surfaced Wednesday of widespread blockades like those that choked traffic in Reynosa the day before., During those incidents gunmen reportedly forced bus and truck drivers to block primary roads into the city." "US Consular officials warned of continued episodes of street violence and checkpoints set up by cartel members in the states of Durango, Tamaulipas, Coahuila and Nuevo Leon." My exact route!! Hummmm? I rode down to the ferry to check things out. I struck up a conversation with an American married to a Mexican lady. He lives Thunder Roads® Magazine ohio

and owns a home across the border in Mexico in the small town of San Francisco. He said "Don't believe what you read in the papers. It is much worse!" He said he and his wife were driven out of their house by gunfire and the only reason he was going back was because he had to. His village population of normally 600 is now down to only about 50 people because of the violence. He said 7 people from his town, as young as 4 years old, were kidnapped and held for ransom. He said, "If you insist on going be sure and get fuel at the first town across the river as the cartel has blown up the gas stations in the next 2 towns". (All the gas stations in Mexico are controlled by the government.) He said the violence had started on Feb 23 when the Pacific Cartel declared war on the Gulf Coast Cartel. Well, it is an Annual Rally and I can always try to make it again. Besides, there are plenty of things to see here in the South West of the USA without the violence. Maybe I’ll see Mazatlan in 2011? I did however pay $2.50 to ride the ferry over the Rio Grande and cruised into the village. I paid only $2.00 on the return trip to the US. The ferry can hold 3 cars or in this case three cars and one bike. It is tethered by a cable and then pulled across the river by 6 stout men on one side of the boat. While motorcycles always get put to the head of the line, I took note that there were NO vehicles waiting to cross into Mexico, but about 30 waiting to come to the US. The decision not to go was made and I'm sure the second guesses will come later. I cruised north east along the TX/MX border to the town of Eagle Pass for the night to regroup. Thursday evening I was thinking, Midland TX is headquarters for The Commemorative Air Force and home to their massive collection of WWII aircraft. After I saw that, maybe I’d go over to Roswell NM and the UFO Museum. I was thinking about the New Mexico town of Alamogordo and the White Sands National Monument which is nearby, when the Trinity Site came to mind. It is located within the White Sands Missile Range and opens to the public only twice each year, the first Saturday in April and the first Saturday in October. I was up early to make the one day ride of about 600 miles to Alamogordo, NM. The rural routes in TX are sparsely populated and speed limits are realistically set at 75 MPH. Later on Interstate 10 the speed limit jumped up to 80 MPH!! I took time to stop at the Marfa Mystery Moving Lights viewing pavilion on TX route 90. Since the late 1800's lights have been seen moving, darting about, melding together, changing colors, disappearing and reappearing off in the desert here near Marfa 71

The Trinity Site entrance turns out to be a 100 mile ride North West of Alamogordo and then another 20 miles into the test range. The radioactive warning signs still hang on the fence surrounding the site but they claim exposure won't be harmful for my short stay. The Trinity Site is home to ground zero of the world's first atomic bomb explosion, July16, 1945. It left a depression 800 feet in diameter and 8 feet deep. Minimal because it was detonated only 100 above ground level. I rode on to Elephant Butte Reservoir State Park. This tiny lake they told me is the largest in all of New Mexico. I spent the night in the town of Truth Or Consequences, NM, originally named Hot Springs. In 1950, Ralph Edwards, the host of the popular NBC radio quiz show Truth or Consequences, announced that he would air the program from the first town that renamed itself after the show. Hot Springs won the honor. In the morning, I rode 40 miles south west on NM route 51 to the end of the paved road. Here is the sign proclaiming "Spaceport America" soon home to Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic civilian space flight operation. Construction is expected to be completed in 2011 and commercial outer space flights in the Burt Rotan designed space ship will commence in 2013. I spent about an hour this Sunday morning, discussing the construction with the lonely site guard.

TX. The lights are explained as possibly moon and star light reflection from a mica vein, headlight reflections or ALIENS!! Anyway, the area attracts so many tourists a viewing pavilion has been built outside of town to accommodate them. Later, out in the middle of nowhere, I came across a blimp! The US Army calls it a Tethered Aerostat. Harboring the latest high-tech surveillance equipment no doubt! My question, are they watching for Alien Mexicans or those Aliens from Outer Space seen near Marfa?? It was evidently grounded that day due to the high winds.

Before heading home, I continued up into the mountains to Silver City for the evening. Along the way I stopped to peer down into a huge open strip mine operation, The Santa Rita Copper Mine, namesake of the nearby town. After the Santa Rita mine was converted to an open pit mine in 1901, the town was forced to move several times as the pit grew. Shortly after the town relocated in 1957, heavy rains washed boulders and mud into the new town site. The town was abandoned once and for all in 1967 and the school system for the area was discontinued in 1972. A friendly local on a Honda Gold Wing pulled up and gave me some good advice and an area map on scenic area routes to travel. He was 74 years old and has accumulated over 91,000 miles on that 2003 Wing with, as he put it "one year off due to colon surgery". I guess I have a way to go to top that one.

Thunder Roads® Magazine OHIO

Thunder Roads® Magazine ohio

ohio ink pg 2

Thunder Roads速 Magazine OHIO

Thunder Roads速 Magazine ohio

Thunder Roads速 Magazine OHIO

Thunder Roads速 Magazine ohio

Thunder Roads速 Magazine OHIO

Thunder Roads速 Magazine ohio

Let’s Saddle Up! Ohio has many classes available that are offered by the state and private providers. To find out all about riding classes, log onto motorcycle.ohio. gov for statewide information on class availability on both basic New Rider & Advanced, Skilled Rider class information. Before heading out on the road, make sure that your preparations for the 2011 riding season are complete. You don’t want to experience Ohio’s scenic highways while sitting on the roadside waiting for a tow truck. Once your new accessories have been installed and tested, make sure your riding gear is in good condition, bike is serviced, tires inspected and air pressures checked. With your Ohio Sectional map in hand, you are ready to hit the road.

Sue Lucas I come from a motorcycle family. My parents ride, the husband rides and my children ride. I grew up watching mom and dad hit the road on their Harley to attend motorcycle events. When they returned from the road, they entertained everyone with stories about what they did and what they saw. While it was always interesting to hear the story of what happened at the event, I always wanted to hear about the ride there and back. Did they take the most direct route or did they meander their way to their destination to soak up some of the local flavor while they were there? Once I started riding, I wanted to create my own road stories. Over the years, my husband and I have traveled the across the US. On each trip we make sure that we sample the local flavor as we motor our way to our destination. I have compiled a huge list of interesting routes that feature winding roads, interesting scenery and good places to stop along the way. Some of these routes are in Ohio and some are not. It is going to be my pleasure to share the highlights of these travels with you in the pages of Thunder Roads Ohio.

Watch upcoming issues for some of my very best routes to ride and cool places to stop along the way during Ohio Bike Week and all of Ohio’s riding season.

Ohio has so much to offer the motorcyclist, beautiful farmlands, rolling hills, great state parks and exceptional bike rallies and rides! If you are lucky enough to be a resident of Ohio, start by exploring your own county first. We all get into the habit of being in such a hurry that we tend to take the quickest route to reach our destination. Change things up a bit, take that road you’ve passed by numerous times and find out where it leads you. You might find that the slower pace and less traffic is an acceptable trade-off to getting there an hour faster. It is also easier to look around a bit if you aren’t barreling along at 70 mph while surrounded by traffic. May is motorcycle safety month. When you are out exploring Ohio, it is always a good idea to ride safely and employ the fundamentals of riding motorcycles properly. Have you ever taken an advanced skills class? Even experienced riders benefit from advanced riding instruction. 80

Thunder Roads® Magazine OHIO

Thunder Roads® Magazine ohio

a corridor that goes right next door to an island favorite hangout joint; The Loading Dock, which has live bands on the weekend but always a good size crowd and eclectic

Galveston Island, TX November 4th thru 7th by: toni mccoy shearon This was hands down one of the best BIG rallies that we have ever covered. You’ve got a gorgeous island, all beach on one side, all commerce on the other. Buildings that have maintained the integrity and look of what they actually were in the early 1900’s, such as the Hard Candy & Peanut Butter Warehouse, 82

authentic old brick and mortar, only with a great twist of new, high-tech condos and/or office space built on at the very top. Fabulous! We departed on Halloween, Sunday the 31st , around noon, and arrived in Galveston on Monday evening around 10 p.m., parked our TRM Promo Rig behind the luxury San Luis Resort Condos & Hotel, ate at the IHOP right in front of tennis courts, got the critters all tucked in (that included Super B.), and around midnight, Brian and I crossed the street over to the beach and just walked the shoreline as the waves gently lapped and foamed, and it was probably around 72°, full moon, and totally satisfying. Well, not totally; but that was remedied as soon as we returned to the Rig. It proceeded to rain all night, but that was o.k. because in the morning Mother Nature had performed her insta-car wash and all we had to do was wipe off all the road grime from Thunder Pete and he was bright, shiny and clean for his Texas Lonestar debut. Tuesday was white and gray overcast, mist in the air, but still warm so we ran around the island on the bike and surprise!, we needed a new tire and battery, so we ended up going to the only bike shop on the island; Galveston Custom Cycle Works, where owner Mark and ace-mechanics Dustin and J.J. truly got to see quite a bit of us during the course of the rally. They’re a fun group and have a kick-ass shop, along with original t’s and jeans, but what’s really cool is that their shop has Thunder Roads® Magazine OHIO

customer base, both inside and at outside, roof covered, picnic tables. Thanks, GCCW for all your help, assistance and great prices. IF per chance you find yourself hanging about GCCW getting some work done, do yourself a favor and walk directly across the street to ANTIQUE WAREHOUSE, where Proprietors Scott & Holly Hanson not only have the most organized antique store I’ve ever been in, but ask Scotty about giving you the “nickel tour” as he playfully refers to it, where their entire upstairs area was once an authentic 28 room Brothel and although Scott & Holly have decorated the upstairs rooms with their gorgeous and rare antiques, it’s simply amazing to see with your own eyes in almost every room where “the working girls” would write on the walls their daily take of 65¢ or 45¢ or if a big spender 75¢……and then a tally for their entire day; amazing. I’ll tell you something that chilled me to the bone; there was a butcher block table that was easily over 100 years old and at the end of it, wooden stirrups had been secured and Scotty said it was a make-shift abortion table for the girls that had become pregnant but basically were enslaved to a life of prostitution, so had no choices or rights. Wow! That entire upstairs you literally just feel the ghosts of burdened souls past, but nothing brought me to tears of frustration for those girls, like that damned old butcherblock table. But thank you Scotty for such an emotional and enlightening tour. There was definitely a friend connection made. Thunder Roads® Magazine ohio

Wednesday was setup day and we had prime placement, located a block down where all the bikes entered onto “The Strand”, which is the main drag that this

Rally revolves around. The Strand has all the great bars, clubs and eateries, but then there’s approximately three rows of unique vendors, another street crossing, then the entire Harbor District, as Galveston is a renowned harbor for ships, boats and cruise vessels. The famous RAT’S HOLE BIKE SHOW was held down at the harbor, where all the bikes were displayed in the all-brick parking lot; Pier 21, overlooking the Bay side. The bikes entered were indisputably, some of the most unique and jaw-dropping bikes in the world. Nobody does a big rally Bike Show like Rat’s Hole. There’s also a virtual who’s-who list of magnificent restaurants and shops down at the Harbor. Bob Cooney, State Editor Owner of Thunder Roads Texas and Shelly Horan, Editor In Chief, hosted us to lunch at Willie G’s and it was 4-Star. Now, the Fisherman’s Wharf was very casual; we ate on the outer deck, right on the Bay a couple nights and the food was superb each night. The Harbor is where they also had the main stage set up and there were a multitude of bands and entertainment acts throughout all four days, but the one that we managed to actually see for ourselves while down at the Harborside stage was Zach Tate Band (ZTB to their fans) who proudly claim Texas as their home base, emitted such a raw energy and harmony. ZTB…… zip-lock fresh! 83

One place that was the talk of the town was Limp Nickie’s Lot – The Pit, which actually opened up just a few days prior to the Rally and was there just for the Rally. The place was standing room only, and sometimes standing on someone else’s shoulders room only! They’ve got the gorgeous babes dancing on the bar and the entire atmosphere is electrifying. This entire Rally is wired to the hilt! I’m serious………the fact that this entire Rally takes place in a circumference of a 20 block radius, makes it feel like a close-knit community Rally and it takes on an intimacy and connection that is missing from so many other rallies. The bars and restaurants stay open late, the Harbor is always a-buzz with bikers milling all about, hootin’ and hollerin’, and The Strand is always 2x2 bikes, 20 blocks long, going around and around in their parade procession. And what threw us for a loop is that they actually DO things bigger in Texas; example; come nightfall, the parade procession was virtually a light show in the fact that a vast majority of the bikes were custom LED lit, and some even had their lights sequenced to their IPods, with 4-way, multi-colored lights blinking away to the tune of Kid Rock’s “I’m Wrong But You Aint Right”. I mean, come on, this was like going to the Ice Capades and watching Bikes On Ice. It was a purely delightful show. There was never, ever, a lack of something to do. Tat Expos, dolphin tours, poker tournaments, fishing tours, and the majority of shops on the island collaborated in welcoming the bikers to their island by offering Lonestar Specials and promotions of their own. Here again is yet another prime example of a city that “gets it” as to the hundreds of thousands of dollars of revenue this event brings to the island. Because when you get 300,000+ bikers onto one island over a 4-day period, there’s gonna’ be some serious dollarinos passing hands. Want to give a shout out to CMA who helped us out of a jamb and were there lickity –split to load up a broke down bike……God loves CMA and so do we. They assisted many bikers during the Rally, and didn’t even ask for donations, but of course, it’s good to contribute to this much needed and deserved biker’s friend. Thank you John Greene, Action Promotions, Brinder Cummings; super-duper Rally Coordinator, and ALL the staff and crew for this outstanding, well oiled, smoothly and superbly organized, Texas Lonestar Rally. Additionally, sincere thanks to Bob and Shelly and their dedicated TX Crew. What a great group of people, who we had the most fun hanging out with, and being indoctrinated into not just this phenom. Rally, but this historical, beautiful island that’s nestled down low, weathering storm after storm, comprised of survivors and damn good, down to earth folks. THANK YOU, TEXAS, for your BIG hearted hospitality! We’ll see you next year!

Bob and Shelly of Thunder Roads Texas

*Need to give honorable mention to Beaumont Freightliner, who worked on the manifold system of Thunder Pete as a day-long venture, from 9am to 6pm on our way home, and understood our need to get back home to work a.s.a.p., and were just a thoughtful and fair-priced collective group. Thanks to owner Rick Stewart & Bob Garwood, G.M.; Chris Duval, Serv. Mgr.; Terry Hobbs, Tech., Keith Starnes. Personally, I just found a good tree for Thunderbird Boogie to climb up in and I threw down a quilt underneath and read a good book all day. Bliss!

Thunder Roads® Magazine OHIO

Thunder Roads® Magazine ohio

Biker Friendly Directory Attorneys Anthony Castelli www.ohiomotorcyclegarage.com 1-800-447-6549 Ralph Buss www.RalphBuss.com 1-800-ON-A-BIKE

Bars Harry Buffalo North Olmsted Location 4824 Great Northern Boulevard North Olmsted, OH 44070 (440) 734-4545 Last Resort Saloon 53 Lake St Delaware, OH 43015 (740) 363-8120 Little King’s 3009 Payne Ave. Cleveland, Ohio Main Street Saloon 1481 South Main Street Akron, OH 44301 (330) 724-8855 Margaritaville 212 Fremont Ave Sandusky, OH (419) 627-8903 Nowhere Tavern 106 E. Main St Bellevue, OH 44811 (419) 483-2110 Quaker Steak & Lube 5800 Interstate Blvd Austintown, Ohio 44515 (330) 349-9464 7834 Reynolds Rd Mentor, OH 44060 (440) 954-9464 6073 Dressler Rd, NW North Canton, OH 44720 (330) 433-9464 4900 Transportation Drive Sheffield, Ohio 44054 (440)934-9464 5935 Canal Rd Valley View, OH 44125 (216) 986-9500 5150 Liberty Avenue Vermilion, OH 44089 (440) 967-3724

Scotty’s 6224 East Livingston Ave Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068 (614) 755-9407 86

Scoundrel’s 826 Front Street Berea, Ohio 44017 (440) 234-3455 Skelly’s Bar & Grill 37825 Vine St Willoughby, OH 44094 (440) 942-9557 Tailgators 740 North 5th St Fremont, Ohio (567) 201-2143

Bike (& Cage) Washes Wet Willy’s 21813 Aurora Rd Bedford Heights, OH 44146

Lodging

Sales

Huron River Valley Resort 9019 River Rd Huron, OH 44839 (419) 433-4118 Plantation Motel 2815 Cleveland Road East Huron, OH 44839 (419) 433-4790

Adventure Harley-Davidson 1465 State Rt 39 NW Dover, OH 44622 (330) 364-6519 Apex Powersports 938 Cookson Ave, SE New Philadelphia, OH 44663 (330) 308-8900

Sawmill Creek Lodge & Resort 400 Sawmill Creek Drive West Huron, OH 44839 (419) 433-3800 Seacrest Motel 2529 Columbus Ave Sandusky, OH 44870 (800) 636-6426

Gym & Fitness Centers

South Shore Inn 2047 Cleveland Rd (Rt 6) Sandusky, OH 44870 (419) 626-4436

King’s Gym 24775 Aurora Rd Bedford Heights, OH 44146 (440) 439-KING

Parts & Accessories

Insurance Aok Insurance & Financial Services, LLC 4925 Jackman Road, Unit #24 Toledo, OH 43613 (855) AOK-BIKE Nemecek Insurance 127 W Perry Street Port Clinton, OH 43452 (800) 686-3474 Rider Insurance 1-800-595-6393 www.rider.com RJ Smith & Associates 18850 E. Bagley Rd Middleburg Heights, OH 44130 (800) 886-0305 Smith Insurance Services, Inc 4942 Reed Rd Columbus, OH 43220 (888) 644-2232 Taylor Insurance 3982 St. Rt. 43 Kent, Ohio 44240 (800) 211-6723

Pandemonium Choppers 8936 Christy Rd Defiance, OH 43512 (419) 576-6812

Retail

Bison Leather Company 7409 West Central Ave Toledo, Ohio 43617 419-517-1737 www.bisonleathertoledo.com

Military Pride 29348 Euclid Ave Wickliffe, OH 44092 (440) 944-5180

Championship Power Sports 7755 St. Hwy 108 Wauseon, Ohio 43567 419-335-8600 championshippowersports.com Busted Nuckle Motorcycle Repair 414 Morrison Rd Columbus, Ohio 43213 (614) 367-1181

Lima Harley-Davidson 3255 Fort Shawnee Industrial Dr. Lima, OH 45806 (419) 331-3027

Service

Napoleon Harley-Davidson 862 County Rd R3 Napoleon, OH 43545 (419) 592-7123

Canton Cycle Specialties, Inc 701 Cherry Ave., N.E. Canton, OH 44702 (330) 456-1555 Cycle Analysis 4984 West 150th St Cleveland, OH 44135 (216) 362-9060

Don’s Garage 8625 Harrison Pike Cleves, Ohio 45002 (513) 353-1446 Dougherty’s 21941 Forbes Rd Oakwood, OH 44146 (440) 439-8688 FKN Performance 913 N Depot St. Sandusky, Ohio 44870 (419)357-5395 Roeder Racing & Service 3684 U.S Rt. 20 Monroeville, OH 44847 (419) 465-2247

Transport Scottsdale Interstate Transport (330) 206-0650 Truckyourtoys.com

Tattoo Shops Addictions Tattoo 505 West Perkins Ave Sandusky, OH 44870 (419) 621-8288 Art Bomb Tattoo 32 N. Erie St Massillon, OH 44646 (330) 834-2781

Sinners N’ Saints Customs 951F Robinwood Ave Whitehall, OH 43213 (614) 231-SINS

Bad Ass Tattoo 46065 Telegraph Rd Amherst, OH 44001 (440) 986-3845

Wylde Rydes Inc. 4704 State Rd Cleveland, OH 44109 (216) 741-0370

Innovations In Ink 234 Columbus Ave Sandusky, OH 44870 (419) 502-7152

Lazy Dave’s Tattoo 27084 Lorain Ave North Olmsted, OH 44070 (440) 777-4465 Pain & Pleasure Tattoo 6015 Milan Rd Sandusky, OH 44870 (419) 625-0069 Roadhouse Tattoos 100 4th St. Elyria, OH 44035 (440) 281-8861 Stained Skin 1255 N. High St Columbus, OH 43201 (614) 297-SKIN Steel City Tattoos 1060 Park Avenue West Mansfield, OH 44906 (330) 466-7783 Sudden Urge Tattoos 9360 Mentor Ave Mentor, Ohio 44060 (440) 368-3529

Signature Harley-Davidson 1176 Professional Dr Perrysburg, OH 43551 (419) 873-2453 South East Harley-Davidson 23105 Aurora Rd Bedford Heights, Oh 44146 (440) 439-5300

Avon Boot Shop 38450 Chester Rd Avon, OH 44011 (440) 934-3230

Erie Street Leather 416 Erie Street N Massillon, OH 44646 (330) 833-2672

Beaver Creek Cycle 13172 State Route 7 Libson, OH 44432 (330) 386-7353

Carlton Harley-Davidson 11771 OH-44 Mantua, OH 44255 (330) 274-3141

Mad River Harley-Davidson 5316 State Rt. 250/Milan Rd Sandusky, OH 44870 (419) 502-2244

Bear’s Vintage EC Customs (937) 623-5597 www.ecccyclefab.com

Biker Friendly Directory

Toledo Harley-Davidson 7960 W. Central Ave Toledo, OH 43617 (419) 843-7892

Service #1 Cycle 5949 Massilon Rd West Lebanon, Ohio 44618 (330) 833-2323 2 Wheeled Pony 23 Kimber Rd. Wooster, Ohio 44691 (330) 263-PONY (7669)

Thunder Roads® Magazine OHIO

Thunder Roads® Magazine ohio

EVENTS

Upcoming Events All events are listed as per the information submitted to Thunder Roads Ohio. TRO is not responsible for inaccuracies or the specifics of the information provided. If you would like your event listed, please email details and your contact information to: ThunderRoadsOhio@gmail.com May 7, 2011 Harry Buffalo Thunder Run North Olmsted www.harrybuffalo.com May 15, 2011 Motorcycle Swap Meet Wayne County Fairgrounds Presented by 2 Wheel Pony Call 330-263-7669 May 21, 2011 Saturday VFW Motorcycle Scramble Poker Run and Swap Meet Multiple starting points – ending at American Legion Post 421 Fairview Park, Ohio Call 216-647-9061 for more information. May 22, 2011 Cleveland International Tattoo Cleveland Public Auditorium www/tattoocleveland.com May 29, 2011 7th Annual Firefighters Memorial Ride www.firefightersmemorialride.com May 31, 2011 Rolling Bike Night Kalahari Resort thunderroadsohio.com

June 2-5, 2011 Rally To The Rock Put-In-Bay, Ohio South Bass Island Rallyontherock.com Call 440-785-7331 for vendor information. June 3-11, 2011 Ohio Bike Week Sandusky, Ohio Ohiobikeweek.com Motorcycle transportation available from Scottsdale Interstate Transport (330) 206-0650

July 22-24, 2011 AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days Lexington, Ohio www.americanmotorcyclist.com July 23, 2011 Marysville Ride for Kids Marysville, Ohio (800) 253-6530

June 4-5, 2011 AHDRA Ohio Bike Week Nationals Summit Raceway Park - Norwalk, Ohio

August 8-14, 2011 Sturgis Motorcycle transportation available from Scottsdale Interstate Transport (330) 206-0650

June 5, 2011 Cleveland Ride for Kids Rocky River, Ohio (800) 253-6530 June 11-19, 2011 Laconia Bike Week Motorcycle transportation available from Scottsdale Interstate Transport (330) 2060650 June 12, 2011 Walnecks Swap Meet and Bike Show Springfield, Ohio Walneckswap.com June 12, 2011 3rd Annual COPS Ride www.copsride.com July 7-10, 2011 Gettysburg Bike Week Motorcycle transportation available from Scottsdale Interstate Transport (330) 2060650

April 16-24, 2011 Outer Banks Bike Week Motorcycle transportation available from Scottsdale Interstate Transport (330) 206-0650 July 14-16, 2011 Ohio State H.O.G. Rally April 23, 2011 Cuyahoga Valley, Ohio Rolling Bike Night Unveiling www.ohstatehogrally.com Sawmill Creek Lodge – Huron, OH www.thunderroadsohio.com/rollingbikenight July 15, 2011 2nd Annual SSG Shannon M. Smith April 30, 2011 “No Fear” Motorcycle Memorial Combat Veterans Association Fund Event & Poker Run Raiser for Fisher House Delaware, Ohio Quaker Steak & Lube Columbus Vendors invited! Louisville88@hotmail.com Contact Sean Hall (614) 581-4918 Sunday May 1, 2011 28th Annual Louie Run Lake County Fairgrounds Multiple Starting Points. www.louierun.org 88

July 17, 2011 12th Annual Police Memorial Motorcycle Rally Cleveland, Ohio www.clevelandpolicescholarship.org

July 29-31, 2011 Wetzelland Motorcycle Rally Van Wert, OH wetzelmc.com

August 18-21, 2011 Rally On The River Ironton, Ohio Rallyontheriver.com September 1-5, 2011 Chillicothe Ohio Easy Rider Rodeo Ross County Fairgrounds Chillicothe, Ohio 46501 www.easyridersevents.com

Bikers Memorial Fund Sandusky Ohio The Bikers Memorial Fund {BMF} is a non profit organization formed in 1994 by a group of 12 founding members to build a memorial to riders who had taken their last ride. This Memorial is a place for family and friends to go and honor their loved ones by memorializing their name and their love of motorcycling. The memorial is located in front of the American Legion Post 83 on Route 4 in Sandusky, Ohio. Since it’s formation, the memorial has been built and paid for and thousands of dollars have been given to those in need. Your donations have enabled us to provide assistance to the Victory Temple Soup Kitchen, Safe Harbor, Ohio Veterans Home, Stein Hospice, Care and Share, Toys for Tots, Ronald McDonald House, Locks for Love, many other charities and area families who have

been struck by illness or tragedy. We also support a College Scholarship program. In 2007 the BMF completed the project of adding 2 more stones and enlarging the memorial for more names to be added, as the present stones were almost full. We have also added brick pavers in the center of the sidewalk surrounding the memorial to be sold and engraved for anyone wanting to remember or honor a friend or business that supports the Bikers Memorial. To continue to support the memorial and give back to the community we have several fundraisers per year. They are our annual May Party/Poker Run, Oak Ridge Festival Bike Show and other events during Ohio Bike Bike.

September 8th - 11th, 2011 “NEVER FORGET 9/11” Tenth Anniversary Four Day Ride to Shanksville, Washington and New York City Email kiksharley@aol.com September 11, 2001 Defiance Fire Fighters Poker Run to Benefit MDA Defiance, Ohio (734) 416-7076 September 18, 2011 March of Dimes Bikers for Babies Cincinnati, Ohio (513) 769-3588 October 8-10, 2011 3rd Annual Flying Horse Ride An escorted ride from the AMA Museum in Pickerington, Ohio to Gettysburg, PA. Benefits children with serious illness. Contact Flying Horse Farms for more information: (614) 505-6161 www.flyinghorsefarms.org October 13-16, 2011 Daytona Biketoberfest Motorcycle transportation available from Scottsdale Interstate Transport (330) 206-0650 Thunder Roads® Magazine OHIO

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Motorcycle themed clubs and organizations are invited to list themselves and their contact information here for $60 annually. This is a great way to promote your group and the activities that you host. Listed organizations are encouraged to share event information, pictures, and news on the club at no additional charge. Thunder Roads Ohio reserves the right to limit this due to space restrictions. For more information, email: thunderroadsohio@gmail.com ABATE OF OHIO, INC (American Bikers Aimed Towards Education) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to preserving the rights, improving the image, and promoting safe operating practices of Ohio Motorcyclists. www.abate.com (614) 319-3644 Email: sales@abate.com ALL AMERICAN INDIAN M/C Since 1965 www.allamericanindianmotorcycleclub.com Contact: Paul Clement 440-647-3723 paulteri@aol.com

CHELLE’S ANGELS Promote sisterhood and camaraderie among women motorcycle riders through participation in club rides and activities, shared goals and monthly meetings. Serving South Central Ohio Chelles-angels.tripod.com Contact: Michelle Storts 740-503-5456 chelles-angels@hotmail.com

IRON MARSHALS M/C A family club that welcomes and encourages law enforcement, fire and police personnel as members. We were formed by a group of non-law enforcement members who were riding with a law enforcement club. This group of people wanted to start a club that catered to all people that wanted to ride not only police officers. www.ironmarshalsmc.com Contact: Ike- President 216-323-0059 info@ironmarshaslmc.com meets on Sundays

CHROME DIVAS Our Mission Statement: Through the diverse sisterhood of the Chrome Divas, our mission is to build a positive image of women motorcyclists and enthusiasts; promote motorcycle safety; elevate consciousness of automobile drivers; create awareness of women and children’s issues while giving back to our communities but most importantly, to ride and have fun! National Organization with multiple chapters in Ohio. www.chromedivas.com

LADY TREND SETTER M/C An all-female motorcycle club who have set forth a commitment to join forces with other motorcycle clubs to promote motorcycle safety, unity and represent our sisterhood in a positive manner at all times. We are a group of ladies who love to ride but while riding want to make a difference in our communities. Our goal is to replenish one community at a time. www.ladytrendsettersmc.org Contact- 8Ball-Recrutier 216-240-8104 ladytrendsettersmc@yahoo.com

ARMED FORCES M/C The Armed Forces of America MC (AFMC) is a national organization with chapters throughout the United States. We are the second oldest 100% military MC in the USA comprised of active duty, reserve, retired, and honorably discharged veterans of all branches of the Armed Forces of America. We share a brotherhood of both service to our country and in the wind North Ohio Chapter www.afmcsoh.com South Ohio Chapter www.afmscooh.com afmc@afmcsooh.com

Cincinatti Chapter Supports Susan G. Komen for the Cure! Email: socialbutterflyns@yahoo.com

Columbus Chapter Focuses on raising funds for The Stefanie Spielman Fund for Breast Cancer Research. Email: chromediva_vixen@yahoo.com Facebook: Columbus.chromedivas

ARMOR BEARERS M/C To Spread the Gospel to All Bikers www.armorbearersmc.com John (Preacherman) Harris johnjrharris@yahoo.com

Darby Creek Chapter Email: chromediva_wildthang@yahoo.com

AXEMEN M/C Fundraising and active support for brothers in need. Axemenmc.org Central Ohio Chapter Meetings 3rd Wednesday of Every Month Rocky Lawrence, President rlfire23@hotmail.com BIKERS AGAINST CHILD ABUSE (BACA) We are an Organization of Bikers working to protect children from the horrors of child abuse by lending them support and friendship, and giving them a family they can count on. We are a non-political, nondenominational organization. Central Ohio Chapter Meetings @ 2pm 3rd Sunday of Each Month (614)271-7478 Contact: RED-President cenohbaca@gmail.com BLUE KNIGHTS INTERNATIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT M/C A non-profit fraternal organization consisting of active and retired law enforcement men and women who enjoy riding motorcycles. Contact: Bob Flanagan- President (207) 947-4600 www.blueknights.org BROTHERS IN BLUE Brothers In Blue is a non-profit organization formed to bring Law Enforcement, Firefighters and EMS together who share the common interest in motorcycles. we are open to guys with motorcycles of 750cc and up of any kind. www.brothersinblue.org CATHOLIC CROSS BEARERS M/M To bring the love of Jesus to the streets and to those imprisoned. An International Organization. www.catholiccrossbearersmm.com Eric Wardrum – National President / Founder catholiccrossbearersmm@gmail.com 90

Ohio Clubs, Organizations & Associations

LANCASTER OHIO BIKERS ORGANIZATION (LOBO) The purpose of LOBO is to recognize each brother and sister as a free spirit, and to show one another the respect a biker deserves. LOBO is a non-profit organization that raises money for different charities by doing poker runs throught the riding season. Serving the Lancaster, Ohio area. www.lobobikers.org LYFERS M/C The Lyfers MC share the common interests of motorcycling, promoting motorcycle safety, and brotherhood. We provide support to members and various non-profit charities across the United States. We also try to help rebuild our communities by helping the elderly and being positive role models to our children. www.lyfersmc.com Contact: Marty- President

Dayton Chapter Email: silvers81@yahoo.com Xenia Chapter Xenia Chrome Divas are commited to helping people affected by domestic violence,sexual assualt, and child abuse. Email: chromedivareaper@gmail.com Facebook: xeniachromedivas

MASONIC MOTORCYCLE CLUB INTERNATIONAL The purpose of the Masonic Motorcycle Club International is to bring together Master Masons whose common interest is motorcycle riding, promoting good fellowship, and encouraging membership in the Fraternity www.masonicmotorcycleclub.org Contact: W.B. Rex Baker- Membership Chairman summerrider5054@embarqmail.com OHIO MOTORCYCLISTS FOR CHILDREN Our purpose is to raise money to support worthy institutions that provide for the medical and emotional welfare of at risk children in Ohio. OMFC also provides support to other motorcycle organizations with similar goals. www.ohiomcforchildren.org 614-519-2843 ROLLING SHADOWS RC The Rolling Shadows Riding Club is a non-profit organization that was established in 2009 by a group of best friends seeking the love of motorcycling and like-minded spirit , regardless of one’s choice of ride. Based in Cleveland, OH our club participates in group rides for charitable runs, raising funds for worthy causes, and an overall passion for riding. Contact: Mark Salsgiver- Sargent At Arms rollingshadows@gmail.com Facebook: Rolling Shadows RC SATIN & STEEL Satin and steel is a Club of local women motorcycle riders who have come together to support local charities and organizations in the greater Delaware County area. If you are interested in learning more about us or you would like to donate or sponsor our efforts please contact us at satinsteel@ymail.com Website: satinandsteel.weebly.com WARRIORS FOR THE CHILDREN Anti-Child Abuse. Awareness and Prevention www/warriorsforthechildren.com

CLASSIC BRITISH M/C of CINCINNATI Dedicated to the riding, preservation, and enjoyment of British motorcycles past and present. www.cincybritishbikes.com Contact: FOLEYBR2@insightbb.com COMBAT VETERANS ASSOCIATION Our mission now is to support and defend those who have defended our country and our freedoms. http://oh.combatvet.org Contact: Ohio State Representative jansokolnicki@att.net COPPERHEADS LE/ MC An association of law enforcement and military riders. Cleveland Region Steve Pumba MrPig4u@aol.com FREEMASONS RIDING CLUB The Freemasons Riding Club is an association founded and designed specifically to introduce motorcycling Freemasons to one another. We are comprised entirely of Freemasons with a love for freedom that is only found on two wheels – in the wind. We find our best place working in our communities and supporting various causes and charities, especially while riding with our Brothers. www.freemasonsrc.org fmrc@comcast.net INDIAN 4 CLUB The Club is dedicated to the preservation, restoration and enjoyment of the Indian Four Cylinder Motorcycle and all other American-made 4 cylinder motorcycles no longer being produced. Since 1961 www.indian4club.org Contact: Beverly Corsmeir –Treasurer Beverly.Corsmeier@cbws.com

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CLUBS, ORGANIZATIONS, ASSOCIATIONS

Ohio Clubs, Organizations & Associations

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Market your business to local bikers here. Call (440) 678-8608 for more info.

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Thunder Roads速 Magazine OHIO

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Two Texans were out on the range talking about their favorite sex positions. One said, “I think I enjoy the rodeo position the best.” I don’t think I have ever heard of that one, said the other cowboy. “What is it?” Well, it’s where you get your wife down on all fours and you mount her from behind. Then you reach around and cup each one of her breasts in your hands and whisper in her ear, ‘Boy, these feel just like your sister’s.’ Then you try like hell to stay on for eight seconds.” “Super B.” a good old southern gentleman in his later 70’s, was sitting at his local watering hole; The Stable”, when a really sexy woman in her late 30’s walked up to him and whispered, “hey good lookin’, let’s you and me run upstairs and make passionate love”. Super B. looks at her, smiles, and calmly replies, “well, darlin’, that’s a dang fine idea and I’m certainly game, but you’re just going to have to choose one or the other as there’s no way both those together are gonna’ happen.”

A congressman was seated next to a little girl on an airplane so he turned to her and said, “Do you want to talk? Flights go quicker if you strike up a conversation with your fellow passenger.” The little girl, who had just started to read her book, replied to the total stranger, “What would you want to talk about?” “Oh, I don’t know,” said the congressman. “How about global warming, universal health care, or stimulus packages?” as he smiled smugly. “O.K.,” she said. “Those could be interesting topics but let me ask you a question first. A horse, a cow, and a deer all eat the same stuff - grass. Yet a deer excretes little pellets, while a cow turns out a flat patty, but a horse produces clumps. Why do you suppose that is?” The legislator, visibly surprised by the little girl’s intelligence, thinks about it and says, “Hmmm, I seriously have no idea.” To which the little girl replies, “Do you really feel qualified to discuss global warming, universal health care, or the economy, when you literally don’t know shit?” And then she went back to reading her book. Just got off the phone with a friend in Anchorage, Alaska. He said that since early this morning the snow has been falling heavily and it is nearly waist high. The temperature is dropping way below zero and the north wind is increasing, and his wife has done nothing but look through the kitchen window all morning. He says that if it gets much worse, he may have to let her in. So this spoiled rotten preppie is pulled over by a hard-working, veteran cop for going 70 in a 30 m.p.h. suburb with kids playing in the yards, and as the cop walks up to the top down convertible BMW the kid says, “Do you have any idea whom my Father is?” and the veteran cop cooly replies,“what….., your Mom never told you?”.

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I recall my first time with a condom. I was 16. I went in to buy a packet of condoms at the pharmacy. In those days it took a lot of guts to go in a store and ask for that kind of item because everyone in town knew you, and there was no doubt the young lady behind the counter knew what they were for. She was working as an assistant behind the counter, and she could see that I was really embarrassed by the whole procedure. She handed me the package and asked if I knew how to wear one. I honestly answered, ‘No, not really.’ So she unwrapped the package, took one out and slipped it over her thumb. She cautioned me to make sure it was on tight and secure. I apparently still looked confused. So, she looked all around the store to see if it were empty. It was. ‘Just a minute,’ she said, and walked to the door and locked it. Taking my hand, she led me into the back room, unbuttoned her blouse and removed it. She unhooked her bra and laid it aside. ‘Do these excite you?’ She asked. Well, I was so dumb-struck that all I could do was stand there with my mouth open and nod my head. She then said it was time to slip the condom on. As I was slipping it on, she dropped her skirt, removed her panties and lay down on a desk. ‘Well, come on’, she said, ‘We don’t have much time.’ So I climbed on her. It was so wonderful that, unfortunately, I could no longer hold back and ZAPP!, I was done within a very few moments. She looked at me with a bit of a frown. ‘Did you put that condom on?’ she asked. I said, ‘sure did,’ and held up my thumb to show her. She then beat the crap out of me... An 86-year-old man goes for a physical. All of his test results come back normal. The doctor says, “Eddie everything looks great. How are you doing mentally and emotionally? Are you at peace with God?” Eddie replies, “God and I are tight. He knows I have poor eyesight, so he’s fixed it so when I get up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom, *poof* the light goes on. When I’m done, *poof* the light goes off.” “Wow, that’s incredible,” the doctor says. A little later in the day, the doctor calls Eddie’s wife. “Marianne, he says, Eddie is doing fine but I had to call you because I’m in awe of his relationship with God. Is it true that he gets up during the night and *poof * the light goes on in the bathroom, and when he’s done, *poof* the light goes off?” “OH MY GOD!” Marianne exclaims. “He’s peeing in the damn refrigerator again!” 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 $15.00, 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, $20.00’. ‘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; 50 Cents.’ The salesman looked both ways, put fifty cents 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. Harley received a parrot as a gift. The parrot cussed like a drunken sailor. Tried as he might, Harley could not get the parrot to stop cussing so raunchy and acting out. Finally, after an all-day fight and lecture to the bird, Harley, in desperation, threw up his hands, grabbed the bird and put him in the freezer. For a few minutes the parrot squawked and kicked on the door. Then, suddenly there was total quiet. Fearing that he’d hurt the parrot, Harley quickly opened the door to the freezer. The parrot calmly stepped out onto Harley’s outstretched arm and said “I believe I may have offended you with my rude language and actions. I’m sincerely remorseful for my inappropriate transgressions and I fully intend to do everything I can to correct my unforgivable behavior.” Harley was stunned at the change in the bird’s attitude. As he was about to ask the parrot what had made such a dramatic change in his behavior, the bird inquired, very softly,....... “May I be so bold as to ask what the turkey did?” Thunder Roads® Magazine ohio

Mrs. Natural Herbs and Spice’s

Prosciutto Wraps

Ingredients: 16 fresh Asparagus spears- trimmed 1 large sweet red pepper cut into 16 strips 16 very thin slices of Prosciutto 8 oz. Havarti cheese cut into 16 strips 16 whole chives Bring 1 inch of water to a boil in a large skillet for 1 minute Add the asparagus to the boiling water and cook and immediately drain , water g boilin the from agus Remove the aspar and pat dry Drain ss. proce ng cooki the stop to plunge into ice water strip on a e chees 1 r strip and Place 1 asparagus spear, 1 red peppe cigar. a like y, tightl it roll and prosciutto slice the rolled shape Tie the rolled ingredients with the chive to maintain tied and ed wrapp Repeat until all the ingredients are Refrigerate until served. . The thinly sliced prosciutto Even the pickiest eaters like these twraps e and veggies wrapped chees the limen comp to has just enough salt sweet crunchy mouth sting intere an adds r inside and the red peppe a snack or appethan more be can feel with every bite. These wraps s has been known to make a meal tizer. Mr. Natural Herbs and Spicesure that I make enough. of them so I always have to make

This simple appetizer is a hit everywhere I take it. Whether it’s a family banquet, lunch for the kids or a “she-she” cocktail party, these tender treats disappear faster than a lazy brother-in-law when it’s time to do some work. The secret to this dish are the quality ingredients. You could substitute the cheese or the ham…but it wouldn’t be the same. The ease of preparation makes this recipe perfect for party platters. Just organize your ingredients and cut them into the correct sized strips before assembling the wraps.

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Thunder Roads® Magazine ohio

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